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Get Pixel Perfect Cursor Movements With the Best Gaming Mouse Pads

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Get Pixel Perfect Cursor Movements With the Best Gaming Mouse Pads

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Buying Guide to Finding a Premium Gaming Mouse Pad

Table surfaces and laser/optic mouses usually don’t go well together. This combo can cause erratic cursor movements, making it hard to hit your shots in Warzone or CS:GO. Thankfully, this problem can easily be solved with a quality mouse pad. From gaming to work, mouse pads are an essential computer accessory. They provide a smooth surface for your mouse to glide across. However, there are way too many options on the market for this must-have computer accessory. So to help you keep your mouse movements precise, we made this guide to buying the finest quality gaming mouse pads in 2023.

Not using a mouse pad can be uncomfortable. It can also result in imprecise movements, negatively affecting your gaming or work experience. So, to help avoid that, here is our comprehensive guide to buying a top-quality gaming mouse pad.

How Much Should a Gaming Mouse Pad Cost?

A gaming mouse pad’s price depends on its size, build quality, and design. Extra features such as RGB can also cost more. Usually, a budget gaming mouse pad should cost you $7 to $10.  On the other hand, a quality one from a reputable brand can cost you upwards of $50. Just like most computer accessories, high-end gaming mouse pads are reserved for the most enthusiastic of gamers. These options can go for as much as $100.

Why You Need a Gaming Mouse Pad

Enhanced comfort

Gaming mouse pads act as cushioning between your hand and the hard surface of the desk. With one, you can remain comfortable while using your mouse for long hours, helping you be more productive. Additionally, it also protects the surface of your desk from any scratches. 

Superior precision

Your desktop can have small imperfections that may be hard to notice. These can cause unintended and erratic cursor movements from your mouse when it passes over them. Mouse pads, on the other hand, don’t have these imperfections. In short, you can be much more precise when using a pad. They are also designed to provide just the right amount of friction so you can move your mouse smoothly.

What To Look for When Buying Gaming Mouse Pads

Size

When buying a mouse pad, the first thing you should look at is its size. The best way forward is to measure the space you have available on your desk and pick the appropriate size for it. You must also take your hand’s size into account. Usually, you can find the dimensions of a gaming mouse pad in the product description. 

Surface material

The surface material is another important factor to consider when buying a gaming mouse pad. It is advisable to go for micro woven or soft cloth surfaces as they are the most comfortable and provide good precision. Once again, the product description will give you a rundown of the materials a mouse pad is made of.

How We Chose the Top Gaming Mouse Pads

Slip-resistance

We ensured all the picks on our list were slip-resistant. This way, you won’t end up moving the whole pad along with the mouse. This often-overlooked feature can save you from a ton of frustrating moments. You can check if a mouse pad is slip-resistant or not by taking a look at its product description. The effectiveness of this slip-resistance, on the other hand, can be judged by going through some customer reviews.

Soft mouse pads

Mouse pads can come in soft and hard variations. Hard mouse pads provide more freedom of movement. However, they have many downsides, such as being uncomfortable, less portable, and less precise. This is why we only chose soft mouse pads for our list. You can tell if a mouse pad is soft or hard by checking its product description.

01 SteelSeries Gaming Mouse Pad

SteelSeries is the OG when it comes to gaming accessories. So, naturally, this gaming mouse pad boasts the kind of high quality expected from this brand. This pick comes in six sizes to choose from to fit your table, regardless of how big or small it is. It also comes in eight styles, including themes from popular games such as DOTA 2 and Destiny 2. Some options even come with RGB lighting, which is bound to please people who appreciate color.

The pad itself features micro-woven fabric, providing optimal tracking for laser and optical mouses. Its base is also non-slip, ensuring the pad does not move under your hand. Additionally, this pick is washable so you can keep it clean and dust-free. The wide design variety and quality build have earned this mouse pad the first spot on our list.

