Overview
- Both the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small and the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS boast a compact and portable design, making them ideal for travel or limited desk space.
- The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS offers six programmable buttons on the pen and two side buttons on the tablet.
- The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS, on the other hand, provides a more affordable option with a larger active area and a wider range of color choices.
Choosing the right drawing tablet can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. If you’re looking for a compact and affordable tablet for drawing, two popular choices stand out: the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small and the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS. Both offer impressive features for their size, but which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small and the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS boast a compact and portable design, making them ideal for travel or limited desk space. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small features a sleek, minimalist design with a textured surface for enhanced grip. It comes in a single black color, offering a professional and understated look.
The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS, on the other hand, offers more color options, including black, blue, pink, and green, catering to different tastes. Its design incorporates rounded edges and a glossy finish, giving it a more playful and vibrant aesthetic.
In terms of build quality, both tablets feel solid and well-constructed. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small boasts a premium feel with its robust plastic casing and smooth surface. The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS, while not as premium, still feels sturdy and durable, thanks to its plastic construction and reinforced corners.
Active Area and Resolution
The active area is the portion of the tablet’s surface that responds to pen input. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small offers an active area of 6.5 x 4 inches, while the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS provides a slightly larger active area of 7.9 x 4.9 inches. This difference might seem minor, but it can significantly impact your drawing experience, especially if you prefer larger canvases.
Both tablets offer a resolution of 5080 LPI (Lines Per Inch), ensuring precise and accurate pen input. This means your strokes will be captured with great detail, allowing for nuanced and expressive artwork.
Pen and Pressure Sensitivity
The pen is the heart of any drawing tablet, and both the Xencelabs and XP-Pen offer impressive pens with high pressure sensitivity. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small comes with the Pen 2, featuring 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. This allows for a wide range of line weights and brush strokes, mimicking the nuances of traditional art tools.
The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS utilizes the PA2 pen, also boasting 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Both pens are lightweight and comfortable to hold, providing a natural and responsive drawing experience.
Buttons and Functionality
Both tablets include customizable buttons for increased productivity and workflow efficiency. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small features eight programmable buttons on the pen, allowing you to assign shortcuts for frequently used commands. Additionally, it has two side buttons on the tablet itself, which can be customized for quick access to other functions.
The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS offers six programmable buttons on the pen and two side buttons on the tablet. While it has fewer buttons than the Xencelabs, it still provides ample customization options for streamlining your creative process.
Software and Compatibility
Both the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small and the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS are compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android. They do not require any drivers for basic functionality, making them easy to set up and use. However, both manufacturers offer downloadable drivers that enhance tablet performance and add additional features.
Xencelabs provides the “Xencelabs Driver” software, which allows for customization of pen buttons, pressure sensitivity settings, and other advanced options. XP-Pen offers the “XP-Pen Driver” software, which provides similar features, including pen customization, tablet configuration, and calibration tools.
Price and Value
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small is priced at a slightly higher price point compared to the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS. However, it offers a more premium build quality, a slightly more responsive pen, and a more comprehensive software suite.
The XP-Pen Deco Fun XS, on the other hand, provides a more affordable option with a larger active area and a wider range of color choices. It’s a great value for beginners and casual users who are looking for a budget-friendly drawing tablet.
Takeaways: The Verdict
Choosing between the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small and the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize premium build quality, a highly responsive pen, and advanced software features, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small is the better choice.
However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with a larger active area and a variety of color choices, the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS is a great value for your money. Both tablets offer excellent drawing experiences and are capable of producing professional-quality artwork.
What You Need to Learn
Q1: Which tablet is better for beginners?
Both tablets are suitable for beginners, but the XP-Pen Deco Fun XS is slightly more beginner-friendly due to its lower price point and larger active area.
Q2: Can these tablets be used for gaming?
While both tablets can be used for gaming, they are primarily designed for drawing and creative tasks. Their pressure sensitivity and button customization may not be ideal for gaming applications.
Q3: Are these tablets compatible with all drawing software?
Yes, both tablets are compatible with most popular drawing software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, and Krita.
Q4: Which tablet is better for professional artists?
While both tablets can be used by professional artists, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small offers a more premium experience with its responsive pen, advanced software features, and durable build quality.
Q5: Can I use these tablets on a smartphone?
While both tablets are compatible with Android devices, they require a USB-C connection and may not be as portable as dedicated mobile drawing tablets.
