Best Drawing Tablets For Graphic Design in 2024

best drawing tablets for graphic design 2024

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When it comes to graphic design, having the right tools can make or break your creative process, specially when talking about drawing tablets as it is an essential piece of equipment that provides precision, control, and an intuitive way to bring your artistic vision to life.

 

With countless options available, finding the perfect drawing tablet can feel overwhelming. But in this post I’ve compiled a list of the best drawing tablets for graphic design in 2024 to help you find the right one for your workflow.

  • Best Drawing Tablets With Screen for Graphic Design

 

Wacom Cintiq 16 (The Best Drawing Tablet Overall)

Wacom Cintiq 22 (The best Tablet Overall) 

Huion Kamvas Pro 24 (Best Huion Tablet)

Wacom MobileStudio 16  (Best Standalone Tablet for Professionals)

Xencelabs Pen Display 16  (Best Display Tablet for Precision Work)



  • Best Budget-Friendly Drawing Tablets With Screen For Graphic Design

XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) (Best Mid-Range Display Tablet)

Wacom One Touch (Best Entry-Level Tablet for Beginners)

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad (Best Budget-Friendly Option)


  • Best Computer Tablets For Graphic Design

 

iPad Pro M4 (The Ultimate All-in-One Tablet for Designers)

Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) (Best Lightweight Tablet for Graphic Designers)


  • Best Graphics Tablets (Without Screen)

Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet (Best Graphic Tablet Bundle)

Wacom Intuos Pro Large (Best Tablet for Artists and Illustrator)

Wacom Intuos Pro Small (Best Small Drawing Tablet)


  • Best Budget Graphics Tablets for Beginner Graphic Designers

 

XPPen Deco MW (Best Wireless Drawing Tablet)

Huion 430P (Great Budget Option For Beginner Designers)

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Best Drawing Tablets With Screen for Graphic Design

If you are a professional graphic designer looking for the best drawing tablet with a screen these are the best options you can find right now.

The Best Drawing Tablet With Smaller Screen

Wacom Cintiq 16

Active drawing area: 16.6 x 11.2in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: Micro USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

The Best Drawing Tablet Overall

Wacom Cintiq 22

Active drawing area: 19.5 x 11.5in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Resolution: 1920 x 1080, Connections: HDMI, USB 2.0

Best Standalone

Wacom MobileStudio 16

Screen: 16-inch 4K Ultra HD Processor: Quad-core Intel i7 Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro Pen: Wacom Pro Pen 2 Storage: Up to 1TB SSD

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Wacom Cintiq 16 The Best Drawing Tablet Overall

Specs: Active drawing area: 16.6 x 11.2in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: Micro USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

A refreshed version of an already a great drawing tablet, Wacom Cintiq is a great option under this price range as it offers you Wacom’s graphic tablet quality and it comes with the Pro Pen 2 Stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity offering you a great drawing experience overcoming other rivals of the same price range.

 

Wacom Cintiq 16 has a 1920x 1080p HD screen resolution and 16.6 x 11.2 inches active drawing area offering you a larger display screen perfect to take care of every detail, this graphic tablet is supported by digital art software like Adobe Suite (Photoshop, illustrator, more), Corel Suite and Autodesk Sketchbook, so if you are looking for an affordable drawing tablet that offers you an excellent drawing experience consider to buy Wacom Cintiq 16.

Pros for Wacom Cintiq 16

 

  • Affordable price for great quality
  • Large display screen
  • Excellent Pen

Cons for Wacom Cintiq 16

  • Not 4K Screen
  • It hasn’t multi-touch support
Wacom Cintiq 22 The best Tablet Overall

Specs: Active drawing area: 19.5 x 11.5in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Resolution: 1920 x 1080, Connections: HDMI, USB 2.0

If you are looking for the best overall drawing tablet for graphic designers and digital artists then Wacom Cintiq 22 is the graphic tablet you are looking for, offering premium features such as 8192 pressure levels, tilt recognition, amazing accuracy for the best results, and Parallax tick reduced to offer you the best drawing experience right now.

 

The Wacom Cintiq 22 drawing tablet offers you 21.5 inch full HD screen with 1920×1080 resolution and a 19.5 x 11.5-inch drawing area to draw directly on your graphic tablet screen to help you see every detail of your project with the highest color accuracy. This graphic tablet works in any creative software such as All Adobe Suite, Corel Suite, Autodesk Sketchbook, and more.

