Best gaming mouse pads 2019

Here at Digital Foundry, we've weighed in on some of the top gaming peripherals on the market, from the best gaming mice and mechanical keyboards to recommended gaming headsets and monitors. Now it's time to look at an underappreciated part of your gaming arsenal - the humble mouse pad or mouse mat. This surface affects how your mouse movements are translated into in-game actions, so it makes sense to make sure you're not being held back by an old, dirty or simply unsuitable mouse pad. That's why we're taking a look at the best mouse pads, from cheap and cheerful budget options to the best premium examples available.

We've gone with five battle-tested recommendations to start, and we'll look to add to these in the coming weeks and months as we have a chance to try more examples and fill out the types of mouse pads you're most interested in. As well as making recommendations, we'll also look at the more basic principles of mouse pad design and explain what options are out there by answering some frequently asked questions. Let's get started with some great entry-level options, before we move onto more specialist examples.

SteelSeries QcK Mini - £7/$7

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