Silicone mousepads beat natural rubber for smell and longevity.

Yes, silicone outperforms natural rubber on both counts.

Natural rubber has that distinct, sometimes strong smell when new. It fades, but not completely—and over time, heat and hand oils can break it down, making it tacky or even crumbly after a year or two. Silicone is almost odorless from day one. It doesn’t degrade from UV or sweat, and it stays grippy without getting sticky.

If you’re sensitive to smells or want something that lasts more than a couple of years, go silicone. The only downside is that silicone can attract dust a little more, but a quick wipe fixes that. Rubber is cheaper, but you’ll probably replace it sooner.

Don’t overthink it—unless you really like the feel of rubber under your wrist.