Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mouse Pads
Five mouse-size pads with balanced, glass, hard and thick surfaces.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Mouse-size pads leave the keyboard on the desk. These five differ in surface and thickness.
Sizes come from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Balance Cloth
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large BalanceA balance cloth at 19.69 x 18.90 inches.
Best for: Mixed game genres.
Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best XL Balance
SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XLA balance cloth at XL size.
Best for: Desk-wide coverage.
Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Glass
XVX Glass Gaming Mouse PadA 410 x 310mm glass surface.
Best for: Trying glass.
Check price for XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Thickest
Corsair MM350 Champion Series MediumA 5mm base.
Best for: Hard desks.
Check price for Corsair MM350 Champion Series Medium on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best RGB
Razer Firefly V2 Hard RGB Mouse MatChroma RGB and a cable manager.
Best for: Lit setups.
Check price for Razer Firefly V2 Hard RGB Mouse Mat on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A balance cloth at 19.69 x 18.90 inches. | Mixed game genres. | Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A balance cloth at XL size. | Desk-wide coverage. | Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 410 x 310mm glass surface. | Trying glass. | Check price for XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 5mm base. | Hard desks. | Check price for Corsair MM350 Champion Series Medium on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Chroma RGB and a cable manager. | Lit setups. | Check price for Razer Firefly V2 Hard RGB Mouse Mat on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Balance Cloth1 of 5
Razer Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance
The Gigantus V2 Pro Large Balance is a 19.69 x 18.90 inch mouse pad with a balance cloth.
Best for
- Mixed game genres.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its thickness before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It sits between speed and control. Its 19.7 in width is the widest here; the XVX glass comes next at 16.1 in. Its 18.9 in depth is the deepest here; the XVX glass comes next at 12.2 in.
Like the QcK Balance XL, it has a balance cloth surface, while the MM350 Champion Medium uses a cloth surface. The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. Before buying, weigh one limit: no published thickness. When we checked, only the Firefly V2 and cheaper picks cost less, and the QcK Balance XL cost more.
Key specs
- Width
- 19.7 in
- Depth
- 18.9 in
- Surface
- Balance cloth
Pros
- 19.69 x 18.90 inch size
- Balance cloth
- Widest width of the picks (19.7 in)
- Deepest depth of the picks (18.9 in)
Cons
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the MM350 Champion Medium at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed thickness, look to the MM350 Champion Medium instead: it comes in at 5mm, while this one gives no figure.
Best XL Balance2 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Performance Balance XL
The QcK Performance Balance XL sits between the speed and control cloths.
Best for
- Desk-wide coverage.
Skip if
- The maker gives no width, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
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. It measures 15.75 x 34.43 inches, and its medium dynamic friction is aimed at FPS, MOBA, RTS and MMO play.
On thickness it sits mid-pack at 3.5mm: the MM350 Champion Medium comes in at 5mm, and the XVX glass comes in at 3.2mm. It shares a balance cloth surface with the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance; the Firefly V2 goes with a hard surface. It also offers XL desk coverage. Buyers who need a confirmed width should compare it with the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance, which comes in at 19.7 in.
Key specs
- Thickness
- 3.5mm
- Surface
- Balance cloth
Pros
- Balance cloth between speed and control
- 3.5mm base
- XL desk coverage
- Thickness of 3.5mm, ahead of the XVX glass
Cons
- No published width
- No published depth
- Costs more than the MM350 Champion Medium at the time of writing
Best Value Glass3 of 5
XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad
XVX's glass pad measures 410 x 310 x 3.2mm.
Best for
- Trying glass.
Skip if
- Skip it if thickness matters most to you; the MM350 Champion Medium offers 5mm.
Why we like it
It is a lower-cost entry to glass surfaces. On width it sits mid-pack at 16.1 in: the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 19.7 in, and the MM350 Champion Medium comes in at 12.6 in. Its 12.2 in depth ranks second of 4 here, behind the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance (18.9 in) and ahead of the MM350 Champion Medium (10.6 in).
