No, it can be anything typically. Some glass surfaces don't work with optical/laser mice.
Ideally it just needs to be a uniform surface.
I would have to see the products in person to tell you more. I would hope a premium mousepad would have a tighter weave to the fabric, or perhaps a special coating to increase reflectivity. Or just some sort of anti-fungal anti-bacterial property. (Some copper or silver in the fabric would do that)
I typically buy myself new mousepads while shopping for the holidays, so whatever I happen to see I pick up.