When it comes to game equipment, what do you think of first? Graphics card, gaming keyboard or cpu? Have you never thought about the gaming mouse pad?
Configuring game equipment Our first consideration is the gaming keyboard, high DPI gaming mouse, powerful CPU, fast rendering graphics, and high refresh rate display.
But some peripheral gear is often overlooked, and the mouse pad is actually an important part of the gaming experience.
We tested various types of mouse pads, from cloths to hard surfaces, and all the products between them to select the most suitable one for each category.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse Pad?
Below I’ve broken down the various surface types most gaming mouse pads feature as well as some of the materials they’re usually made of.
Shopping for the best gaming mouse pad might seem as simple as finding one that looks good to you and will fit in with your gaming setup, but there’s more to these mouse pads than you would think.
For starters, you’ll usually find that mouse pads will have either a smooth or rough surface, and these different types of textures cater to certain styles of play.
You’ll find that most mouse pads made of cloth are a bit resistant and make it harder to quickly whip your mouse around. The main reason you’d want to slow down and limit your mouse movements is for better control in shooter-style games or other tasks that requires precision.
How do I choose the right gaming mouse pad?
Start with materials. Plastic or metal hard pads are great for use on uneven surfaces, like badly worn desks, while cloth pads are more comfortable and machine-washable.
From here, consider whether your play style emphasises speed (fast games with constant mouse movement like Fortnite) or control (tactical games like CSGO). Size comes next – generally, you’ll want as big as possible, although high DPI mice allow for smaller pads.
Finally, consider the features like wireless charging for a Logitech Lightspeed mouse and RGB for that gamer look.
10 Best Gaming Mouse Pad of 2021:
Name | L x W x H | Weight |
---|---|---|
Roccat Taito Control | 15.8 x 0.1 x 12.6 in | 8 ounces |
Logitech G440 | 13.4 x 0.1 x 11 in | 8 ounces |
Corsair MM300 Extended | 36.6 x 0.1 x 11.8 in | 1 pounds |
Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris | 13.8 x 0.2 x 10.2 in | 1.25 pounds |
Steelseries QcK Prism | 13.8 x 0.1 x 10.8 in | 1.08 pounds |
1. Roccat Taito Control
Taito Control is one of the most common mouse pads. They are mainly woven from rubber and man-made fibers to form a soft, dense foam structure that provides a smooth, consistent, and durable surface.
While most cloth mouse pads look and feel similar, several features, such as non-slip bases, stitched edges, and premium materials, distinguish them from other products.
With its simple design and sturdy materials, it has always been our first choice. In addition, the stitched blue edges prevent wear and provide a nice, focused color.
In general, this gaming mouse pad is probably the best choice, combined with a user-friendly design and a high-quality structure.
- Large surface area
- Excellent surface texture
- Excellent edge stitching process
- Noise may be generated during violent mouse movements
2. Logitech G440 Gaming Mouse Pad
When it comes to pure high speed and low drag, a gaming mouse pad with a hard surface is usually a better choice. The Logitech G440 is undoubtedly one of the best choices.
PC players need extremely fast mouse response, and hard mouse pads are more practical in RTS and MOBA games because of the speed of map navigation and compact army movement.
Unlike fabrics that are similar to textile materials, hard gaming mouse pads are made from a variety of components and blends, such as aluminum, plastic, and rubber, so there are significant differences in friction, weight, and design.
Looking far, the surface of the G440 may look completely smooth, but it is actually a polyethylene surface with a tiny texture that provides perfect running resistance.
If you are looking for a stable and durable mouse partner to cross the battlefield, the Logitech G440 will be one of the best partners.
- Low resistance surface
- Reliable manufacturing quality
- Expensive
3. Corsair MM300 Extended
If you like lower DPI and sensitivity settings, your flexible wrists may get a fair amount of exercise. Because the game requires a lot of mouse movement, an oversized mouse pad is essential.
The MM300 is a premium mouse pad from Corsair with a rubber-slip base, stitched edges and a reliable thickness of 3 mm.
It’s the largest version in the series, and when you’re working with a small keyboard, the mouse’s moving area feels almost limitless.
Like most cloth mouse pads, the MM300 Extended is woven with a sleek textile material to ensure that it feels like cutting through the air when sliding the mouse over its surface.
In the FPS game test, it is easy for us to make accurate shooting operations.
- Large size
- Very smooth tracking surface
- Sew edge
- Logo is too big
4. Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
Although the Razer Firefly is the first RGB mouse pad to enter the market, the pirate ship MM800 Polaris has quickly become the first choice for our RGB mouse pad.
It has a high-quality micro-textured surface that does not sacrifice any precision when the mouse is easily slid over the surface, even comparable to the top hard mouse pad Logitech G440.
When used in conjunction with other RGB products in the Corsair, the MM800 can also synchronize data with them and display sly lights and colors.
There are two major differences between the MM800 and other RGB mouse pads: First, the MM800 has a USB port for easy insertion into a mouse or flash drive. In addition, it uses up to 15 LEDs.
It’s disappointing that it’s quite expensive and you can even buy a gaming keyboard.
- 15 bright LEDs
- USB port
- Can be synchronized with other Corsair RGB products
- Excellent LED control software
- Extra cables add clutter to the desktop
5. Steelseries QcK Prism Gaming Mouse Pad
If you are a loyal cloth fan, then QcK Prism is definitely one of the best choices, thanks to its design, which allows you to switch between hard or cloth surfaces.
