Best Tablet for Drawing

Artists have been around for decades, and the technology for artists has evolved tremendously over the years. Since tablets have become high-tech, artists have been able to showcase their talents on different platforms. There are tablets that have sufficient specs for people to draw, write, or sketch on. Drawing tablets can provide you with a paper-like feeling while offering plenty of functions unavailable with regular sketchbooks. Such devices are compatible with any graphics software, providing you with endless tools. Furthermore, unlike traditional canvas, drawing tablets make fixing mistakes easy and can be fully tailored to your workflow. Some tablets aren’t centered on only drawing because others can be excellent tools for different tasks you want to do for the day or for simply binge-watching your favorite Netflix show.

In this guide, we’ll share our top drawing tablet picks. While most of the devices in our selection aren’t standalone products, you will also find all-in-one artist working machines. We strived to include options for any needs and budget. Read on for detailed reviews, pros, and cons of the best drawing tablets on the market.

Apple’s iPad has undoubtedly been one of the best tablets money could get you, and things got even more exciting since they introduced the Apple Pencil. The 6th generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch hit stores in 2022, and you can get it with a 2nd generation Apple Pencil for about $1,428. Such a price is for the 128GB model, but you can get more storage if you have more cash to spare.

The new iPad Pro 12.9-inch is among the most powerful tablets on the market right now because of its Apple M2 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. You can rest assured that this top-of-the-line chip will make everything load fast, no matter how demanding a particular program can be. For artists, you’ll need to spend extra for the Apple Pencil 2nd generation since it doesn’t come with the iPad Pro right off the bat. The Apple Pencil works tremendously with the device, and you’ll love how responsive, precise, and intuitive everything will be. The new Apple Pencil hover feature lets you see where your pencil will touch on the display. You can preview your marks and see how your paint will mix with other colors.

What sets the iPad Pro apart from other drawing tablets is its outstanding display. The multi-touch display features a 2732-by-2048-pixel resolution, a 2D backlighting system, ProMotion technology, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1600-nit peak brightness.

When you’re not drawing or sketching up an art piece, you can use the device to take content for social media. It’s equipped with a 10MP Ultra Wide camera and a 12MP wide camera that can shoot 4K video up to 60 fps. You’ll also find a 12MP Ultra Wide TrueDepth camera with a 122-degree field of view, but its maximum resolution is 1080p at 60 fps. The 6th generation iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and the cellular models can achieve 5G speeds. If you’re an artist who loves the extra power and doesn’t mind spending a sizeable sum, the iPad Pro would be the right choice for you. 

Pros

• Powerful processor
• Fantastic display
• Works perfectly with the Apple Pencil
• Excellent cameras

Cons

• Expensive
• Extra power might be unnecessary for those who need a tablet solely for drawing

Specification

• Price $1,428
• Storage 256 GB
• Screen Size 12.9 Inches
• Chip Apple M2
• Display Liquid Retina XDR

Most Wacom drawing tablets don’t have a display. The Wacom Cintiq 22, however, is more advanced, featuring a 21.5-inch HD display with 100% SRGB and 72% NTSC color gamut. The high resolution and vivid colors let you quickly see even the smallest detail of your work.

The scratch-resistant anti-glare coating ensures the tablet can be used even under direct sunlight. A textured- surface makes this tablet feel like working on an actual canvas. The tablet is compatible with devices running on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Chrome OS. You can use the tablet with Wacom Cintiq Pro, Wacom Intuos Pro, Wacom Mobile Studio Pro, or a wide range of macOS and Windows applications. 

No complicated setup is required; plug in an HDMI or USB cable to start drawing. An adjustable stand ensures comfortable ergonomics during the working process. The stylus pen included in the set is tilt and pressure-sensitive. Perfect weight balance and comfortable grip are achieved by a rubberized surface. It has lag-free tracking, and you can benefit from the three fully-customizable pen buttons that you can use for zooming, panning, etc. The pen doesn’t require a battery, utilizing electromagnetic resonance technology. There’s no doubt that the Wacom Cintiq 22 Drawing Tablet is an excellent device, but you’ll have to be ready to spend a hefty sum for it.

Pros

• Large drawing area
• Compatible with a wide range of operating systems and software
• Great color gamut
• HD display

Cons

• Pricey for a non-standalone product

Specification

• Price $1,169.94
• Storage 21.5 Inches
• Screen Size ‎1920 x 1080

Yet another drawing tablet by Wacom, this time more advanced and aimed at graphic design professionals. The Wacom Intuos Pro Large Bluetooth Graphics Drawing Tablet is compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. It can be connected either via USB cable or Bluetooth, eliminating the need for wires.

The included three-month free trials for Shapr3D and MASV file transfer are great bonuses. The tablet is available in three sizes, with a 16.8 by 11.2, 13.2 by 8.5, or 10.6 by 6.7-inch active drawing area, but we believe artists would benefit the most from the largest variant.

