Best Tablets for Drawing 2025: Artists’ Top Picks This Year
Looking for the best tablet for drawing in 2025?
Embarking on your digital art adventure? Choosing the perfect tablet is essential. With countless options at your fingertips—some flaunt screens, while others go bare—some crave a computer, and some are delightfully self-sufficient—it’s no wonder you might feel adrift in a sea of choices.
We’ve crafted this guide just for you. Ditching the usual top ten or twenty, we zoom in on what truly counts—budget, portability, stylus quality, and your drawing purpose. Whether you’re sketching fast or refining artwork in your studio, we’ll help you find the perfect tablet.
Let’s dive in and find the one that fits your style best!
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Best Tablets for Beginners
New to digital art? You don’t need an expensive or complex tablet. Look for one that’s easy to use, affordable, and works with popular drawing apps. Here are our top beginner-friendly tablets:
1. Wacom One
The Wacom One is a 13.3-inch pen-display tablet perfect for beginners and hobbyists. It lets users explore digital art without breaking the bank, and its responsive drawing experience makes it ideal for those new to digital illustration.
Key Features
- 3-inch Full HD Display: With a 1920×1080 resolution, it has a matte surface that helps reduce glare.
- Battery-Free Stylus: This thing’s got 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition – it’s responsive.
- Compatibility: It works with Windows, macOS, and some Android devices.
- Included Software: You also get Bamboo Paper and Clip Studio Paint thrown in.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Affordable Entry Point | Limited Brightness |
| Natural Drawing Feel | No Shortcut Keys |
| Lightweight and Portable | Tethered Use |
2. XP-Pen Artist 12
Meet the XP-Pen Artist 12 (2nd Gen). It’s your ticket to digital art. This compact and affordable pen display tablet is perfect for new artists and casual doodlers. With an 11.6-inch fully laminated canvas, you’ll see bright colors and clear details. Enjoy smooth drawing without spending too much!
Key Features
- 6-inch Full HD Display: 1920×1080 resolution with a laminated screen.
- Enhanced Color Gamut: 127% sRGB for vibrant colors.
- Battery-Free Stylus: 8192 pressure levels and 60° tilt support.
- Customizable Shortcut Keys: 8 programmable keys and a slim touch bar.
- Wide Compatibility: Works with Windows, macOS, Android, and popular software.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Portable Design | Limited Screen Size |
| Improved Drawing Experience | 3-in-1 cable can be bulky |
| Affordable Price Point | Screen brightness could be higher |
3. iPad 9th Gen + Apple Pencil (1st Gen)
The iPad 9th Generation and Apple Pencil (1st Gen) make digital art easy. They offer a low-cost option with a dependable drawing experience.
Key Features
- 2-inch Retina Display: Crisp and vibrant display.
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) Compatibility: Supports pressure and tilt.
- A13 Bionic Chip: Smooth performance for drawing apps.
- iPadOS Support: Access to Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and more.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Affordability | Charging method less convenient |
| Versatility | Traditional design with larger bezels |
| Extensive App Ecosystem |
Best for Professional Artists
As a digital artist extraordinaire, your workflow deserves a tablet that clicks. Here are three standout tablets for professionals in 2025, each boasting unique advantages.
1. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is a top choice among professionals. Its 24-inch 4K UHD display offers bright colors, covering 99% of Adobe RGB. The Wacom Pro Pen 2 features 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support.
Key Features
- 24-inch 4K Display: 3840×2160 resolution with 99% Adobe RGB color accuracy.
- Wacom Pro Pen 2: 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.
- Customizable ExpressKeys: 17 programmable buttons and a Touch Ring.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Exceptional build quality and display performance. | Premium price point. |
| Highly responsive pen input with minimal lag. | Requires a substantial workspace. |
2. iPad Pro (M4) + Apple Pencil Pro
iPad Pro (M4, 2025) suits creatives and users. Its Ultra Retina XDR OLED display shows smooth motion and vibrant colors. The Apple Pencil Pro feels like a real pen, with squeeze gestures and haptic feedback.
