We all know it. You’ve been at it, gaming for hours on end, killstreak after killstreak, chugging down a month’s supply of mountain dew. The session ends, you take your hands off the keyboard and you feel a sharp pain in your wrists. This is nothing new, you think, it’s just what happens after gaming.
You felt some numbness and soreness while playing too, but you didn’t think much of it. Readers, this isn’t an excerpt from a new novel, it’s an everyday memoir of a gamer. If you relate to this little paragraph, you might have a problem on your hands. Literally.
This is why we’ve come up with this article detailing the top gaming wrist rests!
In a hurry? Here are our ultimate 3 picks when it comes to the best wrist rests for gaming in 2022!
[amazon table=”18537″]
In this article, you’ll find:
- The consequences of prolonged wrist pain and how to prevent them.
- Whether wrist rests add value to gaming.
- An answer to the question, “Are wrist rests worth it?”
- A list of the 7 best wrist rests for gaming in 2022 with their features and pros and cons.
- A buying guide to wrist rests.
So without any further ado, let’s take a step in preventing that pain in your wrist!
What Can Happen Due to Wrist Strain?
We’ve all experienced the pain and discomfort in our wrists arising from using the computer for too long, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What starts out as a slight discomfort can turn into a serious disorder if you don’t nip it in the bud. Prolonged strain on your wrists can lead to serious conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tenosynovitis.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is a condition where you encounter pain in your hands and fingers due to a compression of a major nerve in your wrists. It’s easy to see how long hours gaming and putting pressure on your wrists can lead to CTS.
How to Prevent it:
- Take frequent breaks from typing or playing games.
- Reduce pressure on your wrists while typing (that’s where a wrist pad comes in) and also reduce the force with which you hit the keyboard while gaming (even though it’s fun to play with a clicky keyboard).
- Improve your posture, typing form and keep your hands warm.
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is when the lining of the sheath that surrounds your wrist gets inflamed. Tenosynovitis can arise from overuse or straining your wrists too much.
How to Prevent it:
- As with carpal tunnel syndrome, you’re going to want to take frequent breaks while gaming. Which we know is hard, but it’s very important.
- Reduce the stress you put on your wrists. Again, wrist rests can be of use here.
As you can see, wrist rests might help you prevent these painful conditions. It is important to note that while wrist rests have potential benefits, they do not claim to prevent CTS or Tenosynovitis. In fact, if used incorrectly, wrist rests can stop the blood flow to your hands and make things worse.
However, if you do use them correctly, you can not only reduce the pressure on your wrists, save them from the sharp edges on the table, but also take some weight off your shoulders (literally).
With that out of the way, let’s see what’s the best way to type on keyboards using wrist rests without hurting your wrists.
- Even though they’re called wrist rests, don’t actually use them to rest your wrists. While using a wrist rest/pad, only rest the bottom of your palm on them. Your wrists shouldn’t be under pressure because of anything.
- The primary goal while creating an ergonomic typing environment should be to keep the wrists as straight as possible. To achieve this, make sure the wrist rest you get matches your keyboard’s height and keeps your hands at a stable level.
- Get a soft, plush wrist rest to minimize pressure on the wrist.
Are Wrist Rests Good for Gaming?
From the previous paragraph, you can probably get an idea of how important taking care of your wrist is. Even if we leave the serious conditions aside for a minute, regular old pain due to pressure and stress is a common problem for gamers all across the globe.
Apart from causing potential long-term damage, this pain can be a factor in hampering your performance (and joy) while gaming. Like a runner can’t run his best with a sprained ankle or a boxer can’t hit with a bad shoulder, a gamer can’t game at his best with pain in his wrist.
So, will a wrist rest automatically make you a better gamer? No. Like we always say, the tech or equipment you have doesn’t define or create your skills, but they can certainly help you get there. For example, Usain Bolt may still be the fastest man alive if he runs without shoes, but undoubtedly, a pair of good running shoes will help him run comfortably and will take care of his feet.
Similarly, these wrist rests won’t really add anything to your skills, but they will certainly create an environment wherein you can safely play games and not worry about wrist pain. In short, yes. Wrist rests are good for gaming (and for any other field that requires long hours typing on a keyboard).
Are Wrist Rests for Gaming Worth It?
All in all, we think it’s safe to say that wrist rests are indeed worth it. Not only do they help prevent long-term damage to your wrists and shoulders by keeping your wrist in a neutral position, but they also help you in the short term by increasing your comfort while gaming, ultimately increasing your gaming performance as a result. For the price you pay for it, a wrist rest will be a valuable addition to your gaming setup.
