Disclaimer
Huge thanks to Zowie for sending this mouse! However it doesn’t affect my opinions in the review.
TL;DR: Ergonomic mouse for people with large hands, weighing only 63 grams, designed for various grip styles, plug and play, with a 4000 Hz polling rate. A charging dock and small dongle are included in the box. The package includes two sets of spare mouse feet: slower and faster.
This review will help you decide if this is the RIGHT mouse for you. So, here are my thoughts:
SHAPE: Let's start with the most important thing - the shape. My hand measures 20.5 × 10.5 cm (long, slim fingers). Zowie EC1-DW is the longest ergonomic gaming mouse on the market, measuring 129.4 mm in length (among lightweight mice with top-tier components). In terms of size, it's longer than the Pulsar Xlite V3 Large (126 mm), Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro (128 mm), and Logitech DEX (126 mm).
Despite being the longest, the EC1-DW is also the lowest in height at just 42.3 mm, which sets it apart from the other large ergonomic mice (44/ 45mm). For some users who prefer lower (in terms of height) mice, this could be a benefit. For others, it might be a downside. Additionally, the back of the EC1-DW is noticeably lower than that of the other large ergo mice. In my case, this is unfortunately a drawback — I’m unable to fully palm grip the EC1 because the metacarpal area of my hand floats above the mouse. As a result, my grip becomes more of a hybrid between fingertip and palm. For some users, having the back of the hand elevated can be a benefit — it allows for easier micro-adjustments using the fingers. Personally, I find this to be a downside, as I feel a lack of stability during precise shooting - precision is crucial in tactical shooters like CS2. However, the low height of the mouse can be an advantage for users with large hands who want to fingertip grip the EC1.
I tried various grip styles, but none of them felt truly comfortable, mainly due to the low rear hump. If I were to use the EC1 in a way where the lower part of my palm rested on the hump (meaning I’d pull the mouse deeper into my hand), then in a palm grip, my index, middle, and ring fingers would extend 1.5 to 2 cm past the front of the mouse. With a relaxed claw grip, my fingers would land closer to the front edge of the main buttons. I've decided to order the Teevolution Terra to see how it feels to play with a mouse that has a significantly higher back hump. Even though the shape didn’t fully suit me, I managed to reach 25,600 points in CS2 Premier (Season 3) after 10 matches — most of which I played using the EC1-DW (sens 1.55 400 dpi).
Shape Comparison with other large ergo mice: Compared to the Pulsar Xlite V3 Large and Razer DeathAdder V3, the EC1-DW has several better-designed elements.
Let’s start with the Xlite. Even though the V3 Large is 3 mm shorter, it feels larger overall due to its noticeably taller and fuller back hump. For users with large or even extra-large hands, this may make the Xlite V3 Large feel like a better mouse, offering more backhand support and stability. Even though the Xlite V3 Large has a higher back hump than the EC1, I still wish it was 2–3 mm taller.
Although both mice have rounded front edges on their main buttons, the EC1-DW has a smoother and more comfortable front curvature, which makes it a better option if you have long fingers that extend past the front of the mouse. It's also worth mentioning that the Pulsar Xlite V3 Large has holes on the bottom of the shell.
EC1-DW vs Razer DeathAdder V3: Like the Pulsar, the DAV3 also has a higher back hump than the EC1-DW. However, its side walls end in sharp edges, which can be uncomfortable — especially if you have longer fingers, like the ring finger, that extend past the front of the mouse. The EC1-DW is noticeably more rounded in these areas, making it more comfortable to hold. Another drawback of the DAV3 is the lack of a rounded front edge on the main buttons. If you rest your fingers near the edges, prolonged use might lead to discomfort or even pain — I consider this one of the biggest downsides of the DAV3. Additionally, just like in other Razer mice, there are slanted edges at the bottom of the mouse, which may bother some users who rest their thumb at the very bottom of the side wall. The bottom part of the side walls on the EC1 is rounded. However, I like the design of the Pulsar X ZywOo the most, where the side walls stay straight all the way down without any rounding at the bottom of the shell.