 

If you are a digital artist or graphic designer and you are looking for the best drawing tablet then you need to go for the Wacom Cintiq 22.

Pros for Wacom Cintiq 22

  • Excellent Pressure sensitivity
  • The best drawing tablet on the market

Cons for Wacom Cintiq 22

  • No pen stand
  • Dull colors because the anti-glare film

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Huion Kamvas Pro 24 Best Huion Tablet

Specs: Active drawing area: 20.7 x 11.6in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192, Connections: HDMI/DP/VGA, Resolution: 2.5K 2560×1440 QHD

If you are asking what is the best Huion tablet for graphic design, the Huion Kamvas Pro 24 is your answer, as it is the top range drawing tablet from Huion, and this great pen display offers you an active drawing area of 20.7×11.6in and superb 2.5K 2560×1440 QHD resolution at a really affordable price for a high-end drawing tablet.

 

With this high-end drawing tablet, you will have a premium drawing experience with 8,192 levels of pressure, 120% sRGB color gamut perfect for color accuracy, and a large drawing area making it a really great investment for professional artists and graphic designers to have a high-end tablet for a really good price compared with other high-end drawing tablets from this list.

Pros

  • Premium drawing experience
  • Excellent screen display
  • Attractive design
  • Great price for a high-end drawing tablet

Cons

  • Can’t customize the pen sensitivity
Wacom MobileStudio 16 Best Standalone Tablet for Professionals

Specs: Screen: 16-inch 4K Ultra HD Processor: Quad-core Intel i7 Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro Pen: Wacom Pro Pen 2 Storage: Up to 1TB SSD

The Wacom MobileStudio 16 is a dream for professional graphic designers and illustrators who need top-tier performance in a standalone tablet. Equipped with a Quad-core Intel i7 processor and NVIDIA Quadro graphics, this tablet offers unmatched power, capable of handling 3D rendering, complex illustrations, and video editing without breaking a sweat. The 16-inch 4K display ensures unparalleled color accuracy and precision, making it perfect for artists who demand perfection in their work.

 

What makes the MobileStudio 16 stand out is its built-in functionality – it’s essentially a high-powered computer in tablet form. It’s suited for designers who need a portable studio for demanding tasks like 3D modeling or high-resolution artwork. The Wacom Pro Pen 2, with its 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, ensures precision and control that feels just like drawing on paper.

Pros:

  • Unrivaled performance for demanding tasks
  • Exceptional color accuracy on the 4K display
  • Includes professional-grade software

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Heavier compared to other drawing tablets
Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Best Display Tablet for Precision Work

Specs: Screen: 16-inch Pen Display with 99% Adobe RGB Pen: Xencelabs Pen (8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity) Connectivity: USB-C and HDMI Storage: External storage required

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 is an excellent choice for graphic designers who prioritize precision and color accuracy. Its 16-inch display boasts a wide color gamut (99% Adobe RGB) and exceptional brightness, making it ideal for photo editing, color grading, and detailed illustrations. The Xencelabs Pen, with its customizable buttons and pressure sensitivity, ensures a seamless and personalized drawing experience.

 

This tablet is suited for professionals who need a high-quality display to bring their designs to life. Its sleek design and user-friendly interface make it a joy to use. Plus, the customizable shortcut keys save time and improve workflow efficiency.

Pros:

  • Incredible color accuracy and display quality
  • Comfortable pen with excellent precision
  • Compact and sleek design

Cons:

  • No standalone functionality (requires connection to a computer)
  • Pricey compared to competitors

Best Budget-Friendly Drawing Tablets With Screen For Graphic Design

If you are a professional graphic designer looking for a budget-friendly drawing tablet that offers you a great drawing experience these are the best tablet with screens you can find for an affordable price.

Best Mid-Range Display Tablet

XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2)

Screen: 16-inch Full HD display Pen: X3 Smart Chip Stylus (8,192 pressure levels) Connectivity: USB-C Storage: External storage required

Best Entry-Level Tablet for Beginners

Wacom One Touch

Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display Pen: Wacom Pen with 4,096 pressure levels Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android Color Gamut: 72% NTSC Weight: 2.2 lbs

Best Budget-Friendly Option

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad

Screen: None (screenless tablet) Pen: 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity Connectivity: USB-C Battery Life: N/A

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XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) Best Mid-Range Display Tablet

Specs: Screen: 16-inch Full HD display Pen: X3 Smart Chip Stylus (8,192 pressure levels) Connectivity: USB-C Storage: External storage required

The XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) offers the perfect balance between performance and price, making it one of the best mid-range drawing tablets for graphic designers. The 16-inch display with full HD resolution ensures vibrant colors and crisp details, perfect for both illustrations and photo editing. It’s paired with the X3 Smart Chip Stylus, which offers a natural drawing experience with minimal lag.

