The word “gaming” is often thrown around to describe everyday electronic gear people use for the desktop setup. For new gamers, things like “gaming” desk and “gaming” mouse creates ambiguity on whether a normal desk and mouse is sufficient.
With that said, there’s still some fundamental pieces of equipment every gamer should look at getting whether it’s specifically designed for gaming or not. Here’s 6 reasons why you really need a gaming mouse pad:
1. Consistent sensor performance
Small movements in aiming and character movement can make or break a player’s performance in almost any kind of fast paced action game, even single player ones.
Mouse sensors perform best on specific surfaces- particularly the soft ones that mouse pads offer. This is because a mouse pad provides an ideal surface texture for friction control and tracking over large and small hand movements.
2. Better control of accelerated reflex movements for online games
Likewise, the player can glide their mouse over the surface of the pad without sliding too far or stopping too short when the right amount of pressure is applied.
3. A mouse pad extends the lifespan and accuracy of your mouse
The average gaming session time according to google is 1-2 hours. This is roughly the same amount of time I spend playing Halo Infinite everyday as well.
On average I drag your mouse over the surface of my setup a total of 61,320ft in one year at this rate!
How did I calculate this? In 15 seconds I dragged my mouse around my pad roughly 3-4 inches and multiplied my average from there. That’s a pretty good estimate for the average gamer. So why would you want your mouse to travel this total distance on a rough, uneven surface?
4. Mouse pads can add style to your setup
The surface of your gaming setup can add a whole new level of style. When I was working on my gaming setup I knew I needed a good surface to have my mouse on since I used a piece of finished wood I did myself for my desk.
However, the surface was too rough to use a mouse on and it started chipping some of the wood over
time.
5. Mouse pads are more comfortable to use over long periods of time
Some mouse pads come with built in wrist support, but ultimately they provide a more consistent surface for your wrist to be exposed to. Some mouse pads even offer some type of cooling material that feels good on the skin.
6. Noise is reduced on a gaming mouse pad
This feature is a huge plus if you have kids or a sleeping baby in the same room while you’re gaming. If this situation applies to you as it sometimes does to me, check out this article on why you should consider a silent gaming mouse.
But does a gaming mouse pad make a difference?
As a whole, a gaming mouse pad makes your mouse significantly more consistent. Mouse pads provide the ideal surface texture for your mouse to maximize accuracy, traction, and control. Not using a mouse pad will scratch the bottom of your mouse over time and decrease the mouse’s bottom sensors. Gamers tend to select mouse pads based on size, style, and surface texture for maximum control over their mouse.
Important Note* there is no major difference between a gaming mouse pad and a regular mouse pad. Be sure to try out a couple mouse pads to determine what type of surface texture you like (rough, smoother, plastic etc).
In this article you will be left with answers to these questions
Is a Gaming Mouse Pad Worth it?
On average, gaming mouse pads are not that different than regular mouse pads with the exception of overall size. They come in varying surface textures that optimize each gamer’s playstyle to make them as accurate as possible with a mouse. It is worth getting a mouse pad of any kind to achieve consistent traction during your gaming sessions.
Remember the 3 S’s: Size, Style, Surface Texture
I put this decision tree together for you to give you the best possible resource to decide in the quickest amount of time. If you answer yes to all these questions, be sure to check out the next section of this article to see some good product recommendations.
How do I find the perfect mousepad?
As a general rule, you should select a mousepad that gives you the right fabric type, coating, speed, and durability.
The faster and more precise you want to be, the harder the surface should be
Very Fast: All speeds
Fast: very low static friction and fast glide, little stopping power
Quick: Proper stopping power
Medium: Low static and friction without giving up steady control
| ControI | Slow | Very SIow |
| Dechanic Speed | Glorious Mousepad | Xtrfy GP2 |
| Dream Machines DM Pad | Roccat Taito | Zowie GSR (worn) |
| Tiger eSports Neon | Razer Gigantus | Kespa Kone Blue |
Control: pads with a focused and locked feeling
Slow: Micro-adjustments become more difficult
Very Slow: Probably too low and heavy feeling
As I’m looking to upgrade my setup, I was trying to save a little bit of money by not getting a gaming mouse pad and instead overcompensate using a really good mouse. Here’s what the PC Gaming Community said about that:
So in short: you really can’t overcompensate using a really good gaming mouse. There were some good answers people responded with which I’m sharing throughout this article. Be sure to join this group if you want to see some great setups!
What material type is best for a gaming mousepad?
Gaming mousepad material types are complete personal preference and there are a few material types you should know about if you’re new to gaming:
- Glass: glass mousepads are used for extremely fast gamers. They don’t loose shape or stretch over time like traditional mouse pads but they’re way more expensive. They are also super easy to clean with a single wipe if you eat and game a lot.
- Cloth: Most affordable. They come in different textures and are easy to transport.
- Hard: These ones feel more like a hardwood table surface but designed to be way more consistent than a bare desk or dinner table. They also come in a ton of customizable styles and even have RGB lighting.
- Hybrid: a combination of hard and cloth. Hybrid mouse pads give you the most options when it comes to surface texture selection (giving you the most amount of speed choices mentioned above).
Related Questions
Do mousepads actually make a difference? While exceptions can’t be made for skill level, they will most certainly make you a more consistent gamer with the skill level you already have, especially if you play competitive games. Check out another one of my articles on 6 Reasons Gaming Mice and Mouse Pads Matter!
Pro’s and Con’s of a dedicated mouse pad
- Pro: More comfortable for your hands
- Pro: Prevents mouse sensor from getting scratched
- Con: Hard to transport if you use a gaming laptop- you’ll have to get a small one
- Con: Requires occasional cleaning required and collects grease if you each on top of it
Other activities you can use a gaming mouse for:
- Surfing the web
- Video editing
- Graphics design
- Coding
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! If you have any additional questions or comments, feel free to reach out at entertainmentden.ns@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond! I’m currently taking article suggestions so feel free to send those over as well! This email is also good for any business inquires.