The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is the medium-size mouse in the ZA-B lineup. This ambidextrous-shaped mouse should fit almost all hand sizes when using it with a palm or claw grip, but people with small or medium hands may struggle to reach some buttons when using a fingertip grip. While its click latency isn't as low as some other options, it should be low enough for most people. Unfortunately, it doesn't have customization software to remap buttons or set macros, and you can only cycle through the four default CPI presets with a button on the underside. While it feels well-built, there's a lot of squeaking when applying pressure to our unit.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is inadequate for office use. It only has two side buttons for forward and back, the scroll wheel can't unlock for free scrolling, and there's no L/R tilt. Although it feels well-built, there's a lot of squeaking when we pressure the bottom of our unit. On the bright side, it's fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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Wired-only design.
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No customization software.
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No free scroll or L/R tilt.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is good for FPS gaming. It's suitable for most hand sizes, although people with smaller hands may struggle to reach some buttons with a fingertip grip. While the latency isn't as low as some other gaming mice, it should still feel responsive to most people. Unfortunately, there's no customization software, so you're limited to the four default CPI presets. While it feels well-built, there's a lot of squeaking when we pressure the bottom of our unit.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Good click latency.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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Fairly consistent sensor.
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PTFE feet glide well.
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Very narrow CPI range.
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Somewhat heavy.
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No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is mediocre for MMO gaming. It doesn't have as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice, and because there's no customization software, you're limited to the four default CPI presets. While it feels well-built, there's a lot of squeaking when we apply pressure to the bottom of our unit.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Good click latency.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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Very narrow CPI range.
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Doesn't have as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice.
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No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is a very good ultra-light gaming mouse, but it's heavier than most ultra-light gaming mice. While the click latency isn't as low as some other options, it's still good and should feel responsive enough to most people. It should feel very comfortable for most hand sizes, although people with smaller hands may struggle to reach all buttons with a fingertip grip. It feels well-built, but there's a lot of squeaking when we pressure the bottom of our unit.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Good click latency.
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Fairly consistent sensor.
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PTFE feet glide well.
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Very narrow CPI range.
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Somewhat heavy.
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No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B isn't for travel. It's fairly bulky, and you can't use it wirelessly, which isn't ideal when traveling.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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Wired-only design.
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Somewhat heavy.
- 5.9 Office/Multimedia
- 7.4 Video Games (FPS)
- 6.0 Video Games (MMO)
- 8.0 Ultra-Light Gaming
- 5.0 Travel
- Updated Feb 24, 2022: The original 3D scan of this mouse was incorrect. A corrected scan has been uploaded.
- Updated May 06, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 28, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 07, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 07, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 31, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is one of many Zowie mice that are very similar but have different sizes and shapes. The ZA-B lineup has three size variants. The BenQ ZOWIE ZA11-B is the largest, the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is medium-sized, and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B is the smallest. The ZA12-B is an upgraded version of the discontinued BenQ ZOWIE ZA12, with an improved 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.
Compared To Other Mice
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B is a simple matte-black mouse with no RGB lighting. Its CPI range is more narrow than some other gaming options, and you can only cycle through the four default CPI presets. There's no customization software to set macros or remap the buttons. While its click latency isn't as low as some other options, it should still feel responsive while gaming.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, and the best gaming mouse.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B and the BenQ ZOWIE EC1 are wired gaming mice with similar performance but different shapes and sizes. The ZA12-B has a symmetrical, high-profile shape that's well-suited for nearly all hand sizes, though those with small or medium-sized hands may find it difficult to reach the scroll wheel and both side buttons using a fingertip grip. On the other hand, the EC1 has a right-handed ergonomic shape that's well-suited to larger hands and all grip types. However, those with small or medium-sized hands may not comfortably reach the scroll wheel or side buttons using a fingertip grip, and small hands aren't for any grip type.