 

This tablet is ideal for intermediate designers who need a dependable drawing tablet without spending a fortune. The customizable shortcut keys and dial add convenience to the workflow, while its slim profile makes it easy to carry around.

Pros:

  • Great value for the price
  • Responsive pen with minimal lag
  • Portable and lightweight

Cons:

  • Display resolution could be higher
  • Requires connection to a computer
Wacom One Touch Best Entry-Level Tablet for Beginners

Specs: Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display Pen: Wacom Pen with 4,096 pressure levels Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android Color Gamut: 72% NTSC Weight: 2.2 lbs

The Wacom One Touch is an excellent entry-level tablet for graphic designers or aspiring artists who want to dip their toes into digital art without investing in a high-priced device. It features a 13.3-inch Full HD display with good color accuracy, making it ideal for sketching, illustrating, and editing photos. While it lacks some advanced features found in Wacom’s higher-end models, it still delivers a smooth and reliable drawing experience, thanks to the Wacom Pen with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

 

This tablet is perfect for students, hobbyists, or professionals who want an affordable and dependable option for basic graphic design tasks. The Wacom One Touch is also compatible with both Mac and Windows, and even works with some Android devices, making it a versatile tool for on-the-go creativity. Its plug-and-play functionality ensures you can get started right away, making it a great choice for beginners.

Pros:

  • Affordable and beginner-friendly
  • Compatible with multiple operating systems
  • Wacom Pen delivers a natural drawing experience

Cons:

  • Limited color accuracy compared to higher-end models
  • Smaller display might not suit advanced designers

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XPPen Magic Drawing Pad Best Budget-Friendly Option

Specs: Screen: None (screenless tablet) Pen: 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity Connectivity: USB-C Battery Life: N/A

The XPPen Magic Drawing Pad is perfect for beginners or graphic designers looking for a simple, reliable tablet without breaking the bank. This budget-friendly tablet features a compact design and is easy to carry, making it great for students or designers who work on the go. While it may lack the advanced features of higher-end tablets, it still offers excellent performance for basic tasks like sketching, illustrating, and editing.

 

With a responsive pen that offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Magic Drawing Pad ensures smooth and precise strokes. It’s an ideal choice for illustrators working on digital art or anyone just stepping into the world of graphic design. Its affordability and simplicity make it a go-to choice for those seeking a reliable, no-frills drawing tablet.

Pros:

  • Highly affordable
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy setup and use

Cons:

  • No built-in screen
  • Limited features for advanced professionals

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Best Computer Tablets For Graphic Design

If you are a graphic designer looking for a drawing tablet that doesn’t need an external computer and offers you the functions of a normal tablet these are the best tablets you can use as a drawing tablet right now.

The Ultimate All-in-One Tablet for Designers

iPad Pro M4

Screen: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display Processor: Apple M4 chip Pen: Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) Storage: Up to 2TB Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Best Lightweight Tablet for Graphic Designers

Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2)

Screen: 13-inch Liquid Retina display Processor: Apple M2 chip Pen: Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) Storage: Up to 2TB Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

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iPad Pro M4 (The Ultimate All-in-One Tablet for Designers)

Specs: Screen: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display Processor: Apple M4 chip Pen: Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) Storage: Up to 2TB Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

The iPad Pro M4 is a powerhouse that seamlessly combines portability with performance, making it one of the best drawing tablets for graphic designers in 2024. Its M4 chip delivers lightning-fast speed, ensuring that design applications like Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator run effortlessly. The Liquid Retina XDR display is an absolute treat, with exceptional brightness, stunning colors, and crisp details. Whether you’re illustrating, editing photos, or designing layouts, the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) provides fluid precision, making every stroke feel natural.

 

This tablet is perfect for designers who need versatility, portability, and performance in one sleek package. If you’re someone who values the ability to sketch on the go or prefers the convenience of a tablet that doubles as a full-fledged computer, the iPad Pro M4 is ideal. From digital artists to UX/UI designers, this tablet has the power to handle demanding workflows with ease.

