Many might not see mouse pads as an important or even essential piece of gaming equipment, and that might have been true a decade ago. However, today, there is a big difference between a run-of-the-mill mouse mat and a top-tier professional mouse pad, and it will undoubtedly increase your in-game performance and enjoyment.
Playing on a lousy mouse pad is like playing on a rough football pitch. It isn’t enjoyable, and your performance will suffer.
It might not be as crucial as a gaming mouse or keyboard, but it definitely is important.
With that in mind, we have tested, reviewed, and compared all of the best mouse pads on the market today and listed our favorites here.
10. Asus ROG Scabbard
Size: 35.4 x 17.3 x 0.11 inches | Type: Soft Sheath
- Smooth surface & non-slip base
- High quality Cordura Lite Fabric
This goliath of a mousepad from Asus Republic of Gamers has all the makings of a great mouse pad. It has an ultra-smooth surface on top of a non-slip base, which will ensure that the mousepad stays where it is while our mouse slides around without any friction.
In terms of design, it is a hard mouse mat to hate. The red-on-black color pallet is cool and noticeable without being over-the-top, and in terms of quality, it is no slouch either. It uses anti-fray stitching and high-quality Cordura Lite Fabric, which is both splash-proof and very stain resistant.
Unless you have a spacing issue in your gaming setup, I would definitely recommend the Asus ROG Sheath Scabbard.
9. HyperX Fury S Speed
Size: Multiple sizes | Type: Soft Cloth
- Smooth cloth surface with anti-fray stitched edges
- Comes in 4 different sizes
The HyperX Fury S is another high-quality soft cloth mousepad with a super-thin build of only 4mm. The custom woven cloth surface is incredibly smooth and works especially well with light mice in competitive games. So if you are a fan of CS:GO, Fortnite, or competitive games in general, this is a great option.
In terms of design, it comes with several different options. You have four different sizes to choose from. Anywhere from small to full desk-sized x-large. It also offers a ton of different esthetic design options. I am personally in love with the Speed edition, which is seen above. Still, it also comes in simple black and even several different custom streamer designs, such as a custom Shroud or Gordon Hayward editions.
All and all, an excellent mousepad for competitive play.
8. Razer Sphex
Size: 14 x 10 x 0.2 inches | Type: Ultra-thin polycarbonate
- Beautiful design
- Ultra-thin polycarbonate design is smooth & durable
If you are looking for a seamless, ultra-thin mousepad, then look no further than the Razer Sphex V2. This colorful polycarbonate mat is a great option if you want a hard surface option, which is also paper-thin. The polycarbonate surface is quite smooth and well optimized for in-game performance, and on top of that, it is also very durable.
The Razer Sphex V2 is ideal if you want a mousepad with zero elevation from your desk. Design-wise it feels very durable and looks fantastic if you are going for slightly more flashy gaming set up.
7. Logitech G Powerplay
Size: 12.6 x 10.8 x 0.4 inches | Type: Soft Cloth & Hard SurfaceÂ
- Two separate excellent surface options
- The PowerPlay function works flawlessly with any Lightspeed Logitech mouse
- Pricey
If you think a mousepad can be nothing more than a glorified gaming surface, then the Logitech Powerplay mouse mat might change your mind. On top of being an excellent mouse mat, it also offers seamless wireless charging to any new wireless Logitech mice. This includes the Lightspeed versions of the G903, G703, G502, and G Pro.
You simply plug in the power core module to your mouse, and then you never have to worry about charging it again. It continually keeps your mouse at a high power level to ensure the performance remains stable.
It comes with two separate surface options – A hard and a soft option. So no matter what type of mouse pad you prefer, the G PowerPlay has you covered.
You can read our full review of the Logitech G PowerPlay here.
6. Reflex Lab Pro
Size: Multiple sizes | Type: Soft Cloth
High value for your moneyA lot of sizes to choose from
Testing this mouse pad was admittedly my first encounter with Reflex Lab gaming gear. But I must say that this mouse pad gave me a fantastic first impression. It is easily one of the best-extended mouse mats on the market.
It feels very durable and has a great feeling of quality. The stitched edges are a real contributor to this factor.
The mouse pad is even water-resistant, which any gamer can appreciate. We have all tried spilling some beverage while gaming, this pad makes it less of a mess.
The general shape and feel are very classic. The thickness is, however, what sets it apart from most others. This can be a major pro or con, depending on who you ask. Personally, I prefer a thin, smooth one, but that is just me.
The anti-slip rubber underneath makes sure that it does not move around while you game, which is crucial for any huge extended mouse pad since if it moves, your entire gaming setup moves. But luckily you don’t have to worry about that with this one.
It is as smooth as a cloth surface can be for your mouse.
5. Corsair MM800 Polaris
Size: 13.8 x 10.2 x 0.2 inches | Type: Hard SurfaceÂ
- Smooth & high-quality surface
- 15 separate RGB lit & customizable zones
- Pricey
Interested in a slightly more flashy option than your average mouse pad? The Corsair MM800 Polaris is one of the best gaming RGB lit mouse mats on the market.
