The best graphics tablets for beginners are XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 and Wacom Intuos.

Both are amongst the most affordable such devices, providing excellent features.

But which of these mid-range graphic tablets best fits your artistic journey in digital drawing?

Let's discuss the key differences and see which one is better for you.

Wacom vs XP-Pen Brand Comparison

Wacom produces high-end drawing tablets that are superior in every way. Getting a Wacom tablet is a fantastic choice if you're searching for a professional tablet for your digital work.

However, The Intuos Series is designed as an affordable entry to pressure-sensitive control in illustration, design, and photo editing.

While XPPen still offers professional-level tablets, their prices are more suited to mid-level and below artists. That is simply because they are more affordable while remaining highly functional.

Design and Build Quality

Wacom Intuos is made from plastic, 8.8 mm thick, It feels well-built for the price. Four rubber pads underneath provide grip to hold the tablet steady while you work.

The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 also looks good, 8mm thick and has solid build quality. The back has the usual rubber feet and information sticker.

The Wacom Intuos comes in three different colors: charcoal black, pistachio green, and berry pink (only available in some regions).

XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 tablet is also available in 3 different colors: Black, green, pink.

Active Area Size

The wacom Intuos comes in two sizes, small or medium, with 6 x 3.7 inches and 8.5 x 5.3 inches work surfaces, respectively.

The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 comes with a 10 x 6.25 inch working area so you have more space to create and get work done.

The active area is where you can actually draw on on the surface of the graphic tablet.

It is a defining feature as it is one of the primary aspects that can make or break a user's experience.

While small tablets with compact active areas are fine for photo editing, the small surface area will make it difficult for you to handle large gestures or broad strokes.

Furthermore, the size of tablet is also a major factor that determines its price.

Moreover, you might find it difficult to use the selection tools on Photoshop in a compact surface area.

If you are a creator and draw with a graphic tablet, the small surface area is most likely to create confinements. Thus, we suggest you opt for bigger XP-Pen Devo 01 V2 drawing tablet.

Overall Tablet Size

With the dimensions of 7.87 x 6.3 inches (small) and 10.4 x 7.8 inches (Medium), The Wacom Intuos is very compact and ideal for use with a laptop or for using away from home. It's one of the smallest, lightest tablets that you can buy that still offers good drawing performance.

With the dimensions of 13.82 x 8.54 inches, XP-Pen Devo 01 V2 is very large and relatively heavy. It is still portable, but it's more suited to using on a dedicated desk.

Pressure Sensitivity

The stylus on the Wacom Intuos comes with a pressure range of 4,096 levels compared with the XP-Pen's pressure range of 8,192 levels. In this case, the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is a clear winner.

However, While 8192 pressure levels are twice as many as 4096, the difference is barely noticeable in practice. Unless you're looking very closely, it's highly unlikely that you'll notice a pressure difference between a Wacom Stylus and an XP-Pen P05 stylus.

Furthermore, wacom Intuos has lower initial activation force, so the Wacom Intuos can draw the faintest of lines at the lower end of the pressure sensitivity spectrum better than the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 tablet.

Tilt Detection

Tilt detection support is an added feature of some pens. This makes them work even more like traditional pencils, brushes, and other tools.

The wacom Intuos does not have tilt response support, which is a shame.

The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 has plus or minus sixty degrees of tilt support, allowing you to replicate real drawing processes much more effectively, tilting your pen to increase line thickness for example.

Stylus

Both wacom and XP-Pen styluses are battery-free, which are the best and most advanced option.

Instead of a battery, these tools rely on the inductive current generated by the tablet's surface, making them more dependable and long-lasting.

In addition, Both ergonomic styluses has a rubber grip and includes two programmable switches for your favorite shortcuts.

The back of the Wacom Intuos stylus can be opened to show 3 extra nibs inside.

Deco 01 V2 come with a simple pen stand to place your stylus in when not in use and to store the 8 replacement nibs.

Resolution

Lines Per Inch (LPI) measures how quickly the tablet can detect slight changes. Thus, higher LPI will result in a more detailed drawing.

However, for most artists, a resolution of 1270 LPI is more than enough to incorporate fine details into their projects and drawings.

Wacom Intuos tablet feature a resolution of 2,540 LPI, and the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 tablet has 5,080 LPI.

When it comes to pen resolution, this means both Wacom Intuos and XP-Pen Deco tablets fulfill the needs of both newbies and professionals.

Express Keys

The wacom Intuos only has four user programmable express keys, and these are positioned so that you must reach over the drawing area to use them.

The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 has eight express keys. The buttons are located on the end of the tablet, so it can be easily used by both left and right-handed users.

Surface Texture

The plastic surface of graphic tablet often contains little bumps, which are known in the industry as micro-textures.

These micro-textures are there to provide resistance,or friction, which prevents the pen from sliding around when you try to draw. The result is that you have much more control over your stylus.

This has an outsized effect on the drawing experience when using the tablet. Because you will spend the vast majority of your time writing and drawing.

Both the Wacom Intuos and XP-Pen Deco tablets have micro-textures on their surfaces, but the Wacom tablet feels a little more textured and paper-like when using the pen.

Connectivity

Wacom Intuos offers the Small version either wired or wireless with Bluetooth. The Medium size is wireless-only.

This makes the wireless Wacom intuos tablets the ideal choice along with a laptop for on the go use.

The Deco 01 V2 is only available wired.

Compatibility

Both Wacom intuos and XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 tablets are compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS, with plug-in and play for Chromebooks and Android Devices.

Bundled Software

Wacom Intuos comes with 6 drawing software trials: Corel Painter Essentials 8 , Corel AfterShot 8, Clip Studio Paint Pro, Boris FX Optics, Skylum Luminar Neo, and Bluescape.

In addition, Gain 3 months complimentary access to great education apps: Collaboard, Explain Everything, Kami, Limnu, Pear Deck and Foxit PDF Editor.

For XP-Pen Deco 01 V2, you will get a free painting software - ArtRage Lite and other 2 free trials of Explain Everything and Toon Boom program.

If someone are wondering about drawing software, give the free programs FireAlpaca, Medibang Paint, and Krita a go. They are fantastic free programs which are more than enough for beginners.

There is no need to get paid programs until you get the hang of digital art and know you need the special niche features they offer.

Price

Wacom Intuos comes with a price between $80 and $200, which at a significantly higher price point.

In our opinion, the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 price point is affordable at $59.99.

Conclusion

Drawing performance is excellent across the board with both brands of tablets.

The entry level Intuos tablet offered from Wacom is a great option for novices and hobbyists alike. It is the best option if affordable for you.

The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2, unlike the Wacom Intuos, is not as well-known. Nonetheless, there are several advantages to the Deco 01 V2: more express keys, Bigger surface and Lower cost.

This XP-Pen tablet could be a better alternative if you're seeking a low-cost graphics tablet.

So, whether Wacom or XP-Pen is better for you will depend on your individual use case.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/wacom-intuos-vs-xppen-deco-01-v2