Many modern artists prefer drawing on digital devices rather than on paper. For that reason, the drawing tablet industry has skyrocketed over the past decade, and so has the range of available device options. Given that each artist has their own needs and budgets, a guide can be of enormous help.
This is why we’ve rounded up a list of the best drawing tablet options, along with a buyer’s guide and several frequently asked questions.
Comparison Chart
XP-PEN Artist15.6 Pro 15.6 Inch Drawing Pen Display Graphics Monitor Full-Laminated Technology Drawing Monitor with Tilt Function and Red Dial (8192 Levels Pen Pressure, 120% sRGB)
HUION Kamvas Pro 24 Graphic Drawing Monitor Pen Display Drawing Tablet Screen Full-Laminated Tilt Function Battery-Free Stylus, 8192 Pen Pressure and 20 Shortcut Keys
Wacom DTC133W0A One Digital Drawing Tablet with Screen, 13.3 Inch Graphics Display for Art and Animation Beginners
Best Drawing Tablet Reviews
Wacom PTH660 Intuos Pro
This is a tablet well worth your money that may have you drop the pen-and-paper workflow.
Product Highlights
Wacom Intuos Pro tablets come in three sizes – small, medium, and large. The PTH660 is a medium-sized model. The latest Intuos Pro release has introduced the brand-new Wacom Pro Pen 2, a more sensitive version of the tried-and-true Pro Pen. The Pro Pen 2 has a whopping 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, lag-free tracking, tilt-response, and it’s battery-free.
It also boasts two buttons for shortcut customization.
The first thing that catches the eye with the Intuos Pro is its truly exceptional build quality. Still, the device is far from robust and is very comfortable to use. Amazingly, it takes up even less space than the previous Intuos Pro medium iteration.
The Good
The Intuos features a Texture Sheet drawing surface that is replaceable but highly responsive. This drawing surface is incredibly good at making the screen feel like paper, which is why various drawing professionals recommend the Intuos.
In fact, the replaceable Texture Sheets come in three different roughness degrees. The USB-C connection brings faster charging to the table, which means better wireless operation options, vital for most artists. The Bluetooth lag is next to nonexistent.
The Bad
There is one caveat with the USB-C connector wire. Although it’s a right-angle wire, which keeps it flush with the device, it can feel a bit out of place. In some desk setups, it’s a bit awkward.
Like many other drawing tablets, Wacom PTH660 Intuos Pro has several buttons for quick navigation. These were added with each new Intuos iteration.
Many artists don’t like the extra buttons, though. Fortunately, the Intuos Pro allows the user to disable them, so they aren’t a nuisance.
Pros
- Exceptional build quality
- 3 Texture Sheet drawing surfaces
- USB-C for fast charging
- No Bluetooth lag
Cons
- Awkward USB-C connection
- Buttons may be unnecessary
XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro
This is a great budget drawing tablet for hobbyists and beginners.
Product Highlights
You wouldn’t expect a drawing area of 15.6 inches (diagonal) from a budget drawing tablet. Still, the Artist 15.6 Pro offers this screen size, capable of delivering a full-HD 1920×1080 resolution. That’s 1080p from a relatively cheap device.
The screen is also bonded and laminated, which significantly improves parallax reduction. Parallax (an object’s apparent position displacement as viewed along two lines of sight) is still noticeable, but it’s minor, and you get accustomed to it quickly.
The battery-free stylus pen has 8192 levels of sensitivity and as much as 60 degrees of tilt, which is impressive for an affordable beginner’s drawing tablet.
The XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro has eight shortcut keys alongside the attractive red dial, which can be programmed for zooming, changing brush sizes, etc.
There’s a stand included, which gives the artist an excellent drawing angle. The stand isn’t as sturdy as on some drawing tablets, but it will tip sideways only if you lean on the screen too heavily. General drawing will keep the device stable on a flat surface.
The Good
Given the affordable price tag, the Artist 15.6 Pro is a fantastic drawing tablet for beginners and hobbyists. It’s very lightweight, portable, easy to set up, and conveniently sized. The USB cable allows the user to connect the drawing tablet to a display while simultaneously supplying power to the device. This means a lot in terms of portability.