If you’re not convinced yet, take a look at any gaming tournament and you’ll see pro-gamers using wrist rests too, we think they know what they’re doing ;).
Now that you know why you need a wrist rest and how buying one can help you, it’s time to take a look at our list of the 7 Best Wrist Rests for Gaming in 2022!
1. Bailey Full Size by Castle – Leather Ergonomic Computer Wrist Rest Pad – Best Overall
The first wrist rest pad on our list is the Bailey Wrist Rest Pad by Castle. This is a wrist rest pad that is our pick for the best overall wrist rest for gaming in 2022. The Bailey is made of genuine leather and provides firm support for your wrists. If it feels too firm now, don’t worry, the leather is designed to soften over time.
It is a full-sized wrist rest pad that can fit full-sized keyboards with around 104 keys in them. This wrist rest pad comes in three beautiful colors; Nightfall (black), Stone (gray), and Woodland (dark brown).
The Bailey weighs 1.1 pounds and has a rubberized textured base to prevent the pad from slipping around and being an inconvenience. It also features durable double stitching to make sure the pad lasts as long as your gaming career. The padding of the rest is an inch thick.
Important Details
- Material Used: Leather
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Dimensions: 17.0 x 4.0 x 1.0 inches
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Colors Offered: Black, Gray, Dark Brown
Why is this the best wrist rest for gaming in 2022?
The Full Size Bailey Wrist Rest Pad by Castle is a wonderful product by all means. Made of double-stitched genuine leather, it feels much more premium than what it costs. It has ample padding that provides your wrist with all the support it needs and looks good while doing it.
You get three color options to match with the rest of your setup. If you’re environmentally conscious, you’ll be glad to know that this wrist rest pad is made from 93% recycled materials. For all it offers, we have no choice but to call it the best wrist rest for gaming in 2022.
2. Motte by Castle – Leather Wrist Rest Cushion – Runner Up
In second place we have our runner up, the Motte, which is also from Castle. The Motte pairs perfectly with the Bailey. It is essentially a softer, mouse-friendly version of our number one wrist rest pad. This wrist rest is more suitable for mice or other such usage and it is useful for one hand only. You get a double-stitched genuine leather pad with an inch thick padding that gets softer over time.
The Motte comes in three colors; Nightfall (black), Stone (gray), and Woodland (dark brown). It has a rubberized textured base to reduce the chances of it slipping during heavy use. This pad is nice and portable. You can store it in your bag and use it whenever you feel the need. The Motte is also made from 93% recycled materials.
Important Details
- Material Used: Leather
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Dimensions: 7.13 x 3.5 x 1 inches
- Weight: .520 lbs
- Colors Offered: Black, Gray, Dark Brown
3. Innovera Keyboard Wrist Rest – Budget Pick
The third item on our list is our budget pick for the best wrist rest for gaming in 2022. It is the Innovera Keyboard Wrist Rest which is here to provide maximum relaxation and support for your wrists. At 1.35 pounds, the pad has some weight to it and is long enough to fit nearly any full-sized keyboard, and has a non-skid rubber base to prevent slipping.
It is made of a material that is softer than fabric and smoother when compared to other rests. The material is water-resistant and can be wiped down when needed. It is filled with gel for a soft and supple supportive experience.
Important Details
- Material Used: Synthetic, Gel
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Dimensions: 20.24 x 4.33 x 1.14 inches
- Weight: 1.35 lbs
- Colors Offered: Black
4. Fellowes 9178201 Memory Foam Wrist Rest
At number four, we have the Fellowes 9178201 Memory Foam Wrist Rest. This is a long wrist rest intended for full-sized keyboards. It uses soft memory foam and a polyurethane gel (base) to give you a comfortable experience.
The wrist rest gets a non-stick backing that prevents any slippage. It has a jersey covering that is smooth yet durable. The memory foam used conforms to your wrist for added comfort and goes back to normal once you’re done using it.
Important Details
- Material Used: Jersey and Memory Foam
- Thickness: nearly 1 inch
- Dimensions: 2.31 x 19.31 x 0.94 inches
- Weight: 0.36 lbs
- Colors Offered: Black
5. Innovera Gel Wrist Rest
Moving on to number 5, we have our second product from Innovera, the IVR51452 Gel Wrist Rest. This is a single-hand wrist rest pad that works best for mice or other similar uses.
