Based End of 2024 Mousepad Roundup
This year saw the release of several interesting mousepads, and I’ve compiled a roundup of some notable options. All these mousepads were sent out for review, but my thoughts remain unbiased and unaffected. Let’s dive in!
The Freefall X Haus Mousepad
The Freefall X Haus collaboration mousepad is one of the most underrated releases this year. This pad stands out due to its SVBC+ base paired with a smooth surface. Known for their hard bases, Freefall ensures all stopping power lies in the surface, skates, or the user’s mouse control. This design helps mitigate issues like pressing too hard during gameplay, which can lead to inconsistencies.
The Haus Edition surface is smooth, with minimal texture on the arm. Most texture is felt on the mouse feet. It’s a speed pad with low dynamic friction and relatively high initial friction. This combination provides a slight tug when changing directions, enhancing stopping power without needing to press hard. Adjusting to this surface was intuitive, and it worked well across various games, from tracking-based games like Call of Duty and Apex Legends to tactical FPS scenarios like CS2. The firm base adds to overall consistency, making it a versatile choice for multiple genres.
The S1P from Piranha Mouse Mods
The S1P is one of the debut mousepads from Piranha Mouse Mods, a brand known for their innovative 3D-printed mouse shells. For their first mousepad release, the S1P is impressive. It’s a medium-speed pad with ample stopping power. The base adheres well to desks without moisture, and the stitching is tight, subsurface, and free of fraying.
The surface is slightly grainy but smooth on the arm and mouse feet. It has low initial friction and medium dynamic friction. Speed varies based on mouse feet, and I found the best experience using Tiger Eyes V2 dots or X-Raypad Jades. It performed exceptionally well in tracking games like Fortnite and Black Ops 6. While it’s not a Raiden clone, it offers a balanced speed and stopping power, suitable for various playstyles.
The LaOnda Blitz
The LaOnda Blitz surprised me the most this year. Although it didn’t release this year, it could have easily gone unnoticed if LGG hadn’t sent it out. It’s one of the fastest pads in their lineup, with a base similar to the S1P but slightly softer. While it requires some moisture to adhere perfectly to a desk, it remains stable during use.
The stitching is exceptional, rivaling Artisan and LGG standards. The surface is soft with a slight grainy texture, offering low initial friction and medium-to-low dynamic friction. It excels in tracking games but remains viable for tactical FPS games. The soft base and smooth surface make it one of my favorite pads, and it may become my main for tracking-focused games.
The Owepowe Skeleton
The Owepowe Skeleton mousepad, created by a Chinese company inspired by American-style comics, is an intriguing option. While some design elements feel lackluster due to typos and grammar issues, the pad itself offers good value for money.
It features a PU base, consistent surface-level stitching, and a spandex-nylon surface. The horizontal glide is smooth and fast, but the vertical glide introduces noticeable texture and reduced speed. While this X-Y difference isn’t uncommon, it may feel distracting. The PU base provides stability without being overly sticky. Suggested improvements include reducing the X-Y texture difference, introducing a firmer base option, and offering more refined designs.
That concludes this roundup. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Happy gaming!
