Leather mouse pads have become very popular in recent years. Many people swear by them, while others find them overpriced and unnecessary. So, is leather really good for mouse pads?
In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of leather mouse pads to help you decide if they are worth the investment. However, before we get into the article’s meat, let’s first look at what leather mouse pads are and how they are made.
Leather Mouse Pads
Leather mouse pads are essentially just what they sound like – mouse pads made out of leather. They are usually made with full-grain leather (the highest quality and most durable type of leather) or faux leather.
The first type of leather often used for mouse pads is full-grained leather. This leather comes from the skins or hides of animals and is the strongest, most durable type of leather. But, unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive.
Faux leather, on the other hand, is made from synthetic materials that mimic the look and feel of genuine leather. It’s usually cheaper than full-grain leather, but it’s not as durable.
Depending on your budget and how durable you’d like your mouse pad to be, you can choose between full-grain leather and faux leather. Now that we know a bit more about leather mouse pads let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
The Pros Of Leather Mouse Pads
There is a lot of benefit to using a leather mouse pad. Here are a few of the benefits I personally noticed within a few hours of using it.
1. Leather Works Great With Any Mouse
One of the first benefits I noticed when I first used a leather mouse pad was that it worked great with any type of mouse – optical, laser, or trackball.
I’ve used all three mouse types over the years and have never been completely satisfied with how they work on traditional mouse pads.
On leather, however, they all work perfectly due to the smooth yet slightly texture surface.
So no matter the type of mouse you have, you can be sure it will work great on a leather mouse pad.
2. Leather Gives You Better Mouse Tracking
Not only does leather work great with any mouse but it also provides better mouse tracking.
This is because leather has a very smooth surface, allowing your mouse to glide across it effortlessly.
I noticed this immediately when I started using a leather mouse pad, and it made a world of difference in my productivity while working on the computer.
This means that a leather mouse pad is the way to go when it comes to gaming, which requires a lot of precision.
3. Leather Is More Durable Than Other Materials
We all know how hardwearing our computer mouse pads are. We’ve all had those moments where we accidentally spill something on them or drop them, and they get all mangled up.
Leather is different. Leather is a very strong, durable material that can withstand much abuse.
I’ve had my leather mouse pad for over two years, and it still looks good.
When I compared my two years old leather mouse pad to my old fabric one, there was a huge difference in quality. However, the leather mouse pad still looked brand new, while the fabric was starting to show signs of wear and tear.
So leather is the way to go if you’re looking for a mouse pad that will last you for years to come.
4. Leather Mouse Pad Is Easy To Clean
When we use our computer mouse, there’s always a lot of body contact. Unfortunately, this can lead to the mouse pad getting dirty over time.
The build-up of sweat, grease, and dirt can make your mouse pad look and feel icky. And no one wants to use an icky mouse pad.
Mouse pads made from fabric will trap all of this dirt and grease making them very hard to clean. Trust me, I know we’ve all been in the situation where you left the mouse pad in the washer, and it’s never laid flat again.
Leather, on the other hand, is effortless to clean. All you need is a damp cloth and soap, and you’re good to go.
I’ve spilled coffee on my leather mouse pad before, and all it took was a quick wipe with a damp cloth, and it was as good as new.
5. Leather Looks Clean And Feels Luxurious
No matter what it’s used to make, leather always looks and feels luxurious. A leather mouse pad gives your computer setup a more premium look and feel.
So if you work in an office space and want to add a classy or luxurious touch to your desk, then a leather mouse pad is the way to go.
They also make great gifts for that special someone in your life who loves to work on the computer. I would love to receive a beautiful leather mouse pad as a gift.
6. Easily Lays Flat
Another great benefit of leather mouse pads is that they easily lay flat. I have purchased mouse pads in the past that took forever for them to lay flat completely.
And even after a week of using it, it would still be slightly curled at the edges. This would eventually lead to the mouse pad not tracking as well.
Leather mouse pads are dense and have a bit of evenly distributed weight, which helps them lay flat immediately. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about your mouse pad not tracking properly again.
7. Water-Resistant
One of the things I struggled with with with my old fabric mouse pad was that it would absorb any spills.