Key Features
- Ultra Retina XDR OLED Display: Up to 1,600 nits brightness with smooth visuals.
- Apple Pencil Pro: New features: squeeze gesture and haptic feedback.
- iPadOS Ecosystem: Access to apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Affinity Designer.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Highly portable and lightweight. | Only compatible with the latest iPad Pro models. |
| Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. | Higher cost |
3. Huion Kamvas Pro 24 (4K)
Huion Kamvas Pro 24 (4K) is a cost-effective option for professionals. Its 23.8-inch 4K display has accurate colors and a textured surface. The stylus has 8,192 pressure levels and tilt control for a stable drawing experience.
Key Features
- 8-inch 4K Display: Reduces glare with a laminated, etched glass screen.
- Battery-Free Stylus: Offers precise control with 8,192 pressure levels and tilt recognition.
- Customizable Key Dial: Enhances productivity with customizable shortcuts.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Excellent color accuracy and build quality. | Requires connection to a computer |
| More affordable than some competitors | Lacks some of the advanced features |
Best Budget Drawing Tablets
You don’t need to spend a fortune to create great art. Budget drawing tablets today are packed with features that were once only available in high-end models. Whether you’re a student, a hobbyist, or just testing the waters, these affordable tablets offer excellent value without compromising on performance.
We picked these based on quality, price, and overall user satisfaction:
1. Huion Inspiroy H640P
Meet the Huion Inspiroy H640P—your go-to art buddy. This compact tablet is budget-friendly, making it perfect for beginners or hobbyists. It delivers solid performance without breaking the bank, so it’s a top pick for new digital artists.
Key Features
- Active Area: 6.3 x 3.9 inches
- Pen: Battery-free PW100 stylus with 8,192 pressure levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI (Lines Per Inch)
- Report Rate: 233 PPS (Points Per Second)
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Slim and lightweight design | Limited Drawing Area |
| Responsive Stylus | No Tilt Support |
| Compatible with various operating systems |
2. XP-Pen Deco Pro (Small or Medium)
The XP-Pen Deco Pro comes in Small and Medium sizes. It provides a great drawing experience at a low price. This makes it perfect for beginners and intermediate digital artists.
Key Features
- Active Area:
- Small: 9 x 5 inches (228.6 x 127 mm)
- Medium: 11 x 6 inches (279 x 152.4 mm)
- Stylus: Battery-free pen with 8,192 pressure levels and ±60° tilt support
- Connectivity: USB-C wired; wireless options available in MW models
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Ergonomic Design | Driver instability |
| Customizable Controls | Dial Sensitivity |
| Versatile Compatibility | Durability issue |
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024 Edition) is a versatile, budget-friendly tablet. It suits casual users and budding digital artists. Its sleek design, including S Pen, and strong performance provide great value for the price.
Key Features
- Display: 10.4-inch TFT LCD, 2000 x 1200 resolution for sharp visuals.
- Processor: Exynos 1280 octa-core chipset for smooth multitasking.
- Operating System: Android 14 with One UI 6.1 for easy use.
- Audio: Dual AKG-tuned speakers with Dolby Atmos for excellent sound.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Affordable Price | Performance Limitations |
| Expandable Storage | Display Technology not upgraded |
| Long Battery Life |
Best Tablets with Screens (Display Tablets)
Display tablets let you draw directly on the screen. They show your strokes in real time, giving you a natural feel. Artists like them for precision, color, and ease of use.
Below are the best display tablets for drawing—perfect for beginners to pros:
1. Huion Kamvas 16 (2021)
Meet the Huion Kamvas 16 (2021) — your creative canvas awaits. This mid-range pen display tablet boasts a vibrant 15.6-inch full HD screen. With a stylus that dances at your command, it’s a dream tool for digital artists. Perfectly crafted for those who sketch, paint, or doodle their visions into reality!
