The material from which the upper part of the pad is made, in direct contact with the mouse. Ease of sliding, accuracy and convenience depend on its properties.
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Plastic. Plastic mats are on the market in many varieties — from the simplest inexpensive models to advanced gaming solutions. In fact, the quality of work and the durability of the plastic coating directly depends on the price category of the product. Of the common features of this material, ease of cleaning can be noted — it is enough to wipe the contaminated rug.
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Fabric. Fabric surfaces have a texture, which is easily "cling" to the optical or laser sensor of the mouse, which has a positive effect on the accuracy of work. In addition, such mats are soft, do not rub your hand even during prolonged use, and the “legs” of mice do not wear off on them as quickly as on plastic or aluminium (the latter is especially appreciated by enthusiast gamers who actively use expensive gaming mice). Of their disadvantages, it is worth mentioning the higher cost than plastic, as well as the difficulty in cleaning — washing may be required to remove dirt. In addition, inexpensive types of fabric wear out and fray quite quickly.
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Cork. Cork provides good accuracy, and is also appreciated among lovers of natural materials. At the same time, these mousepads can be quite rough, which slows down th
...e movement of the mouse and can even lead to blisters during prolonged use. Yes, and the cork is much more difficult to clean than plastic (although easier than fabric).
— Rubber. This category includes both classic rubber and leather-like materials and finishes — the practical features of these varieties are the same. In general, rubber mats are similar to fabric mats — they are soft and contribute to precision. The advantages of this material also include ease of cleaning. On the other hand, rubber is not so pleasant to the touch. For this and some other reasons, this option is not particularly popular.
— Aluminium. Aluminium is predominantly used in high-end gaming mats (see "Type"), although it can also be found in general-purpose models. This material is characterized by high strength with low weight, provides good accuracy (for this, a special texture is applied to the surface), in addition, it creates the impression of solidity and solidity both in appearance and to the touch. The main disadvantage of aluminium is its high cost.
— Silicone. Soft and elastic material, on which mice slide well at the same time; in a simplistic way, it can be described as a cross between rubber and plastic. Suitable for both universal and play mats, including quite advanced, but for a number of reasons it is used relatively rarely.In this case, rugs are classified as
moisture -proof, which not only can tolerate moisture without any special consequences, but also quickly return to working condition. For example, a plastic or aluminium product can be simply wiped off; but the fabric is considered waterproof only if it has a high density and/or a special impregnation that prevents it from getting wet.
It is also worth noting that for many formally “waterproof” models, intense exposure to moisture is still undesirable: for example, an inexpensive plastic mat that is not wiped off in time can delaminate. And at the same time, on the contrary: many fabric models that are not moisture resistant can be washed and even washed without consequences (they will only dry for quite a long time).
