Drawing tablets are popular for their irreplaceable utility when creating art. These tablets have historically provided an upgrade from the clunky experience of drawing digitallywith a mouse, and exchanging it for a natural feeling that resembles scribbling directly on a canvas or a sketchbook. Although common belief may lead one to think that drawing tablets are onlyfor seasoned professionals, or that they are an expensive and unreachable tool for the average hobbyist, that couldn’t be more untrue. Although there are many tablets designed for professional use in mind, drawing tablets are still an exceptional tool for both budding and seasoned artists.
XP-Pen Artist Display 12
Wacom Intuos - Small
Generally, digital artists mostly utilize drawing tablets to create high-quality 2D art, including paintings, comics, and sketches. However, they are also favored by animators and 3D modelers because of the comfort and feel of working with a drawing tablet. A drawing tablet is great for detailed work, offering stability and precision that a standard mouse cannot match. They even have practical use in day-to-day life by working as a note-taking tool often utilized by teachersand students.
If purchasing a drawing tablet has ever felt intimidating, don’t be afraid to take the leap! Game Rant is here to help make an informed decision.
How To Choose The Perfect Drawing Tablet
Now that users can see that these tablets aren’t just for professionals, some key factors need to be considered before purchasing a drawing tablet:
Game Rant’s Best Drawing Tablets for Digital Artists for 2024
XP-Pen Artist Display 13.3 Pro
The Artist Display 13.3 Pro balances utility and cost, which makes it Game Rant’s best choice for a Drawing Tablet that features a display. This tablet has eight fully customizable express keys and one red tactile dial. The Artist Display 13.3 Pro has a 13.3-inch 1080 screen with full 60-degree tilt and pressure sensitivity. The 13.3-inch display is scratch-resistant and anti-glare, with virtually no parallax. For under $300, this is a quality tablet that won’t break the bank.
The days of wildly overpriced drawing tablets are over, and XP-Pen proves it with the Artist Display 13.3 Pro. This drawing tablet is about the same size as an average laptop, making it convenient enough for everyday use. This drawing tablet features eight individual express keys, which are great for programming commonly used commands like undo or save. These keys are tactile and offer a pleasant click when pressed. Although some users have reported issues with pen and color calibration, it can be expected at this price point.
Regardless, the Artist Display 13.3 Pro offers smooth and responsive performance with 8,192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity and pen tilt up to 60 degrees. This tablet is also compatible with different operating systems, including Windows, ChromeOS, MacOS, and even Linux. All of these factors combined make for a well-rounded drawing tablet that can serve any artist.
Huion Inspiroy H1060P
For those uncertain about purchasing a drawing tablet, the Huion Inspiroy is a great place to start. This balanced tablet offers full tilt and pressure compatibility. There are twelve express keys featured on this drawing tablet which can be customized to one’s liking through Huion’s software. Additionally, this tablet features a symmetrical design that can be flipped around to provide a comfortable experience for left-handed artists.
The Huion Inspiroy H1060P is a great drawing tablet for all. This tablet is a reasonable size, around 10 x 6.25 inches, befitting most desks and workspaces. Although the Huion Inspiroy doesn’t have an included display, its overall connectivity and performance are not hampered by its price. Due to its simplicity, this tablet is a great choice for curious beginners, hobbyists, or even professionals looking for a portable and inexpensive alternative to drawing tablets.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 27
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 features a stunning 4K UHD resolution and a 10-bit color-accurate 27-inch display. This drawing tablet can be easily mounted onto an arm or one of Wacom’s adjustable stands. The included pen can be further customized to a user’s liking with a variety of grips and weight options.
Wacom has garnered well-established fame and prominence in the world of drawing tablets for its ever-increasingly innovative designs. For many, Wacom is considered the tried and true premium option, preferred by professionals due to its industry-grade standards. The Cintiq Pro 27 is no different. This drawing tablet can be utilized as both a high-end monitor and an efficient tool for creation, due to its color-accurate 120Hz 4K display and its innovative weight-customizable pen. This tablet offers an array of customization options, from its accessories to its many mounting options.
That being said, quality like Wacom comes at a steep price that might be too much for the average hobbyist.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation)
Although the iPad Pro isn’t a traditional drawing tablet, it has largely been favored by the art community ever since the release of Procreate. Procreate is a great program for 2D design, art, and animation. One thing that sets the iPad Pro apart from the other options on this list is the ultimate ease of use and portability, making drawing anywhere possible.
Procreate is an extraordinarily popular application among many digital artists because of its ease of use, functionality, and learning curve. However, Procreate is exclusively available on iOS and iPadOS, which makes it so that an Apple product is necessary to utilize this program. Luckily,The iPad Prooffers a neat all-in-one solution for any budding artist. This tablet features all the usual inbuilt functionality of a smart device, which is incredibly helpful for creating art on the go. The iPad Pro comes equipped with a bright and vibrant display. However, the iPad Pro is not a traditional drawing tablet and the additional purchase of the Apple Pencil 2 is necessary to utilize all the artistic functions of this device.
The XP-Pen Artist Display 12 is another great solution for a low-cost drawing tablet with a display. This tablet is on the smaller side, with an 11.6-inch 1080p screen. The Artist Display 12 features a battery-free pen with a digital eraser and six customizable express keys.
Finding an affordable drawing tablet with a display included can be a bit of a challenge, but the XP-Pen Artist Display 12 offers a well-balanced and quality product. Common functionalities like pen pressure and resolution are not sacrificed for the sake of price, either.
This tablet does not lose its efficiency and is ideal for beginner artists, or professionals shopping on a budget. It should be noted that although the 11.6-inch display is enough space for working closely with this tablet, users may find the small screen somewhat uncomfortable to use at a distance. This is especially true for those who are visually impaired. However, its compact size lends itself to being an ideal addition for those working in small spaces.
Available in both wired and Bluetooth wireless options, the Wacom Intuos is by far the most beginner-friendly drawing tablet. Its understated and minimalist design is great for artists as well as students. This barebones tablet is on the smaller side, measuring about 7.87 x 6.3 inches.
The Wacom Intuos is considered a fantastic option for anyone looking for a basic and affordable no-frills drawing tablet, regardless of the reason. These tablets are great for drawing, painting, animation, 3D modeling, or even school work where handwritten material is necessary. The Intuos drawing tablet is small and thin, and its price makes it ideal for beginners who are interested in purchasing a drawing tablet but cautious about its practicality.
If beginners are looking for the best place to start, the Wacom Intuos would be it.
FAQ
Q: What drawing tablet do graphic designers use?
Professional graphic designers prefer to use the Wacom Cintiq 22 for its mid-sized appeal and cost.
Many artists working at Disney Studios prefer to use iPads.
Q: What drawing software do most people use?
Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Procreate, Medibang, PaintTool SAI, Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are among the top choices for drawing programs.
