Let’s talk about hard vs soft mousepad. Recently, the use of hard mousepads has become prevalent. Once upon a time, people would only use soft mousepads made of special clothes or fabrics. However, with the introduction of the laser sensor on mice, many mice now work without any mousepad. In fact, you can use your mouse on any hard and smooth surface.
With this, a new type of mousepad was born. These are hard mousepads made of metal or hard plastic, not fabric. We must admit, the soft mousepad is still dominating the market.
However, people want to know which one is the better option, between the hard and the soft mousepad. We will be trying to answer this question in this post.
So without further ado, let’s dive right in…
Comparison between Hard VS Soft Mousepad
There are a few factors we can consider while comparing hard vs soft mousepad. In this section, we will go through it one by one. So, let’s get to it…
Material
The main difference between hard and soft mousepads is the way they were made. Normally, the hard mousepad is made of metal, glass, or smooth plastic. As a result, the surface area where you will put your mouse will be a firm and solid surface.
On the contrary, a soft mousepad is made of soft fabric or a special type of cloth. As a result, the surface of the mousepad would be softer to the touch. Hence the name of this type of mousepad is soft mousepad.
Some users love the softness of the soft mousepad. At the same time, some love the smoothness of the hard mousepad.
Sizes
It is undeniable that the demand for soft mousepads is more than the hard mousepad. As a result, there are more varieties of soft mousepads than hard mousepads. Almost all soft mousepads from a renowned brand will be available in 3 or more sizes.
In addition, some soft mousepads are so big that they can cover your entire desk. Some call them desk mats rather than mousepads.
This mousepad is getting popular as it can be used to put both the keyboard and the mouse together on the mousepad. Also, if you need to pull some broad moves using your mouse, a large mousepad would come in handy. Now, unfortunately, hard mousepads are not available in a lot of different sizes.
As a matter of fact, it is very hard to find a desk mat size hard mousepad. So if you are looking for a large mousepad, then your best bet would be to go with a hard mousepad. But if the size is not an issue for you, you can obviously go with a hard mousepad.
Design
Soft mousepads come in various designs, shapes, and sizes. You can even order a custom-designed mousepad if you want to. However, in the case of a hard mousepad, they are stale when it comes to the design and outlook.
So, if you are looking for a multi-colored, multi-pattern mousepad, you can go with the soft mousepad. But if you are not for the looks, a hard mouse could be your option.
Comfort
If you are using a PC, then it is a must that you will be using the mouse and mousepad. And when you are gaming for a long session, your mousepad’s comfort-ness would be a major concern. It goes without saying that soft mousepads are more comfortable compared to hard mousepads.
On the other hand, hard mousepads are not that comfortable. You know they are stiff and very smooth. Also, if it is made of metal, it would feel cold to touch. This could be an issue in the winter. Similarly, a soft mousepad might feel sluggish to the touch due to humidity.
Portability
When it comes to portability, the soft mousepad win over the hard mousepad. Because most good quality soft mousepads are made with flexible fabric. As a result, you can roll them up and take them with you wherever you go easily.
On the flip side, a hard mousepad cannot be rolled up. So, you will have to take it separately or need to use a special bag for carrying it around.
Cleaning
The hard mousepad doesn’t have any texture on the surface. They tend to be silky smooth most of the time. Due to that, cleaning a hard mousepad would be very easy. You can clean them using a wet lint-free cloth. You can also use surface cleaner or glass cleaner to make it more perfect.
On the other side, soft mousepads are made of fabric. So they have various textures, patterns, and pores on the surface. So, dirt and dust can easily get stuck or build up in a soft mousepad. This is not possible in a hard mousepad with a smoother surface area.
Also, it is not easy to clean a soft mousepad with a wet cloth properly. Residue from the dirt will be left. However, there are some water-resistant soft mousepads available. You can wash them to clean them properly without any problem. So those could be a good alternative as well. But they tend to be a bit expensive than a normal soft mousepad.
