The 5 Best Gaming Mousepads for Students Under ₹1,000 (2025)

 

The 5 Best Gaming Mousepads for Students Under ₹1,000 (2025)

By The Tech Guru

So, you did it. You bought that shiny new Logitech G102 or Razer DeathAdder, and you're ready to start hitting those one-taps. But wait... are you still using it on your bare, reflective desk? Or worse, on top of a textbook?

Let me be blunt: A gaming mouse is only as good as the surface it's on. Your mouse's expensive optical sensor needs a consistent, high-quality surface to track accurately. Using it on a bad surface is like buying a sports car and driving it in a rocky field.

A good mousepad is the cheapest, easiest, and most important upgrade you can make to your gaming setup. But before you buy, you need to know the most important choice: Speed or Control?

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"Speed vs. Control" Explained: The 60-Second Guide

This is the biggest decision, and it depends on the games you play.

Speed Pads

• What They Are: These pads have a silky, smooth, low-friction surface. Your mouse will feel like it's gliding on air.

• Best For: Fast-paced, tracking-heavy games like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, or Battlefield. If your game involves a lot of 180-degree turns and tracking fast-moving enemies, a Speed pad is for you.

Control Pads

• What They Are: These pads have a rougher, more textured weave. This creates more surface friction, giving you more "stopping power".

• Best For: Tactical, precision-based FPS games like Valorant and CS:GO. If your game is all about holding a precise angle, stopping on a dime, and hitting tiny micro-adjustments, a Control pad is your best friend.

Now that you know what you're looking for, here are the 5 best options under ₹1,000.

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1. Cosmic Byte Equinox (Control Edition) XL

Overview: The Best 'Control' Pad for FPS

Cosmic Byte is a student-gamer favorite, and the Equinox Control Edition is their pad built specifically for Valorant and CS:GO players. Its heavily textured surface provides maximum friction and stopping power, allowing for incredibly precise micro-adjustments.

Key Specifications

• Surface Type: Control

• Size: XL / Extended (Available in 900x450mm and other sizes)

• Stitched Edges: Yes

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Excellent stopping power for tactical FPS games.

  • XL size is big enough for your keyboard and mouse.

  • Durable stitched edges prevent fraying.

• Cons:

  • The high friction can feel "slow" or "muddy" for players coming from a fast pad.

Who it's Best For:

The serious Valorant, CS:GO, or Rainbow Six Siege player who needs pixel-perfect precision and stopping power above all else.

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2. Cosmic Byte Equinox (Speed Edition) XL

Overview: The 'Speed' Glider

This is the other side of the Cosmic Byte coin. The Equinox Speed Edition is made with a silky, low-friction cloth that lets your mouse glide with minimal effort. It's designed for fast reactions and wide, sweeping movements.

Key Specifications

• Surface Type: Speed

• Size: XL / Extended (Available in 900x450mm and other sizes)

• Stitched Edges: Yes

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Incredibly fast and smooth gliding surface.

  • XL size provides a huge area for mouse movement.

  • Durable stitched edges.

• Cons:

  • Very little stopping power, which can make micro-adjustments difficult for some.

Who it's Best For:

The Apex Legends, Warzone, or Battlefield player who needs to track fast-moving targets and make quick 180-degree turns.

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3. AmazonBasics Extended Gaming Mouse Pad

Overview: The XL Desk Mat (Best All-Round Value)

This is the hidden gem and one of the best-selling mousepads online. It's a massive, no-frills, high-quality desk mat that is perfect for students. It’s designed to be a reliable, all-in-one surface for both your keyboard and mouse, cleaning up your entire desk setup.

Key Specifications

• Surface Type: Control-Hybrid (a high-quality cloth with a smooth glide and good precision)

• Size: XL (920 x 300 mm)

• Stitched Edges: Yes

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Massive size covers your entire work/play area.

  • Thick, non-slip rubber base stays in place.

  • Machine washable for easy cleaning.

  • Incredible value for the price.

• Cons:

  • Not a "specialized" speed or control surface; it's a balance of both.

  • The simple black design might be boring for some.

Who it's Best For:

The vast majority of students. It's the perfect, affordable, do-it-all surface that upgrades your entire desk for both gaming and studying.

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4. Redgear MP35 (Speed-Type)

Overview: The Budget Speed Pick

If you're on the tightest budget and prefer a faster glide, the Redgear MP35 Speed-Type is a fantastic choice. It's a no-nonsense pad that delivers a consistent, low-friction surface for a very low price.

Key Specifications

• Surface Type: Speed

• Size: Small/Medium (e.g., 350x250mm)

• Stitched Edges: Yes

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Very affordable.

  • Excellent fast, low-friction surface for the price.

  • Stitched edges add durability.

• Cons:

  • Standard size is too small for low-DPI (arm) aimers.

Who it's Best For:

The high-sensitivity (high-DPI) gamer who needs a fast pad on a shoestring budget.

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5. Redgear MP35 (Control-Type)

Overview: The Budget Control Pick

The twin to the pad above, this version is for the budget Valorant player. The MP35 Control-Type offers a textured, high-friction weave that gives you the stopping power you need for tactical, precise shots.

Key Specifications

• Surface Type: Control

• Size: Small/Medium (e.g., 350x250mm)

• Stitched Edges: Yes

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Excellent value for a true control pad.

  • Great stopping power for precision aiming.

  • Durable stitched edges.

• Cons:

  • Standard size is not ideal for low-sensitivity players.

Who it's Best For:

The Valorant or CS:GO player on the tightest budget who has limited desk space.

Conclusion

A good gaming mousepad is the most underrated part of your setup. It's a cheap, essential upgrade that protects your mouse's feet, provides a consistent surface for your sensor, and will genuinely make your new gaming mouse feel twice as good.

Whether you choose a "Speed" pad for tracking or a "Control" pad for precision, any of these five picks will be a massive step up from your textbook or wooden desk

Quick Comparison Table

Model	Surface Type	Size	Stitched Edges
Cosmic Byte Equinox (Control)	Control	XL / Extended	Yes
Cosmic Byte Equinox (Speed)	Speed	XL / Extended	Yes
AmazonBasics Extended	Control-Hybrid	XL (920x300mm)	Yes
Redgear MP35 (Speed)	Speed	Small/Medium	Yes
Redgear MP35 (Control)	Control	Small/Medium	Yes