Taking your game to the next level requires more than just practice. Better equipment will help improve your game substantially.
For example, regular mouse pads are small, rough, and uncomfortable. The best way to drastically improve your playing surface is to invest in an extended mouse pad. A great mouse with an extended mouse pad boosts reaction time when gaming.
They will give you more room to play, more stability, and more precision with your mouse (Source).
However, not all extended mouse mats are cut from the same cloth. You need something that is comfortable, durable, and the perfect size for your desk. The problem is, there are hundreds to choose from. How do you choose the best one?
In this guide, we will review five of the best-extended mouse pads on the market.
A good custom mouse pad is almost as important as your gaming monitor. Choose any of these models and you will be on your way to gaming like a real professional.
How Much Does an Extended Mouse Pad Cost?
Table of Contents
- 1 How Much Does an Extended Mouse Pad Cost?
- 2 Which Extended Mouse Pad Is The Best?
- 3 Comparing The Best Extended Mouse Pad
- 4 1. Reflex Lab – The Best All-Around Extended Mouse Pad
- 5 2. Corsair MM300 – The Most Accurate Extended Mouse Pad
- 6 3. Glorious 3XL – The Biggest Extended Mouse Pad
- 7 4. VicTsing Extended Gaming Mouse Pad – The Best Value For Money
- 8 5. Razer Goliathus Control Gravity – The Coolest Extended Mouse Pad
- 9 Why Do You Need An Extended Mouse Pad?
- 10 Which Mouse Pad Should You Choose – Hard or Soft?
- 11 Things To Consider Before Buying an Extended Mouse Pad
- 12 Ready To Buy Best Extended Mouse Pad?
Most extended mouse pads can cost as little as $7. However, such pads are usually made of rubber or plastic, which makes them quite hard. If you do not have any wrist problems and are fine using a hard surface for your work, then a cheap mouse pad is prudent.
However, if you are looking for something more comfortable, with decent padding, then you can expect it to be between $15 to $50. Some manufacturers even provide you luxury mouse pads that can cost above $100.
High-end extended mousepads are created using top-quality fabrics and padding to give users a great experience. You can even get customized options in such mouse pads.
Which Extended Mouse Pad Is The Best?
If you are looking for an ideal extended mouse pad for day-to-day usage, then the Reflex Lab 36″ x 12″ pad is undoubtedly worth an investment. It also has a reasonable price that will ensure that you do not go way out of your budget.
Reflex Lab has used a top-grade material to create this extended mouse pad, which will give you comfort and precision without any compromises. Additionally, the design is decent for everyday use, whether for work or occasional gaming.
That is why many prefer it over vibrant and flashy graphic-based mouse pads that might be inappropriate for office use for some. The padding is not too soft, but it does have a durable material that will not scrape off that easily.
At a reasonable price, you are indeed getting along and versatile support for your keyboard and mouse.
Comparing The Best Extended Mouse Pad
Reflex Lab Extended Mouse Pad | |||
Corsair MM300 Gaming Pad | |||
Glorious 3XL Extended Mouse Pad | |||
VicTsing Extended Gaming Mouse Pad | |||
Razer Goliathus Control Gravity |
1. Reflex Lab – The Best All-Around Extended Mouse Pad
Despite its relatively low cost, this extended mouse mat ticks all of the boxes. It’s 40-60% thicker than a regular mouse pad, on average.Combined with its moderate grip and smooth surface, you have a mouse pad that’s built for high-performance gaming. It’s also extremely long at 36” x 12”. Your mouse, keyboard and everything else on your desk will fit on it with no problem.
Moreover, the anti-slip material keeps the padlocked in place to prevent slipping. It’s waterproof and machine washable as well.
However, with the material being plush and comfortable with its 5mm thickness, it also becomes hand-wearing.
On the other hand, you can definitely see by the stitching and the quality of materials that this is built to last. If you need an extended mouse pad custom to play long, intense gaming sessions, this one is ideal.
- It’s incredibly thick and comfortable
- The material is soft and allows a smooth, precise mouse movement
- Non-slip back to prevent slipping
- It’s 36” long – Ideal for any sized desk
- Made from high quality materials that are built to last
- May start to fray after several washes
- Has that “rubber smell” for a few days
2. Corsair MM300 – The Most Accurate Extended Mouse Pad
FPS gamers will love the feel of playing on this one. Aside from the little friction, it also has a strong rubber grip to prevent any slipping during your sessions.
