Best Mouse Pads for Gaming in 2024
If you use a computer, (who doesn’t?) then you probably have a mouse pad of some kind. When it comes to the best mouse pads for gaming, however, there are certain qualities to look for. How comfortable is it? Does the mouse catch on the fabric? What about extra features? With these questions in mind, we’ve narrowed down the best gaming pads for several different needs.
| Mouse Pad | Price | Dimensions | Non-slip base | Material |
| Steel Series | $58.99 | 35.43 inches x 11.81 inches | Yes | Cloth |
| Razer Strider Chroma | $188.63 | 35.43″L x 14.57″W | Yes | Polyester |
| Corsair MM800 | $132.99 | 10.2″L x 13.7″W | Yes | Rubber |
| Logitech G PowerPlay | $119.99 | 1.02″L x 13.39″W | Yes | Plastic |
| HyperX Pulsefire | $49.00 | 24.02″L x 48.03″W | Yes | Rubber |
| ASUS ROG | $29.99 | 35.4 x 17.3 x 0.11inches | Yes | Rubber |
| Cooler Master | $21.32 | 14.17 x 10.24 x 0.39 inches | Yes, though not as effective | Fabric / Rubber / Aluminum |
| Artisan Zero | $91.99 | 16.53″L x 19.29″W | Yes | Polyester |
| BenQ Zowie | $39.99 | 18.5 x 15.3 inches | Yes | Rubber |
Best Mouse Pads to Boost Gaming Experience
Best Overall: SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad
Price: $58.99
Base: Non-slip rubber
Size: 35.43 inches x 11.81 inches
Material: Cloth
Comfort Level: Smooth/comfortable
Reasons to Buy:
- Widely used in the esports community for nearly two decades
- Easy to clean
- Complete desktop coverage for extra maneuvering room
- The high thread count and smooth surface increases mouse accuracy
- RGB illumination
Reasons to Avoid:
- It can be a bit too big for some desks
This is our overall favorite of the best mouse pads for gaming . It’s very reasonably priced, high quality and huge! If you’re a serious gamer, you don’t have to worry about running out of space for your mouse. On top of that, it’s got snazzy, snazzy lights. What’s not to love?
Best High-End Option: Razer Strider Chroma – Hybrid Gaming Mouse Mat
Price: $188.63
Base: Anti-slip
Size: 35.43″L x 14.57″W
Material: Polyester
Comfort Level: Medium (hard surface)
Reasons to Buy:
- The hard surface makes for precise, smooth mouse gliding
- Grippy, grooved base to keep from slipping
- Seamless edges that don’t interfere with mouse movement
- 19 Razer Chroma RGB lighting zones with over 16.8 million colors and numerous lighting effects
- Large size gives you more room to use your mouse
- Water and warp resistant
Reasons to Avoid:
- May be too large for some desk areas
- Much more expensive than some of the other options
While the Razer Strider Chroma is definitely on the spendy side, it has gorgeous lighting, smooth movement, and the edges of the pad are warp-resistant. A common complaint for most mouse pads is that over time the edges lift, interfering with movement and comfort. This quality, fancy pad always looks great, feels great, and stays where you want it to.
Best For Multi-Feature: Corsair MM800 Polaris RGB Mouse Pad
Price: $132.99
Base: Non-slip
Size: 10.2″L x 13.7″W
Material: Rubber
Comfort Level: Medium (hard surface)
Reasons to Buy:
- Polaris RGB lighting effects and customizable zones
- Pixel-precise tracking
- Full-system lighting synchronization across other Corsair peripherals
- Built-in USB port for your mouse
Reasons to Avoid:
- The area at the top where the USB is can have a slight hump that some players find distracting
- Can be difficult to find in stock
This makes our list of best mouse pads for gaming for having multiple features. The RGB lighting has tons of customizable options. If you have other Corsair products, you can really go nuts with this aesthetic. Besides that, it is simply a great gaming mouse. Smooth surface that doesn’t snag, decent space without being too large, etc. The best part? The USB port for your mouse. It frees up valuable ports on your PC or laptop and lets you have more space to work with.
