Packaging

Space efficiency is key, and SteelSeries knows this. Many users don't like it when mouse pads arrive rolled up, but this is still arguably the cheapest and most environmentally friendly method of packaging mouse pads. The box itself is a standard cardboard carton box with SteelSeries's new signature color scheme, the orange, gray, and white color trio is highly dominant. There are two standard QcK size options, 320 mm x 270 mm x 3 mm for the QcK Limited and 450 mm x 400 mm x 3 mm for the QcK+ Limited. In this review, I am going to show you the the QcK Limited.

Surface

The top part is made out of an extremely densely woven microfiber cloth material (which I am pretty sure has some kind of coating). This creates a very smooth surface that is pleasant to the touch. People often categorize gaming mouse pads into two main groups, speed and control. I think this is wrong as there is much more to a mouse pad than that. The Limited provides a very smooth glide that is very fast, but controllable and with enough stopping power. This may differ from mouse to mouse as the weight, shape, and material and wear of the mouse feet may play a drastic role as well.

Here are some close-up pictures of the surface weaving:


Of course, I encountered absolutely no sensor anomalies during my tests, but old (like the Avago A2020) and lower-quality sensors may have issues tracking on the white parts of the surface. Good modern sensors won't have any issues whatsoever; the A3090, PMW3310, and several PMW3360-variants all tracked flawlessly on it.

Underside

A few years ago, SteelSeries introduced a newer bottom material for their mouse pads that is slightly tackier, more secure, and has their logo etched into it in many places. I am not going to say that this is the best, stickiest mouse pad underside I have ever seen or used, but it is good. Once the mousepad lays out completely and pretty much all the air has gotten out from beneath, it sticks to the table even more, of course.