If you want to replace your worn out mat with one of the best mouse pads available, you have a few questions to ask yourself first: do you want it to be hard-surfaced? Large enough to house your mouse, keyboard, and microphone - or small enough to squeeze beside your laptop on a space-starved table?
Whether you need to find the best mouse pad on the market for under $10 (£7.50) or you want a desktop centerpiece laden with RGB and the smoothest texture your mouse has ever felt, our guide has you covered.
Our expert reviewers - including myself! - have gone hands-on with thousands of mice and mouse pads at TechRadar over the years, so we know what separates mouse pads you'll actually want to use every day from those you wish you'd never bought.
Currently, my top pick is the SteelSeries QcK Gaming because of its versatility. It's affordable, high-quality, comes in six different sizes and five different materials, and you can choose from four classic colors and a handful of game graphic designs.
But if you're looking for something a little different, these are our top picks for the best moues pads in 2025.
The best mouse pads 2025
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find my curated list for the best mouse pads for all kinds of different budgets and setups. If you have any questions, check out the FAQ section at the bottom of the guide.
The best mouse pad overall
The SteelSeries QcK is a silky smooth cloth mat that's officially labeled as a gaming mouse pad, but in truth, it’s a great all-rounder due to its minimalist solid black design with just the SteelSeries logo in one corner.
There are no extra frills here, but having used this as my personal mouse pad for many years, its QcK micro-woven cloth offers just a little more control over your movements while still delivering that buttery gliding action. That's a nice balance that also makes it great for both gaming and work. Although if you do need a little bit more speed, there are better options on this list.
I also appreciate its handy rubber base. Not only does it do a great job of keeping the pad stable on the desk and minimizing slippage, but the rubber bits come in the shape of the SteelSeries logo as well, which is a fun finishing touch even though it's out of eyeshot.
As I mentioned earlier, there are several different size options, colorways, and material finishes available with the QcK. If you want a hard-surface 3XL Aqua QcK to adorn your desk with a sea of bright blue, you can do so just as easily as the office worker who wants a simple black cloth mouse mat. That versatility and affordable price point makes this mouse mat a huge win and deserving of the number one spot in my eyes.
The best budget mouse pad
The Roccat Sense Core is cheaper than many gaming mouse pads in its class while still delivering the same level of gliding performance and feel. So, if every buck/quid matters, this is definitely the one to get. And, you might even appreciate its minimalist design, especially if you don't want to be a little heavy on RGB lighting.
We tested five different mice – some for productivity, others for gaming – on it, and we found that its cloth surface offers that nice smooth gliding feel but also just a tiny bit of resistance. This slightest friction gives you a little bit more control and precision, which should help when you need precise movements in games or editing software.
The rubber base is mostly effective at keeping things in place, but we do wish it had a better grip on a desk. It does move a little when you're gliding more vigorously, like during intense gameplay. That said, if you're not playing too hard, it should hold it position just fine.
It does pick up pet hair fairly quickly however, it's pretty easy to clean. A quick run with a vacuum cleaner should do the trick.
There are several different sizes on hand, from a mini one that's only 250 x 210 mm in sight and an XXL that's 900 x 420 mm. The mini size is especially handy for users with smaller setups or who travel regularly.
The best mouse pad for gaming
There are a lot of gaming mouse pads, but only very few can really compete with the Razer Goliathus Chroma in terms of performance, traction, RGB lighting, and even size. There's a standard size on hand, of course, but it's the 3XL and extended sizes that are the stars of the show. That's especially true if you're looking for something that'll cover your entire gaming desk.
The micro-texture cloth surface here is optimized for all sensitivity settings and sensors. And, it did feel great to game on during our testing, offering smooth and speedy gliding. Meanwhile, its non-slip rubber base keeps it in place. Though that should also have something to do with the fact that it's massive and that other peripherals like a gaming keyboard should act as weights.
