Best Wrist Rests for Your Computer Mouse

The proper height of your desk and adjusting your chair to be the right height with your desk (so that you’re not raising your shoulders to reach it) may require you to add a footrest, for example.

And once you’ve got those right, incorporating a wrist rest into your setup may help minimize potential wrist or hand pain while using a computer mouse.

Shop: Amazon and DeltaHub

Type: Gliding
Handedness: Right and left
Size: Small/large

The DeltaHub Carpio 2.0 was relatively comfortable while also being small and unobtrusive. The gliding wrist rest does take some getting used to, and the manufacturer recommends a one- to two-week break-in period. It comes in black, gray, or white and in two sizes, with right- and left-hand models. 

Ergonomic design: While the DeltaHub Carpio 2.0 Silicone Wrist Rest reduced wrist extension to an acceptable level for Keester and Ritchey (this means it helped keep the wrist at a good, relatively neutral angle), some users may wish it reduced wrist extension slightly more. The pads support the palm well, but the frame that holds the pads has pronounced ridges that may put pressure on some users’ pisiform bone (a bone on the palm side of the wrist). 

The gliding surface has a level of friction that’s similar to the mouse’s when used directly on a desktop surface, making it easy to use. But one evaluator thought the gliding on this version wasn’t as smooth as the gliding on the DeltaHub Carpio G2.0 wrist rest (below), though they aren’t sure why. Due to its small and unobtrusive size, this wrist rest doesn’t interfere with mouse movement or keyboard interaction because it stays on the desk while typing. But overall comfort and satisfaction were affected by the need to reposition the hand to avoid pressure on the palm and pisiform bone. 

Comfort: Keester and Ritchey found the padding and overall comfort satisfactory, with one evaluator highlighting its firmness and slight flexibility. They noted that the pads became slightly sticky and warm, but this wasn’t a significant problem for either evaluator.

Ease of cleaning: The silicone material isn’t porous, making it relatively easy to wipe down. The bottom of the pad and gliding frame has some ridges that may require closer attention when cleaning.

Shop: Amazon and DeltaHub

Type: Gliding/wearable
Handedness: Right and left
Size: Small/large

The DeltaHub Carpio G2.0 is a gliding wrist rest similar to the DeltaHub Carpio 2.0 but with a few exceptions. It’s designed with a wearable strap, and its silicone pads support the palm and feature extensive cutouts designed to increase airflow. The manufacturer recommends a one- to two-week break-in period. It comes in blue, green, and pink in addition to black, gray, and white. 

Ergonomic design: Like the DeltaHub Carpio 2.0, this pick helped keep the wrist at a good angle for our evaluators, though some users may wish it reduced wrist extension a bit more. The pads support the palm well, but the frame that holds the pads has pronounced ridges that may put pressure on the pisiform bone for some users. This was more of an issue with this model than the DeltaHub Carpio 2.0 because the cutouts in the pads mean they have more give. Both evaluators agreed that the gliding mechanism worked well, noting its effectiveness on a clean wood desk and mentioning smooth performance on a play mat. They both observed that the wrist rest’s small size allowed for greater freedom of mouse movement without interference. But keyboard interaction can be awkward due to the wrist strap, making typing uncomfortable and annoying if the keyboard already has a wrist rest.

The wrist strap, designed to keep the wrist rest in place, is adjustable on one side and attaches to the frame via a magnet on the other. It’s somewhat clunky to use and may be better suited for gaming than office tasks requiring extensive typing.

Comfort: Both evaluators found the material to be slightly sweaty during use. Keester found the wrist rest relatively comfortable despite pressure points, while Ritchey found it comfortable but noted issues with the strap’s fit and the device’s edges.

Ease of cleaning: While the wrist rest material is nonporous, it has noticeable ridges and crevices, and the cutouts designed for airflow could accumulate debris, making it more difficult to clean.

