OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Drawing tablets Methodology v1.0
Drawing tablets Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Drawing tablets Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Drawing tablets Methodology v1.0

XP Pen Star G430S Review | 66 Data compared

Avg. price:~£25Type:pen tabletActive drawing area:7742 mm²Resolution:N/APen pressure levels:8192Report rate:266 RPS

XP Pen Star G430S Review: Compare 66 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Drawing tablets category and whether it is worth buying.

6.2

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the drawing tablet's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best drawing tablets on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

90%

6.2

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 89% of drawing-tablets
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Drawing tablets category across these key areas: Form Factor, Display & Color, Pen & Input, Connectivity, Controls & Extras.
When it matters
When you want to compare drawing tablets based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

50%

8.5

Pen & Input

40%

3.9

Display & Color

4%

6.5

Form Factor

3%

3.0

Connectivity

3%

2.1

Controls & Extras

â–¼Worse than 84% of drawing-tablets
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the drawing tablet.
When it matters
When you want to know how a drawing tablet performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image

Best prices

    N/A~ £25

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of drawing tablet XP Pen Star G430S

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Drawing tablets category across these key areas: Form Factor, Display & Color, Pen & Input, Connectivity, Controls & Extras.
When it matters
When you want to compare drawing tablets based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components:

50%

8.5

Pen & Input

40%

3.9

Display & Color

4%

6.5

Form Factor

3%

3.0

Connectivity

3%

2.1

Controls & Extras

6.2
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the drawing tablet.
When it matters
When you want to know how a drawing tablet performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the drawing tablet.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
XP Pen Star G430S has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 65% of drawing tablets.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the drawing tablet's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a drawing tablet with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components:

60%

6.2

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.3
Type
pen tablet
Display
no
Display
no
â–¼ Worse than 48% of models
This drawing tablet does not have a display. 48.5% of drawing tablets have a display.
Compatibility
Windows / macOS / Linux
Wireless capability
no
Wireless capability
no
â–¼ Worse than 19% of models
This drawing tablet does not support wireless use. 18.6% of drawing tablets support wireless use.
Weight
100 g
Weight
100 g
★ Better than 99% of models
Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
This drawing tablet weighs 100 g, lighter than 98.9% of drawing tablets.
Show more
Active drawing area
7,742 mm²
Active drawing area
7,742 mm²
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
This drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 7,742 mm², smaller than that of 97.9% of drawing tablets and equal to that of 1.1% of drawing tablets.
101.6 x 76.2 mm.
Screen size
N/A
Resolution
N/A
Pixel density
N/A
Typical brightness
N/A
Show more
Stylus included
yes
Stylus included
yes
Category Benchmark
This drawing tablet comes with a stylus. This feature is present on 100% of drawing tablets.
Pen technology
EMR (battery-free)
Pen technology
EMR (battery-free)
â–² Better than 5% of models
This drawing tablet uses EMR (battery-free) pen technology, more advanced than that of 4.6% of drawing tablets and equal to that of 95.4% of drawing tablets.
Pen pressure levels
8,192
Pen pressure levels
8,192
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
Market range: <8.2k – >16.4k
This drawing tablet supports 8,192 pen pressure levels, more than 9.3% of drawing tablets and equal to 75.8% of drawing tablets.
Pen resolution
5,080 LPI
Pen resolution
5,080 LPI
â–² Better than 6% of models
Market range: <5.1k LPI – >5.1k LPI
This drawing tablet supports a pen resolution of 5,080 LPI, higher than that of 5.7% of drawing tablets and equal to that of 94.3% of drawing tablets.
Report rate
266 RPS
Report rate
266 RPS
â–² Better than 61% of models
Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
This drawing tablet has a report rate of 266 RPS, higher than that of 61% of drawing tablets and equal to that of 22% of drawing tablets.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
no
Bluetooth connectivity
no
â–¼ Worse than 13% of models
This drawing tablet does not support Bluetooth. 13.1% of drawing tablets support Bluetooth.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports
0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
Market range: <0 – >1
This drawing tablet has 0 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports, fewer than 17.4% of drawing tablets and equal to 82.6% of drawing tablets.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports
0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This drawing tablet has 0 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports, fewer than 51.8% of drawing tablets and equal to 48.2% of drawing tablets.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports
0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 1% of models
Market range: <0 – >0
This drawing tablet has 0 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, fewer than 1.1% of drawing tablets and equal to 99% of drawing tablets.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports
0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
Market range: <0 – >0
This drawing tablet has 0 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, fewer than 1.6% of drawing tablets and equal to 98.4% of drawing tablets.
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N. of express keys
0
N. of express keys
0
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This drawing tablet has 0 express keys, fewer than 71.6% of drawing tablets and equal to 28.4% of drawing tablets.
N. of dials
0
N. of dials
0
â–¼ Worse than 22% of models
Market range: <0 – >1
This drawing tablet has 0 dials, fewer than 21.6% of drawing tablets and equal to 78.4% of drawing tablets.
Stand included
no
Stand included
no
â–¼ Worse than 30% of models
This drawing tablet does not come with a stand. 30% of drawing tablets come with a stand.
Fold-out legs
no
Fold-out legs
no
â–¼ Worse than 7% of models
This drawing tablet does not have fold-out legs. 7.3% of drawing tablets have fold-out legs.
Pen stand included
no
Pen stand included
no
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
This drawing tablet does not come with a pen stand. 59.4% of drawing tablets come with a pen stand.
Only loop/clip storage.
Show more

