Why mouse pads are important

Some specialty models will cover a whole desktop , including underneath a keyboard and anything else you happen to be using. Some gaming mice even come with specialized software that allows the user to set up specific profiles for different surfaces. So, do you need a mouse pad for your desk? Technically, no. Both your desk and your mouse will thank you. Browse All iPhone Articles Browse All Mac Articles Do I need one? Browse All Android Articles Browse All Smart Home Articles Customize the Taskbar in Windows Browse All Microsoft Office Articles What Is svchost.

Browse All Privacy and Security Articles Browse All Linux Articles Browse All Buying Guides. Best iPhone 13 Pro Case. Best Bluetooth Headphones for Switch. Best Roku TV. Best Apple Watch. Best iPad Cases. Best Portable Monitors. Best Gaming Keyboards. Best Drones. Best 4K TVs. Best iPhone 13 Cases. Best Tech Gifts for Kids Aged In order to combat the constant struggle of dirt and uneven or frictionless surfaces, mouse pads were made to stay relatively clean and provide a smooth surface for an even distribution of friction.

Instead, optical mice shine a bright LED light onto the desk from the bottom of the mouse. The light then bounces off the desk and back to a photoelectric cell that is also found under the mouse, allowing the mouse to track movement. Since then, people have noticed that mouse pads were not so obsolete after all. With no rubber ball, there was a frictional burden that developed on the underside of the mouse.

This causes the mouse to skate. Without adequate cushioning, both the mouse and the desks they sat upon were getting scratched and scuffed through use. A good mouse pad will allow gamers to use their mice without scratching the surfaces of their desks and lowering the lifespan of their gaming mice. On top of that, when gaming it is paramount to feel as comfortable as possible. Some found that the friction created due to the lack of padding and spongy cushion that certain mouse pads provide was also causing discomfort in the wrist.

Some mouse pads are very large, allowing the user space for their keyboard and giving gamers the ability to sweep their cursor across the monitor in wide arcs. Distinctly, some mouse pads are hard and although they lack wrist support, they are consistent in mouse glide, tracking, and allowing the gamer to glide their mice faster as well.

The material of some mouse mats create a microtectexture that assists the optical sensors of gaming mice to pick up on how fast their moving across the surface of the desk. This will have a direct effect on aiming speed and sensitivity.

Harder mouse mats can be great for practice and building up muscle memory when aiming. Although all mouse pads have virtually the same function, they can come with certain features that may stand out to you.

Wireless mice used to be considered inferior to wired mice due to their slower response times. Nowadays, providing you're willing to pay for it, that's not an issue. You can even get wireless keyboard and mouse combos. Wireless mice are excellent because you don't get that annoying cable drag, which increases the weight and impacts the smoothness of the mouse.

They're also more portable and versatile. That said, the biggest downside to wireless mice is that they need constant charging.

If you forget to charge the mouse overnight, then you need to plug in the cable while you're using the computer and you're stuck with a wired mouse for a while. Here's where mouse pads come in. You can buy mouse pads designed to wirelessly charge your mouse while using it, meaning you never have to worry about manually charging ever again.

All the benefits of a mouse pad plus wireless chargingit's a certified win. There aren't many disadvantages to using a mouse pad. Those that exist might not even be a problem for you. The first is aesthetics. A mouse pad can dominate the look of a desk, especially if you're using one that is huge to support a keyboard and mouse.

If you've got a quality desk, chances are you want to be able to see it rather than covering it up with a mouse pad. Second, mouse pads don't lend themselves to a portable lifestyle.

If you work from a laptop and are constantly on-the-go, it doesn't make much sense to bring a mouse pad with you. At that point, it's just an additional thing to pack that isn't going to prove worthwhile. Finally, mouse pads do need maintenance. You will have to keep your mouse pad clean, though you should be doing that for all your computer peripherals anyway. However, you may find yourself disappointed at how quickly some mouse pads wear away, meaning you need to replace them often.

If you're using a cheap one that might not be a problem, but it is if you've got a large custom-designed pad. The ultimate question: do you need a mouse pad?