The Ultimate Guide to Desk Mat Selection

Desk mats are designed to protect your work surface and ensure smooth mouse movements. They come in various sizes and styles, but not all of them are great companions for your office. If you need help narrowing down your choices, here are the five best desk mats to consider, including everything from large, luxurious desk mats to products designed for small, compact workspaces.

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  Nordik

Nordik Cork Leather Desk Mat

Best Overall
See at Amazon

• 
  
  YSAGi

YSAGi Leather Desk Pad Protector

Best Budget
$10 at Amazon

• 
  
  Razer

Razer Gigantus V2

Best for Gaming
$9 at Amazon

• 
  
  Logitech

Logitech Desk Mat Studio Series

Best for Small Desks
$20 at Amazon

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  SteelSeries

SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

Best Mouse Pad
$15 at Amazon

Best Desk Mat Overall: Nordik Cork Leather Desk Mat

Nordik

TheNordik Cork Leather Desk Mat is as premium as it gets. Available in a variety of colors, this desk mat uses a two-texture surface for enhanced usability. The top is synthetic vegan leather, offering your workspace a luxurious look and serving as a water-resistant layer. The back is a soft cork which prevents the mat from slipping around during use and won’t damage your desktop.

Nordik went all out with the finishing touches on this desk mat, including premium features such as stitched edges for durability and a built-in cable organizer. It can get expensive, but it’s hard to beat this great product if you need the best desk mat on the market.

Best Overall

Nordik Cork Leather Desk Mat

Although it’s a bit expensive, the Nordik Cork Leather Desk Mat is built to high standards and is ideal for both working and gaming.

Pros

• Gorgeous design
• Multiple colors
• Highly durable
• Built-in cable organizer

Cons

• Expensive

See at Amazon

Best Budget Desk Mat: YSAGi Leather Desk Pad Protector

YSAGi

You don’t need to spend heaps of money to get a reliable desk mat. TheYSAGi Leather Desk Pad proves just that, with a variety of styles and sizes up for grabs—all of which are stylish, durable, and perfect for all types of users. And while it’s usually incredibly affordable anyway, it frequently goes on sale, making it all the more enticing.

Though its materials aren’t quite as fancy as the premium leather desk mats, the YSAGi mat uses a similar two-layer approach. The top is PU leather that’s waterproof and protects from scratches, while the back is a suede-type material that secures the mat in place during use. Be sure to give it a look if you need something affordable, protective, and highly customizable.

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Best Budget

YSAGi Leather Desk Pad Protector

Although this isn’t the most luxurious desk mat on the market, it’s affordable, reliable, and available in a wide range of colors.

Pros

• Durable PU leather
• Several colors and patterns
• Multiple sizes

Cons

• Limited to a one-year warranty

$10 at Amazon

Best Desk Mat for Gaming: Razer Gigantus V2

Razer

Razer is an icon in the gaming world, so it should be no surprise that it produces the best desk mat for gamers. TheGigantus V2 is perfect for gaming, thanks to multiple available sizes, an anti-slip base, and high-density foam construction. Best of all, it uses a premium textured micro-weave cloth surface for enhanced control over your mouse movements during intense gaming sessions.

Whether you need something for a compact desk or sprawling battle station, you’ll find a Gigantus V2 that fits your setup. And while Razer loves to create gadgets with edgy gamer aesthetics, this desk mat is surprisingly understated. The top is black with a few neon green accents, while the bottom is bright neon green (though you’ll only see the edges once placed on your desk). In other words, both gamers and non-gamers should find something to love about this premium work surface.

Best for Gaming

Razer Gigantus V2

With multiple sizes available, a premium micro-weave surface, and Razer’s usual high standards, the Gigantus V2 is the best desk mat for gamers.

Pros

• Multiple sizes
• Anti-slip base
• Micro-weave surface

Cons

• Limited color options

$9 at Amazon

Best Desk Mat for Small Desks: Logitech Desk Mat Studio Series

Logitech

Although it’s only available in one size, theLogitech Desk Mat Studio Series is ideal for small desks. At around 27 inches x 12 inches, it should fit on most tiny desktops, giving you a premium way to protect your surface and improve your productivity.

Logitech built the desk mat with premium materials, ensuring it won’t fray or slide around during use. It’s also spill-resistant and waterproof. Rounding out its spec sheet is the availability of three different colors: rose, lavender, or grey. So, you should have no problem finding something that matches your home decor.

Best for Small Desks

Logitech Desk Mat Studio Series

Compact workspaces don’t have to settle for a lackluster desk mat. The Logitech Studio Series is just as capable as anything else on this list, yet offers a tiny footprint.

Pros

• Compact footprint
• Anti-fray stitches
• Multiple colors

Cons

• Only one size (27.55 x 11.81 inches)

$20 at Amazon

Best Mouse Pad: SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

SteelSeries

Desk mats are essentially elongated mouse pads, as they’re often built from the same material and offer many of the same perks. But if you’re looking for a true mouse pad, theSteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad is the one to get. Three different sizes are up for grabs, so whether you make sweeping mouse movements or need something small, you should find a QcK Gaming Mouse Pad that fits your needs.

As you’d expect, this mouse pad has a durable, non-slip rubber base, a high thread count for improved mouse performance, and premium materials that won’t easily wear out. It’s only available in black, but if you don’t mind its minimalist design, there’s little else to complain about with this deluxe mouse pad.

Best Mouse Pad

SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

It might be designed for gamers, but the QcK Gaming Mouse Pad’s high thread count makes it a great companion for both online gaming and daily work tasks.

Pros

• Multiple sizes
• Durable micro-weave construction
• Great for gaming and daily use

Cons

• Only available in black

$15 at Amazon

FAQ

Q: What is a desk mat?

A desk mat is a large piece of material (often a soft fabric) that sits on top of a desk. It’s used for a variety of reasons, including protection for the desk, as a surface for a mouse, and as a comfortable place to rest your hands.

Q: What is the difference between a desk mat and mouse pad?

A desk mat is essentially a very large mouse pad. Desk mats are often made from the same material as mouse pads, but they’re large enough to house both a mouse and keyboard, and often other accessories.

Q: Why would I use a desk mat instead of a mouse pad?

If you’re concerned about damaging the surface of your desk, a desk mat is a better option than a mouse pad. They also provide a nice aesthetic to your workspace, pulling everything together in the same way a rug works for a large room.

Q: What is the best material for a desk mat?

There’s really no best material for a desk mat, as it largely comes down to personal preference. However, most users will find cork, felt, polyester, and microfiber to offer a nice combination of performance and style.

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