Even the largest version offers easy portability due to its lightweight, high-quality plastic construction. The drawing area is tilt and pressure-sensitive. The included pen stylus ensures lag-free tracking, and a customizable shortcut key lets you quickly access the most used functions. Wacom’s tablets don’t have a screen, so getting used to drawing without looking may take some time. However, even that’s beneficial. You can see the work on your primary monitor, meaning you likely won’t have to edit the colors or contrast afterward.

Customizable shortcut keys on the left side enable you to tailor the tablet for your workflow perfectly. The Touch Ring gives you complete control over the editing or drawing processes, allowing you to efficiently change the brush size and canvas rotation or set other functions. With the help of multi-touch technology, you can zoom, scroll, and navigate around your work just like you would on a smartphone. The best thing is that you can disable the touchscreen with a single button if you prefer to use a stylus instead.

Pros

• Great value
• Multi-touch technology
• Customizable shortcut keys on tablet and pen
• Three screen sizes
• Pen has 8,192 pressure levels

Cons

• No screen
• Unnecessary large borders

Specification

• Price $369.99
• Storage 132
• Screen Size N/A

The Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition (PTH860P) is a step up from the standard Intuos Pro because aside from creating digital masterpieces, you have the option to clip-on a paper on the tablet, draw normally, and watch your artwork get converted digitally in real-time. It’s available in medium and large variants, but the latter is the best option if you’d ask us. Users also have the opportunity to use it as a standard drawing tablet without any paper. It comes with the new Pro Pen 2, which makes you feel like you’re drawing on actual paper because it has virtually lag-free tracking, excellent tilt response, and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. 

You can conveniently connect the drawing tablet to your computer’s USB port, but you can also pair it with your mobile devices via Bluetooth LE. The setup is straightforward, but you’ll need an internet connection to download the software and driver. Users should register their Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition to get a three-month free trial to Boris FX Suite and a two-month trial of Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. The tablet comes with four felt nibs and six standard nibs for the pen, and users have reported that they found themselves replacing nibs a lot.

Pros

• Great for professional use
• Pen has lag-free tracking, excellent tilt response, and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity
• Draw from paper-to-digital

Cons

• You'll have to change the pen's nibs a lot
• Issues with SVG translation

Specification

• Price $429.95
• Storage 5 Inches
• Screen Size N/A

Wacom is among the most popular drawing tablet brands that have been around for over 35 years. Thus, the company surely knows its thing. The One by Wacom Medium Graphics Drawing Tablet is highly affordable and has excellent specifications, meaning it is suitable even for professionals.

Wacom One is compatible with nearly any operating system, including Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. All you need to connect the tablet to your device is the USB included in the set and driver. For Chromebook, you don’t even have to install drivers –plug in the cable, and you’re ready to go. The active drawing area measures 10.9 x 7.4 inches and provides a paper-like feeling.

The size makes the tablet perfect both for drawing and note-taking. The stylus pen utilizes electromagnetic technology for excellent pressure and tilt sensitivity. The stylus is battery-free, so it’s lightweight and environmentally friendly. One thing to be aware of is that the tablet has no screen, so getting used to it may take some time.

Last but not least, One by Wacom comes with a three-month free trial of EdTech software for teachers. You can also register the tablet on Wacom’s official website to receive Kami App, ExplainEverything, Pear Deck, and Limnu & Collaboard. You can get a three-month Bluescape free trial if you register your device. This software set alone would cost you the same as the tablet, so that’s an incredible deal.

Pros

• Affordable
• Paper-like feeling
• Compatible with Chrome OS and Linux
• Easy setup
• Software subscription included

Cons

• Working area could be larger
• No screen

Specification

• Price $85.67
• Storage 10.9 x 7.4 inches
• Screen Size N/A

This drawing tablet by Huion, the Huion Inspiroy H430P OSU Graphic Drawing Tablet, costs only slightly more than a regular sketchbook. Furthermore, it’s incredibly lightweight and portable. You can easily carry the tablet wherever you go. The device is compatible with Linux, Android, Mac OS, and Windows operating systems. No need to install any drivers – plug in a USB cable, and you’re all set up. The tablet comes with four press keys at the top of the panel you can customize with different functions.

The tablet supports a wide range of software like Illustrator, SAI, Photoshop, CorelDraw, and Corel Painter. You can even use it for other programs like Skype, Zoom, Google Slides, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word. Apart from drawing and editing, it’s ideal for note-taking and signing documents. The tablet doesn’t have a screen, so getting used to drawing without looking may take some time. Also, the active area isn’t large, measuring 4.8 by 3 inches. A battery-free stylus with 4,096 pressure levels, 233pps report rate, and eight replacement nibs is included in the set. Although professional styluses typically have 8,192 pressure levels, the Huion PW201 stylus’ low-pressure levels may be suitable for beginner artists. The pen requires one AAA battery to operate.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Easy setup
• Portable

Cons

• Not suitable for professional use
• Not compatible with Chrome OS

Specification

• Price $32.99
• Storage N/A
• Screen Size N/A