Top 9 graphics tablets
A graphics tablet is a must-have gadget in the arsenal of a professional designer, animator, architect, and just an aspiring artist. It is an opportunity to unleash your creativity and transform your drawing, down to the last stroke, into digital format for further processing in a graphics editor. Products of different price categories from well-known specialized brands, distinguished by high quality products and positive customer reviews, are considered below.
The best graphic tablets under 5000 rubles
Models from this section are suitable for novice designers, animators, artists. They can be safely bought for children who are fond of drawing and designing. The gadget will not be superfluous for distance learning teachers: it is convenient to make edits and schedule the solution of problems in real time.
HUION H430P
The manufacturer of the lightweight H430P tablet is the global brand HUION, which specializes in the manufacture of touch monitors and graphic tablets. The small size of this device makes it mobile. If necessary, can be used for digital signature. Connects to a computer or smartphone via a USB cable, microUSB. Not picky about the OS - works with Windows 7, 8, 10, MAC from 10.12, Android from 6.0. Eight replacement pen nibs are included. The sensitivity of the screen reaches 4096, which guarantees clear and fast transmission of movements. This budget tablet is perfect for the Osu! Music game.
| Work area size | 122x76 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 18.7x14x0.6 cm |
| The weight | 135 g |
Pros:
- hotkeys can be customized for personal preferences;
- lightweight and compact;
- convenient length of the USB cable 1.5 m;
- the stylus does not need to be charged;
- low cost.
Minuses:
- does not work with iOS;
- without pen stand.
XP-PEN Star G960
Graphic tablet Star G960 with rather large dimensions of the working surface of 212x136 mm will not restrict users during creativity. This model works with Android devices (smartphone, tablet) and with many graphic editors (ibis Paint, Illustrator, Blender 3D, Adobe Photoshop, Pixel Studio, Painter). The sensitive nib allows you to create fine, fluid strokes effortlessly. In addition, it supports the natural tilt of the hand (up to 60 °) while drawing. For greater convenience, there are four hotkeys on the case. This device is suitable for both novice artists and teachers working remotely.
| Work area size | 212x135 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 32x21x1 cm |
| The weight | 530 g |
Pros:
- high-sensitivity pen - level 8192;
- rubberized legs;
- 10 tips per change;
- support for tablet rotation at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees;
- works with Android devices.
Minuses:
- only wired connection to PC;
- no stylus stand.
WACOM One Small (CTL-472-N)
This model of the well-known brand WACOM is just a godsend for beginners in drawing or fans of digital creativity. It is a successful combination of functionality, quality and value. The comfortable pen with detachable nibs has 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing it to more accurately sense hand pressure and embody any creative idea with ease. The pen is battery-free, lightweight and even after long-term work the hand will not get tired. Information is transmitted to the screen of a computer or laptop via a USB cable, all changes are immediately displayed on the monitor. The miniature dimensions of the working area (152x95 mm) of the CTL-472-N graphic editor are best suited for novice designers and graphic editors.
| Work area size | 152x95 mm |
| Dimensions of the device | 21x14.6x0.87 cm |
| The weight | 251 g |
Pros:
- high-quality assembly - no gaps;
- affordable price;
- comes with three spare tips;
- long-term manufacturer's warranty - 24 months;
- comfortable pen.
Minuses:
- does not support wireless connection;
- the driver for installation is downloaded separately on the site.
The best drawing tablets under 7,000 rubles
Gadgets from this category are suitable for professional artists, architects, designers. All models work in many graphic editors, some of them are universal - they can be connected to PCs, smartphones and tablets. The small size and light weight of graphic tablets allow you to always take them with you to work, study, or on the road.
HUION H640P
The powerful technical characteristics of this model will suit both professional designers, art editors and hobbyists. This tablet is designed for retouching, 3D graphics and painting. Due to its compact size and rather light weight, it can always be carried with you. The magnetic pen works without batteries, so you don't have to interrupt your workflow to recharge it. Eight replacement stylus nibs are included as standard. The tablet's screen has an 8192 level of sensitivity, which allows the tablet to accurately and quickly respond to pen strokes. The matte surface resembles smooth paper, with six control buttons located at the bottom of the tablet. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty for its products.
| Work area size | 160x100 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 26x15x0.8 cm |
| The weight | 227 g |
Pros:
- the presence of a pen stand;
- two years product warranty;
- affordable price;
- compatible with Android smartphones;
- the kit includes OTG adapters for connecting to smartphones, tablets.
Minuses:
- cannot be connected to iPad;
- no wireless connection.
XP-PEN Star 06C
A roller and six touch-sensitive control keys are located on this graphics tablet for ease of use by both left-handed and right-handed people. The sufficiently large A4 workspace does not restrict the artist's movements, and the colored back cover looks stylish and not boring. The lightweight, no-recharge pen and 8192-level pressure-sensitive display are responsive for smooth, natural strokes. There is a pen holder on the side, so you don't have to search for it every time. To a laptop or computer with operating systems Windows 7 and higher, the MAC from 10.10 device is connected via a USB cable. Works with such popular programs as Photoshop, Corel Painter, Clip Studio.
| Work area size | 254x152 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 35x22x1 cm |
| The weight | 650 g |
Pros:
- clearly and accurately responds to touch;
- bright back cover of the tablet;
- the presence of a glove for drawing;
- works with many graphic editors;
- the set includes drivers for installation - no need to search or download anything.
