New Mouse or Desk and no Mouse Pad?
Full desk mat or standard mouse pad?
Which mouse pad suits my gaming style?
Every gamer with a desktop PC has a mouse, and every mouse needs a pad. When you take your titles seriously, an ordinary mouse pad isn’t going to cut, and different styles of gameplay require a certain type of surface. The best gaming mouse pad may come in many forms, but rest assured there is a pad or mat for everyone, and we’re going to help you find the right one.
The Best Gaming Mouse Pads
Best Overall
- Multiple Sizes
- Multiple Thickness Options
- Best Seller
Runner Up
- 14 x 0.2 x 10.1 inches
- RBG Lighting
- Hard and Soft Options
Pro Pick
- 14.3 x 12 x 0.6 inches
- Dual Sided Aluminum
- Zero Slip Corners
How We Made Our Picks
While most of our expert team has not experienced the prowess of the RTX 2080 Ti, we have all used a mouse pad, and we’re gamers. That means we relied on the experiences of our staff along with verified customer reviews to find the best mouse pads for gamers this time around.
Best Mouse Pad’s for Fortnite
Gaming Mouse Pad Buying Guide
Mouse pads are not hard to find, and there are millions to choose from. Gamers can get by with any flat surface in a pinch, but if you want optimum performance, you’ll need a mouse pad built for gamers. It can make a huge difference in your gameplay, and you might be surprised by some of the features available.
Surface Style
When looking for the best gaming mouse pad, the first thing you’ll want to think about are the types of games you play. Not titles you occasionally play like web-based time killers, but ones you spend hours each day in. Consider your play style as well, as that can dictate what type of mouse pad surface you need to look for. Not everyone plays the same way regardless of the style of game.
If you need precision, look for a mouse pad with a bit of drag. Grippy pads give you more control and precision and usually come in the form of a softer pad. Alternatively, harder surfaces or slick surfaced mouse pads allow you to move quickly and swing your mouse around with ease.
To a degree, it all comes down to the types of games you play, and there are plenty of options for both styles along with some interesting hybrids. Unless you have a laser mouse that is, then you’ll need to make sure you use a hard surface, or you may have to deal with the jitters.
Hard or Soft Mouse Pad?
This is going to be a personal preference for some and necessity for others due to the style of their mouse. It’s also an area missed by consumers for reasons that have nothing to do with accuracy. Do you drink sugary sodas while you game? If so, you’ve probably experienced a spill or two, and that can kill a soft mat in seconds if it’s not built to handle it.
Another thing to look for with softer pads are the edges which can fray easily on cheaper models. On the flipside, they are cheap and easy to transport as you can roll them up and take them on the road. Hard mouse pads can deal with spills and are easy to clean but aren’t quite as portable – especially in larger sizes. They can come with some interesting extras however and will last longer than their softer counterparts.
Mouse Pad Size
If you have three monitors on your desk, there’s a good chance you’ll want a larger mouse pad, but that’s not the only reason to pick up a full-sized mat. Does your keyboard scoot or are you prone to running off the side of a normal mouse pad? If so, you may want to consider an extra-large mouse pad or one a mat that covers the entire surface of your computer desk.
Gaming mats can come at a cost, and finding one with a hard surface is easier said than done as well. While there are plenty of massive soft mouse pads available, and they are affordable, the trade-off is an obvious one. Unless the mat is made from the right type of material, it can take a serious beating, and frayed edges could be the least of your worries.
Regardless of the size you choose, consider the dimensions of your desk beforehand and the placement of any peripherals.
Mouse Pad Features
If you find yourself torn between two mouse pads that share more similarities than differences, it may be time to consider features. While there aren’t many, there are some cool perks that range from simple to high-tech.
One of the more common features is a wrist rest, and they can definitely come in handy if you have issues that require an ergonomic option. That said, choose one that’s removable if possible as you we’ve seen plenty of great pads with bad wrist rests. LED lights are also something you can find on the best gaming mouse pads although RGB lighting is also an option if you’re willing to spend a few more bucks.