Best Wireless Option: Logitech G POWERPLAY
Price: $119.99
Base: Non-slip rubber
Size: 11.02″L x 13.39″W
Material: Plastic
Comfort Level: Medium/High (you can choose from soft or hard surfaces)
Reasons to Buy:
- Light speed wireless receiver
- Can choose from hard or soft surface options
- Compatible with Logitech gaming mice
- Constantly charges wireless gaming mice as you play (or rest) with Powerplay technology
- Transferable power core module
Reasons to Avoid:
- A little smaller than other options
- If you bend the mousepad too much, you can damage the charging capabilities
This is our favorite wireless option because, not only is it an excellent gaming mouse pad, it has the huge benefit of charging your wireless mouse as you play (or don’t play, if you want it to charge while resting). For gamers who hate being tied down, not only do they get complete range of motion without being tethered by a wire, they also don’t have to worry about their mouse battery dying in the middle of a game. Win-win.
Best For Affordable Function: HyperX Pulsefire Mat
Price: $49.00
Base: Non-slip
Size: 24.02″L x 48.03″W
Material: Rubber
Comfort Level: High (has cloth surface)
Reasons to Buy:
- Has massive size options
- Very effective anti-slip bottom
- Quality stitching that doesn’t warp over time
- Smooth surface for freedom of movement
- Very reasonably priced
Reasons to Avoid:
- Can be too large for some desks
- Can absorb spilled liquids which can make clean up more difficult
- No secondary functions like lighting or charging
This is our favorite option for sheer functionality at an affordable price. If you don’t want fancy, expensive add-ons but you still want a quality mouse pad that lets you game comfortably and will last, here you go. There isn’t much more to say other than it’s well-priced, it’s simple, and it’s well made. Note, it comes in multiple size options, so be sure you know what measurements you prefer before you buy. Otherwise, you may end up with a behemoth of a mouse pad without realizing it.
Best Budget Option: ASUS ROG Sheath Black Mouse Pad
Price: $29.99
Base: Non-Slip
Size: 35.4 x 17.3 x 0.11inches
Material: Rubber
Comfort Level: Medium (some love it, some say it’s too thin)
Reasons to Buy:
- Great for gamers wanting extra-large sizing. Gives you unrestricted movement
- The non-slip base is highly effective
- One of the most affordable options on our list
- Easy to clean
- Durable stitching
Reasons to Avoid:
- No extra features (lighting, charging, etc.)
- Can be far larger than some gamers need
This is our favorite budget option because it’s well-priced while also being generously sized. Gamers appreciate its smooth surface that doesn’t catch on the mouse and they also appreciate that it lays flat right out of the box. If you want affordable simplicity, you’ve got it.
Best Low Budget Alternative: Cooler Master Dual-Sided Gaming Mouse Pad
Price: $21.32
Base: Rubber
Size: 14.17 x 10.24 x 0.39 inches
Material: Fabric, rubber, and aluminum
Comfort Level: Medium-High (can choose between cloth or aluminum surface)
Reasons to Buy:
- Lowest price on this entire list
- Has RGB lighting features that can synchronize with peripherals
- Can choose between dual textures for comfort
- Smooth surface for mouse gliding
Reasons to Avoid:
- Can be a bit slippery and not stay in place
- Smaller size options than many others on this list
If you want an affordable gaming mouse that still has some fancy lights you can customize, this is a great option. While not as massive as other pads, gamers with smaller desks will appreciate the size. It’s also great for mouse smoothness and accuracy, making this a good budget or beginner option for anyone wanting effectiveness at a low price.
