An uneven desk will mess with your mousepad.

Yes. It’s not about the pad’s performance—it’s about the pad not lying flat. Any bump or dip underneath translates to a wobble or ripple on the surface, and your mouse’s sensor will pick that up as tiny unpredictable movements. Even a thick cloth pad can’t fully compensate for a desk that’s got low spots or debris underneath.

The effect is subtle if you’re just browsing, but in a game or precise work (photo editing, CAD), it becomes maddening. You’ll notice your cursor jittering or the mouse feeling “gritty” as it drags over a hidden high spot. Hard pads (plastic, glass) are worse—they amplify every imperfection. Cloth pads mask it a bit, but not completely.

Quick fix: level the desk leg, or put a thin sheet of craft foam under the pad. Don’t just hope the pad will absorb it.

Your mouse deserves a solid foundation.