Key Features
- Display: The 15.6-inch IPS panel features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, providing clear visuals.
- Color Accuracy: It covers 120% of the sRGB color gamut, resulting in vibrant colors.
- Stylus: The battery-free pen offers 8,192 pressure levels and tilt support.
- Connectivity: You’ll find USB-C and 3-in-1 cable connections for broad compatibility.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| High-Quality Display | No Touch Functionality |
| Responsive Stylus | Stand Sold Separately |
| Affordable Pricing | Setup Complexity |
2. XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP
Check out the XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP – it’s a digital canvas that’s out of this world. This thing brings your art to life in stunning 4K UHD, with colors that pop and details that amaze. Plus, the multi-touch controls are a breeze to use.
Key Features
- Display: 16-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) screen with anti-glare glass. It offers sharp visuals and less parallax.
- Color Accuracy: Covers 92% of Adobe RGB and 124% of sRGB color gamuts.
- Touch Functionality: Supports multi-touch gestures for easy navigation and control.
- Compatibility: Works with Windows, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS platforms.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| High-Resolution Display | Pen Sensitivity |
| High color gamut coverage | Touch Function Limitations |
| Solid construction with a sleek design | Higher price |
3. Wacom Cintiq 16
The Wacom Cintiq 16 is your 15.6-inch creative playground. Experience drawing like never before. With reliable pens in hand, artistry flows effortlessly. All this, at a wallet-friendly price compared to the Pro line.
Key Features
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) LCD. It has an anti-glare coating and reduced parallax for a natural drawing feel.
- Stylus: Wacom Pro Pen 2 offers 8,192 pressure levels, ±60° tilt support, and works without a battery.
- Active Area: 13.6 x 7.6 inches (344 x 194 mm).
- Connectivity: 3-in-1 cable (HDMI, USB-A, and power) for an easy setup.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Exceptional Pen Performance | No ExpressKeys |
| Durable Build Quality | Lower Color Gamut |
| Affordable Entry into Cintiq Line | Limited Portability |
Best Standalone Tablets (No PC Needed)
Standalone tablets offer digital artists freedom and flexibility. Since they’re portable and have their operating systems, you can create art anywhere, without being tied down by cables.
Below are the best standalone drawing tablets in 2025:
1. iPad Pro (M2) + Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)
The iPad Pro (M2, 2022) and Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) offer a fantastic drawing experience. With their powerful performance and stunning display, they make excellent tools. Many digital artists and creative professionals rave about this combination.
Key Features
- Display: 11 or 12.9 inches with smooth 120Hz visuals.
- Performance: Apple M2 chip features an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU for speed.
- Stylus: Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) offers precise drawing and low latency.
- Operating System: iPadOS provides access to creative apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Exceptional Performance | Higher price |
| High-Quality Display | Accessory Costs |
| Seamless Stylus Integration |
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 + Surface Slim Pen 2
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Surface Slim Pen 2 offer a powerful and versatile solution for digital artists. This mix of tablet flexibility and laptop power is great for creatives. It offers the performance they need while still being portable.
Key Features
- Display: 13-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with 2880 x 1920 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Performance: Powered by Intel’s 12th Gen Core processors. This setup ensures strong performance for multitasking and creative apps.
- Stylus: The Surface Slim Pen 2 features 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels, tilt support, and haptic feedback.
- Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports allow fast data transfer and support external displays.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| High-Quality Display | Limited App Support for Haptics |
| Enhanced Stylus Experience | No Headphone Jack |
| Portability |
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra + S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with the S Pen is among the top Android tablets in 2025. Its large display and strong performance make it great for digital artists, designers, and professionals. They can use it as a standalone device for their creative work.
Key Features
- Display: 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 2960 x 1848 pixels and 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals.
- Performance: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for fast speed and efficient multitasking.
- Stylus: S Pen with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition for precise drawing.
