4 reasons to own a glass mouse pad – and 4 reasons not to
Mouse pads made of glass are nothing new. But despite offering advantages compared to fabric mouse pads, they haven’t quite caught on.
Ever since first coming across glass mouse pads in the early noughties, I’ve been dying to try one out. And I finally have! The Razer Atlas took up residence on my desk a few weeks ago. I have to say: it feels incredible. The surface is reminiscent of a premium glass smartphone back – just a lot bigger. I love running my hand over it. The umpteen mice I’ve tried glide over the pad seamlessly. I can’t imagine my desk without it.
Alas, not all that glitters is gold. I’ll probably still switch to a fabric mouse pad from time to time; depending on the game, I prefer a bit more friction. Below are the pros and cons of glass mouse pads.
Pro: they’re extremely accurate
I tested the tracking accuracy of the Atlas compared to one of my fabric mouse pads using the Razer Viper V2 Pro, Asus ROG Harpe Ace and Xtrfy MZ1. The mice were extremely precise in my previous tests. With the Atlas mouse pad, they reach a new level: the MZ1 follows my movements absolutely perfectly. A normal mouse pad will give me deviations of a maximum of 1.5 per cent. So if you need that last bit of precision, a glass mouse pad can give you an edge.
Source: Kevin Hofer
Pro: they’re very stable
If you want to play well consistently, your gear has to be consistent too. A fabric mouse mat will wear out over time, not only through use but also through environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Glass pads keep much longer, and their properties hardly change. Still, the coating can be damaged by improper cleaning, for example if you use aggressive cleaning agents.
Pro: they’re damn fast
I’ve never been able to move my mice as quickly and easily as on the Atlas. It feels like my hand is in a vacuum without friction. The fact that that makes it more difficult to slow down my wrist was only a problem at the beginning. I got used to it after some time. It helps to use an ultra-light mouse, as they’re easier to brake with. Depending on the game, however, you may want more control. In that case, a softer pad made of fabric may be the better solution.
Pro: they’re easy to clean
A coffee stain on a fabric mat is the ultimate disaster. There’s typically no way to get rid of it. With a glass mouse pad, you won’t have that issue. You can wipe away spills with a damp microfibre cloth and you’re good to go. On the flip side, you’ll have to clean it more often – which brings me to the first con.
Con: you feel even the slightest speck of dirt
If you’ve ever had a glass table, you’ll know glass is an absolute dust magnet. Of course, dust also settles on fabric mouse pads, but there it settles into the small pores in the surface. This can’t happen with glass, which is why you can feel every speck of dust when you slide the mouse over it. It collects on the mouse’s sliders, reducing its ability to glide.
Source: Kevin Hofer
Con: they’re cold and will stick to your forearm in hot weather
Glass is cold, so it doesn’t feel great to rest my bare arm on it. And when it’s hot and I’m sweaty, my arm sticks to the surface. I recommend wearing a sweater or, when it’s hot out, an arm sleeve. Of course, an arm sleeve will cost you extra, which leads me to the next drawback.
Con: they’re damn expensive
The hurdle to buying a glass mouse pad is high due to the price. You can find a decent fabric mouse pad for as little as 10 francs/euro. A glass mouse pad, on the other hand? Expect to shell out around 100 francs/euros. If you’re going to splurge like that, it makes sense to give it a long hard think.
Con: they’re a pain to store
You’ll probably typically keep your mouse pad on your desk. But what if you want to temporarily switch to a different one or need to travel with it? Tough luck – a glass mouse pad can’t be rolled up and stowed away to save space. Taking it with you to the next LAN party will be a hassle, and it takes up space at home when not in use.
Although I’ve listed an equal number of pros and cons, the advantages of a glass mouse pad clearly outweigh the disadvantages for me. Even so, it’s a luxury product you should only get if you’re absolutely sold on it.
Header image: Kevin Hofer
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Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