The RGB lighting, which fringes most of the pad's edge, is bright, customizable, and attractive. However, its presence does mean that this is best for gaming setups and not so much for work ones.
These big sizes might be too big for some people – particularly those with smaller desks – but that's what the standard size is for really. Just bear in mind that you will be paying a hefty price here, but, if you can afford it, it's certainly worth the money.
The best mouse pad for FPS
If you've been around since the early days of consumer PCs, the Zowie G-SR-SE might just remind you of the mouse pads from those days. This mouse pad puts on no airs – well, except for the color patterned surface that adds a splash of color to your gaming setup – and it does go back to basics and to the classics. Even the rubber base is just straight up that; no fancy designs, special textures, or cute patterns.
But, they are called classics for good reason: they work and work well. And, this mouse pad from BenQ's peripherals line is cut from the same excellent cloth. By cloth, we're referring to its cloth surface that feels smooth but also offers the tiniest bit of resistance since you do need a bit more control and precision when competing. Meanwhile, the rubber base, we found, is really effective and keeps it in place, no matter how intense your sessions are.
There are two color patterns on hand – deep blue and rouge, and they're appealing. But, if you're looking for a solid option, you're out of luck. You could go for the Zowie G-SR model, but that one has a different feel.
For a minimalist mouse pad, it's a little expensive. You'll definitely find more affordable options out there. However, if you're looking for a minimalist pad for your next competition, this one's worth the price.
The best mouse pad for wireless charging
If you're used to soft mouse pads, the Asus ROG Balteus Qi might be a bit of an adjustment because of its hard surface. But, that's not all; its surface is also textured and, therefore, a little rougher. The thing with hard mouse pads though is that they're focused on speed, which is certainly a plus if you want to get to the top of the leaderboards.
There are a few things we wish were done better here. There isn't an included USB adapter, which you will need to properly power the Qi charging, so we had to dig through our stash of wall chargers before we could test it. It needs two USB ports so you can take advantage of its features so if you're using a gaming laptop, it's not the best option. And, we did find that its Qi charging is a little on the weak side and requires you to be precise with your device placement.
However, you're still getting plenty of features, which is part of its appeal. The RGB lighting is pretty, has 15 customizable zones, and has its own button to give you access to nine lighting profiles. The USB passthrough offers easy access to a port for your mouse, keyboard, or other peripherals. And, the Qi charging, which does require you to have a Qi-enabled mouse or remove your phone case if you want to charge your phone, is certainly handy.
FAQs
What is the best all-around mouse pad?
Naturally, the best mouse pad for all-round use will be a matter of personal taste and depends to some extent on what you will primarily be using it for. The requirements for a working mouse pad versus a gaming mouse pad may differ, and striking a balance between the two is important.
We were impressed with the SteelSeries QcK Gaming mouse pad; it has a great price and is equally proficient for gaming and productivity alike. If the frills and spills of fancy RGB mouse pads are surplus to your requirements, you can’t go wrong with this low-cost alternative.
What mouse pad do pros use?
Pro gamers will typically favor a mouse pad that provides a super smooth tracking surface, with little to no friction. A fast glide action is an essential requirement, as is a stable, non-slip base for consistency of movement.
Different playstyles will favor different types of gaming mouse pads, so again it will come down to the individual preferences of the players. But in general terms, a pro gamer will be looking for optimal tracking and an even gliding experience. Both will allow for precision movement, and enable a pro to deliver their best performance when it counts.
How we test mouse pads
Testing mouse pads aren't as rigorous as testing other peripherals. However, we do try and test them for at least a couple of days, putting them through their paces by using them the way we would our own mouse pads and desk mats.
We use them for work, for gaming, and for photo editing, among other things. We also try to use a variety of mice on them, typically five, including productivity mice, gaming mice, and cheap mice. Finally, if a mouse pad has features, we test those features as well.
Read more about how we test products at TechRadar.
