OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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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 G960 Review | 66 Data compared

Avg. price:~£25Type:pen tabletActive drawing area:28620 mm²Resolution:N/APen pressure levels:8192Report rate:130 RPS

XP Pen Star G960 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.

6.0

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 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 92% of models
Score components

90%

6.0

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 92% of drawing-tablets
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 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 91% of models
Score components

50%

7.8

Pen & Input

40%

4.1

Display & Color

4%

6.2

Form Factor

3%

3.0

Connectivity

3%

3.8

Controls & Extras

â–¼Worse than 91% 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

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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 G960

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 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 91% of models
Score components:

50%

7.8

Pen & Input

40%

4.1

Display & Color

4%

6.2

Form Factor

3%

3.0

Connectivity

3%

3.8

Controls & Extras

6.0
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 G960 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 65% of drawing tablets.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 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%

6.0

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.2
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 / Android
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
790 g
Weight
790 g
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
This drawing tablet weighs 790 g, heavier than 52.7% of drawing tablets.
Show more
Active drawing area
28,620 mm²
Active drawing area
28,620 mm²
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
This drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 28,620 mm², smaller than that of 77.8% of drawing tablets.
212 x 135 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
130 RPS
Report rate
130 RPS
â–¼ Worse than 100% of models
Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
This drawing tablet has a report rate of 130 RPS, lower than that of 100% 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.
Show more
N. of express keys
4
N. of express keys
4
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This drawing tablet has 4 express keys, fewer than 59% of drawing tablets and equal to 9.5% 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.
Show more

XP Pen Star G960 vs the average drawing tablet

246810TotalForm FactorDisplay & ColorPen & InputConnectivityControls & Extras
  • 39.4% lighter pen
    Pen weight
    8 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <10 g – >16 g
    This drawing tablet includes a lighter pen than the average drawing tablet (8 g vs 13.2 g). The average drawing tablet pen weighs 13.2 g.
    8 g vs 13.2 g
  • 6.4x cheaper
    XP Pen Star G960 is cheaper than the average drawing tablet (£25 vs £160).
    £25 vs £160
  • 37.3 mm slimmer body
    Width
    319.5 mm
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <211 mm – >567 mm
    This drawing tablet is narrower than the average drawing tablet (319.5 mm vs 356.8 mm). The average drawing tablet is 356.8 mm wide.
    319.5 mm vs 356.8 mm
  • 6.4x cheaper
    XP Pen Star G960 is cheaper than the average drawing tablet (£25 vs £160).
    £25 vs £160
  • 37.3 mm slimmer body
    Width
    319.5 mm
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <211 mm – >567 mm
    This drawing tablet is narrower than the average drawing tablet (319.5 mm vs 356.8 mm). The average drawing tablet is 356.8 mm wide.
    319.5 mm vs 356.8 mm
  • 39.4% lighter pen
    Pen weight
    8 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <10 g – >16 g
    This drawing tablet includes a lighter pen than the average drawing tablet (8 g vs 13.2 g). The average drawing tablet pen weighs 13.2 g.
    8 g vs 13.2 g
  • 44.2% lower report rate
    Report rate
    130 RPS
    â–¼ Worse than 100% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a lower report rate than the average drawing tablet (130 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    130 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 12,144 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    28,620 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (28620 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    212 x 135 mm.
    28,620 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.
  • 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.
  • Older release
    Release date
    2019
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    December 2019.
    2,019 vs 2,021
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G960 has a lower popularity than the average drawing tablet (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.16
  • 2 fewer express keys
    N. of express keys
    4
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This drawing tablet has fewer express keys than the average drawing tablet (4 vs 6). The average drawing tablet has 6 express keys.
    4 vs 6
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G960 has a lower popularity than the average drawing tablet (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.16
  • 5.3% worse value for money
    XP Pen Star G960 has a lower value-for-money score than the average drawing tablet (7.22 vs 7.6).
    7.22 vs 7.6
  • Older release
    Release date
    2019
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    December 2019.
    2,019 vs 2,021
  • 12,144 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    28,620 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (28620 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    212 x 135 mm.
    28,620 mm² vs 40,764 mm²
  • 44.2% lower report rate
    Report rate
    130 RPS
    â–¼ Worse than 100% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a lower report rate than the average drawing tablet (130 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    130 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 2 fewer express keys
    N. of express keys
    4
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This drawing tablet has fewer express keys than the average drawing tablet (4 vs 6). The average drawing tablet has 6 express keys.
    4 vs 6

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

F
faz.net
03/12/2025
Summary of the review
The Best Graphics Tablet | Review 04/2026 | F.A.Z. Kaufkompass
(Translated)Show original
N
note.com
26/11/2021
Summary of the review
XP-Pen Star G960S Drawing Tablet Review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about XP Pen Star G960

  • Highly affordable, offering great value for beginners and online tutors
  • Generous 9x6 inch active drawing area provides ample working space
  • Battery-free stylus requires no charging or batteries to operate
  • Smooth surface with a pleasant, subtle paper-like grain texture
  • Easy and quick driver installation and setup across multiple operating systems
  • Four customizable shortcut express keys provide good tactile clicky feedback
  • Reliable pressure sensitivity performance without noticeable inconsistencies

What we don't like about XP Pen Star G960

  • The attached USB cable is non-removable, non-replaceable, and relatively short
  • The stylus is very thin and lacks a rubberized grip, which can feel less comfortable for prolonged use
  • Lacks advanced pen features like a built-in digital eraser or tilt sensitivity (unless stepping up to the 'S Plus' variant)
  • Pen nibs tend to wear down relatively quickly with heavy or heavy-handed usage
  • The smooth surface of the tablet is prone to showing fingerprints easily
  • Lacks a dedicated pen holder or a loop attached to the tablet to prevent losing the stylus

Verdict

The XP-Pen Star G960 is a budget-friendly graphics tablet featuring an 8.35 x 5.33 inch active area and a PH3 battery-free stylus that offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Main characteristics include four customizable shortcut keys, a 130 RPS report rate, and a slim 10mm profile that supports 0, 90, 180, and 270-degree rotation for versatile workflows. Key pros are its extreme affordability, simple plug-and-play setup for Windows and macOS, and a papery surface texture that provides a natural drawing feel without requiring pen charging. Notable cons include a non-detachable and relatively short USB cable, the lack of tilt sensitivity compared to the 'S' model, and a thin pen design that some users find less comfortable for long-term use.

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