Best gaming mouse pads 2020
These days, the best gaming mouse pads are more than just a reliable surface to move your gaming mouse around on. In fact, they’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings. While their predecessors were simply mousing surfaces with a gaming look, many modern gaming mouse pads now come with extra bells and whistles. And, they’re now more than ever an important addition to a gamer’s arsenal.
But, what extra features can a lowly mouse pad have exactly? Well, to start, many of the best gaming mouse pads boast RGB lighting, for even more gaming immersion. Others offer wireless charging, which comes in handy if you happen to be using a wireless mouse – or need to charge your other Qi compatible devices, for that matter. Some even deliver the smoothest glide for pinpoint accuracy.
When you’ve already invested so much in getting the best gaming PC and the best gaming mouse just to dig into the best PC games, take that extra step and get the best gaming mouse pad. You’ll be happy you did. Here are our top picks.
Best gaming mouse pads at a glance:
- Corsair MM600
- SteelSeries QcK
- Cooler Master MP510
- Razer Sphex v2
- Roccat Hiro+
- Corsair MM1000 Qi
- Razer Goliathus Chroma
- Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
- Asus ROG Scabbard
- MSI Thunderstorm
1. Corsair MM600
The best gaming mouse pad for most users
Surface: 147.66-inches square | Size: 13.8 x 10.7 x 0.2 inches (352 x 272 x 5 mm; W x D x H)
Huge Surface space
Low-friction surface
No USB pass-through
The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game.
2. SteelSeries QcK
The best budget gaming mouse pad
Surface: 133.56-inches square | Size: 12.6 x 10.6 x 0.07 inches (320 X 270 x 2mm; W x D x H)
Relatively thin (2mm)
Smooth Frictionless Surface
Budget model
Existing s
olely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism.
3. Cooler Master MP510
Surface: 81.37 – 558 inches | Size: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.11 inches (250 x 210 x 3mm; W x D x H) – 35.4 x 15.7 x 0.11 inches (900 x 400 x 3mm; W x D x H)
Glow in the dark logo
4 different sizes
No RGB
There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk. It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won’t have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess.
- This product is only available in the UK as of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the SteelSeries QcK.
4. Razer Sphex v2
A minimalist’s dream and ultra-thin gaming mouse pad
Surface: 140-inches square | Size: 14 x 10 x 0.02 inches (355 x 254 x 0.5 mm; W x D x H)
Super thin
Unobtrusive
No lighting
Sure, everyone loves RGB lighting, but what if you’re looking for an unobtrusive, seamless desk surf
ace? Well, the ultra thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for you. Despite its thin profile, the polycarbonate surface is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. We picked the regular size, but if you have a smaller desk, there’s a Small size variant as well.
5. Roccat Hiro+
Surface: 111.2-inches square | Size: 13.78 x 8.07 x 0.09 inches (350 x 205 x 2.5 mm; W x D x H)
Smooth mouse control
Low-friction surface
Costly for no lighting
The top of the Hiro+ is covered in a vulcanized silicone surface with a 3D structure to help increase your gaming accuracy and speed. The base has a non-slip surface for steady mouse control, and the edges have been rounded for a smoother profile. Its surface is also coated to protect from water and grime, and makes for easy cleaning.
6. Corsair MM1000 Qi
Charge your phone while you play
Surface: Micro-textured hard surface | Size: 350mm x 260mm x 5mm (W x D x H)
Great surface
Qi wireless charging
Qi charging only in specific zone
Most people think that the best gaming mouse pads are just glorified tablecloths that you move your mouse on top of. Well, until the Corsair MM1000 Qi hit the market, that was almost right. Not only is this thing one of the best gaming mouse pads, but it also features Qi charging. Launching alongside the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, which itself features Qi compatibility, the MM1000 Qi isn’t just Corsair’s answer to the Logitech PowerPlay, it takes mouse pads to the next level.
7. Razer Goliathus Chroma
Surface: 140.6-inches square | Size: 13.99 x 10.05 x 0.12 inches (355 x 255 x 3 mm; W x D x H)
Razer Chroma-enabled
Gaming optimized
No USB pass-through
Let’s say you have a ton of RGB-bedecked peripherals, a keyboard, a mouse and maybe even a headset. You can’t just leave your mouse pad out of the RGB party, so you should keep an eye out for the Razer Goliathus Chroma. This illuminated mouse pad takes Razer’s expert RGB implementation and throws it into a soft gaming mouse pad that’ll let you score those headshots, and do it in style.
8. Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
The ultimate mouse pad for RGB lighting enthusaists
Surface: 139.7-inches square | Size: 13.7 x 10.2 x 0.2 inches (350 x 260 x 5mm; W x D x H)
Customizable lighting
Low-friction surface
Wired connection
You simply can’t go out looking for the best mouse mat for gaming in 2020 without considering RGB. All the hottest gaming peripherals right now boast about how they can light your desk up like a Christmas tree, and the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is no different. On top of Corsair’s always-fantastic RGB implementation, the MM800 uses a low-friction finish that’ll allow for quick and precise tracking across its surface. And if the lighting wasn’t enough, the MM800 uses Corsair’s special CUE2 interface to sync its lighting with your other peripherals and even your PC through RGB share. It’s even available in two materials: cloth and a micro-texture surface.
9. Asus ROG Scabbard
A rugged giant of a mouse pad
Surface: 613.65-inches square | Size: 35.43 x 17.32 x 0.11 inches (900 x 440 x 3 mm; W x D x H)
Gigantic
Well-tested
Might be too large for its own good
More of a ‘desk pad’ than a gaming mouse pad, the Asus ROG Scabbard is absolutely massive. It can hold your laptop or keyboard and mouse, along with any other accessories you have lying around. It has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for maximum mouse control. Asus has even temperature tested the ROG scabbard down to -30°C – but we wouldn’t recommend gaming in sub-zero conditions, even if you’re really into overclocking.
10. MSI Thunderstorm
The heavy metal gaming mouse pad
Surface: 110.88-inches square | Size: 12.6 x 8.8 x 0.07 inches (320 x 225 x 2 mm; W x D x H)
Thin
Durable Aluminum make
Cold to the touch
Are other mouse pads just too soft for your gaming setup? Well, if so, you’re in luck – the MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is all metal. To be precise, this gaming mouse pad is made of an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum material with rubber stoppers. This textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. And, if that metal surface is just too real for you, you can flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth.
