BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B  Mouse Review

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

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
  • Changelog

    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.

    Check Price

    Divina Blue
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    Divina Pink
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    Glossy White
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    Matte Black
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    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.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    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 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.

    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.

    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.

    Show more 

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Type
    Standard
    Lighting ColorNo Lighting
    Shape
    Length5.2" (132 mm)
    Height1.5" (39 mm)
    Width2.7" (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
    Portability
    Volume
    21.72 in³ (356 cm³)
    Cable/Receiver Storing
    No
    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
    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
    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.

    Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    No
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    Yes
    Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    No
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    Yes
    Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    No
    Medium Hand
    No
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    Yes
    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    No
    Receiver
    No
    Battery Type
    No Batteries
    Use When Charging
    No
    On/Off Activation
    None
    Receiver Extender
    No
    Battery IndicatorNo
    6.5
    Cable
    ConnectivityWired
    Cable Length6.9 ft (2.1 m)
    Cable Type
    Rubber
    Permanent Kink
    Yes
    Port Type: Mouse End
    No Port
    Port Type: PC End
    USB
    8.0
    Mouse Feet
    Gliding Experience
    Good
    Material
    PTFE
    Extra Included
    Yes
    In The Box

    • BenQ ZOWIE FK1+-B mouse
    • Extra mouse feet
    • Sticker
    • User documentation
    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
    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
    Mouse Wheel
    Scroll Wheel
    Notched Wheel
    Scroll Wheel Steps
    16 Steps
    Scroll Wheel Tilt
    No
    Thumb Wheel
    No
    Thumb Wheel Steps
    No Thumb Wheel
    Noise
    Click Noise
    Quiet
    8.0
    Click Latency
    Click Latency: Receiver
    N/A
    Click Latency: Bluetooth
    N/A
    Click Latency: Wired
    14 ms
    Operating System And Software
    0.0
    Compatible Software Option
    Software NameNo 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
    Mouse Compatibility
    Windows CompatibilityFully
    macOS CompatibilityFully