Don’t underestimate the best gaming mouse pads. They can help take your gaming to the next level. What was once just a basic surface to slide a mouse around on has evolved to be more than that. Some of the best ones even include gaming-focused features that are a worthy addition to any serious gaming system.
That’s not to say that they don’t still do what they were originally intended for. They do but they also add in some aesthetic as well as practical features. That includes everything from colorful RGB lighting to add a little more style to your rig and wireless charging capabilities that can be used in conjunction with wireless mice, to the use of unique, special surfaces for increased accuracy. These are more than just a simple pad.
We’ve collected our top picks here to help you get one of the best gaming mouse pads of 2021. Considering how much you’ve spent on the best gaming PC and the best PC games, not to mention you’ve probably already invested in the best gaming mouse you can, you should round it out with a quality gaming mouse pad.
- For the best mouse of 2021, we found a few for you to choose from.
- Find the best gaming keyboard to complement your gaming mouse and mouse pad picks.
Best gaming mouse pads at a glance:
- Corsair MM600
- SteelSeries QcK
- Cooler Master MP510
- Razer Sphex v2
- Roccat Taito Control
- Corsair MM1000 Qi
- Razer Goliathus Chroma
- Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
- Asus ROG Scabbard
- MSI Thunderstorm
The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game.
Existing solely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism.
There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk. It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won’t have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess.
- This product is only available in the UK as of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the SteelSeries QcK.
Sure, everyone loves RGB lighting, but what if you’re looking for an unobtrusive, seamless desk surface? Well, the ultra thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for you. Despite its thin profile, the polycarbonate surface is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. We picked the regular size, but if you have a smaller desk, there’s a Small size variant as well.
The Roccat Taito Control is a perfect example of how a no-frills accessory can be a great addition to a gaming rig. There’s no RGB lighting or wireless charging. Instead, you have an incredibly durable mouse pad that’s stitched around its borders to prevent fraying, rubberized backing so it stays where it’s supposed to, and a cloth surface for ultimate control over your mouse. Not to mention, that it’s available in multiple sizes so you can get one that fits your needs.
Most people think that the best gaming mouse pads are just glorified tablecloths that you move your mouse on top of. Well, until the Corsair MM1000 Qi hit the market, that was almost right. Not only is this thing one of the best gaming mouse pads, but it also features Qi charging. Launching alongside the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, which itself features Qi compatibility, the MM1000 Qi isn’t just Corsair’s answer to the Logitech PowerPlay, it takes mouse pads to the next level.
Let’s say you have a ton of RGB-bedecked peripherals, a keyboard, a mouse and maybe even a headset. You can’t just leave your mouse pad out of the RGB party, so you should keep an eye out for the Razer Goliathus Chroma. This illuminated mouse pad takes Razer’s expert RGB implementation and throws it into a soft gaming mouse pad that’ll let you score those headshots, and do it in style.
You simply can’t go out looking for the best mouse mat for gaming in 2020 without considering RGB. All the hottest gaming peripherals right now boast about how they can light your desk up like a Christmas tree, and the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is no different. On top of Corsair’s always-fantastic RGB implementation, the MM800 uses a low-friction finish that’ll allow for quick and precise tracking across its surface. And if the lighting wasn’t enough, the MM800 uses Corsair’s special CUE2 interface to sync its lighting with your other peripherals and even your PC through RGB share. It’s even available in two materials: cloth and a micro-texture surface.
More of a ‘desk pad’ than a gaming mouse pad, the Asus ROG Scabbard is absolutely massive. It can hold your laptop or keyboard and mouse, along with any other accessories you have lying around. It has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for maximum mouse control. Asus has even temperature tested the ROG scabbard down to -30°C – but we wouldn’t recommend gaming in sub-zero conditions, even if you’re really into overclocking.
Are other mouse pads just too soft for your gaming setup? Well, if so, you’re in luck – the MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is all metal. To be precise, this gaming mouse pad is made of an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum material with rubber stoppers. This textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. And, if that metal surface is just too real for you, you can flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth.
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