When we talk about a gaming PC , having a good arsenal of peripherals is essential; However, with more and more advanced gaming mouse sensors, many people wonder if a mouse pad is really necessary for its best performance . So, in this article we are going to try to answer this question: is it really necessary to have a mouse pad ?
There are almost countless manufacturers that have gaming mats in their catalog, with which they promise not only to provide a different design for our gaming ecosystem, but also to always have the best performance in the mouse, with a reliable surface and that offer minimal friction so mouse movements are as fluid as possible. To what extent is this so?
Are mouse pads really necessary?
The sensors of gaming mice are getting better and better, offering not only a higher resolution but also greater precision when making rapid movements with the device, ensuring that we will not lose a single movement.
Today the vast majority of PC gaming mice have an optical sensor, which is roughly a kind of camera that takes snapshots of the surface many times per second and acts according to the slight variations that occur, so without doubt the surface on which we move it will always have to do with its performance.
With everything and with that, most gaming mice -with an optical or laser sensor- will work without too many problems on the table, without the need to use a mouse pad. The problem comes when the surface is not opaque or when it is shiny, since in that case the sensor tends to make many wrong readings due to reflections or not being able to focus the surface correctly. If that happens to you, you will realize that simply by putting a sheet of paper under the mouse you will stop having problems.
Either way, and since most mice work on any surface that is smooth, opaque and matte (not glossy), actually having a gaming mouse pad is not necessary as such. However, the mats do provide a number of advantages that make it worth considering your purchase, and we will see them below.
Advantages of having a mouse pad
Although, as we have already mentioned, in most cases having a mouse pad is not strictly necessary, it does provide a series of advantages that we are going to list below, and that could mean a positive purchase decision for many users. .
The first obvious advantage is that mouse mats have a micro-textured surface (regardless of whether they are cloth or rigid) that is ideal for sensor readings from gaming mice, so we will be ensuring greater precision, or In other words, a lower rate of sensor erroneous readings.
In this regard we must also mention that the surface of the mats is designed to have very low friction . This means that, contrary to what can happen when using the mouse directly on the table, the wear on the mouse legs will be less, they will slide with less effort (this means less fatigue for the user) and there will be no impediments due to the possible imperfections that the table surface may have.
Another advantage of using a mouse pad over using the mouse directly on the table is convenience . The mats are somewhat thick and – with the exception of the rigid ones – provide a cushioned surface on which to rest the wrist of the hand, making it more comfortable to use the mouse for a long time. This reduces fatigue and even pain after long gaming sessions, which is always a plus.
In short, using a mouse pad is not strictly necessary , although it is highly recommended for most users.