Control, Friction, and Accuracy
The most important factor in choosing between a soft and a hard mousepad would be the user experience. Due to the smoother surface, you can pull sweeping movements faster and easier on a hard mousepad. However, it is a bit difficult to control the movements or to stop all of a sudden. Because of the flat surface, there will be very little friction between the mouse and the mousepad if you are using a hard mousepad.
On the contrary, there will be a lot more friction when you are using a soft mousepad. Because of that, sweeping movements would be a bit harder to make. But it will be easier to stop the mouse movement. In short, moving the mouse would be hard, but controlling the movement would be easy.
In reality, there is not much difference between these two types of mousepads. However, many users claim that a hard mousepad offers better accuracy. Then again, the mouse is harder to control on a hard surface.
Harsh On Mouse?
Many people will tell you that a hard mousepad will wear out the feet of your mouse. This is possible. But in that case, you will have to use the mouse for a long time and very frequently. As a matter of fact, if you are using a low-quality mouse with a soft mousepad, it could wear out your mouse as well.
But if you have got a good mouse and good mousepad (whether it is a hard or soft mousepad), your mouse should go for a couple of years without any issue.
Which Is Better: Hard or Soft Mousepad
You have read the discussion above. Now, it is your turn to pick the winner. So which option is better between hard and soft mousepad? We think the answer actually depends on personal preference.
Basically, you will find a soft mousepad almost everywhere. And, your desk can be used as an alternative to a hard mouse if the surfaces smooth and if your mouse sensor works perfectly in that condition.
Best Soft and Hard Mousepad
In this section, we will talk about a few hard and soft mousepad briefly so that you can choose the best mousepad according to your choice.
Hard Mousepad
- Logitech G440 Hard Gaming Mouse Pad
Logitech is known for offering high-end gaming peripherals worldwide. From them comes the Logitech G440 Hard Gaming Mouse Pad. It is made with multi-layer polymer material. At the bottom, there is a rubber base that keeps the mousepad in place.
If you are using a Logitech mouse, it would be a good hard mousepad because it is ideally compatible with Logitech G mouse sensors. This is perfect for high DPI gaming.
- Razer Acari Ultra-Low Friction Gaming Mouse Mat
Another top brand in gaming peripherals is Razer. You can also go with the Razer Acari Ultra-Low Friction Gaming Mouse Mat. This mousepad comes with a textured and beaded hard surface. So, you will be able to get pixel-perfect accuracy. In addition, it also offers maximum speed and glides.
Soft Mousepad
- SteelSeries QcK
The SteelSeries QcK is a budget-friendly mousepad. It is made with flexible fabric. This one also has a high thread count for precise accuracy. Also, it has a rubber base, so it will not move when you are moving your mouse while gaming.
It is available in various shapes and sizes. Also, there is an RGB version of this mousepad available, which is the SteelSeries QcK Prism.
- Asus ROG Scabbard
If you are looking for a large soft mousepad, then the Asus ROG Scabbard would be a great choice. The size of the mousepad is 35.43 x 17.32 x 0.11 inches. So, you can see that it is a huge mouse pad. It is made with a low-friction woven surface. So, even if it is not a hard mousepad, there will be a lot less friction.
Final Lines
There is no doubt that both these types of mousepads are great. As a result, users are using both soft and hard mousepads all over the world. But when it comes to picking the better option, we have to tell you that it all boils down to personal choice.
Do you want a low-friction surface for increasing response time in-game? Then you can go with a hard mousepad.
However, do you want more control over your mouse movement? Then it would be best if you went with a soft mousepad.
Obviously, there are many other factors to consider here. And we have talked all about the above. So, once you have read the post, you should pick easily between Hard VS Soft Mousepad.
We believe this post about Hard VS Soft Mousepad was useful to you. If so, you can share this with others. And, if you have any further questions, you can drop them in the comment section below!
More Posts for You:
