Some consider purchasing the best gaming mouse pad as an afterthought rather than a necessity, but this should change. Sure, your mouse can still track fairly well on any surface. However, a mouse pad just makes the gaming experience much better, allowing your mouse to glide easily over a smooth mat and enabling you to perform at your very best.
A gaming mouse pad isn’t just for improving gaming performance, as it offers value to various tasks. This includes increased efficiency for a mouse for graphic design, game design, video editing, and even white-collar workers. An excellent gaming mat reduces wear and tear on both your desk and mouse, extending the lifespan of your valued products.
Now, tuck away that book or cloth and get ready to take your gaming and mouse performance to the next level with the following mouse pad selections.
TLDR: Best Gaming Mouse Pad
Overall Best Mousepad for Gaming
The SteelSeries QcK is the overall best mouse pad for gaming thanks to a smooth surface and a great price. It comes in various sizes and features a non-slip rubber base that ensures it won’t move as you make swift movements.
Other mouse pads that gave the SteelSeries QcK a good run for its money are:
Best Extended Mousepads
For mouse pads that stretch around the length of your desk, the HyperX Fury S is the best option. It features a smooth surface, and it’s large enough to take over your entire desk or project just your mouse and keyboard.
Other extra large mouse pads to consider include:
Best Colorful or RGB Gaming Mouse Pad
If you have a setup that’s colorful or full of RGB products, then the Razer Firefly V2 is the top choice. It lights up with many colors and different patterns while providing a smooth surface for your mouse to glide over.
Other gaming mouse pads worth adding to your colorful setup include:
Best Budget Mouse Pad
The best budget-friendly gaming mousepad is the Razer Sphex V2 thanks to the value for money it has. Despite its low price, it has a smooth surface, and it’s available in different sizes that will fit on any desk.
Other cheap options to choose from include:
Best Gaming Mouse Pad Comparison Table
This table gives a quick overview of the best gaming computer mouse pads, but there are more in-depth reviews below.
Best Gaming Mouse Pads Reviews
There’s no doubt that mouse pads improve the gaming experience and the usage of a mouse. This can be seen by the sheer fact that all gaming pros use mouse pads, making it possible to hit those insane flick shots that have brought fame to their name.
Likewise, they do the same for us regular gamers, and they come in a variety of options to choose from – all of which you can find below.
Steelseries QcK Review
- Smooth surface
- Thin
- Comes in various sizes and designs
- Rubber base
- Limited functions
- Hair magnet
- Speed or Control: Control pad
- Size: Various sizes to fit various desks
- Material: Micro-woven cloth
- Soft or Hard: Soft pad
SteelSeries is a major player in the gaming PC industry, churning out tons of great products. The QcK mousepad certainly lives up to this reputation, which may surprise you based on the relatively cheap price tag it carries.
The QcK is a control pad featuring a non-slip rubber base and a smooth, high thread count micro-woven cloth, making for precise mouse movements. Thanks to the rubber bottom, the pad won’t move when you zoom your mouse from one end to the other. This is helpful whether you’re gaming or working on a design where you can’t afford any mistakes.
Available as a small-to-large mouse pad, gaming has been made easy regardless of your desk size or whether you’re an arm or wrist aimer. While not featuring many feel-good features that more expensive mouse pads have, it gets the job done.
Click to Check PriceLogitech G440 Review
- Low friction surface
- Rubber base
- Perfect for high DPI gaming
- Pricey
- Works best with Logitech mouses
- Can’t roll up
- Speed or Control: Speed pad
- Size: Classic
- Material: Hard polymer
- Soft or Hard: Hard pad
The Logitech G440 is the best hard mouse pad and is particularly suited for FPS games like CS:GO and Valorant. Its hard surface means it has low friction and offers pure speed, allowing you to hit the craziest flick shots ever. It’s the perfect pickup for high DPI gamers who usually have subtle movements but need to zoom across the surface from time to time.
