Best Drawing Tablets.

Oct 14, 2021 | Drawing Tablets US

best drawing tablet

The best drawing tablet with screen

Introduction

With the never-ending need to enhance the quality of illustration, the speed at which you can work and general productivity expectations, the market for digital drawing tablets has never been as competitive.

When I first started out as an illustrator at Hallmark many years ago, we were literally only given two options; draw/paint traditionally or ‘go digital’ using the latest drawing tablets available (which back then required an additional flat-screen monitor as standard to view your illustrations as you worked on the blank board situated on the desk).

My choice was the ‘digital drawing tablet’ and I’ve never looked back (loved my time working on my Wacom Intuos Pro), upgrading annually and consistently testing to review the latest products available in the industry.

Best drawing tablets

This article takes a look at some of the most well-known brands and what I consider the best drawing tablets with screens available today.

Every artist and professional graphic designer will have their own specific requirements and thoughts on this but I hope to narrow that search with my reviews given below.

Hope you have fun reading through and fingers crossed this helps with your next choice when selecting a new graphics tablet.

And for those that have never tried them, you can’t fully appreciate how good and ‘natural’ the products are and how close to traditional methods you can achieve (with very little experience or practise) until you actually try them for yourself.

Disclaimer – This website contains affiliate links. If you find the information useful and click on a product link and make a purchase, a small commission will be earned by Big Red Illustration

01) Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 Creative Pen and Touch Display

4K graphic drawing monitor with 8192 pen pressure and 99% Adobe RGB (DTH3220K0), 32″ Touch Screen Display.

 

About

  • Wacom’s biggest touchscreen display (31.5″) offers 4K clarity so you may see every detail of your artwork with precision. The etched glass screen of this Wacom Cintiq graphics tablet gives a unique, tactile experience as you draw, reducing unwanted glare and reflections.
  • The color you pick is the one you’ll see in your finished product due to the color performance of 99% Adobe RGB & 97% sRGB (10-bits color) and 1.07 billion colors (10 bits color).
  • A Wacom Pro Pen 2 is included with your Wacom Cintiq with tilt recognition and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Parallax is eliminated via optical bonding, which imitates the touch and feel of writing on paper.
  • Numerous sophisticated functions, such as multi-touch gestures, an on-screen keypad, radial menus, and the integrated ExpressKey Remote for one-touch shortcuts.
  • The included USB-C, HDMI, and Mini/DisplayPort cables/connectors allow you to connect Cintiq Pro 32 to your Mac (OS X 10.11 or later) or PC (Windows 7 or later).
  • Register your Cintiq Pro and get a free three-month trial of the Boris FX Suite (Optics, Sapphire, Continuum, Mocha Pro, and Silhouette), Sculptron for free for 3 months, and Adobe Photoshop / Lightroom for two months. (Customers in the Americas are eligible).

 

Pros

Generously-sized 4K creative pen display – giving an unbeatable drawing experience

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 32″ LCD display has a stunning 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) and world-class color fidelity.

Over 35 years of experience in digital pen tablet technology

The Wacom Pro Pen 2 with its tilt recognition and pressure sensitivity allows you complete creative control comes complete with accurate cursor positioning.

The Wacom Cintiq pays for itself with ease of workflow

 

Cons

13.5kg in weight so not exactly portable

The size of the Wacom Cintiq requires a large work area.

 

Review

The Daddy of all the best drawing tablets…this new Wacom Cintiq Pro is an amazing product with a lot of cool features, giving the ultimate drawing experience. The display is huge, (it is a very large drawing tablet indeed ) making it perfect for drawing.

    It’s really nice not having to squint at your drawings or having to constantly zoom in and out of your tablet screen!

    I love that I can easily see all the little details on the screen with this 4K resolution. The color accuracy on this is incredible too, making my drawings look so colorful now!

    The pen pressure sensitivity makes adding finer details effortless and the Wacom Pro Pen 2 has a good weight to it – feels just like writing on paper.

