Whenever you are getting your gaming PC together, peripherals are usually something that you come to in the end. Once you have assembled everything, it is time to look into things that can actually make your overall gaming experience smoother and better overall. Imagine using a membrane keyboard to write reviews or play games, and imagine aiming with a really bad mouse. I do understand that these things are not as important but they can modify your gaming experience.
Mouse pads are one of the peripherals that are often overlooked. It is true that they were originally not made to for anything that was hardcore or competitive, but over the past couple of years, component manufacturers such as Logitech, Corsair, Razer, and so many other have decided to release mouse pads that actually make the whole experience of using the mouse a lot better.
Now, I am not going to say that a good mouse pad is going to make you a better gamer but having a better experience using your mouse is a lot better. I have been using my Razer Basilisk Ultimate with the Razer Firefly V2 and my experience has been a lot better; using the mouse in general just feels a lot better and I do not run into any issues, either.
That is why in this round up, I am going to shed light on the best mouse pad for gaming.
Reviewing the Best Mouse Pad for Gaming
| Awards | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best RGB Mouse Pad | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best Corsair Gaming Mouse Pad | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best Extended Mouse Pad | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best Wireless Charging Mouse Pad | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best Logitech Mouse Pad | Buy on Amazon |
Gone are the days when mouse pads were literally pieces of foam with fabric stitched onto them to hold everything together. Nowadays, mouse pads are available in a lot of forms, shapes, sizes, as well as with features that a couple of years ago, could not have been imagined.
To make things simpler, we are going to explore some excellent mousepads. So, let’s not waste time and have a look.
Razer Firefly V2
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13.99 in x 10.04 in x 0.16 in
- RGB: Yes.
- Size: Standard.
- Material: Micro-textured hard surface.
When the original Razer Firefly came out years ago, it was considered to be a strange oddity. Simply because a lot of people had concerns as to why they should spend so much money on a mouse pad, in the first place. However, you know how crazy PC gamers are about RGB and how good it looks, right? Well, that started a whole trend of having lighting in your mouse pad, and the Razer Firefly was a massive success for the company.
A few years after the original, Razer decided to release the Razer Firefly V2; this was a new and improved version that was not just thinner but it was also packed with better lighting, and well, everything else was almost the same as the original but this time around, you were not paying a lot of money for it.
So, what is it that makes the Razer Firefly V2 such a good mouse pad that I had to spend 30 minutes explaining to my wife why I bought this mouse pad when in the end she replied “is it because it lights up?” Well, I needed something that matches my PC’s aesthetic, and not just that, I already own a number of Chroma-enabled devices and I did need a mouse pad, so it only made sense that I am getting something from Razer and something that lights up.
On a much more serious note, I did feel an improvement right away, my Razer Basilisk Ultimate felt like it was home after a long day, and using it on a proper surface instead of a cardboard or my old Corsair mouse pad felt a lot better and smoother, too. Plus, you can calibrate your mouse to your mouse pad’s surface too, and it genuinely makes an improvement in tracking.
The mouse pad is also great when it comes to RGB lighting and comes with 19-zone RGB lighting, which means that 19 zones on the mouse pad can be configured through the Razer Synapse and you can let your creativity run wild or simply turn everything off. The mouse pad is also lightweight, and ultra-thin to a point that it often feels like it is one with the desk.
Razer has also added a cable catch that you can use if you have a cable coming out of your mouse. Speaking of the cable, the Razer Firefly V2 uses a fixed and braided cable that has a nice feel to it and is not at all stiff like most braided cables that we check out in the market.
My only issue here is that the Razer Firefly V2’s surface, despite being texture, can be slippery, and it not really is something that I enjoy.
Overall, the Razer Firefly V2 is definitely a luxury in a market where you can barely spend any money and still get a good experience but it is built for those who are looking to make no compromises and want something good. The mouse pad not only looks good but if already have a Chroma-enabled system, this is something that is right up your alley.
- The lighting looks ridiculously good.
- High-quality surface.
- Smooth gliding.
- Flexible braided cable.
- The mouse pad is prone to slippage.
Corsair MM700
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 36.61 in x 15.74 in x 0.15 in
- RGB: Yes.
- Size: Extended XL.
- Material: Cloth.
I have been using Corsair products for as long as I can remember and my first experience with proper high-end gaming peripherals was through Corsair. I remember getting my hands on the Corsair K70 Rapidfire along with Corsair MM200 extended mouse pad and I spent the entire day just messing around with the keyboard in Corsair’s iCUE software and made so many different profiles based on the games I was playing back then. I upgraded to the Corsair K95 Platinum upon release and fell in love with that keyboard as well. Needless to say, my love for Corsair runs deep.
So, when I heard that Corsair is finally reimagining itself as a brand and is releasing better products, I was excited about it and that brought me to the Corsair MM700 mouse pad. An RGB-enabled extended mousepad that looks excellent and feels premium to the touch. But is it enough to live up to the legacy that Corsair created? Let’s find out.
