What to look for in a mousepad
A mouse pad is more than just a piece of cloth to put on your desk. Here are a few other things to consider:
- Top materials: Ensure smooth, low-friction surfaces for the best sensor performance
- Bottom materials: Go for textured rubber bases so the mouse pad stays put on your desk
- Size: The classic small-sized mousepads are great for minimal setups, but large desk mats can give you a wider area of use
- Design: From RGB sidelighting to uniquely licensed layouts, designed touches can help your desk mat stand out
Do you need a mouse pad or desk mat?
It’s important to consider whether you need a desk mat. These days, many mouse sensors work just fine on a desk surface. What you lose in that scenario is feel and precision. A desk mat gives a sensor an even color and texture on which to track, and it also makes it feel more consistent as you’re moving your mouse around. If you go for a larger mat, it even gives you a soft place to drop accessories and your wrists.