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The best gaming mouse pad can help protect your desk, and your mouse. While most mice will function just fine without a mouse pad, you have to ask yourself whether “just fine” is really enough for your immersive single-player adventures and competitive multiplayer matches. (You also have to ask yourself how many grooves you’re willing to wear into your presumably expensive and pretty computer desk.)

Luckily, finding the best gaming mouse pad for your setup is a pretty simple process. You simply need to ask yourself a few questions: “How big of a mouse pad do I want?” “How much do I want to spend?” “Would I like a hard or soft surface?” “Do I need any extra bells and whistles?” Once you determine those things, picking the best mouse pad just about takes care of itself. Compared to picking the rest of your PC accessories, it’s downright simple.

Tom’s Guide has compiled a list of the best gaming mouse pads based on our own hands-on experience, as well as user reviews on popular sites. Pick up one of these accessories, and you can expect both your mouse and your desk to remain pristine for a long time to come.

What is the best gaming mouse pad?

While the best gaming mouse pad varies depending on your preferences, my personal philosophy has always been to keep things as simple as possible. That’s why the Logitech G240 is my go-to accessory. This soft cloth mouse pad is large enough for most play styles, small enough for most computer desks, and it’s durable enough to last for years. Yes, you could buy a similar mouse pad from a cheaper manufacturer, but don’t be surprised when it starts unraveling after a month or two.

If price is a big issue, however, it’s hard to find a cheaper mouse pad than the Razer Sphex V2. This colorful, ultra-thin mouse pad costs less than $10, and sticks to any surface without leaving residue. It’s small, so it works best with high-DPI mice. But it also won’t wear out quickly, so you can play with as much force as you need.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the Corsair MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad. While I don’t think most folks will want a gaming mouse pad that costs as much as a premium gaming mouse, if you can spare the money, it’s a pretty impressive piece of tech. This mouse pad charges certain Corsair mice as you play, as well as any other Qi-enabled tech you own. Even if you don’t have Qi wireless charging gear, the mouse pad includes charging adapters to let you juice up almost any piece of tech.