If you find a pen tablet too simplistic and uncomfortable to use, it is high time you consider buying the best drawing tablet with screens. This type of tablet has a screen where you view as you draw making the process seamless and enjoyable.
What are the best drawing tablets with screens?
- Xencelabs Pen Display 24: Best Overall
- Simbans PicassoTab: Best drawing tablets with a screen no computer
- GAOMON PD1161: best for beginners
- GAOMON PD1560 15.6: Large screen Tablet
- XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro: best tablet for animation
- Huion KAMVAS PRO 13: cheap graphic tablet
Xencelabs Pen Display 24: Best Overall Drawing Tablet with Screen
- Screen: 24 inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
- Screen type: OLED
- Color Accuracy: 99%, Adobe RGB
- Brightness: 330 nits
- Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
- Connections: HDMI, USB C, USB A, DisplayPort
The Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is our best overall Graphic tablet. It features a large 24-inch screen with 3840 x 2160 pixels 4K resolution. The screen features high color accuracy at 99%, Adobe RGB color gamut with 330 nits brightness. This bright OLED screen interacts with the stylus pen at 8192 pen pressure levels for a perfect pen-to-paper-like feel.
Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is a very affordable priced tablet. You will even get a free stylus pen on purchase making it an economical choice. Although it is quite heavy at 6 KG the overall build design on this tablet is perfectly structured for comfortable digital art creation for both beginners and pros.
The tablet also comes with a number of free accessories such as the Quick Keys remote, 2 pens that is the 3 Button Pen V2 and Thin Pen V2, Pen holder, pen case, six standard replacement nibs and four felt nibs, a screen cleaning cloth and glove plus connectivity cables.
As mentioned, the Xencelabs Pen Display 24 has no inbuilt computer and must connect to a computer. It is compatible with a number of operating systems like the Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.11, Linux – Ubuntu 14.04, Debian 9.5, CentOS 7.0 and RedHat 7.0 and higher.
Pros
- Large 24 inches screen with 3840 x 2160 pixels 4K resolution
- Many free accessories like Xencelabs Quick Keys remote, Pen holder, pen case, 2 pens that is the 3 Button Pen V2 and Thin Pen V2, six standard replacement nibs and four felt nibs, a screen cleaning cloth and glove plus connectivity cables
- Affordable Price Range
- 330 nits bright OLED screen
Cons
- Must connect to a computer to use
- Heavy and bulky at 6 KG
Simbans PicassoTab X: Best drawing tablets with screen no computer
- Large 10-inch screen
- Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
- 4 bonus accessories and Sketchpad software
- RAM: 2 GB and 4 GB
- Processor: Quad-core processor
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Battery-free stylus pen with 1024 pressure levels
Simbans PicassoTab is one of the most popular cheap art tablets. It is popular because of its very affordable price and the many free added items you get on purchase.
For example, you will get a free drawing glove, adapter, and a preinstalled version of the Sketchbook app from Autodesk for drawing.
The 10-inch screen size with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution is quite impressive. Additionally, a Quad Core MTK8168 2 GHz/Core processor and 4 GB RAM ensure that the tablet will work with minimal lags as you draw.
There is also a 2 GB RAM option if you are on a budget but we found the 4 GB option to be more versatile. Simbans Picasso Tab features low 64 GB storage space which is okay considering the low price range. However, the storage space can be expanded using an external Micro SD card up to 128 GB.
This tablet is perfect for entry-level artists thanks to a simple-to-use interface and simple Android 10 operating system.
Pros
- Very Affordable price range
- Free preinstalled version of the Sketchbook app from Autodesk for drawing
- Many free accessories including a free pen, preinstalled screen protector, drawing glove and charger
- Expandable Storage
Cons
- It comes with low 2/4 GB RAM
GAOMON PD1161: Best drawing tablets for beginners
- Screen size: 11.6 inches
- Dimensions: 14.21 x 7.85 x 0.51 inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Color Accuracy: 72% NTSC/ 100% RGB
- Viewing Angle: 178 degrees
- Pen: AP50
- Pen Pressure sensitivity: 8192
- Report Rate: 266PPS
- Pen tilt support: yes
- Pen type: battery-free
- Buttons: 8 customizable keys
- Display Type: pre-applied anti-glare film
- Weight: 866 g
GAOMON PD1161 is one of the cheapest drawing tablets with a screen you can buy. With a slightly under 200$ price and great features, this tablet is an ideal beginner drawing tablet you can start with.