Shop: Amazon

Type: Gliding
Handedness: Right only
Size: One size

The Reloot Glider v2 is a right-hand-only gliding wrist rest that comes in only one size and may be too large for users with smaller hands. The evaluators liked it for its stability and comfort, good palm support, and improved wrist extension.

Ergonomic design: The Reloot Glider v2 kept the wrist at a good angle for both evaluators. The wrist rest was too large for Keester, causing it to press uncomfortably into her wrist. Ritchey noted that while it was supportive, he felt the contouring was slightly off. The gliding mechanism felt slightly resistant on Keester’s wood desk, while Ritchey experienced smooth gliding on a play mat.

Due to its small and discreet size, the Reloot Glider v2 didn’t interfere much with mouse movement or keyboard interaction because it stayed on the desk while typing. But the one-size design may cause it to protrude past the palm and bump the keyboard for users with smaller hands. Overall comfort and satisfaction were affected by the need to reposition the hand after the wrist rest came out of place at times. 

Comfort: Keester found the padding too hard, pressing back uncomfortably on her wrist, while Ritchey felt that it was almost perfect except for the slight mismatch in contouring and that it had a good amount of flexibility but was still possibly too hard.

While both evaluators commented positively on the skin comfort, describing the texture as smooth and pleasant to place the hand on, they noted that it doesn’t breathe well, leading to slight sweatiness where the palm meets the rest.

Ease of cleaning: The surface is nonporous and smooth with minimal ridges or crevices, making it easy to clean.

Shop: Amazon

Type: Wearable
Handedness: Right and left
Size: One size

The Expoprox Wearable Gel Wrist Rest Pads come with a right- and left-handed wearable support pad strapped around the wrist and secured around the thumb. They help keep the wrist at a good angle but are available in only one size, which may be too small for users with larger hands. The model is only available in purple. 

Ergonomic design: The Expoprox Wearable Gel Wrist Rest Pads kept the wrist at a good angle for both evaluators. But Keester experienced some discomfort due to friction between the wrist pad and the desk. While the padding was relatively comfortable, the shape could have been more comfortable, and positioning could have been less problematic. Without strapping it very tightly, the pads slipped out of place and created pressure on the underside of the wrist, palm, and top of the hand, and around the thumb, which may become challenging with long-term use.

In our evaluations, the wrist rest material also didn’t slide easily against a wood desk surface or a play mat. While the wearable gel wrist pads didn’t interfere with mouse movement, keyboard interaction may be problematic, and users with keyboard wrist rests will want to remove them. 

Comfort: Both evaluators agreed that the firm padding with some give was relatively comfortable, though positioning and sizing issues affected overall comfort. Both of them also experienced warmth and sweating, noting that the material was warm and damp after use and that the wrist felt hot and sweaty under and around the rest.

Ease of cleaning: The fabric material was quite porous and damp after both evaluators used the device. The fabric’s porosity will make these pads very difficult to clean unless they can be safely hand- or machine-washed, but they don’t come with any cleaning instructions.

Shop: Amazon

Type: Wearable
Handedness: Right and left
Size: One size

The Kosiz Wearable Mouse Wrist Rest is essentially a pack of different-colored pads attached to hair scrunchies. Positioning under the palm is tight and challenging, leading to occasional discomfort. The support is adequate but the wrist rest moves around a lot, requiring frequent repositioning. We wouldn’t recommend this model due to the frequent need for adjustment and the friction of the material on a desktop surface.

Ergonomic design: This wrist rest kept the wrist at an acceptable angle for both evaluators, and the padding was firm, with some give, and generally adequate. But this model was difficult to position under the palm, and difficulty keeping the pad in place compromised the support. 

The band’s tightness created pressure on the outside, top, and underside of the wrist, and the pad might create slight pressure on the wrist when it moves out of place. The pad sometimes bumps the mouse if it moves out of place, and the material doesn’t slide well on the desk, causing friction that hinders mouse movement on both a wooden desktop and a play mat. 

Existing keyboard wrist rests must be removed to use this wrist rest effectively. 

