It is possible to control the movement of the mouse better with gaming mouse pads since they help improve tracking. In addition, they permit you to take pixel-perfect shots while gaming, which will help you crush your rivals.

It can be challenging, however, for new PC gamers to select the right mouse pad if they aren’t familiar with what to look for.

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with some of the necessary information so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing gaming mouse pads.

Gaming Mouse Pads: What Are They?

Playing games requires superior tracking, control, and precision; a gaming mouse pad helps you achieve these things. Plastic, cloth, metal, and sometimes rubber are common materials for the surface, while the base is usually made from a non-slip material.

Gaming Mouse Pads: What To Consider

Gaming mouse pads should take into consideration the following five factors: 

1. Material of the surface
2. Size
3. Measurement of thickness
4. Edges
5. Extras for mouse pads

Mouse Pad Surface Material: Hard vs. Soft

It is possible for a mouse pad to have a hard or a soft surface. You will have to decide for yourself whether you prefer a soft mouse pad or a hard mouse pad. 

However, understanding their pros and cons can give you some insight into which is best for you. 

Mouse pads that are soft

A cloth mousepad, also known as a soft mouse pad, is composed of woven fabric with a spongy base. Most users find it comfortable to rest their wrists on these cloth mice because of the cushioning under them. 

Another benefit of soft mouse pads is that they can be folded up for easy transportation. The friction that you get when sliding the mouse makes a soft mouse pad more precise due to the fact that you have more control over it. 

The importance of this can be seen in games like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Apex Legends, which require players to have greater control over their crosshairs and movements compared to other games. It is also quieter as mice slide on cloth surfaces than on hard surfaces, so as a result, you will get less noise while using the mouse. 

You can also expect your mouse feet to last longer with soft mouse pads than with hard ones. As opposed to a hard surface, their soft surface is less likely to wear out your mouse’s feet as quickly. 

Mousepads made of hard material

The material used for hard mouse pads is smooth and solid, such as aluminum or plastic. They are perfect for fast-paced games where control is less important than speed. Hard mouse pads allow you to glide your mouse long distances with little force. 

It’s very easy to keep them clean, all you need to do is wipe them with a damp cloth and allow them to dry. It’s that simple! During prolonged gaming sessions, gamers may find their hands getting sweaty because of their water-resistant nature.

Additionally, hard mouse pads can be used with either optical or laser gaming mice. It is sometimes possible for laser gaming mice to have problems with their sensors when they are used on soft mouse pads. 

In laser sensors, this happens because they are incredibly sensitive and tend to detect too much information, such as tiny fibers reflected in the laser beam. In contrast, they work just fine on hard surfaces.  

You can choose from Small, Medium, Large, or Extended sizes

There are several sizes of gaming mouse pads to choose from, including small, medium, large, and extended. Large mouse pads are preferred by most gamers because they give them sufficient room to maneuver their mouse freely, and they are compatible with any gaming style.

If you are gliding your mouse short or long, you don’t need to touch the edges of your mouse pad. In addition to that, big mouse pads allow you to control the mouse from all different angles, working with claws, fingertip tips, and palms. 

In addition, if your gaming mouse has a low DPI or sensitivity, you should consider using a large mouse pad. Moving and aiming at targets is easier when you have a low DP, especially when playing FPS games. 

Thin, standard, or heavy

Gaming mouse pads have different thicknesses depending on their bases. A thin mousepad has a 2 to 2.5 mm thick base and a standard mousepad has a 3 to 3.5 mm thick base. If you use a thin mouse pad, you can bend it to fit your surface, which is usually more flexible than a thicker one.  

You don’t want a thin mouse pad to warp and fold as it adjusts to your desk’s contours and deeps, creating an uneven surface that’s bad for gaming. A slim mouse pad is great if your desk surface is smooth and uniform.

Furthermore, slim mousepads are highly portable, so they’re easy to carry around. In addition, they can slip around if their base doesn’t have a non-slip surface. 

The base of standard mouse pads is slightly thicker than thin, so it’s not too thin or thick. The main reason why most gamers prefer them is that they aren’t too heavy for them to move around easily, and they are rigid enough so that they maintain a uniform surface.

They are very thick because they have a heavy base. Even if your desk is uneven, you’ll always get a flat, uniform surface thanks to their rigidity. Fabric wrist rests are very comfortable for extending long periods of time since they provide a thick cushion. 

It also comes with a mouse pad that grips the surface better, preventing any movement. The weight and thickness of this device may also be a disadvantage for those who value portability.

The type of edge finish

It is common for cloth mouse pads to fray when used for a prolonged period of time or after several items of washing without stitching. Your mouse pad will have a shorter lifespan this way, and you will have an untidy desk as a result.

Hence, it is advisable to purchase a soft mouse pad with stitched edges to prevent fraying. It is also important to have smooth edges on hard mouse pads to prevent your wrists from being scratched or shredded.

Features you might want to consider

Corsair MM1000 Qi and Logitech G PowerPlay are two gaming mouse pads that offer greater functionality than just an optimized surface. These mouse pads come with an array of extra features, including:

Using wireless charging

You can now power wireless gaming mice as well as other wireless devices including smartphones with some mouse pads that support wireless charging. You won’t have to worry about the battery life of your gaming mouse this way. 

RGB Lighting

Getting a gaming mouse pad with RGB lighting is great if you are a fan of this feature. Gaming peripherals such as keyboards and mice can be synced with RGB lighting effects.

Passthrough of USB devices

There is also a USB pass-through built into the majority of modern mouse pads to allow you to plug in your wired gaming mouse closer to the pad. It is possible to connect other peripheral devices such as signal adaptors via USB ports. 

In addition to customizable game art, wrist rests, and water-resistant properties, your gaming mouse pad might come with extras such as wrist rests. 

Gaming Mouse Pads: What To Consider

Choose a gaming mouse pad that meets your specific requirements. You need a mouse pad that provides ample space for moving your mouse without being restricted. 

It is important to make sure that your gaming desk has sufficient space for a large or extended mouse pad. Moreover, it is important to consider the type of finishing at the edges as well as comfort.

Gaming mouse pads are available from a variety of brands, so you can choose what you want. It should be easy to select a mouse pad that suits your needs if you keep all the factors discussed in this article in mind.