The wrist rest uses gel as its filling and has a black stain-resistant covering that can be wiped down whenever necessary. It has a non-skid backing to keep the wrist rest in place. Pairing this wrist rest with the longer Innovera wrist rest makes the perfect wrist rest combo for your wrists.
Important Details
- Material Used: Synthetic, Gel
- Thickness: nearly 1 inch
- Dimensions: 3 x 1 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 0.01 lbs
- Colors Offered: Black
6. ROCCAT Rest Max Ergonomic Gel Wrist Pad
The ROCCAT Rest Max Ergonomic Gel Wrist Pad is the sixth product on our list. It’s a wrist rest pad specifically designed for gamers and has been tested to do so. It has nice, grippy backing that stops it from slipping around while you’re playing games.
The ROCCAT Rest is filled with an almost magic-like gel that falls in the Goldilocks’ zone of gels. It keeps its shape while being soft enough to be comfortable to use for long periods of time.
Important Details
- Material Used: Synthetic, Gel
- Thickness: nearly 1 inch
- Dimensions: 8.86 x 0.78 x 1.77 inches
- Weight: 0.41
- Colors Offered: Black
7. Glorious Gaming Wrist Pad/Rest
We have arrived at our final product on this list, which is the Glorious Gaming Wrist Rest. This product is specially designed with gamers in mind. It is perfect for tenkeyless keyboards and is thick enough for mechanical keyboards. The pad has a non-skid rubber base that grips the wrist rest onto your desk. The Glorious Gaming Wrist Rest uses dual lock anti-fraying stitching which increases the durability of the product and keeps it intact for a long time. The main material used in the pad is rubber. The wrist rest comes in two design options: black and a stealth option that discreetly blends the logo with the pad.
Important Details
- Material Used: Rubber
- Thickness: nearly 1 inch
- Dimensions: 3.94 x 14.17 x 0.98 inches
- Weight: 0.30
- Colors Offered: Black
How to Choose the Best Wrist Rests for Gaming?
Confused about which wrist rest to buy? Completely understandable, after all, they’re all such great products. We knew you’d have this issue of indecisiveness, which is why we have added a buyer’s guide to this article which will help you buy the best wrist rest pad for you. Let’s get into it!
– Comfort and Support
A wrist rest is really only as good as the comfort and support it offers. Comfort is pretty subjective and different people can find different wrist rests comfortably. We advise you to try out a variety of different wrist rests before making your decision.
Support, on the other hand, can be measured and advised. The wrist rest you buy should help keep your hands above your palms/wrists while typing. At the same time, your hands should be able to move freely all around the board and you shouldn’t feel any pressure on your wrists.
Also, remember that while it is called a wrist rest, you shouldn’t place your wrist on it. When in use, the pad should be touching the heel or palm of your hand for an ergonomically sound experience. About an inch of thickness works best for most use cases.
– Cover Material and Filling Material
These two factors are related to the previous point and will ultimately determine them. You have to make a decision if you want a complete leather wrist rest, a rubber-covered cloth one, a memory foam pad covered with jersey material, or a gel-filled pad covered by a synthetic material.
The memory foam pads conform to your wrists, the leather ones are firm in the beginning but soften over time, the rubber ones are mostly either firm or soft throughout usage and the gel-filled ones are squishy. Wrist rest pads come in a variety of configurations, but what works for you can only be decided by you.
– Size
Size matters when it comes to wrist rest pads. Decide what you’re going to use this rest for. Is it for a full-sized keyboard, a tenkeyless keyboard, or a 60% keyboard?
Maybe it’s for a mouse? Determine your use case and make your decision accordingly. We recommend buying a wrist rest pad that fits your keyboard and another one for your mouse.
– Color
This factor might not seem significant to many, but gamers know how important color is to a respectable gaming setup. For most people, a black wrist rest pad will work just fine, but some manufacturers offer color options so you might want to look into that if you’re interested.
Final Thoughts
And with that, we arrive at the end of our article. We hope that by the end of this article, you have acquired more knowledge about wrist rests and are now capable to make an educated purchase of one.
Final Thoughts
Let’s do a quick recap to see what you’ve gained:
- Putting less pressure and strain on your wrists will keep them healthy for longer.
- Wrist rests can help with this goal.
- Wrist rest pads add to your comfort while gaming and can cause improvement in your gaming performance.
- There is a large variety of wrist rest pads in the market to choose from.
- While choosing a wrist rest, you should consider the comfort and support it offers, its cover material and filling material, its size, and even the color of the pad.
