Artisan Mousepads Explained: Which Pad Should You Actually Buy?
on May 12, 2026Artisan is the mousepad brand every other manufacturer gets compared to. They've been at it for over a decade, and their lineup covers every kind of player, every aiming style, and every game. But that same breadth is exactly what makes choosing one confusing.
This guide breaks down every surface, every firmness variant, and who each pad is actually for.
What makes Artisan worth it
Flush stitched edges. On cheaper pads, edge stitching sits above the surface and catches your arm mid-swipe. Artisan's sits below the surface — you never feel it.
Real durability. Most cloth pads degrade noticeably within a few months. The Artisan Zero Soft holds up for around 9 months before showing meaningful slowdown — compared to around 3 months on comparable pads from other brands.
A base that grips. Artisan uses a different rubber compound than most manufacturers — stickier, more stable, doesn't creep around your desk mid-game.
Three firmness variants on every surface. This is the feature that separates Artisan from everything else, and the first decision you need to make.
Firmness guide: XSoft, Soft, or Mid?
Every Artisan surface comes in three base variants. The surface texture is identical across all three — what changes is how much the foam underneath compresses under downward pressure.
XSoft
Extremely plush. Hard to manage consistently — the pad compresses easily under pressure, making glide inconsistent during tense moments. Small mouse skates may cause the base to drag against the surface.
Soft
The standard feel and the right starting point for nearly everyone. Balances comfort with enough base resistance to keep your glide consistent. When in doubt, start here.
Mid
Noticeably firmer. Resists compression from downward pressure, making it feel faster and more consistent if you tend to press into the pad under stress. Can feel hard over long sessions.
Key insight: Because Mid resists compression, each surface actually feels slightly faster in Mid even though the surface texture is identical. The pad's response to downward force directly changes the effective friction you experience.
Most surfaces are also textured — the Zero, Otsu, Hien, and Key83 all have varying degrees of surface texture that provide tactile feedback mid-flick. The Raiden and Shidenkai are fully smooth. Texture affects flick awareness and how well you sense where your mouse is moving in real time.
Chart 1 of 2
Speed by pad & firmness variant
Higher = faster glide. Rated 1–10 across all pads and firmness variants.
Type 99 — Maximum control
The Type 99 is the slowest pad in Artisan's lineup — and the slowest they've ever made. Both static and dynamic friction sit at their highest, comparable to a worn QcK or Zowie G-SR in terms of how deliberate every movement feels.
What separates it from older control pads is the friction balance. Static friction (force to start moving) is kept lower relative to dynamic friction (resistance while moving), so starting movements doesn't feel as heavy as you'd expect. The pad works with you to stop movements rather than fighting every motion.
In CS2 and Valorant, the stopping power on flicks and stability during microadjustments are hard to beat. The limitation shows in games requiring varied, continuous tracking — high static friction filters intentional corrections alongside unintentional jitter.
Best for
CS2, Valorant, tac shooter players who know they prefer slow controlled surfaces.
Avoid if
You play high-TTK games, games with varied movement, or don't already know you like slow pads.
Zero — The all-rounder
The Zero is Artisan's most widely used pad and the most universally recommended starting point. A lightly textured surface with medium friction — moderate enough that starting movements doesn't feel effortful, while dynamic friction provides meaningful stopping power without restricting fluid motion.
It works comfortably across 90% of games without feeling like a compromise in any of them. In CS2 or Valorant, the stopping power keeps flicks locked in. In Apex or Battlefield, the friction isn't high enough to prevent tracking through direction changes.
Colour matters: The Zero comes in black and orange — and they aren't identical. The orange is noticeably more textured and slightly faster, enhancing flick feedback without feeling rough. For the all-rounder experience, go orange. For tac-shooter-focused players wanting something marginally slower and smoother, go black — or step down to the Type 99.
Best for
Everyone. Every game, every sensitivity, every playstyle. The safest starting point in the entire lineup.
Avoid if
You use a sleeve — the texture doesn't pair well with them. Some players also find it slightly rough on skin.
Hayate Otsu — Controlled speed for most games
The Otsu is the version of the Hayate concept that works for most players. Horizontal movement (X) is slightly faster. Vertical (Y) is slightly slower — you can sweep side-to-side with less resistance while retaining friction for vertical tracking control.
This combination works well across CoD, Apex, Overwatch, and most games outside pure tac shooters. The limitation: the gap between static and dynamic friction creates a stop-start sensation when chaining movements fluidly.
Best for
Players who want a medium-fast pad with directional axis variation. Performs well across most game genres.