Prism’s micro-textured fabric actually produces more resistance.
Since we can’t find a credible reason to switch back and forth between the two fabrics, we hope that Seri will split the mouse pad into two different fabric models.
But what really sets QcK Prism apart is its full 360-degree illumination and the LED ring that surrounds the entire mouse pad.
This feature alone means that Prism can provide the best RGB aesthetic look, but it doesn’t have as much customization options as the MM800.
- You can choose two different surfaces
- Complete 360 degree lighting
- LED ring around the entire mouse pad
- Only 12 LEDs
- Has greater resistance than other fabric mouse pads
- No sewing edge
6. Cooler Master MP510
There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk.
It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won’t have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess.
- Glow in the dark logo
- 4 different sizes
- No RGB
7. Novelkeys Deskpad
Novelkeys is well-known for its custom group buys, covering everything a PC enthusiast could desire from key switches to mousepads. It specializes in colossal desk-sized pads in a range of limited edition styles. You’ll want to check out its website every so often to see the latest flavor, as it usually only runs each one for a limited time as a group buys.
The Camping mouse pad featuring a sprawling mountain range is currently gracing Jacob’s PC setup and comes with a tiny tent, and campfire decal in the bottom left. That exact design is no longer available, but there are always much more accessible for you to pick up throughout the year. Most mousepads come in at an accommodating 900 x 400 x 4mm size with a rubber bottom, cloth top, and outer edge stitching to match.
Just make sure to plan if you’re hoping to pick up a Novelkeys design. You will have to wait until the conclusion of the group buy before the production of your chosen mouse pad begins, after which it can be a few more months before you receive it.
Due to the nature of a group buy, there can be delays along the way, too. Still, with mouse pads as well-made and gorgeous to look at as these, you can be sure they’re worth the wait.
- Gorgeous
- Oversized
- Great price
- Limited availability
- Lengthy delivery
8. Razer Firefly and Mamba Hyperflux
If you’re like us, you’ve probably ditched the idea of wireless mice for serious gaming long ago. They came with a handful of issues, including poor latency, having to replace batteries mid-battle, or demanding that you plug a cable in to charge just when you least want to. Whatever the case was, the wireless freedom became hardly worth the trouble.
The Hyperflux system also eliminates the need for a battery inside the mouse, allowing Razer to bring the Mamba Hyperflux down to a shocking 3.4oz (96 grams). This makes it the lightest wireless gaming mouse by a significant margin. Combine that with its untethered freedom, and the mouse truly feels like an extension of your hand. The only downside is that you can’t use the wireless mode without the mouse pad. However, you can take the micro-USB cord from the pad to plug in the Mamba and use it on the go.
For those with wireless charging phones, Corsair’s MM1000 can also be considered here. Since it uses the Qi standard for wireless charging, you can simply place your phone in the corner to keep it charged while you game. On the other hand, if you have the budget for it, Razer’s Hyperflux is our top choice for its performance and sleek RGB lighting. Pair it with one of our best wireless gaming mouse options, and you’re laughing.
- Integrated RGB lighting
- Includes hard and soft surface
- Incredibly expensive
- No USB passthrough
9. Logitech G240
If you’re in the market for a gaming mouse pad, there’s a good chance that you’ve just expended a lot of effort and brainpower selecting the best mouse, keyboard and headset for your setup. Maybe you even chose all of your components and built your PC from scratch. That’s one reason why the Logitech G240 mouse pad is so attractive: It requires very little consideration and almost no setup time.
It’s a cloth mouse pad. You set it down on a surface, and thanks to a rubber base, it won’t move very much. That’s literally all you have to do. If you have a Logitech mouse, you can optimize the surface calibration in the Logitech G Hub software, which is useful, but not strictly necessary. The Logitech G240 is simply a sleek, functional, durable accessory, and that’s probably all that most gamers need.
- Responsive, durable surface
- Rubber grips
- Optimized for Logitech mice
- Somewhat expensive
10. Corsair MM1000
While a truly wireless desktop is still a few years away (at least), the Corsair MM1000 can help you get as close as humanly possible. That’s because this innovative mouse pad charges anything with Qi functionality — and almost anything without Qi functionality, too, thanks to three handy included adapters.
Some Corsair gaming mice, like the Corsair Dark Core SE, work with the MM1000 out of the box, meaning that you can charge your peripheral any time it has to be dormant for a few minutes. You may never need to connect a USB wire to your mouse again.
Of course, you can charge other Qi gadgets, too, like phones and headsets. But the MM1000 isn’t just a good mouse pad because of its ancillary features. The accessory’s hard plastic surface provides just enough friction for a comfortable gaming experience, while a USB passthrough port lets you keep all of your accessories hooked up in the same place.
- Responsive hard surface
- Can charge mice as you play
- Compatible with all Qi devices
- Expensive
Conclusion
Before buying a gaming mouse pad, you should know that you may not need it. Most modern gaming mouse have a surface calibration feature that allows the sensor to detect the type of surface you are using and adjust accordingly.
When looking for a mouse pad, there are only a few main factors to keep in mind: material, thickness, and size.Whichever you choose, you can consider using a wrist rest, which will make your wrist feel more comfortable during a long game.