If you’re looking for a new mouse pad, there’s a lot to consider. The size, shape, material, and even the color of your current mouse pad can affect your productivity.
But before you buy a new mouse pad, you should first ask yourself if you really need one.
So if you’re wondering whether you need a mouse pad, in this article we are going to talk about the 7 reasons why you might want to get one.
But before that, let’s answer the question: do you really need a mouse pad?
Table of Contents
Do You Really Need a Mouse Pad?
Most modern mouse use optical and laser technology which allows them to work on any surface, so technically you don’t really need a mouse pad. However, there are some added benefits of using one such as better control, added comfort and many more.
When it comes to mouse pads, we all have our preferences. Some of us like the smooth surface, while others prefer a mat with a little texture. Some of us are okay without a mouse pad, but others couldn’t live without one. In the end, the choice is always yours!
How mouse pads fell out of fashion
The introduction of the optical mice (which were in the 80s) heralded the arrival of mouse pads, which performed practical functions far before that time. They provided a smooth and predictable tracking surface, and they kept the tracking ball clean of dirt and gunk.
These consumer-grade optical mouses, released in the early 2000s, used a tiny, low-power optical sensor. They offered more constant and dependable tracking on practically any surface, as opposed to a standard roller ball. Laser-equipped mice eliminated those limitations a few years later, and now you can get an inexpensive laser mouse.
Since the optical and laser mice do not touch the surface being tracked, there is no operational downside to using any surface. A direct result of that was that mouse pads fell out of fashion. Unlike optical and laser mice, optical and laser mouse pads are unnecessary, since the mice themselves don’t make touch with the surface being tracked.
Reasons why you need a mouse pad
For most of us, a mouse pad is an essential part of your computer setup. It helps keep your mouse steady while you’re working on your computer. If you’ve been working on a computer for long hours, then you already know how important it is to have a mouse pad.
But some people skip mouse pads on their setups and don’t give them any second thoughts.
But did you know there are many why you should invest in a mouse pad?
Mouse pad gives more comfort
A good mouse pad is designed with ergonomics in mind. It has an optimal surface area that allows your hand to glide smoothly across it without any friction or resistance. This makes it easier to move your mouse around on your desk comfortably without any annoying friction from uneven surfaces.
Some mouse pads also come with a gel wrist rest or wrist support. This will help prevent repetitive strain injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, by reducing stress on your wrists.
It protects your desk
A mouse pad is designed to protect your desk from scratches or other damage that may occur when you use your mouse. It also helps prevent dust buildup on your mouse because it keeps dirt and dust away.
Also, a good quality mouse pad will be made out of rubberized plastic so that it won’t slip around. Rubberized surfaces help protect your desk from scratches and dents caused by moving objects.
They also make sure that your mouse doesn’t leave behind marks on your furniture.
Keeps your mouse clean
A mouse pad is designed to keep your mouse from getting dirty or sticky. It also helps prevent your mouse from slipping off your desk when it gets wet.
A good quality mouse pad will be made out of soft rubber that won’t scratch up your mouse.
Improves gaming performance
A good quality mouse pad is essential when playing games on your PC. A high-quality mouse pad will help keep your cursor in place as it moves across the screen. It also helps prevent accidental clicks by preventing your fingers from slipping off the surface.
You’ll find that most gaming mice come with their own mouse pads. But if yours doesn’t, then you may be able to use another mouse pad instead, whether a soft or hard surface mouse pad.
Just make sure that the surface isn’t worn out or damaged. You don’t want any loose fibers getting into your mouse while you play!
Some high-tech mouse pad models can wirelessly charge your mouse
If you are looking for something more advanced, some of the best wireless mouse pads have built-in charging stations, so you don’t even have to plug them into anything!
You just place the mouse on the pad, and it begins to charge. This means that you don’t need to replace your mouse batteries while playing in the middle of the game!
Better control
A good mouse pad is designed with ergonomics in mind. It has an optimal surface area that allows you to move around it easily without having to worry about slipping or sliding off.
A well-designed mouse pad also provides enough friction so that when you use your mouse on its surface, you don’t slide across the desk. This makes it easier to click where you want to go.
