10 Best Drawing Tablets 2022 for Creative Professionals

If you are an artist, designer, or graphics professional, you will find a drawing tablet to be a blessing. These gadgets have become insanely popular because of their tailored features for creative users. They bring astounding ease to digital sketching and shading. The market has multiple options for drawing tablets, so we decided to categorize them and handpick the best options for 2022.

What are the Types of Drawing Tablets?

Essentially, you can choose from three kinds:

Pen Tablets: They do not come with a screen. You can draw on them directly with a stylus. They are handy, portable, super convenient to use, and very affordable. You might feel a little disconnected from the screen you have plugged in to, but it usually wears off quickly for most users. These are great for anyone who loves to draw, including hobbyists.

Pen Displays: These devices are connected to a monitor to make visualization easier. They tend to be bulkier and costlier than pen tablets. But their screens do not compare to what you will get with a standalone tablet (which is the next category).

Standalone Drawing Tablets: This is a mini-computer ready to adapt to drawing and designing. These tablets usually have superb features for multimedia professionals, including dedicated graphics cards and displays with no lags and minimal parallax. The obvious downside is that they cost a great deal more.

How to Choose the Right Drawing Tablet

Selecting the correct device for your needs can be tricky. The foremost thing to look for is your priority vis-à-vis cost. If you are a beginner with a small budget, you can invest in a pen tablet. However, professionals who need to use the device in the office might find standalone tablets better suited. However, many professionals also choose pen tablets for their portability and convenience.

Here are some other crucial considerations to help you decide:

• Compatibility with your phone or laptop: It is best to look for a device that works well with different platforms like Android, macOS, Windows, and Chromebooks.
• Workspace: How much space you have will guide the screen size and product dimensions that you choose. Drawing takes time and effort, and you don’t want your hands and neck to be uncomfortable with a device sized disproportionately to your needs.
• Specifications: If you purchase a standalone tablet, you should check its specifications. A good ballpark is an Intel i5 or higher, 16GB RAM, and memory of at least 64GB. You may also need a graphics card for work projects and actions like 3D modeling.
• Display: If you choose a drawing device with a screen, ensure that the monitor has a good resolution and is low on external interference. Many tablets offer 4K and UHD displays with anti-glare, wide viewing angles, and a pleasing color spectrum.
• Pen features: Does the pen have customization options? Are the pressure levels sensitive enough to fulfill your sketching needs? Examining the stylus for quality, accuracy, and response is vital before purchase.

Best Drawing Tablets 2022

We have outlined the choicest drawing tablets for creative ventures in the list below. Today, the options are aplenty. For instance, you may fancy a pen tablet for its portability and handiness. Or, you could acquire a pen display for a complete experience. Standalone drawing tablets are also becoming popular among designers and artists.

Selecting the best device for your needs is often a function of your budget and unique requirements. For instance, if you need a drawing tablet for your office, you may prefer a standalone over a pen display.

Best Pen Tablets (Drawing Tablets Without Screen)

Pen tablets are affordable, with some great options priced at less than $25. They provide a fantastic drawing experience. But you will have to hook them up to an external display. Most pen tablets work with laptops and smartphones. Besides being reliable and portable, these devices also offer tremendous flexibility.

They are usually battery-free, which eradicates the need for recharging. They can deliver detailed, accurate sketching, letting you draw lines of different widths and styles. If you travel frequently, then drawing tablets without screens can be invaluable. No more worrying about damaging the screen or lugging around a lot of design paraphernalia!

1. Wacom Intuos

The Wacom Intuos is high on accuracy, ergonomics, and adaptability. It is a lightweight, sleek pen that can adapt to different styles and creative processes. The starting weight is only 8.1oz, and the thickness of 8.8mm is similar to a standard smartphone. Accuracy-wise, you get as much as 0.25mm digital tolerance. This pen uses electro-magnetic resonance technology (EMR) to generate 4,096 pressure levels and create a free, natural creative experience.

This pen tablet comes with free software that you can download and compatibility with educational apps. You can even get three months of access to applications like Collaboard and Limnu – perfect for students and teachers. Some models include Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to connect to your computer.

Personalizing this pen is straightforward as you can pick from felt and flex nibs and three colors. You may also customize the buttons and keys.

2. Huion Inspiroy H420X

At just $24.99, the Huion Inspiroy H420X packs a mighty punch. It is an accurate, portable, stylish pen tablet with 7mm thickness and a weight of only 3.7oz. The impressive report rate of 300 PPS and pressure sensitivity of 8,192 make it perfect for creative pursuits like drawing, taking notes, and playing games, especially OSU. The resolution of 5080 LPI assists ventures like digital drawing and design.

This pen tablet is compatible with four operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS, so you are highly unlikely to encounter interfacing issues.

Ergonomically, it is one of the best pen tablets in the market. The comfy palm rest, shortcut keys, paper-like cover, and rounded corners bring you close to a pen-on-paper feel and limit finger fatigue.