Best For Absolute Quality: ARTISAN Zero
Price: $91.99
Base: Non-slip
Size: 16.53″L x 19.29″W
Material: Polyester
Comfort Level: High
Reasons to Buy:
- Extremely high quality materials
- Highly durable
- Washable
- Very comfortable
- Great smoothness and control
Reasons to Avoid:
- Can be a little spendy for how simple it is
- Collects hair easily
We’ve already covered some affordable, simplistic and solid mouse pads already. What makes this one different? There’s quality and then there’s quality. No, this doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. Yes, it is a bit more expensive. That said, gamers who use the Artisan Zero say it’s the best mouse pad they’ve ever played with. Ever. It has the perfect mix of speed and control for your mouse and it is even washable. A word of warning, however. Be sure you are buying this mousepad from a reputable source, as some sellers are pawning poor-quality replicas instead of the top-tier Japanese imported product. A little homework on who you’re buying from is a good idea.
Best For Control: BenQ Zowie G-SR-SE
Price: $39.99
Base: Non-slip
Size: 18.5 x 15.3 inches
Material: Rubber
Comfort Level: High
Reasons to Buy:
- Very reasonably priced
- Great moisture absorbing
- Uniform and high density base
- Surface texture reduces glide inconsistencies
Reasons to Avoid:
- No extra features (lighting, charging, etc.)
- Prone to picking up dust and crumbs
- Not as durable as more expensive options
If you want pin-point stopping power, smooth gliding, and tracking accuracy, this is your winner. Gamers love the high-level of control the surface of this pad provides, which combines with pure comfort and cushioning. It’s still well-sized while not being too huge, and did we mention the price? If you play games that require a lot of precision aiming and control, this is a low-cost option to give a whirl.
How to Choose the Best Mouse Pad for Gaming
How do you know what is the best mouse pad for gaming? Consider the features that are most important to you. Do you have chronic wrist issues? Do you want lighting capabilities that brighten up a dark room? Do you have an optical mouse? Keep these qualities in mind:
- Wrist support/comfort: If you have wrist issues from working or gaming with a mouse too much, look for something that will provide you with more cushion.
- Aesthetics: If you want a gaming setup that just looks cool? You’re probably going to want something with RGB lighting. The more customizable the better.
- Surface density: This is personal preference. Some gamers prefer hard, smooth surfaces that let the mouse glide more. Others like the texture and control of softer surfaces.
- Mouse compatibility: Some gaming mice work best when paired with a compatible mouse pad. This is especially true if you’re looking for something with charging capabilities.
- Size: This is not only in reference to the size of your desk, but also to how much you move your mouse around as you game. If you need space for large, explosive movements, choose a bigger gaming mouse pad.
- Ease of clean up: If you eat or drink at your desk often, this is important. Or if you have a cat. Seriously. Some pads are cat hair magnets.
- Quality: Many cheaper brands have stitching that comes apart or edges that warp over time and get in the way.
- Non-slip: If it doesn’t stay solidly in place, it’s just a waste of money.
- Secondary functions: A good example is charging capabilities or having a mouse port, etc. If you’re going to spend a lot on a gaming mouse pad, you might want more for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gaming mouse pad and a regular mouse pad?
There is some overlap between a standard mouse pad and a gaming one, but gaming mats prioritize tracking smoothness and response so that your mouse doesn’t jump or skip when you’re gaming. They often have bigger options, as you’ll be using your mouse a lot more for gaming than regular computer use.
Is a bigger mouse pad better for gaming?
Many gamers say yes. However, it depends on the physical dimensions of your playing area. A small desk means a small mat. If you play with big, sweeping motions, a larger pad would be best. Another benefit to big pads is that you can continuously move your mouse further without having to lift it and re-set the mouse down again.
Should I use a hard or soft mouse pad for gaming?
Comfort will be the decider. Ideally, hard surfaces make for smoother, faster mouse reactions. Harder pads also offer easier clean up, don’t roll up on the edges, and don’t soak up sweat if you’re prone to perspiration. That said, they can be killer on your wrist or even irritate your skin, plus they’re noisier. When in doubt, choose a dual option that offers the ability to swap from hard to soft. Best of both worlds.