Desk Mat vs Desk Pad vs Blotter and etc – What’s the difference?

If you are somebody who works a lot from their desk computer, it’s likely that you have thought about upgrading your desk setup, whether it is for the sake of improving the comfort, productivity or simply aesthetics of your working environment. Desk Mat and Mouse Pad are the two products that are the most common and are rather essential, for people with desk-based jobs. They come in many different materials and shapes. We will talk about the main three type you are most likely to come across.

Desk Pad / Desk Blotter 

The most common and in popular choice due to easy affordability. It is essentially an oversized mouse pad that covers most of your operating desk surface. They are perfect for gamers since they are made from harder materials allowing perfect mouse glide & laser pickup. Typically, are made from PU (Polyurethane) which makes them versatile for printing on surface, which is why they come in many different colours and designs. However, the material is made from petrol which in its turn is made from crude oil, making it the least environmentally friendly type of office desk covering accessory.

Desk Mat is a softer and a bit thicker relative of a desk pad. Usually made from genuine or vegan leather, or a felt, making them more expensive but worth every penny due to increased comfort and upgraded look they give your desk. Manufacturers put more time and effort into making sure the product is a quality one and will last years.

It is suitable for both gamers and people working from desk, depending on what material you pick. If you are a serious and dedicated gamer, you would want to go with a leather mat or a special mouse compatible fabric mat, to add the character to your gaming environment. Which is not something a cheap desk pad would provide.

Wrist Rest / Elbow Rest

Ergonomic accessories designed to provide comfort and support during extended periods of computer use or desk work. They can help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and prevent conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. They are designed to provide a soft and comfortable place for your elbows and wrists to rest while you work at your desk or computer.

Elbow rests have cushioned or padded surfaces that either lie on a desk or attach to the front edge of a workstation. Wrist rests are commonly placed in front of a keyboard or a mouse, and they come in smaller sizes. They are mostly made from synthetic or less commonly, natural fabric.

Their downside is that they not as aesthetically pleasing as desk mats and they could easy be ‘in the way’ of something you’re working on, making them less practical solution.

2 in 1 Mouse mat?

But what do you do it you want a proper comfort for your arms without sacrificing the look and practicality of your workstation? Is there a product that combines all of these essential features? This is where Fusionstrike's Limestone Desk Mat comes in. The first and so far, the only product in the market that delivers. We’ve taken an original approach to finding a material that would be a perfect fit, we’ve looked around and focused on spongy rubber, particularly one that uses raw limestone as a base material. More on our Story page.