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The very best drawing tablets: Is Wacom still king?
Goodbye, pen and paper; there's a new way to let your creativity show. The evolution of technology in our lives is incredibly fascinating and the ability to draw on a tablet is something many thought we'd never see.
Contrary to typical tablets, some drawing tablets don't have screens. Rather, they are essentially a virtual piece of paper that sends pressure from the pad to the computer which powers it. These tablets come in many forms including computers, basic drawing pads, or typical tablets.
No matter what material artists draw on, they have to be willing to adapt to that surface. But the best drawing tablets make it incredibly easy to get used to them. Consider these drawing and graphics tablets before you begin the newest phase of your artistic lifestyle.
More:
- The best stylus pens
- The best note-taking tablets
- The best stylus tablets
- The best tablets for reading
- The best cheap tablets
- Low price for a high-quality product
- Industry-leading amount of pressure sensitivity levels
- Different sizes to choose from
- Need external screen
- Need to replace the nibs on the stylus often
Tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 13.14-inch x 8.54-inch x .31-inch | Active area: 8.7-inch x 5.8-inch | Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.12 or later / Windows 7 or later | Pressure levels: 8,192
When it comes to drawing and graphics tablets, Wacom is one of the industry leaders. With virtually no lag and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity in the battery-free Wacom Pro pen included, the Wacom Intuos Pro is the best drawing tablet on the market for professional artists.
The tablet's lightweight design makes it easy to use on your desk or lap, and you can customize everything from the tablet's ExpressKeys to the Pro Pen 2's buttons, depending on what your favorite shortcuts are.
My experience with this tablet was fairly easy and enjoyable (especially for someone who is not a professional artist). The pen makes it easy to fine-tune details and brush strokes in whatever drawing program you are working on.
The Wacom Intuos Pro with the included Wacom Pro Pen comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large) for all sizes of artwork and editing.
Read the review: This Wacom drawing tablet feels like putting pen to paper
Note: The Wacom Intuos Pro is currently up to $100 off on Amazon.
- Built-in display
- 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity
- Affordable
- No 4K resolution
- It can be heavy depending on which size you choose
Tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 15.37-inch x 9.84-inch x .51-inch | Active area: 11.57-inch x 6.51-inch | Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.10 or later / Windows 7 or later | Pressure levels: 8,192
Much like Wacom Intuos Pro, this drawing tablet has many customization options to make it easier for artists to access their most-used tools with just the press of a button. With 60 degrees of tilt and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, this unit matches, or beats, most of its competitors.
The biggest thing that sets this drawing tablet apart is its 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Instead of relying on connecting a computer to draw, you can bring this tablet virtually anywhere and let your creativity flourish.
At under $300, this drawing tablet is on the cheaper end without sacrificing incredible quality and precision. Sales come frequently for this unit, too, so if you want to draw on the go without spending your whole paycheck, the XP-Pen Artist13.3 is a perfect option.
- Ability to do more than just draw
- Has an Intel Evo Platform Core i5 processor
- Excellent 13-inch display
- Pen and keyboard not included with tablet
- Expensive if you just want to use it for art
Tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 11.3-inch x 8.2-inch x .37-inch | Active area: 13 inches | Compatibility: Windows | Pressure levels: 4,096
Why get a graphics tablet and a laptop when you can get 2-in-1? The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 can truly do it all. This tablet can serve as a computer with an attachable keyboard and is preloaded with Windows 11.
Your creative capabilities shouldn't be contained just inside your home. With the portable Surface Pro 8, you can prop it up at a coffee shop, bring it to the park, or even find a spot in the library to read your favorite books on it.
There is an abundance of apps on the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 for artists of all skills and experience levels. Additionally, with an Intel Evo Platform Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, you will get excellent speed no matter what you use this tablet for.
ZDNET's Jason Cipriani reviewed the Surface Pro 8 late last year and said he uses it as his main device primarily because he enjoys using multiple windows for multitasking, not having to worry about any extra workarounds, and having complete and total portability.
Read the review: Windows Surface Pro 8 review
- The small size makes it easily portable
- Compatible with Chromebook, Apple, and Windows
- Low price
- Small size limits opportunities to draw big-scale pictures
- Doesn't use USB-C
Tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 10.9-inch x 7.4-inch x .3-inch | Active area: 8.5-inch x 5.3-inch | Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.10 or later / Windows 7 or later / Latest installment of ChromeOS | Pressure levels: 2,048
No matter our experience level with art, we always love a good deal, and that's exactly what this One by Wacom brings. For just $80, you can showcase your artistic abilities online with this drawing tablet.
With the included Wacom 2K pen, you get 2,048 levels or pressure sensitivity -- a high number for a budget drawing tablet. Additionally, the small size creates the opportunity to bring it everywhere you go, making it the best drawing tablet for students
- 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels
- The small size makes It easily portable
- Four express keys are located at the top
- No tilt function
- Need external screen
Tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 7.36-inch x 5.51-inch x .31-inch | Active area: 4.8-inch x 3-inch | Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.12 or later / Windows 7 or later / Android 6.0 or later / Linux | Pressure levels: 4,096
Though this device sees a lower price than the one labeled "the best drawing tablet for the price," this Huion Inspiroy H430P is the best drawing tablet for beginners in the technical art world. With its small size and impressive pen that is included with the tablet, new users can enjoy high-quality work at a fraction of the price of the high-end equipment.
