The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is a decent wired gaming mouse. It feels well-built, has good click latency, and a right-handed ergonomic shape. Unfortunately, its cable isn't very flexible, and there's no companion software for customization, so there are only four default CPI settings and three polling rate presets you can cycle through using buttons on the bottom. It's suitable for larger hands using all grip types but isn't suitable for small hands using any grip type, and those with medium-sized hands may not be able to reach all buttons using a fingertip grip. That said, there is a smaller version of this mouse, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is mediocre for office use. While it feels well-built and has a comfortable right-handed shape suitable for larger hands using all grip types, it doesn't have wireless connectivity options. It also doesn't have any companion software for customization, the wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons, and it doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
- Comfortable right-handed shape.
- Good build quality.
- Wired-only.
- Significantly heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice.
- No software for customization and only four CPI presets.
- Cable has poor flexibility.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is decent for FPS gaming. It feels well-built, has good click latency, and has a right-handed ergonomic design that's well-suited for larger hands using all grip types. Unfortunately, the cable is fairly rigid, and since there isn't any companion software for customization, there are only four default CPI presets.
- Good click latency.
- Good build quality.
- Significantly heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice.
- No software for customization and only four CPI presets.
- Fairly heavy.
- Cable has poor flexibility.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is mediocre for MMO gaming. It doesn't have anywhere near as many buttons as most dedicated MMO mice. Also, it doesn't have companion software for customizing settings, and the cable isn't very flexible. However, it feels well-constructed, has good click latency, and has a comfortable right-handed ergonomic shape that's well-suited for larger hands using any grip type.
- Good click latency.
- Comfortable right-handed shape.
- Good build quality.
- Significantly heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice.
- No software for customization and only four CPI presets.
- Not nearly as many side buttons as dedicated MMO mice.
- Cable has poor flexibility.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is bad for travel use. It's designed for your at-home desktop setup. It isn't very portable because of its somewhat bulky design, and it can't be used wirelessly.
- Good build quality.
- Wired-only.
- Somewhat bulky; may not fit into most laptop cases.
- Significantly heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice.
- Cable has poor flexibility.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 25, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed GLORIOUS Model D 2 to the Click Latency section of this review.
- Updated Sep 06, 2022: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. This update adds a new Sensor Latency test and makes minor changes to several of our existing tests, resulting in test result changes in several sections. For more information, you can check out our full changelog here.
- Updated Aug 25, 2022: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update simplifies our Weight test and expands on our CPI test from Test Bench 1.1, resulting in changes to test results in both sections. For more details, you can see our complete changelog here.
- Updated Aug 19, 2022: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update revamps our Click Latency test and results in changes to test results. For more details, you can see our full changelog here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is the larger of the two mice in the BenQ ZOWIE EC series. The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is the smaller size. The unit we tested is the matte black variant, but it's also available in glossy white. There's an additional glossy red TYLOO variant, but it's discontinued. You can see the label for the unit here.
Popular Mouse Comparisons
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is an update to the BenQ ZOWIE EC1-B. While it uses the same sensor, it has two large mouse feet instead of four small ones. It's the larger of the two mice in the BenQ ZOWIE EC series, the smaller version being the BenQ ZOWIE EC2. It might make a good choice for you if you have larger hands, you're a fan of the right-handed ergonomic shape, and you prefer a mouse without extra features like RGB lighting or companion software.
For other options, check out our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, the best gaming mouse, and the best FPS mouse.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 and the BenQ ZOWIE EC2 are very similar gaming mice with right-handed ergonomic shapes but different sizes. The EC1 is the larger of the two. It feels sturdier, has feet with rounded edges, and a more flexible cable. It's suitable for all grip types, but those with medium hands may not reach all buttons using a fingertip grip, and it isn't suitable for small hands, regardless of grip type. On the other hand, the EC2 is slightly lighter and is well-suited for all hand sizes using a palm grip. However, those with small hands likely won't be able to comfortably reach all buttons using a claw grip, and those with medium or small hands may not be able to reach all buttons using a fingertip grip.
