The Best Tablets for Graphic Design: Our top 9 Picks

Whether you are a digital artist, animator, or graphic designer, the best drawing tablet is a welcome addition to help improve your workflow and creations. These devices offer a perfect space to work comfortably, whether you are a student, beginner, or professional-level artist or creative.

They allow you to apply your retouching, drawing, or animating skills using some of the top drawing applications in the industry. In this review, we have considered different factors that help choose a good drawing tablet. If you are not sure what to look for, it will be very difficult to differentiate or get the best ones.

This category features different types of tablets depending on specifications and nature of usage. Some are pen tablets without a screen, while others are pen display tablets with a screen but no computer. Others have both a computer and a screen for the best experience. This is referred to as a pen computer tablet.

The last category is highly portable since you can use them without connecting to a computer. Most tablets in this category are not specific drawing tablets but can be easily used for general purposes. Samsung tablets and Apple iPads fall in this category.

Top Tablets for Graphic Design

1. Wacom Cintiq 22-Inch Tablet: Best Overall
2. Xencelabs Pen Display 24: Best Pen Display
3. Apple iPad Pro: Best Pen Computer Tablet
4. Wacom Studio Pro: Best Professional
5. Wacom Cintiq Pro 27: Large Screen Tablet
6. XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro: Best Value for Students 
7. Huion Kamvas 24 Pro: Best with a Screen
8. XP Pen Deco MW: Best tablet for Canva

Wacom Cintiq 22-Inch Tablet: Best Drawing Tablet For Beginners

• Screen: 22 inches
• Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Pixels
• Pen pressure: 8,192 levels
• Connectivity: HDMI, USB 2.0
• OS: Windows
• Has a screen but no computer
• Wacom Pro Pen 2 stylus

Wacom is another company that has grown in popularity by producing high-quality drawing tablets with screens and those without screens.

This Wacom Cintiq tablet is one of the biggest brands, with a 22-inch screen and a whooping resolution of 1980 by 1080 HD. The Cintiq 22 tablet also has an anti-scratch screen that resists any scratches, and you can draw outdoors without having to worry about reflections, all thanks to its anti-glare surface.

It features a Wacom Pro Pen 2 technology with 8192 pressure levels coupled with +-60 degrees tilt recognition technology for a smooth drawing experience. If you’re looking for an on-screen drawing experience, then this tablet can provide you with all your creative needs.

In the box, you will get a Wacom Cintiq 22 pen display tablet an Adjustable Stand, Wacom Pro Pen 2 and a detachable pen holder, 3 replacement nibs and nib removal tool, HDMI cable (2 m), USB 2.0 cable (2 m), AC adapter (60 W), a power cable (1.8 m) and a quick start guide.

Xencelabs Pen Display 24: Best Pen Display

1. Screen Size: 24 inches
2. Resolution: 4K UHD IPS at 3840X2160 pixels
3. Screen Type: OLED Display
4. 120 Hz refresh rate
5. Color Accuracy: 99% Adobe RGB
6. Type: Graphic Drawing Display
7. 2 Battery-Free Stylus Pens
8. Pen Pressure: 8192 Levels
9. Compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is one of the new tablet brands that is giving pro drawing tablets like Huion and Wacom a run for their money.

This display tablet offers a large 24-inch glare-free drawing area with a stunning 3840X2160 pixels 4K resolution and an accurate 99% Adobe RGB color gamut. The OLED screen will display rich vivid colors without parallax even when viewed at an angle.

Unlike the screenless Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium, the Xencelabs Pen Display 24 has an inbuilt screen but no computer. You will just connect to your Windows, MAC, or Linux OS computer and start designing.

The screen is perfect for drawing and graphic design thanks to its fingerprint and smudge resistance, which will not be affected by sweaty palms.

Although the OLED screen is really good, it features a low 60 Hz refresh rate that may not be the best for many artists and graphic designers. Many artists will prefer the iPad Pro’s 120 Hz refresh rate instead.

