As the name suggests, a hard mouse pad is made from non-soft material like glass, plastic, or aluminum. Hard mouse pads are good for gaming but require an experienced player because they have less friction that increases the speed but reduces control and accuracy. A beginner will have a hard time when using a hard mouse pad.
Hard mouse pads are glossy and allow the mouse to slide over the place easily. They need experienced players because it is hard to make sudden stops and glides. If you do not have a steady hand to handle sudden stops, use the soft mouse pads. However, soft mouse pads have extra friction that reduces the speed but gives good handling.
You can realize it is not easy to select the best mouse pads for gaming. But there are some factors that you can consider while choosing mouse pads for gaming. This article will give you various factors about Are Hard Mouse Pads Good For Gaming?, and in the end, you will make a personal decision if hard mouse pads are good for gaming.
Factors To Consider When Selecting The Best Mouse Pad For Gaming
Material
The first factor you should consider when choosing mouse pads good for gaming is the type of material. And the material is the factor that categorizes mouse pads into soft mouse pads and hard mouse pads. Material affects the basics of good gaming mouse pads: control, friction, accuracy, speed, and texture.
You can never get all these basics in one mouse pad but choose a mouse pad that has at least three basics. Soft mouse pads offer more friction, giving you more control and achieving accuracy while playing. Soft mouse pads also have an excellent texture that gives you more comfort on your wrist. However, more friction means less speed. You may be interested in this post also: The Best Chromebook For School – Must have!
On the other hand, hard mouse pads are rigid and smooth, providing speed but minimal control and accuracy. If you select the hard mouse pads, you must choose a giant mouse pad because they require enough room to glide. Also, use an optical mouse on the hard mouse pad because the sensor works well on such surfaces.
Size
The size of the mouse pad is vital in controlling and precision the gaming mouse. There are three categories of mouse pad sizes: small, medium, and large. Moreover, there is the full desk mouse pad. Small mouse pads are about 25cm on the side, but they are not suitable for gaming; they are best for office use.
Medium mouse pads are ordinary and can be 35cm on the sides. They are suitable for gaming and do not take up a lot of space on your desk. If you have a small desk, choose to use the medium mouse pad. Your hand will have just enough room to handle the mouse and other space for your computer.
Large mouse pads are 45cm long, almost half a meter. This means you must also have a big office desk for such a pad. Large mouse pads are suitable for gaming because you can make both short and long glides without touching the pad’s edges. They are best for beginner players because they have enough room for any play style.
They allow all styles of mouse grip is another reason why large mouse pads are good for gaming. Large mouse pads also go well with low-sensitivity gaming mice. Large mouse pads are the best for gaming, but you can use the small and medium pads with a high sensitive mouse.
Thickness
The thickness of a mouse pad is categorized into thin, standard and heavy. The slim mouse pad has a base of about 2.5mm, while the standard one is about 3.5mm. The heavy mouse pad is about 5mm thick and less flexible. Thin mouse pads are loose and lightweight, making them very portable.
However, slim mouse pads are unsuitable for a desk with an uneven surface because they will bend into the curves. Thin mouse pads also shift around the desk, making them the worst for gaming. Standard and heavy mouse pads are suitable for gaming because they do not move around the desk, and you will get a uniform surface when your desk is not flat enough.
You will be very comfortable when the heavy mouse pads are made of a soft cloth. Your arm and wrist will rest on a smooth surface and get adequate support from the fat base. But if you need portability, the standard and heavy mouse pads are not suitable.
The Edges of the Pad
Consider the finishing on the edges of the pad, incredibly soft mouse pads. Any mouse pad without a good finishing can easily fray after short use. You need to get the value of your money back, which is the long lifespan of a mouse pad.
Make sure the edges are stitched to prevent the fraying of the soft mouse pad. And the hard mouse pad must have a smooth edge without scratches that can injure your wrist. Do not throw around your hard mouse pad because it can start to shed on the edges.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You have to choose a mouse pad that is easy to clean and maintain. Some mouse pads are cheap to purchase but very expensive to maintain because of the high cost of cleaning detergents. Research shows that hard mouse pads are easy to clean and maintain than soft mouse pads.
With the hard mouse pads take a wet piece of cloth and wipe the surface and allow it to dry. But soft mouse pads require you to use several detergents and take time to dry. This is also why hard mouse pads are good for gaming because gamers do not like a lot of work.
Price
The price is another factor to consider while selecting the best gaming mouse pad. But the fee depends on the type of material and size of the mouse pad. Soft mouse pads are cheaper than hard mouse pads. A good mouse pad should not cost higher than 10 dollars. However, cheap mouse pads are expensive to maintain and wear off quickly.