Thanks to its hard surface and multi-layer construction, the Logitech mousepad will be around for a long time. Its rubber base means it won’t have any unnecessary movements that may affect your performance in high-pressure situations.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), this Logitech mouse pad works best with Logitech mouses as tuning can be difficult for other brands. It also can’t be rolled up for easy transportation when you travel away from your battle station.
Click to Check PriceRazer Sphex V2 Review
- Cheap
- Thin
- Durable
- Colorful
- No RGB lighting
- Adhesive base
- Dust magnet
- Speed or Control: Control pad
- Size: Large and small
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Soft or Hard: Middle of the park
The Sphex V2 is a budget gaming mouse pad that comes from a renowned industry juggernaut in Razer. Despite being so thin that you may even forget it’s there, its polycarbonate surface is tough and durable. The pad isn’t soft or hard but incredibly smooth, meaning you can glide your mouse across the mat without much resistance.
Despite its thin build, you don’t have to worry about it moving whether you are busy clutching rounds or doing office work. It features an adhesive base that sticks it into place, preventing any sudden movement. However, this can be a negative if you move around with your equipment, as constant removal can damage your desk and ruin its adhesion ability after extended use.
It comes in a small and large size, perfect for wrist and arm aimers, respectively.
Click to Check PriceRazer Firefly V2 Review
- RGB
- Smooth surface
- Cable catch
- Precise mouse control
- Easy to clean
- Expensive
- Cable catch position
- Uses USB slot
- Speed or Control: Middle of the park
- Size: Large
- Material: Rubber & plastic
- Soft or Hard: Hard pad
If your setup largely features RGB accessories, double down with the RGB Razer Firefly V2 which boasts 16.8 million colors. This light-up mouse pad features a rugged, micro-textured surface that allows for precise control for both speedy and controlled gamers. This means as much as you make quick movements without resistance, you can also come to sudden stops without much trouble. The anti-slip rubber base will also offer a helping hand here.
If you opted against a Bluetooth mouse and bought a wired one instead, cable worries will be a thing of the past. The cable catch acts as an integrated mouse-bungee where you can securely hang your mouse’s cable. While this is great, the feature would be even better if the cable catch’s position was movable from the top.
Unfortunately, the RGB lighting is supported by a cable that takes up yet another USB slot on your PC. This may be an annoyance for designers who may need to plug in their graphic tablets too.
Click to Check PriceASUS ROG Balteus Review
- Wireless Qi charging
- RGB
- Convenient charging spot
- Features a pass-through USB slot for one accessory
- Can create a nest of wires
- Uses several USB slots
- Pricey
- Speed or Control: Speed pad
- Size: Large
- Material: Micro-texture plastic
- Soft or Hard: Hard pad
Whether you’re gaming, working on a new design, or generally using your PC, you will likely have your phone within reach. Wouldn’t it be great to then charge your phone without the frivolous troubles of a cable? That’s what the ASUS ROG Balteus is here for.
This RGB good gaming pad doubles as a charger for phones that can use Qi wireless charging. Since it’s a large mouse mat and the charging area’s located on the top right corner, you won’t have to worry about knocking your phone off.
The anti-slip rubber base secures it into place for your gaming endeavors, while the hard-yet-smooth surface allows for speedy gaming. While it requires two USB slots when fully functional, it features a pass-through USB port that will enable you to connect a headset or mouse.
What isn’t likable about the gaming mouse pad is that it introduces more wires to the equation and is a bit pricey.
Click to Check PriceHyperX Fury S Review
- Extended mouse pad
- Comfortable
- Supports both keyboard and mouse
- Heavy and thick
- May be too big for some setups
- Speed or Control: Medium but edging towards a speed pad
- Size: Comes in various sizes
- Material: Rubber
- Soft or Hard: Soft pad
The HyperX Fury S is a keyboard and mouse pad that can take up major real estate depending on your desk size. It’s made of a thick, densely woven surface for accurate optical tracking that’s in the middle of the park but leans more towards speed than precision. Over time, this gets marginally slower, but you can opt for the speed version if you’re a high DPI gamer.