You will be able to create your designs using the 2 stylus pen options, that is the thick and thin pens that you will get included in the box purchase. Both pens have high 8,192 pressure levels that will allow you to create different stroke types with ease. Overall, the tablet is firm and sturdy and comes with a free inbuilt stand that tilts at an angle for flexible usage.

Apple iPad Pro: Best Drawing Tablets For Graphic Design

1. Screen Size: 12.9-inch size
2. Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels
3. Liquid Retina Display
4. Refresh Rate: 120 Hz refresh rate
5. Brightness: 1000 to 1600 nits of brightness
6. Storage: 128 GB to 2 TB
7. Apple Pencil 2 bought separate
8. P3 Wide Color Color gamut
9. Pen Pressure: 4,096 levels

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch is the best iPad for graphic design.  You can either connect the iPad to a computer and use the software on your computer or install applications directly on the iPad.

An iPad is a multipurpose tablet that does not have to be connected to a computer. iPad Pros are available in either 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen sizes.

Both options provide a spectacular display, with liquid retina technology and high resolution at 2388 x 1668 pixels for the 11-inch option and 2732 x 2048 pixels for the larger 12.9-inch size.

iPad screens feature high brightness levels and refresh rates that make it possible to use them in different light environments and functions.

The screen features 1000 to 1600 nits of brightness and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This means that using it indoors or outdoors, or for complex gaming or animation tasks, will not be a problem.

A slow-running tablet can be very annoying to graphic designers and artists. The iPad Pro is super fast, with an Apple M2 chip processor and 8 to 16 GB of RAM. You can use it for system-intensive jobs like video editing or even multitasking without lags.

To store your files and install applications, you will need 128 GB to 2 TB of storage space. Unlike Android tablets, you cannot expand the storage using an external memory card slot, up to 1 TB.

One downside of getting this tablet is that, despite the very expensive price tag, the tablet does not come with a free pencil, and you will have to buy it separately. This makes the overall price quite high compared to other drawing tablets.

Despite that, the Apple Pencil 2 is one of the best stylus pens on the market today. The tilt recognition and pressure sensitivity, combined with the ergonomic shape that mimics a normal pen, make for a great user experience.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 27: Best Value Tablet For Students

1. Screen Size: 27 inches
2. Resolution: 4K UHD resolution 3840X2160 pixels
3.  Short Cut Keys: 8 customizable Express Keys
4. Color Accuracy: 99% Adobe RGB
5. Refresh Rate: 120 Hz refresh rate
6. Wacom Pen 3 
7. Pen Pressure: 8192
8. 8 Express Keys

If you are looking for a premium-level large screen tablet with 4K UHD resolution at 3840X2160 pixels, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 is our best pick.

It will display your artwork in rich, vibrant colors thanks to the 99% Adobe RGB and 98 percent DCI-P3 color gamut. The screen also features a matte finish that protects your eyes from harmful UV light, even after long working hours on the tablet.

Additionally, it features a fast 120 Hz refresh rate, similar to an iPad Pro, that will ensure quick transitions on your screen display.

Overall, the tablet body is sturdy and durable, and it features up to eight free, customizable keys that you can set to whatever shortcuts you want. This greatly increases your workflow speed.

The stylus pen features 8192 pen pressure levels that will make it easy to draw different stroke weights just like you would on a piece of paper with a pen or brush.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 does not have an in-built computer system. It will use the software installed on your computer and display the view on its built-in screen. If you are in or around the Americas, and happen to register your tablet, you will receive a 3-month trial version of Capture One, Clip Studio Paint EX, Toon Boom Harmony & Storyboard Pro, Shapr3D plus, and MASV file transfer service.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro: Best For Professionals

1. Screen Size: 13/16 Inches
2. Resolution: 3840×2160 pixels/ 2540×1360 pixel
3. OS: Windows 10 Home
4. Pen pressure: 8192 Levels
5. Color Display: 85% Adobe RGB Color gamut

Wacom Mobile Studio is a massive tablet from Wacom, specially designed for creatives who are serious about their craft. This tablet takes the spot as the best professional-level tablet for both artists and graphic designers.

