BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B  Mouse Review

Reviewed Apr 30, 2021 at 09:49am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B

Track

0.0
Office/Multimedia 
0.0
Video Games (FPS) 
0.0
Video Games (MMO) 
0.0
Ultra-Light Gaming 
0.0
Travel 

Track

 0

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is the largest-sized mouse in the upgraded ZA lineup. It's nearly identical to its predecessor, the BenQ Zowie ZA11, but it has an upgraded sensor and no side buttons on its right side. This very well-built, ambidextrous-shaped mouse should fit most hand sizes when using it with a palm or claw grip, but people with smaller hands may struggle to reach the scroll wheel and front side button with a fingertip grip. In terms of performance, it has a very narrow CPI range that can't be adjusted precisely. Instead, you need to cycle between the four presets already on the mouse. Its click latency is good and should be low enough for most people. Unfortunately, since it doesn't have customization software, you can't remap any of the buttons.

Our Verdict

0.0
Office/Multimedia 

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is mediocre for office use. It only has two side buttons for forward and back, and you can't reprogram them. The scroll wheel can't be unlocked for free scrolling, and it can't wirelessly pair with other devices. On the bright side, it feels well-built and it's fully compatible with Windows and macOS.

Pros
  • Feels very well-built.
  • Fantastic OS compatibility.
  • Suitable for most hand sizes.
Cons
  • Wired-only design.
  • No customization software.
  • No free scroll or L/R tilt.
0.0
Video Games (FPS) 

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is good for FPS gaming. It feels well-built and should be comfortable for most hand sizes, although people with smaller hands may struggle with a fingertip grip. The click latency is good and should feel responsive enough to most people. Unfortunately, it has a very narrow CPI range, and you're limited to the four CPI presets already on the mouse since there's no customization software.

Pros
  • Feels very well-built.
  • Fantastic OS compatibility.
  • Suitable for most hand sizes.
  • Good click latency.
  • Fairly consistent sensor.
Cons
  • Very narrow CPI range.
  • Somewhat heavy.
  • No customization software.
0.0
Video Games (MMO) 

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B isn't designed for MMO gaming. It only has two side buttons, which is significantly less than dedicated MMO mice. It has no customization software, so you're limited to the four presets on the mouse. On the bright side, it feels well-built and should be comfortable for most hand sizes.

Pros
  • Feels very well-built.
  • Fantastic OS compatibility.
  • Suitable for most hand sizes.
  • Fairly consistent sensor.
Cons
  • Very narrow CPI range.
  • Doesn't have as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice.
  • No customization software.
0.0
Ultra-Light Gaming 

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is a good ultra-light gaming mouse, but it's heavier than most dedicated ultra-light gaming mice. The click latency is good and should feel responsive enough to most people. That said, it feels very well-built and should feel very comfortable for most hand sizes, although people with smaller hands may struggle with a fingertip grip. Its PTFE feet provide a great gliding experience, but they feel a little scratchy on a desk.

Pros
  • Feels very well-built.
  • Suitable for most hand sizes.
  • Good click latency.
  • Fairly consistent sensor.
Cons
  • Very narrow CPI range.
  • Somewhat heavy.
  • No customization software.
0.0
Travel 

The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B isn't designed for travel. It's a wired mouse that's fairly bulky, which isn't ideal when you're on the go.

Pros
  • Feels very well-built.
Cons
  • Wired-only design.
  • Somewhat heavy.
  • 0.0
    Office/Multimedia
  • 0.0
    Video Games (FPS)
  • 0.0
    Video Games (MMO)
  • 0.0
    Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 0.0
    Travel
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 30, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Apr 28, 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

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is one of many Zowie mice that are very similar but have different sizes and shapes. This particular lineup has two variants: the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B. They're nearly identical to this one, but they're smaller. The ZA11-B is an upgraded version of the discontinued BenQ ZOWIE ZA11, with an upgraded sensor and no side buttons on its right side. We tested it in matte black, but it's also available in glossy white. You can see the label of our unit here.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is a simple wired gaming mouse with no RGB lighting. It has a very narrow CPI range, and you can't adjust it precisely like on some other gaming mice. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with customization software, so you're limited to the presets already on the mouse, and you can't remap any of the buttons. For other options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, and the best gaming mouse.

    Logitech G403 HERO

    Track

    The Logitech G403 HERO and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B are both gaming mice, but they have different shapes. The Logitech is a right-handed mouse with a slightly curved body, with two buttons on its left side. The BenQ also has two buttons on its left side, but it has an ambidextrous shape. When it comes to performance, the Logitech is better overall thanks to its lower lift-off distance, adjustable CPI range, and better click latency. Also, it has a braided, flexible cable, many programmable buttons, and it comes with customization software to easily change your settings.

    BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B

    Track

    The BenQ ZOWIE FK1-B and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B are both ambidextrous mice with two buttons on their left side. They're very similar in looks and performance, and they use the same sensor which has a very narrow CPI range. Unfortunately, since they don't have customization software, you can't remap any of the buttons, precisely adjust the CPI, or set macros. However, the FK1-B is a better choice for gaming since it has a much lower click latency. 

    Razer Viper Ultimate

    Track

    The Razer Viper Ultimate and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B are both ambidextrous-shaped gaming mice, but the Razer is better overall. It has a lower minimum lift-off distance, an adjustable CPI range, a much lower click latency, and many programmable buttons. Also, the Razer is much lighter, making it a better choice for fans of ultra-light mice. However, while the Razer's small size makes it more suitable for people with small hands using a palm or claw grip, it means that people with larger hands may feel the mouse is too short. If you have large or extra-large hands, you may find the BenQ's larger size much more comfortable to use.

    BenQ ZOWIE EC2

    Track

    The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B are both simple gaming mice. The EC2 has a slight right-handed slant, whereas the ZA11-B has an ambidextrous shape. Both mice use the same sensor, which has a very narrow CPI range and a fairly low minimum lift-off distance. Neither have customization software, so you can't adjust the CPI, remap the buttons, or set macros. The EC2 may be a better choice for gaming since its click latency is lower.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Type
    LockedStandard
    Lighting ColorLockedLocked
    Shape
    LengthLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    Grip Width
    LockedLock mm
    0.0
    Portability
    Volume
    LockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Cable/Receiver Storing
    LockedLocked
    Weight
    Maximum Weight With Wire
    LockedLock g
    Maximum Weight Without Wire
    LockedLock g
    Minimum Weight Without Wire
    LockedLock g
    Weight Distribution
    LockedLocked
    Extra Weights
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Build Quality
    0.0
    Comfort Of Use
    Right-handed
    LockedLocked
    Left-handed
    LockedLocked
    Ambidextrous
    LockedLocked
    Coating
    LockedLocked
    Finger Rest
    LockedLocked

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    Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Receiver
    LockedLocked
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Use When Charging
    LockedLocked
    On/Off Activation
    LockedLocked
    Receiver Extender
    LockedLocked
    Battery IndicatorLockedLocked
    0.0
    Cable
    ConnectivityLockedWired
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

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    BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B Cable Video Sample
    Cable LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Cable Type
    LockedLocked
    Permanent Kink
    LockedLocked
    Port Type: Mouse End
    LockedLocked
    Port Type: PC End
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Mouse Feet
    Gliding Experience
    LockedLocked
    Material
    LockedLocked
    Extra Included
    LockedLocked
    In The Box

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    Control
    Sensor Specifications
    Sensor Technology
    LockedLocked
    Sensor Model
    LockedLocked
    Works On Glass
    LockedLocked
    Minimum CPI (DPI)
    LockedLock CPI
    Maximum CPI (DPI)
    LockedLock CPI
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment Steps
    LockedN/A
    CPI (DPI) Variation
    LockedLock%
    Minimum Lift Off Distance
    LockedLock mm
    Maximum Polling Rate
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Buttons
    Buttons Activation
    LockedLocked
    Total Number Of Buttons
    LockedLock
    Number Of Side Buttons
    LockedLock
    Number Of Programmable Inputs
    LockedLock
    Profile Switching Button
    LockedLocked
    CPI (DPI) Switching Button
    LockedLocked
    Gesture Support
    LockedLocked
    Mouse Wheel
    Scroll Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel Steps
    LockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel Tilt
    LockedLocked
    Thumb Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Thumb Wheel Steps
    LockedLocked
    Noise
    SAMPLE
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    BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B Noise Video Sample
    Click Noise
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Click Latency
    Click Latency: Receiver
    LockedN/A
    Click Latency: Bluetooth
    LockedN/A
    Click Latency: Wired
    LockedLock ms
    Operating System And Software
    0.0
    Compatible Software Option
    Software NameLockedLocked
    Software Windows Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Software macOS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Account Needed
    LockedLocked
    On-Board Memory
    LockedLocked
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Polling Rate Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Profile Configuration
    LockedLocked
    RGB On/Off
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Mouse Compatibility
    Windows CompatibilityLockedLocked
    macOS CompatibilityLockedLocked