It has a non-slip rubber base with a low-friction hard textured surface, which is both durable and smooth. And in terms of RGB lighting, it has 15 separate RGB zones, which are all fully customizable.
A nice bonus feature is the additional USB port at the top of the mat, which allows you to have an RGB pad without giving up a USB port.
Related:Â Best Mice for Fps Gaming – Full List.
4. Corsair Gaming MM300 Anti-Fray Cloth Series
Size: Multiple Sizes | Type: Cloth
- Low-friction polymer materials is comfortable and effective
- Comes in 5 different sizes
Design-wise, this series from Corsair is probably our absolute favorite. And in true Corsair style, it is also one of the most qualitative mouse pads on the market.
Whether you want a small, medium, or extended mouse pad, Corsair has got you covered.
It has been optimized for both laser and optical gaming mice. So no matter what mouse you have, this one will suit you.
This cloth mouse pad is of the highest quality and has endless durability. It is, however also a bit more pricey than most, but still very reasonable.
It even has anti-skid rubber beneath it, to make sure it stays in place. So don’t worry about it being slippery, just because it’s made of cloth.
3. Razer Firefly Chroma
Size: 14 x 10.1 x 0.2 inches | Type: Available in both Hard & Cloth editions
- Beautiful & customizable RGB lit zones
- Smooth surface optimized for gaming
- Pricey
Now to the second and slightly more flashy Razer option on this list. This is for the real gaming-setup geek, with tons of customization and the famous Chroma lighting from Razer.
Any gamer who already owns a chroma keyboard or mouse, have got to get this mouse pad. The synchronizing Chroma lighting can make for a truly breathtaking gaming setup. Syncing your keyboard/mouse with this mouse pad is incredibly easy, and requires the Razer software.
The pad itself is surprisingly smooth and makes for an excellent surface for your gaming mouse.
This mousepad is a bit more expensive than most pads, but it is also much more than just a pretty piece of gaming gear.
If you are looking to perfect your gaming setup, and turn it into more than just a gaming station, then this is for you.
Related:Â Best Mice for MOBA Gaming – Complete List
2. Razer GoliathusÂ
Size: Multiple Sizes | Type: Available in both Hard & Cloth editions
- Comes in several different sizes and custom patterns
- High-quality weaved materials
Now we move on to a real fan-favorite among gamers. This series from Razer is known for its look and quality cloth design, and it comes it all sizes you may desire.
If you are not a big fan of the aforementioned hard LED mouse pad from Razer, then this might be precisely what you need for your gaming setup.
This series is mostly known for its medium-sized pad, which you have surely seen before if you are an avid gamer. But the extended version works very well as well.
It sticks incredibly to the surface, and won’t move around unintended during gaming sessions.
1. SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad
Size: Multiple Sizes | Type: Multiple types
- Comes in all different types & sizes
- Very high value for money
- Incredibly smooth
The QcK series from Steelseries is by far the most popular and praised mousepads in the world. I dare to say it is also the best one if you are looking for something simple and effective.
I have yet to come by a mouse pad as smooth as the QcK, and while some others on this list can match it – it is still second-to-none.
In terms of price, it is incredibly affordable and comes in many different sizes.
There is a reason this is the choice of most E-sport players and pro gamers alike. It is simply because it’s brilliant, reliable, and simplistic. And it is our editors’ choice for this list, although every single mouse pad on this list is worth considering.
Things to Consider Before Buying – Mouse Mat Buying Guide
A mouse pad is a simple device, and although its usage is waning thanks to multi-surface calibrated gaming mice, it does have a lot of appeals. We’ve just outlined some of the things one must look for when choosing a great mouse pad.
Size
First up, the size of the mousepad is essential. Size-wise mousepads can range between 10 x 8.5 inches to a massive 38 x 18 inches. The logic is quite simple, really. If you use a very low dpi setting, then you might need a bigger pad else to opt for a smaller, more conventional gaming mouse pad. Gamers at times tend to use bigger pads so that it acts as a wrist rest as well.
It is hard to explain just how nice it is to go from a small or no mouse pad and then start using an XXXL mouse mat.
Thickness is another vital aspect, and this tends to vary according to the brand as well. Some mousepads are 0.1 to 0.2 inches thick, while others offer variable thickness with some level of cushioning.
Material
This determines how smoothly your mouse glides over the surface, and it’s probably the most vital aspect since it’s also a functional aspect. You can opt for either a soft or hard surface, depending upon what you are used to. A lot of mousepads are dual surface pads, as well. Which offers a smoother surface on one side and a coarser surface on the other. If you play games from many different genres, then this would be a great thing to have
Additional features
Brands like razer tend to offer backlit gaming mouse pads, too, and these can really spice up the aesthetics of your rig setup. Often times when a mouse is backlit, it can be entirely covered by your hand, but the backlit pads make your setup look that much more impressive. Some of these offer 16.8 million color options too. A wrist rest is another feature that is much desired. Some brands do provide pads with inbuilt wrist rests that will help you game for long hours.