If you are looking for a top mid-range drawing tablet with a screen, the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen), HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) 2024 edition, and HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K QHD are some of the top options you can choose.
Despite being very similar and offering a balance of price and professional features, each will be different to best serve your unique needs.
Some key considerations we found important to consider when comparing include display quality, power and performance, price, ergonomic design, connectivity, and more.
Screen and Display
All three tablets have a large 13.3-inch screen size but are different in almost all other screen aspects. For example, the HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) and XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) offer Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, while the HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K features QHD 2560×1600 resolution.
The XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) is fully laminated with a matte-textured anti-glare screen. This offers a good view, especially coupled with a wide viewing angle at 178°. These specs reduce parallax and interference from ambient light that can affect the view.
For color accuracy, it has a 96% Adobe RGB and 92% NTSC color gamut, which is accurate but not the industry standard.
The HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) has a similar Full HD 1920×1080 pixel resolution. The screen texture stands out thanks to the Anti-Sparkle Canvas Glass, offering a realistic pen-to-paper-like feel. You will notice fewer reflections and parallax, improving the view.
The Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) offers better accuracy thanks to a wider color gamut with 99% sRGB coverage. Finally, the pen and screen interact professionally in a smooth and more sensitive feel, which is better than the XP-Pen.
Both of the above tablets have a nice display. However, the HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K offers a better screen than both of them. It has better resolution at QHD 2560×1600 resolution and Quantum Dot tech for better visuals. Additionally, the 99% sRGB color coverage and a contrast ratio of 1200:1 ensure better clarity and color accuracy. It is perfect for animation, professional digital art, and photo editing.
When comparing the 3 HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K QHD, it is the sure winner. If screen quality is your top priority, the Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K wins hands down with its stunning QHD resolution and vibrant, true-to-life colors.
Performance and Stylus
Whether you are a beginner or professional artist, a good stylus pen is very important for digital art. All three tablets offer a professional battery-free stylus pen. However, the technology and specifications behind each differ a lot.
The XP-Pen features the X3 Elite stylus with 8192 pen pressure levels, ±60° tilt recognition, and 5080 LPI pen resolution. The pen is ergonomically designed as a lightweight drawing gadget and comes with 10 free extra nibs and a nib remover.
The HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) offers the latest PenTech 4.0 stylus, with twice as much pen pressure sensitivity at 16384 levels.
If you are drawing precise strokes and lines in your illustrations, higher pen pressure offers more precision and a natural drawing experience. However, 8192 pen pressure levels is still good enough for professionals. The pen is ergonomically designed with 3 side buttons instead of 2, offering a few more customization options.
The HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K comes with a slightly older PenTech 3.0 PW517 stylus. The pen offers 8192 pressure levels, 5080 resolution, and ±60° tilt recognition. While many will not notice the difference, the lower pen pressure offers less precision compared to the Gen 3 pen.
The Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) offers the best stylus pen performance of the 3. The 16384 pressure levels and PenTech 4.0 are unique to it and offer the most natural drawing experience and precision of any midrange drawing tablet.
Price and Value
The HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) is the most affordable option, priced at $269. Despite its cheap price, it still offers the best pen sensitivity, a professionally calibrated screen, and an ergonomic dual-dial layout. It offers the best value for your money with better pen performance and high color accuracy and consistency.
The XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) is slightly more expensive at $319. You will get a nice Full HD laminated screen, decent color accuracy, plus an excellent stylus with free nibs. It is best for both beginners and professional digital artists.
The HUION Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K is the most expensive of the three tablets. It is priced between $399 and $429. For the price, you will get the best QHD resolution with quantum dot technology plus accurate and brilliant color reproduction.
It is the closest you will get to professional-grade displays on a midrange tablet. If you are into printing or color accuracy, this is the best option for you.
- Color Options: Black, blue, green, pink
- Dimensions: 378 x 225 x 11.99 mm
- Work Area: 293.76 x 165.24 mm
- Reading Height: 10 mm
- Shortcut Keys: 9
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels
- Screen type: Matte textured, fully laminated screen with protective antiglare film
- Brightness Levels: 220 nits
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Color Accuracy: 30% sRGB, 96% Adobe RGB, and 92% NTSC
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Viewing Angle: 178°
- Stylus: X3 Elite
- Pressure Levels: 8192
- Tilt Recognition: ±60°
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Accuracy: ±0.5 mm (center), ±1 mm (corner)
- Ports: 2 x USB-C
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android USB3.1 DP1.2, Linux
The XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) is a graphic tablet. This means that it comes with an inbuilt screen but no computer. You will have to connect it to a computer to act as a host for the software that you intend to use.
This tablet comes with an overall size of 378 x 225 x 11.99 mm. This size plus a lightweight plastic build makes it easy to carry around and work outside the office.
You will get 4 different color variations to pick from: black, green, blue, and pink. On the tablet’s body, you will have 9 programmable keys that you can set to your favorite quick go-to functions. These customizable keys come in handy when properly implemented and will save you a lot of time.