Pros:

  • Outstanding display with vibrant colors
  • Unmatched performance with the M4 chip
  • Versatile for drawing, editing, and productivity

Cons:

  • Expensive, especially with added accessories
  • Limited software compatibility compared to desktops

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Apple iPad Air 13-inch M2 Best Lightweight Tablet for Graphic Designers

Specs: Screen: 13-inch Liquid Retina display Processor: Apple M2 chip Pen: Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) Storage: Up to 2TB Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

The Apple iPad Air (M2) is a fantastic option for graphic designers who want power and portability in a sleek, lightweight device. Equipped with Apple’s M2 chip, it delivers excellent performance, making it perfect for running graphic design apps like Procreate, Affinity Designer, and Adobe Fresco. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display provides stunning visuals with sharp details and vibrant colors, ideal for sketching, illustrating, and light photo editing. Paired with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), it offers a smooth and natural drawing experience.

 

This tablet is suited for designers who need a compact yet powerful device for creative work on the go. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry, whether you’re working from a café or traveling. If you’re a freelancer or a student looking for a portable, high-performing tablet that balances power and affordability, the iPad Air M2 is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Powerful M2 chip for smooth performance
  • Stunning display with accurate colors

Cons:

  • No Face ID, unlike the iPad Pro
  • Accessories (Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard) sold separately

Best Graphics Tablets (Without Screen)

If you are looking for a graphic tablet to use with your computer these are the best Graphic Tablet you can find right now.

Best Large Graphic Tablet

Wacom Intuos Pro Large

Active drawing area: 12.1 x 8.4in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

Best Graphic Tablet Bundle

Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet

Active drawing area: 10.3 x 5.8in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192, Connections: USB-C and USB-A

Best Small Graphic Tablet

Wacom Intuos Pro Small

Active drawing area: 6.2 x 3.8in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

Specs: Active drawing area: 10.3 x 5.8in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192, Connections: USB-C and USB-A

Xencelabs is a new brand in the graphic tablet world but they already have experience as the designers have worked for Wacom in the past, and they made a great introduction with Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet offering you an exceptional graphic tablet for a good price giving you a great quality tool for graphic design with unmatchable price.

 

The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium offers you a great drawing experience with an active drawing area of 10.3×5.8 inches and an ergonomic design to make it easy to work for hours on your design idea without feeling tired, another great thing about this graphic tablet is the incredible stylus offering you smooth drawing experience. This graphic tablet is perfect for beginner and advanced graphic designers as it offers great quality for a really good price.

Pros

  • Great build quality
  • Smooth drawing experiences
  • Includes accessories
  • Great price

Cons

  • Only has three built-in express keys

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Specs: Active drawing area: 12.1 x 8.4in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

Wacom Intuos Pro Large is the best graphic tablet without a screen for artists and illustrators and if you are a beginner in digital art or graphic design this drawing tablet is perfect to start as it’s user-friendly and perfect to transform your PC into a digital canvas with an easy installation process.

 

This graphic tablet provides you with over 8,000 levels of pressure sensitivity and a 12.1 x 8.4-inch drawing area at the same time that thanks to its multi-touch surface, programmable express keys, and pen side-switches help you to speed your workflow.

 

With Wacom Intuos Pro also comes the Wacom Pro Pen 2 to give you the most accurate drawing experience and advanced pen performance giving you full control over your creativity.

Pros of Wacom Intuos Pro Large

  • Best Pen Sensitivity
  • Fluid Drawing
  • Wired or Wireless Connection

Cons of Wacom Intuos Pro Large

  • Limited shortcuts
  • Pen and touchscreen don’t work too smooth together

Specs: Active drawing area: 6.2 x 3.8in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: USB, Bluetooth, OS: Windows or macOS

Wacom graphic tablets are some of the best tablets for graphic designers in the market right now, and if you are looking for the perfect drawing tablet to start then the Wacom Intuos Pro Small is the best option as it is the most affordable tablet giving you an excellent drawing experience.

 

This graphic tablet shares the same characteristics that the Wacom Intuos Pro Large version but the only difference is that the drawing area is smaller, making it light enough to take it everywhere and if you have a creative idea you can use this drawing tablet at the same moment, and this drawing tablet offers you a great value for the money.