Minuses:
- decent weight;
- cannot be connected to smartphones, tablets on Android, iOS.
WACOM Intuos S Bluetooth (CTL-4100WLK-N / CTL-4100WLE-N)
A feature of this model of a graphics tablet is the support for Bluetooth connection with a computer or laptop. The transmission speed is similar to a wired connection (only Wi-Fi enabled on the PC can reduce the speed). A pleasant bonus when choosing WACOM Intuos S will undoubtedly be 3 free graphics programs to choose from: Clip Studio, Corel Aftershot 3 or Corel Painter. With their help, users of all levels will be able to complete digital painting training, draw comics, and edit RAW images. Four hotkeys can be customized for comfortable and productive work. Spare nibs are stored inside a lightweight pen (weighs only 11g), which does not require recharging.
| Work area size | 152x95 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 20x16x0.9 cm |
| The weight | 520 g |
Pros:
- support for a wireless connection;
- there are free built-in drawing programs;
- a recessed place is allocated for the pen on the tablet itself;
- slim and compact - you can always put it in your purse;
- flexible felt-tip pens are optionally available;
Minuses:
- the screen is not touch-sensitive;
- lack of response to changes in the angle of inclination of the pen.
The best graphic tablets for drawing
The presented graphic tablets are distinguished by good technical characteristics and the use of innovative technologies. For example, freehand texture sheets that transfer an image to the tablet screen. Of course, the stylus of such gadgets respond to the tilt of the pen, have the maximum level of pressure sensitivity and support a Bluetooth connection.
HUION H950P
The innovative passive pen technology has reduced the weight of the stylus and made it more comfortable to use, without the need to spend time recharging. The high level of screen pressure sensitivity and pen angle recognition allows you to create even more natural lines in your designs. The screen cover is made of a wear-resistant fibrous material that resembles the surface of paper. Eight control buttons are customizable for quick solution of the necessary tasks. The convenience of this tablet lies in the fact that you can work both on a PC with Windows and MAC, and on smartphones, tablets with the Android operating system.
| Work area size | 221x138 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 32x19x0.8 cm |
| The weight | 497 g |
Pros:
- accurately responds to pen tilt (± 60 levels);
- comfortable wide area for drawing;
- passive pen without charging;
- long USB cable;
- gives the feeling of drawing on paper.
Minuses:
- wired connection only;
- no pen rotation support.
XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium
This tablet won the international Red Dot Design Award in 2019. The professional level of the gadget is backed up by technical characteristics and large dimensions of the working area. The lightweight passive pen responds precisely to angle, which feels and feels like drawing on a piece of paper. The maximum level of sensitivity of the screen at 8192 levels clearly conveys the thickness and smoothness of the line. The mechanical control wheel has LED illumination, which comes in handy in low light conditions. Eight hot buttons can be customized to suit your personal preferences for faster and more productive work. The 7mm thick aluminum body guarantees a long life of the tablet.
| Work area size | 279x157 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 40x23x1.6 cm |
| The weight | 840 g |
Pros:
- sturdy body will not crack if accidentally dropped;
- three USB adapters: USB-C to USB, USB to USB-C, micro-USB;
- suitable for left-handers and right-handers;
- the presence of a virtual touchpad;
- works with all devices: PCs, tablets, smartphones.
Minuses:
- high price;
- no wireless connection.
WACOM Intuos Pro Medium (PTH-660)
The Intuos Pro series graphics tablets are the choice of professionals for their advanced features, highly customizable interface and work with numerous graphics programs. For a medium-sized tablet, drawing paper is optionally available: the user applies a drawing with a fine-tipped pen on a texture sheet fixed on the tablet screen, and at the same time all strokes are captured in digital format. A professional pen with three control buttons allows you to unfold objects, adjust the scale, and model in 3D and 2D planes. Ergonomic design and convenient location of express keys allows both right-handed and left-handed people to use the tablet.
| Work area size | 224x148 mm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 34x22x0.8 cm |
| The weight | 700 g |
Pros:
- maximum screen sensitivity level - 8192;
- built-in bluetooth connection;
- eight customizable buttons for quick control;
- two feathers included;
- recognition of the angle of inclination of the pen.
Minuses:
- no support for connecting with smartphones;
- rods are quickly erased.
When choosing a graphics tablet, you should definitely take into account the purpose of the purchase, the level of training of the user and the scope of the available budget. For designers, amateur artists, beginners in this field, inexpensive models with a wired connection and A6 workspace format are suitable. Professionals should look at tablets with the highest levels of pressure sensitivity, pen tilt response, and large working area.A touch screen, a variety of pen nibs, wireless connectivity, and customizable buttons for quick problem solving are not superfluous.
