We spend hours upon hours glued to our laptops each day.
Whether working, gaming or winding down watching Netflix, we’re constantly faced with the familiar glow of a screen. Ensuring the experience is always a seamless one, be it part of the hustle or not, is a top priority.
This starts with a mouse mat. We’ve all been there - furiously stamping your mouse on a beaten-up mat while working to a tight deadline or attempting to score concert tickets before they sell out. There’s nothing more frustrating.
Many go without mouse mats as they are so widely considered an inconvenience. However, not only have we seen computers undergo a huge transformation in the past decade or so, but so too has the humble mouse mat.
Gamers rely on well-designed mouse mats to improve their movement and accuracy. A smooth surface is vital for the best possible performance, especially when competing against lightning-fast opponents. Gaming mouse pads primarily work by enhancing mouse tracking to drastically reduce surface friction, which causes inconsistent movement and drag that slows down your play and creates unpredictable responses.
An old or cheap mouse mat will also damage the skates of your specialised gaming mouse. In this sense, opting for a pad that harmonises with your current gaming kit in order to increase its overall lifespan is well worth the purchase.
This purchase needn’t be a pricey one either. Pads designed by mainstream tech accessories companies such as Logitech, Corsair and Razer teeter around the £10 mark. So you have zero excuse not to improve your at-home gaming arsenal.
Of course, non-gamers also have ample use for a new mouse mat. From students researching their dissertations to self-employed business owners, there’s always space to improve your online experience.
What should you look for in a mouse mat?
- Size: the size of a mouse mat must correlate to where you intend to use it. Users who travel may only need a petite version to employ on trains, planes and in the office, while gamers might prefer a larger option to cover a wide expanse of desk surface.
- Glide: a mouse mat needs to provide a good glide. Simple as. If it feels like your pad’s glide is lagging, then you need to look for one with lower traction.
- Material: while all mouse mats reduce traction, they come in a wide range of materials to choose from. These include cloth, plastic, rubber and even metal. Harder surfaces offer the smoothest glide, but some may find this makes the mouse harder to control. Softer pads tend to be more popular as they find a happy medium between glide and traction, and are also the quieter option.
- Durability: most mouse mats come with a stitched edge which reduces the risk of fraying. This is important to note for those who value function over aesthetics.
- Style: mouse mats don’t have to be boring. Yes, more advanced options typically come in sleek black colourways, but for everyday use, there are plenty of playful pads. Playful prints and pastel tones are always up for grabs.
Read on to discover the best mouse mats for effortless glide below.
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Corsair MM100 Mouse Pad
The five-star reviews flood in for the Corsair MM100 Mouse Pad. Why? It could have something to do with its optimised textile-weaved surface design that provides superior control and precision tracking for accuracy during play.
Or perhaps it's the non-slip rubber base that ensures secure placement, making the pad a study and reliable choice for gamers.
Buy now £8.99, Argos
SteelSeries QcK Small Mouse Mat
Another favourite for excellent in-game play, the SteelSeries QcK Small Mouse Mat is a stellar pick for shopping on a budget. Remark at the miniature size of the travel-friendly piece, which comes complete with a cloth surface for the sturdiest of grips.
Buy now £7.99, Argos
Razer Gigantus V2 Medium Mouse Mat
Put your game face on with Razer’s Gigantus V2 Medium mouse mat. The piece of kit provides a textured mico-weave cloth exterior for top-notch control and speed.
It’s comfortable for the hand, thanks to the high-density rubber foam from which it is crafted. Ensure slip-ups are minimal with the anti-slip base that will neatly grasp your desk.
Buy now £9.99, Argos
YSAGi Non-Slip Desk Pad
YSAGi says go big or go home. The brand’s desk pad incorporates space for a laptop and mouse, meaning it’s all there right in front of you. Pick from a generous array of colours and note the waterproof exterior to combat coffee spillages, made from an anti-slip side and easy-clean durable PVC leather. Ideal for students and secondary schoolers.
Buy now £9.34, Amazon
Oliver Bonas Black Sofa Mouse Pad
When that Friday WFH feeling takes hold, you just want to curl up on the sofa while cracking on with work. Oliver Bonas’ mouse pad is designed specifically for that. The piece is made for mooching on the sofa, with a raised edge to keep your mouse from sliding off and a pad to keep your mouse propped up.
Buy now £35.00, Oliver Bonas
Logitech Mouse Pad
Non-gamers may not require the bells and whistles that come with gaming pads. This is where we look to Logitech where its mouse pad is an affordable pick for casual use.
Made from natural rubber, the spill-repellent pad promises silent gliding for effortless use. Anti-fray edges don’t compromise on durability while the modern design takes working to new heights.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Happy Avocado Store Groovy Mushrooms Mouse Mat Pad
Get into the groove and ditch boring designs with a retro mouse pad print. Etsy’s eyepopping pad takes inspiration from the Seventies, with a hippie look that will put the wonder back into work.
Crafted from a rubber and polyester blend, the easy-clean item provides slip-free use thanks to its secured back for hours of stylish screen time.
Buy now £9.99, Etsy
Acaso Wavy Check Mouse Pad
Click away knowing your mouse pad is the most attractive in sight. Made from vegan leather, this wavy mouse pad is a slim, lightweight option for to-ing and fro-ing between home and the office.
A soft, satiny finish and non-slip back complement the main feature, the dazzling print of the piece, which comes in zero-waste packaging to be recycled.
Buy now £18.40, Etsy
Verdict
For gamers, Corsair’s MM100 Mouse Pad, SteelSeries’ QcK Small Mouse Mat comes out on top. For non-gamers looking for a mouse pad for everyday use, Logitech’s colourful offering would be our first port of call.
