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BenQ Zowie ZA13-C vs SteelSeries Rival 3: Comparison
BenQ Zowie ZA13-C vs SteelSeries Rival 3 max dpi compared
Start with max dpi, because it is the widest measured gap between them: BenQ Zowie ZA13-C 3200 DPI against SteelSeries Rival 3 8500 DPI, 62% in favour of SteelSeries Rival 3. SteelSeries Rival 3 also leads on weight, 90 g on the BenQ Zowie ZA13-C versus 77 g on the SteelSeries Rival 3. Buttons runs the same way, 5 on the BenQ Zowie ZA13-C versus 6 on the SteelSeries Rival 3, another win for SteelSeries Rival 3.
Which should you buy, BenQ Zowie ZA13-C or SteelSeries Rival 3?
The BenQ Zowie ZA13-C suits palm grip players with medium to large hands and competitive FPS players who prefer a driverless mouse, though it is the wrong buy for fingertip or claw grip players wanting a smaller shell and buyers who want RGB or onboard memory. The SteelSeries Rival 3 is the one to take for 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 ZA13-C (8/10): A tall, grippy esports mouse for palm grip players who want the Zowie no-frills philosophy in a larger shell. 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do the BenQ Zowie ZA13-C and SteelSeries Rival 3 differ on sensor model?
Yes. Sensor Model reads PixArt PMW3360 on the BenQ Zowie ZA13-C versus TrueMove Core Optical on the SteelSeries Rival 3.
Is the Connectivity the same on the BenQ Zowie ZA13-C and SteelSeries Rival 3?
It is. Both are listed at Wired, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- BenQ Zowie
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- SteelSeries
Connectivity
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- Wired
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Wired
Grip Type
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- Ambidextrous
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Ambidextrous
Model
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- ZA13-C
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Rival 3
Shape
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- Symmetrical
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Symmetrical
Sensor Model
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- PixArt PMW3360
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- TrueMove Core Optical
Sensor Tier
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- Mid-Range
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Entry
Max DPI
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- 3200 DPI-62%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 8500 DPIBest
Buttons
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- 5-17%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 6Best
Polling Rate
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- 1000 Hz
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 1000 Hz
RGB Lighting
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- No
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Yes
Weight
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- 90 g-17%
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- 77 gBest
Switch Type
- BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
- Mechanical
- SteelSeries Rival 3
- Mechanical
Which one should you pick?
Choose BenQ Zowie ZA13-C 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 90 g).
Verdict
BenQ Zowie ZA13-C
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A tall, grippy esports mouse for palm grip players who want the Zowie no-frills philosophy in a larger shell.
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.