Additionally, the tablet can even run from a power bank, which is a greatly desired option for many artists who occasionally work “on the go.”
The Bad
Despite all that the Artist 15.6 Pro offers, it still comes with some downsides. For one, its Stylus pen’s pressure sensitivity feels a bit unresponsive – a deal-breaker for many professional artists.
The pen doesn’t feel as natural and fluid as the ones included with pricier tablets. Nevertheless, a beginner or a hobbyist isn’t likely to mind this too much. Line lag and jitter are also present, which is a problem for drawing smooth lines.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight, conveniently-sized, and portable
- Easy-to-use
- Can run from a power bank
Cons
- Stylus pressure sensitivity not ideal
- Some line lag and jitter
Huion Kamvas Pro 24
This is a large-display drawing tablet from Huion.
Product Highlights
Huion Kamvas Pro 24 is the largest drawing tablet from Huion and a pricy unit, at that. However, it brings a whopping 2560×1440 (1440p) resolution and 120% sRGB color support, which is cutting-edge in the world of graphic tablets.
Don’t let the Kamvas Pro 24’s plastic build deter you from making the purchase. The materials used here are of top-notch quality. It feels dense, strong, and resilient.
There are many 24-inch drawing tablets on the market with a 1080p resolution. This might not be ideal for up-close drawing, but it’s workable.
The problem is that you start seeing pixels as you get closer to the screen, which can be very distracting and cause eye strain. With Huion Kamvas Pro 24’s 1440p QHD resolution, you won’t experience such problems. Expect top levels of sharpness with this device.
The Kamvas Pro 24 offers outstanding color accuracy, which is immensely important for professional artists, this product’s target group.
Then there’s the viewing angle. The Kamvas Pro 24 features an IPS panel, known far and wide for its excellent viewing angle.
Although this Huion model isn’t what you’d consider cheap, given its size, color accuracy, and viewing angle, it’s more than a smart purchase. You’d expect a changeable textured surface here, but the Pro 24 comes with etched glass, which is an amazing feat for this price range.
The Good
With 123 PPI (pixels per inch), Huion Kamvas Pro 24 provides a brilliantly sharp image, even from an up-close perspective. It has a color accuracy of 120% sRGB, which isn’t commonly seen at this price range.
Thanks to its IPS panel, the Pro 24 boasts a 178-degree viewing angle, which is more than enough from most viewing standpoints. It also has a laminated display, meaning that the top glass and the display layer are completely laminated together (the pen point touches the drawing surface).
The Bad
An eraser at the back of the stylus pen would mean a whole lot for most artists, and it’s very simple to factory install. Still, the Kamvas Pro 24 doesn’t have this feature.
Although the plastic used in this tablet’s build is cutting-edge, its stand fails to match that quality. Finally, the inability to customize the touch bar sensitivity is probably the Pro 24’s biggest downside.
Pros
- 1440p 2K display
- 120% sRGB color accuracy
- Etched glass display
- 8,192 pressure levels for the stylus
Cons
- Non-customizable touch bar sensitivity
- Stand’s build quality
Wacom DTC133W0A One
This is a solid entry-level drawing tablet from Wacom.
Product Highlights
There are affordable products, and then there are the products that have been designed to be affordable. The DTC133W0A One belongs to the latter group, which always means points in the ‘Pros’ column.
Of course, the device comes with a stylus, but what’s great about it is its ability to work with various other pens on the market. It’s also compatible with Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Expect a lot of cables with this model—one for HDMI, one for USB, and one for the power supply. Yes, we know no one wants to mess with cables in this day and age, but this isn’t exclusively a downside.
The fact that you’ll have to work with a power cable means that it won’t compromise your laptop’s battery life. This is very important when working in wireless conditions.
Wacom decided to include a fairly basic stylus to lower the device’s price. This may seem like a deal-breaker for some, but given the fact that the DTC133W0A One is compatible with many non-native styluses, you might be able to get a brilliant one used.
