Best drawing tablets for photo-editing, illustration and design

With the most advanced graphics tablets and pen displays, you can paint, draw and retouch your work like a pro

A mouse will only get you so far when you are drawing, painting, or retouching photos. A touchscreen may be more efficient, but it is only possible if the stylus you use has a high-end design. This is why digital artists and creatives turn to a graphics tablet first. A graphics tablet not only mimics traditional methods of working, but also allows for a faster and more precise workflow.

Tablets can be costly, and pro-level models have prices that go up to $400. We are now seeing hybrid devices called «pen displays», which can act as both a tablet or a screen. While these can be very impressive, they also come at a steep price. You need to know exactly what you want before you purchase a graphics tablet.

How to select the best graphics tablet

Although there are technical differences, most graphics tablets work the same. The tablet’s drawing area creates a magnetic field. The pen draws on this magnetic field to generate its own magnetic field. This magnetic field is then tracked by the tablet’s sensors. This allows the tablet to track the position of the pen, its velocity, and the force with which the tip is being pressed against a board. It can also detect the angle at the pen is held.

These key factors include the size and resolution of the tablet as well as how sensitive it to pressure. Tablets come in sizes that allow for a slightly smaller active drawing area than an A5 page, but slightly larger than an A4. It is a measure of how sensitive the pen is to movement and position within the area. Tablets are usually available in sizes between A5 and A4.

Pressure sensitivity is described in terms of levels. But don’t get too focused on the numbers. Tablets with 2048 levels of sensitivity and tablets with 8192 levels will be available. However, the higher levels may not be necessary depending on how you draw.

Tablets with higher end specifications also have tilt sensitivity. This allows them to track the angle of their pen and adjust the line thickness and intensity. It is ideal for calligraphy effects or brushwork. Manufacturers will often specify the level and type of tilt sensitivity. It can detect 60 degrees of tilt.

Are there other features that are worth considering?

When you spend a lot time creating art, a lot of people are too focused on the tablet and forget about the pen. A lighter pen can feel more natural and be harder to use than a chunkier, heavier pen. What’s fine for an hour could lead to major discomfort during a long day.

Hotkeys are also available on most tablets. These hotkeys can be used to program specific functions in your favorite software. These can be used to make switching between presets and tools faster and easier if you know what they do. You can adjust line weights or intensity settings with some models.

Most tablets can be connected to a USB cable but there are some models that connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. This is fine if you want to avoid cable clutter and work with a laptop with limited ports. However, you will need to either keep the tablet stocked up with batteries or plug it into for occasional charging.

What about pen displays?

Thes pen displays are available at the top-end market. They combine a graphics tablet and a secondary display. You can see what your drawing surface is doing as you draw on it, much like when you use pencils or ink and paper. You can also have reference images and toolbars open on the main screen. The tablet screen can then be used for work. Although this can be a great idea, it may not work for everyone.

1. Huion H420X: The best graphics tablet for budget prices

This tablet is a great entry-level option, even though it doesn’t offer much. It has an active surface of 106x66mm, so it isn’t ideal for intricate work. However, the pen offers a lot of resolution which allows you to be quite sophisticated in your creations.

The pen is comfortable and thick, and it doesn’t need a battery so there’s no worry about how to charge it. It feels great on the surface, even for such a low-cost pen. The pen has just the right amount drag and is accurate. This compact, lightweight pen is perfect for those just starting out in art and design.

2. XP-Pen Deco 02 v2: The best graphics tablet

The Wacom Intuos line is a great price-rival. This tablet packs a lot of technology at an amazing price. The tablet has a 5080 LPI resolution and the pen supports 8192 levels pressure sensitivity. There are also 60 levels of tilt. This is something you would not get with Wacom. The pen has a 259x159mm area of work and is as comfortable as the Intuos Pro.

Our artist is skilled in using sophisticated pen and brush effects to give illustrations a unique, hand-drawn look. The Deco O1 V2 has eight buttons that can be programmed to switch between preset styles or tools. You think you can’t expect miracles with a 60 tablet. You might be wrong.

3. Wacom Intuos Bluetooth: The best wireless graphics tablet

The Intuos M is an excellent option if you want to reduce the number of cables running across your desktop. The Intuos M connects via Bluetooth, not a USB cable. This means that you don’t need to plug it in every time the tablet is charging. The built-in battery can last for around 15 hours. Wacom has maintained a high standard of build quality. The tracking accuracy and precision are also top-notch. The Intuos balances out tablets that have too much drag or glide across the surface.

Our only complaint is that there is no tilt sensitivity (reserved to the Intuos Pro), and that the pen supplied is lightweight and thin, which may not be suitable for some users who work all day. If you don’t mind it or have the budget to buy a replacement, you can go ahead and purchase.

4. Wacom Intuos Pro S — The best graphics tablet to use for pros

Many professional illustrators and designers choose the Intuos Pro range. It’s easy to see why once you have used it. Tracking pen movements, tilt, and pressure is almost perfect. This removes any obstacles between what you want to draw or paint and what appears on the screen. Wacom seems to have perfected how the pen feels on the surface. It glides smoothly across the screen with very little friction.

This is a sign of how familiar our test illustrator was with the medium version of the tablet. However, he found the small version more appealing after a few hours of usage. You can choose to upgrade to the large and medium models if you require more space than the active area of 6.2×3.9in. Six buttons, a touchring dial and six buttons make this the perfect tool for professionals artists and anyone who needs pixel-perfect precision with a tablet or pen.