A charming feature of this device is its editable rotation angle. You can easily rotate the pen to 180°, 90°, or 270°, depending on whether you are left-handed or need to fit things to your work area.

3. XP-Pen Deco mini 7W

The XP-Pen Deco mini 7W is a good choice if you seek sustained use. It lets you work for more than ten hours and remains on standby for over 15. The wireless technology and portable design (11.6oz, 9.3mm) make it a fabulous option for various users like students, teachers, and designers. This pen also allows you to customize the shortcut keys to improve your speed and comfort while using it.

Performance is top-notch. You can enjoy 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60 degrees of tilt action. If you like shading, you will find this tablet effective at sketching realistic lines and strokes of varying widths.

This option has you sorted if you need to create on different platforms like Linux and Android. It is compatible with Windows 7, Mac, and Chrome OS and syncs with popular multimedia applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Blender. A USB-C connection simplifies coordination with your peers, colleagues, etc.

4. Wacom Intuos Pro

The Wacom Intuos Pro is an intelligent pick for professionals with natural tilt recognition, connectivity with multiple platforms, and support for USB and Bluetooth. This battery-free pen offers three-month complimentary access to A/V apps like Adobe Premiere and MASV.

A unique offering of this pen is its ability to convert sketches on paper into digital files. It is terrific for the scores of designers who prefer to commence their work on paper. It has a sleek and portable design, weighing between 0.99lbs and 2.86lbs, depending on the size you choose.

The Wacom Intuos Pro is precise, with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Ergonomically, the creators have prioritized both right and left-handed use. This 8mm pen tablet comes with a stand to stow away spare nibs and simplify replacement. If you work with 3D and 2D applications, you will find the customizable buttons handy. They let you perform actions like pan, tumble, zoom, etc.

Best Pen Displays (Drawing Tablets With Screen)

Pen displays are pricier than if you forewent the screen. But naturally, they can offer you a more intuitive experience. These gadgets come with beautiful monitors that let you visualize your work in a full-color gamut. Many such tablets come with stands and cases and have multi-connect cables to keep things streamlined.

If you invest in a pen display, you will also be upping the cost and bulk of your design studio. Still, many manufacturers have now designed drawing tablets with screens that weigh less than 4lbs and manage to be sleek.

5. Huion Kamvas Pro 13 (2.5K)

At $399.00, the 13.3” Huion Kamvas Pro 13 (2.5K) is a nifty QHD+ drawing tablet for art, design, 3D modeling, etc. It boasts a color gamut of 145% sRGB with 16.7 million colors, a picture clarity of 226 PPI, and a viewing angle of 178°. Huion uses a quantum dots film on this tablet to enhance the color for professional projects.

The etched, anti-glare screen with full lamination goes a long way in improving the feel of the tablet and bringing it closer to a paper texture. The nib is lower to make your drawing experience more natural. With a 60° tilt, 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, and a resolution of 5080 LPI, this tablet is ideal for professionals.

Connections are not a problem here, as this device can work with a MacBook, Android, and a USB-C port. You get no less than seven shortcut keys and six angles to personalize your use. A 3-in-2 cable cuts clutter.

The design is thoughtful, complete with a foldable stand and a lightweight, sleek build for portable usage (2.2lbs, 1cm).

6. XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP

Brilliant color accuracy, a 4K resolution, and multi-touch control are some of the many benefits you can enjoy with the XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP. It offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, 92% Adobe RGB, and a 124% sRGB color gamut. Up to 60 degrees of tilt lets you feel comfortable while working.

You can easily zoom in and out, rotate your canvas and navigate freely with your fingers while drawing with a stylus. The laminated display is exemplary. It perfectly balances the surface roughness and the particle spacing to deliver clarity and viewing comfort with minimal parallax. The anti-glare panel eases fatigue and reduces external interference. In essence, this tablet works wonderfully for drawing fine lines and shading. A digital eraser is a bonus, letting you edit your work quickly.

It is a portable tablet with a pen case to store the stylus and the nibs. Making connectivity simple are two USB-C ports. Your privacy while traveling is also assured, thanks to a security slot on the side.

7. Huion Kamvas 24 Plus

The 23.8” Huion Kamvas 24 Plus provides you with a 2.5K resolution, a 178-degree viewing angle, and minimal parallax for crystal-clear imagery. A 140% sRGB color gamut and a total of 16.7 million colors allow you to explore colors to your heart’s content. The large screen and the quantum dot technology for enhanced color let you work quickly, preventing frequent zoom-ins and zoom-outs.

The anti-glare display with lamination and etching is a beauty. It brings your experience close to a pen-on-paper feel, reduces blue light, and realizes a wide viewing angle of 178°. Huion has worked on the nib, making it more stable and suitable for sketching and shading various types of lines. Pressure levels of 8,192 and tilt angles of 60 °bring you further comfort as you create.

