Buying Guide
The Best Esports Mouse Pads
We weighed five mouse pads on width and depth, and the QcK Speed L costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Esports players pick a pad surface for speed or control and want a consistent glide. Every pick lists a speed, control or balanced cloth surface, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects width, depth and thickness from maker specifications; we did not test these mouse pads ourselves, and a missing width is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SteelSeries QcK Performance Control XL
A control cloth with more stopping friction.
Best for: Buyers who want control cloth with more stopping friction.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Control XL (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL
A balance cloth between speed and control.
Best for: Buyers who want balance cloth between speed and control.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance
A 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Best for: Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Our take Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Control
A 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Best for: Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Our take Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Control (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The QcK Speed L stands out for a speed-tuned cloth, and it adds a 3.5mm base.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if width matters most to you; the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance offers 19.7 in.
Why we like it
It also offers a 19.3 in width and offers a 16.5 in depth. Its 19.3 in width is the narrowest in this group; the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance leads at 19.7 in. On depth it trails the group at 16.5 in, while the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 18.9 in.
You get a speed cloth surface here, which sets it apart from the Gigantus V2 Pro Control and its a control cloth surface. It also offers a mouse-only large size. The QcK Speed L fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. It undercut the QcK Control XL and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Width: 19.3 in
- Depth: 16.5 in
- Thickness: 3.5mm
- Surface: Speed cloth
Pros
- Speed-tuned cloth
- 3.5mm base
- Mouse-only large size
- Speed cloth surface, the only one here
Cons
- Width trails the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance (19.7 in)
Also Consider2 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Performance Control XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The QcK Performance Control XL adds friction for stopping precisely.
Best for
- Buyers who want control cloth with more stopping friction.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its width before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It uses a 3.5mm base at XL size. Its micro-textured surface favours precise aim, and the neoprene base and low-profile stitched edges keep it flat. Like the Gigantus V2 Pro Control, it has a control cloth surface, while the QcK Speed L uses a speed cloth surface.
It also offers XL desk coverage. When we checked, only the QcK Speed L cost less, and the QcK Balance XL cost more. If you want a confirmed width, look to the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance instead: it comes in at 19.7 in, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Thickness: 3.5mm
- Surface: Control cloth
Pros
- Control cloth with more stopping friction
- 3.5mm base
- XL desk coverage
Cons
- No published width
- No published depth
- Costs more than the QcK Speed L at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The QcK Performance Balance XL sits between the speed and control cloths.
Best for
- Buyers who want balance cloth between speed and control.
Skip if
- Pass if a published width matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It uses a 3.5mm base at XL size. Its medium-friction surface balances speed and control, and the neoprene base and low-profile stitched edges keep it flat and fray-free. Like the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance, it has a balance cloth surface, while the QcK Speed L uses a speed cloth surface.
It also comes with XL desk coverage. It was priced above the QcK Control XL and below the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance at the time of writing. There is no published width figure, whereas the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 19.7 in.
Key dimensions & specs
- Thickness: 3.5mm
- Surface: Balance cloth
Pros
- Balance cloth between speed and control
- 3.5mm base
- XL desk coverage
Cons
- No published width
- No published depth
- Costs more than the QcK Speed L at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance is a 19.69 x 18.90 inch mouse pad with a balance cloth.
Best for
- Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Skip if
- Its thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It sits between speed and control. It matches the Gigantus V2 Pro Control on width (19.7 in). On depth it ties with the Gigantus V2 Pro Control at 18.9 in.
It shares a balance cloth surface with the QcK Balance XL; the QcK Speed L goes with a speed cloth surface. The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. The maker doesn't give its thickness; if that figure matters, the QcK Speed L comes in at 3.5mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Width: 19.7 in
- Depth: 18.9 in
- Surface: Balance cloth
Pros
- 19.69 x 18.90 inch size
- Balance cloth
- Width of 19.7 in, ahead of the QcK Speed L
- Depth of 18.9 in, ahead of the QcK Speed L
Cons
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the QcK Speed L at the time of writing
Solid Runner-Up5 of 5
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Control on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigantus V2 Pro Large Control uses the same 19.69 x 18.90 inch size with a control cloth.
