Xencelabs Quick Keys

12 November 2025 Tags: programmable shortcut keys Xencelabs Quick Keys OLED shortcut display graphics tablet ergonomics reduce neck strain

During the COVID pandemic, with all the working-from-home adjustments, I bought myself a small graphics tablet to compensate for the fact that my larger Wacom Intuos was sitting unused in my inaccessible office. The little tablet works overall well enough and I use it to this day, especially when I have to do work in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

But it comes with some downsides: it lacks a mouse wheel for scrolling, and it has rather shoddy driver programming, making the use of the pen buttons awkward.

The first workaround

Initially, I compensated by using the Microsoft Surface Dial. This little device connects via Bluetooth and allows scrolling with my left hand while using the pen in my right. This tweak allows both arms to be used while working, which to a certain degree deased the strain in my neck and shoulders.

But it didn't fully solve my problems. First, it didn't address the misbehaving pen keys, resulting in me working with dial, tablet AND a mouse, which is really awkward. Second, the relatively expensive piece of kit died on me after about 18 months, far too early given the price I paid.

Discovering Xencelabs

When looking for a replacement, I came across the Quick Keys device from the Chinese company Xencelabs. The Xencelabs Quick Keys is a customizable shortcut remote designed for digital creators, featuring 40 programmable shortcuts and a multi-function dial. It offers wireless connectivity via RF dongle (with up to 53 hours of battery life) or wired USB-C connection, and its OLED display shows your shortcut assignments clearly. The device works with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and supports all major creative applications.

From the description, it looked like it would solve both my problems due to the presence of both a wheel and programmable buttons.

Exceeding expectations

Once ordered, it exceeded my expectations. It indeed compensates for both shortcomings of my graphics tablet, but having programmable buttons alleviates many more processes beyond what I initially imagined. The fact that the buttons are part of a profile that can be switched over means multiple sets of button functionalities can be swapped with the simple press of a button.

The functionality of the wheel can also be changed, but to be honest, I need the other functions much less commonly. Scrolling is by far the most important function I use.

Now Essential to My Workflow

By now, I'm completely hooked and cannot work without this device. Even at work with my larger Wacom Intuos – which does have a ring for scrolling – using the right hand for both the pen and scrolling is so much more clunky than using the right hand with the pen and the left for the wheel and defined buttons. It still helps with strain on my neck and back, too.

I consider the Xencelabs Quick Keys absolutely essential to my workflow now. When I eventually need to replace my tablet, I'll be happy to try one of the Xencelabs tablets as well. Sometimes the best solutions come from the companies you discover by accident, and Xencelabs has certainly done very well with this excellent piece of hardware.