6 Things to Know About Mouse Sensor Surfaces

Optical mice need texture and contrast to track properly. Dark surfaces absorb the red LED light, causing the sensor to lose tracking.

Reflective surfaces like glass desks blind optical sensors with their own reflected light. Stick to light-colored, matte surfaces with visible grain.

A beige cloth pad is the ideal surface for optical mice. It provides the right balance of light color and texture.

Laser mice handle more surfaces, including glass and glossy tabletops. But mirror-finish pads can cause jittery movement and skipping.

Laser mice struggle on very uniform dark surfaces like black glossy pads. They work better on dark matte surfaces than optical mice do.

A standard medium-gray cloth pad is the safest choice for both sensor types. It costs around ten dollars and works reliably with any mouse.