Pros for Wacom Intuos Pro Small

  • Excellent Pen Sensitivity
  • Great value for the money
  • Light weight you can use it everywhere

Cons for Wacom Intuos Pro Small

  • Limited shortcuts
  • Pen and touchscreen don’t work too smooth together

Best Graphics Tablets (Without Screen)

If you are an amateur or beginner graphic designer who wants to get started on using drawing tablets these are the best budget-friendly graphic tablets you can find right now.

Best Ultra-Cheap Tablet

Huion H610 Pro V2

Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: Micro USB (USB-C adapter included), OS: Windows, macOS or Android

Best Wireless Drawing Tablet

XPPen Deco MW

Screen: None (screenless tablet) Pen: Battery-free stylus (8,192 pressure levels) Connectivity: Bluetooth Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Best Beginner Designers

Huion 430P

Active drawing area: 4.8 x 3in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 4,096, Connections: USB, OS: Windows or macOS

XPPen Deco MW Best Wireless Drawing Tablet

Specs: Screen: None (screenless tablet) Pen: Battery-free stylus (8,192 pressure levels) Connectivity: Bluetooth Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

For designers who love freedom and portability, the XPPen Deco MW is a standout choice. This compact, wireless drawing tablet is perfect for on-the-go artists. Its battery-free stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity ensures precision and accuracy, while the tablet’s Bluetooth connectivity means fewer cables and more flexibility.

 

The Deco MW is ideal for students, hobbyists, or freelance designers who need a lightweight and portable option. While it lacks a display, it pairs seamlessly with a laptop or desktop, offering a smooth and reliable drawing experience.

Pros:

  • Wireless connectivity for convenience
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • No built-in screen
  • Not suitable for heavy professional workloads
Huion H610 Pro V2 best ultra-cheap graphic tablet

Specs: Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels, Connections: Micro USB (USB-C adapter included), OS: Windows, macOS or Android

If you are looking for an affordable drawing tablet under 100$ then the Huion H610 Pro V2 is the best ultra-cheap drawing tablet you can buy right now, as this drawing tablet has a highly affordable price it makes it easy for any novice graphic designers or student to buy this one giving you the best drawing experience on that price range.

 

Some of the best qualities of the Huion H610 Pro V2 drawing tablet is the large drawing area, great drawing feel with a pen pressure of 8,192 levels and of course, the price, the only disadvantage of this graphic tablet is that it’s not supported with iPhone or iPad, instead, it’s only compatible with Android, PC or Mac with OS versions higher than 6.0.

Pros for Huion H610 Pro V2

  • The best cheap Drawing Tablet
  • Great Drawing Feel

Cons for Huion H610 Pro V2

  • The pen has no eraser integrated
  • Could cause lag problems with some softwares

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Huion 430P Great Budget Option For Beginner Designers

Specs: Active drawing area: 4.8 x 3in, Pen pressure sensitivity: 4,096, Connections: USB, OS: Windows or macOS

If you are a beginner graphic designer who wants to get introduced to this industry and don’t want to make a huge investment, Huion 430P is the best choice for you, as it will offer you all the basic functions you will need in a graphic tablet without big spending.

 

Besides the drawing area can be small for more advanced designers, the pen sensitivity will give you a really smooth feeling and will help you learn how to use drawing tablets, the Huion 430P is the best option to get started working with drawing tablets, but if you are a more advanced graphic designer, you should take a look on other more advanced tablets from this list.

Pros

  • Great for getting started on drawing tablets
  • Really cheap price

Cons

  • Too basic for professional designers
  • The drawing area is small for some

Best Drawing Tablet Accessories

Wacom Pro Pen 3D Best Drawing Tablets Accessories

If you are a 3D designer you should invest in Wacom Pro Pen 3D as it adds a third button that enables you the ability to zoom in three dimensions giving you more possibilities as a 3D designer.

Wacom Inking Pen Best Drawing Tablets Accessories

If you are a more traditional illustrator and want to have the feeling of drawing on paper, you should take a look at Wacom Inking Pen as it enables you to use a sheet of paper on your Wacom tablet and draw with ink while the tablet captures your design at the same time, but this pen only works with the Intuos products as it can damage other tablets with screens like Cintiq or MobileStudios.

Apple Pencil Best Drawing Tablets Accessories

If you are using an iPad Pro or iPad Air as a drawing tablet you need to buy a Stylus to be able to use it as a drawing tablet, and the best option is the Apple Pencil offering you a great drawing experience without any lag and great pen pressure sensitivity.

