REVIEW: Razer Goliathus mouse mat

Razer’s latest entry into the crowded mouse mat field comes with the Goliathus series, a set of multi-sized pads that come in two textures: The Goliathus Speed and Goliathus Control.

The Speed and Control naming conventions for the Goliathus mirror the naming conventions for another line of Razer accessories: The Mantis mouse mats. GGL reviewed them back in 2006.

Goliathus Control Edition overhead shot

Goliathus Speed Edition overhead shot

Goliathus Control surface macro shot

Goliathus Speed surface macro shot

Named after the Goliath beetle, the mouse mats can’t lift 300 times their weight or fly, but alas, there are a finite number of snakes in the world to name your products after. To find out if the Goliathus is on par with its predecessors, Razer sent GGL two Goliathusα mats (the largest of three types).

The Goliathusα measures up at 444mm x 355mm x 4.3mm, identical to the size of the Mantis, which is in turn slightly larger than an Allsop XL pad. The smaller Goliathus pads, the Goliathus and GoliathusΩ, measure in at 355mm X 254mm X 4mm and 270mm x 215mm x 4mm, respectively.

Most importantly, however, is the weave of the fabric on the Speed and Control versions of the mouse mat. The Speed Edition features a tightly woven fabric that is (allegedly) supposed to enhance the speed of your mouse across its surface. The Control Edition features a pitted fabric weave that is (again, allegedly) supposed to add friction to your mouse feet.

Just like in 2006, I have to question the naming of these mouse mats. The Speed Edition, which is nice and smooth, has a very fine-textured weave that is always in contact with a large area of your mouse feet. The Control Edition, which is pitted, naturally doesn’t touch as much of your mouse feet.

The end result? The Speed Edition results in more friction on your mouse, and contrary to its name, slower mouse movement. The Control Edition, meanwhile, touches your mouse less, and so your mouse moves faster.

The Goliathus naming convention can still be rationalized in a roundabout way by saying that if you use a high mouse sensitivity, the Speed Edition is right for you, and vice versa for the Control Edition. This doesn’t change the fact that the product names are misleading, at best.

Despite the semantics, in my informal, subjective testing (which consisted of shooting immature Call of Duty 4 players in the face and owning Slasher in Quake 3 1v1), I much preferred the Speed Edition.

I’m a medium sensitivity gamer who appreciates a little bit more resistance on the mouse pad so things don’t get out of hand in the heat of battle. Also, the Control Edition feels a little bit like extra-extra coarse sandpaper on my hands–not exactly the type of thing I want to touch. The Goliathus Speed Edition’s smoother surface gave me more fine-tuned control when it came to hitting those pixel-perfect shots that FPS games demand these days.

That’s just me. If you use a low sensitivity or are used to less friction on the mouse, the Control Edition may be your path to glory, though I must say, there are better low-friction mouse mats out there in the wild.

Overall, I can highly recommend the Goliathus Speed Edition (the largest size sells for $24.99), and I’d give a pass to the Control Edition. Razer really hit it out of the park with the Speed Edition but should have left the Control Edition on the drawing board–once again, in my opinion.