Comfort: The wrist rest material is synthetic and soft, like a child’s toy, and both evaluators experienced warmth and sweating while using it. Repositioning, sweating, and the tight-feeling elastic band made it uncomfortable. 

Ease of cleaning: The fabric’s porosity will make these pads very difficult to clean unless they can be safely hand- or machine-washed, but they don’t come with any cleaning instructions. The material became damp after use.

Shop: Amazon and Belkin

Type: Stationary
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 5.5x3.1 inches

The Belkin WaveRest Gel Wrist Pad is a small, stationary wrist rest that requires some repositioning initially but is comfortable once settled. It only comes in black.

Ergonomic design: This wrist rest kept the wrist at an acceptable angle for both evaluators. The padding was supportive and returned to its original shape quickly after use, and a nonslip material on the bottom kept it firmly in place. But it’s difficult to position under the palm, compromising its support and creating minor pressure points on the underside of the wrist.

The wrist rest’s stationary nature was adequate for office work but problematic during gaming due to mouse interference. Both evaluators noted issues with the mouse bumping into and riding up on the wrist rest, describing having to perch on the edge to avoid such problems.

The wrist rest’s small shape is a benefit because it doesn’t interfere with the desk setup. It allows for closer positioning of the mouse to the midline of the body without interfering with keyboard positioning or other items on the desk. But the narrow width may be a drawback for those with larger hands. 

Comfort: The padding was comfortable and returned to its shape quickly, but the need to reposition it frequently hindered overall comfort. The material is synthetic and smooth against the skin but felt slightly sticky and became warm with prolonged use. 

Ease of cleaning: The material is slightly porous, and it will likely absorb sweat over time, though it has few ridges or crevices, so it should be easy to wipe down.

Shop: Amazon and Brila

Type: Stationary
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 5.3x3 inches

The Brila Ergonomic Memory Foam Mouse Wrist Rest is a small, stationary wrist rest available in a variety of colors and designs. Positioning it under the palm is somewhat challenging, and the awkward contouring leads to occasional pressure points. Overall, the padding is pleasant, but the shape and positioning issues affect comfort.

Ergonomic design: Both evaluators noted that this wrist rest kept the wrist at an acceptable angle. While the padding was supportive, they found it somewhat difficult to position the wrist rest under the palm, which affected its overall support. The contoured shape compromised its effectiveness and created pressure on the underside of the wrist.

The wrist rest’s stationary nature was adequate for office work but problematic during gaming due to mouse interference. Both evaluators noted frequent collisions between the mouse and wrist rest, requiring them to reposition the hand often. The wrist rest’s small shape is a benefit because it doesn’t interfere with the desk setup, allowing for closer positioning of the mouse to the midline without interfering with keyboard positioning or other items on the desk. But its narrow width may be a drawback for those with larger hands. The nonslip base was effective at keeping the wrist rest in place on both a wooden desktop and play mat but may become slippery if dusty. 

Comfort: Both evaluators agreed that the wrist rest’s material and padding felt comfortable, describing it as nice and comfortable to touch. But the awkward contouring caused problems with hand-positioning, leading to discomfort. This wrist rest caused warmth and some sweatiness that could worsen with higher temperatures.

Ease of cleaning: The wrist rest has indentations or divots in the fabric, likely designed for airflow but also potentially collecting dirt and debris. The material tends to absorb sweat and become sticky.

Shop: Amazon and Walmart

Type: Stationary
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 5x2.5 inches

The Cityhermit Cute Wrist Rest Support for Mouse is a small, stationary wrist rest that comes in the shape of several animals. We evaluated the Corgi. The padding felt nice, but positioning was difficult and the wrist rest moved around during use, affecting overall comfort.

