The best gaming mouse pad might feel like an optional extra, but if you’ve already splashed out on a reliable rodent, it’s definitely worth the investmemt. After all, a professional runner can wear the sportiest shoes possible, but a bumpy road will still trip them up.
While a decent mat isn’t going to transform a bargain bin peripheral into the best gaming mouse, it’ll help everything feel a little smoother, especially if you regularly delve into the best FPS games. Even the term gaming mouse pad may feel a little gimmicky, but trust us when we say they offer a big difference compared to your bog standard bit of cloth.
To help you pair your mouse with an exceptional mat, we’ve compiled a list of the best gaming mouse pads. These range from minitature mates to bigger options that’ll cover your entire gaming desk, from Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, and even Amazon Basics.
Here are the best gaming mouse pads:
1. Best mouse pad for gaming
The best gaming mouse pad is the SteelSeries QcK.
Expect to pay from $15 USD / £7.99 GBP.
SteelSeries’ mat is the best all-rounder. It looks smart, it won’t tear apart after a few intense multiplayer sessions, and it pairs well with rodents of any price. SteelSeries uses a special micro-woven cloth for the ultimate smoothness and accuracy with both optical and laser sensors. The rubber anti-slip base means it’ll keep its position on the best gaming desk, no matter how heavy-handed you are on your mouse.
It’s available in multiple sizes and colours too, including limited editions on the SteelSeries store, which is perfect for tailoring your setup towards high or low DPIs. While you could go for cheaper mats, SteelSeries mouse pads are popular because their build quality stands the test of time, meaning this model should last you for years to come.
Pros
- Mouse glides smoothly
- Affordable
- Gorgeous limited editions in the US
Cons
2. Best RGB mouse pad
The best RGB mouse pad is the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma.
Expect to pay from $39.99 USD / £29.99 GBP.
If you want to add a bit of flair to your gaming setup, the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma puts 16.8 million colours on the table with RGB lighting around the edges. Better yet, the lighting syncs seamlessly if you’re already rocking Razer’s best gaming keyboard.
The Goliathus also uses an anti-slip rubber base to prevent any movement during hard and fast swipes, as well as a built-in cable stay to stop any snag with wired mice.
Pros
- RGB lighting
- Synapse software is easy to use
Cons
- Larger mats get expensive
- RGB means an extra wire on your desk
3. Best cheap mouse pad
The best cheap mouse pad is the Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad.
Expect to pay from $5.81 USD / £8.44 GBP.
This Amazon-branded surface is a no-frills option, perfect if you’re going for a budget mouse such as the Nacon GM-180 and you don’t want to spend more on a mat than the clicker itself. It’s available in both small, mini, XXL, and extended sizes, depending on your preference.
As a bonus, it’s machine washable, making it the ideal model if you’re a clumsy eater or spill your drink.
Pros
- Affordable, even at larger sizes
- Good for general use
Cons
- Not built for gaming
- Very thin
- Logo is prominently visible
4. Best large mouse pad
The best large mouse pad is the Jialong Gaming Mouse Pad.
Expect to pay around $14 USD / £34 GBP.
Jialong’s extra large mouse mat is great for adding some extra style to your setup, stretching a world map across your desk – at least you’ll have something to stare at even when matchmaking is taking its sweet time.
As an extended mouse pad, it’s unlikely to shift with the best gaming keyboard sitting on top of it, but a tire-tread style rubber underside also helps it stay in position on your desk. It also boasts strong stitching around the edge, which won’t fall apart after a few encounters with your mouse.
Pros
- Some wonderful designs
- Covers a lot of your desk
Cons
5. Best hard mouse pad
The best hard mouse pad is the Logitech G440.
Expect to pay $27 USD / £24.99 GBP.
Instead of cloth, Logitech’s G440 uses a hard polymer surface, which results in less friction for your clicker to deal with. Since there’s no fabric to fray over time, it should last longer and less resistance means you should hit your shots in CS:GO quicker as your mouse glides across.
Unsurprisingly, Logitech mouse pads are engineered to work best with the optical sensors found inside its own gaming mice, so while it’ll work with any clicker, it’s the perfect match for a Logitech G rodent.
Pros
Cons
- Only comes in one size
- The surface can peel after a year
6. Best mouse pad charger
The best mouse pad charger is the Logitech G Powerplay.
Expect to pay $119.99 USD / £109.99 GBP
Charging the best wireless gaming mouse doesn’t have to be a chore when there are mouse pads that can now do that for you. Just plug one in and you’ll never have to manage cables again – at least with your rodent, anyway. Logitech’s Powerplay mat is still the gold standard, as it charges no matter where your mouse is placed and ships with both cloth and hard G440 pads in the box. The only caveat is that you need to own one of Logitech’s Lightspeed-compatible wireless devices for it to work.
The Corsair MM1000 is a close second because of its sheer compatibility, charging any Qi-enabled wireless device – including the best smartphones – but since only one corner of the mat wirelessly charges and you have to remember to pop your mouse there at the end of your gaming session, it doesn’t exactly solve the main issue of forgetting to charge your device.
Pros
- Never run out of battery
- Comes with a Logitech G440 mosue pad
Cons
- Only works with Logitech Lightspeed mice
- Only comes in one size
| Logitech G Powerplay | |
| Surface material | Rubber (without mouse pad) |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | Medium |
| Colours | Black |
