Introduction
VAXEE’s mousepads need no introduction in the pro scene. The brand’s products have been featured on many gaming desks at this point in time, and their mousepads are well-loved in the pro scene. That doesn’t mean that the people at VAXEE are resting on their laurels, though, as they’re constantly releasing new and upgraded versions of their mousepads. In our VAXEE PD140 review, we take a look at their latest control pad to see how it stacks up against the market.
At A Glance
VAXEE PD140
The VAXEE PD140 is one of the most impressive control pads on the market right now. Especially if you’re looking for a thick control pad with a firm foam, this is one of your best bets.
Pros
- Base is super sticky
- Foam is very firm and consistent
Specs
| Height | 48cm |
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| Length | 40cm |
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| Thickness | 5.5mm |
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| Stitched edges | No |
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| Material | Cloth |
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| Glide | Control |
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| Static Friction | 46.2 |
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| Static Friction Angle | 8.76 |
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| Glide Difference X/Y | 9 |
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| Dynamic Friction | 2.73 |
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First Impressions
The very first thing I noticed is that the PD140 is a hefty piece of kit. It’s quite possibly the heaviest mousepad of this size I’ve handled to date, so if you’re someone who is often on the go with their gaming gear, this might be something you want to take note of.
Aside from the weight, there are also the rolled edges. This is quite a rarity, but I really like this. It’s comfier than a straight edge and also beats your average stitched edge in terms of comfort.
The PD140 is available in two different colors (pink and black) and there are also square (50×50) versions available, which are named the PD+.
Speaking of names: I still am very much of the opinion that VAXEE should do something about their naming scheme. As someone who follows the peripherals scene very closely, even I find it difficult to make sense of their product lines. With names like PA, PE, PC, PE-K, Pcute, PD140, PD150, PD151, and PD155 on their website, it’s extremely difficult to see the forest for the trees.
In case you’re equally confused: for the PD series specifically, the number stands for the speed, so the PD140 is the slowest PD pad, whereas the PD155 is the fastest currently available pad.
Finish and Overall Quality
In terms of finish and feel, the PD140 absolutely impresses. From the sharp printing of the logo and name on the bottom right to the consistency of the foam: everything is done to a very high standard.
The rolled edges that have been used instead of stitched ones also feel great to me. On a pad this thick, I feel like it’s the best option, and it’s executed really well, with no fraying or anything like that.
On top of all of this, the pad also lays completely flat immediately, which is a great bonus.
Performance
Glide
The PD140 has basically the same surface as the PE-K which I reviewed last year. This means that the glide that you’re getting here is very control-focused, but there are some minor differences. To me, the PD140 feels a touch slower than the PE-K, for example.
In terms of static friction, the PD140 offers tons of control. There’s a lot of resistance when making small movements, and every fractional distance that your mouse cursor or crosshair travels feels deliberate.
When it comes to the dynamic friction, it’s a little bit of a different story, as it’s not all about control. Large swipes feel pretty smooth once you’re going, but there’s still a lot of stopping power for when you decide to stop a flick. This means that you’re getting a pad that’s controlling for pretty much all aiming tasks, except for when you’re mid-flick.
It’s an interesting take on pads like the Razer Gigantus V2 or VAXEE’s own PA because this offers that same type of glide (good amount of resistance except for when you’re swiping) in a very control-oriented package rather than a medium pad. In essence: if you’re looking for a very slow pad that doesn’t feel too muddy when swiping, this is a very good candidate.
Base and Softness
For me, one of the defining features of this PD140 is the base and foam combination. For starters, the foam is extremely dense and consistent. It’s a pad with a thickness of 5.5mm, and yet I couldn’t find any spot that feels a little softer than the rest of the pad. In terms of softness, I’d say that there is practically none. The foam is so firm that the pad can often feel like a hard pad. That’s great for consistency purposes, but not so great if you’re the type of player who likes to dig your mouse feet into a pad in order to get more control.
The base, then, is super sticky. When I looked at it after a week or two of testing, I saw multiple small hairs and specks of dust just sitting there stuck to the base material. This, along with the weight, results in the most stable (regular-sized) pad I’ve tried so far. Even when I tried to deliberately move the pad by applying a ton of pressure to the side, it didn’t budge. In fact, when I wanted to reposition the pad slightly (something that I do often for some reason) I had to fully lift it off of the desk, or otherwise it wouldn’t move.
Everyday Usage
The PD140 arrives flat-packed, but it can be rolled to some extent. It’s a behemoth of a pad, so you won’t be able to roll it very thinly, but you can manipulate it a bit in order to get it to fit inside a bag. It’s also very crease-resistant, making it a pad that feels like it’ll last for a long time.
Obviously, I don’t know how long the rolled edges will hold out. They might wear out on the edge after prolonged exposure to sweaty forearms, for example, but as far as I can tell everything looks safely and durably secured.
In terms of comfort, the PD140 is a winner. Despite its thickness and controlling nature, I never had any comfort issues. The surface itself is also quite smooth and handles humidity well, so the PD140 is a mousepad that you can quite easily use for prolonged periods of time or in more humid climates.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for exact alternatives to the PD140 (same or similar thickness and rolled edges) then I’d have to say that I don’t know of any right now. If you want a super controlling pad, Artisan’s Type-99 is a good alternative, but it’s thinner and has a foam with more give. It also has stitched edges.
The ZOWIE G-TR is similarly controlling, but it has a super soft foam, is thinner, and has stitched edges. Another pad that reminded me of the PD140 is the recently released ESPTiger Heavy Claw, which I’m in the process of reviewing.
Conclusion
The VAXEE PD140 is one of the most impressive control pads on the market right now. Especially if you’re looking for a thick control pad with a firm foam, this is one of your best bets. The pad is nicely finished, well-crafted, and can take a rough trip or two without being ruined forever. Thoroughly recommended.
This product was received for free from the manufacturer and given to our reviewer to test and review. Brands and manufacturers have no editorial control over our reviews. For more information, check out our review FAQ.
Former semi-pro gamer turned writer, product reviewer, and community manager.
