Introduction to gaming mouse pads

Today we are dealing with gaming mouse pads, also known as gaming mouse pads. Gaming Mouse Pad a topic mostly snubbed online, but the majority of players find themselves having to face it sooner or later.

Often and willingly, you choose the gaming mat solely by looking at its aesthetics. Some believe that the mouse pad is useless and they do not even use it, or maybe they use those that are given away as gadgets by some company that produces refrigerators.

First of all, let’s clarify the subject and as always, let’s start our ranking of the best gaming mouse mats by answering the most common questions and if beyond the carpet you are looking for a mouse, read our guide to the best gaming mice.

Need the mouse pad?

To work, a mouse needs a surface that reflects the “light” emitted by the mouse so that the sensor can detect movement. It also requires a smooth enough surface to let the mouse slide. So the answer is no, you don’t need a gaming mouse pad. 

So why do people buy them?

Using a cheap mouse pad (or none at all) can negatively affect your mouse’s performance. Whether you know it or not is another matter.

At a competitive level, no player plays or moves unless accompanied by his trusted gaming mouse mat. This is above all because of FPS, Best True Wireless Earbuds, where the precision comes from speed or the carpet’s resistance to the mouse scroll.

Furthermore, the type of mouse sensor could also affect the choice of materials for the gaming mouse pad, especially your play style. If you are a “low sensitivity” or “High sensitivity” player, it will lead you to choose a different size of a mouse pad.

The dimensions of the gaming mouse pad

There are three standards in the dimensions of gaming mouse pads:

  • SMALL *: 256mm x 210mm
  • MEDIUM *: 360mm x 300mm
  • EXTENDED *: 930mm x 300mm

* Exact dimensions vary by model and manufacturer.

You can see the three dimensions in the Corsair MM300 mouse pad review. How to choose the size of the mouse pad varies according to your style of play. A player who plays with low mouse sensitivity will have a wide mouse pad because he has to move the mouse for distances more considerable to cover the entire screen.

A high-sensitivity gamer will have a small type of mouse because mouse movements will be tiny.

Mouse pad, hard or soft?

This is one of those topics that spark endless discussions on TeamSpeak. Are hard or soft mousepads better?

“To choose a gaming mat, you must first look at what mouse you have as the LED lighting (optical mice), and the Laser lighting have two different wavelengths.  

Laser light enters more profound into the surface and looks more at the underlying material structure than an LED light, which is a more superficial light”.

This is the rule. This is the physics explained by the manufacturers themselves, who today tend to forget it. If he is used to a soft mouse pad, the customer will continue to buy a soft mouse pad regardless of what the manufacturer says. Hence, waves avoid losing customers. This rule was put in the drawer, and everyone lived happily ever after.

A hard mouse pad offers very different feedback from a soft one. The smoothness of the mouse is more excellent. A gamer accustomed to a soft mouse pad would initially feel uncomfortable, so the habit and comfort given by your favorite mouse pad are more critical for the discrepancies in the detection of movements due to the use of the less suitable mat.

But if you are pure and regardless of everything you want to follow the secret path of the divine player, the choice will be:

LASER MOUSE –   RIGID PADS

OPTICAL MOUSES – SOFT PADS

What are the best brands of gaming mouse pads?

  • STEELSERIES
  • CORSAIR
  • ZOWIE
  • RAZER
  • XTRFY
  • LOGITECH
  • COUGAR

How much does a gaming mouse pad cost?

The mats vary in price depending on the brand, size, and materials. It starts from the cheapest models, around 6 or 7 euros, up to the high-end ones from over 80 euros, such as the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris. The most common, however, range between 15 and 35 euros approximately.

The Best Gaming Mouse Mats – 2021

Best soft and cheap gaming mouse pad

Technical specifications

PRODUCER STEELSERIES

TEMPLATE  QCK

DIMENSIONS 320mm x 270mm X 2mm

GUY SOFT

MATERIAL FABRIC

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 102g

Description

Steelseries, probably the no. 1 of gaming mats, is a certainty in this sector, and the QCK is the best-selling all-around budget mouse pad that I can recommend to everyone. The price is low, 13 euros, and you will have a good mat, soft, of standard dimensions 320mm x 270mm X 2mm.

This mat is suitable for both FPS and MOBA or MMORPG. It is precise and lets the mouse slide. The only problem with this line is that they wear out quickly. Suitable for high-sensitivity players.

Asus TUF P3

Technical specifications

PRODUCER ASUS

TEMPLATE  TUF P3

DIMENSIONS 280mm x 350mm X 2mm

GUY FABRIC

MATERIAL MULTILAYER POLYETHYLENE

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 91g

Description

There are dozens of gaming mouse mats on the market, but if you are looking for good value for money, the Asus TUF P3 is a mat to consider.

Unlike the Qck + of the Steelseries, this mat costs € 20, but we find some important features that should not be underestimated and justify the price increase.

The ASUS TUF P3 is made of fabric and offers an excellent surface for sliding the mouse without friction. The mat has stitched edges to prevent it from fraying after a few months. Also, the base is rubberized and ensures that it sticks to the desk and does not slip.

A good quality mat ideal for those who do not want to spend too much but are looking for a product that lasts a long time.

