Whether you’re in an office working, or gaming at home, there is nothing that completes your setup like a nice mousepad. Over the years trends have come and gone but for the most part, the mouse pad has always been a necessity. With the rise in need for aesthetics, we’ve seen integrations of RGB in anything from RAM, motherboards and PC cases to speakers, gaming chairs and of course mouse pads.
In this article we will cover 4 of the best options we have found in 2022, for you to consider on your next mouse pad refresh. We will cover why we think the Corsair MM700 RGB is the best mat currently offered. We will also throw in a great budget solution for those of you who are hoping to save a few bucks.
Read more: Best RGB XL Mouse Pads in 2022What to consider
What do you consider when buying a new mouse pad or mouse mat? Size, comfort, durability and functionality are the first to come to mind. For this article, we will also be considering ease of use when it comes to RGB as well. Size is important because you don’t want something too big for your area. You also want to make sure you have something big enough that it can accommodate the peripherals you have.
Comfort and durability also come into play for long term use. If you plan to use these mats for your work week, they will build up debris a lot faster. This means you want to keep up maintenance cleanings to be sure that the pad won’t stain. This is a major drawback to having a mouse pad with RGB. You can’t throw them in the wash for a quick cleaning like you would a regular mouse pad.
Functionality comes in to play when buying most things. If you buy something, you want it to fit that need. If it doesn’t, solve your problem properly, then you typically find yourself regretting the purchase.
Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma
First on our list is the Razer Goliathus. This RGB mouse mat is the first on our list because if you’ve been a fan of gaming peripherals for a while, then you definitely know the brand. Razer has made a name for itself in the peripheral space with many of their mice and keyboards. One of the main things they had before any of the competitors was clean integration of LED’s into their early peripherals such as the Death Adder mouse and Black Widow keyboards.
Specs:
Dimensions – 11.58 in x 36.25 in x 0.12in
Material – Non Slip rubber grip bottom – Micro-textured cloth top
This RGB mouse pad made the list due to it’s solid construction, and comes equipped with Razer Chroma. Razer Chroma is the tech that Razer integrates with their peripherals. These peripherals are customizable and synchronized using the Razer Synapse software. There is nothing more awe inspiring than seeing a setup with all matched peripherals with a perfectly synchronized RGB effect. Speaking of RGB, Razer also boasts a customization of up to 16.8 million colors available for effects.
Of course, RGB can’t be the only thing we focus on. The Razer Goliathus has a sturdy construction with it’s non slip rubber grip bottom, and micro-textured cloth surface. Razer claims the Goliathus’ surface is designed for players going for speed or control playstyles. This will really come in to play (pun indented) with slight configuration of your mouse, no matter the brand or use-case.
Unfortunately, the Goliathus does not have any integrated USB port. This is something we found is rare in the space, but could come in handy. Notice in the picture above, there is a a cable clip to help hide a USB cable next to the mouse pads USB lead. The Goliathus is offered in a standard version in addition to the extended version we are covering today. It’s available in multiple color variations including black, mercury, quartz, and a special edition “Halo Infinite” variant. The base model is priced at $59.99 US and can be purchased here.
SteelSeries QcK Gaming Surface
Next in our lineup is the SteelSeries QcK Gaming Surface. The QcK is a close contender to the MM700 which is the top option on our list. SteelSeries first popped up on our radar as a contender for the heavy duty mouse pads that Corsair and some other brands had been putting out, but at a much cheaper price point. SteelSeries even goes as far as saying that their original QcK mouse pad is the worlds best selling.
Specs:
Dimensions – 35.43in x 11.81in x 0.157in
Material – NeverSlip Base – Qck micro woven cloth
The SteelSeries QcK is one of the go to RGB mouse pads mainly due to it’s combination of function and price. SteelSeries has take their go-to budget mouse pad that has a great woven texture and made it more fancy with a fine RGB border. It’s also equipped with a slick unique woven top layer that we see in some format of all of the mouse pads we’re covering today.
This mouse pad comes with a dual zone RGB setup, which the Razer we covered before did not. SteelSeries provides software for managing the dual zone RGB, but it’s nothing to rave home about. That being said, it seems to do the trick. Much like the Razer Goliathus, the QcK does not come equipped with additional USB inputs.
The quality and feel of these mouse pads seem more premium than they actually cost. The SteelSeries QcK XL is priced currently at $48. At this price point it’s a solid solution considering SteelSeries’ history of good build quality and the features provided. It’s available in the XL format we covered here as well as a standard pad, 3XL, 4XL, and even 5XL variants. 3XL and up could be an option when considering full surface coverage.
NPET MP02-SP
The MP02-SP is our budget option. If you aren’t looking for any frills and just want something that looks decent this may be the solution.
Specs:
Dimensions – 31.5in x 12in x 0.15in
Material – Anti Slip rubber base / Microtextured cloth surface
The MP02-SP has the simplicity of a budget solution but also some of the same features of the more costly items in this article. For starters, there is the re-enforced stitched edging. This will keep the RGB channel on the outside from coming apart over time with use. Additionally, NPET claims that the thick material used for grip on the bottom also allows storable. They say you can roll this up, and when it’s unrolled and put back out, the edges won’t stay folded up.
Because this option is so cheap, it should come as no surprise that there isn’t a software for managing RGB profiles. This could be a negative or a positive. On a positive note, customization is simple using the onboard color switch button. Like it or not, one major gripe with this mouse pad is the lack of color options. Yes, the RGB is customizable, but the picture is not. Some of you may prefer this background, but an option in black would be nice as well. That being said, for $18.99 and sometimes even less, it’s hard to complain.
Corsair MM700 RGB
The Corsair MM700 is by far our favorite option. This mouse pad has all of the features that the others in this article have and then some. Not only does it look amazing, but it also has compatibility and software for any situation. There are multiple size variations with equally beautiful finishes and features.
Specs:
Dimensions – 36.6in x 15.8in x 0.157in
Material – Anti Skid rubber base / glide-enhanced woven textile surface
For starters, lets look at the material used here. It may not be light years ahead of the competition, but it’s up there with the best. This woven cloth has a texture that’s noticeable right out of the box. Whether you prefer to play precision, speed, or just have a nice setup for your office, you will feel the comfort. Because this is a thick 4mm pad, you will likely not experience any edge curling.
The RGB on this unit can be controlled using the iCUE software. This is the same software used for controlling and synchronizing other Corsair RGB peripherals. Much like the Razer and SteelSeries options we covered, you can synchronize all Corsair products in iCUE.
One of the features not seen on most of these RGB mouse pads is the additional USB connections. The MM700 is connected using a reversible USB type-C connector and has two additional USB type-A connections. These can come in handy for any dongles, flash drives or keyboard connections you may need.
What don’t we like?
One thing we do feel was a miss on this mouse pad is that it doesn’t come equipped with a Qi charger built in. When searching for this type of mouse pad we are looking for the complete solution. Most phones come equipped with Qi charging capability. It would be a great addition to include a section of the mouse mat that allows for this.
The MM700 is available in multiple form factors from corsair including the MM1000, MM800 and the MM800 cloth edition. The MM700 is priced at $44.99 currently. This is a deal in comparison to the other premium models available, but tell us what you think down below.
Have you used an RGB mouse pad before? What were the features you felt were best? We want to hear from you in the comments section.