NZXT Zone vs Zone Elite: Which Mousepad Should You Choose?

Introduction

The NZXT Zone and Zone Elite mousepads offer two distinct options for competitive players. One is more aimed at value-conscious gamers who still care about speed, and the other tailored toward those who want a more polished, versatile pad without spending premium money. In this comparison, we’ll break down the key differences between both current NZXT offerings and help you figure out which pad belongs on your desk.

Quick Specs Comparison

Before diving into the strengths and weaknesses of each pad, it’s a good idea to compare the specs of both pads. In case you’re not aware, we test all mousepads that we review in a lab environment as well as in regular gaming scenarios. This way, we can have objective data on how a pad performs, which helps us evaluate each pad more accurately. If you want to learn more about our testing process, you can read all about it in our dedicated article.

As you can see from the specs, the Zone is a faster pad than the Zone Elite. With that said: both pads lean into the ‘fast’ territory, so if you want a pad that offers a lot of control, it’s best to look elsewhere.

In the next part of this article, we’ll go a little deeper into how both pads feel and perform in actual gameplay scenarios.

Glide and Gameplay Experience

The NZXT Zone is a slick, quick pad with a noticeable 30% difference in glide between horizontal and vertical movements. That makes it interesting for players who like to play tactical shooters like VALORANT or CS2 and prefer speedier pads. Since most speed pads don’t have a big X/Y difference, they can make you feel a bit like you’re on ice. Here, the high horizontal speed of the pad allows you to execute big flicks with relative ease, while the slightly slower Y axis helps keep your crosshair at headshot level.

The Zone Elite offers a smoother, more consistent glide. It strikes a nice middle ground where it is fast enough for quick movements, but it also has a slightly higher dynamic friction to help with stopping control. This makes it an interesting choice for players who mostly enjoy tracking-based games such as Apex Legends. There’s more than enough leeway present to allow you to track without feeling limited, and there’s a decent amount of stopping power so that you can land your flicks without overaiming.

Pictured below: NZXT Zone Elite

Base and Foam

The Zone has a 3mm rubber base that feels firm and consistent. Because of this, it doesn’t allow for any pressure-based control (where you put more pressure on your mouse in order to get some extra resistance) but that’s not an objectively bad thing. Whether or not a pad should allow for ‘digging in’ is down to personal preference, so if you want consistency, the Zone offers exactly that. In terms of grip, the Zone’s base does exactly what it has to, and there are minimal slippage issues.

The Zone Elite uses a 4mm Poron base, which is typically associated with much more expensive pads on the premium side of things. Whereas lots of Poron-based pads offer a squishier foam, the Zone Elite’s foam is—just like it is on the regular Zone—firm without a lot of give. The grip on the Zone Elite’s base is not quite as sticky as it could be, though. If you have a slippery desk, it’s good to take note of this.

Everyday Usage and Finish

Both pads handle daily wear and tear well and seem to be products that are made to last.

Both offer stitched edges, but the Zone Elite’s stitches are a bit more consistent. Additionally, the stitching on the Zone Elite is sub-surface, meaning that it’s thinner than the actual playing surface. This is not the case on the regular Zone.

Both pads also have liquid-resistant surfaces, which is a major plus for clumsy gamers. Spills of any kind of liquid can quickly be cleaned up by gently dabbing the liquid with a kitchen towel.

The texture on the Zone is a little bit rougher than the smoother nano-knit polyester that the Zone Elite uses, but the difference isn’t all that big.

All in all, the Zone Elite feels more premium than the regular Zone when it comes to the overall finishing and the materials used. That’s to be expected, however, as it’s the more expensive pad of the two.

Pictured below: NZXT Zone

Price and Value

In terms of raw value, both pads are basically a steal. The NZXT Zone starts at just $14.99 in the smallest size (40×40 cm), making it one of the most affordable gaming mousepads on the market. This means that it’s a great budget option and also a great pad for people who want to try out speed pads without spending a lot of money. Even the largest version (40x90cm) only costs $29.99, which is very affordable for a desk-sized pad.

The more premium Zone Elite begins at $29.99 (40×40 cm) and tops out at $54.99 for the desk-sized version. Compared to other premium pads with similar materials and specs, that’s a very competitive price. Additionally, the Zone Elite also has the advantage of being available as an extended pad, whereas most premium offerings are not available in extended versions.

Which One Should You Get?

Now that you know everything that there is to know about the differences between the NZXT Zone and Zone Elite, you can decide on which one suits you best.

NZXT Zone

The NZXT Zone is a great option for players who want an affordable fast pad with an interesting glide profile. Its rather pronounced X/Y glide difference makes it especially interesting for tactical shooter fans, as horizontal flicks feel smooth and snappy, while the slower vertical movement helps stabilize aim at head level during those flicks. The micro-weave surface is a bit rougher than premium offerings, but the surface is still comfortable enough for most users. Its firm rubber base doesn’t offer any pressure-based control, but it keeps the pad stable at all times.

At just $14.99 for the large (40×40 cm) size, it’s a solid pick for budget-conscious players or anyone curious about speed pads.

NZXT Zone Elite

The Zone Elite is a more refined experience. Its nano-knit polyester surface offers a smooth and quick glide, and the higher dynamic friction gives it better stopping power than its sibling. This makes it a great option for tracking-based shooters like Apex Legends. The 4mm Poron base is firm, so you won’t get much extra control by putting pressure on your mouse, but Poron is a material that you typically only find on much more expensive mousepads. The sub-surface stitching and clean stitches help complete the ‘premium pad appeal’.

Starting at $29.99 (40×40 cm) and available in extended sizes, the Zone Elite is a good pick for players who want speed with a touch more control, and for players who want to experience some premium features at a very wallet-friendly price.

Conclusion

Both NZXT pads lean towards speed, but they approach it in a different way. Whereas the Zone is more of an all-out speed pad (though with an interesting twist due to the higher friction on the Y axis), the Zone Elite offers a bit more stopping power.

In any case, it’s very hard to go wrong with either of the NZXT pads. They’re available for very budget-friendly prices, and both pads offer a quality experience.

After reading this article, you should be able to work out which NZXT Zone pad suits your needs and setup best. Have fun gaming!

You can explore both models at NZXT.com.

Kai

Admin, Sales, Community

I'm one of the co-founders of ProSettings. I'm responsible for everything business and technology and occasionally blog and do reviews.