Zaopin ZPW Review
Specifications
Packaging
Shape & Size
The Zaopin ZPW is an ergonomic, medium-sized gaming mouse measuring 122 x 65 x 42 mm. Featuring a centered hump placement, a flat front flare, and inward side curvature, this shape caters specifically to right-handed users. It bears a strong resemblance to the SteelSeries Prime shape, positioned in size between the Prime and Prime Mini.
For smaller and medium-sized hands, the mouse works particularly well with a palm grip, while larger hands may find a claw grip more suitable. However, users preferring a fingertip grip might find the ZPW somewhat uncomfortable, as the shape isn't optimized for this grip style.
Coating & Grip-tape
The coating of the Zaopin ZPW offers decent grip and is largely unaffected by temperature fluctuations. Interestingly, it becomes slightly more grippy with increased humidity, providing better hold in sweaty gaming sessions.
The mouse includes numerous grip-tape patches that can be placed flexibly around the mouse. However, unlike most competitors, these patches are not pre-cut to precisely fit specific areas. Instead, the package provides a variety of rectangular and square patches.
Build Quality
The build quality on the Zaopin ZPW is impressive. The top shell shows no signs of flexing or creaking. Although the sides flex very slightly under heavy pressure, they produce no creaking sounds. The bottom exhibits minor flex under direct pressure, but this never occurs during typical usage. Additionally, shaking the mouse does not result ing rattling, indicating solid internal construction too.
Weight & Feet/Skates
The Zaopin ZPW comes in two variants: the standard ZPW weighing 53 grams, and the ZPW Max at 49 grams. My unit, the ZPW Max, feels exceptionally lightweight for its size and shape. The weight distribution is well-balanced.
The skates are notably smooth right from the start, requiring no break-in period. The mouse ships with one set of skates already applied, plus an additional set of identical large skates, as well as 36 small dot skates.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The main buttons are equipped with Huano Transparent Blue Shell Pink Dot switches. Although there is some noticeable pre- and post-travel, it did not negatively affect my experience during regular use. Button wobble is entirely absent, ensuring stable clicks.
The side buttons also stand out with their tactility and ease of rapid clicking, showing minimal post-travel and no noticeable pre-travel.
The scroll wheel strikes a balance between smoothness and tactility, requiring moderate force to actuate, providing an optimal experience for various tasks and gaming scenarios.
Sensor & Performance
Both the standard ZPW and the ZPW Max utilize the PAW3950 sensor, delivering flawless performance in my testing. Notably, the ZPW series supports a standard 8K polling rate, eliminating the need for an additional 8K dongle purchase and ensuring optimal responsiveness in competitive gameplay.
Conclusion
Priced at $79.99 for the regular ZPW and $89.99 for the ZPW Max, the Zaopin ZPW offers excellent value. Its shape closely aligns with the widely appreciated but aging SteelSeries Prime, offering gamers a modern alternative.
With its impressively low weight, solid build quality, absence of shell cutouts, and superior performance, the Zaopin ZPW stands as an excellent choice for gamers looking for a reliable, comfortable, and high-performing ergonomic mouse.
