The Best Graphic Tablets for Animation

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you are using a pen display, a standalone or a graphic tablets for animation without a screen, a tablet will come in handy, helping speed up your work.

A common misconception among artists and designers is that a drawing tablet cannot be used for 2D or 3D animation. This could never be further from the truth.

You have to understand that all tablets are not made the same. Although all are usable for animation, it is important to understand your needs before choosing the best one for you.

The top brands you can choose from include Wacom, Huion, XP Pen or XENCELABS. These are dedicated drawing devices. If you are looking for multipurpose options made for general tasks, consider Samsung and iPad tablets.

Bottom line: you can choose;

1. Cheap Graphic Tablets for Animation Without a Screen. These are great for beginners, students or users on a low budget.
2. Best Pen Display Tablets for Animation With a Screen. These are best for professionals. They are slightly more expensive and come with a screen. You still have to connect to a computer to use it.
3. Standalone Animation Tablets: These do not need to connect to a computer. They run on their own OS, whether Android or iOS. They are perfect for animators working on the go.

Most Popular 2D & 3D Software for animation (Windows & macOS)

If you are looking for free/open-source traditional 2D animation software, we recommend Pencil2D, Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, FlipaClip, and TVPaint Animation.

Alternatively, if you need a free and extremely capable 3D suite for 3D animation, Blender is my favourite. Others include Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D and 3ds Max.

Top 10 Drawing Tablets for Animation

1. Wacom Cintiq 16 (2025): Best Overall with Pro Display
2. Wacom Intuos Pro L (2025): Premium Wacom experience
3. XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro – Best Value
4. XP Pen Artist 24 Pro: large screen tablet for professional use
5. XENCELABS Wireless Drawing Tablet: Editor’s Pick
6. HUION HS610: Budget graphic animation tablet
7. XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: simple Android-based standalone
8. Huion Kamvas Slate 13: Standalone Tablet
9. iPad Air 13″ (M4) 2025: Apple Pencil compatible
10. iPad Pro 13″ (M5) 2025: best iPad for animation

This list of tablets can be classified into three categories based on the nature of the tablets, users and usage.

The first category features the professional-grade high-end pen display tablets. They include the Wacom Cintiq 16 (2025), XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro and XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro.

Wacom Cintiq 16 (2025): Best Overall with Pro Display

• Screen Size: 16″ IPS LCD display
• Resolution: 2.5K WQXGA 2560 x 1600 Px
• Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192 levels
• Stulus: Pro Pen 3
• Portability: 4.5 lbs
• Size: 15.1″ x 10.2″ x 0.1″

Check Current Price

Wacom Cintiq 16 (2025) is a professional-level pen display. It was released in September 2025 as an update to the 2019 version.

It comes with better features for pro animators compared to the earlier Cintiq 16 (2019). It comes with the new Pro Pen 3 with 3 programmable buttons on the side compared to the Pro Pen 2 with 2.

The pen offers more precision with a faster 12ms LCD response time for fluid pen movement compared to its predecessor.

The screen is the main difference, with the 2025 version offering a higher 2.5k resolution at 2560 x 1600 vs 1920 x 1080 Full HD on the Cintiq (2019). It also offers a better colour display thanks to 99% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB compared to the standard colour gamut.

The body is similar, with a durable and sturdy build. However, the thinner ultra-slim profile on the new one makes it seem more modern and premium.

These ergonomic designs and other specs make it ideal for animators. A large screen with professional colour accuracy ensures seamless, detailed frame-by-frame animation.

Ultra-precise control with 8,192 pressure levels captures even the subtlest line variations—essential for expressive character animation and precise timing.

The natural pen-on-screen drawing experience delivers near-zero parallax, making every stroke feel intuitive and responsive.

A cinematic-quality colour display ensures accurate colour representation throughout your animation workflow, while the ergonomic design, featuring built-in fold-out legs and VESA mount support, keeps long animation sessions comfortable.

As an industry-standard tool trusted by animation studios worldwide, this tablet is built for professional production work.