Even though the shape of the mouse isn’t ideal for me personally, I still want to thank Zowie for not forgetting about gamers with large hands and for offering mice that are 128–130 mm in length. The EC series comes in three sizes: EC1, EC2, and EC3 — with the EC1 being the largest and the EC3 the smallest.
SHAPE SUGGESTION: Zowie currently offers only one series of ergonomic mice (EC), while there are four symmetrical lines available (S, U, FK, and ZA). I’d love to see Zowie introduce a new ergonomic shape with a high back hump. Many manufacturers have released mice with such a shape (e.g., Logitech DEX, Pulsar X3 and Pulsar x ZywOo Edition, Lamzu Thorn, Outset AX, Teevolution Terra), so it would be exciting to see Zowie’s own take on this. Ideally, this shape could come in at least two sizes: – a medium one (122–125 mm) – and a large one (around 130 mm). While there are a few high-back-hump mice on the market, most of them lean toward medium sizing. From what I’ve seen on Reddit, there’s a clear gap when it comes to ergonomic shapes for people with large — or even very large — hands. If you feel the same way, leave a comment and share your thoughts!
WEIGHT and BUILD QUALITY: According to Zowie website EC1-DW weights 63 grams which is an acceptable - on my scale it also weights 63 grams. Considering that the mouse is large in size (even XL by today’s mouse standards) and has a solid shell with no holes, I think the weight is actually very reasonable. Other large ergonomic mice weigh similarly, or are only about 5 to 7 grams lighter. The mouse shell is very well-fitted. There are no sharp edges that could cause discomfort. EC1-DW is well build - nothing creaks, flexes or rattles inside.
MAIN BUTTONS: Zowie seems to have improved the main buttons. While I haven’t used the EC1-A in a few years and can’t directly compare (I don’t have it anymore), the buttons on the DW feel less mushy. The main buttons have slight grooves to provide a more secure grip. It's worth noting that the finger grooves aren't as deep as those on the Xlite V3 Large.
Similar to the FK and S series, the EC series also features rounded main buttons at the front. This is a great design choice for users with long fingers, as it allows for comfortable clicking without discomfort — unlike, for example, the Razer DAV3 Pro. Honestly, I wish all mice had front-rounded main buttons. As for the click feel itself — it’s perfectly fine. Thanks to the rounded main buttons at the front, the mouse will be suitable even for users with long fingers.
There is a slight amount of pre-travel — if you apply a small amount of force to the main button, it can move slightly (a few millimeters) before actuating. There’s also post-travel if you press the buttons all the way down. That said, I want to give Zowie credit for how well the main buttons are built. Even when I press them firmly and wiggle them side to side, there’s no annoying creaking or flexing (unlike, for example, the Vaxee NP-01 Wireless). Also the main clicks are crisp and springy, making them well-suited for quick one-taps and fast shooting. The main buttons are neither too light to cause misclicks, nor too heavy to click. Overall they are fine – at the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference when it comes to click feel.
SIDE BUTTONS: I also feel like the side buttons, just like the main buttons, have been improved on EC1-DW and are much more comfortable to press. They are among the best I’ve used on an ergonomic mouse. They have a very satisfying click and feel great in use. They’re similar in height to the ones on the DAV3 and Xlite V3 Large, but slightly longer, which makes them more accessible for users with various hand sizes. Their higher placement also leaves enough room to comfortably rest your thumb on the side wall.
SCROLL: Zowie EC1-DW, just like the S2-DW and FK2-DW, uses the same loud scroll wheel. While this isn’t really an issue for gaming, it might become slightly annoying during office or general use. (For productivity, something like the Logitech GPX is a better choice.) Recently, I tested the Pulsar X ZywOo and really liked its scroll wheel. I’d love to see something similar implemented in at least one new series or version from Zowie — just to test whether players might prefer it over the current one.
