With technology forever changing the way we work and live, even art has taken a turn towards the future. Gone are the days of sketch pads, now you can paint and draw with the best tablet for art.
When you think of a tablet, you might instantly think of an Android or an iPad but when it comes to art, there are tablets that are specifically for drawing. Some have color displays while others don’t, one of the common denominators is that it functions with a stylus, much like putting a pen to paper.
If you are looking for the best tablet for art, we’ve chosen devices that will suit different levels, needs, and preferences. Check them out below:
Best Tablet for Graphic Art Splurge: Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Drawing Monitor
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Drawing Monitor is a dream for artists. This drawing tablet comes with a whopping 23.6-inch touchscreen display, true-to-life color (over 1 billion colors). It also has an on-screen keypad, multi-touch gesture, radial menus plus ExpressKey remote.
You won’t need a separate stylus as the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Drawing Monitor comes with Wacom Pro Pen 2. This pen has 8,192 pressure levels, tilt recognition, zero parallax, and no lag. The surface of the tablet and the stylus mimics the feel of real paper and pen.
It’s easy to adjust the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Drawing Monitor as it has legs that pop out for a 20-degree viewing angle. With extreme accuracy and amazing performance expect a rather large price tag with this tablet.
- 4k resolution, true-to-life color
- Comes with Wacom Pro Pen 2
- Pop-out legs
- Multi-touch screen + ExpressKey remote
Best Tablet for Digital Art without Display: XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium Drawing Tablet
Some artists prefer tablets without a display, for this, you can look at the XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium Drawing Tablet. This tablet offers a large working area of 11 x 6 inches. It boasts 2 dial wheels, a virtualized dial and a physical one. There are also 8 shortcut keys that you can customize.
The XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium Drawing Tablet comes with a stylus that has an 8,192 pressure level and tilt recognition. Conveniently, this pen doesn’t need a battery so there’s no need for charging.
With multi-angle rotation, the XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium Drawing Tablet can be used whether you are left- or right-handed. This tablet is quite portable, only 7mm thin and less than 5lbs.
- Battery-free stylus
- Comes with 2 dial wheels
- 8 shortcut keys
- 11 x 6 inch working area
Best Art Tablet for Beginners: Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Screen
Beginners will appreciate the Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Screen. Whether you are into sketching, photo enhancing, or visual thinking, this drawing tablet is an ideal choice. It has a 13.3-inch high-definition display and comes with a pen that doesn’t need any battery.
Switching from traditional to digital is easy with the Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Screen as it offers a pen-and-paper feel. When you register this drawing tablet, you’ll get access to many creative software and apps, such as Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint Pro.
The Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Screen comes with pop-out legs so you don’t need to purchase a separate tablet stand. This unit is compatible with Mac and Windows as well as Android smartphones and tablets.
- 13.3-inch HD display
- Battery-less pen
- Access to creative software
- Wide compatibility
Designed for Heavy Use: HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 Graphics Drawing Tablet
When you get “in the zone” it’s pretty hard to stop working with your art, the HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 Graphics Drawing Tablet is designed to keep up with you. This drawing tablet has a full-laminated screen and a pen that doesn’t require charging.
The 15.6-inch screen of the HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 Graphics Drawing Tablet shows true-to-life and brilliant colors—it has a wide color gamut. For shortcuts, you have 6 ExpressKeys and a touch bar on the side of the tablet.
Working on the go is possible with the HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 Graphics Drawing Tablet. This model is only 11.5mm thin and doesn’t even weigh any more than 3lbs. it is compatible with Apple and Windows computers and even Chrome.
- Battery-free stylus
- Full-laminated display
- Thin and portable
- Touchbar + 6 ExpressKeys
Best Tablet for Art Hobbyists: XP-PEN Artist12 Pro 11.6 Inch FHD Drawing Monitor
Get more bang for your buck with the XP-PEN Artist12 Pro 11.6 Inch FHD Drawing Monitor. This art tablet offers an amazing 1920 x 1080 HD display that is fully laminated.
The XP-PEN Artist12 Pro 11.6 Inch FHD Drawing Monitor is compatible with Mac and Windows computers as well as art software like SketchBook, Photoshop, and Clip Studio. You can enjoy endless drawing time when the mood strikes as the pen that goes along with the monitor doesn’t have a battery that needs charging.
