If I`m honest SH, I bought two single Imac Fantasy cages for this exact purpose just recently and then managed to secure a Kios cage from a member on here who was selling hers on. So I sold one of my Imac Fantasy cages to a member on another forum and then regretted it. But now I`m actually thinking about just going with my Kios now even if I need to remove the lid to gain access because it`s not heavy at all and it just sits back on again when replacing. I don`t even feel the side clips are required as a Chinese hamster couldn`t lift the lid off anyway!
The base is 6" Inches (16cm) deep exactly. Now I wasn`t sure about this either, but then realised that Chinese hams do love to dig and sometimes make a nest deep under a sleeping box, so the Kios base would work well in that case.
The barred section is not high, it`s 14cm on it`s own, so if a Chinese hamster decided to go on a climbing spree, the drop would be minimal and of course, you can hang things from the roof like a sputnik or Trixie bendy log bridges for the hamster to rest on while climbing across. I plan to make a plywood shelf across mine at one end so that this creates a dark area underneath.
I have the grey base Kios and noticed that Zooplus have the grey and the blue based at the same price today and I know the grey base is usually pricier. But then they are always adjusting their prices! I actually like the blue base too though.
All I can say is, if your Zoozone 1 could work for you and for Zach, use it. But if you feel a barred cage would be better because of the options to bar climb and hang things, the Kios does seem to hold it`s value and could be used for all hamsters apart from large Syrians or very active Syrians!
The little noises Zach is omitting could just be him communicating how he feels if he is teeth chattering!