The base is made of rubber, which stays in place whenever you switch from subtle to sudden movements. Its stitched edges aren’t out of this world but they don’t irritate your arm or wrist. Regardless of whether you’re a wrist or arm aimer, the Fury S works for you as it comes in medium to extra large sizes.
While the large size may benefit some users, some may not want this gaming desk pad. It takes up a large chunk of your desk, meaning you can’t afford any spills since it’s a soft pad.
Click to Check PriceCooler Master MP511 Review
- Extended mouse pad
- Durable
- Cordura fabric doesn’t immediately soak in spills
- May be too big for some setups
- Some consider it pricey
- Speed or Control: Middle of the park but more of a control pad
- Size: Comes in various sizes
- Material: Nylon
- Soft or Hard: Soft pad
The Cooler Master MP511 is made to withstand all abuse thanks to its sturdy build. This giant mouse pad is made from Cordura fabric, perhaps the peak of materials used for mousepads.
It’s resistant to sweat, tears and abrasions, while spills can be taken care of quickly as it won’t immediately soak in liquids. The lifespan of the mouse pad is further extended by the anti-fray stitching which prevents the mat from peeling around the edges.
The surface is engineered to increase accuracy and control with precise tracking allowing for use in both high and low DPI situations. Its size ranges from medium and goes all the way to a full desk mouse pad.
While some consider it pricey, the price can be justified as it’s an XL gaming mouse pad.
Click to Check PriceSubZERO Gaming TYKA Extended Mammoth Review
- Precise control
- Extended mouse pad
- Durable
- Heavy and thick
- Has RGB alternative
- Edge stitching can be irritating
- May be too big for some setups
- Speed or Control: Middle of the park
- Size: Ranges from large to extra-large
- Material: Rubber
- Soft or Hard: Soft
The TYKA Extended Mammoth isn’t just one of the best desk mats for gaming; it’s also the top soft mouse pad. Its smooth cloth surface allows for low-resistance gliding of your mouse, perfect for lengthy periods of gaming or designing. Despite being soft and more suited for low DPI gaming, it works well enough to provide precision and accuracy at all DPIs.
The non-slip rubber base secures the mouse pad, and the anti-fraying stitching protects against peeling. From an aesthetic view, the logo is small enough to be non-intrusive, and the mouse pad also has an RGB alternative for the flashy gamer. It ranges from large to extra-large, offering a ton of space for the keyboard and mouse and compensates for the movement of all aimers.
The only downside with this mat is that it may be too big for some setups and some users may be irritated by the edges.
Click to Check PriceiLeadon Extended Gaming Mouse Pad Review
- Various designs
- Extended mouse pad
- Durable
- Certain colors are duller than advertised
- May be too big for some setups
- Not as water-resistant as advertised
- Speed or Control: Control pad
- Size: XL
- Material: Rubber
- Soft or Hard: Soft pad
If you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing mat, then the iLeadon Extended Gaming Pad is a perfect choice. It comes in various designs that are eye-pleasing and will fit in with different color scheme setups.
Despite leading with beauty, the XL mouse pad is no slouch when it comes to performance. Its surface, made with superfine fiber braided material, is smooth and provides precise mouse control. The non-slip rubber base means the mousepad will stay in place during high-pressure moments.
The premium material used and the delicately stitched edges give the mouse pad a long lifespan, backed by a 1-year warranty. It’s large enough to accommodate several gaming accessories or tools used during work, like graphic design.
On the downside, some colors aren’t as vibrant as advertised, and it’s not water-resistant as it will soak up liquids.
Click to Check PriceBest Gaming Mousepad Wrist Rest Reviews
Having read the above, you now know what the best mouse pads for gaming are. You surely also noticed that none of them came with wrist support, which is where the following products come in.
