Should you actually get, a mousepad for gaming is a pretty common question among new players. They get their new setup, play fine with their latest gaming mouse (Hopefully, it is one of the best gaming mice for today), and wonder if getting a mousepad is worth it.
So after playing with many mice and many mousepads, I’ve come to a conclusion!
But first, what do they do?
What Does Gaming Mousepads Do?
Mousepads provide a smooth surface with the right level of friction to allow the gaming mouse sensor to measure movement more precisely. Therefore, leaving a flawless, comfortable experience for the user. This is especially important in gaming, where precision and accuracy are critical.
The problem with using desks as mousepads is that it is not the ideal surface for the optimal experience. Using an incompatible surface like a wooden desk can cause jittering, lag, and more unpredictable movements.
If you are using your mouse without a mousepad, consider checking out this post Can You Use A Mouse Without A Mousepad? Should You?
Are Mousepads Worth It?
Mousepads are worth it. Most people, especially gamers, benefit from a high amount of precision and accuracy. Mousepads provide more control and a smooth and consistent glide that helps with accuracy and provide a flawless, comfortable experience.
Not only performance, but it also helps with comfort and can even help with our mouse and desk life-span, which I will get into a bit. But first, let’s talk about performance.
1. Performance
This is especially true in the FPS industry, where every pixel is important. As a result, gamers are investing hundreds of dollars in getting the best equipment, squeezing every advantage, and ensuring everything is perfect.
Getting a high-quality mousepad is one of those things that any gamer should strive for. They basically improve your experience using the mouse. In addition, they help with mouse control and the ability to be 100% precise.
With the right amount of friction and materials, they can provide a flawless experience when it comes to gaming. Perfectly tracking mouse movements increases our accuracy.
When not using a mousepad, your mouse sensor won’t correctly track your mouse movements. It may jitter, lag, and jump around unpredictably, which can cause frustration among gamers. Of course, this is not the ideal route.
Not only performance, but they can actually help with the lifespan of our mice and desk.
2. Lifespan Of Your Mouse And Desk
Having a mousepad increases the life span of your mouse and gaming desk. A good mousepad protects the mouse skates (feet) and keeps them cleaner, providing a more consistent glide. Plus, it keeps your gaming desk from being worn out due to the constant mouse movements.
Mouse skates (feet) are really sensitive, and using your mouse without a mousepad can wear them and ruin them quickly.
It is the same for your desk. Some desks (depending on the surface) can get scratchy and worn out due to the rapid mouse movements.
3. Comfort
Mousepads provide a more comfortable experience. Performance-wise, they provide a smoother, more consistent flawless experience. Comfort-wise, putting your wrist on a mousepad is more comfortable than simply using your desk.
Pretty straightforward. Putting your hand on a mousepad is more comfortable than putting it straight on your desk. It depends on the material of your desk. Some might feel a vast improvement, while for some, it will be negligible.
So for the benefits of performance, extra comfort, and the lifespan of your mouse skates and desk, getting a mousepad seems like a no-brainer.
This is what Shroud said about playing without a mousepad.
Shroud About Non Mousepad Players
Shroud is a retired professional CS:GO player who now streams full time. He is known as one of the best FPS players in the world. This is his take on the matter:
Question: Why are you so prejudiced against non-mousepad users?
Shroud: That hurts me, man. That’s **** up your skates. So you’re gonna need new skates or a new mouse. Depending on how hard you play. And it doesn’t track right. So you’re not as sick as you can be. You’re limiting yourself. [src]
“You’re limiting yourself’ I couldn’t agree more. Playing without a mousepad is playing at a massive disadvantage.
Mousepad Downsides
Mousepads do have some downsides. Although they are very minor, there are things you have to make sure you nail down. Otherwise, you won’t have a good experience with the mousepad.