XENCELABS Wireless Drawing Tablet: Editor’s Pick

1. 2 Battery-free Digital Pens
2. Active Area: 10.33”x5.8”
3. Resolution: None
4. Tilt Support Stylus
5. Pen Pressure: 8192 Levels
6. Portable Drawing Pad
7. Aspect ratio: 16:9
8. Compatible with: Win/Mac/Linux
9. 40 programmable buttons
10. Connectivity: Wireless, USB

View Current Price

The XENCELABS Wireless Drawing Tablet is the newest tablet on the market. It is relatively affordable and will be good for animation tasks.

This wireless and portable tablet will provide the best value for your money if you opt for it. This is mainly because of the many free accessories in the box upon purchase. 

You will get a Xencelabs pen tablet, a 3-button pen, and another thin pen. A case to put the pens and a shortcut remote with a whopping 40 programmable buttons. A free drawing glove and spare nibs.

Overall, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet is not a very large tablet. It features a 13-inch working area, similar to an iPad Pro size.

However, it is important to note that this tablet does not come with either a screen or a computer. You will have to connect to a computer to use and view your work on the computer monitor.

The Xencelabs is a diverse tablet that is compatible with Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.12 or later, and Linux. This makes it flexible for many animators, including beginners.

Pros

• Compact and portable, 13-inch size
• Many free accessories
• Affordable Price
• 2 Free stylus pens

Cons

• No screen or computer and must be used with a computer

XP Pen Artist 24 Pro: Professional Drawing Tablet

1. Screen Size: 23.8 pixels
2. Resolution; 2K QHD 2560 x 1440 pixels
3. Pen: Free PA2
4. Pen Pressure: 1024 Levels
5. Connectivity: USB-C to USB-C, USB, HDMI
6. Short cuts: 20 Customizable Keys
7. Color Gamut: 90% Adobe RGB color gamut
8. Compatible with: Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, Mac

View Current Price

If you are looking for a professional-level tablet for animation, this is the one for you. It comes with a large 24-inch screen with a 2K QHD 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution, which is perfect.

The Adobe sRGB color gamut makes it display accurate, rich, and vivid colors on the screen. Additionally, the matte, textured film covering the screen will provide a pen-to-paper feel when working.

The pen provides1024 levels of pressure with +/- 60 degrees of tilt recognition. This is significantly lower than most premium animation tablets like the Cintiq 16 with 8192 levels of pressure.

Just like the Cintiq 16 the XP Pen Artist 24 Pro has a screen but no computer. You have to connect to a computer to use it. XP Pen 24 is compatible with many digital art and animation software like the The product is also compatible with popular digital art software ArtRage 5, Open Canvas and Cartoon Animator 4 Pipeline.

Pros

• Large screen with very high resolution
• Powerful Specifications
• No computer is needed
• Compatible with Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard
• Variety of memory options

Cons

• There are no free accessories.
• Expensive
• Non-expandable memory

XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro – Best Value

1. Screen Size: 15.6 Pro Computer Graphics Tablet
2. Resolution: 1920×1080 Pixels
3. Color Gamut: 120% sRGB
4. Battery-Free Stylus
5. Full-Laminated Screen Technology
6. Accessories: XP-PEN Professional Artist Glove
7. 8192 of pressure sensitivity
8. Plus or minus 60-degree tilt recognition

View Current Price

The XP-PEN Artist15.6 Pro is one of the best budget tablets for animation. One thing that stands out is the large, fully laminated 15.6-inch screen. The screen is larger than the 2 earlier reviewed tablets, which are the Samsung Galaxy S7 Plus and the Apple iPad Pro.

A fully laminated screen combines the 3 layers of the screen into 1 compact screen without spaces between. The screen is therefore very clear because no air bubbles will form in between screen layers. Additionally, the screen is more durable and gives a natural pen-to-paper feel when using the tablet.

One downside, however, is that the XP-PEN is not a stand-alone tablet and needs a computer connected to use it. This limits its portability because you have to carry your computer everywhere you go.

The stylus offers a plus or minus 60-degree tilt recognition and 8192 of pressure sensitivity plus virtually no delay. The exceptional red dial interface sets this device apart, enabling easy zooming plus scrolling about the canvas.

The tablet is compatible with many Windows and Mac computers; the XP-PEN Artist15.6 Pro is adaptable, portable, and super-efficient.