It features a large 11.6-inch screen with 1920×1080 HD screen resolution which is good and high quality although not as good as the 4k tablets discussed but surely better than the Simbans Picasso tab.
The screen comes with a protective film that protects the screen from scratches and environmental factors. You can later peel it off and use the PD1161 screen.
It comes with a 100% sRGB color gamut so it might not be able to achieve color quality like more expensive devices but is good enough for its price.
THE GAOMON PD1161 pen is good and matches top-range pens in some features. For instance, the pressure sensitivity is 8192, and minus 60 degrees tilt recognition is just like expensive tablets.
The battery-free pen comes with 2 programmable buttons you can set to your quick go-to functions and speed up your workflow.
Unlike Huion Kamvas Pro 16 plus and Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 which have a separate remote, the GAOMON PD1161 has 8 programmable keys on the body of the tablet.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Good battery-free Pen
- Easy to carry
- 8 programmable shortcut keys
Cons
- Smaller
XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro: best tablet for drawing and animation
- Screen: 15.6 Inch
- Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels Full HD
- Color Accuracy: 120% sRGB
- 8 customizable shortcut keys
- Battery-free stylus
- Laminated Screen
The Xp-Pen 15.6 pro is another top contender for the top spot. Just like Huion Kamvas 16, the display is fully laminated, 15.6 inches in size, and also has a resolution of 1920×1080 plus 120% sRGB color.
Screen lamination ensures you work free of environmental reflection from the screen that may be a distraction. The pen PO5R stylus just like Huoin is both light and supports tilt function at + or – 60 degrees to mimic a real brush effect.
The Xp-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro comes with 8 fully customizable keys just below the screen that you can set to any quick function you want. Depending on your effective application, these will greatly speed up your workflow.
Although you will enjoy many great features that come with a more expensive tablet at a great price, the XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro will need to be connected to a computer. Overall a great pick especially for the price range. If you are wondering which brand Huion vs XP-Pen is better, check out our previous post.
Pros
- Large display area
- Fully laminated screen
- 8 fully customizable keys
- Large 16-inch screen with Full HD 1920×1080 pixels screen plus 120% sRGB color.
Cons
- Must connect to a computer
GAOMON PD1560 15.6: Best Large Drawing Tablet with Screen
- Screen: 15.6 Inch
- Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels Full HD
- 10 customizable shortcut keys
- Battery-free stylus
GAOMON PD 1560 is a competent Wacom rival and just like the XP Pen pro has a large display area of 15.6 inches and a full HD resolution of 1920 by 1080 Pixels.
It also has a laminated screen with minimal parallax that makes drawing more accurate, and a color gamut of 72% NTSC which is relatively low but sufficient for design creativity.
GAOMON pen tech 3 has a high-pressure sensitivity of 8192 and is firm and does not wobble when drawing. Additionally, it comes with 10 programmable express keys 2 more than the XPEN Pro 15.6.
Connection to a computer may be a challenge for first-timers but once you get the hang of it it’s easy. Try checking your drivers if you encounter problems.
We recommend 15 inches for the best drawing tablet screen. However, 13 and 11-inch tablets are quite decent and cheaper if you are on a budget too.
Pros
- Large display area
- Affordable Price
- 10 customizable shortcut keys
Cons
- Low color gamut
- Connectivity is not straight-forward
Huion KAMVAS PRO 13: Best cheap Pen Display Tablet
- Screen size: 13 inches
- Resolution: 2.5 k QHD, 2560 x 1600 resolution
- Color Accuracy: 145% sRGB color gamut
- Brightness: 220 nits
- Buttons: 7 customizable keys
- Pen; PW517
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 Levels
- Tilt Recognition: +-60 degrees
- Pen resolution: 5080 lines per inch
- Connection: USB-C
- Compatible with: Windows 7 or later, MacOS X version 10.13 or later
- Weight: 1 Kg
Huion KAMVAS PRO13 is a good choice for both artists and graphic designers. What drew us to love this drawing tablet is its price. Generally, with a low budget, you don’t expect to get a tablet with high-end features like this Huion KAMVAS PRO 13.
