By Olin Coles
Manufacturer: X2 Products
Product Name: XPAD Professional Mouse Pad
Model Number: XPAD X2-MP02 & XPAD Pro XXXL X2-MP03
EAN: 6943051262802 (X2-MP02), 6943051262864 (X2-MP03)
Price As Tested: MP02 – $15.95 / €11.95, MP03 – $44.95 / €32.95
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by X2 Products.
If you’re a PC gamer, then chances are very good you’ve spent money on a high-performance keyboard a mouse. These are peripherals that work with your hands to act like an extension of your body. Unfortunately, your body can fatigue from using them, and mouse accuracy suffers when your hands and arms get tired. This is why the top gamers use a quality mousing surface, which reduces sliding resistance and allows for smooth gliding over the mat. Personal comfort plays a big role in this decision, which is why many products are made soft as opposed to solid surfaces. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the XPAD MP02 and desk-sized XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 professional Mouse Pads by X2 Products.
XPAD X2-MP02
- Dimensions: 400 x 300 x 3mm (15.75″ x 11.8″ x 0.12″ thick)
- Color: Black
- Lifespan: 5-years
- Warranty: 2-years
- Net Weight: 215 grams (7.58 oz)
XPAD Pro XXXL X2-MP03
- Dimensions: 1200 x 600 x 3mm (47.24″ x 23.62″ x 0.12″ thick)
- Color: Black
- Lifespan: 5-years
- Warranty: 2-years
- Net Weight: 1330 grams (46.91 oz)
About X2
X2 is originated by a team of PC enthusiasts based in The Netherlands, the design heart of Europe. X2 redefines the true meaning of performance PC hardware. With our exceptional style coupled with genuine product quality X2 is irrefutably above and beyond the rest.
The X2 XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 is a large desk surface-sized mouse pad that was designed for desktop PC gamers. Available from X2 Products for $44.95 / €32.95, the XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 is ideal for someone wanting to cover their entire desk with a mousing surface.
X2 Products expects their entire XPAD series to last at least five years, and warranties these mouse pads for two years. I’ve own similar mousing surfaces that are still good-as-new almost seven years later.
Each X2 XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 mouse pad is built with high-quality neoprene rubberized foam, and measures 1200 x 600 x 3mm (47.24″ x 23.62″ x 0.12″ thick). The total weigh of this desk-sized mousing surface is 1330 grams (46.91 oz), so it’s meant to be permanently positioned on the desktop.
X2 XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 is ideal for games that cause large mouse movements, such as those where you might constantly move the point-of-view in a vehicle or weapon turret.
The soft rubber underside of XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 combine with it’s giant contact surface to allow this mouse pad to grip to the desktop and avoid unwanted movement or sliding.
The surface of these XPAD mouse pads is made of a low-friction nylon, which allows the mouse to slide across with minimal effort while giving an ideal amount of resistance feedback.
XPAD’s 3mm-thick rubberized foam material offers enough cushion for prolonged contact with the mouse pad, while rigid enough to provide a low-friction surface for gaming peripherals.
The desktop sized surface also helps reduce fatigue by allowing your body to touch a softer surface while using the computer. This also makes it more comfortable for extended periods of use.
In the next section we inspect smaller XPAD MP02 mouse pad…
The X2 XPAD MP02 is a portable Mouse Pad designed for gamers. Available from X2 Products for $15.95 / €11.95, the XPAD MP02 is ideal for mouse-side placement that does not cover the entire desk.
Each X2 XPAD MP02 Mouse Pad is built with high-quality neoprene rubberized foam, and measures 400 x 300 x 3mm (15.75″ x 11.8″ x 0.12″ thick). The total weigh of this surface is 215 grams (7.58 oz), so it’s easy to roll-up and take with you to events.
X2 offers this version of their XPAD mouse pad as a portable gaming surface, and warranties this mouse pad for two years. Similar mousing surfaces I’ve owned are going strong seven years later.
X2 XPAD MP02 is ideal for games that cause large mouse movements, such as those where you might constantly move the point-of-view in a vehicle or weapon turret.