I have to say it right away that I am loving the approach Corsair has with a black and yellow themed boxes, it suits the brand identity a lot more than it did before and the uniformity is great, too. The unboxing experience is rather simple, to be honest.
Once you are done laying the gigantic mouse pad onto the table and connecting it with the computer, the next process is rather simple and straightforward, to be honest. You just have to be sure that you have Corsair’s iCUE installed and you are all good to go. Speaking of iCUE, I am happy to report that the software has evolved significantly from what it used to be and if you are looking for something that is easy to use, rich with customization, and not cluttered, this is the way to go.
The mouse pad itself feels nice to the touch, it is predominantly made out of cloth and for obvious reasons. Such a massive mouse pad cannot be made out of a hard surface, but hey, it feels premium and the RGB lighting also looks excellent. As you would expect from Corsair, it can all just be controlled through iCUE and can even sync with other components you have. There is even a USB hub with two USB ports that are found in the controller that connects the cable to the mousepad, a convenient feature, if you ask me.
While I do love the Corsair MM700, I do have some issues. For starters, the cloth surface is not a personal preference, and the mousepad only has three zones of RGB lighting, which seems like a lot less for a mouse pad this big.
Overall, the Corsair MM700 is a massive mouse pad that will fit nicely on your battle station. I would suggest that you are checking the table dimensions before you buy the mouse pad or else you would have no proper space to put it.
- Great quality.
- The surface is really fun to glide on.
- The RGB implementation looks nice.
- Added USB hub is a godsend.
- Only 3-zone RGB lighting.
Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 36.22 in x 11.57 in x 0.11 in
- RGB: Yes.
- Size: Extended.
- Material: Cloth.
There is no denying that Razer has done an excellent job at delivering some of the best mouse pads as well as other peripherals and components, as well. However, not everyone is in the market looking to spend the most amount of money on something and therefore, there are some affordable alternatives, too. However, if you are looking for something massive and flashy, as well. This one’s for you.
The mouse pad at hand is the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma, it is the extended version of the original Razer Goliathus and for those who do not know, it happens to be one of the hottest selling mouse pads from Razer and something that has managed to make a name for itself. I still remember when almost all my friends had a Razer Goliathus on their desks. But is the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma any better? Let’s find out.
Right out of the box, the mouse pad provides one of the smoothest experiences with the mouse. It does not matter which mouse you are using, everything feels smooth and the tracking is incredible, to say the least. However, if you have a Razer mouse, you can further calibrate it with the surface, as well. Allowing you for a better overall experience.
Razer has also paid attention to the overall quality of the mouse pad as a whole since the edges of the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma are stitched to prevent any fraying that can happen over time, especially with the cloth-based mouse pads. This would allow for a much longer lifespan as opposed to some other mouse pads that do not have any stitching.
Another good thing is that the RGB lighting is super-simple to customize through the Razer Synapse and you really do not have any issues with the overall usage, either. Razer has also used a good quality, anti-slip rubber on the bottom of the mouse pad, so you can be sure that there are not going to be any slippages happening while you game away, or work, for that matter.
However, the one thing that I cannot get myself to like about the otherwise excellent Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma is the limited lighting. You see, unlike the Razer Firefly series, this mouse pad only has a single zone of RGB lighting, which means that if you are looking to use some cool effects like Wave, or some custom effects, that is not going to happen. You can only display a single color and that is not something that everyone will appreciate.
Overall, the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma is a solid mouse pad aside from one glaring issue that might make it not the best choice for everyone. But if you have been looking for the best extended mouse pad, I really cannot argue here as it truly delivers the performance one would want.
- The surface is smooth and offers excellent tracking.
- The edges are stitched to prevent any fraying.
- RGB lighting is simple to customize.
- Only one-zone RGB lighting.
ASUS ROG Balteus Qi
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 14.56 in x 12.59 in x 0.31 in
- RGB: Yes.
- Size: Standard (Vertical).
- Material: Cloth.
The next mouse pad is from Asus but aside from being from Asus, it is also something on the special side. You see, every mouse pad that I have reviewed so far was in a standard length and height that is known for mouse pads. They are vertically small and horizontally large. However, this one is different. It is almost the same proportions both vertically and horizontally, and that might cause some confusion but let’s look at it.
In my hands is the ASUS ROG Balteus Qi and while it looks amazing, this is one special mouse pad for a number of reasons. First, it is one of the first vertical mouse pads that I have had the chance to look at, and secondly, it features a Qi wireless charging pad built into the mouse pad so you can charge all Qi compliant devices including your phones, mouse (some models have charging coils in them), headphones, smart watches, and anything that has a Qi wireless charging coil in them. But is the ASUS ROG Balteus Qi all show and no substance? Let’s find out.
From the moment you take the ASUS ROG Balteus Qi out of the box, you realize that there is something different here. For starters, this is not your ordinary mousepad. Not only is it heavier, but it is thicker, too and the reason behind the thickness is because it has charging coils inside of it. Now, it is important to know that the charging pad is located on the top right corner of the mouse pad, where you can just place your device and use it.
