Casters are one of the most overlooked aspects for most when buying an office chair. But that’s not to mean they are not important.
While the majority of office chairs come with wheels, not many are equipped with a locking function. Furthermore, they consist of a small cheap type that can damage hardwood flooring over time.
The good news is, there are a lot of high-quality locking caster wheels you can purchase and replace those on your existing chair with. Lockable casters let you prevent unwanted movements when you’re sitting, which is especially common (and annoying) on hard surfaces.
Best Office Chair Caster Wheels with Brakes
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Now let’s see our picks for the best caster wheels on the market with brakes, so you can easily lock them to prevent unwanted movements on hardwood and tile flooring.
5 Best Office Chair With Brakes
Caster Wheels With Brakes For Hardwood Floors And Low Pile Carpet
MySit 2″ Replacement Office Chair or Stool Caster Wheels – with Brake (Set of 5)
STEALTHO Patented Replacement Office Chair Caster Wheels Set Of 5
Office Chair Wheels with Brake, Replacement Rubber Chair Casters for Hardwood Floors and Carpet, Set of 5
Office Chair Casters Wheels（Set Of 5) – 2″ Heavy Duty Mute Desk Chair Wheels Replacement 2200Lbs
Best Type of Caster Wheels to Get Based on your Floor Type:
The Three type of locking caster you choose is dependent on the type of flooring in your office or facility area.
- Soft casters have better traction (and are safer) on hard floors such as hardwood, tiled or laminate floors.
- Hard casters boast better “roll-ability” on soft and carpeted flooring.
- Rollerblade casters are made of premium rubber materials not unlike those found on roller blades, and can glide effortlessly on both hard and carpeted surfaces.
How do I know the new Caster Wheels will fit my Office Chair?
Size is one of the main factors you need to think about when buying chair casters, whether with brakes or not. There are two aspects to size to consider:
- Size of the wheels (diameter)
- Size of the stem (diameter)
Size of the Wheels
Most office chair wheels have a standard size of 2- to 2.5-inches in diameter. While there is no harm in getting a like-for-like replacement, don’t be afraid to opt for a bigger caster (such as 3”).
Bigger wheels have less resistance and can overcome obstacles more easily (important on high-pile carpets). They also tend to be more versatile and durable.
Stem Type and Size
The stem is the metal part of the wheel that plugs into the chair leg. Stems come in a variety of styles, namely:
- Grip ring – This stem has a groove on top that is covered with a split steel ring (C-shaped metal clip) which compresses when plugged in the leg socket to provide grip.
- Grip neck – This stem features a wide base with a narrower head. When fitting it in, the head goes through the socket while the wider base allows for a tight grip to hold the stem firmly in place.
- Threaded stem – This is basically a screw that can be threaded into the socket of the chair leg.
How to Choose the Best Office Chair Wheels With Brakes
The most important thing to look for when buying an office chair is how the caster will be attached to the leg of the chair.
For best performance, the caster needs to be properly fitted. The caster can be attached in different ways. Some chairs have plastic caps that slide over the caster while others have a metal screw that fits into the caster. In either case, there should be a groove in the caster that the screw can be inserted into.
The caster can also be attached to the chair with a threaded stem or a stem with a C-shaped clip. The clip style caster is best for locking casters because it provides the best grip.
Why Choose the Best Office Chair Wheels With Brakes?
There are a lot of different caster types, so it’s important to choose one that best fits your needs. The caster should be strong enough to hold up to the weight of the chair, but not so heavy that it’s a nuisance to move the chair around.
The caster should also be made of durable materials and well-designed to withstand the wear and tear of the workplace.
WHY CHOOSE THE BEST OFFICE CHAIR WHEELS WITH BRAKES?
There are many different caster types to choose from. Some are made of a metal alloy, some are made of plastic, and some are made of wood. It’s important to choose the caster type that is best for your needs.
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FAQs About Office Chair Wheels With Brakes
Can you add brakes to casters without a locking mechanism?
Casters have no locking mechanism. They are not designed to be locked. If you add brakes to a caster, you will damage the caster.
Do all office chairs use the same wheels?
Most office chairs tend to come standard with 2” to 2.5” wheels. While this is certainly an adequate size, there are some advantages to going with larger wheels and opting for at least a 3” wheel.
How do you lock the wheels on an office chair?
Do you use the brakes?
First, there is a difference between “lock” and “brake.”
“Lock” means to set a wheel in a certain position, and then do not allow the wheel to move.
“Brake” means to make the wheel not move at all.
Many office chairs are not equipped with brakes. Some office chairs are equipped with brakes, but they are not easy to use.
If you use an office chair with brakes, you must understand how they work.
If you don’t understand how they work, you may damage the brakes.