Razer Sphex V2

Technical specifications

PRODUCER RAZER

TEMPLATE SPHEX V2

DIMENSIONS 254mm x 355mm X 0.5mm

GUY FABRIC

MATERIAL POLYCARBONATE

BASE ADHESIVE

WEIGHT 51g

Description

Another product to mention is the Razer Sphex V2 mat. This mat and having an excellent colorful and modern design differ from the others by being extremely thin (0.5mm). Compared to the previous version, we have an adhesive base to keep the mat firmly during the game and a surface coated with Polycarbonate to improve its resistance and durability.

It doesn’t have side edges, so it tends to fray over time, but it should last a couple of years. The price is around 16/17 € depending on the period.

Best soft gaming mouse mat

ZOWIE P-SR

Technical specifications

PRODUCER ZOWIE

TEMPLATE P-SR

DIMENSIONS 355mm x 315mm X 3.5mm

GUY FABRIC

MATERIAL MULTILAYER POLYETHYLENE

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 91g

Description

The Zowie is one of the favorite gaming mats in the E-Sport field. The ZOWIE P-SR’s surface is in fabric, the structure is very smooth and linear, and of good quality. Over time, the mouse’s sliding does not decrease but always remains good as it uses a high-quality fiber to increase its durability.

The friction offered by this mat is relatively high compared to the others. More excellent resistance is not a bad thing. It is its peculiarity, and some prefer to have mats with minimal friction. Others prefer mats with more significant conflict and control.

Durability is one of the most exciting features of this mouse pad, unlike most other mouse pads that spoil quickly, including another one of the gamers’ favorite mousepads, the SteelSeries quick +, which is also much cheaper than the rest.

HyperX FURY S Pro

Technical specifications

PRODUCER HYPERX

TEMPLATE FURY S Pro

DIMENSIONS 360mm x 300mm X 3-4mm

GUY FABRIC

MATERIAL FABRIC / RUBBER

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT n / a

Description

The HyperX Fury S Pro is the playmat created by Kingston for competitive players and their esports teams. This mouse pad offers medium friction. A good best PSP game compromises those who don’t have a clear idea of ​​their pad’s resistance. If you are looking for an ultra-fast mat, this is not for you, but if you need more control in your movements without reaching the Zowie levels, then the Fury S Pro may be the ideal mat.

The Fury S Pro is a great mouse pad, and it’s also convenient for carrying. With its 4 mm thickness, it does not risk bothering anyone, offers the necessary comfort in play, and is ideal for any playing surface.

The base of the pad is non-slip rubberized and remains firmly on the desk. The edges are stitched and durable over time—an ideal mousepad for gamers looking for a mousepad with medium friction. The FUry S Pro is available in sizes S, M, L, and XL.

Best hard gaming mouse mat

LOGITECH G440

Technical specifications

PRODUCER LOGITECH

TEMPLATE G440

DIMENSIONS 340mm x 280mm X 3mm

GUY RIGID

MATERIAL  MULTILAYER POLYETHYLENE

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 229g

Description

The LOGITECH G440 is one of the most popular rigid gaming mats among gamers. Its clean design makes it suitable for any environment, including work. Its surface is not excessively smooth and offers minimal resistance to the mouse without being noisy, as happens with some cheaper rugged mats. Indeed 30 euros for a rug is not reasonable, but if you want to try or replace a hard mouse pad, it is the expense you will have to face to have one that works.

Best large soft gaming mouse pad

STEELSERIES QCK +

Technical specifications

PRODUCER STEELSERIES

TEMPLATE QCK +

DIMENSIONS 450mm x 400mm X 2mm

GUY SOFT

MATERIAL FABRIC

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 164g

Description

See a description of the QCK above, with the only difference in size, 450mm x 400mm x 2mm. This model is suitable for high and low-sensitivity players. 

Stefy XGP1-L4

Technical specifications

PRODUCER XTRFY

TEMPLATE XGP1-L4

DIMENSIONS 460mm x 400mm X 4mm

GUY SOFT

MATERIAL FABRIC

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 180g

Description

XTRFY, a brand dedicated to E-Sports with its XGP1-L4 mouse pad, is one of the least known mats among casual players, but it is one of the most popular rugs Counter-Strike and E-sport players.

The type of mat is similar to that of the ZOWIE family, with the best computer speakers, very resistant mousepads, stitched edges, and very high-quality fabric. I prefer this to the QCK +, but this is purely a personal preference.

If you are curious and like to experiment and get away from the usual names, I bet you will not regret it. This model is suitable for high and low-sensitivity players.

Best XXL soft extended  gaming mouse pad

CORSAIR MM300

Technical specifications

PRODUCER CORSAIR

TEMPLATE MM300

DIMENSIONS 930mm x 300mm X 3mm

GUY SOFT

MATERIAL FABRIC

BASE RUBBER

WEIGHT 454g

Description

For those who love EXTENDED versions, here is CORSAIR’s MM300, a great mouse pad whose surface has a woven texture and is designed to provide pixel-level pointing precision and tracking while trying to reduce friction. 

The edges are sewn so that the pad does not open in two after a year, while on the underside of the place, we find a rubberized base to avoid involuntary movement.