We have experienced lots of fraying from corsair mouse pads in the past. However, the MM300 has a stitched edge that promised “no-fray” which is always a bonus.
Additionally, it is 36.6” long, making it perfect for almost any situation. Alongside that, the material used is ideal for both laser and optic mouses.
Overall, the MM300 is an extended mouse pad for serious gamers. If you need accuracy, precision, and speed, this is the one for you.
- It’s Anti-Fray
- The cloth material is smooth and has low friction
- Great value for money
- Perfect for FPS and other fast paced games
- It could be a little higher
- The stitched edges lift up which can be annoying
3. Glorious 3XL – The Biggest Extended Mouse Pad
The Glorious 3XL is the largest mouse pad on the market. At 48” long and 24” tall, it’s certainly not built for every desk.If you have enough space for it, you should consider buying one. Not only are they large, but they are also fun to play on. The stitched cloth material is smooth and encourages smoother mouse glides.
It’s ideal if you play precision-based games and want superior comfort. The rubber grip works well to stop any sliding during intense gameplay. Furthermore, it has an anti-fray stitched edging to improve its durability.
Despite its size, the Glorious 3XL is lightweight and portable. We doubt you will be moving this around much but the lightweight build still gives you the option.
Aside from that, it’s also machine washable in case of any spills. Overall, it’s a huge pad that lives up to its hype. We highly recommend it.
- It’s huge (48” x 24”)
- Anti-Fray stitching improves durability and life-span
- Low friction for precise and accurate gaming
- Ideal for all mouse sensors and sensitivities
- It’s machine washable
- It’s not ideal for every desk. It’s too big for most
- It has a strong rubber smell
4. VicTsing Extended Gaming Mouse Pad – The Best Value For Money
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The VicTsing is the cheapest on our list, but still has a lot of the same features.First, the superfine, braided material is water-resistant and has zero friction. Second, it’s not the most comfortable or the longest but it’s perfect for fast-paced games. And third, its stitched edges keep everything in place and feels sturdy.
Additionally, it has a rubber bottom to prevent slipping. Alongside that, the material is very elastic and breathable. This makes it lightweight and ideal for carrying around to your friends or to gaming competitions.
Furthermore, spilled drinks will form droplets of liquid and will slide straight off. It’s a custom mouse pad that’s built for fast-paced, high-intensity gaming sessions. It’s an excellent pad for the price and we highly recommend it.
- Great value for money
- The firm, smooth material is perfect for fast paced games
- Made from waterproof material
- It’s lightweight and portable
- It’s environmentally friendly
- It’s not as long as the rest on our list
5. Razer Goliathus Control Gravity – The Coolest Extended Mouse Pad
While it’s not as big as the Glorious or as accurate as of the Corsair, the Razer is by far the coolest. The design is congruent with what you would expect from Razer.The iconic green and black logo take up the majority of the cloth pad. However, it’s not just the design that makes this a great option.
The micro-stitched material has the perfect amount of friction. In addition to that, it strikes the perfect balance between too much and too little.
Consequently, it’s also incredibly comfortable on the wrists. If you play for long periods of time, this is ideal for you.
Since it is a Razer product, it’s not exactly the cheapest. However, it’s a well-rounded pad that will work with any sensor; making it worth its price.
Overall, it’s comfortable, it performs well, and it looks cool. What more could you want from a custom gaming mouse pad?
- It’s large enough for both keyboard and mouse
- The design is cool and recognisable
- The stitched material is soft and comfortable for the wrists
- Ideal for use with any type of mouse sensor
- Compatible with Razer Synapse
- The graphics won’t appeal to everyone
- The raised graphic can be annoying
Why Do You Need An Extended Mouse Pad?
Unlike a conventional mouse pad, an extended mouse pad is a long mat that gives you enough room for not just your mouse, but keyboard too. It is an ergonomic utility that can help you in multiple ways.
For instance, if your computer desk is slippery, then you can use such a mouse pad to keep your keyboard and mouse safe. Some users have an issue with hard counters, which can be uncomfortable on their palms while typing on the keyboard.
For them, an extended mouse pad can offer a cushioned surface for comfortable working. Some desks also have pointy corners that can be efficiently covered with the help of such pads.
Additionally, gamers find extended mouse pads more comfortable to move their mouse around without worrying about losing surface area for gliding the device.
Besides all these impressive features, an extended mouse pad looks much cleaner than a small mouse pad. It gives a sleeker layout for your desk.
Which Mouse Pad Should You Choose – Hard or Soft?