The 1920×1080 resolution might not seem like much, but for its humble 13 inches, it’s more than enough. In fact, a larger resolution would only drive the price upward without providing too many benefits.
The Good
The low price point of this device is definitely a purchase incentive. Still, you can tell that the manufacturer carefully planned out which features to “forgo.” It might not have a brilliant stylus pen, but it is compatible with most alternatives.
With its 13 inches, Wacom DTC133W0A One is great for remote work, and its independent power supply option only reinforces this use case. This is an incredibly diverse device, given its price tag.
The Bad
Unfortunately, if you are allergic to extra cables, you’re not going to love the DTC133W0A. Three cables for an external device are simply too many for some people.
Although the screen is excellent in itself, its brightness leaves a lot to be desired. This is truly the tablet’s biggest downside. And it’s a shame. Still, for the price, you get more than you bargained for.
Pros
- Low price point
- Diverse stylus compatibility
- Independent power supply
- Great display
Cons
- Too many cables
- Screen brightness
Simbans PicassoTab 10-Inch
This is a small, budget, portable drawing tablet from Simbans.
Product Highlights
Simbans PicassoTab 10-inch is in no way a flagship model. It’s a small-sized drawing tablet with an emphasis on portability. It doesn’t come packed with features and isn’t “dressed to impress.”
Still, for a tablet of this size and price, the seemingly lackluster 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity are more than decent. You get different strokes, as well as palm rejection.
Not many tablets come with a case, but one that emphasizes portability and compactness definitely should. Simbans PicassoTab 10-inch features a good-looking faux leather case with a fairly thick but not bulky cover.
The case snap-closes using magnets, but it doesn’t have an auto-sleep function.
If you’re a professional artist, you won’t get too much kick out of this model, but it can serve as a backup drawing tablet for unexpected moments of inspiration.
It is primarily intended for kids and occasional drawing hobbyists. You may find the 1280×800 resolution laughable, but you can’t expect much more from a cheap 10-inch model.
This tablet is an extremely cheap alternative to the iPad. So, if you want a budget Android drawing tablet, the PicassoTab might surprise you with its features.
The Good
If you’re a beginner artist or want to inspire your kids to express themselves, the PicassoTab is an excellent option. You get everything you need for drawing “on the go” in a single device.
Plus, it’s actually a tablet, meaning that it can do pretty much everything a regular tablet can. Think of it as a drawing-ready affordable model.
The Bad
If you’ve ever used a professional drawing tablet, this model will feel like a toy. The surface is relatively slippery, and even though palm rejection is an included feature, it doesn’t work 100% of the time.
Pros
- Cheap
- Great for kids
- Case
- Can work as a regular tablet
Cons
- Slippery screen
- Palm rejection doesn’t always work
Buyer’s Guide
The five drawing tablets from the above list are definitely going to find their ideal users. However, choosing between the five can sometimes be challenging, especially for beginners and those who haven’t switched to a new drawing tablet in a while.
In our buyer’s guide, we’re going to help you make an educated decision when choosing your perfect model.
Active Area
The active area of any touchscreen device is the area that responds to the touch or pen. This is often referred to as the “active drawing area.” The bigger the active area, the easier it is for the artist to draw and focus on the bigger picture. This is not to be confused with the total tablet size, as the two are never identical.
The total size refers to the drawing area, plus the surrounding size and casing (if present).
Typically, the drawing area is expressed in the diagonal and in inches. For example, the XP-Pen Artist model from our list has a drawing area of 15.6 inches.
Stylus
Styluses are electronic pens used to interact with a tablet. There are three stylus types to keep in mind. The first is battery-powered styluses. These are generally thicker and feature a replaceable battery inside them.
The second type is the rechargeable styluses, which have an integrated battery inside them. They are recharged via phone or laptop, usually by connecting to a stylus docking station.
Finally, there are the EMR styluses, also known as battery-free styluses. These are the most innovative and use an electromagnetic frequency to wirelessly transfer power to the tablet. They do not require charging. The above list doesn’t feature battery-powered styluses.
