They might not be the most glamorous of things, but we’ve all got a few of them lying around. Usually handed out in goody bags for no reason, all branded up. I’m talking about the humble mouse mat. The cosy rest for your rodent friend. The sturdy base which forms the cornerstone of your CSGO performance. Or not, as the case may be. I’m sure some of you heathens even go mousemat-less.
While on the surface it just seems like a throwing rug to roll your mouse over, mouse mats come in an incredible range of sizes and prices, ranging from tiny freebies to desk-sized behemoths and colour-changing monstrosities. I’m not kidding either, the Razer Firefly can be lit up from an array of 16.8 million colours. Yours for only £60.
So that might be a ridiculous price for a scrap of cloth, but people are clearly willing to pay these prices to get the best performance. Your eyebrows might raise at the term ‘performance’, but I’d argue the mouse mat you use is just as important as the mouse and keyboard when it comes to getting one over your opponents in a round of Rainbow Six Siege. Different mouse mats facilitate different playstyles, whether you be the speed-aiming king or opt for a little more accuracy and control. Get a crappy mouse mat, or none at all, and you’re not going to get the 1:1 movement you really need for the ultimate precision.
I’m of the opinion that it’s go big or go home as well. No one wants to be dealing with running out of mouse mat room. My next play is to get an absolutely giant one to cover the whole desk. Monitor, keyboard, mouse and all. There’s some which stretch as far as 1.5 metres across.
Anyway, my point being I think that mouse mats are an integral and yet often underappreciated component of PC gaming, what do you think? How much would you be willing to spend on a mouse mat or is it not a priority for you at all? Let us know!
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I don't think I could do without my hard mouse pad, I do tend to turn off the RGB lights though as I think it looks a little 'tacky'
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Okay, guys? That Razer one in the article image? It is awesome to use.
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is it useful to have backlit mat? just curious
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That function has zero use, unless one is subject to psychoactive substance.
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I'm using my mainboard user manual as mouse pad so it's considered 'free'.
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u mad xD
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I have used the cardboard back of a spiral notebook. Cardboard in general isn't too bad if you have the right texture.
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...no difference... its like getting these condom like gum things for PS4 controllers that u put on the joysticks. makes no difference really. still playing good.
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well, it's bout the friction ya know xD
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Got a 30x60 mousepad from aliexpress for 6€, pads this size usually go for 20-30€. One of the best computer related purchases that i have done so far.
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I think my current mouse mat costs around 1-2 $.
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First of all I hate the sound of a mouse on a desk, that's one reason to use a mouse mat.
Secondly, it just feels a lot better, smoother and more comfortable.
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There are SERIOUSLY 98 people in the world who would pay $20 for a mousepad? o.O
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there are more than few mousepads which cost more than 40$ in my country local stores and people seem to buy them :D
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I'd do it, I've done it, I've spent more than that. A mouse cannot function at peak sensor performance without one.
Pros all use a mouse pad for that reason.
A good gaming mouse without a mouse pad is like a Ferrari with a two cylinder engine.
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more accurate would be "Ferrari without grip tires" :)))
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I was thinking the sensor is the 'engine' of the mouse and using it on a desk, or an old t-shirt, cut the engine's power. A desktop is like driving on a gravel road.
The skates are the 'tires' and I love HUGE skates. Some mice run on the equivalent of bicycle tires.
Maybe.
Maybe your analogy is better.
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I'd only spend more than $20 for size only. Having a mouse pad that covers a substantial amount of desktop helps with more than just gaming.
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I just got one for free from Corsair(the MM200). I must say that it does make a difference when you have a quality mat. Granted I am using a Corsair mouse so perhaps they are "optimized" for each other.
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For years I've not used a mouse mat cause I've seen them as kind of a hindrance limiting my mouse estate on my desk, however in recent years I've come to quite like them. Movement with a decent mousepad definitely is a lot better and more precise than with a bare wooden surface.
These days I've actually gone so far as to use two huge mousepads as vibration dampeners for my desk
vibration dampener
Yes, I'm using two of these. Also comfy arm padding.
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Post pictures. That does sound comfy!!
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You asked, OP shall deliver.
