7 Best Desk Pads for a Next-Level WFH Setup

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A clean workspace can lead to better focus and productivity, and everything from cable management boxes to desk organizers can help keep things tidy. Desk pads are another simple way to level up your workspace by providing a space for your keyboard and mouse. These mats can also protect your desk while elevating the aesthetics of your workspace.

With a variety of options to choose from, desk pads bring new materials and textures such as clear vinyl, felt, and genuine leather to your workspace, instantly making it a more inviting and stylish space. We spent more than a week researching top-rated products from the best accessory makers to find a great desktop pad for every taste and budget.

The Best Desk Pads

What to Consider

Every desk space reflects the style and personality of its user, and the desk pad you choose should seamlessly fit with your setup. That means finding the right size, design, and features that make sense for you. Once you know what to look for in a good desktop mat, you can choose the best one for your workspace by shopping from our top picks. We selected a variety of products, ranging from a dependable linoleum pad by Grovemade to a cozy felt pad from Oakywood, all the way to a luxe leather option from Nomad.

Material

Before picking a desk pad, the first thing to consider is its surface material and its ability to withstand accidental spills. Yes, linoleum, synthetic leather, and vinyl are much easier to maintain — but they're also nowhere near as cool and luxurious as genuine leather or felt. If you decide to opt for one of the last two, consider using coasters for your hot and cold beverages since they can be easily damaged and tough to clean.

Most desk mats can also double as a dependable mouse pad — however, felt desktop pads might impact the performance of some wired and wireless mice. Also, if you are an avid gamer who's obsessed with speed and precision, consider an oversized high-performance mouse mat by a top-tier brand like Razer.

Size

Desk pads come in various sizes, and the one you choose depends on factors like the size of your desk and the layout of your space. Your desk pad should accommodate what you plan to place on top, whether that’s a keyboard and mouse, wireless charger, or a notepad. Some people like an oversized desk pad because it can be more comfortable than the hard surface of a desk.

That said, you don’t want to pick a desk pad that’s too big because it can take up too much room and dominate your desk, potentially introducing more problems than it solves. We recommend placing painter’s tape on your desk to see what size works best for you.

Design

Like an area rug in your living room, a desk mat helps tie your workspace together. When considering a desk mat’s design, ensure the color, material, and shape suit your taste. While most desk pads are rectangular, some feature rounded edges, and others have sharp corners. Aspects such as color come down to personal preference, but remember that darker shades will better hide dirt and stains that may accumulate.

Extra Features

Most desk pads are a slab of nice material and nothing more. But some options go the extra mile by adding features such as an anti-slip bottom, cable management, and RGB lighting. These features help elevate an ordinary desk pad into something more useful beyond a place to put your mouse, keyboard, and laptop. While extra features aren’t necessary for a good desk pad, they’re worth considering because they can further elevate your setup.

How We Selected

We both have experience working remotely for the past 5 years, carefully designing office spaces where we feel comfortable and productive. In addition to a desk, monitor, and accessories, a desk mat has been an essential part of each of our setups. To select the best desk pads, we relied on experience using various models in our spaces, carefully paying attention to size, material, and design. We also spent hours researching the most popular options and reading reviews by users and critics, including past coverage from Best Products.

Matte Desk Pad

Grovemade makes some of the nicest office gear, and its matte desk pad is no different. It’s our top pick because it is elegant, nicely crafted, easy to maintain, and reasonably priced. It features a natural linoleum surface that’s durable and resistant to fingerprints, and a cork foot with excellent cushioning and tactility.

Available in five sizes — from small to extra-large — the desk pad gives you flexibility to choose what works with your space. The large model, for example, can fit a laptop stand, mouse, and keyboard with room to spare.

You can choose from 10 colors, including black, navy, and light green, making it easy to find one that reflects your personality. Grovemade also offers a more luxurious desk pad with a genuine leather surface.

More: 100 Tech Gadgets We Vouch For

Large Leather Desk Mat

Consider this desk mat if you want to tidy up your workspace on a tight budget. For less than $15, the generously sized accessory (which measures 31.5x15.7 inches) is made from faux leather that’s durable and resistant to splashes and spills. It also features a nonslip rubber base, so the desk mat will stay in place throughout the day.

GLOWWORM offers the desk mat in several colors and sizes all the way up to 63 x 23 inches, making it easy to find one that fits your space. Our only gripe is the large logo on the front, which isn’t subtle, but it’s still tough to beat at this price.

Leather Desk Mat

This Nordik by Design desk pad caught our attention by offering a colorful design, a clever cable management tab, and a premium build with a lifetime warranty, all at a reasonable price point that’s just a tad above $20.

At 35x17 inches, the desk mat is a comfortable size that’s not too big or small, so you fit your devices and accessories without issue. The product is made from waterproof vegan leather in black, brown, blue, gray, beige, or orange. Its bottom, on the other hand, has a faux-suede finish to prevent it from slipping.

Desk Mat

Made of hydrophobic Heinen leather and featuring felt backing, the Nomad Desk Mat is as luxurious as it gets. The leather is soft and comfortable, and the extra-wide design (33 inches) can accommodate several accessories, from a mouse and keyboard to a trackpad and a large notebook. We used the Desk Mat for a few days and loved the extra space for our arms.

On the back, the Desk Mat features silicone grips to prevent it from sliding around your desk. Unlike other leather options, this one features a smooth surface, allowing your mouse to glide effortlessly with just the right amount of friction. Nomad’s leather products are known for aging beautifully, and we can’t wait to see how its Desk Mat patinas over time. The only downside is the Desk Mat is only available in one size, although you can choose between two colors.

Vegan Leather Desk Mat

The Orbitkey Desk Mat is a more thoughtful option that’s comfortable, durable, and keeps your space organized. The vegan leather is soft and provides the right friction for precision mousing. At the top, there’s a track with a magnetic clip to prevent your charging cable from falling off the table, and it also allows you to keep the cable in the most convenient spot.

The Orbitkey Desk Mat takes it further with a “document hideaway.” You can lift the top layer to reveal a place to store loose papers and notes, preventing them from piling up around you. The mat is available in three sizes (slim, medium, and large) and two colors (black and stone), giving you multiple options depending on the size of your space.

Twelve South DeskPad | Sustainable Leather Extended Mouse Mat, Spill-Resistant, Mouse Traction Surface, Optimal Size for Display Use, Grey

The Twelve South DeskPad is as minimal as it gets, yet it’s still an elegant option with plenty of high-end details. The DeskPad is made of soft vegan leather and features a comfortable textured surface that provides the perfect amount of friction for precision mousing.

At 29.37 inches wide, the DeskPad gives you enough room to fit a standard keyboard, mouse, and trackpad with space to spare for other accessories.

We had the opportunity to use the Dove Grey color, which is tailor made for Apple’s silver Mac products and accessories. There’s also a black version if you prefer a stealthier look.

The DeskPad is clean, simple, and features small details that elevate it above the typical desk mat, especially if you’re looking for one with a minimal design.

Goliathus Extended Chroma Gaming Mousepad

Avid gamers should seriously consider sprucing up their desktop with this oversized gaming mouse mat by Razer. As its name suggests, the Goliathus Chroma sets itself apart from all other options on this list by rocking the gaming giant’s signature, infinitely customizable lighting that can sync with popular games, Razer hardware Philips Hue bulbs, and more.

The Goliathus is made from a micro-textured cloth surface, which Razer claims provides users with more tactile feedback and precision in fast-paced games. Plus, it has a nonslip rubber base, ensuring the extra-large mat stays in place during intense gaming sessions.

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