On that note, if the price isn’t a concern you may want to consider a charging mouse pad. Some can only charge a specific type of gaming mouse while others can handle smartphones and slates. You’ll need to power these mats, however, which may not be an ideal option for some.
SteelSeries QcK Optimized Gaming Surface
SteelSeries QcK Optimized Gaming Surface
The SteelSeries QcK is more of a “series” than an actual mouse pad. That’s one reason it came in at the top as you can choose almost any configuration or size you need. Every style is covered in a micro-woven cloth except for the hard pad which is made for speed with a Polypropylene surface. Your size is also limited with that option to medium which is roughly 10” x 12”.
Every mouse pad in the QcK lineup has a non-slip rubber base, but the micro-woven models are also washable. The QcK is well regarded by gamers and a mouse pad we highly recommend due to the quality and the fact there are five styles and sizes to choose from.
Pros
- A wide variety of options
- Solid price point
- Well-made
Cons
- None
Razer Firefly Chroma Gaming Pad – Runner Up
A Colorful Gaming Mat from Razer Looking for a colorful mouse pad to match your rig? Razer is always an option if you dig RGB lighting, and this mouse pad has the company’s popular Chroma system built-in which features 16.8 million colors and customizable effects.Razer Firefly Chroma Gaming Pad
This mouse pad has all the standard features you’d expect like a non-slip rubber bottom and a surface optimized for gaming. The draw for this mat is an obvious one, especially if you already sport some of Razer’s gear. Inter-Device color synchronization ensures all your peripherals sync up properly and you’ll get several patterns courtesy of Chroma like Static and Wave.
Whether you have an RGB lighting system in your case or on your keyboard and mouse, having a pad that matches is never a bad thing. We also like the fact you can choose between a hard or cloth pad depending on your needs. It’s only available in one size with medium at 14” x 10.2” x 0.2” and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- High-quality mouse pad
- Hard or soft surfaces
- Razer Chroma RGB & Synapse
Cons
- Only one size
CORSAIR MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad
The Best Wireless Charging Mouse Pad If you’re a techie and have a lot of gear lying around, there’s a good chance half of it is wireless. When half your desktop is filled with wireless gadgets, the MM1000 Charging Mouse Pad from Corsair may be the solution as it can handle any Qi-enabled device.CORSAIR MM1000 Wireless Charging Mouse Pad
Wireless charging is no longer a gimmick, especially if you have a relatively new smartphone or slate. This mat can charge up plenty of those along with gaming mice like the Dark Core SE. You’ll know when your gadget is nearing full capacity thanks to a status light, and this one has USB 3.0 pass-through to boot. The hard surface is micro-textured for maximum precision and measures 10.2” x 13.7”.
The CORSAIR MM1000 comes with a USB Micro-B, Type-C, and a Lighting adapter so you can charge almost anything as long as it meets the Qi standards. It’s reasonably priced as well, so the only downside is the surface style in case you require a soft surface gaming mouse pad.
Pros
- Qi wireless charging
- USB pass-through
- LED charging indicator
Cons
- Hard surface only
Gletch XXXL Gaming Desk Pad
The Best Oversized Gaming Mat Our first oversized mouse pad is definitely in the mat class and could swallow most of the picks on our list from a size standpoint. The GLTECK Extended is large enough to hold your keyboard and mouse with ease along with anything else on your desktop.Gletch XXXL Gaming Desk Pad
Just how big of a mat do you need? That’s the only question you need to ask yourself as this gaming mat is well-made and 3mm thick with a no-slip bottom. It’s obviously soft due to the size but you washable and portable so you can roll it up and game on the go. There are no flashing lights, and it won’t charge your mouse, but it does have stitched edges and is absolutely massive.
The Gltech XXXL gaming mat is available in with a black or red edge and measures 36” x 16.5” so keep the size of your desktop in mind. There’s an XXL version of this one available as well if you need something a bit smaller but still like the style.
