Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mousepads
Five pads across speed cloth, standard cloth and glass.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A mousepad decides how the mouse glides and stops. These five cover speed cloth, standard cloth and glass.
Sizes are converted from each listing's figures.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Speed Cloth
SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed XLA speed-tuned cloth on a 3.5mm base.
Best for: Fast aiming.
Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Widest
Logitech G840 XL Gaming Mouse PadA 35.4 inch width.
Best for: Keyboard and mouse.
Check price for Logitech G840 XL Gaming Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Thickest
Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Mouse PadA 4mm base.
Best for: Hard desks.
Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mouse-Only Size
SteelSeries QcK Large Mouse PadA 490 x 420mm pad.
Best for: Low-sensitivity aim.
Check price for SteelSeries QcK Large Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Glass
ASUS ROG Moonstone Ace L Glass Mouse PadA tempered glass surface.
Best for: Consistent glide.
Check price for ASUS ROG Moonstone Ace L Glass Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A speed-tuned cloth on a 3.5mm base. | Fast aiming. | Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 35.4 inch width. | Keyboard and mouse. | Check price for Logitech G840 XL Gaming Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 4mm base. | Hard desks. | Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 490 x 420mm pad. | Low-sensitivity aim. | Check price for SteelSeries QcK Large Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A tempered glass surface. | Consistent glide. | Check price for ASUS ROG Moonstone Ace L Glass Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Speed Cloth1 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed XL
The QcK Performance Speed XL uses a speed-tuned cloth on a 3.5mm base.
Best for
- Fast aiming.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigantus V2 XXL, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It measures 34.43 x 15.75 inches. On width it sits mid-pack at 34.4 in: the G840 XL comes in at 35.4 in, and the QcK Large comes in at 19.3 in. Its 15.75 in depth ranks second of 4 here, behind the QcK Large (16.5 in) and ahead of the Moonstone Ace L (15.7 in).
Its 3.5mm thickness ranks second of 3 here, behind the Gigantus V2 XXL (4mm) and ahead of the G840 XL (3mm). No other pick in this guide offers a speed cloth surface; compare the QcK Large, which has a cloth surface. It was priced above the G840 XL and below the Moonstone Ace L at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Width
- 34.4 in
- Depth
- 15.75 in
- Thickness
- 3.5mm
- Surface
- Speed cloth
Pros
- Speed-tuned cloth
- 3.5mm base
- 34.43 x 15.75 inch size
- Width of 34.4 in, ahead of the Moonstone Ace L
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 XXL at the time of writing
Widest2 of 5
Logitech G840 XL Gaming Mouse Pad
Logitech's G840 XL measures 900 x 400 x 3mm, wide enough for keyboard and mouse.
Best for
- Keyboard and mouse.
Skip if
- Skip it if thickness matters most to you; the Gigantus V2 XXL offers 4mm.
Why we like it
It uses a cloth surface. At 900 by 400mm it covers a keyboard and mouse, and its surface texture is tuned for Logitech G sensors. Its 35.4 in width is the widest here; the QcK Speed XL comes next at 34.4 in.
It matches the Moonstone Ace L on depth (15.7 in). Its 3mm thickness is the thinnest in this group; the Gigantus V2 XXL leads at 4mm. Like the Gigantus V2 XXL and QcK Large, it has a cloth surface, while the QcK Speed XL uses a speed cloth surface.
Measure your desk first: the G840 XL is 35.4 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. It was priced above the QcK Large and below the QcK Speed XL at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Width
- 35.4 in
- Depth
- 15.7 in
- Thickness
- 3mm
- Surface
- Cloth
Pros
- 35.4-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
- 900 x 400 x 3mm size
- Logitech G branding and a cloth surface
Cons
- Thickness trails the Gigantus V2 XXL (4mm)
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 XXL at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on thickness, where the Gigantus V2 XXL comes in at 4mm.
Thickest3 of 5
Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Mouse Pad
Razer's Gigantus V2 XXL is a desk-size cloth pad on a 4mm base.
Best for
- Hard desks.
Skip if
- The maker gives no width, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It is a plain, low-cost Razer option. At XXL size it is 4mm thick, so it stays flat over uneven desks. The micro-weave surface is calibrated for all sensors.
It comes in four sizes, from Medium to 3XL. On thickness it leads this guide at 4mm, ahead of the QcK Speed XL (3.5mm). It shares a cloth surface with the G840 XL and QcK Large; the Moonstone Ace L goes with a tempered glass surface.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the QcK Large was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed width should compare it with the G840 XL, which comes in at 35.4 in.
Key specs
- Thickness
- 4mm
- Surface
- Cloth
Pros
- 4mm cushioned base
- 4mm thick foam base
- XXL desk coverage
Cons
- No published width
- No published depth
Best Mouse-Only Size4 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Large Mouse Pad
SteelSeries's QcK Large is a 490 x 420mm cloth pad.
Best for
- Low-sensitivity aim.
Skip if
- Skip it if width matters most to you; the G840 XL offers 35.4 in.
Why we like it
It gives low-sensitivity players room without covering the keyboard area. On width it trails the group at 19.3 in, while the G840 XL comes in at 35.4 in. On depth it leads this guide at 16.5 in, ahead of the QcK Speed XL (15.75 in).
Like the G840 XL and Gigantus V2 XXL, it has a cloth surface, while the QcK Speed XL uses a speed cloth surface. The QcK Large fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. It was priced above the Gigantus V2 XXL and below the G840 XL at the time of writing. It gives ground on width, where the G840 XL comes in at 35.4 in.