Ergonomic design: This wrist rest kept the wrist at an acceptable angle for both evaluators. It featured supportive padding that was comfortable with some give that sprang back after use, but it may be more appropriate as a stress ball than a wrist rest. It was also difficult to position and moved around during use on both wooden and play mat surfaces. The frequent repositioning of the wrist rest, hand, and mouse that’s required to use this wrist rest compromises overall comfort and makes this more of a “gliding” than a “stationary” wrist rest. 

Its small shape and the freedom of movement it allows mean that the wrist rest doesn’t interfere with the mouse or desk setup. But its narrow width may be a drawback for those with larger hands.

Comfort: This wrist rest’s padding and material felt pleasant, but the need to frequently reposition the hand had an impact on the overall comfort. The material is also somewhat sticky and may stick to the hand when sweaty. Both evaluators noted a slight tackiness when lifting their hands. 

Ease of cleaning: The wrist rest has some ridges, but nothing that would impede wiping it down with a cleaning cloth. Its material isn’t entirely nonporous and will likely absorb sweat.

Shop: Amazon and Walmart

Type: Stationary
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 5.5x4 inches

The height of this wrist rest may turn the user’s wrist extension into wrist flexion rather than helping them to achieve a neutral posture. While initially comfortable, the beanbag support isn’t very effective, causing discomfort and making it less suitable for prolonged use. It comes in black on one side and gray on the other. 

Ergonomic design: The HandStands Beaded Add-A-Pad Mouse Wrist Support Cushion didn’t provide the ideal angle for the evaluators’ wrists. The height of the pad made their hands arch over the rest, resulting in the wrist bending too far forward. The support from this beanbag-style wrist rest was lacking, and, like the other stationary wrist rests, it required frequent repositioning, compromising overall comfort. 

Both evaluators experienced pressure on the underside of the wrist, and to avoid the mouse bumping into the rest, it was sometimes necessary to not rest the palm on it at all, leading to pressure that was entirely on the wrist. Like the Cityhermit wrist rest, this wrist rest moves around a lot on both wood and play mat surfaces, turning it from a “stationary” wrist rest into a poor version of a “gliding” wrist rest, though this does mean that it doesn’t impede mouse movement significantly. The wrist rest’s small shape is a benefit because it doesn’t interfere with the desk setup, allowing for closer positioning of the mouse to the midline without interfering with keyboard positioning or other items on the desk.

Comfort: In terms of padding comfort, Keester found it uncomfortable and could feel the beans through the fabric. Ritchey noted that the shifting beans could lead to a lopsided shape. As with other stationary wrist rests, the need for frequent repositioning affected the overall comfort. The fabric material remained cool and comfortable during use for both evaluators.

Ease of cleaning: The fabric material is quite porous but did stay cool and dry for both evaluators. The porosity of the fabric will make this pad very difficult to clean unless it can be safely hand- or machine-washed, but it doesn’t come with cleaning instructions.

Shop: Amazon

Type: Mouse pad
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 11x8.3 inches

The Gimars Mouse Pad with Wrist Rest is a slightly squishy mouse pad that’s comfortable and reduces wrist extension. Due to its large size, it needs frequent repositioning. It comes in a variety of colors. 

Ergonomic design: The Gimars wrist rest kept the wrist at a good angle for both evaluators. It was supportive but difficult to position properly, requiring the occasional adjustment of hand positioning. Both evaluators experienced some minor pressure points on the wrist and the palm. The padding, while comfortable, may be too squishy for some users, causing the palm to sink in and compromising support.

Both evaluators found that the wrist rest had some affect on mouse movement, causing difficulty in making large mouse movements when the wrist rest was positioned comfortably under the palm (the mouse would occasionally hit the rest). The nonslip base was effective on a wooden desk and play mat, but the wrist rest’s large size may prevent users from positioning the keyboard where they’d like or require them to reach out to the side to use the mouse. 

Comfort: The padding is very comfortable, but the design could force you to assume a less comfortable hand position to prevent the mouse from hitting the rest. Its smooth material is comfortable to the touch, and while it does become slightly warm and sweaty during use, it was not excessive. 

