A Complete Buying Guide To Replacement Caster Wheels
One of the first things you will notice is that there are a surprising number of variations to choose from when you start shopping for replacement caster wheels. From dozens of different materials to the range of different diameters to all the added features and options you can choose from, it gets overwhelming.
To help you sift through the thousands of options, we’ve put together a quick guide specifically for buying replacement chair caster wheels. First, you’ll get a short guide to understanding what kind of factors you will need to consider while shopping. Then, you’ll find 3 short reviews of our top picks for replacement caster wheels for office chair.
Tips For Choosing The Right Caster Replacement Wheels
Getting the right replacement caster wheels comes down to 5 core factors: material, mount style, load capacity, wheel diameter, and extra options. Let’s take a look at each of those in more detail:
- Type of material: there are dozens of different materials that a caster wheel can be made of. For most chairs, however, you are really only going to find either rubber or metal. There are, of course, exceptions. But, in general, your safest best is to look for replacement plastic caster wheels.
- Type of mount: there are 3 main mount styles—plate, weld, and stem. If getting a stem caster wheels replacement, you’ll need to make sure the stem is the same as your current ones (i.e. - threaded, expandable, or grip ring). For plate mounts, the dimensions of the plates should match and the pattern for the bolt holes should be the same.
- Load capacity: fortunately, this is a less important factor if you’re getting wheels for chairs. Since the total load the wheels will have to carry is almost certainly going to be less than 500 pounds, just about any wheel will do. Load capacity is affected by the material and the diameter of the wheel.
- Wheel diameter: wheel diameters can range from 3 inches to 10 inches. The larger the diameter, the more easily it will roll. However, too large wheels may not fit on your chair legs or, if they do, it may look really weird.
- Additional options: you don’t need too many additional options on your caster wheels for chairs. It’s generally nice to have a swivel style wheel so that you can move easily in any direction. If you don’t want your chair to move around, you may choose to get wheels with a locking mechanism. Or if you want to avoid crushing toes, you can get wheels with foot guards.
In the case of office chairs, the easiest way to make sure you choose correctly for each of these 5 factors is to simply remove one of the existing caster wheels and bring it with you when you go shopping. In many cases, there is a model or product number somewhere on the wheel.
If you can find that, you can shop online suing this number. In this case, you can try to buy the exact same wheels that you currently have. If they are no longer in production, you can at least find information on the specifications (i.e.- material, mount style, capacity, diameter, etc.) and then note those down so you can find new wheels that meet the same specifications.
The Top 3 Replacement Caster Wheels
This selection of replacement caster wheels have been chosen specifically for their suitability to be used on chairs. However, they can definitely be mounted on other furniture as well (assuming the load capacity is within range).
The Office Oasis - Office Chair Caster Wheels Replacement
This beautiful set of office chair caster wheels from the Office Oasis is a deal that’s hard to beat. Check out the key specs below:
- Gentle on floors.
- Smooth and quiet rolling.
- Internal parts and support brackets manufactured from high grade steel.
- Each wheel can support up to 130 pounds (for a total load capacity of 650 pounds).
- Modern and stylish design.
The soft polyurethane coating on these wheels means they won’t scratch up or ding your beautiful floors or tear up carpeting. They are ultra soft and smooth. This coating along with the exceptional ball bearing technology also allows them to roll quietly across the floor. No bumps or rumbling along the way!
Office Gliders - Office Chair Caster Wheels Replacement Set
This is a sleek and well-designed set of caster wheels that could be perfect for your office chair. Check out the key specs below:
- Gentle on floors.
- Smooth and quiet rolling.
- Very easy to install.
- Sleek black design
Like the wheels above, these are coated in polyurethane which makes them gentle enough for hardwood, ceramic, laminate, or even carpeted floors. You can eliminate the need for an office chair mat! To top it all off, you can even install these without a single tool!
SunnieDog - Office 3-Inch Rollerblade Style Office Chair Caster Wheel Replacement
This set of caster wheels from SunnieDog was specifically designed for office chairs. Check out the key specs below:
- Gentle on floors.
- Smooth and quiet rolling.
- Heavy duty construction for durability.
- Stem mount with universal size
- Easy to install.
If your chair needs stem mounted wheels, these are the way to go. The universal stem size makes them suitable for absolute any stem mount system. And they are super easy to install. No tools required! As an added bonus, they look super sleek and modern as well.
Final Word
Caster wheels can add much needed mobility to your chairs (and other furniture). Once you know the specifications of the kinds of wheels you need, you can be sure you are getting the absolute perfect replacement caster wheels for your chair!
