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While some tech accessories get smaller as time progresses, mouse pads (or more aptly called “mouse mats” now) have gotten bigger – and that’s a good thing.
The best mouse pads give you plenty of room to move around on a soft surface that takes up half your desk. Not only that, but when you do hit the edge, most new mouse pads have raised perimeters that’ll let you know simply by feel, so you can keep your eyes on the game, project, or whatever you’re creating.
What Are the Best Mouse Pads?
If you’re shopping for the best mouse pad for your home office, work desk or even your kitchen counter, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Durability: A good mouse pad can also double as protection from spills, with most being waterproof and highly-durable to extreme wear and tear. The fabric on some of the tougher ones is made from similar materials as suitcases and jackets, tightly stitched but still providing a smooth surface to move around on, and can take a beating too.
Glide: “Glide factor” is something else to look at. There’s a balance between control and speed that differs from user to user, as well as mats, and is a personal preference to what feels most natural and comfortable. A gritty pad that puts up some resistance might be an annoyance to those who need to speedily zip around the screen, but helpful to others who need a steadying pushback from their pad.
Grip: On the flip-side, the back matters too. The best mouse pads will have a good grip so it’s not slipping and sliding out from under your mouse, particularly for the impassioned gamers. Heavy mouse movements can dislodge a poorly-gripped pad, as it slowly creeps away from where it’s supposed to stay, and you’ll constantly have to readjust it.
Other Materials: For those users sensitive to sound, alternate materials and stitching are available specifically to cut down on the constant whooshing noise your mouse can make while running along the surface. A pad with smooth stitching on both the X and Y axis will help you effortlessly glide in every direction, and one with a surface that encompasses your keyboard can even help cut down noise from mechanical typing. There are even sleek mouse mats made from metal these days, ensuring something that matches your personal work and gaming style.
How Do You Clean a Mouse Pad?
Mouse pads, even the most durable ones, can get pretty grimey over time. This is especially true for black fabrics, which can turn a grey-white and get discolored from streaks, dust, as well as sweat and oils from our hands. Same goes for creasing – on the darker models that are too sensitive, even one fold can create a mark for life. So if you’ll need to roll it up for a daily commute, keep that in mind and get something that’s meant to be bent. You should also wipe or dust off your mouse pads regularly — some will even hold up to being wiped down with a good disinfecting wipe or damp cloth. You could also pick up a mini vacuum from Amazon to help zap up crumbs, dirt and other small particles.
Just like test driving a car and finding the one that’s right for you, mouse pads all have a different aesthetic and feel to them, and depending on what you’re using it for, there’s one out there for your PC needs. We’ve selected four here that’ll cover gamers, designers, workers, and your desk as well.