Depending upon your personal preference and usage, you might want to choose between a soft or a hard mouse pad. It’s not that one is better than the other, but their features might be more suitable for your needs.
For instance, if you choose a soft mouse pad, then you are getting a smooth foam-based texture for your mouse, keyboard, and hands to rest upon. Soft extended mousepads are great for gliding mice of all types.
It works great with the traditional ball-driven mice as well. Nevertheless, if you possess an optical mouse, then also you are getting an impressive frictionless experience. Additionally, some users complain of wrist and palm problems, which can be cushioned with such soft mousepads.
On the other hand, a hard extended mouse pad gives a smooth and rubbery plastic finish that is great for accurate pointing and marking using a laser mouse. Hard mousepads are often more cost-effective than soft mousepads.
Things To Consider Before Buying an Extended Mouse Pad
If you want to compete with the big boys in your favorite games, you’re going to need the best equipment. Extended mouse pads come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and materials.
Knowing which one suits your needs the best is crucial. You can’t expect to pull off 360-spin headshot kills if your mouse pad isn’t the best partner for your mouse.
To improve your reaction time on gaming. Buy the a vertical mouse with one of the extended mouse pads for better performance.
Still unsure about which extended mouse pad to go with? Here are some things for you to consider.
What Mouse Do You Play With?
The mouse you play will determine the type of mouse pad you need. Mouse pads come in several materials and are primarily smooth and textured. Harder surfaces such as aluminum and plastic are ideal for laser mice.
For optical mice, a softer surface will be better suited. The softer material on a soft mouse pad will influence the flow of the laser. This will cause your mouse strokes to lag and shake. Choose the best material for your mouse and you will feel the difference.
Is Comfort Important To You?
There are a couple of factors that influence the comfort of a mouse pad. The softer materials such as cloth will obviously be more comfortable than plastic or aluminum.
Likewise, if you game for long periods of time, a softer mouse pad may be necessary to prevent wrist injuries.
If you are prone to wrist injuries or discomfort, choose a mouse pad with additional wrist support. They may cost more but for your health’s sake, it’s worth it.
Similarly, if you need something extra, you always have the option of purchasing separate wrist support. The amount of support a mouse pad can offer is limited, after all. If you suffer carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need more.
Most of the brands offering extended mouse pads will also sell branded wrist supports. In the long run, comfort for mouse pads is as important as buying the best gaming chair.
Do You Need It To Be Waterproof?
Spillages are inevitable when we are gaming. It’s easy to knock over your drink when you are completely focused on the game at hand. Luckily for us, a lot of extended mousepads are now waterproof. Plastic and aluminum mousepads are naturally waterproof.
Cloth pads are sometimes covered in a waterproof material that wicks the liquid away. This extra feature will usually come at a cost but it’s definitely worth it if you drink at your desk. If you don’t have drinks at your desk, save yourself a few bucks, and don’t worry about this one.
What Kind of Games Do You Play?
Another factor that will influence the kind of mouse pad you will need is the genre of games you play.
First-person shooters require speed, precision, and accuracy. Faster materials will offer the best support for a fast-moving mouse.
On the contrary, for slower-paced games such as strategy and puzzle games, a softer, more comfortable pad is probably more suitable.
Do You Want Textured or Smooth?
The texture of an extended mouse pad has a lot of influence over its performance. This is because the level of grip that a mouse pad has will affect your mouse’s speed of movement.
The increased grip of a textured pad will create more friction. The result is a smoother hover with greater feedback.
This is ideal for games that require constant, precise movements (think snipers!). Smooth mouse pads, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. They have little grip and are perfect for speedy mouse movements.
FPS and fast-action games are perfect examples of games you would want to play on a smooth mouse pad.
However, if you can’t decide, don’t worry. There are extended mouse pads on the market that offer the best of both worlds. They may be more extensive but if you are undecided, they are definitely your best choice.
Ready To Buy Best Extended Mouse Pad?
Your mouse pad should complement your game and make it better. If your current mouse pad is causing you problems, it’s probably time to upgrade. All of the extended mouse pads on this list are good choices.
However, there are benefits and drawbacks to all of them. Hopefully, our buyer’s guide has helped to make your decision a little bit easier.
In our opinion, the Reflex Lab is the most well-rounded mouse pad on the market. It’s ideal for those who want something that is guaranteed to perform.
But then, if you want to save some money, consider the VicTsing. It’s half the price but packs the same punch as most of the others.
Finally, at the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference. Choose the one that fits your needs the most and we guarantee you will be happy.
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