Less slipping
A good mouse pad is designed with slip-resistant materials that keep it from sliding around on your desk or table when you use it. It also helps prevent accidental clicks by keeping your mouse pad sturdy and firm.
The material of the mouse pad can also affect its performance. Some people prefer cloth or leather, but the majority of gamers find that a hard surface works best for them. Not all mice are created equal. It is important to look at your gaming habits when choosing your mouse pad.
Does mouse pad make you productive?
You may not realize it, but your mouse pad has a direct impact on your productivity level when working with your computer.
It helps keep your hands from getting sore while using your mouse; it protects your desk surface from wear-and-tear, and it keeps your mouse in place so that you don’t accidentally move it around when you move the cursor.
Mouse pads also help prevent repetitive strain injuries, which occur when muscles become strained over time due to repeated movements like clicking with a mouse.
In fact, studies show that people who use mouse pads with wrist support tend to suffer fewer RSI symptoms. So if you’ve been experiencing pain after spending hours each day hunched over your computer, then investing in a comfortable mouse pad may be worth considering.
In addition, a well-designed mouse pad allows you to easily move around without having to reposition your hands. This makes it easier to reach different parts of your screen.
How much do they cost?
Mouse pads come in all shapes and sizes. Some are made from plastic or vinyl; others use fabric or leather as their base materials. You’ll also find some that are designed specifically for gaming mice. But no matter what type of mouse pad you choose, just like any product, they come in cheap, but there will be more expensive models as well.
The average price range of mouse pads is between $5-$20. However, this varies depending on how large the mouse pad is, where you live, and what brand/type of mouse pad you prefer.
For example, gaming mouse pads often sell for about more than half the price of ordinary basic mouse pads.
Cheap vs expensive mouse pads
Mouse pads come in all shapes and sizes. Some cost less than $10, while others go up into the hundreds of dollars. But what makes them so different?
Quality of material
The most obvious difference is the quality of material.
A cheap mouse pad will be made from lower-quality materials that won’t last long at all. It may also not feel very comfortable under your hand. On the other end of the spectrum, an expensive mouse pad could be made out of leather, aluminum, or some type of soft fabric.
These types of mouse pad usually provide better grip and cushioning. They also look nicer because they’re typically custom-made.
Durability
Another important factor to keep in mind is durability. Cheap mouse pads are generally flimsy and breakable. While these types of mouse pads are inexpensive, they offer little value beyond novelty purposes. An expensive mouse pad will hold its own against everyday use.
Things to consider when buying mouse pad
If you’re looking for a new mouse pad, there are a few things to keep in mind before making your purchase.
Mouse pads are an essential part of any computer user’s life. They protect your desk from wear and tear, provide comfort while using your computer, and even add style to your home office.
But choosing the right mouse pad can be tricky.
Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a new mouse pad.
Size matters
When purchasing a mouse pad, make sure you know exactly what kind of space you have available. Most people don’t think much about the amount of space they have until they start searching for a mouse pad.
When selecting a mouse pad, remember that bigger isn’t always better. Big mouse pads tend to make your desk look crowded, in my opinion.
A smaller mouse pad doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to sacrifice functionality. Many high-end mouse pads feature extra padding and features designed specifically to help reduce discomfort.
Material Matters
There are two main categories of materials used to create mouse pads: soft fabric and rubber. Both types of mouse pad work just fine, but each offers certain advantages over the other.
Soft fabric mouse pads are softer and more flexible. Rubber mouse pads are more durable and easy to clean. Cloth mouse pads aren’t nearly as hardy as their rubber counterparts.
So depending on how often you use your mouse pad, you’ll likely find that either option works well enough.
Comfort Matters
Mouse pads are meant to fit comfortably underneath your palm. That means finding the perfect combination between softness and firmness.
You shouldn’t expect a mouse pad to be completely smooth; instead, it should give slightly beneath your fingers.
In addition, some mouse pads should allow airflow through the surface. Airflow helps prevent heat buildup and keeps your skin cool.
Color Matters
The last thing you want to do is spend money on something that looks ugly. Mouse pads come in all shapes and sizes, so you may not be able to find a specific shade that matches with everything else in your house.