    My favorite thing about this drawing tablet though is that it’s just so easy to use and guarantees an immersive drawing experience.

    I didn’t have any trouble figuring out how to set it up or how to navigate through the menus which was great news because usually when I buy something like this, I often end up having to figure out how it works for myself.

    Plus the touch feature is super helpful when working with fine details – saves me a lot of time!

    With less interactive drawing tablets, you can end up using a mouse for everything which was kind of annoying and slows workflow dramatically.

    But with the Cintiq Pro 32 Touch, all I have to do is touch the screen and it’s so much easier.

    I’d definitely recommend this product if you’re a digital artist looking for a device that can fully express your creativity and the time it saves with productivity easily makes the cost a more than worthwhile investment.

    A really affordable price considering all the cool stuff Wacom packed into it and as I work mainly from a studio set up this is my favorite drawing tablet by far!

    Note: If mobility and portability is high on your list of requirements, check out our article all about drawing tablets that don’t need a computer.

     

    Professional Choice Drawing Tablet – Highly Recommended

    02) HUION Kamvas Pro 24″ 4K UHD Graphics Drawing Tablet

    Fully-Laminated Screen Anti-Glare Glass 140% sRGB – Battery-Free Stylus 8192 Pen Pressure and KD100 Wireless Express Key, 23.8 Inch Black

      About this item

      • 4K UHD Picture Quality: Enjoy the 4K UHD (3840×2160) resolution on a 23.8-inch screen that can minimize the number of zoom in and out of the canvas while also speeding up switching windows to provide you with clearer pictures and more details.
      • Enhanced Color Intensity: Huion Kamvas Pro 24 4K features industry-leading Quantum Dot technology that can provide more natural-looking greens, more vivid reds and deeper blacks with a greater 140% sRGB color gamut and 1200:1 contrast ratio. It can show you stunning, more lifelike color reproduction thanks to 1.07 billion brilliant color detailing.
      • Optional Accessories For This Drawing Tablet: The Huion Kamvas Pro 24 4K pen display has a 20° metal integrated stand for assistance with drawing. It also features a vesa hole on the back (not included). New felt nibs have improved pen stroke stability and friction to make the pen more like a real pen. You may program your most-used shortcuts on the mini keypad.
      • Multiple Interfaces: The Huion Kamvas Pro 24 4K graphics monitor is compatible with both HDMI and DP connections, allowing you to easily connect it to your desktop PC or Mac. Furthermore, you can also utilize the USB-C to USB-C connection to link your laptop or Android devices if they support USB 3.1 Gen1, DP 1 and above.
      • Compatibility: (Mac and Windows Tablet) The Huion Kamvas Pro 24 4K drawing screen works with Windows 7 or later, Mac OS 10.12 or later, and Android devices that support USB3.1 GEN1 and DP1.2. It is also compatible with a variety of digital art programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, SAI, ZBrushCore, Painter, Clip Studio Paint PRO, Manga Studio 5/EX and many others.

      Pros

      The Huion Kamvas – Great price for a good-sized 4k digital screen

      At 6.2kg it allows you to work mobile

      New felt improved nibs have enhanced the pen stroke stability and friction to make the pen more like a real pen

      The tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it allows you to listen to music whilst you work…or watch videos.

       

      Cons

      The built-in legs are not as stable as some of the additional stands available so you may wish to opt for the monitor arm which isn’t included as standard.

      At 24-inch the screen is more than adequate for most designers/artists but if working daily as a full time professional you may want to opt for something larger to benefit from the additional ease and work efficiency that comes with a larger screen.

       

      Review

      When I first received the Huion Kamvas Pro 24 it took me a little time to get used to the size and weight of it as it is much smaller than what I’m used to working on, but after a couple of days of using the tablet, I was up and running.

      Overall this device does work very well and doesn’t have any issues with not responding to my touch or interference from the light.

      The full lamination technology is really one of the most impressive features on this device, it allows for more accurate positioning and seamless pen-tip-cursor contact, however, I wish it came with a bigger screen as I feel like working on screens that are under 26/28 inches just makes me less productive.