Pros
- 3mm thick
- Washable
- Storage bag
Cons
- None
SteelSeries QcK Prism RGB Mouse Pad
A Dual Surface Mouse Pad with RGB Lighting RGB mouse pads are easy to find, but you’re usually limited when it comes to the surface type. Well, the engineers at SteelSeries didn’t get that memo as the QcK Prism RGB is a mouse pad with plenty of pretty lights and dual surfaces.SteelSeries QcK Prism RBG Mouse Pad
Our second option from SteelSeries is an actual mouse pad, not a complete lineup of them. The QcK Prism RGB is a pad with 12-zone lighting and Game Sense reactive illumination. It’s also a pad anyone can use as one side is covered in cloth and the other is polymer. Last but not least, is the cable which is located on the left, unlike most powered mouse pads.
This mat is in the medium to large class at 14” x 11.5” and built with quality materials. USB pass-through would have been nice given the price tag, but that’s really the only knock on this one as its colorful and gives you two surfaces for the price of one.
Pros
- Dual surface
- 12-zone RGB system
- Game Sense
Cons
- The price tag
- No pass-through
CORSAIR MM350 Premium Anti-Fray Gaming Mouse Pad
Plush Comfort from CORSAIR CORSAIR managed to crack our top 10 multiple times, and our second pick from the company is completely different than our first. The CORSAIR MM350 can’t charge up your smartphone, but it will keep your mouse and keyboard in place with plenty of room to spare.CORSAIR MM350 Premium Anti-Fray Gaming Mouse Pad
This large gaming mat has a few features that set it apart from other oversized options. Style is one of them, but this particular model is known for its thickness. It’s 5mm thick with a plush rubber bottom that can even out a pitted desktop and has anti-fray edges as well. It’s slightly longer than Gltech’s mat at 36.7” but a little narrower at around 15”.
The CORSAIR MM300 is the comfiest mat we’ve come across which makes it perfect for long gaming sessions. This cushy mat comes in an XL size as well if you need something half the length but don’t want to lose the thickness.
Pros
- 5mm thick
- Anti-fray edges
- Anti-skid base
Cons
- It’s pricey
Redragon P025 Qi 10w Fast Wireless Charging RGB Backlit Mouse Pad
A Charging Pad with RGB Lighting We’ve shown you several mouse pads with slick RGB lighting, and we even found a few that will charge your phone or mouse. When you want one that does both, your options are limited aside from a handful of pads like the Redragon P025.Redragon Wireless Charging RGB Mouse Pad
This is another charging mat with Qi tech built-in which allows you to charge various wireless goodies with ease. It features protection against too much current or voltage along with safeguards against overheating and is rated at 10w. It also has an RGB system with some presets and couple of speeds, but it’s a far cry from the Firefly in that regard.
While not the most stylish option from a design standpoint, this pad is an interesting alternative if you want RGB lighting and charging capabilities from a mouse pad. The RGB system could be better as the controls are limited, but it looks good and performs as advertised.
Pros
- 10w Qi charging
- RGB lighting
- Micro-textured finish
Cons
- Mediocre RGB system
CORSAIR MM600 Dual Sided Aluminum Gaming Mouse Pad – Pro Pick
The Best Dual-Sided Mouse Pad Hard mouse pads are a dime a dozen, but it’s tough to find one that’s suitable for most gamers and not just a select few. CORSAIR somehow pulled that off with the MM600, a dual-sided mouse pad made from aircraft-grade aluminum.CORSAIR MM600 Dual Sided Aluminum Gaming Mouse Pad
One of the toughest things about finding the right mouse pad is your play style. While your hard pad may work great in your favorite games, it can slow you down in other titles. The MM600 solves that by giving you low and high-friction surfaces on either side of a thick aluminum core. It won’t be quite as portable as a soft mat but reasonably sized at 13.8” x 10.7”.
CORSAIR did an excellent job with the MM600, and it’s a great option for anyone that wants a durable hard pad suitable for more than one style of play. Some users have reported issues with the rubber feet however so keep that in mind if you’re heavy-handed.
Pros
- Dual-sided
- Aluminum core
- Nice price
Cons
- Quality control on the feet
Conclusion
Whether you prefer Fortnite, Apex Legends or PUBG or spend most of your time in EVE Online, the best mouse pad can make a huge difference in your gameplay. We hope you found something to your liking from our selections, and if you need a desk to go with that mouse pad, be sure to check out our list of the top desks for gamers!