Well I guess this is sort of hardware...
I bought a mouse pad recently. I had originally just been using one of the small squishy mousepads that you can usually get for free at different promotional events. Just like with
my mouse, I didn't really see a need to upgrade, but now that I have I'm very glad I did.
I got a Razer Goliathus, and there are two different styles I could choose between: The
Speed edition and the
Control edition. I didn't know there were two types until I bought it, but coincidentally ended up buying what would be a better mat for me.
The Speed Edition is a slicker mat (Razer calls it "speed enhancing") that is better if you play with lower sensitivities and make larger movements with your mouse. It allows you to make those larger movements with little friction, but still provides a level of control that you can't get on a slick desktop or one of those plastic mousepads.
The Control Edition is a textured mat that provides more friction. It was a better mat for me because I tend to play at higher sensitivities and rely on smaller, more controlled movements. The texturing ensures that I don't overshoot my target or have to really strain my muscles to control the mouse, which I would have to do on a slicker surface. Coming from one of those squishy mouse pads, it has a more familiar feel.
These two mouse pads each come in four different sizes, as well, for extra customizability. There is a normal mouse pad size (10.63" x 8.46"); a slightly larger size (14" x 10"); an even bigger one (17.48" x 13.98"); and an absurdly long one (36.22" x 11.57"). I found that the 14x10 was plenty big for me. The larger mat size allows me room to move around without falling off my mouse pad (which would happen somewhat frequently with a normal mouse pad) or run into my keyboard. I can't imagine a larger one, as I would have to play with arms stretched uncomfortably far just to have my keyboard not on my mouse pad, but it's always going to come down to personal preference.