Introducing the ‘Octo Grip,’ a mousepad featuring a sleek, conservative design, brought to you by Tenta-X — a bold and dynamic newcomer shaking up the gaming gear scene. Tenta-X continues its assault on the market, targeting the Artisan brand with top-tier quality and refined aesthetics, all while keeping prices refreshingly affordable.
Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me for testing purposes, though Tenta-X had no sway over the contents of this review.
Testing Scenarios
Testing period: 4 weeks in total
Gaming Sleeve was not used.
Break-in period: no noticeable break-in.
Mice used: Zaopin Z1 Pro (stock skates), RAWM ES21-Pro (Magic Ice dots), Rapoo VT1 Pro Max (Solver Fox dots), Akko Pulse O1 (stock skates)
Games played: QuakeWorld, Battlefield 1 and V, CS2.
Temperature and humidity: 19–22 degrees, 50–65% humidity
Specs (according to the brand)
Product Size: 490mm (19.3in) x 420mm(16.5in) x 3.5mm (0.14in)
Control Surface: Low initial friction, high dynamic friction, high stopping power.
Base: ApexGrip Tech (Poron-Like), soft.
Stitching: Below-surface stitching.
Bottom line? The characteristics are not entirely true, I’d say all are medium leaning to control.
Unboxing and first impressions video
When users receive “Octo Grip”, they find it neatly packed in a flat-box design, keeping the mousepad smooth and in perfect condition. Inside, the package contains the mousepad along with a few stickers, offering a personalized touch for enthusiasts.
Bottom line? Pretty standard unboxing but the pad lies completely flat out of the box.
Base and Stitching
The mousepad showcases Tenta-X’s exclusive “ApexGrip Tech” base, similar to Poron material. Designed for uniform thickness and plush softness, it delivers an ideal mix of cushioned comfort and precise control. Its secure grip ensures stability on different desk surfaces — once placed, it stays firmly in position. No sliding, no shifting.
The high-quality, low-profile stitching enhances durability while maintaining a smooth edge that won’t disrupt mouse movements. So far, no signs of fraying.
Bottom line? The pad stays firmly in place, with sturdy stitching that sits just below the surface for a seamless experience.
Surface
The Octo Grip pad features a textured yet soft surface, delivering a smooth and comfortable glide without any stickiness or discomfort. Its top layer, made from a blended composite fiber, strikes good balance between speed and control — neither too fast nor too slow. The pad falls between “soft” and “hybrid”, with a slight give under pressure, similar to the SOFT versions of Artisan pads. This combination of traits makes it an excellent choice for users seeking a controlled yet responsive experience. It closely resembles the ESPTiger Tag Dao SR 4mm but with a thinner profile — high praise considering my past review on Reddit.
At 3.5mm thick, it may seem comparable to the Soft Artisans as well, but it’s noticeably firmer, slightly thinner, and offers better stopping power due to its responsive feedback.
The takeaway? It has a hybrid feel — very similar to the Tang Dao SR 4mm, but with a slightly harsher texture.
Humidity and Maintenance
During my weeks of testing, temperature and humidity remained within my usual thresholds, so the real test will likely come in the peak of summer. That said, throughout winter, I encountered no issues with glide, stopping power, or stickiness, regardless of environmental changes.
As for cleaning, I reached out to Tenta-X for guidance, as I was hesitant to fully wash the mousepad. Interestingly, it stayed relatively spotless — possibly due to its design pattern cleverly masking dirt. Tenta-X explained that the surface is crafted using special weaving techniques and low-temperature thermal transfer technology. For maintenance, they recommend simply wiping it down with a damp towel if needed.
But I decided to give it a try and used my proven method:
How to clean your @TentaX_Official mousepad?
1: Use hand soap, very mild one only.
2: lukewarm water over the pad in the shower
3: lightly scrub to the sides so that the soap will be squeezed out (repeat a few times, don’t let the soap soak into the pad)
4: rinse all soap out, repeat a few times
5: leave it out to dry for a day or so (NEVER place it on a radiator nor leave it in the sun)
Result? Excellent, no sign of slowdown or loss of texture, nor feeling.
The takeaway? No humidity-related issues so far, and upkeep is effortless.
Static/Dynamic Friction and Stopping Power
The Octo Grip mousepad offers a moderate level of static friction for a cloth/hybrid surface, closely resembling the Artisan Hayate Otsu Soft. This allows for an easy initial glide with minimal resistance. However, its dynamic friction is higher than that of the Hayate Otsu Soft, resulting in a slightly slower and less fluid movement. While this can reduce speed, it enhances stability — making it particularly useful for precise, tactical adjustments in gaming.
In terms of stopping power, the pad delivers more than expected based on the brand’s description, making it good for sharp flicks and controlled stops, improving accuracy. However, compared to the Hayate Otsu Soft, tracking and precision feel slightly less refined, which can lead to less accurate shots in games. One potential drawback is that pressing down too hard on the mouse can amplify the stopping power excessively, potentially interfering with smooth tracking.
The Octo grip mousepad strikes a good balance between moderate friction and medium stopping power, making it a versatile choice for gamers. To get the most out of it, be mindful of the pressure you apply — this can enhance or hinder performance. Additionally, experimenting with different mouse skates or dots is highly recommended, as they can significantly alter the pad’s feel and responsiveness (which I see as a positive feature).
When compared to other Tenta-X’s child, the Last Stand, Octo Grip stands as a faster and less-controlled option. It’s still on the control side though, it’s very far from being called a “hybrid” or “fast” pad though.
Bottom line? Moderate static/dynamic friction, moderate stopping power. However, it is a slightly faster pad than The Last Stand from Tenta-X.
Final Thoughts
The Tenta-X Octo grip mousepad stands out as a strong competitor in the gaming peripherals market. Its bold, vibrant purple color adds a unique touch to any setup, though some may prefer a more traditional aesthetic. Compared to the Artisan Zero Soft, this pad offers a sturdier feel and a slightly faster glide, along with controlled movement, strong stopping power, and medium initial friction. It’s a highly adaptable choice for gamers, though it may not be the best fit for those who favor fast-paced, high-speed gameplay. It really reminds me of ESP Tiger Tang Dao SR 4mm that I reviewed some time ago.
When it comes to pricing, the Octo Grip mousepad provides impressive performance at a more budget-friendly price point than Artisan’s offerings. It’s an underrated gem, blending creativity and quality in a way that deserves more recognition.
If you want to compare it to the Last Stand though — The Octo Grip offers a more fluid and faster glide, and less stopping power. Mind you, it is still a control pad though! Nothing close to fast or even hybrid pads. Both the Last Stand and Octo Grip would be placed in the same category when you ask me, the category of control and balance, slow glide and significant stopping power, really good for slower-paced scenarios.
As I am not a “control type of player”, given the choice, I’d choose Octo Grip over the Last Stand.
Bottom line? Ideal for tactical and slow-paced games, but less suited for ultra-fast gameplay. Offers a pretty controlled experience.
Bullet Points
- beautiful purple color
- very close in feel and performance to ESP Tiger Tang Dao SR 4mm
- slightly faster than Tenta-X The Last Stand
- no break-in period
- premium quality feeling
- resistant to humidity but…
- …no washing according to the manufacturer (use cloth to wipe)…
- …but I managed to wash it according to my method and all was fine
- flat packaging, the pad will always lie flat
- base that sits very steadily on the desk
- controlled glide and feeling, medium stopping power, medium initial friction
- very affordable when compared to Artisans
Disclaimer
this review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
