In practice, each material offers subtle but key differences in performance. A soft mat, for instance, offers more friction, allowing for overall better handling and a greater level of precision. This comes at the expense of speed, so these are definitely better suited to those who prioritise exact movements over lightning-quick ones.
For gamers, soft pads are generally better for shooters in which the slightest miscalculation can mean missing your shot – snipers will find the minute precision invaluable, as the friction will keep any involuntary movements from being registered. That being said, those in the thick of a firefight trying to draw a bead on a moving target may find themselves slightly hindered by a soft pad.
A hard mat, on the other hand, is designed for speed, cutting out any unnecessary friction to keep your mouse movements as nippy as possible. If you feel confident in your ability to stop the mouse on a dime, or if you just generally prefer speed over precision, a hard mouse pad will provide the least amount of resistance.
This translates to gaming with your aiming being unencumbered by friction, allowing you to line up your shot that much quicker. The downside is that the glossy surface could cause you to overshoot your mark, so you’ll need to have a decent level of control over the mouse to compensate accordingly.
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Any other features to consider?
As well as being a smooth base for your mouse to glide over, some pads include key features that you may find useful. Here are some of the main ones to look out for:
RGB lighting: Gamers who have taken the time to perfect the RGB elements of their setup may want to incorporate their mousepad into the scheme. These will require an open USB port to work, and the level to which you can synchronise them with the rest of your setup will depend on the price range. More expensive options will have onboard memory, to keep track of your selected patterns, as well as the ability to sync up with the rest of your RGB setup, for the ultimate coordinated light show.
Ergonomic wrist rest: If you spend a lot of time at your desk, you’ll already be aware of the importance of an ergonomic setup. A wrist rest provides a soft but supportive place for your wrist to sit, allowing you to keep it in a comfortable position while using your mouse. You can buy these separately, but for the sake of simplicity, as well as ensuring that you have enough space on your desk, a mouse pad with an integrated wrist rest could be the way to go.
USB hub: If you’re low on USB ports, you may want to look into a mousepad that has an integrated USB hub. As with the RGB lighting, these will need an open USB port to connect to your laptop or PC, but from there you can use it to connect your desktop peripherals. As well as providing more ports, it’s also handy having them in reaching distance for when you want to swap something out.
Wireless charging: A few more premium mouse pads offer integrated wireless charging. Some of these will be universal, giving you a handy spot to juice up your devices while you’re working or gaming, while others are compatible with specific wireless mice, charging them up as you use them. Either way, you’ll need a USB port to plug these mats into, and they also come with the caveat that the space being used to charge devices will naturally restrict your mouse movement.
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How much should I be spending?
Depending on what you want from your mouse mat, you could easily find something suitable for under £10. Larger mats, or those that offer some of the above features, will run a little more expensive – these can cost anywhere between £15 and £50 for these. Finally, mats that include wireless charging are usually the most expensive, so if you want that feature, expect to spend upwards of £100 for the privilege.
The best mouse pads to buy in 2023
1. Logitech Mouse Pad – Studio Series: Best mouse pad overall
Price: £10 | Buy now from Logitech
