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BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B Mouse Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Reviewed May 05, 2021 at 09:53 am
BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B Picture
6.2
Office/Multimedia
7.6
Video Games (FPS)
6.1
Video Games (MMO)
7.7
Ultra-Light Gaming
5.0
Travel

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is a good wired gaming mouse and is the largest mouse in the BenQ Zowie FK series. It feels well built, has low click latency, and a low-profile shape that's well-suited for larger hands and all grip types. Unfortunately, it has a rigid cable and no companion software for customization, so you only have four default CPI settings and three polling rate presets that you can change with buttons on the bottom of the mouse.

Our Verdict

6.2 Office/Multimedia

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is mediocre for office use. It feels sturdy and is well-suited for all grip types, depending on hand size. That said, its wired-only design may be cumbersome in some office environments. Also, there's no software for customization, and the mouse wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Comfortable low-profile shape.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
  • Mouse wheel lacks L/R tilt and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
7.6 Video Games (FPS)

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is good for FPS gaming. It feels well-built, has low latency, and has a low-profile shape that's suitable for larger hand sizes and all grip types, though those with smaller hands will likely find the smaller BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B or BenQ ZOWIE FK2-B more comfortable. Unfortunately, it's fairly heavy, and the cable isn't very flexible. Also, since there's no companion software, there are only four default CPI presets.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Low click latency.
  • Comfortable low-profile shape.
Cons
  • Fairly heavy.
  • No companion software for customization and only four CPI presets.
6.1 Video Games (MMO)

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is mediocre for MMO gaming. It doesn't have nearly as many side buttons as dedicated MMO mice, but it feels well-built, has low click latency, and a comfortable shape that's suitable for all grip types and most hand sizes. Unfortunately, it also lacks companion software for customization, and the cable isn't very flexible.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Comfortable low-profile shape.
Cons
  • No companion software for customization and only four CPI presets.
  • Not nearly as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse.
7.7 Ultra-Light Gaming

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is good for fans of ultra-light gaming mice, but it's much heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice, and its cable isn't very flexible. That said, it has low click latency, mouse feet that glide smoothly across all surfaces, and a low-profile shape that's well-suited for all grip types, depending on hand size.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Low click latency.
  • Comfortable low-profile shape.
Cons
  • Fairly heavy.
  • No companion software for customization and only four CPI presets.
5.0 Travel

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is inadequate for travel. It's designed to be used as a desktop mouse and isn't well suited to travel due to its bulk and lack of wireless connectivity options.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
  • May not fit into most laptop cases.
  • 6.2 Office/Multimedia
  • 7.6 Video Games (FPS)
  • 6.1 Video Games (MMO)
  • 7.7 Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 5.0 Travel
  1. Updated May 05, 2021: Review published.
  2. Updated Apr 27, 2021: Early access published.
  3. Updated Apr 06, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Apr 06, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Mar 30, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B unit we tested is in glossy white, and it's also available in matte black. This mouse is one of many BenQ Zowie mice that are very similar but have different shapes and sizes. The FK lineup that the FK1+-B is part of comes in three sizes, of which it's the largest. The BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B is medium-sized, while the BenQ ZOWIE FK2-B is the smallest. These mice are updates to the original FK lineup and include improved sensors. However, they lack an additional pair of buttons on the right side that previous FK mice had. You can see the label for our unit here.

Compared To Other Mice

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is the largest of BenQ's updated ZOWIE FK series mice and is an update of the discontinued BenQ ZOWIE FK1+. It's marketed towards the esports community and specifically at FPS players. It has an improved sensor over its predecessor but has the same low-profile and symmetrical shape. This mouse may make a good choice if you're interested in a time-tested, much-admired design and you feel that elements like companion software or RGB lighting are unnecessary.

For more options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, the best gaming mouse, and the best FPS mouse.

BenQ ZOWIE FK2-B

The BenQ ZOWIE FK2-B and the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B are nearly identical gaming mice in different sizes. The FK2-B is the smallest of the three mice in the BenQ ZOWIE FK series. It's well-suited for palm and claw grips regardless of hand size and suitable for a fingertip grip if you have large or extra-large hands. By contrast, the FK1+-B is the largest mouse in the FK series. It's well-suited to larger hands in all grip types but isn't suitable for small hands using any grip type.

BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B

The BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B and the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B are nearly identical mice but with different sizes. The FK1-B is the medium-sized mouse in the BenQ ZOWIE FK series. On the other hand, the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B is the largest mouse in the FK series and feels slightly sturdier.

BenQ ZOWIE EC1

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.

Razer Viper Ultimate

The Razer Viper Ultimate is a better gaming mouse than the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B. The Razer connects wired or wirelessly with a USB receiver. It has lower latency, two additional side buttons, RGB lighting, a lower lift-off distance, a CPI with a much wider range that's adjustable in increments of 50, and software for customization. It's also well-suited to all grip types for most hand sizes, but those with larger hands may find their fingers drape over the front using a palm grip. On the other hand, the BenQ is a wired mouse with no wireless connectivity options. It's also significantly heavier and is well-suited for larger hands and all grip types.

BenQ ZOWIE EC2

The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 and the BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B are wired gaming mice with similar performance but different shapes and sizes. The EC2 has an ergonomic right-handed design. On the other hand, the FK1+-B has an ambidextrous low-profile shape with less palm support. Both mice are well-suited for larger hands, but the EC2 is suitable for a palm grip, regardless of hand size.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type
Standard
Lighting Color No Lighting
Design
Shape
Length 5.2" (132 mm)
Height 1.5" (39 mm)
Width 2.7" (69 mm)
Grip Width
66 mm

Note: Our 3D scanner picked up residue from the sticky tack we use to secure the mouse during scanning. This residue appears as a lighter patch on the bottom of the mouse in our scan but isn't visible in reality.

5.5
Design
Portability
Volume
21.72 in³ (356 cm³)
Cable/Receiver Storing
No
Design
Weight
Maximum Weight With Wire
138 g
Maximum Weight Without Wire
97 g
Minimum Weight Without Wire
97 g
Weight Distribution
Centered
Extra Weights
No
8.5
Design
Build Quality

Unlike with the BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B, our unit has no wobble in the scroll wheel, and the materials don't feel as cheap as with the BenQ ZOWIE FK2-B.

8.0
Design
Comfort Of Use
Right-handed
No
Left-handed
No
Ambidextrous
Yes
Coating
Glossy
Finger Rest
No

If you're interested in a BenQ Zowie mouse with a similar size but a right-handed, ergonomic shape, check out the BenQ ZOWIE EC1.

Design
Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
No
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes
Design
Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
No
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes
Design
Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
No
Medium Hand
No
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes
0
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
No
Receiver
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
Use When Charging
No
On/Off Activation
None
Receiver Extender
No
Battery Indicator No
6.5
Design
Cable
Connectivity Wired
Cable Length 6.9 ft (2.1 m)
Cable Type
Rubber
Permanent Kink
Yes
Port Type: Mouse End
No Port
Port Type: PC End
USB
8.0
Design
Mouse Feet
Gliding Experience
Good
Material
PTFE
Extra Included
Yes
Design
In The Box

  • BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B mouse
  • Extra mouse feet
  • Sticker
  • User documentation

Control
Control
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Technology
Optical (LED)
Sensor Model
PixArt PMW3360
Works On Glass
No
Minimum CPI (DPI)
400 CPI
Maximum CPI (DPI)
3,200 CPI
CPI (DPI) Adjustment Steps
N/A
CPI (DPI) Variation
3%
Minimum Lift Off Distance
2.4 mm
Maximum Polling Rate
1000 Hz

The preset CPI settings are 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. The polling rate settings are 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.

4.2
Control
Buttons
Buttons Activation
Mechanical
Total Number Of Buttons
7
Number Of Side Buttons
2
Number Of Programmable Inputs
0
Profile Switching Button
No
CPI (DPI) Switching Button
Yes
Gesture Support
No
Control
Mouse Wheel
Scroll Wheel
Notched Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
16 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
No
Thumb Wheel
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel
Control
Noise
Click Noise
Quiet
8.0
Control
Click Latency
Click Latency: Receiver
N/A
Click Latency: Bluetooth
N/A
Click Latency: Wired
14 ms
Operating System And Software
0
Operating System And Software
Compatible Software Option
Software Name No software
Software Windows Compatibility
No
Software macOS Compatibility
No
Account Needed
No Software
On-Board Memory
No
CPI (DPI) Adjustment
No
Polling Rate Adjustment
No
Profile Configuration
No
RGB On/Off
No
10
Operating System And Software
Mouse Compatibility
Windows Compatibility Fully
macOS Compatibility Fully