1. You Have To Clean It Often
Making sure your mousepad is clean is 101 in the aim training community. I often see posts that say: “Make sure to clean your mousepad” and then see a sudden increase in scores in a particular scenario.
Make sure your mousepad is clean. Even a few days of dust can ruin the perfect friction and glide that clean mousepads have. Cleaning your mousepad often is critical in gaming to reduce the inconsistencies that dirty mousepads can cause.
You see, dirty mousepads have different friction levels, which can cause inconsistencies. I clean my mousepad at night, the moment I am done playing. And my mousepad looks and feels the same as when I bought it.
So thorough cleaning can take time and if your mousepad is dirty, it can impact your consistency.
2. It Might Not Fit Your Aesthetics
Putting a big mousepad which is usually black, coesn’t always fit your aesthetics. Some people like a very clean, white desk. And getting a mousepad can ruin that perfect aesthetic they want.
Although it is not a big deal anymore since there are many mousepads in all different sizes, colors, and even paintings. So you might need a few extra days of researching to find the perfect one for you and for your aesthetics.
3. Covers A Lot Of Space
Similar to the aesthetics part, a mousepad is usually not small. It can cover much of your desk, which can cause your desk to be more cluttered. Again, this is more a design thing but something to keep in mind.
Mousepad disadvantages are minor, and there is no reason not to get one. While it might not fit your aesthetic and will cover a lot of space, the performance benefits are just massive.
Mousepad has some downsides. First, they need regular cleaning as playing with dust on the mousepad can cause different friction levels, which can cause inconsistencies. Plus, they cover a lot of space and might not fit your aesthetics.
Do Pros Use Mousepads?
More than 99% of professional esports players use a mousepad. Mousepads provide more control and a smooth and consistent glide that helps with accuracy and delivers a flawless, comfortable experience that is necessary for esports competitions.
By the way, I don’t know any esports player that plays without a mousepad. The reason I’ve put 99% is just to be safe. There is no information regarding esports players that play without a mousepad.
Mousepads are necessary for gaming. They improve performance by providing a smooth, consistent glide. They minimize tracking issues like jittering, lag, and unpredictable mouse movements. They add comfort to your wrist and keep your mouse and desk safe.
My Recommended Mousepads
My recommended mouse pad would be the Steelseries QCK. One of the most used gaming mousepads among esports players, according to prosettings.net.
An excellent, high-quality mousepad with the perfect size, at the price tag of about 15$. This is a no-brainer. I highly recommend getting this mousepad for everyone I know!
The BenQ Zowie G-SR is another classic. Very similar to the Steelseries QCK. A reliable gaming mousepad for all times.
Final Words
Mousepads do really make a difference. They provide more control and a smooth, consistent glide that helps with accuracy and delivers a flawless, comfortable experience. Plus, it increases the life span of your mouse and desk.
You are not as sick as you can be. You are limiting yourself.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Are Expensive Mousepads Worth It?
For most people, expensive mousepads are not worth it. Almost every mousepad will fit and get the job done for casual or even semi-competitive gaming. But for gamers who are serious about competitive, getting the best mousepad may justify the extra cost.
Learn more at Cheap Vs Expensive Mousepads: Which One Should You Get?
Are RGB Mousepads Worth It?
For most people, RGB mousepads are not worth it. They do not provide any advantage over regular mousepads other than aesthetics and lightning. However, if you want to improve your setup’s aesthetics and add more colors, consider getting an RGB mousepad.
Learn more at Should You Get An RGB Mousepad? Full Guide
Are Extended Mousepads Worth It?
Extended mousepads are worth it. They provide extra space so you won’t glide over the end of your mousepad. Since it is generally recommended to use low sensitivity, it may be best to have a big mousepad to support it.
Why Do Gamers Need A Big Mousepad?
Gamers need a big mousepad because it is the best practice to play on low sensitivity, meaning gamers need to move their mouse a lot. Therefore, they need a big mousepad to move around and not glide over the end of the mousepad.
