Finding the right drawing tablet for your needs can be difficult. There are seemingly hundreds of different options out there, and it can be impossible to know which ones are good and which ones have horrible line jitter, bad input lag and a poor user experience. But don’t worry, I tested eight different graphics drawing tablets from well-known brands like Wacom, XP-Pen and Huion, as well as a few from lesser-known brands like Simbans, Ugee and Veikk, to determine which one is the very best.
It turns out there is no single best drawing tablet out there. Digital art is personal, so what works best for me might not be the best option for you. So it’s important to know not only what the best options are but also what specifications and features you like. That way you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Here are five of my favorite drawing tablets, ranging from graphics tablets to pen display tablets and standalone tablets.
The XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro stood out to me right away. It’s a large device with a 13.3-inch 1080p display. It connects to your PC or laptop, basically acting as an external monitor. It features 8,192 pen pressure levels (meaning you can expect much more variation in line thickness depending on input pressure), and it has eight shortcut buttons and a rotating wheel. Shortcut buttons are a huge game changer for me. With the iPad, which is what I used before testing, you’re relying on the built-in Procreate gestures, which can be limiting. But with the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro, you can customize these eight buttons to do pretty much anything.
In programs like Clip Studio Paint, you’ll want to learn the hot keys or shortcut functions to improve your workflow. This could be pressing E to switch to your eraser, pressing T to transform and so on. Instead of having to use an external keyboard, you can program the shortcut keys right on the Artist 13.3 Pro.
And while a lot of the tablets I tested have shortcut keys, this is one of a very few with eight buttons and a rotating wheel. The rotating wheel is outstanding. You can set up to four functions at a time, including canvas rotation, zooming in and out and changing your brush size. With the graphics tablets I tested, I found myself constantly reaching for my mouse and keyboard in order to zoom in and rotate, so being able to do everything right on the Artist 13.3 Pro really sold the device for me.
I also love this device because it compares well to the much more expensive Wacom Cintiq series. Cintiqs are known for being the industry standard among professional illustrators, but they cost hundreds of dollars, which just isn’t realistic for a hobbyist like me. But I found that the Artist 13.3 Pro stacked up fairly well against the Cintiq, at a fraction of the cost.
The XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro was definitely my favorite drawing tablet of the ones I tested, but it wasn’t the only standout. If you’re not looking for a screened device, or you’re looking for something in a lower price range, there are still plenty of great options that I loved almost as much.
While the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro is a great device, it might not be the right one for all artists. If you’re not looking for a device with a screen, or if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, check out a few of my other favorites listed below.
The Huion Inspiroy H640P is another standout device that I greatly enjoyed using during testing. It’s much smaller than the Artist 13.3 Pro, with an active drawing area of 6.3 by 3.9 inches, making it a great option for anyone with a smaller workspace. The textured surface is nice to draw on, and the pen is comfortable for long-term use. Like the Artist 13.3 Pro, it features shortcut buttons, six in total.
I enjoyed using this device because of its surface texture and footprint size. I liked that I could just set it on my desk right next to my mouse and keyboard without having to move too many things around. When I used the Artist 13.3 Pro, I had to move my mouse and keyboard completely out of the way. I also think this would make a great option for anyone who works on a laptop and is looking for something to use on the go.
Compared to the Wacom Intuos Small drawing tablet, which we also tested, I preferred the Huion Inspiroy. The Inspiroy has the same size drawing area and better specs, with higher resolution and pressure sensitivity, for around the same cost. Overall, it’s super sleek, easy to use, extremely portable and convenient.
Say you’re not looking for a device with a screen, but you’re still looking for a fairly large active drawing area. The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 drawing tablet may be the best one for you. This device features an active drawing area of 10 by 6.25 inches, 8,192 pen pressure levels (the same as both the Inspiroy H640P and the Artist 13.3 Pro) and a comfortable ergonomic pen.
An issue I have with many of these devices is that they can quickly get scratched up after just a few weeks of use. The Deco solves this problem by including a textured screen protector, which not only makes the texture of the pad feel more like paper but also prevents it from easily getting scratched.
This drawing tablet also features eight customizable shortcut buttons and two buttons on the pen. It’s a thin, sturdy tablet that can fit easily on your desk or in your laptop case for travel. It’s responsive, fast and easy to use, and it feels luxurious. What more could you want?
Artists want a drawing tablet with a nice drawing texture, no input lag or line jitter and shortcut buttons that are easy to access and use throughout the process. I made sure to pay close attention to these features and take note of any issues with input and responsiveness while completing the following tests.
From unboxing to first use, I wanted to time how long it took to get these drawing tablets in working order. Many complaints about drawing tablets in general include difficulty downloading drivers for the associated software, some citing that it took multiple attempts to install the drivers without fail. However, I didn’t experience this issue with any of the devices we tested.
Straight out of the box, I used each device for a total of four hours using two different programs: Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. During this four-hour stretch on each platform, I made note of any compatibility issues that came up and tested the shortcut buttons on both devices and pens.
After the first set of four-hour tests on each device, I went in and customized any shortcut keys to best fit my needs. After changing the keys, I did another four hours in each program to ensure that the customizations had been saved and that they worked correctly.
During the total of 16 hours spent drawing on each device, I made sure to take notes if I experienced any issues, such as input lag or latency. During this time, I also took notes on the ergonomics of each device, including both the tablet and the pen. I noted if the pen caused my hand to cramp up and how often I had to readjust my grip.
While I stand by the fact that the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro drawing tablet with screen is the best device that I tested and my overall favorite — in fact, I’ll be switching to it for future illustrations — other devices, such as the Huion Inspiroy H640P and the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2, are also great options for artists looking to get into digital art for the first time or upgrade their existing device.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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