Although MacBooks come with an extremely efficient trackpad, capable of providing an intuitive and smooth experience, there are situations where a mouse offers superior control and increased comfort. The Apple Magic Mouse, known for its minimalist design and unique touch surface, provides a different user experience compared to any other mouse you might use with a Mac. However, choosing a mousepad for the Apple Magic Mouse should be done carefully, as this type of mouse has a completely different construction from a regular mouse.
I have been a Mac user for over 12 years and dependent on the Apple Magic Mouse, for which over the years I have tested several types of mousepads, from professional ones recommended for graphic design or gaming to classic ones. I found that a mousepad for the Apple Magic Mouse, which offers a good experience, should be made of hard materials.
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The Best Mousepad Choices for Apple Magic Mouse
The best types of mousepads for Apple Magic Mouse are those made from hard materials, such as aluminum or finely finished plastic, which provide smooth and precise movement. Unlike regular mousepads, which are often made of fabric or foam, the Apple Magic Mouse requires a more rigid and finer surface for a good experience.
Aluminum Mousepad
An aluminum mousepad for Apple Magic Mouse should have a smooth and hard surface that allows the mouse to glide easily without encountering excessive friction. Aluminum also ensures efficient heat dissipation, providing comfortable long-term use. However, the hard strips on the Magic Mouse will degrade the aluminum surface over time, but without negatively affecting the user experience.
Personally, I chose to buy a Satechi aluminum mousepad. For me, it is the best mousepad for the Apple Magic Mouse, even though the hard strips on the mouse have caused the mousepad’s appearance to suffer over time, but without degrading performance. The mouse has excellent grip on this type of mousepad and can be used with great precision in the most demanding graphic editing applications.
In the image above, the Satechi mousepad was new and looked premium. After two and a half years of use, signs of wear are visible, but the Apple Magic Mouse still works very well on it.
Since this aluminum model is no longer widely available on the market and having had a very pleasant experience with it, I decided to buy a mousepad with an eco-leather surface, also from Satechi. Unfortunately, although Satechi recommends the Eco-Leather or Deskmate mousepad for Magic Mouse, my experience with this type of mousepad was not very pleasant. The two hard contact strips on the back of the Magic Mouse stick to the eco-leather surface, making movements feel less smooth.
Plastic Mousepad
High-quality, finely finished plastic is another excellent choice if you are looking for a mousepad for the Apple Magic Mouse. However, you should avoid glossy surfaces, as these can cause the mouse to move too quickly and not offer precise control. Matte plastic mousepads provide a perfect balance between speed and control.
(By the way, the cat's name is Mouse.)
In my case, I had a very good experience with the Razer Invicta Mercury Dual-Sided model, on which the Apple Magic Mouse worked very smoothly and precisely. This mousepad model has a plastic board with two surfaces, both of which can be used for the Magic Mouse. The aluminum support holds the plastic board firmly, while the rubber on the back provides stability on the desk, no matter how slippery the surface may be. Unfortunately, as with the Satechi aluminum mousepad, the plastic surface of this mousepad suffers wear due to the two hard strips on the Apple Magic Mouse.
Fabric Mousepad for Apple Magic Mouse
Avoid fabric or foam mousepads, even if they seem comfortable at first glance. The hard strips on the back of the Magic Mouse will not glide efficiently on these surfaces and will generate friction, making the mouse frustrating to use. Moreover, such materials can wear out quickly and accumulate dust or dirt, which will further affect the device’s performance.
Related: How to disable trackpad when a mouse is connected to a MacBook.
In conclusion, a mousepad for Apple Magic Mouse should ideally be made from materials like aluminum or finely finished matte plastic. These are the most recommended for achieving a perfect balance between speed and control, while avoiding unnecessary wear on the mouse.
Fun Fact: How to spell it correctly, “mouse pad” or “mousepad”? The correct form is “mousepad.” In English, compound words are usually written without spaces between them.