      The metal integrated stand on the device provides a more natural and consistent experience while I am drawing on it although you’d probably benefit by investing in an additional more adaptable, supportive stand if you choose this particular tablet long term.

      This drawing tablet works well overall, there aren’t any issues with it not responding to my touch or anything like that, but if I had to choose between smaller size screens (24) or bigger size screens (32) I would choose the larger screen size.

      On the flip side of course is this device does provide you with more mobility so if you like working in different locations over the week then this may be a good choice for you.

      and just a few things to mention…

      If your graphic card is powerful enough to drive the resolution smoothly at 60Hz, you’ll need a Display Port 1.2 or later connector or an HDMI 2.0 port (or later) with support for 4K at 60Hz.

      Remember to reset your computer display resolution to 3840 x 2160 in the Display Setting if you wish to view beautiful 4K picture quality.

      Probably obvious but it’s not a stand-alone drawing tablet. To function, this drawing screen must be linked to a PC/MAC/laptop/Android device.

      03) GAOMON PD2200 Drawing Tablet

      92% NTSC Full-Laminated Pen Display with 8192 Battery-Free Tilt-Support Stylus 8 Touch Buttons -21.5” Drawing Tablet Monitor with Adjustable Stand

      About this item

      • FOR DIGITAL ART & DESIGN – Suitable for both novices and professionals in digital artwork, sketching, graphic design, 3D artwork, and animation.
      • The display surface is 92 per cent NTSC and has a HD FULL-LAMINATED SCREEN. Visually, the parallax will be deduced to the lowest level.
      • An AG-FILME is the pre-applied anti-glare HD display screen on the PD2200 drawing monitor to protect it during long transport and avoid bubbles when applying the film. In a completely no dust facility, the anti-glare coating is applied in advance to protect the PD2200 drawing monitor from dust and scratches.
      • The GAOMON PD2200 Drawing Display Tablet comes with an 8192 level pressure pen and a tilt support function, allowing you to produce your amazing work with greater precision and fluidity.
      • Includes 8 Nibs and Pen Holder
      • 8 Quick Touch Shortcuts
      • Enjoy clearer and more vivid images effects with the 1000:1 contrast ratio
      • Fully Adjustable Color
      • COMPATIBILITY WITH A LARGE VARIETY OF LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS – Works with Windows 7/8/8.1 or greater, Mac OS 10.12 or higher; compatible with the majority of major drawing programs such as Adobe Photoshop, SAI version 2, Illustrator, Krita, Firealpaca, Corel Painter, Autodesk MAYA, Pixologic Zbrush and Toon Boom Harmony.

       

      Pros

      Affordable price for both hobbyist or start-up professional

      At 5kg and 21.5-inch it allows you to be mobile

      Fully laminated HD display and battery-free pen

      Simple plugin and easy driver install

       

      Cons

      Left-handers may find the 8 quick shortcut keys /express keys difficult to utilise due to them being on the left-hand side of the tablet

      Pen tips can wear easily if you’re applying significant pressure

       

      Review

      The GAOMON PD2200 drawing tablet has everything you could ask for as a professional just starting out in the illustration industry, from the large (ish) screen to the battery-free pen that they give you, to the tilting function. This monitor is something that every artist should consider.

      The lamination on the screen is great as it allows for great visual effects to be seen as you wish them to be displayed.

      The levels of pressure sensitivity the pen commands is something that shouldn’t be ignored either and is very responsive; the more you press down the darker and wider your lines will become.

      Overall this drawing tablet would be a huge asset in any artist’s set up and I would highly recommend these to anyone looking to take that next step from hobbyist to pro but who isn’t quite prepared to fully commit to expensive equipment due to circumstances or budget restrictions.

      This tablet will certainly help with productivity and enable an artist to complete a higher standard of quality work in a quicker time (and more of it too).

      and once again, just a few things to mention…

      Connecting to a Tablet:

      It Is NOT a Standalone Device. Windows or Mac computers must be connected to it. It does not function with Chrome OS.

