Whether you use a computer all the time or just for work, having a decent quality mouse pad is important. The trouble lies with finding a suitable mouse pad that’s sustainable and long-lasting.
You might be wondering, how long do mouse pads last and how to get a good one? Well, if that’s the case, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, I’m going to discuss the importance of mouse pads in the computer setup, how long they typically last for, how you can find a good quality mouse pad, and other useful information.
So, without wasting any time at all, let’s get started with this guide.
Table of Contents
Do You Need a Mouse Pad for Your Computer Setup?
Back in the olden days, mouse pads proved to be an absolute necessity given the use of tracking ball technology. The mouse pads provided the right kind of grip to the ball so the mouse could be tracked right and perform smoothly.
But nowadays, computer mice have come such a long way that they can track on all kinds of surfaces whether it’s wood, glass, metal, or other surfaces.
That being said, there doesn’t seem to be an apparent need for a mouse pad, especially, with the technological innovations of modern, high-quality mice.
That doesn’t mean that mouse pads are totally obsolete and unnecessary.
Average-quality computer mice, mainly used by casual computer users, do not have the ability to track on all kinds of surfaces. For such computer mice, you’re surely going to need a good mouse pad in order to use the mouse smoothly.
Another reason for using a mouse pad nowadays is that they really tie in your whole computer setup. Especially new mouse pads that have unique designs and extra details, they improve the overall visual appeal of your computer setup.
The truth is, although mouse pads aren’t a necessity anymore, they’re still very important for a complete computer setup. Meaning, investing in a mouse pad would be a great benefit to you and to the overall design of your computer setup.
How Long Do Mouse Pads Last on Average?
On average, mouse pads last several years before they need to be replaced by new ones. However, the time a mouse pad can last usually depends upon how good the quality of the mouse pad is and the kind of mouse pad you’re using as well.
It also depends a bit on the material but typically the material is considered when talking about the quality of the mouse pad. So, let’s take a look at the average lifespan of mouse pads depending upon their quality.
How Long do Cheap Quality Mouse Pads Last?
Mouse pads that are made of low-quality plastic tend to be a bit cheaper than those made of higher-quality materials.
These mouse pads come for a really affordable price and are the most basic pads in terms of design, features, and everything else.
Given the cheap and short-lived materials, these types of mouse pads form the lower base of mouse pad quality.
Cheap quality pads tend to last around 6 months to 1 year before they get to the stages of wear and tear, leading to frequent replacements. As long as you carefully care for these kinds of mouse pads, it can last you up to one year without having to buy a new one.
That, of course, leads to a big disadvantage of cheaper mouse pads. If they aren’t maintained properly, it’s possible they might not last a full year, leading to frequent replacements and more spending overall.
In fact, rough usage can cause the mouse pads to lose their shape very quickly to the point that replacement is needed after a few months of use. So, only go for these mouse pads if you have a very non-flexible small budget.
How Long do Medium Quality Mouse Pads Last?
When it comes to medium-quality mouse pads, they can sometimes be made with higher-quality plastic and rubber materials. They’re priced on a medium scale and are a bit more advanced in terms of thickness, design, inclusions, features, and everything else.
If we talk about the lifespan of medium-quality mouse pads, we can safely say that they last around 2-3 years if kept well. Keeping well, in this case, would mean making sure they’re clean, refraining from rough usage, and, overall, consistently maintaining the mouse pads throughout the years.
But, in the instance that the mouse pads aren’t well maintained and cared for, it’s predicted to last relatively around a year to two years. Similar to cheaper mouse pads, maintenance is a key factor in how long mouse pads last. However, they’re generally a better choice than cheap mouse pads because of their longevity and better value overall.
How Long do High Quality Mouse Pads Last?
Finally, we’ve got high-quality mouse pads. The materials used in making high-quality mouse pads are many. It can be rubber, high-quality plastic, glass, metal, and even wood in some custom mouse pad cases. Overall, they’re the best in terms of features, specs, and designs.
The average span that a high-quality mouse pad lasts is around 5 years. But, with proper care and treatment, you can make sure your mouse pad lasts as long as a decade or even more before you have to replace it with a new one. The price of high-quality mouse pads is in most cases pretty high.
If you’ve noticed one thing, care and maintenance matter a lot in preserving and elongating the lifespan of your mouse pad. So, no matter which quality of mouse pads you go for, make sure you keep it well-maintained in order to get the maximum benefits out of your mouse pad.
5 Considerations Before You Buy a Good Mouse Pad
Thinking about buying a good-quality mouse pad to complete your computer setup? It is important that you keep certain things in your mind when you’re doing so. Let’s take a look at the five most important considerations you need to take before you decide to buy a mouse pad.
1. Mouse Pad Size
The first and foremost thing when you’re looking for a mouse pad is the size. There are multiple mouse pad sizes available in the market. You can choose between small, medium, large, and even extended, which is big enough to cover the entire computer desk.
All these sizes are useful to people depending upon their requirement and their usage. So, make sure you know what you want before you decide on a mouse pad size.
2. Thickness of the Mouse Pad
Another very important factor you need to take into account is the thickness of the mouse pad. The thickness of the mouse pad will determine how good the overall experience of using the mouse pad will be and also how much weight it carries. Make sure that you get a mouse pad that is just the right amount of thickness: not too thick or too thin.
3. Mouse Pad Design
This consideration is important for people who like to keep their computer setups visually appealing. Good designs on mouse pads can actually brighten and enhance your overall computer setup aesthetic.
That’s why you need to make sure that the mouse pad you’re getting comes with a good design and also that the design you’re getting combines with all the other components. This consideration is highly subjective, depending on personal taste. Although it might not be the most important factor in terms of mouse pad efficiency, it brings an extra layer to your entire computer setup.
4. Ergonomics of the Mouse Pad
Ergonomics is a consideration you absolutely need to take no matter what kind of computer peripheral or accessory you’re getting because you’ll be engaging with it quite a lot throughout its use.
When it comes to mouse pads, ergonomics simply refers to how soft and comfortable a mouse pad is and how good the texture and material is. So, keep this in mind when you’re getting a mouse pad for your computer setup. It will enhance your overall experience with the mouse pad.
5. Extra Inclusions in the Mouse Pad
Mouse pads in the start were designed just to offer support to mouse tracking. Now, they’ve evolved to be a lot more than that. That’s why mouse pads nowadays are bought for more than just tracking.
Newer mouse pads have excessive features and inclusions that were never even imagined to be in them. An apt example of this is the inclusion of RGB lighting in mouse pads. Many newer mouse pads have a neat feature where they can be plugged in, allowing RGB lighting to shine through. This adds onto the visual appeal of both the mouse pad and your computer setup.
Conclusion
Good quality mouse pads can last you quite a long time before you have to replace them with a new one. As long as you follow the aforementioned considerations before you buy a mouse pad, you’ll be a happy computer user.
That being said, your computer usage experience will become significantly improve and become smoother with a good mouse pad. I hope you learned a lot from this article and that it helped with your search for quality mouse pads. May you have a great day ahead of you!