Buying Guide
The Best Mouse Pads Under $40
Five mouse pads compared, from the MM300 Pro Extended to the QcK Speed L, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Up to $40 you find extended pads and desk mats. Every pad cost 25 to 40 when we checked and lists its size and surface.
Our comparison rests on published figures for width, depth and thickness; where a maker leaves out edges, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Thickest Pick
Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat
The thickest thickness here (5mm).
Best for: Buyers who put thickness first.
Our take Check price for Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad
A 930 x 400mm size.
Best for: Buyers who want 930 x 400mm size.
Our take Check price for Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab)
Deepest Pick
SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L
The deepest depth here (16.5 in).
Best for: Buyers who put depth first.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L (opens in a new tab)
Glass Surface
XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad
A glass surface.
Best for: Buyers who want a glass surface.
Our take Check price for XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Corsair MM300 Pro Extended
The cheapest way into this group, below the Traverse Ridge.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Our take Check price for Corsair MM300 Pro Extended (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The thickest thickness here (5mm). | Buyers who put thickness first. | Check price for Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat (opens in a new tab) |
| A 930 x 400mm size. | Buyers who want 930 x 400mm size. | Check price for Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab) |
| The deepest depth here (16.5 in). | Buyers who put depth first. | Check price for SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed L (opens in a new tab) |
| A glass surface. | Buyers who want a glass surface. | Check price for XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Traverse Ridge. | Keeping the cost under $50. | Check price for Corsair MM300 Pro Extended (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Thickest Pick1 of 5
Traverse Ridge Extended Desk Mat on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Traverse Ridge's desk mat is 36 x 12 inches on a 5mm base with no logo.
Best for
- Buyers who put thickness first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MM300 Pro Extended, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a plain desk setup. On width it sits mid-pack at 36 in: the MM350 PRO XL comes in at 36.6 in, and the XVX glass comes in at 16.1 in. Its 12 in depth ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the QcK Speed L (16.5 in) and ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended (11.8 in).
On thickness it leads this guide at 5mm, ahead of the MM350 PRO XL (4mm). Like the MM350 PRO XL and MM300 Pro Extended, it has a cloth surface, while the QcK Speed L uses a speed cloth surface. You also get 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. When we checked, only the MM300 Pro Extended cost less, and the XVX glass cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 MM300 Pro Extended at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Corsair's MM350 PRO Extended XL is 930 x 400mm with a 4mm base.
Best for
- Buyers who want 930 x 400mm size.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MM300 Pro Extended cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The cloth is spill-proof and the edges are stitched. Its 4mm-thick base cushions the wrist, and a spill-proof coating lets liquids slide off. The micro-weave surface gives a fast glide.
On width it ties with the MM300 Pro Extended at 36.6 in. Its 15.7 in depth ranks second of 5 here, behind the QcK Speed L (16.5 in) and ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended (11.8 in). Like the Traverse Ridge and MM300 Pro Extended, it has a cloth surface, while the QcK Speed L uses a speed cloth surface.
Measure your desk first: the MM350 PRO XL is 36.6 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. When we checked, only the XVX glass and cheaper picks cost less, and the QcK Speed L cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Width: 36.6 in
- Depth: 15.7 in
- Thickness: 4mm
- Surface: Cloth
- Edges: Stitched
- Extras: Spill-proof
Pros
- 36.6-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
- 4mm cushioned base
- Stitched edges
- 930 x 400mm size
Cons
- Costs more than the MM300 Pro Extended at the time of writing
Deepest Pick3 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
- Buyers who put depth first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MM300 Pro Extended cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 19.3 in width and offers a 16.5 in depth. On width it sits mid-pack at 19.3 in: the MM350 PRO XL comes in at 36.6 in, and the XVX glass comes in at 16.1 in. Nothing else here matches its 16.5 in depth; the MM350 PRO XL comes closest at 15.7 in.
Its 3.5mm thickness ranks third of 5 here, behind the Traverse Ridge (5mm) and ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended (3mm). No other pick in this guide offers a speed cloth surface; compare the XVX glass, which has a glass surface. You also get 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. Only the MM350 PRO XL came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
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
- Width of 19.3 in, ahead of the XVX glass
Cons
- Costs more than the MM300 Pro Extended at the time of writing
Glass Surface4 of 5
XVX Glass Gaming Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XVX's glass pad measures 410 x 310 x 3.2mm.
Best for
- Buyers who want a glass surface.
Skip if
- Skip it if width matters most to you; the MM350 PRO XL offers 36.6 in.
Why we like it
It is a lower-cost entry to glass surfaces. On width it trails the group at 16.1 in, while the MM350 PRO XL comes in at 36.6 in. Its 12.2 in depth ranks third of 5 here, behind the QcK Speed L (16.5 in) and ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended (11.8 in).
Its 3.2mm thickness ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Traverse Ridge (5mm) and ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended (3mm). It is the only pick here with a glass surface; the Traverse Ridge has a cloth surface instead. It also comes with a 410 x 310 x 3.2mm size and a lower price than the other glass pads here.
When we checked, only the Traverse Ridge and cheaper picks cost less, and the MM350 PRO XL cost more. Width is its weakest area, and the MM350 PRO XL covers it better at 36.6 in.
Key dimensions & 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
- Depth of 12.2 in, ahead of the Traverse Ridge
Cons
- Width trails the MM350 PRO XL (36.6 in)
- Costs more than the MM300 Pro Extended at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Corsair MM300 Pro Extended on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the MM300 Pro Extended brings to the table is a stain-resistant surface, plus stitched anti-fray edges.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Skip it if depth matters most to you; the QcK Speed L offers 16.5 in.
