The Best Mouse Pad

The Best Mouse Pad

After several hours of research, I have selected for you the 8 best mouse mats out of 20 currently available models and my favourite is the Razer Sphex V2, which is actually the one I use.

The best cheap mouse pads

Low price, certainly, but not quality since the carpets presented here are certainly entry-level models, but my personal selection is one of them!

Razer Sphex V2: the best of the market

Here we are in the presence of the coup de Coeur of my selection.

There are objective reasons that I detail below, but it is also a personal choice based on my preference, as I own and use several Razer brand products including my helmet and mouse pad that happens to be… the Razer Sphex V2. So I’m in a good position to talk to you about it.
Over the years, not only as a confirmed gamer but also as an active worker whose main task is to spend a lot of time on his computer, I have had the opportunity to test (and use) a number of mousepads.
I have gone through many different brands (most of them are presented in the selection) and it is clear that Razer never disappointed.
My first experience with the brand, well known to gamers, is the purchase in 2011 of a keyboard and mouse as well as a helmet. The main thing for my business. I wonder if Razer also offers mousepads.

At the time, the V1 of the Razer Sphex is available and my choice is then moved to this one. After several years of use and removals, the carpet unfortunately dies and it is in all logic that I move towards the Sphex V2, choice that I still do not regret to date, after more than a year of use.

The Sphex V2 is a soft polycarbonate mat. Let’s be clear, it can put a lot of people off not feeling the usual feel of the tissue under his hand, but past this detail, the material used allows a perfect slide of the mouse, regardless of your sensitivity.

The coating on the back of the carpet is a material that sticks by static friction, which glues the carpet in place while making it very easy to move anywhere (a small label protrudes from the carpet to take it off easily). On the V1, this repeated handling made the carpet fragile, this is no longer the case with the V2.

It is available in two dimensions. A very small model of 27 21.5 centimetres and another more regular model of 35.5 25.4 centimetres. Even the smallest offices can benefit from this carpet.

Another specificity of this Razer product is its thickness of barely 2 millimetres for the smallest model, which does not exist anywhere else and gives the impression of not having a carpet at all, whereas this is one of the best surfaces available at this time.

Even if this carpet is initially intended for gamers, I who write these lines using it for a little more than a year, I can say that it does the job as well for playful activities (FPS, MMORPG, MOBA, whatever, it suits everyone even if for me it is mainly headshots on Rainbow Six Siege) that for office automation.

The Razer Sphex V2 is my favourite, sold between 10 and 15 euros depending on the size, if you are looking for a carpet of little or no bulky but high quality, do not hesitate any more, you are in the right place.

Hyperx Fury S: the carpet at a low price

Hyperx has been present for a long time (2002 to be precise) in the field of computing.
Although considered for some time as a low-end brand offering questionable quality products, it is often forgotten that it is a division of the giant Kingston, well known to the general public for its hard drives, SSD and especially for its RAM bars.
In recent years, Hyperx has improved considerably and has carved itself a place of choice in the market, particularly at the gaming level, by developing various models of helmets, keyboards, mice and what interests us here: the mouse mats.
Although the Hyperx Fury S is an entry-level product, it is nevertheless a quality product, which highlights comfort and precision.

Here we have a fabric mat with a fine fraying edge (which does not interfere with mouse movements) that has a rubber sole to keep the mat in place. The whole is only 0.4 centimetres thick and therefore does not require an adaptation to the wrist.

The fabric used on the Fury S excels in its role of maintaining optical tracking and is very well suited to low-sensitivity or low-sense controlled mice in jargon.
The carpet is available in four dimensions (29 24 cm, 36 30 cm, 45 4 cm and 90 42 cm) and can, therefore, be adapted on each desk. The one presented here is the second model.

It is good to keep in mind that the largest of them takes up a lot of space and even covers the surface below the keyboard, to put all devices at the same height.

I have not noticed a major problem or defect with the Hyperx Fury S, except for a little “gondolage” after long use and only in conditions where the carpet is facing excessive heat.

Offered at less than 15 euros, the Hyperx Fury S is undoubtedly a safe value for all gamers and people wanting a sustainable product of good quality.

The best mid-range mouse pads

Middle-of-the-range mousepads, mainly for players with high demands, but also suitable for office automation.

Steelseries Qck+ Limited: the best mid-range

Steelseries takes the players' needs into account and even makes them a priority.
The Danish company has been a leader in the gaming market since 2001, but their golden age began only a few years ago (and continues today) with some of the best mechanical keyboards, mice and helmets for casual players and professionals.
Steelseries is a partner with some of the biggest teams and events in the field at the moment, in all disciplines (FPS, MOBA, etc.).

