I’ve been using Magic Mouse with my MacBook Pro for five years, and I tried a number of mousepads and found that some work better than others. The experience drove me to take a closer look at which ones actually work best with Magic Mouse.
The YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad gets my top pick because of its durable PU leather, large size, and multiple color options. Technically, the YSAGi mat isn’t a mouse pad. It’s large enough to accommodate your MacBook, keyboard, and mouse all in one place. Perfect for creative people (programmers, designers, writers, etc.) who use the Magic Mouse at home or office!
There are also several other great options out there in the market, I’ll break down their features and show you the pros and cons.
Contents
Do You Really Need a Mouse Pad for Magic Mouse?
The answer is: no. However, I highly recommend using one because of the following reasons.
- It helps glide your Magic Mouse around with ease.
- It protects your mouse from dirt, scratches, and more.
- It simply makes you feel better.
Before using a dedicated mousepad, I’ve tried my Magic Mouse on a wooden table (in Starbucks), on books and paper (sounds kind of weird?!), and on some other surfaces. Each of them has its own issues, e.g. not being able to glide smoothly, extra noise, and sound due to friction…I’m sure you can resonate with me on this.
A mouse pad, for me, is a must-have gear in my work productivity system! My advice for you is: since you’ve invested in a Magic Mouse that’s not cheap, don’t save a few bucks on a mouse pad.
That said, you don’t need to buy a mouse pad if you have the time and resources to make one by yourself. Here’s a video tutorial on how to make a simple mouse pad:
Not sure if it works with Magic Mouse though, it looks pretty cool.
My Top Picks of Mouse Pad for Magic Mouse
This section reviews a few top mousepads for Magic Mouse, along with the pros and cons that I think you should know about.
1. Best Overall: YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad
- Key Features: dual side usage, easy to clean, 14 colors available
- Material: Faux Leather
- Size: 4 sizes available (23.6″ x 13.7″ to 47.2″ x 23.6″)
- Shape: Rectangular
Designed with multifunctional usage, the YSAGi Desk Pad provides a great overall experience for every computer user. It’s a versatile mousepad thanks to its dual-side faux leather which is waterproof, oil-proof, and easy to clean.
Another feature I like about this mousepad is the large size, which ranges from 23.6″ x 13.7″ (59.9 x 34.8 cm) to 47.2″ x 23.6″ (119.9 x 59.9 cm). It’s more like a mini “desk workspace” that allows you to write, type, or use a mouse without feeling crowded.
That said, it is not perfect. Some users reported that the edge would wrap upwards a bit after some time. And it’s not that convenient to pack into your backpack if you use the Magic Mouse on the go.
Bottom line: it’s a great mouse pad for those who use a Magic Mouse in your office or home studio. You’d appreciate the ample space and flexibility this pad has to offer.
2. Runner-up: Aothia Leather Desk Pad
- Key Features: non-slip design for back side, liquid-proof, 15 colors available
- Material: Faux Leather
- Size: 3 sizes available (23.6″ x 13.7″ to 36″ x 17″)
- Shape: Rectangular
If you are looking for a large desk pad that is similar to YSAGi, this option from Aothia is for you. It has non-slip design for the back side, which means you can move your Magic Mouse freely without worrying about the pad also moves around.
The liquid-proof material is another feature that you’d appreciate. It’s resistant to spilled water, drinks, and even ink. You can quickly clean the pad by wiping it with a piece of wet cloth or tissue.
The only downside of this pad is that the area near your wrist could curl a bit after using it for some time. When this happens, you can rotate the pad and use the other side instead. Overall, it’s another great choice for home or office use.
3. Best for Precision: 3M Precise Mouse Pad
- Key Features: precise surface, battery-saving design, non-skid backing
- Material: Foam
- Size: 9″ x 8″
- Shape: Square
If you’re looking for a surface that allows accurate movements for your Magic Mouse at fast speed, the 3M is probably the best one out there. It has a proper surface that offers enhanced precision for your Magic Mouse to avoid skipping errors or signal loss.
Another feature that stands out is the battery-saving design, which can extend the battery life of a wireless mouse by up to 50%, as claimed by 3M based on its lab testing. This is achieved by drawing less current thus reducing battery consumption.
It also has a non-skid backing texture that can keep the mouse pad in place, so you don’t have to worry about the pad moving around as you move your mouse.
If there is a drawback to this pad, it’s the lack of cushioning for your palm. Some people who work on glass desk surfaces found it not gripping to the surface that much.
4. Best Versatile Option: Vaydeer Hard Silver Metal Aluminum Mouse Pad
- Key Features: Dual-side use, noise-canceling stickers, can be used on a soft surface
- Material: Aluminum alloy & PU leather
- Size: 3 sizes available (9.05” x 7.08” to 11.81” x 9.45”)
- Shape: Square
None of the above pads are as versatile as this one from Vaydeer. This pad has an aluminum alloy surface and anti-slip PU leather on the other side.
The dual-side can be widely used in many scenarios based on your preferences. The stiffness allows you to use your Magic Mouse on soft surfaces such as a sofa, bed, and carpet.
Besides, the pad has noise-canceling stickers that can be applied to the bottom of your mouse, which can reduce some noise between the aluminum surface and your mouse.
On the downside, it is not coated with a metallic surface. And its size is relatively smaller compared to that of other options listed in this article.
5. Most Stylish Option: French KOKO
- Key Features: 14 patterns available, comes with a cute gift bag, machine washable
- Material: Rubber
- Size: 30.7” x 14.9”
- Shape: rectangular
Available in 14 patterns, the French KOKO is the most stylish mouse pad that allows you to add some personality to your workspace (whether you work in an office or a home studio). It also comes with a gift bag that offers convenience and extra storage.
Similar to the top options on this list, this mouse pad also has a large size (30″ x 15”). That means you can place your Magic Mouse, keyboard, phone, food, etc. all in one place. The pad is also machine washable and you can hang it to try.
Speaking of cons, it’s a bit thinner than other pads and this means that it’s easier to wrinkle up. But it’s not much of an issue that you should worry about.
FAQs
What type of mouse pad is best for Magic Mouse?
Well, there’s no absolute answer. It all comes down to personal preferences. You can choose a desk-mat size for office and home use while a small square one is perfect when you are always on the go.
Are all mouse pads the same?
They all serve the same purpose, but they are probably not the same in terms of fuction and feels. For example, you will have very different touch feelings on rubber surface from metal, and the mouse gliding experiences are different as well.
Can I use paper as mouse pad?
Magic Mouse may not work well on regular print paper. But you can try to use it on some glossy paper such as laser printer paper and those for printing photographs.
Are you supposed to use mouse pad with Magic Mouse?
It’s up to you to decide whether to use a mouse pad. Some surfaces are Magic Mouse friendly and you can use it directly on those surfaces.
Does Magic Mouse work on all surfaces?
It can work on most surfaces but doesn’t work well on all of them. A glossy surface or a non-sticky/non-wood office desk surface would be perfect.
Final Verdict
You’ve got a Magic Mouse, why cheap out on a mouse pad? There are many good options in the market, I found YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad works the best. It’s made of faux leather, has multiple size and color choices. And it’s waterproof, easy to clean and gives you an aesthetic look.
Any other mouse pads that you tried? What’s your experience with using a mousepad, hate or like it? Leave a comment below, I’d love to read your stories.
GUI-guy
Price is an essential piece of information for most of us, thank you.