Cute Pig Wrist Rest
This cute pig wrist rest is the ideal pickup if you want something that stands out while doing a great job. Its ergonomic design with slow rebound memory cotton provides excellent wrist support while using your mouse for gaming or design work.
Click to Check PriceVankey Soft Memory Foam Wrist Rest
For the minimalist, this soft memory foam wrist rest does the job perfectly. It blends in easily and provides ergonomic support for hours on hours of working or gaming. With the breathable material, you won’t have to worry about sweat or odor after extended use.
Click to Check PriceRazer Ergonomic Wrist Rest
If you want a wrist rest from a reputable brand, then you can’t go wrong with this Razer wrist rest. The memory foam cushion is wrapped in leatherette material that supports the wrist during prolonged use. It features an anti-fray stitched frame for durability and an anti-slip rubber base to secure it in place.
Click to Check Price
Best Gaming Mousepad Buyers Guide
Unlike regular mouse pads, gaming mouse pads have a list of things to consider before buying them. Here’s a breakdown of what should influence your buying decision.
Speed vs. Control Mouse Pad
The main difference between speed and control mouses is the movements usually made by its user, which largely depends on sensitivity and DPI.
High-octane gamers typically prefer speed mouse pads as they allow them to change pace easily from subtle movements to quick flicks without too much resistance.
Precision gamers who prefer FPS games usually turn to control pads. This allows them the chance to control subtle movements more easily.
Size
Size is possibly the first thing you may consider as you can tell what would fit comfortably on your desk. Mouse pads usually range from small to extra large pads, with some even bigger – turning more into a gaming desk mat rather than using a portion of your desk.
Small-to-medium mouse mats are perfect if you just want a little space to use your mouse and don’t need a wide range of motion. Larger extended mouse pads, reaching 3XL, are a perfect choice if you have a large enough desk and require a wide range of movement.
Another benefit of a larger pad is that it functions as a keyboard and mouse mat that protects your desk.
Which Material Should You Choose?
The material, as in what the pad is made of, usually decides whether the mat is soft or hard. This is a subjective choice, but here’s a guideline on what a good gaming mouse pad should be constructed with.
Common soft pad materials include nylon, rubber, and cloth. Consider these materials if you use a low sensitivity or DPI.
Common hard pad materials include plastic, metal, and hard polymer. These materials are perfect for high DPI players who want to perform a 180° turn with minimal effort as the mouse glides like it’s one ice.
Soft (Cloth) vs. Hard Mouse Pad
Soft mouse pads are the most common because they’re generally cheap and come in various sizes. They’re more comfortable than hard pads and are perfect if you typically perform subtle movements. The downside is that they are harder to clean and have a bit more friction to them (which can be a benefit if you like more control over the mouse).
Hard pads are the go-to for gamers who want to move their mouse around with little-to-no resistance, almost like gliding on ice. This means if you flick more often than not, you’re better off with a hard pad.
Check out this video for a more in-depth explanation:
Extra Features
While extra features aren’t the hallmark of the best gaming mouse pad, they can be useful, well, some of them anyway.
One of the most common extra features has been RGB lighting, which serves no functional purpose. With technological advancements, wireless charging has become another added feature found in mouse pads, charging phones and wireless mice.
Summary of Best Gaming Mouse Pad
Having read the above, you should know how important a mouse pad is for gaming and working. Getting a mouse mat can improve your performance drastically as you get the best out of your mouse and enjoy a more comfortable experience.
With the help of this article, you should now be able to choose the best one for your needs – be it one of the big mouse pads, one of the RGB mats, or a soft or hard one.
If you’re creating your PC setup, consider getting a keyboard and mouse combo to complement your brand new mouse pad.
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Matt is about 80% nerd, 10% writer, 10% animal lover. His love for PC’s started at the tender age of 4 and his love for animation and motion graphics fairly soon after. You can normally find him behind a computer screen or playing with his dog Rusty.