Introduction
VAXEE is a brand that’s mostly known for mice, but they also make a variety of mousepads. Their first release, the PA, is still their most popular one though, with other pads seeing comparatively lower adoption rates in the pro scene. Perhaps this latest release can change that. This mousepad is aimed at fans of control surfaces, and has a number of interesting features that might help convince gamers to swap. Read our full VAXEE PE-K review to find out whether or not this one is a hit.
At A Glance
VAXEE PE-K
Used by 9 players ()-
pANcada
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Haodong
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Jamppi
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salazar
It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it does carve out a nice little niche for itself in the control pad space due to the moisture-resistant surface and extremely firm foam.
Pros
- Moisture-resistant surface is a nice extra and handles humidity and sweat well
- Extremely firm foam leads to a consistent experience
Cons
- Stitched edges can feel uncomfortable at times
- X/Y difference is just like on normal cloth pads (not technically a con, but VAXEE advertise this specifically; don’t expect any drastic differences here)
Specs
| Height | 50cm |
|---|---|
| Length | 51cm |
| Thickness | 3.5mm |
| Stitched edges | Yes |
| Material | Cloth |
| Glide | Control |
| Static Friction | 44.9 |
| Static Friction Angle | 8.2 |
| Glide Difference X/Y | 5.9 |
| Dynamic Friction | 1.89 |
First Impressions
At release, the VAXEE PE-K was available in two finishes: black and pink. However, the pink version ran into some manufacturing difficulties, meaning that it’s going to be temporarily discontinued. Unless you’re a fan of the color pink, that doesn’t have to be an issue though, as both colors have the exact same surface.
Aside from the different colors, there are also different versions. There’s the PE-K and the PE-K GEh, which stands for Grip Enhanced. This more pro-oriented version comes flat-packed (the regular PE-K comes rolled) and has a base that’s supposedly grippier. It’s also $5 more expensive than the regular version, which comes in at $49.99. The top surface and foam is exactly the same.
For my review, I got both versions in the color pink. I’m not a fan of that color, so I wasn’t particularly impressed by the look of the pads, but of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Aside from the attention-grabbing pink finish, the firmness of the pad also stands out. This is a pad that almost feels like a hard pad at times, with an extremely tough and consistent foam.
The following has nothing to do with the pad itself, but I can’t help but mention how frustrating VAXEE’s naming scheme is. Their mice all have clearly defined model names, but the mousepads are called PB, PA, PE-K, PE, PC, PD, and so on.
VAXEE absolutely isn’t the only brand that’s guilty of using confusing naming schemes, but I would love some kind of rebrand for their pads or at least a clear and easy-to-follow online resource that tells potential customers what they’re pads are and how (if applicable) they’re interlinked.
Finish and Overall Quality
The VAXEE PE-K’s overall quality impressed me. The surface is quite soft for such a controlling pad, and the aforementioned foam feels extremely consistent. Furthermore, the regular PE-K is also decently crease-resistant (the base of the PE-K GEh seems less resistant to creases).
The stitching is something that I’m not in love with. The execution is clean and consistent, but it may cause some discomfort if you’re playing with bare arms. I don’t know if this is due to the fact that there are gaps between the individual stitches or because of the fact that the stitched are somewhat raised, but I noticed these a lot more when playing than I normally do.
Performance
Glide
In their marketing materials and presentations, VAXEE mentions that there’s a difference in friction between the X and Y axes. And yes, that’s definitely there. However, you won’t really notice it much.
In case you’re not aware, most cloth mousepads (including VAXEE’s own PA, for example) have some kind of X/Y difference. In my experience, anywhere between a 5-10% difference is considered normal, and the PE-K lands at 5.9%. That’s on the lower end of the spectrum.
So while there is a glide difference between going up/down or sideways, don’t expect this to be a massively tangible and defining feature of the pad. That’s absolutely not the case from my experience.
On to the actual glide then, and that delivers an interesting control-focused take on VAXEE’s common and popular pads. The static friction is rather controlled, meaning that micro corrections will take some very deliberate movements on the user’s end. And then, once you get going, the pad lets loose a bit more. It never gets as swift as a medium pad, but there is a noticeable difference. Stopping power is on the higher side, which helps with coming to an accurate stop.
What all of this results in is a pad that feels tailor-made for tactical shooters. It’s a controlling pad that lets go a little bit when you flick and then immediately reins you back in when you micro-correct after said flick. Mousepad enthusiasts will know that this is not the most unique type of glide. Pads like the G-SR-SE and PA offer a similar experience, for example. However, the PE-K is a bit slower across the board than those aforementioned pads. So if you like that type of glide and you want it in a control surface, this could be a good choice for you.
Base and Softness
The VAXEE PE-K has a remarkably solid foam. The pad offers virtually no give, which is an interesting choice in an era that favors softer foams.
Regardless of what type of foam you prefer, it has to be said that VAXEE did an impressive job here. There are no inconsistencies on either of the pads I tested, which makes these pads a great choice for people who like the consistent experience of a hard gaming surface.
As I mentioned earlier on in the review, the PE-K also comes in a GEh variant. That has an enhanced grip base. For me personally, there’s no point in going for the GEh. I tested both pads across a variety of desk surfaces and I had no grip issues with either pad. Hence, if you’ve never experienced mousepad sliding on any previous pads, I’d recommend you to go for the regular version and save yourself five bucks.
That’s not to say that the GEh version shouldn’t exist, though. It’s always good to have options (as long as they’ve got a clear naming scheme) and it’s nice that there’s a version available for people who have particularly slippery desks.
Everyday Usage
The PE-K is a high-quality pad that seems durable. It has stitched edges, is fairly crease-resistant, and the surface is soft to the touch for a controlling pad. I’m quite sensitive to very rough surfaces, and I’ve had no issues using the PE-K for longer periods of time. The only thing that kind of bothered me were the stitches, which felt a bit coarse at times.
Thanks to the moisture-resistant top surface, the pad handles humidity really well. I’ve used it over the course of some particularly hot days and had absolutely no issues with any obvious slowed-down spots. I don’t live in an extremely humid climate, but I do get sweaty hands when I’m playing competitively (especially in the spring and summer) and I was very satisfied with how consistent the surface felt.
Do note that the surface isn’t waterproof. If you spill your drink on the pad, it will definitely affect the glide until it fully dries. That’s not a knock on the PE-K (most cloth pads aren’t waterproof) but it can be good to know if you’re considering the pad as a clumsy gamer.
Alternatives
Given how the ‘high static friction with lower dynamic friction’ type of glide is something that many pads are trying to achieve, there are numerous alternatives to consider if you’re looking for that type of glide. However, the VAXEE PE-K does have a unique combination of features that makes it stand out from the pack. The moisture-resistant surface in combination with the extremely firm foam is something that I haven’t seen that often in combination with a controlling glide.
If you’re purely looking for a similar type of glide, you can consider the ZOWIE G-SR-SE or VAXEE’s own PA, but both are faster overall. There’s also the Artisan Zero to consider, though that one has a faster glide as well.
Conclusion
The VAXEE PE-K is a very solid addition to the brand’s lineup. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it does carve out a nice little niche for itself in the control pad space due to the moisture-resistant surface and extremely firm foam. The glide seems tailored for tactical shooter fans who want control over fine movements without feeling like they’re dragging their mouse through mud when they’re flicking, and the overall build quality leaves little to complain about.
The only real downside for me is the slightly annoying stitching, but aside from that, this pad is absolutely worth a look if you’re in the market for a controlling mousepad.
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.