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Logitech Crayon Best Drawing Tablets Accessories

If you are looking for an affordable alternative to Apple Pencil to convert your iPad into a drawing tablet you should consider buying the Logitech Crayon offering you good features for a good price.

Drawing Tablet Gloves Best Drawing Tablets Accessories

If you are working long hours on your drawing tablet to complete your design you should consider buying drawing tablet gloves to protect the screen of your tablet from sweat or smudges.

The Different Types of Drawing Tablets

Graphic Tablets

Graphic tablets are the most traditional drawing tablet offering you a flat and clean surface where you draw with a stylus with the image displayed on a monitor. This type of drawing tablet is much more affordable than pen displays being perfect for beginner designer who doesn’t want to make huge investments and for professional designers looking for budget options, but their main disadvantage is the disconnection between the drawing surface and the image of what you are drawing.

Drawing Tablet Types Graphic Tablet Explained

Pen Displays

Pen display drawing tablets are the best option for professional graphic designers as these tablets have incorporated a flat-screen monitor to help you view what you are drawing directly from the tablet, being a really useful tool to have direct control over what you are designing and don’t feel disconnected with your design.

 

Usually, these type of drawing tablets is more portable as they already offer you a screen display making it really easy to carry them and work everywhere, the main disadvantage of pen displays is their price tag, as they cost more than graphic tablets due to the screen technology.

Drawing Tablet Types Pen Displays Explained

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Tablet Computers

Tablet computers as the name suggest are portable computers working on Android or iOS that you can carry everywhere offering you a powerful and portable tool, the main advantage of tablet computers is that you don’t need any other device to start drawing, as you only need to download an art app and start working on your creative ideas.

 

Another great advantage about tablet computers is that they are already portable computers offering you more functions than drawing tablets, like watching Netflix, reading graphic design blogs, or playing games. The main disadvantage of tablet computers is that pen displays and graphic tablets are built and designed for graphic designers being the primary use of drawing giving you a better drawing experience.

Drawing Tablet Types Tablet Computers Explained

How To Choose The Best Drawing Tablet

As we saw in this post there are plenty of options to choose a drawing tablet and sometimes can be difficult to choose the best one but don’t worry, I will show you how to choose the best drawing tablets and what you should consider before buying one.

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Type of drawing tablet

The first thing you should consider about buying a drawing tablet is to choose what type of tablet will suit you better, as we have seen in this post there are three types of drawing tablets, graphic tablets, pen displays, and tablet computers all of them offering you different advantages to keep in mind t before buying one, let’s see what are the pros and cons of each type.

 

  • Graphic Tablets: This type of drawing tablet will offer you a great drawing experience for an affordable price being really cheap options for beginner designers, but these types of tablets don’t have screen creation a disconnection feeling with your design sometimes.
  • Pen Displays: Pen displays have built a flat-screen monitor perfect to connect with your design as you can see what you are drawing directly from the tablet, being the best drawing tablet for professional designers, the main disadvantage of this type of tablet is the price tag being more expensive than graphic tablets and they also tend to have more cables.
  • Tablet  Computers: With a tablet computer you won’t need to have a computer or another device to start working on your digital art ideas as they are already portable computers, just by downloading a drawing app like Procreate you can start drawing, another great thing about tablet computers is that you can find alternative in all price ranges, from affordable to high-end. The main disadvantage is that pen displays and graphic tablets are designed for drawing purposes and they offer you a more immersive drawing experience.

What is the use you will give your drawing tablet?

Another thing to consider when buying a drawing tablet is what type of use you will give it, as we saw there are different types of drawing tablets in different price ranges from cheap alternatives to beginner and amateur designers to high-end tools for professional designers.

 

  • College student:  If you are a college student with a limited budget and want a multifunctional tool you should choose a tablet computer as it will have the functions of a portable computer and with drawing apps, you can have the drawing experience.

 

  • Amateur or beginner designer: If you are starting into the graphic design industry or learning to use a drawing tablet you should go for a graphic tablet, as they will offer a great drawing experience at an affordable price.

 

  • Established designer: If you are an established graphic designer but have a limited budget you should invest in a high-end graphic tablet or an affordable pen display from this list.

 

  • Advanced and professional graphic designer: If you are a professional graphic designer looking for the best tools to match your skills you definitely should go for the high-end Pen Displays from this list.