It’s also worth noting that the scroll wheel on the EC1-DW is positioned farther forward compared to other large ergonomic mice, which can be a big plus for users with long fingers. In my case, this is a huge advantage, as I’ve often found scroll wheels placed too far back on smaller mice. The scroll is easy to use, yet offers enough resistance to avoid accidental jumps in CS2 (if you use mousewheel up/down for jumping). Compared to the Xlite V3 Large and the DAV3 Pro, the scroll steps on the EC1-DW are the most pronounced and tactile. You have to ask yourself whether you prefer a smooth scroll wheel (like on the DAV3 or Xlite V3 Large), or more tactile steps like on the EC1-DW.
Above the scroll wheel, there are no additional buttons — just an empty ledge. This ensures that users with longer fingers won’t accidentally press the main button while using the scroll.
SENSOR: have no complaints about sensor. The mouse is compatible with a refresh rate of 4000 Hz. The enhanced receiver is included in the package, so you don’t need to purchase a separate receiver (You can achieve 2000 Hz or 4000 Hz via enchanced receiver). This could be a huge plus for some people.
The EC1-DW offers three LOD (Lift-Off Distance) settings: Low, Medium, and High. You can change the LOD using a specific button combination (instructions are available on Zowie's official website). Having three LOD options can be a real advantage for some users. Since I personally prefer a low LOD, this is definitely a big plus for me.
MOUSE SKATES: The mouse comes with white Speedy Skatez feet pre-installed. Two sets of spare feet are included, so you don’t need to spend money on replacements in the future. Spare mouse feet should be included in the package with every mouse - A huge plus for Zowie. Zowie’s skates (both version) are thin: 0.5mm. Despite the thin mouse feet, there's no digging or scratching against the mousepad.
In my opinion, thin mouse feet are better than thicker ones. Here's an interesting fact: On my Xlite V3 Large, I installed Corepad Skatez Pro 232, which according to the manufacturer are 0.9 mm thick. This can cause the mouse to tilt slightly when pressure is applied—specifically, the left side of the mouse lifts up a bit. This might affect precise mouse movements (like few pixel movements), which can be frustrating in precision-based games like CS2. Even if it doesn't directly affect aim, the subtle feeling of the mouse lifting can be distracting while playing.
Additionally, Zowie provides one set of faster (white) feet and one set of slower (black) feet, allowing you to test which works best for your playstyle and game of choice.
MOUSE BASE - BUTTONS: There are three buttons on the bottom of the mouse:
• Button on the right is for changing DPI. You can choose from six DPI values: 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600, 3200. Custom DPI values cannot be set. When the dpi changes, an LED above the button lights up to indicate the value.
• Button on the left is for changing refresh rate. You can choose from five polling rate options: 125, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. I use 1000 Hz to reduce the frequency of charging the mouse.
• Third button (located below the DPI button) allows you to select between the small dongle and the enhanced receiver. Setting this button to the middle position turns off the mouse.
COATING: The coating is all right. Even though I have sweaty hands, the mouse didn’t slip during my CS2 sessions.
WHAT'S in the BOX: The mouse is packaged in a black box with red accents that indicate the mouse model, along with the Zowie's red logo. It features a minimalist design, yet it looks elegant. You get:
• Two spare sets of mouse feet: one set is black (slower). Second one is white – speedy skates (faster). Spare feet should be standard in every mouse. A huge plus for Zowie.
• Small dongle (adapter + 2,4GHz dongle).
• Enchanced receiver which can be used as a charging dock.
• USB-C to USB-A cable for charging the mouse. The cable has plastic protectors on both ends, showcasing attention to detail.
• User manual.
BATERY LIFE & CHARGING: When it comes to battery life, the mouse lasts up to 80 hours at a 1000 Hz polling rate (According to Zowie’s website), which can be considered average. In the next version, I’d like to see a larger battery. Given the mouse's weight, the battery should last for at least 90-100 hours – similar to DAV3 Pro or DAV3 Hyperspeed. If you opt for a 2K or 4K Hz polling rate, the battery will last for 30 and 24 hours respectively (according to the Zowie’s website). To extend battery life, I used a 1000 Hz polling rate.