Avoid if
You aim in a fluid, chaining style — the friction gap between static and dynamic will disrupt your flow.
Key83 — Consistency above all
Artisan's newest surface and one of their most technically interesting. The hexagonal weave pattern produces a far more uniform feel across all movement directions — both X and Y land close to where the Otsu's Y axis sits, but consistent in every direction including diagonals.
The other standout: the pad barely responds to downward pressure. On most pads, pressing down shifts the friction balance noticeably. On the Key83 that effect is minimal — what you feel in warmup is what you'll feel at the most stressful moment of a ranked game.
Key83 Mid is in a class of its own. Multiple high-level players describe it as the closest cloth pad to glass they've ever used — all the speed with the adaptability and friction control that cloth allows.
Best for
Players who've tried the Otsu and want consistent X/Y. Ideal for anyone who loses glide consistency under pressure.
Avoid if
You want the slow-controlled end of the lineup — the Zero or Type 99 serve that better.
Hien — Fast, textured, uncompromising
A fast pad with an aggressively textured surface that sets it apart from the entire lineup. Low static friction makes starting movements easy, while the texture acts as the primary source of control feedback — creating a strong sense of flick consciousness, an unusually clear awareness of exactly how far and fast your mouse is moving mid-flick.
The significant trade-off: the surface is rough enough to cause skin irritation over extended sessions, even on XSoft. Finger-drag as a control technique — pressing fingers against the pad for extra stability — isn't viable here.
Best for
Fast-paced shooters: Apex, Fortnite, CoD, Overwatch. Players with skin that tolerates abrasive surfaces and don't use finger-drag.
Avoid if
You have sensitive skin, use finger-drag technique, or primarily play tac shooters.
Raiden — Maximum speed on cloth
The fastest purely cloth mousepad Artisan makes. Fully smooth, very low friction in both static and dynamic form — every movement feels effortless. Starting movements requires almost no force. Paired with low-friction mouse skates, the glide becomes unlike anything else on cloth.
Exceptional for flowy, dynamic aiming styles and high-TTK games where tracking through continuous direction changes matters more than deliberate stopping power. Also works for certain Valorant playstyles — specifically fluid, movement-chaining styles where fighting the pad is the limiting factor, not lack of stopping power.
One honest caveat: the Raiden rewards players who already have solid mouse control. Without any friction safety net, shakiness under pressure is fully exposed. Durability is also lower than other Artisan pads.
Best for
Experienced players with controlled aim, flowy aiming styles, high-TTK games, Valorant fluid-style players.
Avoid if
You're newer to mouse control or tend to get shaky under pressure. Build up to this pad via the Zero first.
Shidenkai V2 — The fastest (discontinued)
The fastest pad Artisan has ever made — a glass-infused surface over their conventional cloth base that delivers speeds matching or exceeding fully glass pads. What makes it exceptional beyond raw speed is the adaptability that solid glass lacks: you can press into the surface and use finger-drag to vary friction dynamically, giving you control that glass simply doesn't offer.
Discontinued due to tracking issues with certain mice (including the G Pro Superlight) and durability concerns. Artisan has confirmed development of a new speed-focused surface, but no release timeline exists. If buying secondhand, check condition carefully — a well-worn Shidenkai feels significantly different from a near-new one.
Best for
The fastest possible experience with more adaptability than glass — if you can find one in good condition.
Avoid if
You need long-term reliability or a current warranty. No replacement is available yet.
Chart 2 of 2
Static vs dynamic friction — Soft variant
Static = force needed to start a movement. Dynamic = resistance while moving. A large gap between the two creates a stop-start feel; balanced values enable fluid, chained aim.
The Otsu's notably high static vs lower dynamic gap is the origin of its "fast but controlled" characteristic — great for discrete flicks, but stop-start when chaining movements. The Key83 and Zero sit balanced. Type 99 is high on both, confirming its position as the definitive control pad.
Quick pick by game & style
| Your situation | Recommended pad |
|---|---|
| Don't want to overthink it | Zero Soft Orange |
| CS2 / Valorant — control priority | Type 99 or Zero Black |
| CS2 / Valorant — fluid playstyle | Zero Orange or Raiden |
| Apex / Overwatch / high-TTK | Raiden or Key83 |
| CoD / Fortnite / fast-paced shooters | Hien or Raiden |
| Want Otsu but consistent in all directions | Key83 Soft or Mid |
| Max control, slow pad enthusiast | Type 99 |
| Glass-like cloth experience | Key83 Mid |
| Expert player, maximum speed | Raiden or Shidenkai V2 |
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