      Please connect the HDMI cable to the graphics card of your tower rather than the motherboard if you’re using a desktop.

      You’ll need an extra HDMI adaptor if your computer doesn’t have an HDMI port. VGA to HDMI adaptor, DVI to HDMI adaptor, Thunderbolt to HDMI adaptor, and so on are all examples of extra HDMI adapters. USB to HDMI adaptors aren’t recommended.

      Windows Users:

      Make sure no other manufacturers’ drivers are installed on the computer.

      When downloading and installing the driver, run as administrator to avoid problems.

      Mac 10.14 or 10.15 OS Users:

      When you use the pen work button on GAOMON Tablet to control this computer with accessibility features, a box will appear: “GaomonTablet would like to use accessibility functions to control this computer.” Please do not click “Deny.”

      Remember to put GaomonTablet and TabletDriverAgent into the whitelist first of Accessibility of Security & Privacy box.

      Why is there a need for this whitelist? The security of Mac 10.14 and 10.15 was improved in the security section, which required more permissions to properly execute programs linked to privacy. For example, all computer input devices (such as graphics tablets) that require drivers, all software that utilizes mac screen recording, camera, microphone, etc.

      04) XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro Drawing Pen Display

      2K Resolution Graphics Tablet 23.8 Inch Screen Supports a USB-C to USB-C Connection (20 Customizable Shortcut Keys and Tilt Function)

      About this item

      • The XP-PEN Artist Display 24 Pro is the first 23.8-inch, 2K QHD graphics display. The product’s double resolution and extreme vibrancy provide a creative experience that goes above and beyond all expectations. Fully compliant with programs such as Photoshop, CorelDraw, 3D Max, CAD and more
      • The Artist 24 Pro is compatible with USB-C connections, allowing you to connect your iMac, Mac Book Pro, or Windows computer without the use of an adaptor. You can alter the product’s angle with the adjustable stand of the Artist 24 Pro, allowing you to create effortlessly. The specially-designed pen slot on offer allows for fast access to your digital pen
      • XP-PEN Artist Display 24 Pro offers excellent color accuracy and a 90% Adobe RGB color gamut, allowing you to fuel your creativity with vibrant colors and stunning visuals as you sketch, design, and create.
      • The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro includes two easy-to-use red dial wheels and 20 programmable shortcut keys. These are conveniently positioned on both sides of the device, allowing left and right-handed users to access them easily. It also has a USB Hub built-in, which may be used to connect devices like your mouse to it.
      • The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro is compatible with Windows 10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.10 (and higher), and with popular digital art programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, CDR, GIMP, Krita, Medibang, Fire Alpaca and Blender 3D.

       

      Pros

      At just 7kg the XP-Pen Artist 24 is easily transportable

      Suitable for both right and left-handed artists

      Adjustable stand allowing for multiple screen angles

      60 degrees of pen tilt function

      Touch-sensitive keys designed to avoid sticking

       

      Cons

      There can be lag issues with certain software/hardware setups

      Getting towards the more expensive range of drawing tablet

       

      Review

      The XP Pen Artist 24 is a really good mid-entry-level graphics tablet for both beginners and semi-professionals.

      Not my personal favorite as it seems to cover a lot of things adequately but no specific thing really well.

      By that I mean it’s large enough to take it into the professional category but doesn’t quite have the usability (and therefore productivity of the Wacom products).

      On the other hand, it is a great piece of equipment for a beginner/semi-pro but maybe a touch too expensive to just be practising on.

      With that said, it is a very nice tablet and had I not have had the fortune to work on the top end Wacoms then would be more than pleased to have this as an option available to me.

      The tablet is really well designed and suitable for both right and left-handers and the pen and screen are comfortable to work on.

      Additional info that’s good to know…

      The XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro drawing tablet is not a standalone product! To function, this device must be linked to a laptop/computer. It works with Windows version 10/8/7 (32/64bit), Mac OS X v10.10 or later.