XP Pen Star G430S vs the average drawing tablet

246810TotalForm FactorDisplay & ColorPen & InputConnectivityControls & Extras
  • 24.2% lighter pen
    Pen weight
    10 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <10 g – >16 g
    This drawing tablet includes a lighter pen than the average drawing tablet (10 g vs 13.2 g). The average drawing tablet pen weighs 13.2 g.
    10 g vs 13.2 g
  • 14.2% higher report rate
    Report rate
    266 RPS
    â–² Better than 61% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a higher report rate than the average drawing tablet (266 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    266 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 226.8 mm slimmer body
    Width
    130 mm
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <211 mm – >567 mm
    This drawing tablet is narrower than the average drawing tablet (130 mm vs 356.8 mm). The average drawing tablet is 356.8 mm wide.
    130 mm vs 356.8 mm
  • 86.5% lighter design
    Weight
    100 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
    This drawing tablet is lighter than the average drawing tablet (100 g vs 740 g). The average drawing tablet weighs 740 g.
    100 g vs 740 g
  • 116 mm shorter body
    Height
    107 mm
    ★ Better than 94% of models
    Market range: <139.2 mm – >359 mm
    This drawing tablet is shorter than the average drawing tablet (107 mm vs 223 mm). The average drawing tablet is 223 mm tall.
    107 mm vs 223 mm
  • 8.5 mm thinner body
    Thickness
    2 mm
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <7.5 mm – >26 mm
    This drawing tablet is thinner than the average drawing tablet (2 mm vs 10.5 mm). The average drawing tablet is 10.5 mm thick.
    2 mm vs 10.5 mm
  • 6.4x cheaper
    XP Pen Star G430S is cheaper than the average drawing tablet (£25 vs £160).
    £25 vs £160
  • 6.4x cheaper
    XP Pen Star G430S is cheaper than the average drawing tablet (£25 vs £160).
    £25 vs £160
  • 86.5% lighter design
    Weight
    100 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
    This drawing tablet is lighter than the average drawing tablet (100 g vs 740 g). The average drawing tablet weighs 740 g.
    100 g vs 740 g
  • 226.8 mm slimmer body
    Width
    130 mm
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <211 mm – >567 mm
    This drawing tablet is narrower than the average drawing tablet (130 mm vs 356.8 mm). The average drawing tablet is 356.8 mm wide.
    130 mm vs 356.8 mm
  • 8.5 mm thinner body
    Thickness
    2 mm
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <7.5 mm – >26 mm
    This drawing tablet is thinner than the average drawing tablet (2 mm vs 10.5 mm). The average drawing tablet is 10.5 mm thick.
    2 mm vs 10.5 mm
  • 116 mm shorter body
    Height
    107 mm
    ★ Better than 94% of models
    Market range: <139.2 mm – >359 mm
    This drawing tablet is shorter than the average drawing tablet (107 mm vs 223 mm). The average drawing tablet is 223 mm tall.
    107 mm vs 223 mm
  • 24.2% lighter pen
    Pen weight
    10 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <10 g – >16 g
    This drawing tablet includes a lighter pen than the average drawing tablet (10 g vs 13.2 g). The average drawing tablet pen weighs 13.2 g.
    10 g vs 13.2 g
  • 14.2% higher report rate
    Report rate
    266 RPS
    â–² Better than 61% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a higher report rate than the average drawing tablet (266 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    266 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 33,022 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    7,742 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (7742 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    101.6 x 76.2 mm.
    7,742 mm² vs 40,764 mm²
  • 6 fewer express keys
    N. of express keys
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This drawing tablet has fewer express keys than the average drawing tablet (0 vs 6). The average drawing tablet has 6 express keys.
    0 vs 6
  • 1 fewer USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This drawing tablet has fewer USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports than the average drawing tablet (0 vs 1). The average drawing tablet has 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Older release
    Release date
    2016
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    January 2016.
    2,016 vs 2,021
  • Fixed cable
    Detachable cable
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    This drawing tablet does not have a detachable cable, while the average drawing tablet does. 96.9% of drawing tablets have a detachable cable.
  • No pen stand included
    Pen stand included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    This drawing tablet does not come with a pen stand, while the average drawing tablet does. 59.1% of drawing tablets come with a pen stand.
    Only loop/clip storage.
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G430S has a lower popularity than the average drawing tablet (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.16
  • 3.4% worse value for money
    XP Pen Star G430S has a lower value-for-money score than the average drawing tablet (7.34 vs 7.6).
    7.34 vs 7.6
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G430S has a lower popularity than the average drawing tablet (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.16
  • 3.4% worse value for money
    XP Pen Star G430S has a lower value-for-money score than the average drawing tablet (7.34 vs 7.6).
    7.34 vs 7.6
  • Older release
    Release date
    2016
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    January 2016.
    2,016 vs 2,021
  • 33,022 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    7,742 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (7742 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    101.6 x 76.2 mm.
    7,742 mm² vs 40,764 mm²
  • 1 fewer USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This drawing tablet has fewer USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports than the average drawing tablet (0 vs 1). The average drawing tablet has 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Fixed cable
    Detachable cable
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    This drawing tablet does not have a detachable cable, while the average drawing tablet does. 96.9% of drawing tablets have a detachable cable.
  • 6 fewer express keys
    N. of express keys
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This drawing tablet has fewer express keys than the average drawing tablet (0 vs 6). The average drawing tablet has 6 express keys.
    0 vs 6
  • No pen stand included
    Pen stand included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    This drawing tablet does not come with a pen stand, while the average drawing tablet does. 59.1% of drawing tablets come with a pen stand.
    Only loop/clip storage.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
tablettegraphique.fr
13/07/2017
Summary of the review
XP-Pen G430s Review: The pocket-sized graphics tablet
(Translated)Show original
T
tabletsguide.jouwweb.nl
01/05/2021
Summary of the review
XP-Pen Deco Fun Review (Star Series Comparison)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about XP Pen Star G430S

