The main purpose of a desk pad is to provide a flat and soft surface area for you to work on comfortably without the risk of damaging your desktop. A desk pad, also referred to as a blotter or a desk mat, is a covering used to protect your tabletop, and there are many different options available. We recommend the Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate. It's made of soft eco-leather, is stain-resistant, and it has a wide surface area. This desk pad is perfect for everyday use in your home office.
Best Overall: Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate
The Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate is a modern and stylish desk pad that is perfect for home offices with small to medium-sized desks. Not only does this desk pad offer a comfortable surface to rest your hands on while typing, reading, or writing, but it also acts as protection for your desk against scratches and spills.
This mat is made from high-quality polyurethane eco-leather materials that are stain-resistant and easy to clean. The material has non-glare properties. It's perfect for someone who spends a lot of time working on their desktop as it will help reduce eye strain due to glare. Although this desk pad is sturdy, it can occasionally slip and move around if your desk has a polished or glass surface. However, it is safe to use on most surfaces, including desks that are varnished or made from wood.
This desk mat comes with a wide surface area measuring at 23 by 12.2 inches, and it can accommodate your keyboard, laptop, and more. The entire mat also works as a soft mousepad to help maneuver your mouse with ease. It comes in a sleek black or a modern brown color.
Pros:
- Made from eco-leather
- Stain-resistant
- Durable
- Safe for all surfaces
Cons:
- Can slip sometimes
Best Overall
Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate
Modern eco-leather desk pad
This premium eco-leather desk pad is safe for all surfaces and is available in a sleek black and modern brown color.
Best Aesthetics: Plenty Leather Desk Mat and Mate
The Plenty Leather Desk Mat and Mate has a surface area that measures in at 24 by 14' by 0.08 inches. It is made out of high-quality leather, which is visually appealing and feels great on your skin. This multi-purpose desk pad is big enough to accommodate your computer, keyboard, mouse, and other items comfortably and efficiently.
This desk pad is carefully designed with soft polyurethane leather that is extremely soft to the touch. It is not made from vinyl or plastic-like some other brands.
The leather surface protects your desks against spills and scratches. Its anti-slip grip prevents the pad from moving around, which can help increase your productivity while working or gaming. Another plus is that this pad comes with anti-glare properties, which is great for reducing eye strain. Although this desk pad is aesthetically appealing and makes your home office look fantastic, buyers have complained that all mouses may not work properly on the pad.
Pros:
- Anti-slip base
- Large surface space
- Can be used for work and gaming
Cons:
- Some mouses don't work properly on the surface
Best Aesthetics
Plenty Leather Desk Mat and Mate
High-quality leather desk pad with large surface area
This desk pad is made out of high-grade leather and comes equipped with a non-slip base and anti-glare properties.
Best For Gaming: Jelly Comb Extended
The Jelly Comb Extended desk pad is perfect for those intense gamers. It is made out of a silky, smooth, and waterproof coating. Its edges are carefully stitched to ensure the material will not fray, making this great for resisting friction during hardcore gaming sessions.
The eco-friendly, silky coating is excellent for gamers as it allows your mouse to slide smoothly across its surface with minimal resistance. The pad is manufactured to double as a gaming mouse for excellent mouse control. The high-quality non-slip rubber bottom is also great for keeping control. You won't have to worry about accidentally messing up a strategy due to slipping.
This desk pad also comes equipped with two built-in kickstands to hold your phone, which is perfect for multitasking. Checking your phone while gaming, or making calls while working has never been easier. However, some customers mention that the phone holders can be slightly obtrusive at times. The entire desk pad measures at a large 33.6 by 22.8 by 0.13' inches, which makes it great for medium to large-sized desks.
Pros:
- Large pad
- Made from eco-friendly material
- Soft fabric is excellent for mouse control
- Edges are stitched to stop fraying
Cons:
- Phone holders can be obtrusive
Best For Gaming
Jelly Comb Extended
Large eco-friendly surface perfect for gamers
This desk pad is made from a silky smooth eco-friendly fabric that provides optimal movement for your mouse across its surface.
Best Durability: Kingfom Desk Pad and Mat
The Kingfom Desk Pad and Mat measures at 23.6 by 17.7 by 0.2 inches, and is an excellent addition to any home office. The pad is made from high-quality PU leather and medium-density fiberboard, which creates a comfortable and extremely durable desk pad. It can also be used as a large mousepad.
The underside of the Kingfom Desk Pad and Mat contains a soft flannel anti-skid foam, which is infused with the surface at the time of manufacturing. This means that all of these features are combined into a one-piece mat, rather than having separate sections attached. This also increases the lifetime of the desk pad immensely as you won't have to deal with sections of the mat separating from each other over time.
The Kingfom Desk Pad and Mat are ideal for protecting against spills, dents, and scratches with its easy-to-clean leather surface. It also contains anti-glare features, which help reduce eye strain.
Pros:
- Contains non-glare surface
- Lasts a lifetime
- Easy to clean
- Soft flannel back covering
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive
- Can sometimes slip against glass or polished finishes
- Not great for gamers
Best Durability
Kingfom Desk Pad and Mat
Extremely durable PU leather and anti-skid desk pad
This desk pad is made to last with its high-quality PU leather combined with its durable and soft flannel anti-skid back.
Best Multiuse: SEESO Vintage Desk Mat
The SEESO Vintage Desk Mat measures at 25.2 by 13.4 inches and comes in a stylish design that features unique pastel colors. Included in its design are two highly-convenient clear pockets. You can place pictures or business cards inside each pocket to customize its appearance and keep your items safe.
The waterproof surface includes a ruler printed right on it, which makes measuring items for art projects a breeze. This desk pad also comes equipped with a monthly planner to keep you on track with your goals. The bottom of the pad has a standard non-slip covering, which allows you to work freely without the irritation of sliding around.
Although this desk pad comes with a bunch of really cool features, it arrives curled up inside of a box. This can cause its edges to curl and make it harder for it to remain flat. However, it does flatten with use.
Pros:
- Comes with a weekly schedule
- Can customize with pictures
- Has a ruler built into the design
Cons:
- Doesn't remain flat all of the time
Best Multiuse
Seeso Vintage Desk Mat
Desk mat with a built-in ruler and weekly planner
This desk mat comes equipped with a built-in ruler, weekly planner, and a customizable surface via its two clear pockets.
Bottom line
There are many different desk pads in the market, but finding one that suits your needs is critical. A hardcore gamer may opt for a desk pad that is more mouse-friendly than someone who is looking for a desk pad merely for support while working.
The Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate is an excellent option for anyone who is looking for a little bit of everything when it comes to their desk pad. This mat is excellent for gamers and offices since it is made out of a visually appealing soft leather. It is stain-resistant, and it has a surface area wide enough to hold your items comfortably.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Camille Sanghera is a freelance writer who loves using the power of words to give individuals and objects a voice. When she is not content writing, you can find her running trails with her dogs or writing fiction and self-help books. You can read her blog at http://bit.ly/2Vr2TOQ.
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