      XP’s drivers will are continually updated, so please go to the official website to get the most up-to-date version and install it on your computer.

      As with many other tablets, please make sure you remove any other brand’s driver from your computer and restart it before installing the XP-PEN’s driver, or you could have issues with the driver.

      Windows Users:

      When installing the driver, please close all drawing programs and run it as administrator. (IMPORTANT)

      Mac Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15) and above OS Users:

      After installed XP-PEN Driver, Mac Mojave 10.14 or above needs to add the “PenTabletSetting” and “PenTabletDriverUX” to the accessibility list. Please see the FAQ section on the XP-PEN web for further information.

      If your system is running Mac Mojave (10.14) or higher, you must add any new downloads to the accessibility list before utilizing them.

      All of XP-PEN’s drawing pen tablets/displays include a lifetime support service.

      05) 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

      About this item

      • The Apple M1 chip achieves superior performance
      • True Tone and ProMotion, as well as a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color support
      • Ultra-Wide camera with Center Stage, Apple’s TrueDepth camera system
      • LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR + 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera
      • 5G: Superfast downloads + high-quality streaming
      • The iPad Pro features Ultrafast Wi-Fi to keep you connected
      • All-day battery life
      • Connect to fast external storage, displays, and docks with the thunderbolt port
      • Secure authentication and Apple Pay with Face ID
      • Five studio-quality microphones + Four speaker audio

       

      Pros

      Highly mobile/portable allowing an artist to work easily on the move

      Perfect piece of kit to use as a digital sketch pad

      Great for the likes of cartoonists and caricaturists who currently illustrate on drawing pads at event venues

      The iPad pro doubles up as a mobile entertainment device, with the option of streaming Netflix, Games, Movies, Music etc as well as being as including phone/facetime/camera features

      The iPad Pro needs no additional laptop/base unit to work

      Compatible with Adobe Creative Cloud

      Cons

      Lacks the power/hardware to run full versions of industry-standard photoshop/illustrator programmes etc but instead uses iPad pro draw which integrates nicely with adobe packages

      Expensive (although monthly payments are an option)

      Requires optional Apple Pencil /Pro Pen Stylus (not included with the iPad Pro) to fully appreciate the drawing experience and use as a drawing tablet

       

      Review

      As with any Apple product, you instantly know you’re getting quality. Beautifully designed, unbelievable speed and storage.

      And a fantastic piece of kit, and is one of the best drawing tablets, not only for artists and the drawing experience but also for entertainment in general.

      Gone are the times when portable tablets like these were only useful for entertaining children as a drawing pad with doodles, scribbles and a bit of coloring in. This iPad pro allows professional artists to be fully mobile and be creative whatever the situation.

      As an events artist, this is a must-have for the future (if you’re currently a traditional caricaturist or cartoonist) the speed and quality at which you can work on one of these is incredible and the prestige that goes with printing off to a wireless printer at an event and handing a bespoke, unique and highly professional piece of artwork will leave any competitor in your field way behind.

      …the iPad Pro also gives the artist the unthinkable option of making corrections, live at an event….there is no ‘undo’ button with traditional ink drawing!

      I love this as an addition to my Wacom. Obviously, the Wacom wins hands down on productivity and creating larger projects that are better suited to the studio but the iPad Pro offers such a different experience you simply have to have both (funds may apply and don’t forget the apple pencil/stylus pen is extra too)

       

      Conclusion

      Conclusion for the best drawing tablets

      So, as is often the case, the best drawing tablet for you depends mainly on two things. What your intended use is and your budget available.

      My thoughts on this is always a positive mindset. If you get the best products, your user experience and productivity are so much greater that you subsequently earn more and enjoy the usage far more too.

      “No Brainer”

      A double win and therefore a ‘no-brainer’ in my head.

      I do realise that other artists will have a more reserved attitude and may lean towards the more ‘affordable tablet’ but with the options available for monthly payments on many of the items available it seems you can be utilising their benefits whilst paying for the product

      One of my biggest purchases over the years was a Wacom 27-inch touch screen, which I bought in just prior to taking on a job for a ‘Where’s Wally’ type commission and to say it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made is the understatement of my career (nailed 10 DPS, with over 500 characters per scene in double quick time – some serious digital art).

