Gaming mouse pads aren’t just designed to offer a little aesthetic pop to your gaming desk, they also improve your gameplay. Most gaming mouse mats are larger than the traditional desktop mouse pad because, for many PC games, an extended mouse pad is a crucial component in smooth and efficient gameplay. This is because you need to move quickly and freely with your gaming mouse.

If you are dedicated to being unencumbered in your movements, choose a large gaming mouse pad and a wireless gaming mouse. Some players, however, find that the consistently fast and assured connection of a wired gaming mouse is worth a tiny amount of physical inconvenience. In either case, a gaming mouse pad will serve you well.

When deciding where to place your gaming keyboard, mouse and mousepad, set yourself up for comfort by having these accessories at the same height as your hand when you bend your elbow about 90 degrees. If you go too high or too low, you might find yourself straining while moving and will potentially have to look into items that can help ease your back pain.

Choosing the best mouse pad for gaming is mostly about selecting the right size for the gaming setup you have. If you want to free up plenty of desk space for your gaming mouse mat, consider attaching your gaming monitor to a monitor mount so that it doesn’t have to sit on the desk. Doing so can also help you ensure that your monitor is at eye level, which will help you maintain good posture while sitting in your gaming chair.

If you need total freedom, you can also invest in a gaming desk with a mousepad surface so that there are almost no limitations with your movement. And if you are particularly concerned about posture and long-term comfort, look into tips for choosing an ergonomic mouse and keyboard setup.

An extended gaming mousepad makes a great gift for gamers who are building a new PC gaming center. Other good gift ideas for gamers in your life include a gaming headset, quality computer gaming speakers and a computer battery backup system. This way, they can experience immersive audio without having to worry about their gaming desktops or gaming laptops suddenly losing power during intense gaming sessions.