For seamless workflow, the XP-PEN Artist12 Pro 11.6 Inch FHD Drawing Monitor has a dial and 8 customizable keys. You can change the angle of your monitor, up to 178 degrees, with the foldable stand.
- 1920 x 1080 HD display
- Battery-free pen with tilt support
- 8 customizable keys + dial
- Comes with stand
The Multi-Purpose Choice: 2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro
The 2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro may not be an exclusive drawing tablet but that’s the beauty of it. It’s an excellent option if you are just starting out your journey into digital art. You can always use an iPad for other things if you don’t want to do digital art full time.
The 2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro pairs perfectly with the 2nd generation Apple Pen (bought separately) that has good pressure and tilt sensitivity and undetectable lag. A good thing about an iPad is you have many drawing apps that you can try out instead of being stuck with one software.
You can easily see all of the details of your work as the 2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a Liquid Retina display with TrueTone and ProMotion technology. This unit runs on the powerful Apple M1 Chip.
- Apple M1 Chip
- 2nd Gen Apple Pen support
- Liquid Retina display
- TrueTone + ProMotion
Budget-Friendly Option: HUION Inspiroy H610X Drawing Tablet
Cost doesn’t always equate to quality, case in point the budget-friendly HUION Inspiroy H610X Drawing Tablet. Even though it is below $100, this drawing tablet is a good option for artists as it offers a large 10 x 6.25-inch workspace.
The HUION Inspiroy H610X Drawing Tablet also comes with a pen that has a pressure sensitivity of 8,192. It also has tilt support and works without a draining battery life. This drawing tablet works on OS Windows, Mac, and even Chrome plus support for android devices.
One of the best things about the HUION Inspiroy H610X Drawing Tablet is it is customizable. It has 8 shortcut keys that can be personalized. What’s more, it can rotate 90-, 180-, and 270-degrees depending on your handedness or working preference.
- Pen with tilt support + battery-free
- Compatible with Mac, Windows, + Chrome, Android
- 8 customizable keys
- Large work area
Ideal for Students: One by Wacom
Designed with the digital classroom in mind, the One by Wacom tablet is simple and easy to use. For Mac and PC, you only need to plug the USB for it to work. It is also compatible with Chromebooks via a USB-C adapter.
The One by Wacom tablet comes with a pressure-sensitive pen. You can go on all-nighters or full-load days without trouble as the pen does not need a battery to work.
Aside from using the One by Wacom for your graphic designs and art, it can also be used for visual classes such as Math and Science. You can also doodle to your heart’s content without wasting any page of your notebook with this drawing tablet.
- Pressure-sensitive pen
- Works with Mac, PC, and Chrome
- User-friendly
- Ideal for digital classrooms
From Paper to Digital: Wacom PTH660P Intuos Pro Paper Edition
If you really are just used to paper or you want to make the transition from paper to digital, the Wacom PTH660P Intuos Pro Paper Edition is an excellent choice. This tablet allows you to make regular sketches by clipping a piece of paper onto the tablet and using the included 0.4mm fine tip pen. (detachable Paper Clip, also included)
Even if you are not connected to a computer, the Wacom PTH660P Intuos Pro Paper Edition can save up to 200 of your sketches. Once you are ready to enhance your digital artwork, use the included Wacom Pro Pen 2. This pen has lag-free tracking, tilt recognition, and doesn’t need to be charged.
The Wacom PTH660P Intuos Pro Paper Edition has 8 ExpressKey as well as a Touch Ring for shortcuts and other functions. it also has a multi-touch switch.
- Saves up to 200 sketches
- Battery-free pen
- Capture pen-on-paper sketches
- Comes with 0.4mm Finetip Pen
Laptop to Tablet: HP Spectre x360 13T
If you are quite a multi-tasker, then the HP Spectre x360 13T might just be for you. This is a laptop that can be converted into a tablet. It has a 13.3-inch touchscreen display, edge-to-edge glass, that boasts FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution.
You can easily do your artwork while the HP Spectre x360 13T is laying flat or on tent mode. This unit even comes with the rechargeable HP tilt pen so there’s no need to purchase a separate stylus.