Its 3.2mm thickness is the thinnest in this group; the MM350 Champion Medium leads at 5mm. No other pick in this guide offers a glass surface; compare the MM350 Champion Medium, which has a cloth surface. You also get a 410 x 310 x 3.2mm size and a lower price than the other glass pads here.
The XVX glass fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. It was priced above the MM350 Champion Medium and below the Firefly V2 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Width
- 16.1 in
- Depth
- 12.2 in
- Thickness
- 3.2mm
- Surface
- Glass
Pros
- Glass surface
- 410 x 310 x 3.2mm size
- Lower price than the other glass pads here
- Width of 16.1 in, ahead of the Firefly V2
Cons
- Thickness trails the MM350 Champion Medium (5mm)
- Costs more than the MM350 Champion Medium at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on thickness, where the MM350 Champion Medium comes in at 5mm.
Thickest4 of 5
Corsair MM350 Champion Series Medium
Corsair's MM350 Champion Medium is a 320 x 270mm pad on a 5mm base.
Best for
- Hard desks.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: mouse-only 12.6-inch width.
Why we like it
It is the thickest mouse-only pad here. On width it trails the group at 12.6 in, while the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 19.7 in. Its 10.6 in depth is the shallowest in this group; the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance leads at 18.9 in.
On thickness it leads this guide at 5mm, ahead of the Firefly V2 (3.6mm). No other pick in this guide offers a cloth surface; compare the XVX glass, which has a glass surface. The MM350 Champion Medium fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the XVX glass the next step up.
Key specs
- Width
- 12.6 in
- Depth
- 10.6 in
- Thickness
- 5mm
- Surface
- Cloth
Pros
- 5mm cushioned base
- 5mm thick base
- 320 x 270mm size
- Cloth surface, the only one here
Cons
- Mouse-only 12.6-inch width
- Width trails the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance (19.7 in)
The catch
It gives ground on width, where the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 19.7 in.
Best RGB5 of 5
Razer Firefly V2 Hard RGB Mouse Mat
Razer's Firefly V2 is a hard pad with Chroma RGB around the edge and a built-in cable manager.
Best for
- Lit setups.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: mouse-only 14-inch width.
Why we like it
It measures about 14 x 10.8 inches. On width it sits mid-pack at 14 in: the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance comes in at 19.7 in, and the MM350 Champion Medium comes in at 12.6 in. Its 10.8 in depth ranks third of 4 here, behind the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance (18.9 in) and ahead of the MM350 Champion Medium (10.6 in).
Its 3.6mm thickness ranks second of 4 here, behind the MM350 Champion Medium (5mm) and ahead of the XVX glass (3.2mm). It is the only pick here with a hard surface; the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance has a balance cloth surface instead. The Firefly V2 fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height.
A hard surface like the Firefly V2's wears mouse feet faster than cloth; spare skates help. When we checked, only the XVX glass and cheaper picks cost less, and the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance cost more.
Key specs
- Width
- 14 in
- Depth
- 10.8 in
- Thickness
- 3.6mm
- Surface
- Hard
- Extras
- RGB, cable manager
Pros
- Chroma RGB edge lighting
- Built-in cable manager
- Hard surface
- Width of 14 in, ahead of the MM350 Champion Medium
Cons
- Mouse-only 14-inch width
- Costs more than the MM350 Champion Medium at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mouse Pads
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five mouse pads on width, depth, thickness and surface as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while width and depth have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance to the Firefly V2, state surface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The QcK Balance XL gives no width; the QcK Balance XL gives no depth.