It is therefore quite logical that the manufacturer of the famous Qck Mouse Pad range offers a special edition of the CS: GO-coloured model and more specifically the Howl skin which has become legendary in the player community.
I invite you to read the history of this skin if you do not know the details, very interesting since its design comes from a flight of artwork.

In short, the Qck+ Limited, in addition to its undeniable style, is a mid-range carpet, but which can easily claim a place in the high range, so much its quality is equal to what the brand has accustomed us to.

Sold in one size (45 40 centimetres and 3 millimetres thick), with a micro-woven fabric specific to Steelseries and a non-slip rubber base, The Qck+ Limited ensures a slide adapted to all-optical mice and is optimal for most users, from the «casual» player to the professional player via the desktop user like Thierry de la compta (the recurring character of my articles).

In addition, the edge is sewn and soft, to avoid fraying and cutting your hand with an angular cut clean to some other carpets.

Lightweight and easily foldable and transportable, it can track you wherever your computer moves (provided you have a laptop of course) and hardly takes up space. In addition, it is also washable!

The only black spot of this article is its rather rapid wear. It is understood that this depends heavily on your regularity of use, but unfortunately, like most fabric rugs, it can be terribly worn out after barely a year.
The Steelseries Qck+ Limited is one of the most stylish rugs sold today, especially if you’re a CS:GO, addict.

Logitech G640: the end of the end that leaves a bit on its hunger

No need to introduce Logitech, a Swiss computer giant since 1981.
They are obviously first known to the general public for their mice and keyboards but have since diversified in many areas that include ranges planned especially for assiduous players and also, of course, the webcams used by almost all enthusiastic about Twitch and Youtube.

But since it is the mouse mats that interest us here, let’s unveil the Logitech G640!

Fabric rug available in 34 28 and 46 40 centimetres (the one presented here) for a thickness of 3 millimetres and proposed between 25 and 30 euros, the G640 is a model sums all classic but of excellent invoice.
With a rubber backing to effectively stick to your desktop, it offers an ideal friction surface for low-sensitivity mice, as is the case with most mice sold by Logitech (including the excellent G502 that you can find in our selection of Best Gaming Mice 2018), but which obviously works perfectly with all the mice offered on the market currently.
The G640 is mainly designed to gently slow down the sharp movements of the mouse, well known to FPS players especially, thanks to its moderate friction.

We note that according to the Logitech carpet model, this friction surface will be more or less defined (the G440 for example, is low friction so is better suited to other players).

It is, therefore, a classic carpet of quality but which has one or two defects, which are unfortunately linked to the brand.

First, the warming-treated tissue surface tends to lose the sensor of some mice, which unhooks and limits horizontal motion after a certain time of use.

The edges of the mat, then, seem to have been created specifically to inflict a cut in your arms when in contact with them. For Logitech, it’s a treat when other much less prestigious brands offer soft, sewn edges.

But if you can ignore these worries, the Logitech G640 is an ideal mat to accompany your mouse with the same brand.

Razer Vespula V2: the gamer class carpet

Dear readers, if you are looking for a mat that allows you to play optimally but that for you, the class and comfort of the wrist are just as important, you have arrived at the right address.
Razer often delights us with the quality of its products, such as the Sphex V2 (the favourite carpet of this selection) or its 7.1 helmets of very high quality. We no longer praise this pioneer of products for PC players.
But in recent years, the American manufacturer has diversified by offering smartphones and routers but also articles with a style that subtly combines a gaming side and a side that suits office automation.
This is the case of the Vespula V2, improved version of the V1, available in 32 27 centimetres for 0.87 millimetres of thickness and sold around 35 euros.

This carpet has two special features.

First, the Razer Vespula V2 is equipped with a memory foam wrist rest, a comfortable foam that is also found in most mattresses today.
This element ensures complete comfort for these long periods in front of the computer. This is just as true for a hardcore player as for Thierry (still him) who spends 8 hours on his accounting software.
I particularly like this possibility, which I don’t think is present enough for mouse mats when there are wrist rests on a lot of keyboard products on sale right now.
Secondly, the Vespula V2 can be used on both sides of its surface. A very classic soft fabric side, for optimal control of sudden movements and a hard side for more speed, clean to a higher sensitivity.
If you are as fussy as I am about the sensitivity of the mouse depending on the game or application used, it is very nice to have the possibility to flip the mat while keeping a perfect hold on the surface of the office.

There is no noticeable defect on this mouse pad, but its interest comes mainly from the fact that you are very looking at the points developed above. If this is not the case, having a wrist rest is certainly appreciable but does not justify spending nearly 40 euros in a rug, while other equally valuable models are available for half cheaper.

Asus Rog Scabbard: the big new

Asus ROG is certainly not unknown to you if you are one of the fans of PC gaming. This is the manufacturer’s range specifically for players and includes dozens of products such as eternal keyboards, mice and helmets, but also of course (since it is Asus) motherboards or graphics cards of undeniable quality and recently, mice and mats that go hand in hand.