Ease of cleaning: The mouse pad material seems porous but not overly so. It may absorb some sweat, but it has few ridges or crevices, so it should be easily wiped down.

Shop: Amazon, Dell Technologies, Office Depot, and Target

Type: Mouse pad
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 9.8x7.3 inches

The Kensington Duo Gel Mouse Pad Wrist Rest helps keep the wrist at a good angle but can be difficult to position properly. Overall, the mouse pad part was appreciated, but the gel wrist rest had mixed comfort levels. It comes with black, blue, or white gel wrist rests.

Ergonomic design: This wrist rest kept the wrist at a good angle for both evaluators, but Ritchey noted the need to raise his arms in front of his body to keep the wrist in the right spot. Both evaluators found it difficult to position the wrist rest properly, noting that the fixed position required occasional hand-positioning adjustment. Both evaluators said that the gel mouse pad provided a nice amount of give while still being supportive but that the channel between the two gel pads compromised support. And while the front of the dual gel padding is almost the right size for this half of it to be a great wrist rest, the second gel rest creates some pressure points on the wrist.

Mouse movement was better with this wrist rest than with some other stationary wrist rests, but both evaluators experienced some impediments, especially during gaming. Keyboard interaction was also an issue because the size made it cumbersome with a split keyboard, though it may be acceptable with a smaller keyboard, such as a numeric keyboard. Both evaluators also found the stability of the nonslip base to be very effective, mentioning that it was very sticky and stuck to the desk and play mat, making it difficult to move unintentionally. ​

Comfort: Overall, the padding was comfortable but the gel channel made the shape awkward, creating pressure points for both evaluators, and the need for frequent repositioning affected the overall comfort. The gel material is not porous, and skin comfort was generally positive, but it did feel slightly sticky even with dry hands and became slippery with sweat.

Ease of cleaning: This wrist rest isn’t porous. While the cooling channel may collect debris, it shouldn’t absorb sweat and should be easy to wipe down.

Shop: Amazon

Type: Mouse pad
Handedness: Right and left
Size: 13x8 inches

The Kuosgm Mouse Pad Wrist Support is a large mouse pad with comfortable padding but minimal support. It might be more suitable for short-term use rather than prolonged sessions and for general office work, rather than gaming. It comes in a variety of colors and designs. 

Ergonomic design: This wrist rest didn’t keep the wrist at a good angle for Keester, while for Ritchey, it was within range but required him to raise his arm in front of him or position the pad off the desk. The large pad is comfortable to rest an arm on and somewhat supportive, mimicking the effect of a desk with a soft edge that’s positioned to the perfect height. But it was difficult to position properly, requiring occasional adjustment of hand positioning, which affected overall comfort. Both evaluators noticed varying pressure points in the palm and wrist depending on hand movement. 

The nonslip base’s stability was good; it didn’t slide much when using it on a wooden desk and was difficult to move on a play mat. The mousing space was somewhat limited due to the size of the pad but was manageable. The affect on mouse movement was minimal because there was no pronounced hump to run into. There were challenges integrating the pad into a desk setup because it required significant space, affected keyboard placement, and made mouse positioning awkward. ​

Comfort: The padding was comfortable, but the shape was awkward and didn’t support the wrist properly. Each evaluator noted that the smooth material was comfortable to the touch and didn’t become excessively warm, describing it as a nice material to rest on. 

Ease of cleaning: The material’s porosity makes it likely to absorb sweat, but the lack of ridges and crevices should make it easy to wipe down.

Keester and Ritchey offer the following tips so that you can get the most out of your wrist rest:

• Make sure that the height of your chair and desk are adjusted properly.
• To get the most out of gliding and wearable wrist rests, make sure your desk or mousing surface and the wrist rest are both clean.
• Existing keyboard wrist rests may need to be removed in order to use wearable wrist rests comfortably.
• Mouse pad wrist rests and large stationary wrist rests may interfere with keyboard placement, especially with split keyboards and keyboards that include a number pad.