Natural rubber beats silicone for gaming.

Natural rubber. Silicone feels grippy at first, but it can still slide on smooth surfaces when you’re really flicking the mouse around. Natural rubber creates more static friction against a desk — it doesn’t get pushed aside.

The trade-off is that rubber attracts dust and hair, and it can stain lighter desks. But if your only goal is “pad stays put during sweaty Valorant,” rubber wins every time.

Silicone is fine for typing or casual browsing. Not for intense gaming.