Best for
- Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size.
Skip if
- The maker gives no thickness, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It adds friction for stopping. It matches the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance on width (19.7 in). On depth it ties with the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance at 18.9 in.
It shares a control cloth surface with the QcK Control XL; the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance goes with a balance cloth surface. The Gigantus V2 Pro Control fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. Buyers who need a confirmed thickness should compare it with the QcK Speed L, which comes in at 3.5mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Width: 19.7 in
- Depth: 18.9 in
- Surface: Control cloth
Pros
- 19.69 x 18.90 inch size
- Control cloth
- Width of 19.7 in, ahead of the QcK Speed L
- Depth of 18.9 in, ahead of the QcK Speed L
Cons
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the QcK Speed L at the time of writing
How We Chose These Esports Mouse Pads
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five mouse Pads on width, depth, thickness and surface as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the QcK Speed L to the Gigantus V2 Pro Control, state surface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The QcK Control XL and the QcK Balance XL give no width; the QcK Control XL and the QcK Balance XL give no depth.
- Price range
- From the QcK Speed L to the Gigantus V2 Pro Control, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an Esports Mouse Pad
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Width
Here width runs from 19.3 in on the QcK Speed L to 19.7 in on the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance. Start with the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance if width decides it. No figure for the QcK Control XL and the QcK Balance XL.
Depth across these picks
Here depth runs from 16.5 in on the QcK Speed L to 18.9 in on the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance. The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance is the pick for depth. No figure for the QcK Control XL and the QcK Balance XL.
Setup checks
The QcK Speed L fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height.
Extras that separate them
The QcK Speed L: a 3.5mm base. The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance: a balance cloth. The Gigantus V2 Pro Control: a control cloth.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the QcK Speed L at the low end to the Gigantus V2 Pro Control at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose an Esports Mouse Pad
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | QcK Speed L | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want control cloth with more stopping friction | QcK Control XL | A control cloth with more stopping friction |
| Buyers who want balance cloth between speed and control | QcK Balance XL | A balance cloth between speed and control |
| Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size | Gigantus V2 Pro Balance | A 19.69 x 18.90 inch size |
| Buyers who want 19.69 x 18.90 inch size | Gigantus V2 Pro Control | A 19.69 x 18.90 inch size |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance leads on width at 19.7 in, ahead of the Gigantus V2 Pro Control at 19.7 in. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mouse Pad | Width | Depth | Thickness | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QcK Speed L | 19.3 in | 16.5 in | 3.5mm | Speed cloth |
| QcK Control XL | Not listed | Not listed | 3.5mm | Control cloth |
| QcK Balance XL | Not listed | Not listed | 3.5mm | Balance cloth |
| Gigantus V2 Pro Balance | 19.7 in | 18.9 in | Not listed | Balance cloth |
| Gigantus V2 Pro Control | 19.7 in | 18.9 in | Not listed | Control cloth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gigantus V2 Pro Control add over the QcK Speed L?
On paper it adds width (19.7 in against 19.3 in) and depth (18.9 in against 16.5 in). The QcK Speed L was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the QcK Speed L our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the QcK Speed L and the QcK Control XL differ on surface?
The QcK Speed L uses Speed cloth; the QcK Control XL and the Gigantus V2 Pro Control use control cloth; the QcK Balance XL and the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance use balance cloth.
Will the Gigantus V2 Pro Control work with my setup?
The Gigantus V2 Pro Control fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5.
What extras do the QcK Speed L and the QcK Control XL include?
The QcK Speed L: a speed-tuned cloth. The QcK Control XL: a control cloth with more stopping friction. The QcK Balance XL: a balance cloth between speed and control.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the QcK Speed L, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the QcK Control XL for a control cloth with more stopping friction, the QcK Balance XL for a balance cloth between speed and control and the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance for a 19.69 x 18.90 inch size if those matter more to you.
Clean the surface regularly; dust changes how the mouse glides.