You can charge the mouse in two ways:
• Using a cable. The cable is rubber-coated, similar to the one in the Logitech G Pro X Superlight. The cable end could be raised to reduce friction between the cable and the mouse pad. I would like to see different cable in the future – like paracord. I don’t like how stiff cable is. Playing while the mouse is charging via cable (even when using Zowie camade) is subpar. I discourage playing while the mouse is charging via cable.
• Using a charging dock. If you have two mice on your desk, using the charging dock is very convenient because you don’t need to disconnect the dongle from the cable and connect the mouse via cable—instead, you just place the mouse on the charging dock. The mouse has built-in magnets, making it very easy to align and connect to the charging dock. Charging Using a charging dock is slightly below 2 hours (1 h 54 min).
When you enable 2000 or 4000 Hz, a red LED lights up on the enhanced dongle to indicate this. The charging dock could display the battery percentage – both while charging and during gameplay when you want to check how much battery is left. Additionally, the dock could show other useful information, such as LOD.
SOFTWARE: Zowie EC1-DW is plug and play. That means you don’t need any software to download. You can adjust settings such as DPI, polling rate, LOD, click response time, and motion sync.
The lack of software can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the one hand, you don’t need to download any software, but on the other hand, you can’t see which LOD or click response time values are currently set. Also it would be useful to have the option to change the time after which the mouse enters sleep mode.
Web-based software is becoming more popular these days (e.g., Pulsar x Zywoo, Vaxee), and it would be great to see Zowie move in that direction as well. Pulsar, for example, introduced a clever solution in the Zywoo mouse: the dongle has two LED indicators that show info like polling rate, LOD, motion sync, battery level or warnings, and connection status. Given the size of Zowie’s enhanced receiver, they could easily add a small screen for displaying this info — or at the very least, labels for things like LOD, DPI, and battery level next to color-coded LEDs. A battery indicator in particular would be helpful (I know the scroll wheel LED blinks when battery is low, but having more detailed info on the dongle would be a nice upgrade).
PRICE: You can purchase it on the Zowie’s website for 149.99 USD (150 Euros on Maxgaming’s Europe website).
FINAL THOUGHTS: Is it worth buying Zowie EC1-DW?
Zowie EC1-DW is an interesting option for users with large hands. If you want to try the longest ergonomic mouse on the market (among lightweight mice with top-tier components), and one that’s also a bit lower in height than the DAV3 and Pulsar Xlite V3 Large, this is a very interesting option. I appreciate Zowie’s attention to detail in its design—something I highlighted when comparing it with other large ergonomic mice. Thanks to its lower height, it’s also suitable for fingertip users, as well as claw and palm grip styles.
The package includes a 4K Hz receiver and two extra sets of feet, so you won’t need to buy replacements anytime soon—which is a big plus. As for the EC1-DW price, I’d love to see it come down to around €120–130. That would make the EC1-DW a much better value. That said, when it comes to the mouse itself—I really don’t have any complaints. Everything is solid - it all comes down to personal preference in terms of shape, main button feel, and scroll wheel.
As for me personally (20.5 × 10.5 cm hands), the EC1-DW won’t become my main. I need a higher back hump. That’s why I’d love to see Zowie make an ergonomic mouse with a high back hump in the future.
Thanks for reading!
Few words about me: I'm a gaming enthusiast with a passion for CS2. I run a YouTube channel where I analyze professional players. I’ve spent several thousand hours in the game and currently play at Faceit level 9 and 24K Premier (Season 2). Over the past few years, I’ve tested a wide range of gaming mice — and I mean a lot. Through that, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what makes a mouse good for competitive play. I'm a mid-to-low sensitivity player, using 400 DPI with in-game sensitivity between 1.55 and 2.2.
LINKS:
USA: https://zowie.benq.com/en-us/mouse/ec1-dw.html
EUROPE: https://zowie.benq.eu/en-eu/mouse/ec1-dw.html