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What was the last time you took note of the mouse pad on your desk? When thinking about updating your setup, it’s quite likely you’re considering the graphics card or the monitor, and, for comfort, probably purchasing an ergonomic desk chair. Yet there’s a high chance you’ve been using the wrong-size mouse pad for too long, and it’s actually making your work or gaming experience much less optimal than it should be.
If you have a teeny mousepad, you know just how annoying it is when your mouse hits the desk in the middle of an intense remote work or gaming session. You may even have made small hand adjustments to keep the keyboard from sliding off, or, in the worst-case scenario, developed some hefty calluses as your wrists are in constant contact with your desk.
A large desk mat, or an XXL mouse pad, seems like a pointless and showy investment until you consider the full picture. On one side, with just a simple update, you can get a slew of ergonomic benefits. On the other hand, you unlock extra mouse space, level your mouse and keyboard, and ultimately make your setup visually pop.
Why invest in a desk mat?
Although it may seem insignificant, a desk mat is one of the best gadgets to level up your gaming space. Sure, gamers are more familiar with just how much room you need to pull off some intricate pro moves in first-person shooters. Still, remote workers can also heavily benefit from expanding their mouse’s total working surface.
With a mat, you’ll never run into a situation where your mouse slams the desk with full force while in your flow state. Even better, the act of putting it back in the center of a small mouse pad is a thing of the past. More importantly, though, your body will thank you.
For starters, the keyboard and mouse will be level on the desk, which will significantly reduce the overall strain on your limbs and improve your posture. A soft desk mat is much easier on your wrists than a hard desk, so if you’re working long hours, you’ll likely appreciate the extra cushioning. You won’t have to worry about your keyboard sliding off when gaming or typing, either, so you’ll be able to take up a more natural position.
Apart from the life-improving qualities, you can’t deny that a desk mat will simply make your setup look cooler. As a bonus, there are plenty of patterns and colors you can choose from. So, you can drastically overhaul your desk without busting the bank.
Do you actually need a desk mat?
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The big question is whether you even need a big desk mat. You could argue that yes is the most logical answer, considering all the good it brings to the table (no pun intended). Yet, there are a few small drawbacks, price being the primary one. A large desk mat (35 inches x 16 inches) is, on average, more expensive than a smaller or medium-sized pad (8 inches x 8 inches to 12 inches x 10 inches).
If the price isn’t an issue, maybe the lack of portability will be. If you expect to occasionally put the mat in your laptop bag and just change the scenery, then maybe a regular pad will work better. Depending on your setup, you may also find that a mat could be getting in the way of other items on your desk. Considering that you can switch things around, though, this is really more of a first-world problem.
This isn’t to say classic mousepads are completely useless. If it’s working for you and you’re not straining your wrist (or throwing your mouse in frustration), then feel free to stick with the one you’re rocking right now. For those requiring more, though, it doesn’t hurt to retire or repurpose your old mouse pad and finally go for a hefty desk mat.
