4 Things to Know About Desk Mats and Monitor Arms

Thin mats are fine Most desk mats made of neoprene or felt compress slightly but still let the monitor arm base make solid contact with the desk underneath.

Thick mats cause wobble Plush gaming mouse pads, memory foam, or squishy gel mats let the base sink unevenly, reducing friction and making the arm unstable.

Rubber mats can slide Slippery or rubbery mats that don’t grip the desk surface can let the base shift, especially with heavier monitors.

Fix it with a cutout If your mat is thick and soft, trim a hole under the base or skip the mat in that spot entirely. Most people won’t notice a difference.