The HP Spectre x360 13T might even be a contender for the best art tablet for animation. It uses Intel Iris Xe Graphics and also comes with Audio by Bang & Olufsen. This convertible laptop has a 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD hard drive.
- Comes with rechargeable tilt pen
- 2-in-1 tablet and laptop
- Edge-to-edge glass
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Best Drawing Tablet for Kids: TEKFUN LCD Writing Tablet
Start them young with the TEKFUN LCD Writing Tablet. You don’t have to go all out with an expensive tablet for kids and even toddlers. This cute drawing tablet has simple control buttons and a matching “bone” pen to boot.
Kids can easily draw and erase whatever they please. In case of boo-boos, don’t worry, the TEKFUN LCD Writing Tablet’s screen is waterproof and also anti-fall. It even has a Protect Lock key on its side to prevent accidental deletion of artworks.
Only 8.5 inches and pretty lightweight, it’s easy to tote the TEKFUN LCD Writing Tablet wherever, from vacation trips to playdates. This drawing tablet uses a sensing tech and also offers a bright LCD.
- Waterproof screen
- User-friendly
- Portable
- Cute and whimsical design
Best Tablet for Art Buying Guide
If you are still confused about which tablet to get, here is a buying guide to help you out. There are several factors that can differentiate one art tablet from another, deciding if this is a pro or a con will depend on your own needs and preferences.
Portability
Tablets come in different sizes, some are heavier than others. If you have a designated workspace, there’s no need to factor in portability. However, if you tend to move workspaces a lot or you can’t draw in just one sitting position, then you might want a drawing tablet that is portable.
Some tablets can work as a standalone tool however some models need to be connected to a computer or laptop at all times to work.
Display
Do you want a tablet with a display or not? Tablets without displays may need some getting used to as your computer will be your monitor, although hand and eye coordination can be acquired.
If you do have a display on your tablet, you need to be more careful when you are working with your stylus. Not pressing on too hard like you would a regular pen is a skill that should also be honed.
Pen/Stylus
Most art tablets already come with their own pen or stylus. The best ones are precise and have near to no lags. However, there are also tablets that require you to purchase a stylus separately.
It can be a hassle if your pen requires charging every now and then, it can break your concentration and affect your workflow (which may not be so bad if you tend to lose track of time when working).
Drawing Software/App
There are dozens of drawing software and applications available today. If you are a beginner, it would be nice to try out different ones to find out which one really suits your style.
However, if you are already used to a specific art software, this will greatly affect the brand or model of the tablet you will purchase. Most art tablets already include access to a partner or same-brand software.
Multifunctionality
Are you focused on animation or graphic design? Or do you plan on using your tablet for other things, like jotting down notes or solving math problems?
If you prefer a tablet that you can use for other aspects of your life, like watching movies or playing games, you might want to consider getting a multifunction tablet with a display.
Price
The price point of an art tablet is a factor that can make or break a decision. Tablets with displays will definitely cost more than those without. Just know that you can still make art even if you opt for a tablet that is less expensive, it’ll just probably have fewer features than pricier ones.
Reliability
When it comes to reliability, a lot of artists swear by drawing tablets without a display. These units have fewer parts and are pretty much more simple to maintain. If you want an art tablet for the long haul, go for sturdier and more durable options.
Connectivity + Compatibility
What kind of desktop or laptop are you using? Make sure that the tablet you get supports the running OS of your computer. Not all tablets, especially newer ones, will be able to work with computers with older operating systems.
Be sure to check the connectivity of the tablet you get. While some only need a direct USB to your laptop others will require a separate power supply. If you can’t be bothered by wires, look for tablets with Bluetooth connectivity.
Conclusion
When finding the best tablet for art, you always have to consider your skill level, budget, and purpose. Buying the most advanced drawing tablet won’t do you much good if you haven’t the faintest idea about using such a device. it might even hinder your progress as an artist as it may overwhelm or intimidate you.
The best tablet for art should work for you, meet your preferences and your needs.
Did you enjoy this article on the best tablets for art? Then be sure to check out our guides concerning the best nail art brushes or The 10 Best Art Markers! Thanks for reading!