SteelSeries QcK review - a surprisingly good gaming mousepad for a bargain price

The SteelSeries QcK is one of the longest-running mousepad ranges you can buy, with the first version launching over 20 years ago. A lot has changed in the world of gaming mice since then - from laser sensors coming and going to wireless gaming mice now being commonplace - but the QcK remains a great go-to choice for a low-cost, quality mousepad that won't let you down, though there are a few caveats to note.

It's this simplicity and dependability that explain why the QcK sits at the top of our best gaming mousepad guide, but the third factor is price. Along with being a legend of the industry, the QcK range remains among the cheapest options from a mainstream gaming brand. There are a few reasons why that's the case, which may affect whether it's the right choice of mouse mat for you, but this SteelSeries stalwart is a fine choice for most gamers.

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Specs

Design and features

The SteelSeries QcK range is available in a wide range of sizes, from a 9.8 x 7.9-inch (250 x 210mm) small option that costs a mere $6.99 all the way up to a 63 x 31-inch (1,600 x 800mm) deskpad that normally costs $99.99 but is currently discounted to just $39.99.

We're reviewing the large version, which is the most popular size and which should suit most gamers, though some people may prefer the slightly more compact medium option. We're also partial to the XXL and 3XL deskpad options, which provide you with a soft landing not only for your mouse but your keyboard too. These deskpad options are, ironically, also quite useful if you have limited desk space, as you don't have to worry about your keyboard and mousepad otherwise clashing for desk space.

As well as all these size options, you can also get the QcK in Heavy ($29.99 for large) versions that are three times thicker than the normal versions, and Prism versions that add RGB piping around the edge of a pad that's twice the thickness of the standard QcK. There's also the Edge range, which adds a stitched edge to the mat, and a Hard version that uses a hard plastic surface, rather than a soft foam and fabric. Then there's also the new QcK Performance range, which is pictured on the right in the image above. It offers a thicker foam, stitched edge, and a choice of different top surfaces.

Not all sizes and styles are available in the same combination - there isn't a large Prism, for instance - and some sizes are differ between styles, so you'll have to check the specs carefully to make sure you're getting the mousepad you want.

Back to the basic QcK, though, and this mousepad has just a foam backing with a grippy underside and a woven fabric top. That's it. No frills, and whatever spills you have on it are easy to wash off with dish soap and water - read our how to clean a mousepad guide for full instructions.

SteelSeries does offer a range of color and pattern options, though stock is mostly only available for the large pad, with other sizes having a far more limited range. The default option is plain black with a white SteelSeries logo, plus there are bright pink, pastel blue, and dark green options, but that's about it for plain colors. The other options are patterned, with many game-themed options, including ones for Apex Legends (with my boy Pathy front and center), CoD: Modern Warfare 2 and 3, and PUBG. However, obvious big titles such as Counter-Strike, Fortnite, and Minecraft aren't available. Yet.

Performance

The most immediate thing to note about the QcK mousepad is that it's quite thin. At just 2mm thick, it's nearly half the thickness of SteelSeries' more expensive QcK Performance lineup (3.5mm), and actually half the thickness of some rivals such as the Corsair MM range (4mm).

This thinness isn't a problem if you have a desk with a clean, flat surface. However, if your PC setup is on a vintage desk or rustic table that has some slight inconsistencies to its top surface, the thinness of this mat means it doesn't really do a great job of smoothing out and absorbing those imperfections - a thicker mat will be a better choice.

This consideration aside, though, the QcK provides a great mousing surface. Despite its thinness, it still provides a pleasingly cushioning feel, reducing the pressure on your wrist when compared to a hard desk, and insulating your hand from the cold desk surface, while providing a smooth-gliding surface. On balance, my personal preference is for a slightly thicker mousepad with even more cushioning, but such options do cost more money.

Sound is also deadened nicely, so your frantic mouse movements aren't accompanied by too much distracting noise. Some gamers may prefer the even smoother-gliding feel of plastic or even glass mousepads, but the noise they make is undeniably a problem.

With no stitching to protect the cut edge of the pad, the woven top surface can become a little visibly frayed after not much use, but it's only the very edges; the fabric doesn't lose any threads or delaminate from the foam. Ultimately, you can get thicker, woven-edge pads, but again, they generally cost at least 50% more. If you just want a basic, reliable mousing surface, the QcK delivers.

That's true in terms of the reliability of mouse tracking too. The woven top surface here is not only very smooth and low-resistance, but it also provides a surface that worked utterly reliably for the dozens of different mice, both for gaming and productivity, with which I tested it. I also played a wide range of games, including competitive shooters, and found there to be no glitches in my performance that could possibly be attributed to a mouse mat.

The surface here is purely of the fast-gliding style. You'll have to opt for the QcK Performance lineup if you prefer a rougher, slower-gliding, so-called "control" style mousepad.

The SteelSeries QcK varies in cost from $6.99 all the way up to $99.99, depending on the size you get. However, the large version costs just $14.99 / £14.99. There are cheaper options from less well-known brands, but most competing brands cost more money. The compromise here is that most of those more expensive options use thicker foam and often come with a stitched edge, so you do get more for that extra outlay. If you just want a basic option, though, the QcK gets you reliable quality at a very low price.

Alternatives

SteelSeries QcK Performance

SteelSeries recently unveiled its Performance mousepads, which offer three key changes compared to the standard QcK. They're thicker, they have stitched edges, and they're available in three different surface types. You can choose between a fast, medium, and slow glide feel, letting you dial in your preferred mouse response. Read our Steelseries QcK Performance review for more information.

Corsair MM200 Pro

Corsair's MM range of mousepads offers a thicker foam backing and stitched edge, making them more expensive for any given size than the SteelSeries QcK. However, if you prefer an even more cushioned feel and an anti-fray stitched edge, they're our go-to choice for a slightly more premium pad. The MM200 Pro is the equivalent size of the QcK Large and costs $26.99 / £24.99.

Verdict

The SteelSeries QcK is a very basic mousepad that, despite being from a big-name gaming peripheral brand, offers fantastic value. If you're just after a cheap mat, but don't want to risk buying a no-name brand off Amazon, it's an easy recommendation.

More premium pads from both SteelSeries and other big names, such as Corsair and Razer, offer a thicker foam backing and anti-fray stitched edges, which can look a little tidier. However, they cost more as a result, and the improvement in raw performance is all but imperceptible.

If you're looking for the perfect mouse to accompany your new mousepad, why not check out our best gaming mouse and best wireless gaming mouse guides? You can also read our Glorious Model O Eternal review, which is our new favorite budget mouse that costs under $40.