You spilled your energy drink again on your mousepad, and now it’s ruined. Or you got a new gaming setup and didn’t think about a mousepad.
Either way, being a mouse and a mousepad enthusiast, I will answer the following question: CAN you use a mouse without a mousepad? And SHOULD you use a mouse without a mousepad?
Can You Use A Mouse Without A Mousepad?
In general, you can use a mouse without a mousepad, but it is not recommended. Using a mouse without a mousepad ruins its skates, hurting its control and gliding experience. Plus, it can scratch and ruin your desk. Furthermore, many mice won’t be able to track your mouse movements perfectly.
It depends on two main factors. Surface. And the type of mouse (laser or optical).
Laser Mice With No Pad
Generally speaking, laser mice can be used on any surface. The problem is that they are not accurate, to begin with. Therefore, they are not recommended for gaming as optical mice are superior.
- Wood – ✔✔
- Plastic – ✔
- Glass – ✔
Optical Mice With No Pad
Generally speaking, optical mice can be used on almost any surface besides highly reflective ones like glass. But at the cost of accuracy and the life span of its feet and desk.
- Wood – ✔✔
- Plastic – ✔
- Glass – ✖
Generally speaking, a wooden desk surface is the best material for mouse sensors, while glass is the worst desk surface as it is reflective and makes it hard for the mouse sensor to read movements properly.
Plastic is easily damaged when using a mouse on it, so make sure to keep it in mind.
For laser mice, mousepads are not essential as lasers can be used on any surface. But, it is highly recommended to use a mousepad to increase the life span of the desk and the mouse and to increase the accuracy of the mouse sensor.
For optical mice, mousepads are not essential unless you use a highly reflective surface like glass. But, it is highly recommended to use a mousepad to increase the life span of the desk and the mouse and to increase the accuracy of the mouse sensor.
So without getting into too many specific details, you can certainly use a mouse without a mousepad, especially if you have a good optical mouse. You can use it on almost every surface.
Mice companies really advanced in that realm. They are confident that their products can work without a mousepad and that the mice will do the job. And it totally works.
If you are doing work and do not require high amounts of precision, you can use your mouse without a mousepad. It will probably track fine, and you will be able to accomplish whatever you need on the PC.
But I think the following question is more critical: SHOULD you use a mouse without a mousepad?
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SHOULD You Use A Mouse Without A Mousepad?
You shouldn’t use a mouse without a mousepad. Using a mouse without a mousepad ruins its skates, hurting its control and gliding experience. Plus, it can scratch and ruin your desk. Furthermore, many mice won’t be able to track your mouse movements perfectly.
So yes, you can use a mouse without a mousepad. And in terms of tracking, it will probably work fine. But it will have an impact. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of not using a mousepad and if it’s worth it.
Cons Of Not Using A Mousepad
There are cons to not using a mousepad. After all, there is a reason mousepads exist. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
1. It Ruins Your Mouse Skates
Not using a mousepad can damage your mouse. Desk surfaces are not the ideal surface for your mouse skates (feet). Desks provide too much resistance for your skates which wear them out and ruin them in the long run. It is one of the main reasons why mousepads are highly recommended.
This dramatically reduces the life span of your mouse feet, which means you will have to replace them often (Most known mice have replacement feet online)(BEST Gaming Mice By Pro Players).
It is a hassle and a waste of money, in my opinion.
2. It Ruins Your Desk
Desk surfaces are not the ideal surface for your gaming mouse. Using a mouse on a desk provides too much resistance and friction which wears out the desk and ruins it in the long run.
If you care about your desk, you should get a mousepad. I’ve seen many gamers that paid more for the desk, which is made from a special type of wood than they paid for their whole gaming PC.
Constant mouse movement and pressure cause scratches on the desk.
3. It Ruins Your Precision
Not using a mousepad reduces your precision as many desk surfaces do not have the optimal level of friction which can impact the glide and control. Furthermore, mouse movements won’t be consistent and can lag and jitter depending on the surface.
Even though many gaming mice brands brag about their mice performance for surfaces other than a mousepad, it is still inferior to using a mousepad.
A mousepad just provides the perfect environment for your mouse.
4. It Ruins Your Comfort
Mousepads are more comfortable because they are usually soft and suitable for wrists. On the flip side, desks are very rigid and dense, which, as a result, provides an uncomfortable experience and pain in the wrists after long hours of usage.
This is just self-explanatory. It feels better to put your hand on the mousepad than on a desk. It depends on your surface and how your desk is built, but some might feel this more than others.
Comfort is something we gamers strive for when gaming. Being uncomfortable during long periods will impact performance in the later stages of your gaming day.
The downsides of not using a mousepad are that it ruins your mouse skates which means you will have to spend extra money on replacements. It scratches your desk and wears it out. It reduces your accuracy as tracking on a desk is not the ideal environment. Plus, it is less comfortable for your wrist.
Pros Of Not Using A Mousepad
Let’s take a look at the pros of not using a mousepad.
1. You Save A Few $?
Well, mousepads are not free. By not getting one, you save a few bucks.
Although mousepads are so, so cheap, you can get a good one like the Steelseries QCK for 15$. It will hold for years, and it will provide a flawless experience.
So, generally speaking, you will save a few bucks on the mousepad, but you will have a far worse experience with your mouse.
Plus, you will have to replace your mouse feet often, which costs more than a good mousepad. So did you actually save a few bucks?
2. It Might Look Better Aesthetically
Your desk might look better without a mousepad. It will look less cluttered, more spacious, etc.
There is not an easy solution for this. But, it is worth mentioning that there are many types of pads with many colors, painting, and variations, so finding the right for your desk is not impossible.
No Mousepad Pros
- + You Save A Few $.
- + It Might Look Better Aesthetically
No Mousepad Cons
- – It Ruins Your Mouse Skates
- – It Scratches Your Desk
- – Less Precise
- – Might Be Uncomfortable
Now, you can take a quick look at the pros and cons of a no-mousepad and draw your conclusions from there.
But if you want my opinion, then it is a hundred, even thousand percent worth it. Show me one professional player without a mousepad. I challenge you. It is a necessity for gaming.
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My Recommended Mousepads
My recommended mouse pad would be the Steelseries QCK. One of the most used gaming mousepads among esports players, according to prosettings.net.
An excellent, high-quality mousepad with the perfect size, at the price tag of about 15$. 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.
My Verdict
I can not see mousepads leaving anytime soon. They are here to stay. Although gaming mice today can be used on almost any surface, the advantages that mousepads have over regular desks are outstanding.
That’s why I highly recommend getting a good mousepad. It will do wonders for your gaming experience.
And with that’s said, I will see you guys next time, keep slapping!
