4 Things to Know About Trackball Mousepads

You don’t need a special mousepad Trackball mice don’t slide around, so they don’t need the consistent surface that optical or laser mice require. Any flat surface works — a desk, notebook, or even your leg in a pinch.

Specialized pads are for comfort or looks, not function A thick desk mat can improve wrist angle, and a hard surface is easy to clean. But the ball tracks fine on anything that isn’t reflective or greasy.

Buying a trackball pad is a style choice If you want one, go for it. Just know you’re buying aesthetics, not performance.

The whole point of a trackball is ditching the pad Trackballs are designed to work without a dedicated surface. Adding a pad defeats their main advantage.