Screen and Display
For many artists and tablet users, the screen is one of the most important aspects of a tablet. This tablet is cheap but comes with a slightly larger screen than even the professional-level and more expensive iPad Pro which easily tops most of our reviews.
The XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) has a comfortable to use and easily portable 13.3-inch screen size. However, I found the Xp-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) had the most comfortable balance between portability and comfort compared to the 2.
The screen is its high 1080p 1920 x1080 Full HD pixels resolution that is crisp and clear displaying rich and vivid colors.
Additionally, color accuracy is great with a 30% sRGB, 96% Adobe RGB, and 92% NTSC color gamut. With 100% sRGB being standard, a wider color accuracy at 130% sRGB makes this tablet stand out displaying a rich array of colors.
The screen is bright and clear with 220 cd/m2 brightness levels and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. This screen will not disappoint.
220 nits brightness levels were bright enough to view in medium light intensity areas of the house but were not the best for outdoor bright light conditions. As mentioned earlier, this tablet comes with a screen which I found to be quite good.
Despite its low price range, it is one of the few tablets under 300$, that come with a fully laminated, textured screen with protective anti-glare film.
A fully laminated screen is made of 3 layers fused to make it strong and still maintain a clear display. The fused screen layers eradicate light reflection and parallax that may affect your view.
Older non-laminated screens have an air space that captures particles between the screens affecting the display. Additionally, a wide viewing angle of up to 178 degrees ensures you can easily view the screen at multiple angles.
Being a drawing tablet with a screen, it is obvious that the Kamvas 13 depends on a computer since it lacks an in-built computer system.
If your budget is a bit higher than the Kamvas 13’s price tag, we can recommend getting a pen-computer tablet since it’s more effective. However, if your budget is lower, you can go for a regular drawing that fully depends on a computer for functioning.
The 13.3-inch tablet is great where portability is needed, and it is made even better by an 11.8-mm ultra-slim thickness. Additionally, the tablet is lightweight, weighing 980 g. This finally completes its portability purpose.
- Screen size: 13.3 inches
- Resolution: 1920 by 1080 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Color Accuracy: 120% sRGB
- Brightness: 220 nits
- Matte Textured Fully laminated display
- 8-bit color with 16.7 million color recognition
- Buttons: 8 customizable keys
- It comes with a stand.
- Pen; PW517
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192
- Tilt Recognition: ±60 degrees
- Response rate: 266 PPI
- Pen resolution: 5080 lines per inch
- Connection: 3-in-1 or USB-C
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android OS
- Weight: 980 grams
Stylus Pen
The battery-free PW517 stylus is incredibly stable, enabled by a lowered nib and the Huion Pen Tech 3.0. You also get to enjoy a breakdown of brush and paint capabilities since the PW517 supports a 60-degree tilt function.
When it comes to the numbers, the PW517 offers you a stunning 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity for a quality canvas-like experience.
You will have a high pen resolution at 5080 LPI, or lines per inch, to draw strokes. This further increases the pen detection for a 166 PPI response speed at a ±60-degree tilt angle.
Although the response rate sounds quite low, the experience is quite lovely, and you’d be shocked to know it’s that low. This enables you to have a comfortable work rate with no jitters or lags.
With two customizable buttons, the pen is open to your design shortcut habits. This enhances efficiency, creativity, and a faster work rate.
For those long working hours, the PW517 is made with non-slip rubber for a comfortable, fatigue-free experience. The pen holder provides you with a nice display of your pen, giving you that office feel in your workspace.
When you purchase the Huion Kamvas 13, you are offered 10 additional pen nibs for use in case the original gets worn out.
The pen is also compatible with almost all Huion Kamvas series drawing tablets, giving it a wide range of usage with other devices.
Connectivity and compatibility
The Kamvas 13 is not a standalone tablet; therefore, being connected to a computer is required. When linking the two, you just require a 3-in-1 cable or a USB-C cable for a less wired desk.
The tablet is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android operating systems, giving you the option of your preference.
Overall Winner
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) compatible with MAC computers?
Yes, the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) is compatible with MAC computer systems, it provides a seamless drawing experience on the MAC operating system.
Can the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) work with Android devices?
Yes, the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd Gen) is compatible with Android systems, it provides a seamless drawing experience on all Android operating systems.
What’s the difference between Kamvas 13 and Kamvas 13 Pro?
The main difference between Kamvas 13 and Kamvas 13 Pro is in the aspect ratio and resolution. Huion Kamvas Pro 13 (2.5K) features a larger 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560×1600 resolution. On the other hand, Kamvas 13 only comes with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1920×1080 pixels of resolution.
What software do I need for Kamvas 13?
You can use any drawing or graphic design software to draw on the Huion Kamvas 13. For example, you can use Photoshop, Illustrator, or Adobe Creative Cloud to draw. Huion Kamvas 13 is compatible with MACOS 10.12 or later, Windows 7 or later, Android devices, and the Linux operating system.