Hard-floor casters and carpet casters are not interchangeable

The best office chair caster wheels for 2026

Standard casters that ship on most chairs are built for carpet and can mark or roll poorly on hardwood or tile, which is why a hard-floor-specific wheel (typically rubber-coated rather than hard plastic) is the more common upgrade rather than a repair. We compare floor-type-specific wheel design, stem size and shape compatibility (this is the detail that most often gets a wrong order wrong), and rated load per wheel across a typical five-wheel base.

What we recommend

Gvolatee quiet nylon replacement casters

Quiet-rolling nylon replacement casters with a polyurethane coating, precision bearings, and a dual-wheel design for stability, fitting 11×22mm stems.

Amazon reference
B0B8VTNZ2V (identical on 5 markets)
EAN
0709688597542
- Precision bearings and dual-wheel design for smooth, quiet 360° rotation
- Smooth surface protects hard flooring from scratches
- Fixed 11×22mm stem size — measure the existing caster before ordering
Best for: A quiet, budget replacement for worn or noisy stock casters, on hard flooring.

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MYNEEED TÜV & GS certified universal replacement casters

A universal replacement caster set including both 10mm and 11mm stems, independently TÜV and GS certified, manufactured in Europe.

Amazon reference
B094GJNSB5 (identical on 5 markets)
EAN
4270002632509
- Includes both 10mm and 11mm stems in the box, covering nearly any chair without needing to measure first
- Independently TÜV and GS certified, not just a self-reported quality claim
- Higher price than the single-stem-size caster set in this hub
Best for: Anyone unsure of their chair's exact stem size, or replacing casters across chairs of different brands.

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Who each type suits

Wooden or soft flooring: The hard original castors mark fragile floors. Soft-tyred castors settle the problem with no mat.
Carpet: A soft castor sinks into thick carpet. Hard castors roll better on that kind of floor.
Chair that rolls away on its own: A chair that travels on a smooth floor takes braked castors, which release under body weight.

The trade-offs to weigh

Hard castor against fragile floor: The original castors are often hard, intended for carpet, and mark wood and vinyl. The most frequent cause of damage at a workstation.
Softness against rolling resistance: A soft tread protects the floor and takes more effort to move. On carpet it becomes tiring.
Braked castors against mobility: Castors that lock when unloaded hold the chair still as you stand up. They also get in the way of constant movement.

Questions buyers ask

Are castors universal?

The stem diameter and length follow a very widespread standard, without being universal. Measure the old castor's stem before ordering.

How do I remove a castor?

By pulling firmly along the axis, with the chair laid on its side. They are simply pressed in, not screwed.

Which castors for a wooden floor?

Soft-tyred castors, which do not mark. More effective and less bulky than a protective mat.

My chair rolls away — what do I do?

Braked castors lock while nobody is sitting and release under weight. The solution designed for that problem.

Should all five castors be changed?

Always: mixing two types unbalances the chair and wears the less suitable one faster.

Can the gas lift be replaced too?

Yes, a common wear part when the chair sinks on its own. Extracting it takes force and a tool.

What do I do about a squeaking castor?

Remove the hair and fibres wound around the axle, which are the most frequent cause. A little lubricant afterwards.

What to remember

Changing the castors is the most cost-effective change at a workstation: soft tread for a wooden floor, hard for carpet. Change all five, measure the stem before ordering — and a squeak almost always comes from hair wound around the axle.