The Razer Viper Mini is overall better than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B. It has a wider and adjustable CPI range and a much lower click latency. Unlike the BenQ, the Razer has customization software, letting you set macros and remap all of its buttons. Also, thanks to its smaller size, it weighs less, and it's perfect for a fingertip grip for all hand-sizes. However, if you prefer using a claw or palm grip, the BenQ's larger size is better suited for these grip types.
The GLORIOUS Model D and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B are gaming mice with different designs. The GLORIOUS is an excellent option if you're a fan of ultra-light gaming mice since it's very lightweight. It also has smoother-gliding mouse feet, a more flexible cable, and you can adjust the CPI precisely in increments of 100. On the other hand, the BenQ is a good choice if you like simple mice with no RGB or software and you prefer the ambidextrous shape over the GLORIOUS's right-handed design.
The Logitech G502 HERO performs better overall than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B. The Logitech has a lower minimum CPI, and you can adjust its CPI range precisely in increments of 50 CPI. Also, it has a more consistent sensor, a lower lift-off distance, and a much lower click latency. Since it has customization software, you can remap almost all of its buttons, and you can even set a G-Shift button to give you more layers. Unlike most gaming mice, you can unlock the Logitech's scroll wheel for free scrolling, making it a great choice if you also intend to use it for office use. However, the Logitech is quite heavy, meaning the BenQ may be a better choice for fans of ultra-light gaming mice.
The Logitech G Pro Wireless is overall better than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B. The Logitech has a lower minimum CPI, and you can adjust its CPI range precisely in increments of 50. It also has a much more consistent sensor, a lower lift-off distance, and a much lower click latency. Also, since it has customization software, you can set macros and remap all of its buttons. It can be used both wired and wirelessly via its USB receiver, which may be important to some people.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B and the BenQ ZOWIE S1 are wired gaming mice with very similar performance but different shapes and sizes. The S1 is larger and well-suited for larger hands using any grip type; however, any hand size should feel comfortable using it with a palm grip. On the other hand, the ZA12-B is smaller and significantly lighter. It's well-suited to all hand sizes using a palm or claw grip, but those with small or medium-sized hands may have trouble reaching the scroll wheel and both side buttons using a fingertip grip. The S1 has a better click latency, but it may be too small of a difference for most people to notice.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro is a better FPS gaming mouse than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B. The Razer has a much lower latency when used wired or with its receiver, and it has a wider CPI range that you can adjust precisely in increments of 50. Unlike the BenQ, the Razer has customization software, so you can set macros and remap the keys to your liking. Its paracord-like cable is also much more flexible and doesn't retain as many kinks as the BenQ's rubber cable.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a better gaming mouse than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA12-B. It has much lower click latency, a lower minimum lift-off distance, and its CPI range is wider and adjustable. Also, its cable is better, and its mouse feet glide much smoother. Unlike the BenQ, the Razer has customization software, and it has significantly more buttons that you can easily program. However, if you like the ambidextrous shape and don't like RGB lighting, the BenQ could be a better choice.
Test Results
Update 02/24/2022: The original 3D scan was incorrect. When displaying the mouse from the front, it appeared to have a right-slanting, asymmetrical shape. However, this mouse is symmetrical. The mouse has been rescanned, and it's been confirmed that its shape was properly captured by the 3D scanning tool. The new, corrected scan has been uploaded.
Note: The 3D scanner picked up residue from the sticky tack used to secure the mouse during scanning. This residue appears as a lighter patch on the bottom of the mouse in the scan, but it isn't visible in reality.
Its build quality feels similar to the BenQ Zowie ZA11-B, but there's a lot of squeaking when applying pressure to the bottom. However, this may be a problem with our unit only. Let us know in the discussions if your unit also has this problem.
If you're interested in a similar gaming mouse that connects wirelessly with a USB receiver, check out the ROCCAT Kain 200 AIMO.
The preset CPI settings are 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. The polling rate settings are 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
For a similar gaming mouse with an additional button on the top of the mouse to the left of the left-click button, check out the DELUX M625.
