The gaming mouse pad is a staple of competitive gaming.
You see a lot of pro gamers use some kind of mousepad whenever they compete on the stage.
And yes, these gaming mousepads really matter if you play competitive gaming. They can make a difference between a win or lose.
The primary purpose of using a mouse pad is to provide the pro players with more control over their mouse movement in the game.
A gaming mousepad is very crucial when you are competing in a game where micro controls or precise controls are vital in winning the games.
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Is a Mousepad Important for Gaming?
The short answer is yes, a mousepad is essential for gaming.
While it may not seem like it makes a big difference to your game, the benefits that come from using one definitely outweigh the minimal effort that you have to put into using one.
The biggest advantage of using a mousepad is that it allows you to have more control over your mouse movements.
A mousepad provides a consistent and smooth surface for your mouse to glide on.
This is important because it helps with accuracy and speed. The better the mousepad, the easier it is to control your character.
When you’re playing a fast-paced game like a first-person shooter, every millisecond counts.
I am talking about first-person shooter games like Fortnite, Overwatch, or Call of Duty.
Some MMORPGs also can be beneficial using a gaming mousepad.
By having more control over your mouse, you can make fine-tuned adjustments to your character’s position or your crosshairs in order to beat your opponents or to escape from an intense firefight.
Also read: Are Video Games Considered as a Sport in 2020?
What is the Best Material for a Gaming Mousepad?
There are a few different materials that mousepads can be made out of.
Some of the most common ones are cloth, hard plastic, and soft plastic.
Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll have to decide which one is right for you.
Cloth mousepads are very common among gamers because they’re cheap and easy to find.
The most significant benefit of cloth pads is that they’re very comfortable to use.
If you’ve ever used a hard plastic mousepad, then you know that they can be very uncomfortable and even painful to use after a few hours of gaming.
Cloth pads don’t have this problem because they distribute your hand’s weight evenly across the pad.
The biggest drawback of cloth pads is that they’re not as durable as plastic pads.
If you’re always moving your mouse around on the pad, then it’s going to start wearing down the fabric over time.
This will cause the mousepad to become slick, and your mouse won’t track across it as smoothly.
Another drawback of cloth pads is that they tend to collect a lot of dust and dirt over time.
If you’re a person that doesn’t take care of their gaming accessories, then a cloth pad may be a bad idea for you.
Hard plastic mousepads are very durable and will last a very long time.
The biggest benefit of a hard plastic pad is that it won’t break down over time like a cloth one will.
You also don’t have to worry about cleaning a hard pad, which is a nice bonus.
The biggest drawback of a hard pad is that they’re not as comfortable to use as cloth pads are.
Since the surface is completely flat, it can cause some discomfort to your wrist after an extended period of time.
Soft plastic mousepads combine the benefits of both hard and cloth pads.
They’re durable enough to last a long time but soft and comfortable enough to use for hours at a time.
The biggest drawback of a soft pad is that they’re not as easy to find as cloth or hard pads.
If you go to a store like Best Buy or RadioShack, then you probably won’t find any soft pads at all.
Your best bet is to look for a specialty gaming store in your area.
Are Hard Mousepads Better?
The main thing to consider is how fast you move your mouse.
Hard mousepads are better than the clothes one if you are used to playing really fast and use many snapping movements like me.
Hard mousepads are great if you’re using a low DPI setting or a high one.
If you’re using a low DPI, you’ll need the full control a hard mousepad offers.
The tracking is more precise and there is less drag on the mouse.
If you’re using a high DPI setting, the hard mousepad helps you track faster movements more easily.
Personally, I like the hard mousepads better compared to the clothes ones.
They’re more durable, more sanitary, and less likely to break down over time.
The only potential drawback of a hard pad is that they can be uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time.
If you have wrist issues, then you may want to stay away from hard pads.
I’ve been using a hard pad for years, and I haven’t had any problems with my wrist, so I highly recommend them.
Most professional gamers I observed use hard mousepads, with a little percentage still use cloth pads.
Personally, I use a hard mousepad because it helps my mouse to move around with more ease.
What Size Mousepad Should I Get?
This really depends on what size the desk you’re going to place the mousepad on.
If you have a large desk, then getting a small mousepad won’t allow you to use your desk’s entire surface.
On the other hand, if you get a large mousepad, then you won’t be able to use the extra space on your desk.
The size of your mousepad should be directly related to the size of your desk.
If you have a small desk, then get a small mousepad.
If you have a large desk, then get a large mousepad.
If you have an extra-large desk, then you can get away with getting an extra-large mousepad.
I have a large desk, so I have an extra-large SteelSeries QcK+.
Conclusion: Do Gaming Mousepads Matter?
So, does a gaming mouse pad make a difference? Yes, it does.
You might be asking whether do you need a mousepad for gaming? Well, no, not necessarily.
But a nice gaming mousepad obviously has its advantage that can really make a difference to your gaming performance.
It has several advantages, especially if you plan on getting serious about gaming, then I highly recommend that you invest in a high-quality mousepad.
It will help your mouse track better, allowing you to play better in the long run.
A good mousepad can improve your mouse’s accuracy and smoothness.
A bad mousepad can make your mouse jumpy and inaccurate.
If you have the money, then I highly recommend that you buy a good quality gaming mousepad.
To know which one is the best for you, go and test out playing on different kinds of gaming mousepads.
I used to go over to my friends’ house to test out their gaming mousepads to just get a feel of it before purchasing them.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
