Mouse pad, or “mousing surface,” is a surface designed for tracking the motion of a computer mouse. Early models were literally “pads,” which had soft surfaces. The slight cushion allowed the mouse ball to roll smoothly in any direction. Modern mouse pads typically have harder surfaces, designed to track the motion of optical mice.

Mouse pads come in many shapes and sizes. Most are rectangular, though are some are circular or oval shaped. While the majority of mouse pads are less than a foot wide or long, graphic artists and designers sometimes use mouse pads that are much larger. These super-sized mousing surfaces allow them to use a slow, precise mouse speed without needing to lift up the mouse very often. Computer gamers also prefer larger mouse pads, because they offer more desktop real estate for making long, fast motions.

Since optical mice track motion by detecting small changes in the surface below the mouse, the mouse pad’s surface affects how accurately the mouse responds to movement. Lighter colored mouse pads typically produce the best results since they reflect the most light. Some highly reflective mouse pads even claim to have “battery saving” capabilities for wireless mice. The improvement in battery life most likely comes from how quickly the mouse enters low-power mode when it stops moving.

If possible, choose a mouse pad with a built-in wrist rest or buy a separate wrist rest if necessary. This small ergonomic addition will relieve a lot of strain on your wrist no matter what mouse pad you use.

Cackle Telecommunications is proud to provide mouse pad to NZ businesses. Explore our selection from different vendors to find the solution that’s right for you.