But regardless of the colors you choose, you still need to pay attention to details. For example, most mouse pads include logos or designs printed directly onto them. You can also buy one that is customized to match your desk design or office.
In short, no matter what type of mouse pad you decide to go with, you’ll definitely benefit from having one. Just make sure you pick out a good quality product that fits into your budget.
Types of mouse requires mouse pad
There are two types of mice that may require mouse pad for obvious reasons. They are mechanical mouse and on some certain conditions, Optical/Laser mouse requires it too.
I’ll explain.
Optical mouse
A laser mouse bounces a concentrated light beam off the surface of the mouse pad and captures the reflected light. The light is captured by a CMOS sensor and translated into cursor movement.
An optical mouse uses an IR LED to illuminate the surface of the mouse pad. The reflected light is captured by a CCD sensor and translated into cursor movements.
A laser mouse does not have the same problem as an optical mouse when working on surfaces such as glass.
This means that optical mouse may require mouse pad when working on reflective or glass surface.
Mechanical mouse
A mechanical mouse does not use light to measure movement. Instead, it housed a hard rubber ball which rolled as the mouse moved, sending signals to a computer. These signals were used to move the mouse cursor on the screen correspondingly.
Since input was gathered from physical motion, this type of mouse needs a surface to provide friction for the ball to grip and allow more accurate ball movement. Mouse pads were quite helpful for providing such surfaces.
Drawbacks of mouse pads
Mouse pads are an essential part of every computer user’s life. They keep your keyboard clean and prevent your hands from getting sore while typing.
However, there are certain drawbacks to using mouse pads.
Mouse pads can become dirty and smelly overtime and it’s hard to remove the dirt from it. All the dirt will stick on the surface of your mouse pad and cause you some problems with the mouse. The worst thing is when people spill food or drinks on the mouse pad. This will create a bad smell that will become unbearable.
Some mouse pads are not washer safe and it’s a hassle to clean them. I’ve heard of people washing the cloth pads in the machine and then putting them out to dry overnight, but I’ve never tried it myself. However, a few mouse pads are machine washable.
Some metal mouse pad models can damage the rubber feet of your mouse and also your desk’s surface. This can cause the mouse to not track as well and can also cause a lot of wobbles in the mouse since there is no friction between the rubber feet and the desk.
FAQ’s
Do you need a mouse pad for a laser mouse?
A laser mouse is an advanced type of optical mouse that uses light instead of infrared beams to detect movement on its surface. Laser mice don’t require any special surface; they just work with most surface as long as they are solid. Because laser mice use lasers rather than infra-red rays, they won’t pick up reflections from surfaces like glass or glossy plastic. So if you’ve got a desk covered in shiny stuff, a laser mouse is the better choice than an optical one.
Do You Need A Large Mouse Pad For Gaming?
If you’re planning on using your mouse frequently while playing games, then you might want to go for a large mouse pad. These larger mouse pads usually cover a wider area than smaller ones do.
However, this isn’t always necessary. Some people find that small mouse pads perform just as well as bigger ones. In fact, gamers have reported that smaller mouse pads are better for fast-paced action games because they allow faster movement of the mouse on the pad.
How long do mouse pad lasts?
Even though mouse pads are relatively cheap when it comes to computer accessories, they do last a long time. Your mouse pad will easily last around 5 to 10 years, which makes it a great investment. As long as you don’t spill any liquids on it or use anything that can scratch the surface of the mouse pad, you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon.
What are good mouse pad brands out there?
As the market is flooded with different brands of mouse pads, it can be hard to know which ones are good and which ones are the best.
As we’ve already discussed, the best mouse pads come from only a few manufacturers. We’ve identified the top three best brands of mouse pads and they are: Razer, SteelSeries and Corsair.
According to my research, they seem to provide most of the branded mouse pads online with mostly positive reviews and high star ratings. Either way, I believe you can’t go wrong with any of these brands. In fact, I am using a Razer brand myself and it serves its purpose very well for me.
Bottom Line
Whether you work at home or in an office environment, having a mouse pad is important. Not only does it provide a smooth surface for your hands to rest on during long sessions, but it keeps your mouse from leaving unwanted markings on your desk.
There are plenty of options available online and offline. So no matter where you live, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a suitable mouse pad.
