The mouse pad is an essential accessory for using your computer mouse comfortably, especially for gaming. Which mouse pad to choose according to your use? We present here the best models available.
Once you have chosen your mouse and keyboard, there is still one accessory missing to complete your installation. If it is certainly less expensive, it is almost as important: it is the mouse pad, which is sometimes neglected. For video game enthusiasts, you will quickly see that a good mouse pad, with a suitable coating, ensures a perfect glide of the mouse. It is simply essential.
There are a plethora of mouse pad models, of all sizes and brands, whether in stores or online. How to find it? Here are our recommendations of the best mats on the market, to get the most out of your computer.
Are you setting up your PC installation and organizing your office? Also discover our other guides to guide you:
Corsair MM200 Medium: our recommendation
The MM200 mat is a timeless classic, with a perfectly balanced price/quality ratio. In medium size (36 x 30 cm), it is large enough to be comfortable, without taking up too much space on the desk. Its discreet yellow border sets it apart from the eternal black mouse pad, without falling into the trap of certain gaming product designs.
The MM200 has an essential non-slip base. There’s nothing worse than a mouse pad that slides on the desk with mouse movements. It is a soft mat, with a woven textile surface for good glide, suitable for all situations, even gaming.
Why choose the Corsair MM200 Medium mat?
- Excellent Corsair build quality
- A perfect glide
- A suitable price
Logitech G440: the best mat for gamers
It is complicated to recommend a mat for gamer, as each player will have his own preferences, in particular according to the mouse he uses. The Logitech G440 is however an excellent reference, very popular among gamers. This is a hard mouse pad. It will thus be less easily rolled up and transported than a flexible one. However, it has the advantage of offering a surface that is always perfectly smooth, with a more plastic appearance than soft mats which are closer to fabric.
Its polyethylene surface offers reduced friction, allowing the mouse to be moved with minimal effort. It will be particularly suitable for players who need a lot of precision. The homogeneous texture of the surface also improves the performance of sensors, whether optical or laser.
The product is particularly suitable with a Logitech G Pro X Superlight.
Why Choose Logitech G440 Mouse Pad?
- Perfectly smooth and homogeneous surface
- Particularly recommended for Logitech products
- Stable rubber base
SteelSeries QcK Mini : the best cheap carpet
SteelSeries, a brand well known to gamers, offers its QcK model in several sizes, ranging from S to XXL. The QcK range, a true best-seller, is highly appreciated by players, each choosing the format that best suits them, always at very affordable prices.
The smallest, the aptly named SteelSeries QcK Mini (25 x 21 cm), is discreet on a desk, rolls up and can be taken anywhere. It is offered at an equally low price, while ensuring good longevity. Its micro-woven surface is durable and very easy to wash. A reliable basic that you won’t miss.
Why Choose SteelSeries QcK Mouse Pad?
- A very small price
- A recognized and proven model
- To take everywhere
Corsair MM350 Pro XL: the best carpet XXL
Do you want a large mouse pad, wedged once and for all under your keyboard? XL mats are becoming more and more common and have many advantages. Once installed, they do not move. They also allow you to have more room for the movements of your mouse, and to be able to move around your desk as you wish.
With the MM350 Pro XL, Corsair offers an excellent product with finishes to match. It offers a surface of 40 cm wide by 93 cm long: the least we can say is that your mouse will not lack space. Its coating is resistant to both stains and spills, and its edges are sewn (and not glued) so as to avoid fraying, the eternal weak point of mouse pads. With its 4 mm thickness and its rubber base, it is thick, stable and comfortable. A must-have for those looking for a quality XL mat.
If your budget is below 20 euros, and you still want to invest in an XL mat, you can also turn to The G-Lab Barium mat, which is sold at an unbeatable price of 15 euros.
Why choose the Corsair MM350 Pro XL?
- Beautiful finishes
- A large surface for optimal comfort
- Very effective anti-splash treatment
Asus ROG Balteus QI: the best QI mat
The ROG Balteus QI has a wireless charging function, which allows you to recharge the batteries of your compatible devices. You can thus recharge your smartphone (if it is compatible with wireless charging), or your Bluetooth headphones, simply by placing them on the carpet, on the dedicated area in the upper right corner. Not to spoil anything, it is also RGB and has a USB port, which allows you to quickly plug in any accessory such as a USB key.
In the same style, if you have a Logitech G903 or G703 wireless mouse, consider the Logitech Powerplay mat. The latter recharges compatible wireless mouse models directly. However, it is not capable of charging other types of devices.
Why choose the Asus ROG Balteus QI mat?
- The convenience of wireless charging on your desk
- An additional USB port
- Fonction RGB
Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris: the best RGB mat
If the ROG Balteus QI is indeed RGB, there is however another model which is a reference among RGB enthusiasts who wish to tune the lighting of their setup. If you are a fan of multicolored LEDs, and want to enjoy a discreet luminous border on your mouse pad, turn to the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris which has 15 RGB zones. Corsair is also a reference brand in terms of RGB, especially for keyboards. This success is partly due to the efficiency of the software that manages all this, iCUE, which takes care of synchronizing the color of all your accessories.
As often, the quality and solidity of manufacture are there at Corsair. The surface of this model is also micro-textured and ensures low friction. It benefits from a medium format (35 x 26 cm) quite sufficient for gaming.
Why choose the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris?
- Built-in USB port
- High quality RGB LEDs
- Easy control and compatibility via iCUE
Everything you need to know about mouse pads
Which coating to choose?
First of all, it is important that the mat has a non-slip base, usually rubber. This ensures that it remains perfectly fixed on your desk, and that it will not slip at the slightest movement of the mouse.
The surface is very important for obtaining a satisfactory glide. A rough surface will offer some control and greater precision, a smooth surface will allow more speed.
Should you choose a soft mat or a rigid mat?
In the past, mouse pads were mostly rigid. They are now much more willingly flexible. These are lighter, and more easily transportable, because they can be rolled up. Hard mats are generally thicker, and will therefore better hide the roughness of your desk. In addition, rigid carpets do not have the same coating as flexible ones and are more slippery.
What size mouse pad should you choose?
The larger the mouse pad, the greater the comfort. With a larger mouse pad, you are sure that your mouse does not overflow the desk in the event of a movement a little loose. This is therefore even more important for gamers, who could sometimes make sudden movements. This is why XXL mouse pads have also developed a lot recently. They allow you not to worry about where you put your mouse. In addition, as it also accommodates the keyboard, the latter benefits from better stability.
However, if you only use your mouse for navigation or office work, you probably won’t really need a large format. A simple carpet of 20 cm side will thus be sufficient – and will cost you less.
There are generally four sizes for mouse pads:
- Taille S : environ 250 x 200 mm
- Size M: approx. 300 x 240 mm to 350 x 300 mm
- Size L: approx. 450 x 400 mm
- Taille XL : environ 900 x 420 mm
The thickness may also count in the choice. It generally varies between 2 and 5 mm. The thicker a rug, the softer and flatter it will be.
Why use an ergonomic mouse pad?
So-called “ergonomic” mouse pads have a padded part (in foam, gel, etc.) which supports the wrist. If they were very common until recently, they are less widespread today. An ergonomic mat may be useful for people with wrist pain.
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