Best Desk Pads: Top 5 Desk Mats To Protect and Brighten Up Your Desktop

Your desktop is always under threat from accidental spills, mouse scratches, etc. These can be challenging to remove and can make your home office unsightly.

But a desk pad can make a quick fix for this problem.

The best desk pads protect your desk surface from coffee stains, accidental beverage spills, marks, body oils, potted plants, etc. They also double as mousepads, eliminating the need for a separate mousepad and helping declutter your desk surface.

Below, you’ll discover our list of 5 top, good-quality, good-looking desk mats you can get today for your workspace.

Best Desk Pads Reviews:

1. Best overall: YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad

If you’re working on videos and graphics, you’ll also find this ‘large mousepad’ helpful because you won’t struggle with your mouse falling off the edge as it usually happens with small mousepads.

This leather desk mat is water-resistant and works with all types of surfaces including glass and wood to keep them from scratches, spills, and stains.

Designed from heavy-duty PU leather, this pad is pretty and thick feels sturdy. It is heavy enough to hold itself down, so you won’t have to worry about it moving around during use. Cleaning it is also as easy as wiping it with a piece of cloth.

Besides high functionality, this budget-friendly Ysagi leather pad comes in a chic design and features a variety of bright colors to give your workroom a pop of colors and boost its looks. It is also dual-sided, meaning each side has a different color. You can simply flip it over to the other side to enjoy a different color.

2. Best clear desk mat: Awnour Clear Non-Slip Desktop Mat

It measures 24 x 14 inches and offers good coverage for the area where your laptop sits. Once you lay it on your desktop, it gives you a cute see-through view of your calendar, notes, or family photos lying beneath it.

You’ll like the mat’s textured non-slip base that offers great stability on different worktops while letting you enjoy the smooth side comfortably all day long.

As a BONUS, the manufacturer includes a mice pad in the box to enable you to use your mouse with high speed and precision.

Besides using it on your home office (writing or computer desk), you can also use this multi-purpose desk pad for your dining table and activity table. Cleaning and taking care of this desktop mat is super-easy as it just needs a wipe with a soft, damp cloth.

3. Best for keyboard and mouse: K KNODEL Leather Desk Pad

The leather pad has a non-slip base to give the pad stability and ensure it doesn’t make those annoying moves on your desktop while in use.

For the protection part, this entire pad is completely waterproof and heat resistant. It is constructed from durable PU leather material which offers long-lasting protection to your desk space against stains, spills, heat, scuffs, and marks.

The cleanup is easy for this synthetic leather desk pad. All you have to do is simply wipe the leather surface with a wet cloth and it will become clean as new!

Don’t forget that this mat is double-sided—it features the same material but different colors on both sides, allowing you to use any side with the color you desire. It also comes in a variety of cool color options that are sure to give your office a modern and professional feel.

4. Best for gamers: Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma Gaming Mouse Mat

The pad features a high-quality construction for more durability. It has a thick and premium feel that assures you of good quality and an extended lifespan. The Chroma effect that lights up the mat is neatly stitched on the outside of this mat for excellent and even illumination.

You’ll like that this desk mat has a micro-textured cloth surface that grants you the much-needed speed and control playstyles in gaming. This surface works well with all types of mousse, including optical mice.

It also features the right weight to make it stay in place when using it on your gaming desk while still being light enough to carry it with you to any place. And thanks to its anti-slip rubber texture base, this mat will not slide or move around your desktop when you’re using it.

A cable management feature is included in this rectangular gaming mat (at the top left, where the USB cord starts) to ensure your workspace is tidy and clutter-free. The quality and functionality of this gaming desk mat balance the price point, making it a worthy investment.

5. Best for writing: Aothia Leather Desk Pad Protector Writing Pad

Like the previously featured desk pads, this model is also designed to last. It is a sturdy PU leather desk mat with excellent waterproof properties to keep your desktop from water, drinks, ink, and other liquid spills. It also protects your desk surface from ugly marks, scuffs, and heat.

Measuring 31.5 x 15.7 inches, this leather pad is also large enough to fit large desks and accommodate all your desktop materials. And if you use it on your computer desk, it will accommodate everything including the laptop, keyboard, and mouse. The comfortable surface will work with your mouse without any problems.

The fact that this leather pad features a wide range of bold colors means it will also improve the overall look of your workspace and even give your office a pop of color with its bright color options. Wipe clean with a cloth or paper to clean up this desk mat.

How to choose the best desk pad?

These crucial factors will help you easily choose the perfect desk pad from the multiple options out there.

Size

Desk pads come in varying sizing options. That said, the perfect desk pad for you shouldn’t be bigger than your desktop. But it should also offer a wide surface area to accommodate your monitor, mouse, laptop, ad any other equipment you usually place on your worktop. Larger pads also cover a large area of the worktop space and offer better protection.

Surface material

Ideally, the surface material should be able to withstand accidental spills while being easy to maintain. Good materials to consider include synthetic materials like leather, vinyl, and linoleum.

Premium pads are usually made from genuine leather and felt. But if you go these models, you should avoid placing hot and cold beverages on them because (or use coasters) they can easily damage them. Cleaning leather and felt also takes time and effort [1].

If you’ll be using the pad on a computer desk, ensure the surface material is mice-friendly as well.

Non-slip performance

One of the problems associated with desk pads is constantly moving around your desktop when using them. This can be a frustrating experience and can be a source of distraction.

Check what measures the manufacturer has put in place to increase the gripping power of the pad on the desk surface and keep it in place.

Models with a rubber texture backside offer a better grip on your desk. Heavier pads will also stay in place better compared to the lightweight models.

Aesthetics

When shopping for a desk pad, you’ll notice that some models feature fun and bold colors style. These are great if you want a more creative and casual-looking workspace. Pads with standard colors style, on the other hand, will be a good choice for a professional office appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion

A desk pad is one of the most affordable office accessories but can go a long way in protecting your desktop from getting damaged while acting as an aesthetic treatment for your workroom.

We have just offered you some of the highly popular desk pads you can order today to give your desk surface a pop of color while keeping it protected. Whether you work on a computer desk, activity table, or you’re a gamer, you should find the perfect mat for your needs from the above list.