The Scabbard is a huge 90 40 centimetre mouse pad with a thickness of 3 millimetres, designed for pointer speed first and foremost.
It has a «Cordura Lite» fabric cover designed to withstand splashing (yes you also have your bottle or food near your desk, I recognize you, you are like me, nothing and no one detaches you from your computer).
It is also equipped with a proprietary “red ROG” rubber base that, like most modern carpets, prevents it from moving on the surface of the desktop when you move your mouse.
The anti-fraying edges are sewn together and avoid any discomfort when your hand moves over the ends of the surface, as is the case with most carpets at the moment.

Its gargantuan size requires the space available on the desk, but does indeed protect the peripherals and adds a certain level of comfort for your arms and hands both inactivity and at rest.
A little extra detail: the "ROG SCABBARD" lettering is phosphorous and works well with other products that have the famous RGB colour possibilities, which is the case with many mice and keyboards at the moment.

It’s a nice fashion, but it doesn’t interest everyone.

We can also notice that this type of carpet since it proposes to place the keyboard on its surface, allows cushioning in part the infernal noise produced by some mechanical keyboards during the pressing of keys.
This is a specificity that I appreciate very much because apart from the fact that we decide to buy mechanical keyboard ranges adapted to be almost silent (this is my case), the majority of them are noisy, too much for the noise not to disturb when one is working for example.
A neat, sober but very effective mouse pad for a prize that can be criticized if you are an occasional player.

The best high-end mouse pads

We find in this range the top of what is done in terms of the mouse mat. But be careful of the budget!

Razer Firefly Chroma: the best upscale

The third product of our selection for the Razer brand, which makes a lot of sense, given the importance of this manufacturer in the field.

The Chroma Firefly is clearly intended for gamers and especially RGB fashion fans.

The RGB is simply the name given to the computer colour coding system (red, green, blue or “Red Green Blue”). And for the past few years, it has been a good tone for players (casual or not) to own devices that offer the ability to display all available colours in this green and blue-red spectrum.

A mechanical keyboard is backlit with the colour of your choice, a mouse has a logo and/or a wheel with the same effects, a helmet too. And this goes today to the memory of your computer, which can also be coloured.
And mouse mats are obviously not out of fashion. This is what Razer offers us here in its Chroma range (which includes all these products in RGB lighting) with the Chroma Firefly.
The carpet is available in a single size of 35 25 centimetres for 4 millimetres of thickness and sold for about 70 euros at the moment.
It captures the specificities of the best Razer rugs while adding a colourful touch.

A fabric surface (but the model is also available in micro-textured hard used for the Sphex V2 described elsewhere in this selection) and a non-slip coating on its base.
Classic therefore for the brand but devilishly effective to control mouse movements regardless of sensitivity.
The set plugs into your computer using a gold-plated connector on a 2.13-meter braided cable (easily foldable and manipulated). No problem to deploy it wherever you want on your desktop.

And of course, since it is illuminated, it allows displaying various effects such as waves, a colour cycle, a breath and even, if you have a mouse of the same brand, the possibility to activate only by detecting the movement of the mouse placed on the mat.

In summary, if you are a fan of the fashion of illuminated PC accessories and you already own a mouse of the same brand, the Razer Firefly Chroma is the top of the range in terms of RGB mouse mat.

3M Precise: the top level for the office

In this selection, we mainly presented mouse pads for players, although most of them are obviously adaptable to office work.
Here is the latest product designed specifically for those who use their computers to work.
The 3M Precise is a slightly more traditional mouse pad, as you find more of it in specialized stores, which focus a lot on reputable brands among players.

It is sold at around 65 euros for dimensions of 21 22 centimetres for a centimetre and a half of thickness. It’s thick enough for a mouse pad, but it confirms some comfort for long sessions in front of the PC.

In terms of comfort, the 3M Precise features a built-in antibacterial gel wrist rest that easily prevents hand pain after several hours on the mouse. The surface is made of a synthetic material offering optimal mouse sliding and efficient sensor tracking, no more and no less.

Not using a fabric surface is uncommon among more conventional manufacturers, but it greatly facilitates the use of modern optical mice, while limiting the weight of the mat which is therefore easily transportable, if you own a laptop. Its small almost square size also makes it an ideal model for workers who move regularly.

On the downside, it seems that the edges of the carpet surface have the annoying tendency to peel after a while, and we also note that in several cases, the surface itself breaks and causes ripples that prevent the mouse sensor from correctly detecting the surface. It is a pity for a product sold at more than 50 euros when others significantly cheaper do not face this problem at all.

