Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (2024)

Updated: Nov 11, 2021

Does your wrist hurt or get fatigued often after using a mouse for a long time? Apart from evaluating the type of mouse you’re using, another thing to look into are ergonomic mouse pads.

Ergonomic mouse pads and keyboard wrist rests work by helping you maintain a neutral position as you type, click and scroll. Without the padded support, sustaining a neutral wrist posture on your own can be difficult, especially after a few hours. The padded support also reducesnerve compression in your wrist and hands when used properly, which can happen if you rest your wrists on a hard surface for long periods of time.

Before we move on to our list, here’s a fun video that shows how proper wrist support and alignment plays an important role in overall proper ergonomics:

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads for 2021

Not all mouse pads are ergonomic. Some are too hard or high profile, causing more strain than relief. In this post I’ll show you my favorite ergonomic mouse pads for 2021, with the last two even coming with keyboard wrist supports for heavy typists and writers.

3M Precise Mouse Pad with Gel Wrist Rest

Pillow Height:0.9″
Pillow Material:Gel
Mouse Pad Dimensions:6.8″ x 8.6″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (1)Topping our choice for the best ergonomic mouse pad is the 3M Precise Mouse Pad with Gel Wrist Rest. Available in different sizes, this ergonomic mouse pad offers an array of features, many of which are unique to this mouse pad. From its precise mousing surface and gel technology to its antimicrobial protection, there’s certainly a lot to like. At the end of the day though, it’s the comfort of the wrist rest that makes this our top pick for best ergonomic mouse pad.

Let’s talk about ergonomics. The gel wrist rest measures 5 inches wide and 2 inches deep, raising up around .9” in height. This means that it’s wide enough to be used comfortably and it’s also deep enough to keep your hand and wrist in a straight alignment. The height of the support pillow is also perfect at around 1 inch.

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (2)he leak and puncture-resistant gel pillow strikes a good balance between softness and firmness, preventing wrist compression and carpal tunnel syndrome. The gel filling and leatherette covering is the most comfortable combination in a wrist rest I’ve ever experienced. That’s the bottom line.

So the gel wrist rest checks out, but what about the mouse pad? Well, 3M really crammed in a lot of innovations here, chiefly, by adding microscopic grooves to the main mouse area. Not only does it enhance the precision of any optical mice, it can also extend the battery life of wireless mouse in general. According to one satisfied customer, his aging wireless mouse usually only works for four hours when equipped with fully charged batteries. But, after using the 3M Precise Mouse Pad, he found that he can use it for 2 to 3 more hours. The mouse pad has a non-skid base as well.

You know how sometimes the wrist gets sweaty when you’ve been using your mouse for a long time? I used to worry about how that encourages bacteria growth. Now, I can feel at ease since the leatherette cover of the wrist rest is equipped with antimicrobial protection. This also prevents odor buildup and makes the surface easy to clean. Another thing that I like about the 3M Precise Mouse Pad is that it’s environment-friendly; 25% of the materials used to manufacture it is recycled content.

The grooved surface of the 3M Precise Mouse Pad is a double-edged sword though. While it truly improves precision for some mice, dirt has a tendency to accumulate between the ridges. You may need to clean it from time to time for your mouse pointer to work properly.

As long as you can remember to clean your mouse pad every now and then, 3M Precise Mouse Pad is an excellent buy at under $15. It’s a must-try especially if you work with a wireless mouse since it can increase its battery life significantly.

Pros:

  • Cheap, costs under $15
  • Comes in 3 sizes
  • Gel pillow is the most comfortable I’ve experienced
  • Can extend the battery life of a wireless mouse
  • Eco-friendly, contains 25% recycled material
  • Cover comes with an antimicrobial protection
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
  • Enhances pointer precision for some mice
  • Has a non-skid base

Cons:

  • Grooved surface gets dirty easily
  • Some users received a warped mouse pad due to the packaging

Kensington Duo Gel Mouse Pad

Pillow Height:1″ at the center
Pillow MaterialGel
Mouse Pad Dimensions:7″ x 9″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (3)Not far behind is the popular Duo Gel Mouse Pad from Kensington. With hundreds of positive reviews, most people found the elastic and colorful gel pillow the highlight of this mouse pad.