Style & Design
Gamers are people with subjective tests; hence they choose mouse pads depending on the styles and unique designs. So a mouse pad with gaming characteristics and fantastic artwork will be good for gaming. For example, a mouse pad shaped like a rocket with cartoons is the best for gaming. Nevertheless, such mouse pads are expensive to purchase.
Other Factors You Can Consider
Here are some other factors you can consider, but they are not necessary. However, they increase the gaming experience and add some comfort.
RGB lighting: some mouse pads have unique RGB lighting that allows you to match colors with your game. Some lighting can go with your game’s soundtracks, making a great gaming experience.
The USB pass-through is a unique feature on a mouse pad that allows you to connect the wired mouse on the pad. Doing so brings the mouse closer to the pad hence easy navigation. You can also use the USB port to connect other devices or peripherals.
Wireless charging: wow!! This feature is genuine in most modern mouse pads good for gaming. It gives you a chance to enjoy gaming without worrying about battery life. Such mouse pads can also charge other wireless devices like smartphones or optical gaming mice.
Extended Mouse Pads
Extended mouse pads are large mouse pads that can accommodate the keyboard and your gaming mouse. They keep all items on level ground and do not bend into curves on the desk. Most of the time, they are comfortable and have soft surfaces. Here are the reasons extended mouse pads are good for gaming.
Why Extended Mouse Pads are Good for Gaming
– Large mouse pads support various mouse grips because you have a lot of space to adjust the mouse grip style. You can move from palm grip to claw grip then to fingertip grip. Changing the mouse grip helps you to rest your arm.
– Extended mouse pads give enough room for low DPI mice. The deficient DPI mice require you to navigate further on the desk to get a good sensitivity hence a giant mouse pad is the best option.
– Big mouse pads add comfort to your gaming world because all peripheral devices are at the same level. And your arm or wrist has a nice resting surface that can also increase your typing experience.
– The giant mouse pad will cancel all vibration when typing; as a result, you will not hear any noises from your keyboard or other peripheral devices. It will also dampen the sound while scrolling the mouse.
– Extended mouse pads add significant aesthetics to your desk, making you enjoy gaming in a nice-looking place. These mouse pads come with RGB lights that make the player creative and innovative.
How To Clean a Hard Mouse Pad
Hard mouse pads are easy to clean because the material does not allow dirt to attach to the surface. The surface is hard, and you can easily clean it with a wet cloth and only use soap when you see some stubborn stains. Simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth and do a second wipe with a dry towel to remove the moisture.
Alternatively, you can wash it using running water and a washcloth. Assume you are washing plates in the kitchen sink and clean your hard mouse pad the same way. Ensure it is dry before you place your mouse on it.
How To Clean a Soft Mouse Pad
Soft mouse pads are comfortable and excellent for gaming, but they absorb dirt, making the fabric hard to clean. However, you can make your soft mouse pad clean and new with the proper procedure and tools. Professionals advise you do not to use a washing machine because it can weaken the fabric and the finishing on the edges.
Here is a procedure for hand washing a soft mouse pad.
Tools and equipment
– 2 bowls of cold water
– Ordinary washing detergent
– Soft brush
– Sponge
– Dry towel
Step one
Take one bowl of clean water and add two ordinary cleaning detergent tablespoons. Shake until bubbles form, and place your soft mouse pad to soak for 12 hours. Soaking helps to loosen the dirt embedded in the fabric.
Step two
Use a sponge to scrub the soft mouse pad gently. Use the soft brush if you encounter a super stubborn stain but do not apply pressure to avoid destroying the fabric.
Step three
Once you are satisfied the mouse pad is clean, rinse it in the other bowl of clean water. You can do a second rinsing when you still see some soap patches after the first rinse.
Step four
Finally, place the clean mouse pad on a flat surface like a table and start dabbing with a dry towel to remove the moisture. Make sure you pat on both sides of the mouse pad. Then place it under a fan to remove all water. Or hang it in a room with free circulating air. Avoid drying your soft mouse pad under direct heat because it can weaken the fabric.
Conclusion
Yes, hard mouse pads are good for gaming but not perfect like soft mouse pads. This conclusion is because you only achieve speed with hard mouse pads, but soft mouse pads give you control and accuracy. However, you can get control and accuracy from a hard mouse pad when you increase the size. More size creates a bigger room to glide and gain control.
Apart from the type of material, you must consider other factors to buy mouse pads good for gaming. They include; size, thickness, finishing on the edges, price, ease in cleaning, and design or styles. Consider non-essential features like RGB lighting, USB pass-through, and wireless charging.
In conclusion, always do market research to increase your chances of buying the best mouse pads good for gaming. Read product review articles online and do physical window-shopping in retail stores. Ask your friends and family members about the best mouse pads at favorable prices. Do not forget to look for the best driver for gaming here.
