This is more for productivity use than for gaming. However, having tested two gaming mice on it, it seems to work just fine with them as well, particularly if you're looking for a bit of resistance for more controlled gliding. We tested five different mice – some for productivity, others for gaming – on it, and we found that its cloth surface offers that nice smooth gliding feel but also just a tiny bit of resistance. This slightest friction gives you a little bit more control and precision, which should help when you're gaming and when you're doing productivity tasks. We've spent many weeks working and gaming on the Harber London Microfibre Minimalist Desk Mat, and we can honestly say that this is the best desk mats we've ever used. We would have put it at the top of our list, if it weren't for the fact that this is still first and foremost a mouse pad guide. The brand claims that the cloth surface is machine-stitched, which apparently improves gliding. And, while we're not completely sure how that works, we've also put it through its paces, and we can attest to how smooth the gliding is and how it helps your need for speed when playing fast-paced games. The micro-texture cloth surface here is optimized for all sensitivity settings and sensors. And, it did feel great to game on during our testing, offering smooth and speedy gliding. Meanwhile, its non-slip rubber base keeps it in place. Though that should also have something to do with the fact that it's massive and that other peripherals like a gaming keyboard should act as weights.

With productivity mice, however, we found that it works beautifully. The smooth gliding combined with its good amount of friction allows you a more seamless workflow – instead of having to constantly miss a button you're trying to press onscreen. Its anti-skid natural rubber base also does a great job of keeping it in place. Plus, its edges are stitched to ensure it lasts longer and minimizes fraying.

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The RGB lighting here is bright as well. And, the touch sensor is a nice touch, even though it only really lets you toggle between three onboard lighting profiles. A competitive gaming mouse pad needs to have less resistance than all others, and that's exactly what the Roccat Sense Pro offers. It's not too textured that it requires a massive adjustment on your part, but we have found its surface to be just slightly less smooth to glide over. But, that's also the exact point – it's that textured finish that allows for fast, agile movements that are ideal for competitive gaming. Without an excellent mouse pad, you could have the best mouse or the best gaming mouse and still not have the best gliding and pointing experience. Upgrading from your desk to a proper mouse-friendly surface can help improve the experience of using your computing rodent. That's because mouse pads are designed with a surface that works better with a mouse's feet and sensor. Roccat has always had impressive RGB lighting, though it is something of an acquired taste. So it's no surprise that the Roccat Sense Aimo not only boasts two customizable zones and comes with 10 onboard RGB lighting profiles, but also delivers bright lighting that you can sync with compatible devices for your full immersion. To access those lighting profiles, you just need to press the built-in button, which also allows you to turn it off completely if you need a break. It's not easy assigning value to a piece of cloth, but someone's got to do it. When we receive a new mouse pad to test, we do what we do best: Play lots and lots of PC games.

That texture allows for a bit more friction and resistance, which in turn offers better precision. The result is a more controlled gliding, which should help with competitive gaming on titles like Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Call of Duty. Though you also should know that it does feel a little rougher to glide your mouse on, which might be annoying for some people. It certainly felt a little weird for us to use it during testing. At least in the beginning.

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An XXL mouse pad, or extended gaming surface, will typically completely cover the desk or table that you use with your gaming PC and its peripherals. There are various size options with this mouse mat, including plus-sized and mini versions measuring 450 x 400mm and 250 x 210mm respectively. So, should you wish to have a more expansive or a more compact mat, you've certainly got options.