The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is a wireless gaming mouse that continues BenQ ZOWIE's EC lineup of right-handed gaming mice. It's the follow-up to the EC2-CW, and improves upon it with a new PixArt PAW3950 sensor, a higher maximum polling rate of 4000Hz, virgin-grade PTFE mouse feet, and a lighter shell while keeping the shape unchanged. This mouse is the medium-size option, but it's also available in large and small size variants.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is adequate for office work. It has great build quality and a comfortable right-handed shape available in three different sizes. While you can connect it to two devices simultaneously using its two included USB receivers, it lacks Bluetooth support. Also, there isn't any customization software for reprogramming buttons, and the scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt inputs and a free-scrolling mode.
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Comfortable right-handed shape available in three sizes.
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Impressive build quality.
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Scroll wheel lacks left-right inputs and a free-scrolling mode.
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No Bluetooth connectivity
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No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is a superb FPS gaming mouse. It has great build quality, a well-loved right-handed shape available in three sizes, and is very lightweight. It also has amazing raw performance with low click and sensor latency that helps offer a responsive-feeling gaming experience.
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Superb raw performance.
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Comfortable right-handed shape available in three sizes.
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Very lightweight.
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Impressive build quality.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is okay for MMO gaming, but it doesn't have nearly as many side buttons as dedicated MMO gaming mice. It has excellent build quality and a comfortable ergonomic shape that's available in three different sizes. It also has superb raw performance, delivering a consistent and responsive in-game experience.
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Superb raw performance.
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Comfortable right-handed shape available in three sizes.
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Impressive build quality.
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Not nearly as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO gaming mouse.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW has remarkable overall raw performance. It has fantastic sensor latency and accuracy and a maximum polling rate of 4000Hz. It also has excellent click latency, but it's marginally worse than other contemporary flagship gaming mice. However, it's still suitable for competitive gaming at the highest level.
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Excellent click latency.
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Fantastic sensor latency and accuracy.
- 6.5 Work
- 9.0 Video Games (FPS)
- 6.7 Video Games (MMO)
- 9.3 Raw Performance
Changelog
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Updated Jul 07, 2025:
We've corrected a mistake in the CPI section where the original 400 CPI results were missing a minus sign. This correction has slightly improved the score for this section. While the text in the CPI section remains unchanged, we've made a small update to the FPS verdict to reflect the adjusted score.
- Updated Jun 19, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Jun 13, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 03, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 28, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is only available in a black colorway. This mouse is part of a wider lineup of EC-DW Series, which are wireless iterations of BenQ Zowie's original EC Series mice, and an update to the EC-CW series. This mouse is available in three different sizes.
| Name | Size |
|---|---|
| EC3-DW | Small |
| EC2-DW | Medium |
| EC1-DW | Large |
We bought and tested the Medium-sized EC2-DW, but we expect the results of our tests to broadly apply to all three size variants. You can see a photo of our unit's label here.
Compared To Other Mice
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW continues BenQ ZOWIE's venerable lineup of right-handed gaming mice that originally launched in 2009. It improves upon the last wireless iteration, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW, with a new PixArt PAW3950 sensor, better mouse feet, lighter weight, and a higher maximum polling rate of 4000Hz. Otherwise, it has an identical shape and the same esports-focused ethos. Like other ZOWIE mice, it doesn't have any companion software, but you can change its settings on the mouse itself. This is useful for tournament play, where peripheral software may be banned. It also includes an 'Enhanced Receiver' which is required to reach polling rates above 1000Hz and is advertised to provide better wireless stability in noisy wireless environments, like LAN tournaments.
Its flagship price point puts it in competition with mice like Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and the Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2 DEX. While it generally can go shot-for-shot with those mice performance-wise, it has marginally worse click latency performance and a lower maximum polling rate. It's still an absolutely fantastic performer and very well suited for the highest levels of competitive play. It's also available in three different sizes, which gives it a leg up on the competition if you have smaller or larger hands.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best FPS mouse, the best gaming mouse, and the best lightweight mouse.
The Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW are wireless gaming mice with right-handed shapes. The Razer is slightly bigger than the medium EC2 variant of the BenQ ZOWIE, but the latter is also available in small and large sizes. The two deliver very similar raw performance, but the Razer has marginally better click latency while the ZOWIE has marginally better sensor latency. Otherwise, the Razer uses the Synapse software to change mouse settings, while the ZOWIE doesn't have any companion software, and all its settings can be changed using buttons on the mouse itself.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW is the successor to the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW. While keeping the same shape, the DW improves on the CW with some small, yet meaningful changes that add up for a better overall experience. Namely, it's significantly lighter, has better mouse feet, and has a new sensor with a higher maximum polling rate of 4000Hz.
The Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2 DEX and the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW are wireless gaming mice with right-handed shapes. They have similar shapes, but the Logitech is slightly bigger and its hump has a different center hump with a more rounded curvature. The ZOWIE is available in small, medium, and large sizes, while the Logitech is only available in one size. While both mice have superb performance, the Logitech just edges out the ZOWIE with slightly better click latency and a higher 8000Hz polling rate.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW and the Vaxee ZYGEN NP-01S Wireless (4K) are wireless gaming mice with right-handed shapes. The Vaxee's shape has a considerably lower profile than the ZOWIE, and its hump is flatter and further towards the rear. This gives it a smaller feel in-hand and allows for more flexibility for hybrid grip types. That said, the ZOWIE is significantly lighter than the Vaxee. The two have similar superb performance, but the Vaxee has marginally better click latency.
Test Results
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW has nearly identical styling to previous models in this lineup, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2 and the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW. It's made of matte black plastic, while the two side buttons have a glossy black finish. There's a red ZOWIE logo on the palm rest and a contrasting glossy BenQ logo on the bottom of the left side of the mouse. There's also a small red accent on the front left side of the mouse under the left click button.
Note: We applied an aerosol spray that adds small white particles in order to get a more accurate 3D scan. These particles are visible in the scan but not present on the mouse out of the box. They're only cosmetic and don't affect the accuracy of the measurements.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW has great build quality overall. It's made of solid-feeling plastic with a matte finish. It doesn't exhibit any creaking or rattling, and there's no flex on the top or the sides. That said, there's flexibility on the underside of the mouse to the point where you can actuate either of the main click buttons by applying enough pressure. Still, this shouldn't be an issue during normal use.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-DW has an identical right-handed shape to the previous iterations. It has a rounded hump in the middle of the mouse with a subtle inward curve on the left side. It's best suited for medium and larger-sized hands using a palm or claw grip.
This mouse is the Medium variant in a lineup that also features a Large and Small size. If you have smaller hands, you may prefer the smaller-sized BenQ ZOWIE EC3-DW, or if you have extra-large hands, you'll be more comfortable using the BenQ ZOWIE EC1-DW.
BenQ ZOWIE advertises that this mouse has a maximum battery life of 80 hours at 1000Hz, 30 hours at 2000Hz, or 24 hours at 4000Hz.
This mouse includes an 'Enhanced Wireless Receiver', which doubles as a charging dock. BenQ ZOWIE claims this receiver delivers better wireless stability than a conventional wireless receiver. Our test bench doesn't test for wireless stability, so we can't verify its effectiveness.
This mouse comes with a basic rubber cable. It's not particularly flexible and is somewhat prone to tangling.
This mouse has superb mouse feet that glide incredibly smoothly and easily. They're a notable improvement over the black PTFE feet that the previous iteration, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW, used. Two additional sets of mouse feet are included in the box, one virgin-grade and one dyed black.
- Enhanced wireless receiver
- USB-A wireless receiver
- Receiver extender
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Replacement mouse feet (black)
- Replacement mouse feet (white)
- User documentation
This mouse doesn't have first-party software that allows you to reprogram any of its inputs. There is a CPI button and a polling rate button on the underside of the mouse that allow you to cycle through their respective settings.
This mouse has excellent click latency that's suitable for any genre of gaming at any competitive level.
We achieved these results using a 4000Hz polling rate with the 'Enhanced Receiver', at 1000Hz wired, and with the 'Click Response Time' (also known as "Debounce" or "Debounce Delay") at its lowest setting (fast).
The wired results are unexpectedly less consistent than the wireless results, so we retested them multiple times to ensure our results were correct.
This mouse's sensor doesn't exhibit any problematic variation or tracking accuracy issues.
This mouse has fantastic sensor latency performance suitable for gaming at any competitive level.
The above results are using the 'Enhanced Receiver' at polling rate of 4000Hz with motion sync turned off.
The table below shows the results of supplementary testing we conducted at different polling rates.
| Connection Type | Polling Rate | Delay to Start of Movement | Delay at Half Movement | Delay to End of Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wired | 1000Hz | 10.9 ms | 1.9 ms | 3.3 ms |
| Wireless (Standard Receiver) | 1000Hz | 10.9 ms | 2.5 ms | 3.9 ms |
| Wireless (Enhanced Receiver) | 1000Hz | 12.0 ms | 2.5 ms | 4.8 ms |
| 4000Hz + Motion Sync | 16.2 ms | 2.4 ms | 3.1 ms |
This mouse's wireless polling rate options are 125Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, and 4000Hz using the 'Enhanced Receiver'. Its maximum polling rate with the standard receiver or with a wired connection is 1000Hz.
This mouse's scroll wheel is made of plastic with a grippy, grooved rubber finish. It scrolls precisely and notably smoother and more quietly than its predecessor, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW.
Both main click buttons, the side buttons, and the scroll wheel operate quietly and are unlikely to bother anyone around you.
There isn't any customization software for this mouse, but you can change expected settings like polling rate, CPI, LOD (lift-off distance), and click response time directly on the mouse itself. The button combinations for changing these settings are listed in the user manual. You can see an online version of this manual on BenQ's website.