Glass mousepads can cause tracking issues with some sensors.

Yes, there is a difference, and cloth is almost always more reliable for accuracy.

Modern high-DPI sensors (like PixArt 3360, 3389, or Logitech Hero) are impressively tolerant, but glass is a weird material for optical sensors. Some glass pads have a coating or texture that works fine. Others are too reflective or transparent, causing the sensor to lose tracking or spin out during fast movements. Cloth pads are predictable—consistent friction, no surprises.

The real trade-off is speed vs. control. Glass is faster, but if your sensor doesn’t like it, accuracy suffers. Cloth is slower but boringly consistent. If you’re playing competitive shooters and rely on pixel-perfect aim, stick with a high-quality cloth pad. If you just want that smooth glide for casual use, try a glass pad and test it—but don’t be surprised if your mouse behaves differently.

Stick with cloth unless you’re willing to gamble on sensor compatibility.