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Best Gaming Mouse Pad

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Updated December 8, 2021

We checked out more than 20 of the best gaming mouse pads that will suit people of varying gaming styles—whether you’re a precision-type or FPS gamer looking for a coarse mouse pad or someone who prefers a buttery smooth pad. We also considered standard and wide-sized mouse pads with stable undersides. So, what type of mouse are you using? If you are planning to replace your mouse, go to our computer mouse page and find some great alternatives.

The SteelSeries QcK gaming mouse pad is our top pick due to its high-quality and versatile surface that can accommodate both low and high dots per inch (DPI) game settings, stable base, appropriate size, and none-frayed edging. Keep reading to learn more about our top pick and our three other most recommended mouse pads for gaming.

Top 4 Best Gaming Mouse Pad

 #1  SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

Award: Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: This mouse pad features a micro-woven cloth top and rubberized backing that both optical and laser mice users adore. Its smooth surface, well-stitched edges, and size options make it a gold standard among hardcore gamers.

Pros
  • Best budget
  • Renowned micro-woven surface
  • Non-frayed edges
Cons
  • Gradually warps in humid settings

The high thread count of this mouse pad, which comes from the Danish brand that has been highly patronized by eSports players for the past 15 years, offers a smooth surface for tracking.

The super-thin 2mm (0.08 inches) product has a rubber bottom/underside that makes it skid-free, providing support for larger mouse movements when playing FPS games or smaller movements when playing MMORPGs. Its edges stay intact for a long time because of the fine stitching. Using the best mouse with this top pick will yield great results in-game.

 #2  VicTsing XXL Mouse pad

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

Award: Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: This wide mouse pad made of braided superfine fiber allows for great speed and control. It’s highly durable due to its liquid-resistant surface, non-slip rubber base, and fine stitching around the edges.

Pros
  • XXL wide gaming surface
  • Waterproof surface
  • Non slip rubber back
Cons
  • Black color fades in time

Wide enough to accommodate your keyboard and mouse, this 31.5-inch smooth mouse pad allows you to glide your mouse at fast speeds. Its elastic non-slip rubber base, which is Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)-certified, ensures that your keyboard and mouse rest securely on the mouse pad even if you tap the keys fast and hard or move your mouse vigorously.

It’s easy to clean, especially if any liquid accidentally gets spilled onto its surface. The liquid forms into droplets that you can easily get rid of by tipping the mouse pad to one side. Like our top pick, the VicTsing pad features a merrowed edge that protects it from degumming and deformation making it easily one of the best mouse pads on the market. It also leaves plenty of room for the best keyboard on your desk. And if you want to check out the type of mouse pad that is favored by esports pros, browse our best mouse pad guide.

 #3  HyperX Fury S Mouse Pad

Award: Most Comfortable

WHY WE LIKE IT: This ultra-wide pad balances comfort with accurate performance through its flat cloth surface that has a slightly rough texture. A smoother or “speed” variant of the mouse pad is also available, but either way, this product will offer many years of consistent play with its textured rubber back and anti-fray stitching.

Pros
  • Extra wide size
  • Available in two types of surface materials
  • Wrist-friendly, dense woven surface
Cons
  • Hard to flatten after rolling

At 35”, the HyperX Fury S is the second widest product on our list. The precision version of this mouse is recommended for low DPI players due to its moderately scratchy surface. The densely woven fabric makes it easy on the hand and wrist, although your skin may need to get used to the precision pad’s coarse texture.

It has a large logo on the lower right-hand corner of the mouse pad, but mice operate normally on this area the way they do when moved anywhere else on the pad. This mouse pad is available in small, medium, and large. If you are using one of the best wireless keyboards you won’t need to worry about it interfering on the desk.

 #4  Corsair MM300 Mouse Pad

Award: Best Extended

WHY WE LIKE IT: High DPI gamers will want to have this ultra-wide, low-friction mouse pad. Compatible with optical and laser mice, this product’s textured rubber base, high-quality material, and reliable stitching bring out the best of your mouse and boost agility for battle-royale games.

Pros
  • Excellent precision
  • Works with optical and laser
  • Suitable for high DPI gaming
Cons
  • Emits a chemical odor

Nearly 37” wide, this product is also referred to as a desk pad. Compared to the three other products in this buying guide that are predominantly black, the Corsair MM300 sports an attractive look with a rugged aesthetic.

But it’s not just a showpiece, judging by the way the mouse can easily slide across this mouse pad with a textile-woven top. You can move your mouse around smoothly while the mouse pad is held securely in place by its textured rubber padding. There’s also plenty of room for the best tablet keyboard on your desk, but if you do need more room for a keyboard, we suggest using the best keyboard stand.

Another option is the Corsair MM600 (13.8 x 10.7 x 0.2 inches). The MM600 is made of aluminum and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response time in-game.

How We Decided

The best gaming mouse pads that are included in this review are soft cloth mousepads, being the de facto standard in competitive gaming.

