Smooth mousepads save battery life on sealed mice.

Yes, rougher surfaces drain the battery faster.

Here’s the deal: a wireless mouse’s optical sensor and motor both work harder on high-friction surfaces. A textured cloth pad, for example, creates more drag, so the mouse needs more power to maintain accurate tracking and fluid movement. Smooth surfaces — think hard plastic, glass, or a finely woven cloth — reduce friction, letting the sensor coast with less energy.

With a non-replaceable battery, every bit of efficiency matters. You can’t just swap in fresh AAs when the charge dips. So if you want to stretch the time between charges, a smooth pad is the smarter choice.

Your mouse’s battery is already finite; don’t make it work harder than it has to.