Zaopin Z2 — a hot (swappable) asymmetrical GPX?
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight, launched in 2020, revolutionized gaming peripherals with its ultra-light design, capturing global attention. It marked a trend toward lighter, more agile mice, setting a performance and ergonomic standard in competitive gaming. The GPX, with its minimalist “safe potato shape,” aimed to cut weight without sacrificing performance, enhancing player speed and endurance. This approach resonated with professional gamers and eSports athletes, who credited the GPX with improving reaction times and reducing fatigue, establishing it as a vital tool in competitive settings.
However, despite its success, some users expressed a desire for a smaller or asymmetrical version, highlighting a demand for more compact mice. This feedback highlighted a significant market need that Logitech missed, leading to feelings of neglect within the community and emphasizing the importance of manufacturer responsiveness to user preferences.
We’ve been searching for a “baby GPX ‘’ for quite some time and Mchose AX5 Pro Max is almost perfect to take that title. But what if you’re looking for an asymmetrical GPX? Enter the Zaopin Z2 4K edition.
Disclaimer:
Hand size: 21 x 12 cm
Grip: hybrid relaxed claw/finger
Testing duration: one month
Humidity: 45–55%
Mouse pads used: Cerapad Kin v2, Artisan Hien Soft, Xraypad AC+/ACII
The Specs (taken from Mechkeys)
- Size: 123 mm x 64 mm x 39.5 mm (click height: 25.5mm)
- Weight: 65 grams
- Switches: TTC Gold 60M Switches (hot swappable)
- Encoder: TTC Gold
- Coating: Rubberized
- Sensor: PixArt PAW3395 (26000DPI Maximum)
- Battery: 500mAh
- Max Polling Rate: 125/250/500/1000/2000/4000 Hz (dongle included)
- Connectivity: USB Type-C Wired, Bluetooth & 2.4GHz
- Color Options: White (Black Bottom), White (Grey Bottom), Black, Red & Orange
In the box
- USB-C Paracord Style Cable
- 2.4ghz 4k Dongle
- Screw Driver
- User Manual
- Carrying Pouch
- Extra Rear Skate with Punch Out and Ring Sensor Skate
- Extra set of Regular Skates
- Black Grip Tapes
- and the Mouse called Zaopin Z2 itself
Balance and Weight
The Zaopin Z2, with a weight of 65 grams, isn’t the lightest ergonomic mouse available. Personally, I don’t use gaming mice over 70 grams anymore, those times are over. Having Z2 below 60 grams would definitely be advantageous and you can do a simple battery replacement mod to do it. The balance of the Z2 feels somewhat back-end heavy (due to 500 mAh battery), particularly noticeable when holding the mouse in the middle or using certain grip styles. While this didn’t majorly impact me, it’s something to consider, especially for users who prefer an aggressive claw grip with little palm contact.
Build Quality and Coating
A freaking tank you can use to nail someone to the wall, that’s what this mouse is. Basically, it’s the Zowie’s build quality which is a great thing. No creaking, no buttons wobble, no side play, no squeezing. Just perfect.
The mouse is coated, which not only offers a smooth texture for an excellent grip but also prevents the accumulation of dirt and fingerprints. It’s so much better than the regular GPX’s coating, even the white chalky GPX which always seemed better than the others to me. Oddly enough, even with heavy use, there is barely any noticeable wear in the areas that are frequently in contact with fingers.
Clicks and Buttons
The TTC Gold 60M click switches in my mouse were generally satisfactory, yet not flawless due to a minor inconsistency between the M1 and M2 buttons. Consequently, I opted to replace them with Huano Blue Pink Dot switches, which provided a better feeling. It appears that this issue was unique to my unit, as no other reviewers have reported similar problems. Despite this, Mechkeys promptly offered to send a replacement, a gesture I appreciated, though I resolved the issue myself thanks to the excellent hot-swap feature of the Z2. Additionally, the M4 and M5 buttons are generally good, but they do feel a bit mushy and exhibit slight pretravel. Overall, the clicks have low latency but they’re not perfect out of the box (in my copy, I want to stress that out again).
Shape, size and comparison to GPX
I call Z2 “the asymmetrical GPX” and I have a reason for that. It’s not fully ergo like Lamzu Thorn for example, but it’s slightly profiled in the right side, also providing much better support for your palm. The subtly curved sides and a slight rightward slant that enhances its mouse clicks and stands out with a taller hump thanks to its pronounced slant from left to right are also characteric to Z2. I found Z2 to sit stable in my hand, but I didn’t have to sacrice my vertical dexterity as it is usually the case with ergo and other mice that firmly supports your palm. This time it was different, stable but also a bit loose which was required in my case.
The flat sides also accommodate larger hands for fingertip gripping. I recommend the Z2 to anyone transitioning from an ambidextrous mouse or seeking a fresh take on asymmetrical designs, with its distinct hump and slant.
The Hot-Swap and the Skates
This is where the Chinese brands don’t stop to amaze me — the innovation that once took place with the likes of Logitech or Razer, now is to be found behind the Great Wall of China.
But imagine what a hot-swap feature can offer you. A feature so well recognized within the keyboard community now enters the world of gaming mice (I know that Lamzu is cooking Tachi now, so expect more to come). Bad switches? Swap them. Want some lighter clicks? Swap them. You don’t like Omrons? Swap them. A click breaks? No biggie, swap it!
