A mouse pad is not just an accessory to complete your PC setup. It also allows the mouse to move smoothly. Without a mouse pad, the mouse cursor may move jerkily. However, there are cases where a mouse works even better without a mouse pad.
This can lead users to think that the mouse might work smoothly on any surface, even without a mouse pad. While partially true, there are many angles to answer this question.
This article aims to give you facts so you can make an informed decision about whether you need a mouse pad and when to throw it away.
Why do I need a mouse pad?
A mouse pad is usually made of fabric so that the mouse has minimal friction. This reduced friction allows the users to move the mouse freely and smoothly across the mouse pad. This can be especially useful when you need precise mouse movements, such as in gaming, photo manipulation or editing, video editing, etc.
In addition to smooth mouse movements, it also makes your installation look sleek and elegant. Below we have explained a number of reasons why you need a mouse pad.
Smooth mouse movement
Without a mouse pad, the contact surface between the mouse skate and the desk will have a lot of friction. This allows the mouse to make rough movements.
Due to the reduced friction that the mouse pad gives, the mouse movement will feel a lot better. Using a mouse pad also ensures smooth wrist movements, which in turn allows for better physical mouse movements.
If you are a gamer, thanks to this smooth movement, tracking in FPS (First Person Shooter) games also becomes much easier. Editing and manipulating photos and videos that require precise mouse pointer movements also benefit from using a mouse pad.
If you are not sure how a mouse cursor moves with or without a mouse pad, move the mouse slowly over both surfaces. Now check the mouse cursor movements for irregular movements. If your mouse suffers from random movements, we recommend using a mouse pad.
Provides wrist support
When using a mouse, the lower part of the wrist sits on the surface. On a hard surface, this part of your hand may experience discomfort and fatigue from prolonged computer use.
Some mouse pads come with foam that acts as a support for your wrist. It keeps your wrist in a neutral and elevated position. This means that the muscle needs less work to stabilize the wrist, avoiding fatigue and stress in those areas.
However, this only works on mousepads with wrist rest. But a mouse pad without a wrist rest also gives you comfort compared to using a mouse without a mouse pad. While it may not give you the same level of support as a wrist rest mouse pad, you will find that it feels a lot better when using a mouse pad.
Keep the mouse clean
Under each mouse you can see that there is a plastic material. This material is called a mouse skate and is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon. Since this material comes into contact with the surface and has a low coefficient of friction, it is responsible for smooth mouse movement.
The mouse pad prevents scratches on the mouse skates that can damage the Teflon. Mouse skates with a scratched and dusty Teflon increase the friction on your mouse. And using a mouse with damaged mouse skates will feel a lot rough. In addition, the mouse skates can even fall off if you do not use a mouse pad.
Small bumps on the desk can cause the Teflon to fall off during rough mouse movements. Although you can stick the Teflon back on, there is a chance that it will fall off again.
Besides that mouse skates are clean, a mouse pad also helps to keep the lens under the mouse clean. The mouse uses this lens to project light onto the surface. When dust particles adhere to the lens, light may not illuminate the surface efficiently. And since the mouse uses surface lighting to determine mouse movements, the tracking mechanism may fail.
A mouse pad uses a soft cloth and a spongy material that absorbs the dust and keeps the mouse pad clean. This results in both the lens and the skates to prevent dust particles.
Keep the desk clean
Just like protecting the mouse skates with a mouse pad, your desk also needs some protection. As discussed above, the dust particles will stick to the mouse skates if you use your mouse without a mouse pad.
Even when small rough materials such as dust particles get stuck under a mouse, the desk area where the mouse often moves will have a lot of scratches. These scratches are not a problem if you don’t care what the desk looks like. However, we recommend using a mouse pad to avoid scratching the desk.
Lessons Noise from mouse movements
If you are a person who spends a lot on an installation to make it quiet, using a mouse pad is a necessity. Without a mouse pad, you constantly hear a rough sound when you slide the mouse over your desk.
The texture of the mouse pad eliminates all, if not most, of the noise caused by moving the mouse.
When to throw away a mouse pad?
Depending on the type of mouse you use and the table surface, it can be debated whether a mouse pad is right for you. Whether the surface is rough or smooth, most modern mice will track the mouse quite closely as long as the surface is flat.
Therefore, if you feel that you are comfortable using a mouse without a mouse pad, ditching them would be the right choice for you.
When using laser mouse
A laser mouse uses concentrated light to track the surface. In contrast to an optical mouse, the image produced by the mouse is much sharper and it follows the mouse surface precisely down to the last detail.
However, lasers can penetrate surfaces. And when used on a mouse pad it will reflect some light and let some light through. This gives false information to the sensor about mouse movements, which will result in jittery mouse movements.
If you are faced with this problem, try to use the mouse on a smooth reflective surface.
When the mouse feels smooth on a desk
Some desks may be made of material that offers less friction compared to a mouse pad. Using a mouse on these desks will definitely feel a lot better than a mouse pad. If you’re not sure, try comparing the two.
Use a clean mouse pad and control mouse movements. Then clean the desk again and use the mouse. If you notice that the desk feels better, you can throw the mouse pad away.
One thing to consider when using a mouse without a mouse pad is cleaning. Be sure to clean the mouse skates and desk regularly.
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