It comes with a pen with about 8192 levels of pen pressure with a tilt recognition of 60°. With that pen pressure, you get to experience a natural drawing experience. The tablet is slim sleek and very lightweight.
4 keys under the screen make usability easy and a fast workflow when you get used. Unfortunately, the Huion KAMVAS PRO 13 also needs a computer connection.
Pros
- Laminated anti-glare screen
- Incredible stylus pen
- Comes with stand
- 13 inch screen with 2.5k QHD, 2560 x 1600 resolution
- 145% sRGB color gamut
Cons
- Has a few shortcut keys
- Heavy body at 1 Kg
- Not compatible with Android
How to Choose the Best Drawing Tablets With Screens
The search for a good drawing tablet on the internet can be annoying especially if you are not sure of the exact features to check for your requirements. This simple guide will help you easily know what to check and why when choosing your ideal tablet.
Screen and Display
When it comes to the screen, the first thing you need to check is the working area size. The bigger the screen the better your drawing experience will be. However, if you intend to carry your tablet around from place to place then a smaller device is better for portability.
If you will need to show and present your work on the screen for others to view and critique or for clients to view, then you need to consider a screen with antiglare glass technology.
Laminated vs Non-Laminated Display
A tablet screen is made of 3 layers. In a laminated screen, all the 3 layers are fused to form one single layer. On the other hand, nonlaminated screens have all the 3 layers attached with glue. So which one is better?
A laminated screen is clearer because the spaces and air bubbles created in the glued layers in a non-laminated screen eventually affect the clarity of the screen
Pressure Sensitivity of a Stylus
A pressure-sensitive stylus is a requirement for graphic designers and artists. If it does not come with one check the best compatible one with the tablet and confirm whether it is compatible. You also need to check whether it is battery-free or if you have to keep charging it.
Tablet Stand – Comfort and Ergonomics
Ultimately, how comfortable you are when creating or working can impact the outcome of your work. For comfort when working, you can consider investing in a stand for your tablet. This is a necessity especially when you have a very large tablet.
Wired vs. Wireless Drawing Tablets
A wired or wireless tablet covers how the pen connects to your tablet. A wireless tablet connects on Bluetooth without wires while a wired one will connect through a wire. Overall, a wireless one is more comfortable to use although all other features are the same.
Best display drawing tablets
| Product | Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xencelabs Pen Display 24 | Best Overall | Check Price |
| Simbans PicassoTab | Best Pen computer | Check Price |
| GAOMON PD1161 | Best for beginners | Check Price |
| GAOMON PD1560 15.6 | Best Large Screen | Check Price |
| XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro | Best for animation | Check Price |
| Huion KAMVAS PRO 13 | Cheap graphic tablet | Check Price |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which drawing tablet with a screen is best for beginners?
Simbans PicassoTab is our pick for the best drawing tablet with a screen. It features a 10-inch screen size with 1200 x 800 pixels resolution. You will have a powerful processor and 4 GB RAM for fast performance.
Pen display, Graphics tablet or Pen Computer tablet, which one is the best?
There is no single specific answer to this question. The choice of tablet to use will depend on the user preference. It is therefore important to clearly understand the difference between the three.
Pen display tablets come with a screen but no computer. You will need to connect it to a computer or laptop to use. Your computer screen will be projected on your tablet screen such that you can draw on the tablets screen.
Graphic tablets have no screen or computer. Instead, they come with a sensitive working area. You will connect to a computer and draw on the sensitive surface of your tablet as you look at the computer screen. Graphic tablets are the cheapest tablets that you can buy.
Pen computer tablets have both a screen and computer. You can install your drawing applications directly to your tablet. Android, Windows and iPads are perfect examples of these general use tablets. If you are looking for a pen computer tablet dedicated for drawing, Wacom, Huion and XP- Pen all have their dedicated versions. Of all of them, Simbans Picasso Tab X is the best priced option.What is anti-glare glass?
Antiglare influences how your screen interacts with environmental light. It ensures the tablet image and screen do not affect your view when light hits your tablet screen. This saves your eyes from the stress and strain of different light directions affecting your image.
Can you use a Smartphone with a Drawing Tablet?
Yes, Some drawing tablets can work with smartphones, however, you need to be careful to choose the correct operating system.