There are two alternatives for Wacom Studio Pro that you can choose from. You can either choose the larger but more expensive Wacom Studio Pro 16 or the smaller Wacom Studio Pro 13.

As the name suggests, the main difference between the two tablets is the screen size. Although both are large enough for any graphic design software, the Wacom Studio Pro 16 is better with a 16-inch screen size compared to the Studio Pro 13.

Carry out your projects with high clarity and precision with this 16.5″ 4K/UHD display and a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. The screen gives you a chance to see the tiny details of your work, all thanks to 85% Adobe RGB coverage.

The smaller tablet has a 2540×1360 pixel resolution, which is perfect and in full HD. The Wacom Studio Pro 16, therefore, seems to be the better pick with a 4K view, but HD is good enough for designers.

You hardly find a tablet with advanced computing like Wacom Studio Pro. This tablet is a beast in terms of data processing and fast data transfer.

The tablet is powered by an Intel Core i7 and has a system memory of 16 GB and 512 GB of SSD storage, enabling you to work efficiently anywhere you are.

You can now draw with extraordinary precision with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Generally, Wacom Studio Pro is an excellent tablet with the most high-end features ever found on a tablet. However, we don’t recommend this tablet if you’re just starting.

XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro: Most Affordable Drawing Tablets for Graphic Designers

1. Screen Size: 16 inches
2. Resolution: 1920 by 1080 pixels Full HD
3. Screen Type: IPS screen
4.  Full-lamination, anti-glare film
5. Pen; PA2
6. Pen pressure sensitivity: 8192
7. Pen: Battery-Free EMR Charging
8. Tilt support Recognition
9. Short Cut Keys: 10
10. Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux
11. Connection; USB
12. In the box: PA2 Pen, Pen Holder, 8x Replacement Nibs, AC 41 stand, 3-in-1 cable, HDMI to Mac adapter cable, Extension cord, Drawing Glove, cleaning cloth

The XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro is our top pick thanks to its powerful features at a very affordable price. If you are the kind of artist who prefers a large screen, this line of tablets has got you covered with a 16-inch screen size.

Additionally, the screen is fully laminated and has a Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. You will get eight customizable shortcut keys that you can use to speed up your workflow.

You will get a battery-free stylus on purchase with 8192 pen pressure sensitivity levels. The PO5RPen battery-free pen supports + or – 60 degrees of tilt recognition, which is unique for its low price range.

When you buy the XP Pen Artist 15.6 Pro Drawing Tablet, you get 1 x battery-free stylus, 8 x replacement nibs, 1 x pen holder, 1 x portable stand, 1 x 3-in-1 cable, 1 x extension cord, 1 x quick guide, 1 x drawing glove, and 1 x cleaning cloth.

It is compatible with Windows 10/8/7 and Mac OS X version 10.10, but is unfortunately not compatible with Android. Additionally, you must connect to a computer to use it, so it is not standalone.

Overall, this cheap graphic tablet is a great choice thanks to its large screen and some powerful features. The screen needs calibration for professional use.

Huion Kamvas 24 Plus – Best Mid-Range Drawing Tablet

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels 2.5 K
• Screen: 24 inches
• Lamination: Fully Laminated with Antiglare
• Pen: PW517 
• Battery-Free Stylus
• • ±60 tilt recognition
• Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
• Connections: HDMI/USB
• OS: Windows, macOS, Android

Huion Kamvas 24 Plus is the best overall option that you can buy from Huion. It features a large, comfortable 24-inch screen with a 2.5K resolution at 2560 x 1440 pixels QHD.

This large size and high resolution, combined with the perfect color accuracy of 140% RGB (97% NTSC), will provide a vivid and realistic color display on your screen.

The screen is fully laminated with anti-glare technology. This means that your screen is made of three fused layers that make it sturdy and eradicate any chance of forming air bubbles in between that can distort the view.

