The best mouse pad for gaming might feel like an optional extra, but if you’ve already splashed out on an expensive clicker, it’s definitely worth the investment. 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 reliable rodent with an exceptional mat, we’ve compiled a list of the best gaming mouse pads, including mats by Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, and even Amazon Basics.
- SteelSeries QcK – our favourite mouse pad
- Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma – adds a splash of RGB lighting
- Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad – affordable
- Jialong Gaming Mouse Pad – big and unique
- Logitech G440 – a hard surface for FPS enthusiasts
- Logitech G Powerplay – charges your wireless Logitech mouse
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 QcK | |
| Surface material | Cloth |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL |
| Colours | Black, various limited editions |
Pros
- Mouse glides smoothly
- Affordable
- Gorgeous limited editions in the US
Cons
- Edges can fray quickly
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 pads are popular because their build quality stands the test of time, so this one should last you for years to come.
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
| Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma | |
| Surface material | Cloth |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | Standard, Extended, 3XL |
| Colours | Black, Mercury, Quartz |
Pros
- RGB lighting
- Synapse software is easy to use
Cons
- Larger mats get expensive
- RGB means an extra wire on your desk
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.
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
| Amazon Basics Gaming Mouse Pad | |
| Surface material | Cloth |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | Mini, Standard, Extended, XXL |
| Colours | Black |
Pros
- Affordable, even at larger sizes
- Good for general use
- Machine washable
Cons
- Not built for gaming
- Very thin
- Logo is prominently visible
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 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. Naturally, we’d still suggest checking out how to clean a mouse pad, but we won’t judge you for taking the easy route with this cheap and cheerful pad.
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 Gaming Mouse Pad | |
| Surface material | Cloth |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | XXL |
| Colours | Black, 16 other prints |
Pros
- Some wonderful designs
- Covers a lot of your desk
Cons
- Only comes in one size
- Only one design option
The Jialong pad is an extended desk mat option with a practical flair, as it features a sprawling world map. Sure, the busy geographical design won’t be for everyone, but if you’re looking for something to gaze at during matchmaking, it might be the rectangle for you.
As an extended desk mat, 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, meaning it won’t fall apart after a few encounters with your mouse.
5. Best hard mouse pad
The best hard mouse pad is the Logitech G440
Expect to pay $27 USD / £24.99 GBP.
| Logitech G440 | |
| Surface material | Polymer |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | Medium |
| Colours | Black |
Pros
- Great for FPS games
Cons
- Only comes in one size
- The surface can peel after a year
Instead of cloth, Logitech’s G440 uses a hard polymer surface, resulting 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’ll be able to land shots quicker in the likes of CS:GO.
Logitech says its pads are engineered to work best with its own gaming mouse sensors, like the one within the Logitech G Pro Wireless. However, there’s nothing to stop you from pairing this mat with your clicker of choice, providing it works on hard surfaces.
6. Best mouse pad charger
The best mouse pad charger is the Logitech G Powerplay
Expect to pay $119.99 USD / £109.99 GBP
| Logitech G Powerplay | |
| Surface material | Rubber (without mouse pad) |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicon rubber |
| Sizes | Medium |
| Colours | Black |
Pros
- Never run out of battery
- Comes with a Logitech G440 pad
Cons
- Only works with Logitech Lightspeed mice
- Only comes in one size
Charging the best wireless gaming mouse doesn’t have to be a chore when there are mouse pads to do it 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 Android phone – 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.
