Buying Guide

The Best Desk Mats for Gaming

Six desk mats from plain cloth to PU leather.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

A desk mat sits under the keyboard and mouse together. These six differ in thickness, surface and edge finish.

Sizes come from each listing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

Our Picks

Thickest1 of 6

Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat

Traverse Ridge's desk mat is 36 x 12 inches on a 5mm base with no logo.

Best for

Hard desks.

Skip if

If budget leads, the DIGSOM was cheaper at our last price check.
Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat

Why we like it

It suits a plain desk setup. It matches the LifeTrim on width (36 in). On depth it sits mid-pack at 12 in: the Mydours leather comes in at 15.7 in, and the DIGSOM comes in at 11.8 in.

Its 5mm thickness is the thickest here; the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad comes next at 3mm. It also offers a logo-free surface and a 36 x 12 inch size. Measure your desk first: the Traverse Ridge is 36 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MM300 and the rest.

Key specs

Width
36 in
Depth
12 in
Thickness
5mm
Surface
Cloth

Pros

  • 36-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
  • 5mm cushioned base
  • Logo-free surface
  • 36 x 12 inch size

Cons

  • Costs more than the DIGSOM at the time of writing

Best Wipe-Clean2 of 6

Mydours PU Leather Desk Mat

Mydours's desk mat uses PU leather at 35.4 x 15.7 inches.

Best for

Spills.

Skip if

The maker gives no thickness, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Mydours PU Leather Desk Mat

Why we like it

It wipes clean rather than needing a wash. Its 35.4 in width ranks third of 5 here, behind the Traverse Ridge (36 in) and ahead of the DIGSOM (31.5 in). On depth it ties with the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad at 15.7 in.

A PU leather surface is unique to it among these picks, while the LifeTrim uses a cloth surface. Measure your desk first: the Mydours leather is 35.4 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. Its price falls between the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad and the LifeTrim, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed thickness should compare it with the Traverse Ridge, which comes in at 5mm.

Key specs

Width
35.4 in
Depth
15.7 in
Surface
PU leather

Pros

  • 35.4-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
  • Wipe-clean PU leather surface
  • 35.4 x 15.7 inch size
  • Depth of 15.7 in, ahead of the LifeTrim

Cons

  • No published thickness
  • Costs more than the DIGSOM at the time of writing

Best Plain Wide Mat3 of 6

LifeTrim Extended Desk Mat

LifeTrim's desk mat measures 36 x 13 inches.

Best for

Clean setups.

Skip if

Its thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
LifeTrim Extended Desk Mat

Why we like it

It is a simple wide cloth mat. Its thick foam cushions the wrist, and a water-resistant coating protects against spills. It matches the Traverse Ridge on width (36 in).

On depth it sits mid-pack at 13 in: the Mydours leather comes in at 15.7 in, and the DIGSOM comes in at 11.8 in. Measure your desk first: the LifeTrim is 36 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Mydours leather and the pricier MM300, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its thickness; if that figure matters, the Traverse Ridge comes in at 5mm.

Key specs

Width
36 in
Depth
13 in
Surface
Cloth

Pros

  • 36-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
  • 36 x 13 inch size
  • Depth of 13 in, ahead of the Traverse Ridge

Cons

  • No published thickness
  • Costs more than the DIGSOM at the time of writing

Best Stitched4 of 6

Extended Stitched Gaming Mouse Pad (31.5 x 15.7 in)

This extended pad measures 31.5 x 15.7 inches on a 3mm base with stitched edges.

Best for

Daily use.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the DIGSOM cost less when we checked.
Extended Stitched Gaming Mouse Pad (31.5 x 15.7 in)

Why we like it

It covers keyboard and mouse. A waterproof coating makes spills bead up and wipe off, and the 3mm base suits most desks. It works with laser and optical mice.

Its natural rubber base is non-toxic and anti-slip. At 31.5 x 15.7 inches it holds a keyboard, mouse and small desk items. The pad rolls up without creasing, and the natural rubber base is non-toxic according to the maker.

On width it ties with the DIGSOM at 31.5 in. It matches the Mydours leather on depth (15.7 in). It matches the DIGSOM on thickness (3mm). When we checked, only the DIGSOM cost less, and the Mydours leather cost more.

Key specs

Width
31.5 in
Depth
15.7 in
Thickness
3mm
Surface
Cloth
Edges
Stitched

Pros

  • Stitched edges
  • 0.12 inch (3mm) base
  • 31.5 x 15.7 inch size
  • Depth of 15.7 in, ahead of the LifeTrim

Cons

  • Costs more than the DIGSOM at the time of writing

Best Spill-Proof Budget5 of 6

DIGSOM Extended Gaming Mouse Pad

DIGSOM's pad is 31.5 x 11.8 inches with a spill-proof surface and 3mm base.

Best for

Tight budgets.

Skip if

Skip it if width matters most to you; the Traverse Ridge offers 36 in.
DIGSOM Extended Gaming Mouse Pad

Why we like it

At 31.5 by 11.8 inches it fits a full keyboard and mouse, with stitched edges that resist fraying. The surface is water-resistant. It measures 80 x 30cm, enough for a keyboard and mouse.

The 3mm cloth has stitched edges and a spill-resistant coating. The topographic print is white lines on black, and a non-slip rubber base keeps the pad from sliding. It matches the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad on width (31.5 in).

On depth it trails the group at 11.8 in, while the Mydours leather comes in at 15.7 in. On thickness it ties with the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad at 3mm. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad was the next step up.