Pros

• Free Professional Artist Glove
• 8192 of pressure sensitivity with virtually no delay
• Plus or minus 60-degree tilt recognition
• Affordable price range for a professional level tablet
• Large fully laminated16 inch screen with 1920×1080 pixels full HD resolution

Cons

• Must connect to a computer to use

Graphic Tablets for Animation: No screen

The second category includes beginner-friendly tablets that do not have a screen. These are simple, budget-friendly options. They are readily available and come at an affordable price range.

They include the HUION HS610 and the XENCELABS Wireless Drawing Tablet. Huion Inspiroy Frego M is another similar device not included in the list.

HUION HS610: Cheap graphic animation tablet

• Dimensions: 10×6.25 Inches
• Resolution: None
• Item Weight: 0.6 KGs
• Connectivity: USB
• Pen: Battery-Free PW100 STYLUS
• Express Keys: 12 express keys, 16 soft keys, and one touch wheel
• Pen Pressure: 8192 Levels
• Tilt Recognition: 60° Tilt Support
• Operating System: Windows 7 or later, Android 6.0 and later, Mac OS 10.12 or later, Linux

View Current Price

The HUION HS610 Drawing Tablet takes the first seat today because of several reasons. The tablet is powerful and has incredible features you need to upgrade your creativity.

The tablet has many customization options and a quality stylus for a smooth drawing experience.

We loved this tablet because of its ability to work with Android, and even better, it works with applications like Affinity and Krita.

When we received the package, we were impressed by how neatly the tablet was packed, and straight from the box came the tablet, pen holder, drawing glove, a micro USB to USB-A connector, USB-C adapter, and an Android connector. You also get some extra nibs in the package.

You might think the drawing area is just medium, but the space is ideal for most creative projects. The tablet’s surface is smooth and offers you a pen-and-paper feel when drawing.

The stylus pen that comes with the HUION HS610 is the standard pen that most HUION tablets use. Its 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity are also the standard level for most stylus pens, no matter the price.

The stylus has a rubber grip and two cute shortcut buttons, making its performance even better. Thanks to its battery-free feature, you’ll also realize that the pen is super light.

When it comes to body build, you might worry because this tablet has a plastic body, but everything feels sturdy. The only thing we feel HUION could have done better is with the press shortcut buttons.

Pros

• Light weight and slim body for easy portability
• High pen pressure sensitivity
• Many shortcuts and a Functional touch wheel
• Cheap price range

Cons

• Not wireless
• No Screen

Standalone Animation Tablets

The last category includes portable or standalone options that do not need a computer connected and have an OS to host animation software. They include the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad, Huion Kamvas Slate 13, iPad Air 13″ (M4, 2025) and iPad Pro 13″ (M5, 2025).

How to Choose a Drawing Tablet for Animation

The many tablets in the industry can be very confusing. However, once you understand what factors to consider, it becomes rather straightforward. Below are the most important factors we considered when preparing this compilation.

With or Without Screen

The biggest display difference between the tablets is whether they come with a screen or not. They can all be used for animation, but those with a screen feel more professional, while no-screen ones are only classified as beginner level.

Both screenless graphic tablets and professional pen displays rely on an external computer to host the animation software. For a fully portable experience, choose the third category that has a screen and software installed on it.

The main advantage of screenless tablets is that they come at a very affordable price. Increased functionality like screens and OS results in higher prices.

Pen and Shortcut Keys

A good tablet to use for drawing and animation needs to have a sensitive stylus pen that is sensitive to the screen or tablet’s active area. The pen needs to be tilt-responsive with up to 8192 pressure sensitivity levels for the best experience.

Having shortcut keys on the pen or being battery-free is an added advantage that will improve your user experience.

Customizable shortcut keys are a good way to speed up your workflow. You can set up any commonly used functions during your workflow to speed up your work. Choose a tablet with a provision for many shortcut keys.

Price Range

Whether you want a cheap tablet under $100 or a premium tablet, there is something for you. As you buy, always understand your minimum and maximum budget and compare the tablets in that price range.

Now that you understand the types of tablets available, clearly check the type of tablet available in each price range.

Frequently Asked Questions