Pros

  • Comes in six sizes and eight styles
  • Micro-woven fabric provides good tracking
  • Non-slip base for more stability

Cons

  • A bit pricey, but well worth it
SteelSeries Gaming Mouse Pad

02 Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad

The runner-up on our list is this gaming mouse pad by Amazon Basics, which comes in four size variations to choose from. It even comes in two bundles, one featuring a keyboard and one featuring a mouse alongside this quality mouse pad. This pick is made using a high-quality cloth to provide a smoother surface, letting your mouse glide over the pad without compromising on precision. 

It also features a thick base made of rubber to prevent it from slipping on the surface of your table. Despite the thick rubber base, the Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad is pretty lightweight, so you can easily carry it around if you’re a laptop user. This pick is also machine washable, making it super easy and quick to clean.

Pros

  • Anti-slip rubberized base 
  • Machine washable for easy cleaning
  • Multiple size options to choose from

Cons

  • Only comes in one design option
Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad

03 KTRIO Gaming Mouse Pad

Next, we have this gaming mouse pad which you can get in world map, leather black, RGB black, and black stealth color options. Each of these designs has a very modern look, with the world map being our favorite. This pick also comes in four size options to choose from and features stitched edges to prevent fraying, increasing its durability. 

KTRIO’s Gaming Mouse Pad is made using micro-weave cloth to provide greater control over your movement, working especially well with both laser and optical mice. This pad’s base is made using non-slip rubber to prevent it from slipping around no matter how aggressively you move your mouse. This is all without mentioning that this mouse pad is water-resistant, so it won’t be easily spoiled if you spill your drink.

Pros

  • Stitched edges to prevent fraying
  • Water-resistant build
  • Available in four different designs and sizes

Cons

  • No medium or small size option
KTRIO Gaming Mouse Pad

04 Razer Gaming Mouse Pad

Razer is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to computer accessories and peripherals. Their gaming mouse pad comes in four sizes and two design options. The classic black design option has the staple Razer green and black theme, perfect for completing your Razer-themed setup. 

Best of all, this gaming mouse pad features a micro-weave cloth surface to provide control and speed.  It also features high-density foam, ensuring superior durability and consistency. This high-density foam makes the pad very comfortable and soft, so your hands won’t tire easily. There is also an anti-slip rubber base in place made using natural-foam rubber, preventing the pad from moving while in use.

Pros

  • Durable and comfortable
  • Comes in two design options
  • Provides optimal control and speed
  • Non-slip base

Cons

  • No stitched edges
Razer Gaming Mouse Pad

05 Itopfox Gaming Mouse Pad

It has a lot of RGB, need we say more? This gaming mouse pad by Itopfox features 14 different lighting modes to bring more life to your gaming rig. It also boasts a surface made with soft cloth, providing precision in your movements. This pick also has a rubber base with anti-slip qualities to keep it in place.

Additionally, it is pretty big, featuring dimensions of 31.5 x 11.8 inches that give you more surface area to work with. This way, you can place both your keyboard and mouse on this pad without running out of space. Even better, it features stitched edges to prevent deformation and fraying. And, since this option uses a USB wire for power, setup is effortless.

Pros

  • Fetaures 14 lighting modes
  • Stitched edges for increased durability
  • Large surface area

Cons

  • Only comes in one size option
Itopfox Gaming Mouse Pad

People Also Asked

Can I wash my gaming mouse pad?

Yes, washing a gaming mouse pad is entirely okay. The process is super simple; you simply need to clean it using dish soap and water and then dry it afterward.

Can I place heavy objects on my gaming mouse pad?

It is not a good idea to place very heavy objects on your mouse pad. This is because heavy objects can leave depressions on the surface. This can, in turn, hinder your mouse’s movement.

Can I cut my gaming mouse pad?

Cutting a gaming mouse pad is generally not advisable since it ruins the original shape. It also makes the pad more prone to fraying.

Dante Ashcraft

Jun 6, 2022

18 Articles Published

Our Process & Method

We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.

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