The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a good gaming mouse that's somewhat light. Its high back and slightly curved design should feel comfortable for right-handed people, especially if used in a palm or claw grip. The click latency is low and should feel responsive while gaming, and the CPI range is wide, although its maximum CPI isn't as high as some other gaming mice. Unfortunately, there's no companion software, so you can't customize any of the sensor settings or reprogram the buttons, and there are no RGB lighting zones. We only tested the medium variant, although we expect most of our results to apply to the large variant as well, except for the weight and grip type recommendation.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a disappointing office mouse. Although it feels comfortable to use and it's fully compatible with Windows and macOS, the build quality is only decent. It only has two side buttons for forward and back, but you can't reprogram them. The scroll wheel can't be unlocked for infinite scrolling, and there are no wireless options.
- Feels comfortable.
- Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Only decent build quality.
- No customization software.
- Only two side buttons.
- No wireless connectivity options.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is good for FPS gaming. Its click latency is low and should feel responsive, and the slight curve of its design should make it comfortable to use. It's somewhat light, but its cable isn't very flexible and its build quality is only decent due to some flexing at the button of the mouse.
- Low click latency.
- Feels comfortable.
- Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Somewhat lightweight.
- Only decent build quality.
- No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 isn't designed for MMO gaming. It only has two side buttons, which is much less than dedicated MMO mice. You can't reprogram any of the inputs or customize its CPI settings. Its build quality is only decent since lightly squeezing the bottom activates one of the size buttons. However, it feels comfortable to use and its click latency is low.
- Low click latency.
- Feels comfortable.
- Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Only decent build quality.
- No customization software.
- Only two side buttons.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a good option for fans of ultra-light gaming mice. Its click latency is low and should feel responsive, and the maximum polling rate is very high. It feels comfortable to use and the feet glide well, but the cable is quite kinky. Even though it's not designed for ultra-light gaming and it's heavier than some other mice, it's still somewhat light.
- Low click latency.
- Feels comfortable.
- Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Somewhat lightweight.
- Significantly heavier than ultra-light mice.
- Only decent build quality.
- No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is bad for travel since it's a wired-only mouse with no wireless options. It's designed to be used with your at-home gaming setup.
- Feels comfortable.
- Only decent build quality.
- No wireless connectivity options.
Changelog
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Updated Jun 19, 2025:
We've added a link to the newly reviewed BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW in the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
- 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 28, 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 Sep 21, 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.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the BenQ ZOWIE EC2, which is a medium-sized mouse. There's also a large-sized variant of this mouse called the BenQ ZOWIE EC1. You can see the label of our unit here.
Popular Mouse Comparisons
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a good gaming mouse if you want a simple design with no RGB lighting. Its CPI range isn't as wide as other gaming options, but it should be high enough to please casual gamers. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with customization software, so you're limited to the presets already on the mouse. Some people may find it relatively pricey for its performance.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, and the best gaming mouse.
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 EC2, the EC3-C is slightly shorter and much lighter, and it feels significantly better built. It has a flexible, paracord-like cable instead of the rubber cable on the EC2, and the mouse end of the cable is angled upwards to prevent drag. Its smaller size is better suited for small hands using a claw grip. On the other hand, the EC2's larger size accommodates extra-large hands better for a palm grip. Also, its click latency is lower. Otherwise, both mice use the same sensor and are both limited to four preset CPI settings.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is an older, medium-sized version in the BenQ ZOWIE EC-series, while the BenQ ZOWIE EC1-C is a newer, large-sized version with several improvements. The EC1-C is somewhat lighter and feels much better built. It also has a more flexible cable, better quality mouse feet with rounded edges, and a lower minimum lift-off distance. Both mice are suitable for all grip types, but the EC2 is recommended for small hands using a palm grip, while the EC1-C isn't.
The Razer DeathAdder Elite is better than the BenQ ZOWIE EC2. The Razer feels better built, more comfortable, and has RGB lighting on its scroll wheel and logo. Also, the Razer has a much wider CPI range that you can adjust very precisely, and it comes with software for customizations. However, the BenQ has a lower click latency.
The BenQ ZOWIE S2 is a better gaming mouse than the BenQ ZOWIE EC2. The S2 feels better built, and its feet glide better since it has no sharp edges. Also, its sensor is more consistent than the EC2. However, the EC2 feels more comfortable, its cable is more flexible, and its click latency is marginally lower.
Test Results
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a simple, matte black mouse. It has a slight curve designed for right hands, a high rounded back, and two shiny buttons on its left side. The branding on the back is red and not backlit. Unlike most gaming mice, it doesn't have any RGB zones. If you're looking for a mouse that shares a similar design language and shape but has better performance, check out the Vaxee OUTSET AX.
Due to its wired-only design, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2 isn't very portable, but this shouldn't be an issue if you're using it with your at-home gaming setup.
The build quality is only decent. Although the top portion feels solid, the bottom exhibits a lot of flex, and one of the side buttons can be activated just by squeezing below it without much force. The side buttons feel mushy and go deep into the mouse when pressed. On the upside, the PTFE feet are good and glide smoothly. If you're looking for a lighter gaming mouse with an even sturdier-feeling build quality, check out the Endgame Gear XM1r.
It's somewhat light, and there are no weight optimization options. We expect the large variant to be heavier. For a similarly-shaped mouse with a lighter weight, consider the Vaxee ZYGEN NP-01 or the G-Wolves Skoll SK-S ACE Edition.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 feels comfortable to use, thanks to its slightly curved design. The side buttons are well-placed and any hand size shouldn't have problems reaching them with a palm grip. Due to its size, people with smaller hands might struggle to use it comfortably with a claw or fingertip grip. There's also a large variant of this mouse designed for larger hands, the BenQ ZOWIE EC1. For a similar mouse with grippy rubber side panels, check out the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM530 or the Fnatic FLICK 2. Or, for a mouse with an ambidextrous design, check out the BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B, or the SteelSeries Sensei 310.
All hand sizes should be able to use it comfortably with a palm grip.
Small hands may struggle to reach the scroll wheel and L/R click buttons in a claw grip, but all other hand sizes should have no issues.
Only large to extra-large hands should feel comfortable using it with a fingertip grip. Small and medium hand sizes might struggle to reach any of the buttons.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 is a wired-only mouse, so it can't be used wirelessly.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is an updated wireless version of this mouse.
The rubber cable isn't very flexible and it retains kinks from the packaging. However, it's slightly better than the cable on the BenQ ZOWIE S2. For an updated version of this mouse with a much better cable, check out the BenQ ZOWIE EC3-C.
The thick PTFE mouse feet glide smoothly when on a mouse pad or a desk. However, there's a slight scratchiness when used directly on a desk due to the sharpness of the two straight edges.
It has two side buttons and two buttons on the bottom of the mouse to adjust the CPI and the polling rate. Like the BenQ ZOWIE S2, none of the buttons can be reprogrammed and it doesn't come with software. The side buttons' default settings are to move forward and backward on a webpage.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2's click latency is good and should feel very responsive 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 BenQ ZOWIE EC2 has a good CPI range, although it's not as wide as other gaming options. The sensor tends to undershoot the CPI a little, but not by much. You can switch between four CPI presets by pressing a button at the bottom of the mouse. Likewise, a second button on the bottom lets you cycle between three preset polling rates: 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz. Because there's no companion software, you can't customize any of these values.
The mouse wheel has very pronounced steps and each step has a loud, audible click. The rubber material of the wheel is grippy and has indented grooves.
This mouse is loud, but it still shouldn't bother people around you unless you're in a noise-sensitive environment.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 doesn't have dedicated software for customizations.