The gel pillow is ergonomically designed to match the contour of your hand and wrist, giving you ample support that can help prevent wrist pain. One satisfied buyer who has carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis actually said that this product allows her to work comfortably and prevents her hand from getting numb.

The design of the gel pillow is interesting in two ways. Firstly, it’s higher on the two ends (around 1.2 inches tall), concaving inwards near the middle, deflating to around 1 inch high. The advantage of this design is that it nestles your wrist and prevents it from moving side to side as you operate a normal mouse. With a vertical mouse however where you may feel like moving your entire forearm to maneuver the mouse, the concaved design of the Kensington mouse pad restricts your forearm movements.

The second interesting part about the gel pillow in the Kensington mouse is the ventilation channel that runs across the entire gel pillow. After a few days of usage, I actually found it helpful in keeping my wrist from becoming sticky. So kudos Kensington for the smart design.

Overall, the Kensington gel mouse pad is as comfortable- if not more so than the 3M Mouse Pad above- but only for use with a horizontal mouse where the entire underside of your wrist will be resting on the support pillow. For users of vertical mice where only the side of your wrist is in contact with the pillow, and where you may use your entire forearm to maneuver the mouse from time to time, a wrist support that’s uniform in height all across works better. Watch my video review below to see exactly if the Kensington mouse pad is right for you:

Pros:

  • Gel pillow with ventilation that keeps cool even after a long time
  • Easy to clean
  • Curved wrist rest secures your wrist in place and prevents wrist strain
  • Rubber base keeps the mouse pad in place

Cons:

  • Gel pillow is fragile
  • Doesn’t work well with vertical mouse where your wrist doesn’t lay flat on support pillow

TECKNET Ergonomic Gaming Office Mouse

Support Height:0.86″
Support Material:Gel
Pad Dimensions:9.44″ x 8.46″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (4)Next, we have Amazon’s Choice for ergonomic mouse pads, the budget-friendly Tecknet Pad. With its gel-filled pillow, Tecknet cover and non-skid base, it’s a great tool that can help you keep your wrist healthy.

Just like the previous product, this mouse pad has a sponge filling for its wrist rest. Combined with its ergonomic shape, this can really help prevent wrist fatigue. The gel pillow is soft enough to conform to the shape of your wrist while still being hard enough to support your hand’s weight.

You also won’t have any problem with your mouse pointer moving erratically or your mouse pad moving all over the place. The Tecknet Mouse Pad has a smooth cover made of smooth textured surface that ensures proper tracking movements and mouse gliding with minimal resistance. The surface is fully waterproof as well. Then, there’s the rubbery base which sticks on your desk to prevent the mouse pad from sliding.

Unlike many mouse and wrist pads, there is no strange chemical order when you first unpackage the product. That’s a reassuring thing in a world where so many products are treated with harmful chemicals.

Overall I think this Tecknet mouse pad is a great buy. It’s very effective in keeping the wrist in a neutral position, protecting you from developing carpal tunnel syndrome or any other similar disorder.

Pros:

  • Cheap, costs less than $10
  • Sponge filled cushion that won’t burst over time
  • Textured cover provides good mouse tracking
  • Excellent customer support

Cons:

  • Has a strong smell in the beginning
  • The wrist rest is a bit small

Redragon P020 Gaming Mouse Pad

Support Height:1.2″
Support Material:Memory Foam
Mouse Pad Dimensions:9.84″ x 9.84″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (5)Gamers looking for wrist support won’t be disappointed with the Redragon P020 Gaming Mouse Pad. From its stylish appearance to its memory foam-filled wrist rest, this budget-friendly mouse pad is your perfect gaming partner.