The entire mouse pad would be stained if I accidentally spilled my coffee on it. And even after washing it, the stain would never completely come out.
Leather is different because it’s a water-resistant material–especially those that are protected or my personal favorite, the faux leather mouse pads.
They are super water-resistant because they are made from synthetic materials that do not absorb spills.
So if you’re someone who sits behind your computer all day long and you’re constantly snacking or drinking, then a water-resistant leather mouse pad is the way to go.
8. They Do Not Move Around
When you’re working on your computer, the last thing you want is for your mouse pad to move around.
This can be a big problem with fabric mouse pads because they are usually very lightweight. So if you drag the mouse a little too hard, the entire mouse pad will move.
Leather mouse pads are different because they are heavier and have a bit of weight. So even if you drag too quickly or too hard, the mouse pad will not move an inch.
This is an excellent benefit because it allows you to have a consistent and smooth experience using your computer mouse.
The Cons Of Leather Mouse Pads
Now that we’ve looked at some of the benefits of using a leather mouse pad let’s take a look at some of the drawbacks.
1. Leather Mouse Pads Easily Gets Sticky
So the truth is that leather does get sticky–especially in hot weather conditions. This can sometimes get so uncomfortable that I would wear a sleeve to avoid direct skin contact with the leather.
This is common on faux leather mouse pads due to their nonporous and synthetic surface.
Although it can happen with actual leather mouse pads, it is much more breathable, so your skin breathes easier.
The good news is that you can do a few things to avoid this from happening.
First, you can try to find a mouse pad made with breathable leather. This will help to keep your skin from sticking to the surface of the mouse pad.
Another thing you can do is to use a mouse pad with a gel wrist rest. This will help to keep your skin from making direct contact with the leather surface.
Lastly, keep your mouse pads clean at all times. This will help to avoid any build-up of sweat or oils that can make the surface sticky.
2. They Show Water Marks And Stains Easily
Leather is a very porous natural material. This means that it can easily absorb water and other liquids.
So if you accidentally spill your coffee on your leather mouse pad, you will see a big water stain.
And even after it dries, the stain will still be there. This is why I choose faux leather mouse pads.
3. They Can Be A Bit Pricey
The biggest downside to leather mouse pads is that they can be expensive.
This is especially true if you’re looking for a natural leather mouse pad. But even faux leather can be a bit more expensive than your typical fabric mouse pad.
Apart from the hefty price tag, the care products needed for mouse pads made from real leather can also be pretty expensive. For example, leather cleaners and conditioners can cost upwards of $20.
So if you’re on a budget, you might want to stick with the fabric mouse pads. But if you’re willing to spend more, a leather mouse pad is worth the investment.
4. Strong Initial Chemical Smell
This is pretty much common with all leather products. When you first get your leather mouse pad, you’ll notice a strong chemical smell–especially on those faux leather mouse pads.
This is because they are made from plastic and other synthetic products, so they tend to have this strong chemical smell when they are new. The good news is the chemical smell fades or dissipates over time.
So if you can’t stand the smell, give it some time, and it will eventually go away. But if the scent is too strong for you, you might want to consider another type of mouse pad.
5. It Eventually Peels Off
Another downside of faux leather mouse pads is that they eventually peel off–especially around the edges and the heavily used areas.
This is because they are made from synthetic materials less durable than genuine leather. So with extended use, the mouse pad’s edges and other heavy-use surfaces will start to peel off and curl up.
If you’re looking for a more durable mouse pad, you might want to consider one made from genuine leather.
So there you have it–the pros and cons of using a leather mouse pad. As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using this type of mouse pad.
Final Thoughts
So to answer the question, is leather suitable for mouse pads? The answer is–it depends. It just depends on your needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a more durable mouse pad with a classy, luxurious look while offering you better traction and comfort, then a leather mouse pad is definitely for you. But if you’re on a budget and don’t mind the occasional peeling and staining, then a fabric mouse pad might be a better option.
Whichever you choose, ensure it meets your needs and preferences so you can use it to its fullest potential. Thanks for reading, and I hope this article was helpful!