They were selected to improve precision and response times, depending on your gaming style. Our shortlist includes textured mousepads for the times you need moderate resistance so you can aim more accurately, as in the case with sniping and first-person (FPS) games. There are also smooth mousepads for the majority of times you need to glide and do quick movements, as in most competitive games.

Three of our four products are about double the size of standard office mouse pads since such widths give you the needed room for your 180-degree flick shots without having to raise your mouse. All of the mousepads have a stable backside that stays put on your desk during play.

Moreover, we only selected mouse pads with no frills such as LED/RGB lighting on the edges as these products usually only work if you buy mice, keyboards, and monitors from the same brand. We also excluded more expensive items that come with accessories or extras, such as mousepads with a wrist rest since a wrist rest can be a hindrance during actual play.

But, if you’re in the market for something a little more advanced (and more expensive), check out the Corsair MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad. This Wireless Charging Mouse Pad Corsair lets you charge any Qi device wirelessly. This mouse pad also includes adapters (USB Micro-B, TYPE-C, lightning Qi) that enable you to charge other mobile devices as well. And the RGB lighting around the edge is a nice touch.

Best Gaming Mouse Pad Buying Guide

Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Texture and Material
    If you have a light gaming mouse, choose a rough mouse pad to slow it down. The rough surface will help you control the mouse better, an important key to better precision during your games.
    Meanwhile, a smooth mouse pad is best paired with a heavy gaming mouse, which needs less grip on the surface because it already moves slowly, to begin with, due to its weight. At the same time, we recommend a smooth surface if you need more freedom of movement. Depending on how soft the material is, mouse pads made of fabric or cloth can at times make you feel like the base of your mouse is “sinking” into it, making the mouse difficult to move around. But that “sinking” can provide the necessary drag to accurately aim at and hit targets. Meanwhile, a hard pad may need getting accustomed to if you’re not used to a slippery surface. But you can take advantage of this buttery feel to level up your mouse movements for fast-paced games. Mousepads made of plastic or metal, such as aluminum, are waterproof, so they are more durable in the long run. Meanwhile, cloth mousepads are more widely sold and are machine washable.
  2. Precision
    Besides the settings of your mouse, the texture and material of your mouse pad will determine how accurately and fast you aim, hit targets, and play in general. Although low-friction mousepads are generally preferred by pro gamers, some look for mouse pads that offer some amount of friction for pixel-precise targeting that results in accuracy.
  3. Thickness
    A thick and rigid mouse pad will ensure that your playing field is flat, stable, and can compensate for any bumps on your desk. Thin mousepads usually measure 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) or less. Mousepads are 3 (0.12 inches) to 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) thick on average, so anything below 3 millimeters is super thin while those beyond 4 millimeters are considered extra thick.
  4. Size
    The basic principle is that the lower the DPI setting of your mouse, the larger your mouse pad should be and vice versa. The DPI determines how sensitive your mouse is. If you choose a high DPI, the farther the cursor moves on the screen when you move your mouse. If you are an FPS player or use low DPI game settings to better aim at targets, you need a big mouse pad to turn 180 degrees without having to lift your mouse in the middle of the game. A wider mouse pad will allow you to make longer, sweeping motions, thereby saving you precious time and effort. Others also prefer a wide mouse pad so they can also put their keyboard on it and keep it from moving around during intense games.

Gaming Mouse Pad FAQs

Why can't I just use my desk instead of buying a mouse pad?

Your desk is not designed for your mouse, so it may not be as consistently smooth or hard as you want it to be. You risk straining or injuring your wrist and hand if you don't have the comfort of a mouse pad, especially if you play for long hours. The surface onto which you run your mouse affects its overall performance, not to mention its longevity. A mouse pad keeps your mouse in place, gives you better control and accuracy, and protects it from dust and other debris that lands on your desk. The mouse pad will also protect your desk from scratches that the mouse can produce.

How can I clean my mouse pad safely?

  • For light cleaning:
    Use a vacuum cleaner or microfiber cloth.
  • For deeper cleaning:
    Hard mouse pads can be easily cleaned with wet wipes or a damp cloth with a mild cleaner. When using a piece of cloth or sponge to clean, rinse and wring out your cleaning tool after going over the entire hard surface before going over the surface again for a final wipe.For soft surface fabric mouse pads, check the manufacturer guidelines for cleaning. The process normally goes this way:
    • Soak your mouse pad in a bowl of water or wet the entire mouse pad in a sink. Let it sit for a while for the dirt or grease to separate from the pad itself.
    • Pour some mild cleaner on the mouse pad and gently brush its front and back.
    • Rinse thoroughly until water runs fully clear.
    • Place the mouse pad on top of a towel. Wrap the towel over it and then press to get the water out.
    • Air dry. You can use a hair dryer, but don't put it too close to the pad to prevent damage.