The rest of the surface is hard plastic, as one would expect, and it genuinely feels very nice to a point that you are not really going to have any issues. On the top left corner, there is the controller that can connect to a USB cable that is provided in the box, and also has an additional USB port in case you need to connect something and on the bottom right, you find the ROG logo.
The mouse pad is sturdy, heavy, and feels nice and I did not run into any issues during my testing, either. If you have been looking for something that delivers good performance, this is it. However, I would like to mention that the verticality of this mouse pad is unlike anything I have reviewed before, and while it does feel good in hand, it also looks kind of odd on the desk.
I do love the RGB implementation as you are getting 15-zone RGB lighting that can be customized through Armory Crate with ease, and setting it up is not at all a complicated procedure, either.
As far as the downsides are concerned, I really cannot think much about the ASUS ROG Balteus Qi that I did not like. However, I would have liked a USB Type-C on the back rather than a micro-USB. Other than that, I do like the mouse pad a lot.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Balteus Qi is an excellent mouse pad that is not going to cost you a lot of money and will also look really good overall. The RGB implementation is nicely done and there is a lot of value, as well. Sure, the odd size is one thing but it does not come in the way of usability.
- Excellent RGB implementation.
- USB hub for added connectivity.
- Looks great.
- Qi wireless charging pad is useful for most of the modern smartphones and devices.
- Smooth gliding and tracking.
- Uses an old micro-USB connector.
Logitech G Powerplay
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13.54 in x 12.63 in x 0.07 in
- RGB: No.
- Size: Standard.
- Material: Cloth/Hard
The last mouse pad that we are looking at is from Logitech and this time around, it is something special that is perhaps only done by Logitech up until now and it has been some time since this tech came out but we have not seen it being rivaled by the likes of Razer, Corsair, or other brands, for that matter. I do understand that this might make the tech seem useless but in reality, it is different as this tech is very useful and very cool.
I am talking about the Logitech G Powerplay and for those who are not familiar with it, it is a mouse pad as well as a charging pad station that you can use to charge the compatible Logitech mice. Yes, the entire surface acts as a charging pad and can charge your mouse while you are using it, allowing you to have limitless battery whenever you are on the fly.
Now, it is important to understand that the technology behind this is rather impressive and not a lot of mouse support this. As of writing this, the Logitech G Powerplay is compatible with the G Pro, G903, G703, and G502 Lightspeed gaming mice. Which means that the support itself is very limited. Sure, you could use it as a standard mouse pad and it will work just fine but the whole idea of spending so much on a mouse pad will get lost then.
However, getting back to the mouse and the cool technology that it uses, I am absolutely in love with how this is designed. As someone who has been using wireless mice for some time now, I do run into issues when I would sometimes forget to charge my mouse or place the mouse on the dock incorrectly and it will not charge. The fact that you can just use the mouse while it is charging and that too, without any cables, it is definitely something that one would love.
The Logitech G Powerplay is also available in the choice of hard and soft mats, so if you do not prefer one surface over the other, you can go ahead and purchase the separate one, and on top of it, both surfaces are interchangeable, giving you even more freedom.
Moving further, there are a few concerns about the Logitech Powerplay that I would like to highlight right away. Before you go ahead and purchase the mouse pad, you need to understand that there is no bonanza of RGB lighting. You do get the Logitech G logo that lights up, but aside from that, that’s about it. You also need to know that the charging speed is rather slow, you get around 1 to 2 percent per power if the mouse is active, and on idle, it will take around 12 hours.
Last but not the least, the Logitech Powerplay cannot be used on metal surfaces. So, be sure that your table does not have a metal top.
Overall, if you have one compatible mouse, the Logitech Powerplay is an exciting mouse pad that works as intended, and is definitely worth the price that you are paying. Sure, it is simple, but the execution done by Logitech is unlike anything we have seen.
- Definitely the most unique mouse pad.
- You can use your mouse while it charges without any cables needed.
- Available in both hard and cloth offerings.
- The surfaces can be interchanged.
- Does not offer any value if used as a standalone mouse pad.
- Charging speed is very slow.
- No RGB.
Conclusion
I do understand that most of the time, users have a hard time finding the right mouse pad. I remember shifting between a lot of mouse pads, too. Everything ranging from the cheap, generic mouse pad to a more expensive one. My search finally ended when I spent some money on the Razer Firefly V2 and although I still have to defend my purchase because of course, why would one buy such an expensive mouse pad, it has not failed me once.
I can also confidently say that your mileage may vary, wherein, you might be comfortable with a more affordable mouse pad. At the same time, I know several people who are more than happy with using their mouse on basic surfaces, and even cardboards.
The purpose of this roundup is to help everyone who is looking for a good mouse pad, be it extended, full of lights, or something as clever as Logitech Powerplay, we have covered every possible option that we think is good.
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I have been gaming for almost 24 years with extensive knowledge of all platforms and the gaming industry, in general. With interests in literature, art, gaming, and PC hardware.