The BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B is the smallest mouse in the ZA-B lineup. Its ambidextrous shape is suitable for almost all hand sizes when using it with a palm or claw grip, but people with small hands may struggle to reach some of the buttons when using a fingertip grip. While its click latency isn't as low as some other options, it should still feel very responsive for most people. Unfortunately, it doesn't have customization software, and it has a very narrow CPI range with only four CPI presets that you can cycle through with a button on the underside.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B is mediocre for office use. It has only two side buttons for forward and backward, the scroll wheel can't unlock for free scrolling, and there's no L/R tilt. On the bright side, it feels very well-built and should feel comfortable for most hand sizes regardless of the grip type used, but people with small hands may struggle to reach some buttons with a fingertip grip.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Feels well-built.
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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 ZA13-B is good for FPS gaming. While the latency isn't as low as some other gaming mice, it should still feel very responsive while gaming. It's suitable for most hand sizes regardless of grip type, and only people with small hands may struggle to reach some buttons with a fingertip grip. Unfortunately, there's no customization software, so you're limited to the four default CPI presets.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Very good click latency.
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Feels well-built.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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PTFE feet slide 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 ZA13-B is mediocre for MMO games, partly since it doesn't have nearly as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice do. There's no customization software, so you're limited to the four default CPI presets. On the bright side, it feels very well-built and is suitable for all hand sizes when using a palm or claw grip.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Very good click latency.
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Feels well-built.
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Fantastic OS compatibility.
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Very narrow CPI range.
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Doesn't have as many button as dedicated MMO mice.
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No customization software.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B is a very good ultra-light gaming mouse, but it's heavier than most ultra-light gaming mice. It should feel very comfortable for most hand sizes, although people with small hands may struggle to reach some buttons with a fingertip grip. While the click latency isn't as low as some other options, it should still feel very responsive while gaming. Unfortunately, its rubber cable isn't very flexible and retains kinks from packaging.
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Suitable for most hand sizes.
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Very good click latency.
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Feels well-built.
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PTFE feet slide well.
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Very narrow CPI range.
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Rubber cable isn't very flexible.
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Somewhat heavy.
The BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B isn't designed for travel. It's fairly bulky and can't be used wirelessly, which isn't ideal when traveling.
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Feels well-built.
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Wired-only design.
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Somewhat heavy.
- Office/Multimedia
- Video Games (FPS)
- Video Games (MMO)
- Ultra-Light Gaming
- Travel
- Updated May 07, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 28, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 14, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 09, 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 ZA13-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.
This is an upgraded version of the discontinued BenQ ZOWIE ZA13, 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 ZA13-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 CPI presets already on the mouse. There's no customization software to easily set macros or remap 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 Razer Viper Mini and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B are similar mice, but the Razer performs better. Both have an ambidextrous shape with two buttons on their left side, but the Razer is much smaller and lighter, making it a better choice if you like lightweight mice. Also, it has much lower click latency and a wider and adjustable CPI range, unlike the BenQ that only has four CPI presets to choose. However, if you prefer using a claw or palm grip, the BenQ's larger size makes it a better choice.
The Logitech G Pro Wireless performs better than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B. Both are ambidextrous-shaped mice, but the Logitech has two buttons on each side, and you can easily remap all of its buttons through its customization software. It can be used both wirelessly and wired, which may be important to some people. Also, the Logitech has a lower lift-off distance, lower click latency, and a wider and adjustable CPI range, unlike the BenQ that has only four preset CPI settings.
The GLORIOUS Model D and the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B are gaming mice with different designs. The GLORIOUS is a better option if you prefer an ultra-light mouse with a slanted, right-handed design. Also, it has lower click latency, programmable buttons, and customization software. You can also adjust the CPI in increments of 100. On the other hand, the BenQ is a good gaming option if you prefer an ambidextrous shape with no RGB or software, and you don't mind having only four CPI presets to cycle through.
The Logitech G502 HERO is overall better than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B. The Logitech has a lower lift-off distance, lower click latency, and a wider and adjustable CPI range. You can remap buttons and assign a G-Shift through the G HUB software to give you extra customization layers. Also, unlike most gaming mice, you can unlock the Logitech's scroll wheel for free scrolling, making it more versatile if you also want to use it for office use. However, the Logitech is significantly heavier, so the BenQ may be a better choice if you prefer a lighter mouse.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a better FPS gaming mouse than the BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B. The Razer has much lower latency, a lower lift-off distance, and its CPI can be adjusted precisely, unlike the BenQ, which only has four CPI presets you can choose. Also, the Razer's paracord-like cable is much more flexible and doesn't retain as many kinks as the BenQ's rubber cable.
Test Results
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 it isn't visible in reality.
- BenQ ZOWIE ZA13-B mouse
- ZOWIE sticker
- Extra mouse feet
- User documentation
The preset CPI settings are 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. The polling rate settings are 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