Key specs
- Width
- 19.3 in
- Depth
- 16.5 in
- Surface
- Cloth
Pros
- 490 x 420mm size
- Cloth surface
- Deepest depth of the picks (16.5 in)
- A 490 x 420mm pad
Cons
- Width trails the G840 XL (35.4 in)
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 XXL at the time of writing
Best Glass5 of 5
ASUS ROG Moonstone Ace L Glass Mouse Pad
ASUS's ROG Moonstone Ace L is a tempered glass pad on a silicone base at 500 x 400mm.
Best for
- Consistent glide.
Skip if
- Skip it if depth matters most to you; the QcK Large offers 16.5 in.
Why we like it
Glass keeps a consistent glide. Its 19.7 in width ranks third of 4 here, behind the G840 XL (35.4 in) and ahead of the QcK Large (19.3 in). On depth it ties with the G840 XL at 15.7 in.
You get a tempered glass surface here, which sets it apart from the QcK Large and its a cloth surface. The Moonstone Ace L fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. A hard surface like the Moonstone Ace L's wears mouse feet faster than cloth; spare skates help. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the QcK Speed XL and the rest.
Key specs
- Width
- 19.7 in
- Depth
- 15.7 in
- Surface
- Tempered glass
Pros
- Tempered glass surface
- Silicone base
- 500 x 400mm size
- Width of 19.7 in, ahead of the QcK Large
Cons
- Depth trails the QcK Large (16.5 in)
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 XXL at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is depth; for more, the QcK Large comes in at 16.5 in.
How We Chose These Gaming Mousepads
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 lined up five mouse pads on width, depth, thickness and surface from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and width and depth are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the QcK Speed XL to the Moonstone Ace L, state surface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigantus V2 XXL gives no width; the Gigantus V2 XXL gives no depth.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigantus V2 XXL (under $50) to the Moonstone Ace L ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Gaming Mousepad
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much width you need
The G840 XL tops width at 35.4 in and the QcK Large sits lowest at 19.3 in. If width is your first filter, the G840 XL sets the ceiling at 35.4 in. The Gigantus V2 XXL gives no width figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Depth across these picks
Across these 4 picks depth spans 15.7 in (the Moonstone Ace L) to 16.5 in (the QcK Large). Start with the QcK Large if depth decides it. The Gigantus V2 XXL 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 across these picks
Here thickness runs from 3mm on the G840 XL to 4mm on the Gigantus V2 XXL, a 33% spread. Start with the Gigantus V2 XXL if thickness decides it. The QcK Large and the Moonstone Ace L give no thickness figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
Measure your desk first: the G840 XL is 35.4 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. The QcK Large 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 Gigantus V2 XXL: XXL desk coverage. The QcK Large: a cloth surface. The Moonstone Ace L: a silicone base.
How to Choose a Gaming Mousepad
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fast aiming | QcK Speed XL | A speed-tuned cloth on a 3.5mm base |
| Keyboard and mouse | G840 XL | A 35.4 inch width |
| Hard desks | Gigantus V2 XXL | A 4mm base |
| Low-sensitivity aim | QcK Large | A 490 x 420mm pad |
| Consistent glide | Moonstone Ace L | A tempered glass surface |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The G840 XL leads on width at 35.4 in, ahead of the QcK Speed XL at 34.4 in. "Not listed" marks width where the Gigantus V2 XXL leaves the figure out.
| Mouse Pad | Width | Depth | Thickness | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QcK Speed XL | 34.4 in | 15.75 in | 3.5mm | Speed cloth |
| G840 XL | 35.4 in | 15.7 in | 3mm | Cloth |
| Gigantus V2 XXL | Not listed | Not listed | 4mm | Cloth |
| QcK Large | 19.3 in | 16.5 in | Not listed | Cloth |
| Moonstone Ace L | 19.7 in | 15.7 in | Not listed | Tempered glass |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Gigantus V2 XXL, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Moonstone Ace L at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Mouse Pads |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Gigantus V2 XXL, QcK Large, G840 XL |
| About $50 to $100 | QcK Speed XL, Moonstone Ace L |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the widest width: the G840 XL or the QcK Speed XL?
The G840 XL tops width at 35.4 in; the QcK Speed XL follows at 34.4 in, 3% apart. The QcK Large closes the ranking at 19.3 in. The Gigantus V2 XXL doesn't state a width figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the QcK Speed XL compare with the QcK Large on depth?
Between the top two, it is 16.5 in on the QcK Large against 15.75 in on the QcK Speed XL, a 5% difference. The spread runs down to the Moonstone Ace L at 15.7 in. No depth figure is published for the Gigantus V2 XXL, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Gigantus V2 XXL ahead of the QcK Speed XL on thickness?
The Gigantus V2 XXL leads at 4mm, with the QcK Speed XL at 3.5mm. The spread runs down to the G840 XL at 3mm. The QcK Large and the Moonstone Ace L are left out of this ranking because their thickness isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the Gigantus V2 XXL the Thickest?
It earns the label for a 4mm base. It makes sense for hard desks.
Do the QcK Speed XL and the G840 XL differ on surface?
The QcK Speed XL uses Speed cloth; the G840 XL, the Gigantus V2 XXL and the QcK Large use cloth; the Moonstone Ace L uses Tempered glass.
What should I check before buying the QcK Large?
The QcK Large fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Best Mouse-Only Size pick, and fourth of 4 on width (19.3 in).
Bottom Line
SteelSeries's QcK Speed XL is the pick for a speed cloth at desk size. Logitech's G840 XL is the widest, and ASUS's Moonstone Ace L is the glass option.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mousepads for Every Grip and Surface
- Related guideThe Best XL Gaming Mousepads
- Related guideThe Best Desk Mats for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Hard Gaming Mousepads
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Desk Mats
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mouse Pad for Gaming and Work
- ExplainerMouse Pad Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Also see: miceGaming Mouse Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best Large Cloth Desk Mats for Gaming
- 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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