What is your budget?

When choosing the right drawing tablet for graphic design you should consider what is your budget, as you can find ultra-cheap tablets from $20 to high-end tablets to $3000, that is why consider how much you want to invest in your drawing tablet and you have great options for any price range like I show you on this post that will offer you a great drawing experience.

What OS/Software do you want to use?

Before buying any drawing tablet you need to verify that your computer is compatible with the drawing tablet to be able to work, usually, most drawing tablets will run with macOS and Windows but it’s always good to check to avoid any surprise, also if you opt for a Computer Tablet you need to think what OS you will be more comfortable to work with Android or iOS and if your favorite drawing App is compatible with those systems.

Pressure Sensitivity

If you are looking for a drawing tablet you probably be a graphic designer, illustrator, or digital artist and you will use it for drawing purposes, that is why you should check the table sensitivity to know if it matches your drawing style, and choose an ultra-sensitive and responsive drawing surface.

 

Usually, pressure levels on drawing tablets start at 300 levels to 3000 levels higher the number will be better, and for graphic design and illustration projects an optimal pressure level will be 1024.

Resolution

For graphic designers is important to have a precise image of what they are designing that is why when choosing a drawing tablet you should look at their resolution, being more will help you draw with more precision, but have in mind that when resolution is higher the price tag also will be higher.

 

For graphic tablets, you will be looking for a tablet with high LPI to create precise designs, and for display pens or compute tablets you will looking for a high screen resolution being 4K options available for professional designers.

Size and portability

Before buying a drawing tablet you first should have in mind how much space you have in your working space and think if you will only use your drawing tablet in your office or do you want to transport it everywhere and be able to draw at any place.

 

If you have a big working space and only will use your drawing tablet in your studio you definitely should go for a bigger screen tablet that will offer you a great and professional experience, but on other hand, if you have a reduced working area or want to take your tablet with you everywhere you definitely should go for much smaller tablets.

FAQs about Drawing Tablets

Is a drawing tablet the same as a regular tablet?

 

A drawing tablet it’s not the same that a regular tablet but have some similarities, being the drawing tablet is designed for drawing purpose for digital artists, designers, architects or illustrator, and regular tablets are designed to be a portable computer, but they also can be used for digital drawing combined with a Stylus and drawing app offering you a great drawing experience.

 

What is the difference main between a drawing tablet and a graphic tablet?

 

The main difference between a drawing tablet and a graphic tablet is that you need an external screen when using a graphic tablet as you don’t see on the device what you are drawing, while in the drawing tablet you have a screen that helps you see what you are drawing.

 

Can you use a drawing tablet without a computer?

 

The short answer is YES, but not all of them, usually drawing tablets that don’t require external devices are much more expensive and before buying a drawing tablet you should verify the specs of it and check if it doesn’t require to be connected to a computer.

 

Can I use a normal tablet as a Drawing Tablet?

 

Yes, you can use a normal tablet as a drawing tablet by buying a compatible Stylus and downloading a drawing app.

 

How much does a good drawing tablet cost?

 

You can find drawing tablets for any price range, being ultra-cheap alternatives for 30$ to high-end tablets over 2,500$, but starting from 100$ you can find good graphic tablets without screens and for a professional graphic designer you should consider investing around 850$ to find a professional drawing tablet with screen.

 

What tablet do most artists use?

 

The most popular drawing tablet for graphic designers is the Wacom Cintiq 16, but if you are looking for a more budget-friendly alternative you should consider Huion’s tablets, as they offer great performance for an affordable price.

 

Is Wacom good for drawing?

 

Yes, Wacom is good for drawing as they are specialized in designing drawing tablets for professionals and are the most popular brand among graphic designers and artists.

 

Is Wacom or Huion better?

 

Both brands are great regarding drawing tablets, but if you have a big budget the best choice is Wacom as they have better build quality, stylus performance, and support, but if you have a more limited budget, Huion tablets provide you with excellent drawing tablets for a more affordable price.

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Conclusion

With this list, it will be much easier for digital artist and graphic designers to choose the best drawing tablet for their needs and budget, practice your digital art skills with the graphic tablet best suited for you, and hope you have found this post useful and help you to choose your best tablet.

best tablets for graphic designers and artists in 2024

If you found this post useful you might like to read these posts about Graphic Design Inspiration.

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