Most people don’t think about their choice of mousepad very much. There are good ones, there are bad ones, but at the end of the day, it’s just cloth and rubber, right? I thought so, too.
But if you take online PC gaming seriously, you already know the value of a good mouse, and the right mousepad might be the final piece of the puzzle. Enter the SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed XL, a large mousepad with a slick surface designed to help you win more matches.
SteelSeries QcK XL Performance Speed
The SteelSeries QcK XL Performance Speed is a large, high-performance mousepad optimized for maximum gliding speed. The 3.5 mm-thick neoprene rubber base ensures the mousepad never slides around on your desk, while the low-profile edge stitching protects the mousepad from fraying without digging into your wrists.
TheSteelSeries QcK XL Performance Speedis part ofSteelSeries' new QcK Performance lineup, an updated and more premium version of the iconicSteelSeries QcK mousepad. These mousepads are designed for serious PC gamers who want to achieve perfect aim in esports titles. All models are black with minimal branding, come in two sizes (Large and XL), and have three variants—Control(which is also on a 20% Prime Day sale),Balance, and Speed.
The versions describe how the surface handles mouse movement—whether it’s optimized for precision, fast flicks, or a middle ground. The engineered surface also happens to be the main selling point, as these mousepads deliver on the promise.
If you play with low sensitivity, a Speed mousepad (ideally paired with an ultralight mouse) allows you to execute large, sweeping motions while maintaining precise control over your crosshair. On the other hand, if you use a higher sensitivity setting for games likeFortniteand MOBAs, you might benefit more from the Control version, which offers more resistance and accuracy with smaller movements.
I like fast, almostglass-like mousepadsand play with very low sensitivity, and the 15.75 x 34.43-inch SteelSeries QcK XL Performance Speed delivers exactly that.
Aside from the surface, another standout feature is the 3.5mm-thick neoprene rubber base with phenomenal anti-slide properties. It will stay put on your desk, which ensures you won’t drag it with you with an aggressive mouse flick. It’s complemented by the low-profile stitched edges, which are designed to prevent fraying without rubbing against your wrists.
Why I Love This Mousepad
While I’ve been playing FPS and MOBAs both casually and competitively for years, I got hooked on competitive inMarvel Rivalsearlier this year, so I did everything in my power toimprove my aim. While my 240Hz monitordidn’t provide the advantageI expected,ditching my Logitech G502in favor of a lighter mouse, theAjazz AJ179 Pro, along with upgrading to the QcK Performance Speed mousepad, made a very noticeable difference.
After a brief adjustment period and some sensitivity tweaks, I was hitting targets much more consistently, thanks to how effortlessly my mouse glides across the pad. I should also mention that I’ve upgraded the skates on both my mice topure PTFEfor a better glide, but even that didn’t have as much of an impact as switching to the Performance Speed.
It’s hard to convey just how smooth the glide feels without experiencing it in person, but if I had to estimate, I’d say it’s about 40% smoother compared to my old, unbranded mousepad.
Beyond performance, I particularly love howthickthe QcK Performance is. I used to playLeague of LegendsandCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfareon theSteelSeries QcK Heavyback in 2013. The Heavy is famous for its extra-thick 6mm rubber base that provides plenty of cushioning.
While the QcK Performance’s 3.5mm thickness is significantly less, it’s still very comfortable, especially when combined with the low-profile stitched edges that don’t dig into the skin. 3.5mm is still quite thick and provides sufficient cushioning for all-day use, whether for work or gaming. Even without a wrist rest, my wrists don’t turn red.
When you combine the thickness with the neoprene base, the pad is unbelievably slip-resistant and won’t budge no matter how hard I push it. My old mousepad would occasionally lift during quick sniper flicks, and that was an annoyance I was more than happy to leave behind.
Note that only the XL Speed and Control variants are on sale, and they currently cost the same as the Large. That’s a great deal, since abig mousepad has several advantages. It looks cleaner on your desk, provides wrist cushioning for your keyboard, and gives you extra space for sweeping mouse movements compared to standard-size pads.
In fact, now that I’ve seen how much it improves my aim, and knowing that a good mousepad can last for years withproper care, I’d even consider trimming my mouse budget to buy it at the full $49.99 price.