This tablet is on the heavy and bulky side at 12.3lbs and measures 21mm. However, it connects swiftly to your laptop or Android phone via a three-in-one cable. If you wish to connect to a keyboard or flash disk, you can use the USB-A.

8. Wacom Cintiq

The 15.6” or 21.5” Wacom Cintiq supports creative tasks with expertise, combining vibrant color with ergonomics and accurate response. The anti-glare HD screen has no parallax, so creating feels close to drawing on paper. Since the stylus uses EMR technology, it does not need batteries. No need to charge supports freedom and hence, your creative process. The pen has unique tilt recognition to make your work more intuitive.

This tablet boasts a modern design sense. The pen, for instance, provides you with good balance and grip so that you don’t feel uncomfortable while drawing. The construction is also durable, done with high-quality, scratch-resistant materials. The foldable legs support a quick recline (19°), while an optional stand improves your overall work experience. Wacom includes a detachable pen holder with the purchase that you can move around and safely stock your spare nibs.

A 3-in-1 cable minimizes clutter and streamlines your connections. This tablet is portable with a width of 25-40mm (depending on the model). The Wacom Cintiq 16 weighs about 4.6lbs. The Wacom Cintiq 22 is heavier at 12.3lbs.

Best Standalone Drawing Tablets

Tablet computers are the most elaborate choices for artists, offering an experience close to a professional studio. Some have the latest Intel processors, NVIDIA graphics cards, and upgradeable memory. Many companies have introduced ergonomic design, tilt recognition, and full-color spectrums.

You can also consider a standalone drawing tablet if you seek a 2-in-1- device. So, you may use it as a pen display to create your latest artwork or a full-purpose entertainment platform that supports gaming and watching movies. These devices involve much more expenditure, which makes them preferable for professionals.

9. Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 and 16

You can smoothly use the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 and 16 for remote work at home, in your office, or with clients for presentations. The performance front takes off with an Intel i7 chip and an NVIDIA Quadro graphics card. (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 on the 13.3” model). This tablet is expensive at $2,599.95 and $3,499.95 for the 13.3” and 15.6” models. On the plus side, it offers upgradable memory (DDR and SSD).

The etched-glass display (Ultra HD/ WQHD) is stellar. Wacom uses advanced screen technology to reduce parallax and create a free, paper-like experience as you draw. The bonding agent here is particularly laudable, as it reduces the gap between the glass and your screen, making any sketching or shading accurate. The 13.3” display offers WQHD resolution and 82% Adobe RGB color, while the 15.6” one has a 4K screen with an 85% gamut.

With this tablet, you can enjoy six months of complimentary access to apps like Sculptron and Adobe Fresco. The device is light (3.2lbs-4.7lbs) and sleek (0.7”) and will not bog you down as you speed through a busy day.

10. Huion Kamvas Studio 22

The 21.5” Huion Kamvas Studio 22 has a wide viewing angle of 178°and a 120% sRGB color gamut, unraveling 16.7 million colors.

This tablet gets fueled by an Intel Core i5-8400 CPU, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB HDD. You also get an SSD of 120GB or 240GB, coupled with a strong cooling for sustained, high-performance operation. The inbuilt speakers offer a 3D audio effect to complement activities like gaming, watching movies, etc.

The etched-glass screen with anti-glare cuts parallax and makes the creative journey comparable to pen-on-paper. Accuracy and sensitivity are also top-of-the-rung, with 8,192 pressure levels and 60°tilt recognition. A 120% sRGB color gamut boasts 16.7 million colors, and a report rate of less than 220PPS lets you dive deep into creativity.

Huion has ensured that the tablet is easy to operate for left- and right-handed people. The company has designed the keys and touch bars accordingly. This tablet also has an adjustable stand to help you angle it as per your convenience.

It is a heavy tablet at 10.47lbs and measures 21mm. But connections like USB, VGA, and HDMI permit you to connect to multiple devices and get going.

The Verdict

Drawing tablets have become integral to the lives of many creative people around the globe, letting them unleash their passions and design uninterrupted. If you have decided to take up digital drawing as a hobby or wish to design comic strips, these capable devices will be right up your street. Companies like Huion, Wacom, and XP-Pen have successfully created artist-friendly gadgets. They simplify the process of digital drawing, letting the limelight remain on innovation and original thought.

The Huion Inspiroy H420X comes across as a complete drawing tablet, boasting accuracy, affordability, and multi-device compatibility. If you have a bigger budget and wish to pair up with a screen, then the XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP is a fantastic option. Standalone tablets bring drawing to the center stage, aligning all the features of the computer with the priorities of artwork: focus and finesse. A device like the Wacom MobileStudio Pro is ideal for artists who demand high-speed graphics and upgradable storage.

We live in stressful times, battling the tumult of a pandemic, and art can be therapeutic. Whether you draw for a living or like to lose yourself in creating as an escape, a trusty drawing tablet can be your ally on the journey.