First, let’s talk about its wrist rest. Unlike the two previous products, the cushion of this mouse pad is filled with memory foam. It’s a material that softens with body heat to conform to the shape of your wrist and then springs back to its original shape after use. It’s like having a wrist rest that’s been custom-fitted to your wrist. I also like that it’s wide, meaning that even if you reach for your mouse without paying attention, your wrist will still land on the cushion.

Of course, this support is useless if the mouse pad itself is lacking. Accuracy and precision can mean the difference between winning and losing for gamers. Fortunately, its silky surface offers excellent tracking and optimal gliding no matter if you’re using an optical or laser mouse. One user said that she doesn’t have to move her mouse as much after she got this pad since it increased the mouse sensitivity.

Other characteristics that make the Redragon P020 a must-buy include its anti-skid silicone base and durable construction. Plus, it has a waterproof coating so it won’t absorb any accidental spills. Not to mention that it’s washable so it’s easy to clean.

While the mouse pad itself is perfect, I wish that they offered different colors and designs to choose from. Some people have specific color schemes that they go for in their computer setup and this black and red theme might not work for that.

Other than that, I find the Redragon P020 Gaming Mouse Pad to have excellent performance and ample support. It’s essential for people who want to enjoy gaming without worrying about musculoskeletal disorders associated with prolonged computer use like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

Pros:

  • Budget-friendly at under $15
  • Silky smooth surface provides excellent mouse sensitivity
  • Wide wrist rest
  • Memory foam provides personalized support
  • Has an anti-skid silicon base
  • Washable
  • Doesn’t absorb liquids easily
  • Doesn’t have a strong chemical scent

Cons:

  • Only available in one design

Gimars Gel Mouse Pad w/ Keyboard Wrist Rest

Support Height:1.1″
Support Material:Gel
Pad Dimensions:8.6″ x 10″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (6)So far, we’ve only talked about ergonomic mouse pads but what about people who need to type a lot? Thankfully, there are sets like this Gimars product which come with both ergonomic mouse pad and keyboard wrist rest. Affordable and effective, this will help solve your wrist complications.

To start with, this product uses breathable memory gel foam that keeps you cool while offering maximum support. Even after hours of use, the foam will slowly bounce back to its original shape.

I also like that both the mouse pad and keyboard wrist pad are wide enough that I don’t have to pay attention to where I place my hands. The mouse pad measures at 10 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches while the keyboard wrist rest is 17 x 3 x 1.1 inches. At 17 inches wide, the latter works well for almost all standard keyboards and laptops. This makes it easy to prevent joint and muscle stress even if my mind is occupied with work. They are equipped with a rubber base as well that prevents them from sliding around your desk as you use your computer.

Finally, I just want to mention that their customer service is also a selling point. One customer got a defective product that went flat after just a month use. Though he wasn’t asking for it, the customer support offered to send him a replacement. Unfortunately, he already got rid of the defective item. But, check this out, the company offered him a refund instead, showing how much they value customer satisfaction.

The edges of the mouse pad have a tendency to curl up. Though it will still perform well and give enough support, it’s irritating because it won’t lay flat.

Still, I highly recommend this mouse pad and keyboard wrist rest combo from Gimars if you often have to use the computer for long hours. They work well in helping you maintain a neutral position that prevents hand, wrist, shoulder, and neck muscle and nerve strain.

Pros:

  • Good value for your money, costs under $20 for both mouse and keyboard support.
  • Memory foam doesn’t get deformed easily
  • Large mouse pad at 10 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
  • Wide keyboard wrist rest at 17 x 3 x 1.1 inches
  • Outstanding customer service

Cons:

  • The edges sometimes curl up
  • The anti-slip base doesn’t work too well

CushionCare Keyboard Wrist Rest and Mouse Pad Set

Support Height:1″
Support Material:Memory Foam
Pad Dimensions:8.7″ x 9.8″

Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (7)Rounding out our list is the CushionCare Keyboard Wrist Rest and Mouse Pad Set. With its memory foam-stuffed cushion, this reasonably-priced set can help you maintain proper wrist alignment as you work or play.

