Posted on 29 June 2022
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
SteelSeries QcK
This is the most affordable model in our comparison and yet it is still of very good quality. It is also the most balanced of our selection, making it suitable for many uses.
It may not be the most complete or original, but the Qck has the merit of having a good price-quality ratio and a very low basic price. In our test, it proved to be equally good at both low and high sensitivities, as well as being durable and water washable. This last point is interesting when you know that it tends to retain dust after a certain time. It is therefore aimed at people who are looking for a durable mouse pad with a non-slip texture. It has proven to be a great solution for the budget conscious. The Heavy version proved to be more comfortable due to its extra thickness, but hardly justifies the extra investment.
The mouse pad is an essential part of any mouse setup, ensuring precision and durability. Soft mouse pads are the most common solution nowadays, especially because of their versatility. The choice of material and its treatment depends mainly on your use: precision or speed? The size determines how much space your mouse can use. In general, the larger the size, the better. The style of the mouse pad is also a criterion to be taken into account when purchasing.
Cooler Master MP511
This model is made of Cordura fabric to stand out from the competition. It offers an excellent price-quality raio for those looking for an effective and durable solution.
The MP511 could have been at the top of our selection, but we preferred a more affordable solution. Nevertheless, for those with the necessary budget, it is the ideal model. Indeed, Cordura fabric is a particularly pleasant material, both in terms of texture and the way it feels when using the mouse. It is simple: during our test, it allowed us to play with both speed and precision, even if the latter seems to be the intended use. It is also splash resistant.
Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
This rigid mat is quite pleasant to use. Designed for speed, it is practical and stylish, thanks in particular to the integration of a customisable RGB backlight.
The Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is a rigid mouse pad. In testing, its lightly textured surface allowed us to make quick movements, but its grip helped us maintain a minimum of accuracy. The visuals are just as interesting with a touch of glossy black on the top and the 15-zone RGB managed by iCUE. A USB pass-through port is built into the top, which compensates for the one obstructed by the pad’s power supply.
Logitech G440
This pad is the ideal rigid solution for people with a limited budget. The size is also sufficient for many players.
The Logitech G440 is the basic rigid mouse pad. True to the brand’s philosophy, it is of high quality. The material chosen is a relatively smooth hard plastic. As you can see, it is designed for speed, but during our test, the grip was simply non-existent, which made any task requiring a minimum of precision (such as sniper aiming, for example) difficult.
Razer Firefly v2
Like its direct competitor, this mouse pad is a rigid solution with an RGB backlighting, fully customisable. It is designed for speed as well.
The Razer Firefly v2 is a rigid model thought only by the speed. During our test, we found that the grip was less present than on the Corsair, which reduced the precision of movements. However, for those who just need smooth movements, it is perfect. As for the equipment, apart from the RGB Chroma backlighting, we note the presence of a grommet to better organise the desk. It is still less interesting than the RGB port of the MM800.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best budget | Best mid-range | Best high-end | Mid-range alternative | High-end alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| SteelSeries QcK | Cooler Master MP511 | Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris | Logitech G440 | Razer Firefly v2 |
| This is the most affordable model in our comparison and yet it is still of very good quality. It is also the most balanced of our selection, making it suitable for many uses. | This model is made of Cordura fabric to stand out from the competition. It offers an excellent price-quality raio for those looking for an effective and durable solution. | This rigid pad is quite pleasant to use. Designed for speed, it is practical and stylish, thanks in particular to the integration of a customisable RGB backlight. | This pad is the ideal rigid solution for people with a limited budget. The size is also sufficient for many players. | Like its direct competitor, this mouse pad is a rigid solution with an RGB backlighting, fully customisable. It is designed for speed as well. |
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Honorable mentions
Logitech PowerPlay (£89.99 upon publication): practical, but limited to Logitech. This mouse pad stands out from the other models because of its ability to charge the Logitech G703 and G903 wireless mouse (which are also among the best wireless mouses). It gains approximately 1 to 2% per hour, which is good for the battery life. This is a solution for people who want to use a wireless mouse regularly without worrying about charging it. Unfortunately, this feature is limited to the brand’s models.
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How to choose your mouse pad?
Finding a mouse pad may seem like an easy task, but for performance enthusiasts it is just as important as a good mouse or keyboard.
In order to choose which one will be most suitable for the majority of users, we have isolated the following criteria:
- Type of pad: there are two types: soft and hard. The former are generally designed to be versatile or precision-oriented (with a more pronounced texture), while the latter generally aim for reactivity with minimal friction. This criterion is also influenced by the materials used.
- Materials: generally related to the variety of pads, these can be of two main types: fabrics or plastics. The way in which these materials are treated will influence the intended use. More advanced models are equipped with a double-sided solution, which allows you to choose between precision and speed.
- Size: this is basically the size of the mouse pad. It is influenced by your needs and the space available on your desk. It can range from the smallest mouse pad (between 20 and 25 cm square) to models that are almost as big as your desk itself (almost a metre wide!). We particularly recommend the latter if you are a fan of large mouse movements.
- Additional functions: many additional functions are gradually appearing on these media. For example, brands are integrating a wireless charging system or a USB port to facilitate the management of your peripherals. There is also RGB lighting around the edge of the operating surface, and even a wrist rest for more comfort.
- Style: some designs with a specific pattern may be more difficult to adapt to your setup. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be frustrating. This is something to keep in mind when making your purchase.
How did we test?
In order to test the different mouse pads, we started by unpacking them. This stage allowed us to discover the materials, the quality of finish and the possible functionalities of the different models.
Then came the real test with a real-life situation. To do this, we used a classic gamer mouse (a Roccat Kone AIMO) during a 30-minute session per product.
Other Mouse Pads Tested
AmazonBasics Gaming Pad XXL (£8.70 upon publication): basic and unappealing. Although at first glance Amazon’s mouse pad seems to be a good solution, in practice it is less attractive. The pad is spacious and affordable, but it is not very pleasant because of its rough surface. We found that the pad was a little too sticky, which affected the smoothness of the mouse movements.
Razer Sphex v3 (£20.10 upon publication): rigid, but not really. The Sphex v3 claims to be a rigid pad with a focus on fineness. Unfortunately, when unpacked, it feels too soft, which reduces the feeling of quality of the pad. Moreover, it is a bit too thin, which bothered our tester during his games. It is a pity, because the mouse pad itself is interesting in games thanks to the easy glide, which favours speed.
SteelSeries Qck Heavy (£24.99 upon publication): a soft version. Derived directly from the Qck in our selection, the Heavy offers identical qualities, but is a little more comfortable thanks to its extra thickness. However, this does not really justify the price.
Translated by Aylin Akturk
