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 G960S Review | 66 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Type:pen tabletActive drawing area:34915 mm²Resolution:N/APen pressure levels:8192Report rate:220 RPS

XP Pen Star G960S 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.

6.6

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 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 71% of models
Score components

90%

6.6

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 71% of drawing-tablets
6.6

Technical score

Technical score
6.6/ 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 63% of models
Score components

50%

8.6

Pen & Input

40%

4.3

Display & Color

4%

6.4

Form Factor

3%

5.8

Connectivity

3%

3.8

Controls & Extras

â–¼Worse than 63% 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~ £55

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 G960S

Technical score
Technical score
6.6/ 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 63% of models
Score components:

50%

8.6

Pen & Input

40%

4.3

Display & Color

4%

6.4

Form Factor

3%

5.8

Connectivity

3%

3.8

Controls & Extras

6.6
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 G960S has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 65% of drawing tablets.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 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 54% of models
Score components:

60%

6.6

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.6
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 / ChromeOS / 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
500 g
Weight
500 g
â–² Better than 72% of models
Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
This drawing tablet weighs 500 g, lighter than 72.3% of drawing tablets.
Tablet only; separate stand excluded.
Show more
Active drawing area
34,915 mm²
Active drawing area
34,915 mm²
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
This drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 34,915 mm², smaller than that of 70.4% of drawing tablets.
228.8 x 152.6 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
220 RPS
Report rate
220 RPS
â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
This drawing tablet has a report rate of 220 RPS, lower than that of 56% of drawing tablets and equal to that of 20.9% 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
?
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 G960S 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
  • 32.4% lighter design
    Weight
    500 g
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
    This drawing tablet is lighter than the average drawing tablet (500 g vs 740 g). The average drawing tablet weighs 740 g.
    Tablet only; separate stand excluded.
    500 g vs 740 g
  • 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
  • 32.4% lighter design
    Weight
    500 g
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <250 g – >5.5k g
    This drawing tablet is lighter than the average drawing tablet (500 g vs 740 g). The average drawing tablet weighs 740 g.
    Tablet only; separate stand excluded.
    500 g vs 740 g
  • 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
  • 5.6% lower report rate
    Report rate
    220 RPS
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a lower report rate than the average drawing tablet (220 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    220 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 5,849 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    34,915 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (34915 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    228.8 x 152.6 mm.
    34,915 mm² vs 40,764 mm²
  • 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.
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G960S 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
  • Older release
    Release date
    2020
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    April 2020.
    2,020 vs 2,021
  • 6.16x less popular
    XP Pen Star G960S has a lower popularity than the average drawing tablet (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.16
  • Older release
    Release date
    2020
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drawing tablet was released earlier than the average drawing tablet.
    April 2020.
    2,020 vs 2,021
  • 5,849 mm² smaller work area
    Active drawing area
    34,915 mm²
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <15.5k mm² – >127.8k mm²
    This drawing tablet has a smaller active drawing area than the average drawing tablet (34915 mm² vs 40764 mm²). The average drawing tablet offers an active drawing area of 40764 mm².
    228.8 x 152.6 mm.
    34,915 mm² vs 40,764 mm²
  • 5.6% lower report rate
    Report rate
    220 RPS
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <200 RPS – >290 RPS
    This drawing tablet has a lower report rate than the average drawing tablet (220 RPS vs 233 RPS). The average drawing tablet has a report rate of 233 RPS.
    220 RPS vs 233 RPS
  • 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

T
tabletsforartists.com
08/06/2020
Summary of the review
XP-PEN Star G960S Review: graphics tablet with tilt
D
drekitech.com
01/07/2020
Summary of the review
XP-Pen Star G960S Graphics Tablet Review - drekitech
T
the-gadgeteer.com
29/06/2020
Summary of the review
XP-Pen Star G960S PlusGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Digitizer Tablet review
T
tablettegraphique.fr
21/06/2020
Summary of the review
Star G960S Plus: A powerhouse of technology in a portable tablet
(Translated)Show original
N
note.com
26/11/2021
Summary of the review
XP-Pen Star G960S Graphics Tablet Review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about XP Pen Star G960S

  • Excellent value for money, often cited as better than base Wacom models for beginners.
  • Satisfying drawing surface with a matte, paper-like texture that provides natural friction.
  • Highly portable and lightweight design while remaining physically solid.
  • Easy setup process and reliable drivers for Windows, Mac, and Android.
  • Support for up to 60 degrees of pen tilt, a premium feature in this budget range.
  • Battery-free stylus (PH3/PH2) that is lightweight and requires no charging.

What we don't like about XP Pen Star G960S

  • Pen buttons can feel low-quality, with reports of them falling off or being hard to locate by touch.
  • Non-detachable or non-replaceable USB cable in some versions, which can be inconveniently short.
  • The pen is thinner than standard tablet styluses, which may cause hand fatigue for some users.
  • Shortcut keys produce a loud, audible clicking sound that might be distracting.
  • Pen nibs may show signs of wear relatively quickly, though many replacements are included.

Verdict

The XP-Pen Star G960S is a versatile, budget-friendly graphics tablet featuring a generous 9 x 6 inch active working area and a battery-free PH3 stylus that supports 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and ±60 degrees of tilt recognition. It includes four customizable shortcut keys for enhanced workflow efficiency and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and Chrome OS, making it suitable for digital art, online teaching, and remote work. Main pros include its responsive 'paper-like' surface texture, lightweight and portable design, and the inclusion of various USB adapters for mobile connectivity. However, some users have noted cons such as the loud clicking sound of the shortcut keys, a flush pen button that can be difficult to press, and the lack of a visible cursor when used with some Android devices.

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