This product uses ergonomically shaped memory foam padding that enables you to comfortably use your keyboard and mouse. It is very effective in protecting our hands and wrists from repetitive strain injury (RSI) caused by prolonged typing and mouse clicking.

Aside from providing ample support, this durable CushionCare combo offers you plenty of space to work on. The keyboard wrist rest measures 18 x 2.6 inches while the mouse pad’s dimensions are 8.7 x 9.8 inches. There’s also rubber backing that keeps it in place as you work.

To top it all off, this CushionCare product comes with a 3-year warranty. This means that if it’s not working as advertised, their company will replace the item or even refund the money you spent. One buyer said that he found it hard to remove a stain in the product so he sent a message to the company letting them know of his experience. On the same day, the company replied, offering him a replacement or full refund.

There is a slight chemical smell to the items right out of the box. This goes away after several days but it’s still something to consider if you have a sensitive nose.

Anyway, I suggest that you give this CushionCare set a try if you’re looking for good ergonomic wrist support. You can buy it confidently knowing that the company stands behind their product.

Pros:

  • Memory foam provides tailored support
  • Offers a generous amount of space for you to work on
  • Has a rubber backing that keeps the keyboard wrist rest and mouse pad firmly in place
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

  • Has an off-putting smell when still new
  • Wrist support on Mouse pad a little small

What to Consider When Choosing an Ergonomic Mouse Pad

There are several things that you need to consider when buying a mouse pad for hand and wrist support.

Pad Material

The cushion of ergonomic mouse pads is either filled with gel or memory foam:

  • Gel – This material feels cool to the skin. It can be sticky unless there’s a fabric cover. People who crave squishy, soft cushions will love gel filled wrist supports.
  • Memory Foam – This is one of the best materials when it comes to providing support. Your body heat softens the foam so that it conforms exactly to the shape of your wrist. However, it feels warm which some people might not like.

Wrist Support Height

The key to preventing wrist injury when using the computer is to maintain a neutral position where there is minimal bending of the wrists. If your wrist is too low, your arm weight will strain your wrist, increasing your chance of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. On the other hand, if the wrist rest is too high, it causes fatigue to your fingers, hands, and wrist.

To ensure proper alignment, get a wrist rest that is approximately 1″ – 1.2″ inches deep. Anything higher, and it’s hard to maintain a neutral wrist when its rested on the pad, which completely defeats the purpose. It shouldn’t be too hard or too soft either.

Mouse Pad Size

When buying a mouse pad, check the dimensions to see if it will fit your work area and if there is ample space for you to move your mouse on. I also like it when the wrist rest is wide enough so that my wrist doesn’t land off center when I’m not paying attention.

Non-Slip Back

You don’t want your mouse pad to be sliding around especially when you’re right in the middle of a game. Look for ones that have a rubber base that keeps the mouse pad firmly in place. There are even mouse pads that stick to the table so well that you have to peel it off to move it.

Ease of Cleaning

Accidents are bound to happen especially if you eat or drink while using the computer. A good mouse pad should be resistant to spills and stains. It should also be washable so you can keep your workspace clean and dust-free.

Other Important Ergonomic Considerations

Compression – The wrist rest should be firm enough to support your weight but soft enough to allow proper blood circulation. Then again, even with a wrist rest, you risk blood compression if you stay in one position for too long. Adjust the height of your desk and chair so that you can keep your wrists and elbows in a straight alignment. You should take breaks from typing and practice simple wrist and hand exercises as well.

Mouse – Your mouse should be large enough to support your hand. You might also want to consider changing to a vertical mouse which you can use with a handshake position. Instead of putting the weight on the inside of your wrist, angled mice allow you to place the weight on the side of your hand.

Related Reviews

  • Best Ergonomic Mouse Reviews
  • Best Ergonomic Split Keyboards for Windows, Mac, and Android
Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads to Support your Wrist (2021 Edition) (2024)

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