The GLORIOUS Model D and the BenQ ZOWIE EC1 are wired gaming mice with similar shapes, but the GLORIOUS has better performance overall. The GLORIOUS was a honeycomb body and is much lighter. It has much better click latency, a much more lightweight and flexible cable, better virgin grade PTFE mouse feet, a wider CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust by increments of 100. It also has RGB lighting, and you can reprogram buttons using the companion software. It's well suited to all grip types and almost all hand sizes, but those with small hands may not be able to reach all buttons using a fingertip or claw grip. The BenQ has a solid plastic body and feels sturdier, but it lacks companion software for customization. It's suitable for small, medium, and large hands using a palm or claw grip, but only those with larger hands will be able to use a fingertip grip comfortably.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 shares a similar shape and size with the BenQ ZOWIE EC1, but the Razer is a better gaming mouse overall. The Razer is significantly lighter, feels sturdier, and has a more flexible cable. It also has lower latency, a lower lift-off distance, a CPI with a much wider range that can adjust by increments of 50, and companion software for customization. It's better suited for small hands using a palm grip and medium-sized hands using a fingertip grip. On the other hand, the EC1 is well-suited for larger hands using any grip type and isn't suitable for small hands using any grip type.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC3-C is a new, smaller-sized mouse in the ZOWIE EC series and part of its C-version update. Compared to the EC1, the EC3-C is much lighter, feels much better built, and is better suited for small hands using a palm or claw grip. It has a flexible, paracord-like cable instead of the rubber cable on the EC1, and the mouse end of the cable is angled upwards to prevent drag. Also, its click latency is lower. Comparatively, the EC2 is better suited for extra-large hands using a palm grip. Otherwise, both mice use the same sensor and are both limited to four preset CPI settings.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1-C is an updated version of the BenQ ZOWIE EC1. The EC1-C is significantly lighter and feels better built. It also has a more flexible paracord-like cable, a lower minimum lift-off distance, and better click latency.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B and the BenQ ZOWIE EC1 are wired gaming mice with similar performance but different shapes and sizes. The ZA12-B has a symmetrical, high-profile shape that's well-suited for nearly all hand sizes, though those with small or medium-sized hands may find it difficult to reach the scroll wheel and both side buttons using a fingertip grip. On the other hand, the EC1 has a right-handed ergonomic shape that's well-suited to larger hands and all grip types. However, those with small or medium-sized hands may not comfortably reach the scroll wheel or side buttons using a fingertip grip, and small hands aren't for any grip type.
The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B and the BenQ ZOWIE EC1 are similar gaming mice with different shapes and sizes. The FK1+-B feels sturdier and has a low-profile, ambidextrous shape. On the other hand, the EC1 has a right-handed ergonomic shape that might feel more comfortable. Both mice are well-suited for larger hands using any grip type. However, those with small or medium-sized hands may not comfortably reach both side buttons or the scroll wheels using a fingertip grip, and people with small hands may find it difficult to hit both side buttons using a claw grip.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 is a decent wired gaming mouse, while the Kensington Orbit Fusion Wireless Trackball is a good, stationary trackball mouse designed for office work. The BenQ is much lighter and has significantly lower click latency. On the other hand, the Kensington has a thumb and pinky rest and three additional side buttons. It also has customization software for Windows and macOS, a feature the BenQ lacks.
Test Results
Note: Our 3D scanner picked up residue from the adhesive we use to position the mouse for scanning. This residue appears as a lighter patch on the bottom of the mouse in the scan but isn't visible in reality.
This mouse has a similar feeling build quality to other BenQ ZOWIE mice. However, there's a slight rattling when shaking the mouse, and the side buttons feel cheap and sink very deeply into the body when pressed.
For a similar and lighter mouse, check out the BenQ ZOWIE EC3-C.
This mouse has a slightly bulkier shape than the BenQ ZOWIE EC2, and it fits more snugly into the hand. If you're interested in a BenQ ZOWIE mouse with a similar size but a symmetrical, low-profile shape, check out the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B. Or, if you're interested in a slightly shorter length, check out the BenQ ZOWIE S1. Or, for a wired gaming mouse with similar performance and an ergonomic thumb rest, check out the ROCCAT Kone AIMO Remastered.
If you're interested in a similar gaming mouse with LED lights on the left side let you know what CPI setting you're using, check out the COUGAR Revenger.
Update 11/08/2021: Originally, while our tests determined the BenQ ZOWIE EC1's feet provided a "Good" Gliding Experience, we incorrectly indicated the Gliding Experience as "OK" in the published review, despite applying the correct "Good" score. We've updated the review to display the correct "Good" Gliding Experience test result.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC1 has feet with rounded edges, while the BenQ ZOWIE EC2 has feet with sharp edges.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2's click latency is relatively low and provides a responsive feeling experience while gaming. If you're interested in a wired gaming mouse with a similar shape but better and more consistent click latency performance, see our review for the GLORIOUS Model D 2.
The preset DPI settings on the BenQ ZOWIE EC1 are 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. The polling rate settings are 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
