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BenQ Zowie S2 vs SteelSeries Rival 3: Comparison
BenQ Zowie S2 vs SteelSeries Rival 3: the max dpi difference
Start with max dpi, because it is the widest measured gap between them: BenQ Zowie S2 3200 DPI against SteelSeries Rival 3 8500 DPI, 62% in favour of SteelSeries Rival 3. SteelSeries Rival 3 also leads on buttons, 5 on the BenQ Zowie S2 versus 6 on the SteelSeries Rival 3. There is a split on rgb lighting as well, No on the BenQ Zowie S2 versus Yes on the SteelSeries Rival 3.
Who each one is for
Buy the BenQ Zowie S2 for competitive FPS players who want a driverless, no-RGB mouse and low to medium grip height players (fingertip/claw), though it is the wrong buy for players who want RGB or onboard profiles and buyers who want a high DPI ceiling for desktop use. The SteelSeries Rival 3 suits budget buyers who still want real mechanical switches and first-time gaming mouse buyers, though it is not the pick for esports players who want the highest DPI ceiling available and anyone who wants wireless out of the box. Our rating of the BenQ Zowie S2 (8/10): A no-frills esports mouse built for consistency over features, and a legitimate favorite among competitive CS and Valorant players. Our rating of the SteelSeries Rival 3 (8/10): the best budget mechanical-switch mouse in SteelSeries' lineup, and a fair pick for anyone who doesn't need a flagship sensor.
What BenQ Zowie S2 and SteelSeries Rival 3 have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, connectivity, polling rate, grip type, shape and switch type included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the BenQ Zowie S2 and SteelSeries Rival 3 differ on sensor model?
Yes. Sensor Model reads PixArt PMW3360 on the BenQ Zowie S2 versus TrueMove Core Optical on the SteelSeries Rival 3.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- BenQ Zowie S2
- BenQ Zowie
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- SteelSeries
Connectivity
- BenQ Zowie S2
- Wired
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Wired
Grip Type
- BenQ Zowie S2
- Ambidextrous
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Ambidextrous
Model
- BenQ Zowie S2
- S2
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Rival 3
Shape
- BenQ Zowie S2
- Symmetrical
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Symmetrical
Sensor Model
- BenQ Zowie S2
- PixArt PMW3360
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- TrueMove Core Optical
Sensor Tier
- BenQ Zowie S2
- Mid-Range
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Entry
Max DPI
- BenQ Zowie S2
- 3200 DPI-62%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 8500 DPIBest
Buttons
- BenQ Zowie S2
- 5-17%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 6Best
Polling Rate
- BenQ Zowie S2
- 1000 Hz
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 1000 Hz
RGB Lighting
- BenQ Zowie S2
- No
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Yes
Weight
- BenQ Zowie S2
- 83 g-8%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 77 gBest
Switch Type
- BenQ Zowie S2
- Mechanical
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Mechanical
Which one should you pick?
Choose BenQ Zowie S2 if you want the higher polling rate (1000 Hz vs 1000 Hz).
Choose SteelSeries Rival 3 if you want the higher max DPI (8500 DPI vs 3200 DPI), the higher buttons (6 vs 5) and the lower weight (77 g vs 83 g).
Verdict
BenQ Zowie S2
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A no-frills esports mouse built for consistency over features, and a legitimate favorite among competitive CS and Valorant players.
SteelSeries Rival 3
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The best budget mechanical-switch mouse in SteelSeries' lineup, and a fair pick for anyone who doesn't need a flagship sensor.