Here you go
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Cool!! Sweet set up. That does look comfy!!!
I use the Glorius XL Heavy, which isn't as big, but it's 6mm thick with stitched edges. I love Steelseries, but they don't have stitched edges & that makes a big difference.
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Sweet rig as well!!
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whoa I didn't know there are actually huge mats being sold, checked just few and found 3 amazing pieces:
ASUS ROG Sheath (90x44)
Razer Goliathus Control Extended (92x24.4)
Razer Goliathus Speed Extended (92x24.4)
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Yep. I use those to 1) protect my desk, 2) provide a comfortable base for my arms to rest upon and 3) try to cancel out as much of the vibrations of the desk as possible.
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they're absolutely not necessary, but absolutely better.
as long as you're table isn't made of nails and broken glass you don't need one (if you have a modern mouse). but they're cheap and help with tracking, surface consistency and comfort so why not.
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Anybody that has played a competitive fps knows that they are 100% necessary.
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I am extremely competitive and I don't have one. Also, I use a controller for some.
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I don't doubt that you're competitive, but without a pad, you're not getting the most out of your mouse and its sensor. You paid a lot of money for the high quality mouse that you have. The proper pad will make it, and you, better.
Pros all us a mouse pad, because they need to get the best performance possible out of themselves, their mouse its sensor.
Someone of your ability needs to get the best performance out of your mouse and sensor as well.
As for the controller, I use one on some games too.
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I've used mats in the past, and I'll likely be getting one soon. But my tests show that with the current material my mouse rests on reduces accuracy only by a mere 5% at most and that's at ranges longer than 100 meters. The main reason I want a new mat is to reduce the noise so I can get better recordings when using a mouse. This is why I haven't recorded Subanutica, Quake, Warface, or Warframe lately. Also, I brought up the controller because I main with it. I prefer it over a mouse when a game has PROPER support for it, which is rare.
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I've seen reviews on the Roccat Taito. It's highly rated & priced reasonably.
A 5% difference in a game as fast as Quake could be the difference between winning and losing among high caliber players!
If you like Quake, you should check out Toxikk. Xquatrox & I are having a blast playing it.
Frag like it's 1999!!
And it's free!!!
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Wow, those are some pretty good visuals, but the guy I watched can't aim worth a damn! XD
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Might have been watching me :D
Perhaps the streamer wasn't using a mouse pad :-)))
Seriously, the game is just fun!! I also recommend Unreal Tournament 3 Black. Xquatrox & I play that as well, although neither of us play online. Too many trolls.
But that game is pure fun as well.
Quake & Unreal Tournament are the original FPS games, defining FPS & arena shooter games.
Unreal Tournament 4 is also in beta & very playable. That one is too fast for me, but I'm sure you can play it well. That's on Epic games and also free. Xquatrox can tell you more.
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@Austinach, Why someone would downvote you for that is beyond me.
You're absolutely correct and I gave you an upvote.
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The actual practicality of a mat really would depend on the mouse you're using, no? I've got a pair of wireless Logitech mice, the M510 and a G700s. The 510 is laser while the 700s is optical, and the performance is different for both obviously enough. The 700s can track on damn near anything, and assuming my hand is steady and the surface is relatively stable as well, the pointer is smooth. The laser is a lot more particular about the surface I use it on.
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Screw paying for a mouse pad. Take a pair of old blue jeans with a blown out crotch or ass and cut the thigh area out. I have been using a denim square for almost 4 years now. Never going back.
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i salute you sir
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dark blue or light blue?
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Lol either. The thickness is what will matter. I like the thicker denim vs the flimsy kind that rips if you look at it crossways. Works great for putting on the arm of a couch. The rougher texture helps with the mouse sliding off.
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Using a Razer Destructor 2 Hard Mouse Pad. Loving it here is the amazon link I had it for a few years now, got it day 1 it was released and still using it now no regrets
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Bought the roccat Taito mid size for 25 euros, and still using it :)
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Just $5 are enough because GOLD mouse pads are not made for tracking.
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for me Mouse mats never deserve more than 10$+
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I dont have one beacause i think its not necessary.
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"nothing" haha - but I'd say it is essential piece :)