The Huion Kamvas 24 Plus comes with a nice battery-free PW517 pen that is tilt-sensitive at +/- 60 degrees. Additionally, it features 8192 pen pressure levels that will allow you to draw precise strokes.

Unfortunately, this is not a standalone tablet, and you must connect to a computer to use it. However, it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Android, so you can use it with your Android phone.

The Kamvas 24 comes in 3 versions with differing resolutions that you can choose depending on your preference. The Non-Laminated Kamvas 24 with QHD (2560 x 1440) pixels resolution, the Fully Laminated Kamvas 24 Plus with QHD (2560 x 1440) pixels, and the fully laminated Kamvas Pro 24 with 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 pixels resolution.

XP Pen Deco MW: best budget tablet for drawing

1. Active area: 8 x 5 inches
2. Resolution: Use your computer screen
3. Pen pressure: 8,192 levels
4. Tilt Recognition: +-60 degrees
5. USB or Bluetooth connectivity

IIf you are looking for a cheap tablet for your graphic design work, the XP Pen Deco MW is the cheapest tablet you can buy.

When testing, we found out when testing that it is compatible with many operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and Chrome. Additionally, you can connect it even with Android OS smartphones and iPhones.

Although it works perfectly, you will have to forgo an inbuilt screen and computer. Your software will be installed on your computer, and you will design or draw on the tablet as you look at your computer screen.

Instead of a screen, you will have a sensitive surface that you will draw on with a pen. The surface is a little too small at 8 x 5 inches, which can cause discomfort when designing. However, the price is very low such that you will not feel the pinch when you buy it as your first drawing tablet to test the waters.

It comes with a standard drawing stylus pen, marching up to more expensive options with 8192 pen pressure levels. The pen also features +-60 tilt recognition allowing you to create precise strokes and lines.

Unfortunately, the pen is not battery-free and has to be connected to charge. Luckily, it will last for up to 10 hours on one full charge. You will have two options when charging it: either wireless USB Bluetooth connection or USB connectivity to your device.

Despite its low price range, the XP Pen Deco MW will run a lot of art and digital applications, such as Photoshop, Blender, and Illustrator.

Choosing the Right Tablet for Your Needs

With so many brands and tablet types in the market, it is important to understand the most important factors to consider when choosing a good design tablet.

1. Screen size and resolution
2. Price
3. Stylus Pens
4. Software Compatibility

Screen Size and Resolution

Depending on the type of tablet you choose, you will either have a screen or not. If you select a pen display or pen computer tablet, choose a large and bright screen with high resolution. We recommend a 10-inch screen and above with at least 1080×1920 resolution. Generally, a larger screen will be more comfortable than a smaller one. If you use a pen tablet, choose one with a large, sensitive drawing area.

To avoid parallax reflections of ambient light, choose an AMOLED tablet with a matte finish and wide color accuracy ranges. This type of screen will display accurate, rich, and vivid colors.

Price

The type of tablet you choose will determine the price you will have to pay for the tablet. Tablets with both a screen and a computer are more expensive than other tablets. Screenless tablets are the cheapest options that you can buy.

When buying, make sure to consider whether the tablet comes with some additional accessories such as stylus pens, stands, and keyboards or not. Free accessories are an added advantage.

Stylus Pens

Tablets that come with free stylus pens are more economical. For the pencil specifications, choose those with 8,192 levels of pen sensitivity and ±60 tilt recognition. Cheaper options are still good but not as good. They feature 4096 pen pressure levels instead. Try tracking and creating strokes on the tablet screen or working area to test the pen.

Conclusion

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 is one of the best for graphic design. It offers a large 27-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate plus 4K resolution. Unfortunately, it is a premium tablet and does not come cheap. Xencelabs Pen Display 24 offers a balance between the specs and an affordable price. It has a 24-inch UHD touchscreen and a remote shortcut control system for quick navigation. It is our best pick because of its powerful specifications and affordable price range.

What is the Best Tablet for Graphic Design?

From our research, we found Wacom Cintiq 22-Inch to be the best tablet for graphic design work.

Frequently Asked Questions