- Price range
- From the MM350 Champion Medium to the QcK Balance XL, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse Pad
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Width across these picks
Across these 4 picks width spans 12.6 in (the MM350 Champion Medium) to 19.7 in (the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance). For less, the XVX glass is the runner-up at 16.1 in. The QcK Balance XL gives no width figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Depth
Here depth runs from 10.6 in on the MM350 Champion Medium to 18.9 in on the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance, a 78% spread. The XVX glass comes second at 12.2 in, in the same price tier as the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance. The QcK Balance XL gives no depth figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
A large desk mat under a mechanical keyboard and a white mouse Thickness
The MM350 Champion Medium tops thickness at 5mm and the XVX glass sits lowest at 3.2mm. Start with the MM350 Champion Medium if thickness decides it. The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance gives no thickness figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height.
A green desk mat under a compact keyboard and an ergonomic mouse Features beyond the spec table
The XVX glass: a 410 x 310 x 3.2mm size. The MM350 Champion Medium: a 320 x 270mm size. The Firefly V2: a built-in cable manager.
How to Choose a Gaming Mouse Pad
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed game genres | Gigantus V2 Pro Balance | A balance cloth at 19.69 x 18.90 inches |
| Desk-wide coverage | QcK Balance XL | A balance cloth at XL size |
| Trying glass | XVX glass | A 410 x 310mm glass surface |
| Hard desks | MM350 Champion Medium | A 5mm base |
| Lit setups | Firefly V2 | Chroma RGB and a cable manager |
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 XVX glass at 16.1 in. "Not listed" marks width where the QcK Balance XL leaves the figure out.
| Mouse Pad | Width | Depth | Thickness | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigantus V2 Pro Balance | 19.7 in | 18.9 in | Not listed | Balance cloth |
| QcK Balance XL | Not listed | Not listed | 3.5mm | Balance cloth |
| XVX glass | 16.1 in | 12.2 in | 3.2mm | Glass |
| MM350 Champion Medium | 12.6 in | 10.6 in | 5mm | Cloth |
| Firefly V2 | 14 in | 10.8 in | 3.6mm | Hard |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance ahead of the XVX glass on width?
The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance tops width at 19.7 in; the XVX glass follows at 16.1 in, 22% apart. The MM350 Champion Medium closes the ranking at 12.6 in. The QcK Balance XL is left out of this ranking because its width isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the deepest depth: the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance or the XVX glass?
Between the top two, it is 18.9 in on the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance against 12.2 in on the XVX glass, a 55% difference. The spread runs down to the MM350 Champion Medium at 10.6 in. The QcK Balance XL doesn't state a depth figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Firefly V2 compare with the MM350 Champion Medium on thickness?
The MM350 Champion Medium leads at 5mm, with the Firefly V2 at 3.6mm. The spread runs down to the XVX glass at 3.2mm. No thickness figure is published for the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the QcK Balance XL worth paying more than the MM350 Champion Medium?
The QcK Balance XL matches or trails the MM350 Champion Medium on thickness. The MM350 Champion Medium leads on thickness (5mm). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance the Best Balance Cloth?
It carries the badge for a balance cloth at 19.69 x 18.90 inches. It is aimed at mixed game genres.
Do the Gigantus V2 Pro Balance and the XVX glass differ on surface?
The Gigantus V2 Pro Balance and the QcK Balance XL use balance cloth; the XVX glass uses glass; the MM350 Champion Medium uses cloth; the Firefly V2 uses Hard.
Bottom Line
Razer's Gigantus V2 Pro Balance is the pick for a balance cloth at mouse size. Corsair's MM350 Champion is the thickest, and XVX's pad is the low-cost glass option.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mousepads
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mousepads for Every Grip and Surface
- Related guideThe Best XL Gaming Mousepads
- Lower budgetThe Best Mouse Pads Under $10
- Similar guideThe Best Mouse Pads
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mouse Pad for Gaming and Work
- ExplainerMouse Pad Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Also see: miceMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Similar guideThe Best RGB Mouse Pads
- Topic hubAll mouse pads and desk mats guides
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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