The 6 best mouse pads of 2021

The Razer Gigantus V2 has everything you need in a cloth mouse pad at around $10: a textured surface, padded comfort, and a non-slip underside.

Pros: Balanced surface for speed and precision, comfortable padding, comes in multiple sizes

Cons: No stitching to protect edges, green sides might not suit everyone

You can't get much for $10 nowadays, but it is enough to snag youRazer's Gigantus V2 mouse pad. It's a bit larger than similarly priced competitors and comfortable to rest your wrist on.

Crafted from a textured microweave, the top layer is quite smooth to the touch and offers a good mix of speed and precision. It's a bit smoother than theGlorious PC Gaming Race mouse pad, but not as silky asCorsair's MM350 Pro. There's a bright green anti-slip layer on the bottom, which shows through around the sides and in the subtle Razer logo tag.

Unfortunately, this mouse pad lacks stitching around the edges, so there's a risk it will fray and degrade slightly over time. On the plus side, the top layer is easy to wipe clean and feels long-lasting. My son has been using the largeRazer Gigantus V2for more than six months now and it's holding up remarkably well; after a wipe with a damp cloth, it still looks as good as new.

If the medium is too small for you, there are larger sizes to ensure you never run out of space. The biggest3XL optionis 47.24 x 21.65, but it costs five times the price.

The widespread Glorious PC Gaming Race 3XL Extended mouse pad will coat your entire desktop in mouse-friendly padding.

Pros: Largest mouse pad available, comes in multiple sizes, stitched edges to prevent fraying, machine washable

Cons: Open fabric absorbs spills and dirt

If you want something big, then the largest mouse pad fromGlorious PC Gaming Racehas you and likely your entire desktop covered. It certainly boosts comfort, too, with its plush padded top layer. This cloth mouse pad strikes a fairly good balance between precision and speed, but leans more toward precision. It feels quite rough, compared to theCorsair MM350 Pro, but there's a non-slip rubber base that prevents it from sliding, especially important here as more objects will be layered atop the oversized pad.

Neat stitching around the edges helps to reduce the risk of fraying, and it is machine washable. This is vital, as the top surface is plain black and very absorbent. I find that it picks up stains and dust quite quickly as well. Measure your desktop before you buy because this thing is huge, but it does come in a wide range of alternative shapes and sizes.

If you want a mouse pad that will stay in place and deliver perfect precision, the Logitech G440 hard mouse pad delivers.

Pros: Slick surface for speed with fine control, durable hard plastic coating, suits mice with high DPI settings

Cons: Not so comfortable to use, only one size

This compact mouse pad proves you don't need a lot of space, especially if you ramp up your mouse sensitivity via the dots-per-inch (DPI) settings. This hard surface, with a mouse set to a high DPI, means very slight and quick movements register accurately and you can maneuver your mouse extremely quickly.

With a polypropylene top layer, a polystyrene core, and a rubber base for added grip, the Logitech G440 provides a rigid, easy-to-clean surface with just a little give. It has a consistent surface and never slipped around while testing. A simple white G at the bottom right corner is all that breaks up the black surface, but the bottom layer is blue, which gives a subtle pop of color around the base of the pad.

The Roccat Sense AIMO provides a frame of glowing light around the mouse pad, an affordable option for RGB fans.

Pros: Bright programmable RGB lighting, textured surface for precision, comfortable padding, comes in two sizes

Cons: Relatively expensive compared to other mouse pads (but affordable for RGB mouse pads), must plug in, noticeable power control module at the top left

I was a little skeptical about light-up mouse pads, but theRoccat Sense AIMOhas won me over.

It comes in two sizes, but I tested the smaller one and realized its flexible cloth feels like others I've tested, but with a twist. The big difference is that it plugs via an included Micro USB to USB-A cable and has a frame that runs around the outside (beneath the stitching), lighting up in a rainbow of colors.

This bright RGB light has two programmable zones, which you can tinker with via Roccat's Swarm software, or you can leave it to the default behavior of cycling through the colors. It will also react to some of the devices and apps you use if you download the Sense AIMO module and leave it on the intelligent lighting setting. There are other effects available, and, if you have accompanying Roccat gear, you can sync it up with your mouse and keyboard.

Beyond the lighting, this is a cloth mouse pad that has quite a pronounced textured finish, though I find it much more comfortable than other rougher mouse pads to rest my hand on. Accuracy and speed are sufficient, though it leans towards precision. There's also a rubberized non-slip back to prevent any slippage.

You will need a spare USB port to plug this into and it means you have another cable on your desk, which is a definite downside for me. The module the cable plugs into is also quite large, with a brightness control button on it which can be configured via the software. If you use a wired mouse this module is a potential snag point.

The Corsair MM1000 mouse pad will suit you well if you want a dual-purpose pick for your desk, ideal for clicking and charging.

Pros: Charges any Qi wireless charging device, pass-through USB 3.0 port, relatively affordable

Cons: Can't charge mouse in use, no soft surface option

If you're looking for a multipurpose mouse pad that can also charge your devices, the MM1000 from Corsair is the one we recommend. Aside from wireless charging, it adds some thoughtful extras and nails the basics of a good hard mouse pad, but there are limitations here.

Finished in a hard textured surface that offers low friction for speedy maneuvers, theCorsair MM1000has a large power module at the top left which needs to be plugged into a USB port.

The wireless charging zone is a specific area at the top right and can charge any device that supports Qi wireless charging, setting it apart from competitors. With theCorsair MM1000, you simply rest your mouse on the charging spot, though you can't boost your battery while you're using it.

Turning the chunky power module into a positive, Corsair has added a USB 3.0 pass-through port. Corsair also supplies USB to Micro USB, Type C, and Lightning connectors, so you can charge other devices on the charging spot.

While it is quite pricey, it doesn't cost anywhere near as much as the competition, though you could pair one of thebest wireless chargerswith our budget mouse pad pick and save yourself quite a bit of money.

SteelSeries Qck: A former top pick, this basic cloth mouse pad does the basics right, offering padded comfort with a micro-weave cloth surface and an anti-skid rubber bottom. It's an affordable no-frills mouse pad that delivers. Starting from just $10, it's also very affordable and another option aside from our budget pick, the Razer Gigantus V2.

Corsair MM600: This hard mouse pad has an unusual dual-sided design with one side designed for speed and the other for precision, though it's not as affordable as some of our other picks.

AmazonBasics Gel Computer Mouse Pad: While a budget option, it's extremely small and there's some doubt about whether wrist rests offer any benefit. If you set up your desk, chair, and position ergonomically, you shouldn't need a wrist rest on your mouse pad at all.

• The 5 best iPhone Lightning cables
• The 5 best portable power stations
• The best laptop stands
• The best noise-cancelling headphones
• The best computer mice