Even with its small stature, this unit included four express keys at the top of the active area so you can gain easy access to the tools you use most often. Additionally, this graphics tablet features the PW201 pen, which has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. But, the pen makes up for pressure sensitivity where it lacks tilt functions.
With a low price of $35 when not on sale, if you are trying to ease your way into digital drawing, this could be just what you need.
What is the best drawing tablet?
Overall, the Wacom Intuos Pro is my top choice when it comes to the best drawing tablets because of the accuracy of the pen to simulate a real writing utensil. However, here's a chart with key specs for all the drawing tablets so you can better compare the Wacom Intuous Pro to all the other drawing tablets on my list.
Drawing tablet | Price | Active area | Pen pressure levels | External screen required? |
Wacom Intuos Pro PTH860 | $380 | 8.7 x 5.8-inch | 8,192 | Yes |
XP-PEN Artist Pro | $260 | 11.57 x 6.51-inch | 8,192 | No |
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 | $1,000 | 13-inch | 4,096 | No |
One by Wacom | $50 | 8.5 x 5.3-inch | 2,048 | Yes |
Huion Inspiroy H430P | $30 | 4.8 x 3-inch | 4,096 | Yes |
Which is the right drawing tablet for you?
To decide which drawing tablet to buy, you should first consider what you plan to draw. Size, express keys, and pressure levels all go into play, but it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. Here is a decision matrix on the best drawing tablets for you to refer to before making your big purchase:
Choose this drawing tablet… | If you want… |
Wacom Intuos Pro PTH860 | A seamless drawing experience that is unmatched by its competition. |
XP-PEN Artist Pro | A purpose-built drawing tablet with a built-in 1080p screen. |
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 | A device that you can use for more than just art. |
One by Wacom | An artist working on a budget but still wants a high-quality drawing product. |
Huion Inspiroy H430P | A beginner and need a drawing tablet that can last a while. |
How did we choose these drawing tablets?
There are so many drawing tablets on the market. Some have computer-like capabilities, some are full-fledged tablets, and some are plain drawing pads with incredible accuracy.
When looking to find the best drawing and graphic tablets, I began by testing the Wacom Intuos Pro myself and analyzing its performance. However, I knew that one tablet couldn't be perfect for everyone, so I also took into account the opinions of other ZDNET writers, as well as researching and comparing the existing competition. I considered factors like price, size, active area, pressure sensitivity levels, and compatibility with accessories like the Wacom Pro Pen and the Apple Pencil.
In the end, I was able to determine the best drawing tablets and separated them into subcategories within this list to ensure every digital artist can find the right tablet for their creative needs.
What is a drawing tablet?
A drawing tablet, also known as a graphics tablet, is an electronic device that allows you to create digital art by drawing directly onto a screen or a special pressure-sensitive surface with a stylus or pen-like tool that can translate hand movements into digital strokes. They have become an essential tool for creating digital art, as they provide a more natural and intuitive way of working than using a mouse or touchpad.
Who would need or want a drawing tablet?
Drawing tablets are best for professional artists like digital artists, graphic designers, photographers, or even architects. They come in different sizes, shapes, and have various features, such as levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and programmable buttons. Some are standalone devices that have built-in displays, while others are used in conjunction with a computer or laptop.
But they allow for precise and efficient control over the digital art-making process. If you're looking to make fine-tuned tweaks in Photoshop, you would benefit from a drawing tablet.
Are drawing tablets worth it?
Yes. Drawing tablets make it easier for creators to take their vision and bring it to life virtually. The best drawing tablets make it accessible to load your art directly into photoshop, or other creative platforms, to easily access and share your work without the hassle of copy machine.
Are drawing tablets with a screen better?
It all depends on your use case and personal preference, but there are no major differences between drawing tablets with a traditional touchscreen or without one. The best drawing tablets allow you to digitally create in different ways based on the art and artist, so it's really your preference whether you want to work with a drawing tablet that has a built-in touchscreen or a special pressure-sensitive surface.
Do drawing tablets need a computer?
No, not all of them do. There are various types of drawing tablets and graphics tablets -- including standalone drawing tablets and passive drawing tablets. Passive drawing tablets have a special pressure-sensitive surface and need to be connected to a computer in order to work, such as the One by Wacom drawing tablet and the Wacom Intros Pro. But there are standalone drawing tablets and graphics tablets with built-in displays that you can bring anywhere without the need for a computer, such as the Surface Pro 8.
Are there alternative drawing tablets worth considering?
Drawing and graphics tablets are relatively new when it comes to core tech, and designers are constantly learning more things on how to make their products better. While the five best drawing tablets are included in this list, here are some other alternatives to consider before making your next purchase.
And, yes, I included an iPad Pro as an alternative to consider.