XPAD’s 3mm-thick rubberized foam material offers enough cushion for prolonged contact with the mouse pad, while rigid enough to provide a low-friction surface for gaming peripherals.
The soft rubber underside of XPAD MP02 allows the mouse pad to grip to the surface and avoid sliding or unwanted movement.
These X2 XPAD mouse surfaces are put to the test in the next section…
Mouse pad testing is subjective, since quantified performance results cannot be obtained from a benchmark. For this reason, it is important to compare as many similar products as possible. In this article, three different mouse products were used on our collection of mouse pads. Performance was rated based on friction, feedback, and comfort.
-
Logitech G9x Gaming Mouse
-
Roccat Kone XTD Gaming Mouse
-
Corsair Vengeance M60 Gaming Mouse
- XPAD X2-MP02 (firm soft)
- XPAD Pro XXXL X2-MP03 (firm soft)
- RatPadz GS (medium hard)
- RatPadz XT (very hard)
- XTracPads Ripper XL (soft)
Mouse pads are divided into either soft or hard surfaces, and no combination of mouse or mousing surface will suit everybody’s personal preference. I like to use a lightweight mouse for easy movement on a hard medium-friction surface for subtle feedback. Another gamer might prefer a weighted mouse with an ultra-slick surface, while others want a slower surface. Generally speaking, no one size fits all.
The X2 XPAD series offers a firm, yet soft, low-friction surface that allows the mouse to glide but still gives moderate resistance feedback. Nylon fabric surfaces, like those used for X2 XPAD and others, work well with plastic mouse feet. All three mouse products tested had approximately the same degree of glide over soft surfaces, and would slide with modest resistance feedback from the soft surface.
Hard plastic pebble surfaces such as the RatPadz XT allow a much slicker surface, but offer nearly no resistance or feedback. Hard surfaces are good for regular computing, especially for extended periods of use, but the lack of feedback may cause a gamer to overreach and miss the mark.
Soft or hard finish notwithstanding, the sheer size of X2 XPAD MP03 adds an additional factor that is worthy of recognition. When you game, elbows and forearms rest on the desk’s hard surface. With a product like XPAD Pro XXXL X2-MP03, those points of contact are given a comfortable surface to rest on… no matter where they might be positioned. XPAD MP02 isn’t nearly as large, but it’s easily big enough for the mousing arm to rest atop.
Overall I really liked the feel, feedback, and comfort delivered by the XPAD series. Most of all, I like that XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 covered my desk surface, allowing for less pressure and irritation on my elbows and forearms.
IMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, be advised that every author perceives these factors differently. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer revisions that occur after publication which could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on this conclusion, as it represents our rating specifically for the product tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate.
Both the X2 XPAD MP02 and XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 are identical in performance, and merely different in size. In terms of surface feel, X2 XPAD uses a tight nylon non-snag weave that offers very little friction and modest feedback resistance. The large XPAD Pro XXXL adds comfort to elbows and forearms that come in contact with the desk, allowing the soft surface to reduce fatigue.
X2 Products warranties the XPAD series for two years, and expects five years of life out of them. I expect that users will see these mouse pads last much longer, as I’m still using one for almost seven years without signs of wear. The rubberized foam construction gives these mouse pads a firm cushioned feel to them, while the textured soft rubber bottom keeps in solid contact with the desk and prevents the mat from sliding.
In terms of functionality both XPAD products perform well, but the X2 XPAD Pro XXXL MP03 offers a much larger space for mouse movement. Additionally, the larger dimensions cover most desktop surfaces entirely, and allow a static-free cover that protects other sensitive components.
As of November 2013, the X2 XPAD series was not readily available for sale online. X2 Products suggests a sale price of 15.95 / €11.95 for XPAD MP02, and $44.95 / €32.95 for XPAD MP03. These prices fall in line with other products of similar size.
# Final words or recommendation.
+ Low-friction soft surface
+ Comfortable neoprene center
+ Textured bottom grips surface
+ Large dimensions cover entire desktop
+ Offers good feedback resistance
– Will require cleaning over time
– Not as slick as hard surface pads
-
Performance: 8.50
-
Appearance: 9.00
-
Construction: 8.75
-
Functionality: 9.25
-
Value: 8.25