      This information should help you on your way to choosing the best drawing tablet for you. You do need to carefully consider all the options when choosing your next drawing tablet; it’ll be a huge investment for your future careers in whatever form of creative work you do.

      Other Best Drawing Tablets To Consider

      Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

      Another fantastic drawing tablet and unlucky to make the list is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Only misses out due to its likeness to the iPad Pro and I still feel that where creativity is concerned, the Wacom tablet range and Apple are the front runners for best drawing tablets. Might have made the top 5 for best android tablet.

      Wacom Intuos Pro

      One of my favorite drawing tablets but mainly down to my nostalgic view on this product maybe. The Wacom Intuos Pro didn’t make the cut due to it having no screen but I still own one and use it for middleweight projects when away from the office in unison with a Mac Book Pro (enabling me to run full versions of photoshop and illustrator). A few years ago the Intuos Pro models certainly would have been my recommendation as to the best drawing tablets around at the time.

      Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – android tablet

      The Microsoft Surface is a top-end Android tablet with a HD screen but not quite as good as any Apple product just yet. The Surface 8 is a powerful tablet with a sleek metallic body that keeps its weight down to around 2kg and is able to run full desktop programmes/drawing apps such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It’s considered one of the best drawing tablets if looking for an all-rounder that will keep up with general office tasks as well.

      FAQs

      Does the Apple iPad Pro Come with the Apple Pencil/Pro Pen?

      No, you’d need to purchase the Apple Pencil (Pro Pen) separately to the iPad Pro:

      What’s the best budget drawing tablet?

      Review coming soon on the best budget drawing tablet … please check back for updates or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin

      What tablets are best for drawing?

      This all depends on your place of work and budget as well as many other personal factors such as, are you after the best windows tablet? Is it a Samsung Galaxy Tab you particularly like the look of? Or maybe a Microsoft surface?

      Is the pen pressure sensitivity the main criteria and if it’s a battery-free stylus, or maybe it’s simply the more affordable pen display you want? Hopefully, the review above will help you focus on what your needs and budget allow and have subsequently made it easier to make a choice.

      When it comes to pencil tablets, pen tablets, best drawing tablets of any kind, the brand that pops up in most people’s minds is WACOM. This might be one of the oldest manufacturers of graphics tablets and they are still dominant in today’s market. The best thing about them? They’ve barely changed their products, which means you get good old stuff that’s still relevant today.

      What drawing tablets do professional artists use?

      When a range of professional artists were surveyed the Wacom’s Intuos and Cintiq series were the most commonly recommended as best drawing tablets. They’re known for their clarity and ease of use so this is what most people get their hands on… But does that mean they are the best?

      What is the best drawing tablet for beginners?

      Without a doubt, the Wacom range is the best possible place to start your digital drawing tablet search as a beginner. Once you have your first Wacom, you won’t look back.

      Here are the top drawing tablets for beginners that won’t break the bank:

      • One by Wacom (small & medium)
      • Wacom Intuos
      • Wacom Bamboo

      The One and Bamboo and some Intuos models are considered the best drawing tablets under $100

      Which drawing tablets are best for digital art?

      Best drawing tablets for digital art

      It’s a difficult question. If you have a tight budget then Wacom can still be the best option since they offer pretty good drawing tablets for as low as $69 (Bamboo Fun).

      But if you’re really looking to get something advanced and industry-standard, then expect to pay up to about $800 -$1000 at least.

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      Written By Adam Rushton

      Adam has made a name for himself in the illustration industry and is a passionate blogger and writer on the subject of art, illustration and graphic design.

      His artwork has been featured in countless publications and used for very well-known media projects. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, Adams media outlets, a wealth of knowledge, and experience enable him to consult and advise artists and illustrators in this country (from York and Manchester to Southampton and London) and all over the world.

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