Low-porosity cloth mousepads are easier to keep clean.

Yes, porosity matters a lot — the tighter the weave, the less dust and lint you’ll be scrubbing off.

Fuzzy, high-pile cloth acts like a lint trap. Every stray hair and speck of dust gets woven into the fibers, and no amount of wiping gets it all out. You’ll end up washing it, which is a pain and can ruin the surface if you’re not careful.

Smooth, tight-weave materials — think Cordura, polyester blends, or coated cloth surfaces — are the way to go. They wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth in ten seconds. Brands like Razer (Goliathus Speed) or the Logitech G840 are good examples. Some “hybrid” cloth pads even have a slick coating that resists dust.

If you really want zero maintenance, get a hard mousepad. But for cloth, skip anything that feels plush or velvety.

Your mouse should glide, not plow through dust bunnies.