Key specs

Width
31.5 in
Depth
11.8 in
Thickness
3mm
Surface
Cloth
Extras
Spill-proof

Pros

  • Spill-proof surface
  • 31.5 x 11.8 inch size
  • 3mm base

Cons

  • Width trails the Traverse Ridge (36 in)
  • Depth trails the Mydours leather (15.7 in)
  • Thickness trails the Traverse Ridge (5mm)

The catch

If width is your priority, the Traverse Ridge (36 in) is the stronger choice.

Best Anti-Fray Edges6 of 6

Corsair MM300 Anti-Fray Cloth Mouse Pad

Corsair's MM300 has stitched anti-fray edges on a cloth surface.

Best for

Long-term use.

Skip if

The maker gives no width, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Corsair MM300 Anti-Fray Cloth Mouse Pad

Why we like it

It is a long-running Corsair pad. Its textile weave is tuned for both laser and optical sensors, and an anti-skid rubber base keeps it in place. The anti-fray edges resist wear where your wrist rests.

It is a straightforward cloth pad for low-friction tracking. Its stitched edges guard against the surface peeling. Its woven textile surface is tuned for low-friction tracking with optical and laser mice.

The rubber base keeps it from sliding, and the edges resist fraying. Its price falls between the LifeTrim and the Traverse Ridge, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed width should compare it with the Traverse Ridge, which comes in at 36 in.

Key specs

Surface
Cloth
Edges
Stitched

Pros

  • Stitched edges
  • Stitched anti-fray edges
  • Cloth surface

Cons

  • No published width
  • No published depth
  • No published thickness

How We Chose These Desk Mats for Gaming

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A wide black desk mat in front of two monitors and a white PC
A wide black desk mat in front of two monitors and a white PC
The figures behind the order
We compared six mouse pads on width, depth, thickness and surface as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out width.
What every pick has in common
All 6, from the Traverse Ridge to the MM300, state surface.
Where the specs have gaps
The MM300 gives no width; the MM300 gives no depth.
Price range
From the DIGSOM to the Traverse Ridge, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Desk Mat for Gaming

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Width

    Here width runs from 31.5 in on the DIGSOM to 36 in on the Traverse Ridge, a 14% spread. The LifeTrim comes second at 36 in, in the same price tier as the Traverse Ridge. The MM300 gives no width figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.

  2. Depth across these picks

    Across these 5 picks depth spans 11.8 in (the DIGSOM) to 15.7 in (the Mydours leather). For less, the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad is the runner-up at 15.7 in. The MM300 gives no depth figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.

    An orange desk mat across a desk below a monitor
    An orange desk mat across a desk below a monitor
  3. How much thickness you need

    Across these 3 picks thickness spans 3mm (the DIGSOM) to 5mm (the Traverse Ridge). If thickness is your first filter, the Traverse Ridge sets the ceiling at 5mm. The Mydours leather, the LifeTrim and the MM300 give no thickness figure, so 3 of 6 picks are compared here.

  4. Setup checks

    Measure your desk first: the Traverse Ridge is 36 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length.

    A large desk mat under a mechanical keyboard and a white mouse
    A large desk mat under a mechanical keyboard and a white mouse
  5. Extras that separate them

    The stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad: stitched edges. The DIGSOM: a 31.5 x 11.8 inch size. The MM300: a cloth surface.

How to Choose a Desk Mat for Gaming

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Hard desksTraverse RidgeA 5mm base
SpillsMydours leatherA PU leather surface
Clean setupsLifeTrimA 36 x 13 inch size
Daily usestitched 31.5 x 15.7 padStitched edges on a 31.5 x 15.7 inch pad
Tight budgetsDIGSOMA spill-proof surface
Long-term useMM300Stitched anti-fray edges

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A green desk mat under a compact keyboard and an ergonomic mouse
A green desk mat under a compact keyboard and an ergonomic mouse

Key specs side by side

The Traverse Ridge leads on width at 36 in, ahead of the LifeTrim at 36 in. "Not listed" marks width where the MM300 leaves the figure out.

Mouse PadWidthDepthThicknessSurface
Traverse Ridge36 in12 in5mmCloth
Mydours leather35.4 in15.7 inNot listedPU leather
LifeTrim36 in13 inNot listedCloth
stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad31.5 in15.7 in3mmCloth
DIGSOM31.5 in11.8 in3mmCloth
MM300Not listedNot listedNot listedCloth

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the thickest thickness: the Traverse Ridge or the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad?

The Traverse Ridge tops thickness at 5mm; the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad follows at 3mm, 67% apart. No thickness figure is published for the Mydours leather, the LifeTrim and the MM300, which leaves 3 of 6 picks ranked here.

What does the Traverse Ridge add over the DIGSOM?

On paper it adds width (36 in against 31.5 in), depth (12 in against 11.8 in) and thickness (5mm against 3mm). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in width and depth cost little extra by tier.

Why is the Mydours leather our Best Wipe-Clean pick?

It earns the label for a PU leather surface. It suits spills.

Do the Traverse Ridge and the Mydours leather differ on surface?

The Traverse Ridge, the LifeTrim, the stitched 31.5 x 15.7 pad, the DIGSOM and the MM300 use cloth; the Mydours leather uses PU leather.

Will the Mydours leather work with my setup?

Measure your desk first: the Mydours leather is 35.4 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. In this guide it ranks second of 6, as our Best Wipe-Clean pick, and third of 5 on width (35.4 in).

What extras do the Traverse Ridge and the Mydours leather include?

The Traverse Ridge: a logo-free surface. The Mydours leather: a wipe-clean PU leather surface. The LifeTrim: a 36 x 13 inch size.

Bottom Line

Traverse Ridge's mat is the pick for a 5mm base without branding. Mydours's leather mat wipes clean, and Corsair's MM300 adds anti-fray stitching.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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