Why we like it
It also offers a 36.6 in width and offers an 11.8 in depth. On width it ties with the MM350 PRO XL at 36.6 in. Its 11.8 in depth is the shallowest in this group; the QcK Speed L leads at 16.5 in.
Its 3mm thickness is the thinnest in this group; the Traverse Ridge leads at 5mm. Like the Traverse Ridge and MM350 PRO XL, it has a cloth surface, while the QcK Speed L uses a speed cloth surface. Measure your desk first: the MM300 Pro Extended is 36.6 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Traverse Ridge the next step up. It gives ground on depth, where the QcK Speed L comes in at 16.5 in.
Key dimensions & specs
- Width: 36.6 in
- Depth: 11.8 in
- Thickness: 3mm
- Surface: Cloth
- Edges: Stitched
- Extras: Spill-proof
Pros
- 36.6-inch width covers keyboard and mouse
- Stitched edges
- Stain-resistant surface
- Stitched anti-fray edges
Cons
- Depth trails the QcK Speed L (16.5 in)
- Thickness trails the Traverse Ridge (5mm)
How We Chose These Mouse Pads Under $40
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five mouse pads on width, depth, thickness and surface from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and edges and extras are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Traverse Ridge to the MM300 Pro Extended, state width, depth and thickness.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Traverse Ridge, the QcK Speed L and the XVX glass give no edges; the Traverse Ridge, the QcK Speed L and the XVX glass give no extras.
- Price range
- From the MM300 Pro Extended to the QcK Speed L, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Mouse Pad Under $40
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Width
Here width runs from 16.1 in on the XVX glass to 36.6 in on the MM350 PRO XL, a 127% spread. For less, the MM300 Pro Extended is the runner-up at 36.6 in.
How much depth you need
The QcK Speed L tops depth at 16.5 in and the MM300 Pro Extended sits lowest at 11.8 in. The MM350 PRO XL comes second at 15.7 in, in the same price tier as the QcK Speed L.
Thickness across these picks
The Traverse Ridge tops thickness at 5mm and the MM300 Pro Extended sits lowest at 3mm. The Traverse Ridge is the pick for thickness.
What to check at home
Measure your desk first: the Traverse Ridge is 36 inches wide and needs a flat surface for its full length. The QcK Speed L fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height.
Features beyond the spec table
The QcK Speed L: a 3.5mm base. The XVX glass: a 410 x 310 x 3.2mm size. The MM300 Pro Extended: stitched anti-fray edges.
How to Choose a Mouse Pad Under $40
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put thickness first | Traverse Ridge | The thickest thickness here (5mm) |
| Buyers who want 930 x 400mm size | MM350 PRO XL | A 930 x 400mm size |
| Buyers who put depth first | QcK Speed L | The deepest depth here (16.5 in) |
| Buyers who want a glass surface | XVX glass | A glass surface |
| Keeping the cost under $50 | MM300 Pro Extended | The cheapest way into this group, below the Traverse Ridge |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MM350 PRO XL leads on width at 36.6 in, ahead of the MM300 Pro Extended at 36.6 in.
| Mouse Pad | Width | Depth | Thickness | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse Ridge | 36 in | 12 in | 5mm | Cloth |
| MM350 PRO XL | 36.6 in | 15.7 in | 4mm | Cloth |
| QcK Speed L | 19.3 in | 16.5 in | 3.5mm | Speed cloth |
| XVX glass | 16.1 in | 12.2 in | 3.2mm | Glass |
| MM300 Pro Extended | 36.6 in | 11.8 in | 3mm | Cloth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the deepest depth: the QcK Speed L or the MM350 PRO XL?
The QcK Speed L tops depth at 16.5 in; the MM350 PRO XL follows at 15.7 in, 5% apart. The spread runs down to the MM300 Pro Extended at 11.8 in.
How does the MM350 PRO XL compare with the Traverse Ridge on thickness?
Between the top two, it is 5mm on the Traverse Ridge against 4mm on the MM350 PRO XL, a 25% difference. The MM300 Pro Extended is at the other end of this group with 3mm.
Is the QcK Speed L worth paying more than the MM300 Pro Extended?
The spec sheets show depth (16.5 in against 11.8 in) and thickness (3.5mm against 3mm) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the MM300 Pro Extended still leads on width (36.6 in). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in depth and thickness cost little extra by tier.
What makes the XVX glass the Glass Surface?
It earns the label for a glass surface. It gives up width (16.1 in against 36.6 in) to the MM300 Pro Extended, the cheapest pick. It suits anyone who wants a glass surface.
Do the Traverse Ridge and the QcK Speed L differ on surface?
The Traverse Ridge, the MM350 PRO XL and the MM300 Pro Extended use cloth; the QcK Speed L uses Speed cloth; the XVX glass uses glass.
What should I check before buying the XVX glass?
The XVX glass fits the mouse only, so the keyboard sits on the bare desk at a different height. A hard surface like the XVX glass's wears mouse feet faster than cloth; spare skates help. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Glass Surface pick, and fifth of 5 on width (16.1 in).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Traverse Ridge, chosen for the thickest thickness here (5mm). Look at the MM350 PRO XL for a 930 x 400mm size, the QcK Speed L for the deepest depth here (16.5 in) and the XVX glass for a glass surface if those matter more to you.
Measure your desk before choosing an extended pad.