But if you want a classic carpet that doesn’t work in the office and is suitable for regular but not exaggerated use, the 3M Precise can be the one you’re looking for.

How to choose your mouse pad?

You’re equipped, you’re ready. Your PC has the best technical specifications, you have purchased the high-performance wireless headset, the state-of-the-art mechanical keyboard, 144hz screens to play in full clarity and you also have the RGB mouse ready to click for any situation.

But you haven’t chosen a suitable mouse pad yet. And you don’t know which one to buy, you don’t see it very clearly with all the models available.
Don’t panic, we will see together the criteria to take into account for a purchase that meets your expectations.

The use

The choice of a good mouse pad depends heavily on how you intend to use it.
If you are like me a proven player, described as “hardcore”, most major brands that provide keyboards and mice designed specifically for players. They also have rugs specific to their brand and in most cases, you can trust the range of rugs sold by this brand.

For example, Razer or Steelseries offer mats designed for their own mice, but which are perfectly suited to other brands.

If you are a casual player who instead spends his time on the computer for tasks related to working with a classic mouse, such as Logitech or Microsoft, you can also quite tap into the ranges provided for players by choosing the size and surface that seems familiar to you. And the Hyperx Fury S of our selection seems particularly suitable for this case, as well as the Logitech G640.

On the other hand, I recommend that you avoid low-end branded carpets available in large areas. Their main problem is the material used for the surface which will often prove to be poorly adapted to your mouse’s sensor, but I will come back to this topic later in this guide.

And if you are a person who combines play and works with equal priority (this is also my case), you can most certainly choose with confidence any rug presented in our selection, according to your preferences in terms of size and material and especially the budget available. The choice is yours.

The size

This criterion depends above all on the space available on your desktop. As I explained in our selection, I personally own the «mini» version of the Razer Sphex V2, not only because I like the texture, but also because my space is quite limited in depth.

A small mat works well for me too because I use a slightly higher sensitivity than the average in play and so I can make small precise movements.

If you want to protect all your playing space (or workspace) or you have rather low sensitivity and a lot of space on your desk, I sincerely invite you to choose a rug between 40 and 90 cm wide. More expensive, but certainly more suitable.

So it’s a pretty subjective criterion from the moment the office space allows for any size of the carpet.

The type of surface

I am often asked what the difference is between hard and fabric carpet surfaces. This difference is perceptible from a performance point of view only for the most meticulous of us.
The fabric is suitable for optimal control over the sudden movements of the mouse, which I often associate with the ability to aim the head easily when one is a shooter player.
Or simply the fabric, which is the most common material for classic rugs, has a familiar touch that suits most people.

The hard, on the other hand, is often preferred for its tracking speed of the mouse pointer. It allows movements generally faster, by kicks and which, I agree, does not satisfy all players. He’s still struggling to convince a lot of people today.

But if you want to try to make up your own mind story, the Sphex V2 I use is cheap and very durable, which is the main quality of this kind of carpet.

In short, even though I strongly advise hard surfaces, I think that in most cases, a cloth carpet is probably to prefer for most people who do not wish to be too disoriented. And if you’re really undecided, Razer even offers a model that has both surfaces, the Vespula V2.

The options

As we have seen in the selection proposed in this article, there are more or less interesting options when it comes to acquiring a mouse pad.

The wrist rest

Some of them offer a wrist rest, which can be useful if you really spend a lot of time in front of your PC. On some models, this accessory is even optional.
I don’t use them, but sometimes I think I should certainly think about them, and I suggest you do the same by weighing the pros and cons. Spoiler: there is no counter, but just the fact that very few manufacturers offer this option.
Two other options of more or less importance are integrated connectivity and RGB.

The connectors

In terms of connectivity, some carpets can also be used as a USB extender and therefore offer a connector of this type at the back of the carpet. This is rather anecdotal since most high-performance screens and keyboards already have this possibility today and are much better suited to this because the USB cable that is connected to these devices will not interfere with your mouse movements.
On the RGB side, we quickly explained how it works with the Razer Firefly Chroma.

Fashion consists of having a PC that shines a thousand lights thanks to LEDs integrated into the peripherals, often adjustable on the colour of your choice. It’s not really useful, but you have to admit it has style.

The lighting

If you have a keyboard and a mouse that is already illuminated, then for a total class you can quite add the mouse pad of the same brand (or not but we have seen it, this may have some functionality) to complete the set.

Personally, my system is enhanced not only by LEDs in the PC tower (which obviously has a window for viewing), RGB on the RAM, but also a keyboard, a mouse and a helmet that I synchronize to the colour of the tower.

It’s very nice at night and it doesn’t really consume a lot of energy since all these lamps are LED type. In addition, most gaming keyboards and mice are currently equipped with them. So why not?

A completely dispensable criterion but which adds a certain cachet to your PC.