Pressure Sensitivity
Pressure sensitivity refers to how many levels of sensitivity a tablet has. The bigger the number, the better the drawing dynamics. In other words, high-pressure level tablets allow you to make fine distinctions in terms of line thickness.
The current max number of pressure levels on the market is 8192. This is more than enough for any artist out there. The lowest pressure levels are around 300; 4096 is a solid average.
Resolution
Resolution is quite simple to grasp. The higher it is, the better, even with small-sized models. High resolutions allow the artist to add more details. However, the smaller the drawing area, the less critical a high resolution is.
Adding a high resolution to a 10-inch tablet would unnecessarily drive its price up. Ideally, though, look for at least 2K (2560×1440) in larger models.
Additionally, keep in mind that the resolution is not the only important display quality factor. The quality of the display depends on the panel, as well. IPS panels are ideal for drawing tablets, as they give the artist the best drawing angle.
Also, keep the screen brightness in mind – some high-res models are simply too dim.
Wireless or Wired
Even though we live in a wireless world, wireless technology has yet to overcome the power of the cable. Wireless drawing tablets are much more convenient to use and offer brilliant portability. They are also great for people who hate cables.
However, in terms of performance, a wired drawing tablet will always be superior to its wireless counterpart model. Wired connection means no signal interference, lower latency, and not having to depend on Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.
That said, quality wireless models have become stable enough, so don’t be reluctant about wireless drawing tablets, per se.
FAQs
How Do I Use a Drawing Tablet?
Drawing tablets aren’t your regular “tablets.” They are actually specifically designed to help the user get the output that’s very close to a handmade (paper) drawing/sketch. Some drawing tablets include a display (graphic tablets), while others are simply blank pads (drawing tablets).
The former are basically regular tablets but with an emphasis on drawing. The latter are attached to a computer and drawn on. Think of the blank pad tablets as responsive mouse pads that show your artwork on the screen.
Do I Need a Tablet With a Screen?
Not necessarily, no. It really depends on your preference as an artist. Even though most pros get accustomed to blank pads, this doesn’t make them a better or preferred option. It’s just that they’re more convenient, as you don’t need to get a large-display model.
However, you can get a 24” drawing tablet, such as Huion Kamvas Pro 24, which is definitely more natural and closer to the handmade drawing style.
The mentioned Kamvas Pro 24, for instance, comes with an etched screen that resembles the texture of a paper surface.
What is the Difference Between a Graphic Tablet and a Drawing Tablet?
The most significant difference between the two tablet types is that one requires an additional screen for drawing, while the other doesn’t.
Although the display-less drawing tablets may take some getting used to, once you grow accustomed to looking at a screen while drawing on a different surface, they quickly start making sense. However, in terms of the drawing experience, nothing beats the graphic tablet. This is why, as a rule of thumb, graphic tablets are generally preferred by professionals.
This is not to say, however, that drawing tablets are only used by hobbyists and amateurs. Some professionals find the drawing tablet setup more convenient than a graphic tablet setup.
Can You Animate on a Drawing Tablet?
Absolutely. In fact, both 2D and 3D animation professionals can’t really work without a drawing tablet of some kind.
These are used for storyboards, character sketching, frame animation, background creation, and various other graphic design-related activities. The more powerful the tablet, and the bigger the screen, the better it is for animation.
How to Clean a Drawing Tablet?
Although they are high-precision devices, drawing tablets and graphic tablets are very easy to clean. Start by unplugging the device from all power sources. Then, get a soft microfiber cloth. Next, use 70%-75% isopropyl alcohol and carefully wipe the tablet clean.
Do not use excessive amounts of the solution – you don’t want the liquid to get into the crevices. Alternatively, use the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
The Perfect Drawing Tablet
We’ve outlined a list of excellent drawing tablet options. Still, they are all very different. Even though we’ve rounded up both graphic and display-less drawing tablets, we have to go with Huion Kamvas Pro 24 as the absolute winner.
With its 1440p 2K display, color accuracy of 120% sRGB, 8192 pressure levels, and a brilliantly etched display, it is easily the best drawing tablet option on the list.