Zaopin Z1 Pro Tri-Mode 4K | The Better Orochi

Disclaimer: I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mechkeys for sending this mouse my way for review. While I truly appreciate the opportunity, please know that my review is completely unbiased and based solely on my personal experience with the product.

Games played during testing: CS2, Overwatch 2, Valorant, Rivals (Roblox)Hours spent testing: Over 50 Specs (basic):

Sensor: PAW 3395
Weight: 52g
Switches: Huano Transparent Blue Pink Dot
Encoder: TTC Silver
Connection: Wired + 2.4G Wireless / Bluetooth 5.0
Price: $49.99 (1K version) or $55.99 (4K version)

This mouse is currently on sale with a 13% discount. You can also use code “KidLoading” for an additional $5 off. AMAZING DEAL! Product Link: https://mechkeys.com/products/zaopin-z1-pro-three-mode?_pos=1&_sid=29bbbb4e1&_ss=r&variant=46267198111967 Build Quality:

The Zaopin Z1 Pro feels solid and well-built straight out of the box. The unit I received has no flexing or creaking around the body, and pressing on the walls and top shell shows no give. The mouse coating is smooth and pleasant, though it could benefit from some added grip tape. I love the EGG shape, which is fantastic for claw/fingertip hybrid grips and works especially well for smaller hands.

The base is transparent, and on the left of the sensor ring is the tri-mode switch: Bluetooth (blinks blue), off (no light), and 2.4G (blinks green). When the 2.4G mode blinks green, it’s ready to connect to the dongle—my unit came with the 4K dongle, which also lights up green once paired. The DPI button is located to the right of the sensor. The bottom buttons match the shell color on my unit, though this may vary across different colorways. Buttons: The main buttons (MB1 and MB3) offer great clicks thanks to the Huano transparent blue pink dot switches, which are among my favorite mechanical switches. The clicks are responsive, consistent, and have minimal pre- and post-travel. There’s a bit of wobble when fully pressing at the front, but it’s minimal.

Scroll Wheel / Side Buttons: The scroll wheel uses a TTC Silver Encoder, which is light, smooth, and tactile, providing excellent feedback. The rubberized band feels grippy. As for the side buttons, MB4 has a bit of post-travel, though it still feels good, and MB5 is flawless. Compared to the Orochi, I find the side buttons on this mouse more comfortable since they are more separated, so I don’t accidentally press both at once.

Skates: The stock skates are smooth and work well on both glass and cloth. They’re significantly better than the skates on the Logitech GPX. An extra set is included in the box, so you can swap them out when the pre-installed ones wear down.

Software: The software is straightforward and functions as expected, though nothing particularly stands out about it. To change the polling rate from 1K to 4K, you’ll need to download the app—there’s no polling rate button on the mouse for quick changes. The software can be downloaded here.

Battery Life: With the 4K polling rate, the battery life is decent, though I don’t have exact numbers from 100% to 0% on 4K. However, it lasted me a few days of gaming without needing to charge. The 1K polling rate battery life is very good, making this mouse one of my go-to options for work as well, especially since I no longer have to change batteries as I did with the Orochi.

Star Ratings⭐️:

Price: 9/10⭐️

Unboxing experience: 9/10⭐️

Looks: 7/10⭐️ (the color and base are the standout features)

Build quality: 9/10⭐️

Clicks / Scroll Wheel: 9/10⭐️

Battery life: 9/10⭐️

Overall: I’m genuinely impressed and happy with this mouse!