It’s a feature that should be MANDATORY in every mouse, just like a web-based software in HE keyboards. I know that some gaming mice companies have already started working on it though (Sora v2 should get it AFAIK). The cloud-hosted tooling is a new approach, but it works well for custom mechanical keyboards with VIA, so it should work fine for mice I guess.
The stock skates on the Z2 are quite commendable, offering good performance despite being slightly slower than preferred. I’d compare them to Corepadz though, which Zaopin should be proud of. They’re very much usable and meet general performance expectations with minimal complaints. They performed well both on Artisan Hien, Xraypad AC+ and Cerapad Kin v2.
The Z2 mouse’s hot-swappable feature truly stands out. It includes a rear skate designed with a punch-out for quick and easy screw removal (not as default though). A smarter choice would have been to make this skate the standard configuration, adding a solid spare skate in the box for further customization options though — that’s something Zaopin should consider with the next batches of Z2.
Sensor performance, software and battery life
Starting with the basics, the device features the PixArt 3395 sensor paired with the TTC Gold Encoder 4k, both of which are top-tier components in today’s market. Its performance is exceptionally reliable, meeting high expectations seamlessly. The device offers advanced features such as Motion Sync, Ripple Effect, and angle snapping, all adjustable through its software. In my gaming tests, the sensor maintained flawless tracking without any errors or failures. The Zaopin software also provides customization for click debounce time improving responsiveness and reducing the chance of accidental double-clicks, lift-off distance, DPI light effects, and sleep mode control. Additionally, you can increase the sensor responsiveness and avoid any interference by enabling the Long Distance mode (which drains battery though).
However, I’d like Zaopin to work on battery life power management. During my testing exclusively on 4k, the battery lasted around 4 days (approx. 20 hrs of gametime) which is not bad, but definitely could be improved when compared to Mchose AX5 Pro Max that has the same battery but lasts around 8 days with 8k on. Looks like this time some cheaper oscillators were used — i’d personally pay more to have better tech inside.
Get your software for Z2 here.
In-game feeling
During my gaming sessions, I enjoyed a unique combination of feeling securely “locked-in” while still being able to make precise micro-adjustments in vertical aiming — quite a rarity among gaming mice. The tracking performance was particularly impressive with the stock feet on my Artisan Hien Soft/Xraypad Aqua +/ACII and only slightly less consistent on Cerapad Kin v2. Additionally, the coating of the mouse provided a consistently cool touch, enhancing comfort during extended play. I also moved very well, a bit more consistent than with Viper V2 pro/Mchose AX5 Pro Max, probably due to the hump that added some stability to my palm.
Ergonomically, while I usually wouldn’t recommend this mouse for larger hands due to its size, it surprisingly fits well with my 21x12 cm hand size and a relaxed claw or fingertip grip. Initially, I was considering the Lamzu Maya/Tachi, but the GPX mini turned out to be a standout choice for me, potentially becoming my go-to gaming tool, especially paired with the latest mouse pad and some adjustments to my gaming setup.
Dubbed “the asymmetrical GPX” by me, this mouse retains the asymmetrical traits of a great gaming mouse. For those who found the original GPX’s shape a bit loose but liked its overall design, this model could be the ideal choice. It’s a bit similar to Vaxee NP01, a shape that is pretty unique in the gaming scene.
Bullet points
- sensor performance is flawless, 4k dongle included
- clicks are not perfect (some mushiness and pretravel) but you can easily swap them
- shape gives you more stability than the GPX “potato shape”
- build quality is near perfect, it’s pretty much Zowie from China
- slightly smaller weight would be welcome (you can swap batery for a smaller unit though to cut some grams)
- coating is very good, feels great in hand, not slippery at all
- glides really well on stock skates on control glass pads and other cloth pads
- punch-hole skates and a screwdriver included
- very affordable with great price-to-value ratio
- battery life could be improved
- the hot-swap feature is a real game-changer and is very easy to use
- a bit back heavy weight distribution due to the battery size
- no discord community for Zaopin as of now
- somehow it feels almost premium, even for 59 USD
I got Zaopin Z2 but should you too?
The Zaopin Z2 is making its second entrance into the market (Z1 was their first attempt) and it’s coming in strong, challenging Logitech with its impressive features. This mouse is everything a gamer could hope for in an “asymmetrical GPX,” but with superior technology and robust build quality. Zaopin is fully committing to the gaming industry with this gem, and hinting at more exciting products to come. If you are not happy with the clicks, you can always swap them due to the great hot-swap feature, that’s a great selling pitch for this small gem.
It’s designed specifically for more tactical games like like CS or Valorant but its performance in fast-paced games like QuakeWorld is also extraordinary, fitting comfortably in your hand and enhancing your gameplay without getting in the way.
In summary, Zaopin is not just dipping its toes in the gaming waters with the Z2; it’s making a splash and signaling its intention to be a lasting presence in the industry. So, for gamers looking to elevate their experience with equipment that truly understands their needs, Zaopin is definitely worth watching.
👊And if you are ready to try this GPX mini out, use the code QUAKEWORLD at checkout to claim your small % discount!👊
If you don’t like it, it’s fine, you can always use fresh links as the direct link to the MechKeys website is here.
Disclaimer
And remember, this is just one gamer’s point of view — no sponsorships, no ads, just straight talk from someone who’s been in the QuakeWorld trenches. This was my own opinion and the manufacturer didn’t influcence me in any way. Your mileage may vary, so take my words as a starting point, not gospel. Happy gaming!