How Often Should You Change Your Mouse Pad?
A mouse pad can wither away with time and does not offer the same comfort and control they first gave.
So, we need to decide whether cleaning them will work or do we have to replace them with a new one.
It may not even be the mouse pad but the mouse itself that is having issues, so we need to identify the fault before we take action.
Today, we’ll cover all the factors that we must take into consideration before changing our mouse pad.
Signs That Show Our Mouse Pad Needs Replacing
A mouse pad's function is to enhance the accuracy of our movements.
For those of us who are regular gamers, we need our gaming mouse pad to be in its best condition so we can maneuver it with ease.
We can watch this video to learn more about gaming mouse pads.
Top 5 Ultra-Budget Gaming Mouse Pads for FPS
There is no hard and fast rule as to when a mouse pad should be replaced or how often it should be changed.
However, our mouse pad will start showing signs that will tell us that it is time for a replacement.
Here are some key factors that we can look out for while deciding whether we should change our mouse pad:
When Mouse Pad’s Surface Turns Rough
A mouse pad’s surface should be kept smooth, keeping in mind the constant movement of the mouse over it.
A gaming mouse pad is the smoothest option available as it facilitates rapid and continuous movement.
Over time, the mouse pad’s surface can become rough due to continuous usage just like any other product would.
We can identify a rough surface immediately, as if our mouse movements are not as smooth as we desire.
Bumps can also be created on the mouse pad’s surface over time with dirt or any other material coming in contact with the mouse pad.
If we feel the mouse pad’s surface is bumpy, we can clean our gaming mouse pad.
More often than not, after a good clean, a top-quality custom mouse pad will regain most of its smoothness.
However, if the mouse pad still feels rough and bumpy, it's time to change it.
Mouse pads are relatively cheap, and being gamers or regular users who cannot afford faults in the equipment, we should not hesitate to replace the mouse pad.
We can easily find a custom mouse pad that meets our material and design requirements.
When The Mouse Pad Is Damaged
A damaged mouse pad has to be replaced as the effort it takes to fix those damages is not worth it.
If our custom mouse pad is not one of a kind and very expensive, we should just buy a new one that offers us greater efficiency and comfort, resulting in a smooth experience.
Damages like rips, holes, peeled edges, chunks missing, or any other physical damage are enough to tell us that we need to change the mouse pad.
Using a damaged mouse pad can harm the mouse as well. Hence, replacing it is the best thing to do.
Once the top layer of the pad is damaged and the material underneath starts to show, it's time to throw it out and get a new one.
A mouse pad can have small rips and scratches that are usually not visible to the naked eye, but they also hinder the mouse's performance.
But, sometimes there is visible damage on the mouse pad, but the performance and comfort are not affected.
In such cases, we can continue using the same mouse pad until it starts to hinder the movements.
Mouse pads are very inexpensive, and we can easily replace them, so using a damaged one isn’t always the best option.
If The Mouse Pad Size Is Inconvenient
Mouse pads come in a whole heap of sizes and shapes to accommodate different setup sizes.
A gaming mouse pad is different as compared to an everyday-use mouse pad.
The size of the mouse pad depends on the size of the setup and the purpose it's needed for.
Gamers use a large custom mouse pad because gaming needs more elaborate mouse movement, and a smaller mouse pad would not be an efficient choice.
Smaller mouse pads would be more comfortable if we needed to carry them around with us on the go.
Having mouse pads larger or smaller in size can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Cutting large mouse pads to fit the size of our setup would take away the sleek look from the entire desk, let alone the discomfort it would cause while using.
So the best thing to do is to buy one that fits the desk size considering the purpose it's being used for.
We should not hesitate to buy mouse pads in different sizes to try out and see which one feels the most comfortable.
When Deep Cleaning is Ineffective
Those of us who are regular gamers will have to clean our gaming mouse pad daily or after a few weeks if it starts having performance issues.
We can use both fabric mouse pads and hard ones, too, but we need to know that the cleaning processes for both are quite different.
We have to scrub a fabric mouse pad with dishwashing liquid or soap until all the dirt is out and it feels smooth again.
However, we have to clean a hard mouse pad with a microfiber cloth and a screen cleaner.
We don’t have to worry about damaging a hard mouse pad when we clean it, as the process does not involve intense scrubbing.
After a good deep cleaning session, the surface of mouse pads normally regains its soft smoothness, which helps in performance enhancement.
But, we must understand that these cleaning processes might not work all the time, especially if our mouse pads have quite a lot of wear and tear damage.
The easiest way for us to tell if our mouse pads need to be changed is to see if the surface still feels rough and stiff after a good deep cleaning session.
When Mouse Type is Changed
If we decide to change the mouse we are using, we might have to change the type of mouse pad we use to accommodate the new device.
Let’s say we start using a mechanical mouse that uses a hard rubber ball to measure movement.
In this case, the mouse pad we'll need for such a device will have to be larger so that we can move the mouse freely and generate enough friction for it to work smoothly.
For a laser or an optical mouse that uses light to measure movement, a normal-sized mouse pad would ideally be good enough.
We’ll also need to change our mouse pad if we start using a gaming mouse.
A gaming mouse pad usually has a larger surface area where both the keyboard and the mouse can be placed.
It provides improved sensitivity that helps us make accurate and precise mouse movements.
The most commonly used mouse pad is the textured mouse pad, which is available in several sizes.
It is the most affordable mouse pad made of materials such as fabric, rubber, silicone, plastic, and many other options.
A textured mouse pad will be more suitable for us if we’re not too picky when it comes to choosing a mouse.
When Changing Or Upgrading The Setup
Our setups should be aesthetically pleasing alongside being efficient and effective.
Over time, new trends emerge, and we have to adapt and upgrade our setup equipment or change its appearance if we find the trends to be aesthetically pleasing.
We might also change our setup because the current equipment we use no longer meets our requirements.
A custom mouse pad goes a long way in elevating the new look of our setup.
We need to remember that a change in our overall setup is definitely the time to change the mouse pad, too.
The Bottom Line
Mouse pads enhance our performance and make our experience smoother and more efficient by providing much-needed accuracy in the movement.
They are affordable and customizable and elevate the look of our gaming setups by allowing us to personalize them.
A custom mouse pad has always been a priority for most of us, and it should be for all of us who use computers regularly, be it for gaming, recreational, or work-related activities.
Changing our mouse pad is something that most of us often overlook, but we need to know that making the decision is not hard work.
All we have to do is look for a few telltale signs.
We just pick up our mouse pad right now and see if there are damages, rough surfaces, or problems with the size.
We can also give a quick thought to the design and see if we want something better or more personalized.
We have multiple options when it comes to changing a mouse pad; contact us today to find the best one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should We Change A Mouse Pad?
We can change our mouse pads if they are damaged, roughed up or no longer effective, then we should change them.
What To Do If The Mouse Pad Does Not Fit The Desk Size?
We must not try to cut it to fit the size we require; simply replacing the mouse pad with a smaller or larger one is more efficient.
Are There Different Types Of Mouse Pads?
Yes, several types of mouse pads are available nowadays that have their own features and textures and are made using different materials.