  • Extremely affordable entry-level price point
  • Battery-free stylus requires no charging
  • Highly portable and slim (only 2mm thick)
  • Excellent for rhythm games like osu! due to low latency
  • Plug-and-play functionality on Windows 10/11
  • High pressure sensitivity (8,192 levels) for its size

What we don't like about XP Pen Star G430S

  • Small active area (4x3 inches) can feel cramped for large drawings
  • Non-detachable USB cable makes storage and replacement difficult
  • Native driver software is basic and sometimes reported as buggy
  • Lightweight pen can feel fragile or 'slippery' to some users
  • Lack of physical shortcut/express keys on the tablet
  • Surface is prone to scratches when used aggressively

Verdict

The XPPen Star G430S is an ultra-slim graphics tablet featuring a compact 4x3 inch active area and a thickness of just 2mm, making it highly portable for digital signatures, photo editing, and rhythm gaming like osu!. It boasts professional-grade specs including 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, a 5080 LPI resolution, and an upgraded report rate of 266 RPS for smooth line delivery. The device includes a battery-free P01 passive stylus, requiring no charging for uninterrupted use. Main pros include its extreme affordability, plug-and-play setup for gaming, and ambidextrous design suitable for both right and left-handed users. However, potential cons include its very small drawing surface which may feel restrictive for large-scale art projects, the lack of customizable express keys on the tablet itself, and a non-detachable USB cable that may be prone to wear over time.

Compare XP Pen Star G430S with other products in the Drawing tablets category

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