Best mouse pads for gaming and working from home this year
How mouse pads help tech expert Whitson Gordon keep organized and protect his desk and mouse, and some of the best mouse pads to consider.
Whitson Gordon
Whitson Gordon
While a basic mouse pad will get the job done for most people, many gamers prefer a harder, smoother surface for fast-paced games that require precise movements. This G440 mouse pad from Shopping readers-favorite Logitech fits the bill nicely, with a polycarbonate build that provides a smoother feel than fabric mouse pads, and a slightly larger size to give you more room to maneuver.
I'm a big proponent of mouse pads for practical reasons, but I don't love the way they look. That's why I went with a full desk mat, an increasingly popular alternative that goes under your mouse and keyboard for full desk coverage. I've used quite a few in the past, but have currently settled on this leather model from Bedsure: It's large and comes in multiple colors, and the leather texture looks and feels great.
It was a tough toss-up between this and Satechi's eco-leather deskmate, but I'm extremely happy with the Bedsure model to this day.
Wireless charging is the future: Just plop your phone down and top off the battery, no cables necessary. But wireless charging pads can be a bit unsightly, which is what makes the Gaze Pad so enticing. Its polyurethane leather surface looks great, provides a great surface for your mouse and can wirelessly charge your phone — or other wearables like compatible wireless earbuds — all the while.
Originally crowdfunded on Kickstarter, the Orbitkey desk mat is a newcomer to the space with a big twist: Not only does it protect your desk, but it keeps the rest of your desk clutter neat and organized. You can fold up the top flap to store paper, organize incoming charging cables and store pens along the ridge at the top.
There are hundreds of mouse pads out there so here are a few features to keep in mind as you shop.
Some mouse pads are compact, giving you just enough space to move your mouse, while others let you stretch your arms a bit—and even larger desk mats cover the entire area in front of you. Once you've decided on a general size category, measure your space and make sure your desired mouse pad or desk mat will fit.
While you're probably familiar with traditional fabric mouse pads, they come in all kinds of materials, from leather to cork to hard plastic. Which you choose is mostly a personal preference. Some may have multiple colors or patterns to choose from, too.
While most pads provide a simple surface for your mouse, there are a few unique options out there with extra features. Logitech's Powerplay mouse pad can charge your Logitech gaming mouse wirelessly, for example. Corsair's MM800 lights up to match your gaming PC, and Razer's Sphex is extremely thin for a nearly seamless feel on your desk. We've included a few other unique options below with features you won't find on other models.
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