- Build and Durability: Ultra-slim design at 5.5mm and IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Expansive and High-Quality Display | Premium Price Point |
| Powerful Performance | Size (larger screen) and Portability |
| Robust Battery Life |
Best Tablets for Animation & Graphic Design
For animation, graphic design, or motion graphics, you need a tablet that can handle heavy tasks, run creative software, and offer precise pen control.
Here are the best tablets for animation and graphic design in 2025:
1. Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16
The Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 (Gen 2) is a strong tool for creative pros. It’s portable and tough, perfect for 3D modeling, animation, and high-res digital art. With Wacom’s famous pen tech and a full Windows computer, it gives a great drawing experience anywhere.
Key Features
- Display: 15.6-inch UHD (3840 x 2160) screen with 85% Adobe RGB color accuracy.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (Gen 2).
- Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro P1000 with 4GB GDDR5 memory.
- Operating System: Runs full Windows 10, allowing the use of professional software like Adobe Creative Suite, ZBrush, and Autodesk applications.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Professional-Grade Display | Battery Life |
| Powerful Performance | Heat Generation |
| Superior Stylus Experience | Higher Cost |
2. XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2)
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) is a premium pen display tablet. It’s made for digital artists, illustrators, and designers who want high-end features at a great price. Its advanced stylus technology and high-resolution display make it stand out.
Key Features
- Display: The 16-inch screen has a 2560 x 1600 resolution. It offers sharp visuals with minimal parallax.
- Color Accuracy: It covers 99% sRGB, 97% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3 color gamuts.
- Stylus: The X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus features 16,384 pressure levels. It supports 60° tilt and has an initial activation force of just 3g.
- Accessories: The package includes a wireless shortcut remote, pen case, drawing glove, cleaning cloth, and multiple cables.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| High-Resolution Display | Lack of Touch Input |
| Advanced Stylus Performance | No Built-in Shortcut Keys |
| Comprehensive Accessory Bundle |
Best Overall Value
These tablets give artists great performance, features, and price. They offer excellent value without breaking the bank.
1. iPad Air (M2) + Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)
The iPad Air (M2) combines power and portability, making it a great choice for both creatives and professionals. With the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), it’s an even more powerful tool for digital art, taking notes, and other tasks.
Key Features
- Display: 11-inch Liquid Retina with True Tone and P3 wide color.
- Processor: Apple M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU.
- Storage Options: Available in 128GB and 256GB.
- Compatibility: Works with Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) for smooth drawing and writing.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Performance | Higher Cost |
| Lightweight Design | Accessories Sold Separately |
| Versatility |
2. Huion Kamvas 13
Meet the Huion Kamvas 13, your budget-friendly gateway to creativity. A seamless connection to your computer unleashes a world of artistic potential. Dive into a rich drawing experience, where every stroke is vibrant and alive—all without breaking the bank.”
Key Features
- Display: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS screen with 120% sRGB color gamut.
- Pen: Battery-free stylus with 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels and tilt support.
- Connectivity: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and select Android devices via USB-C.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| Affordability | Requires External Device |
| Display Quality | Less convenient for on-the-go use |
| Pen Performance |
3. XP-Pen Innovator 16
The XP-Pen Innovator 16 is a top pen display tablet for digital artists, illustrators, and designers. It combines performance, portability, and affordability. Its slim design and bright display make it appealing. Intuitive controls add to its value, helping creatives improve their digital art experience.
Key Features
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS panel with full lamination technology.
- Color Accuracy: Covers 92% Adobe RGB, 125% sRGB, and 88% NTSC color gamuts, ensuring vibrant and accurate color reproduction.
- Connectivity: Utilizes a 3-in-1 cable (USB-A, HDMI, and power) for a clutter-free setup.
- Compatibility: Supports Windows 7 (or later), macOS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and various Linux distributions.
Pros-Cons
|
✔️ Pros |
⛔ Cons |
| High-Quality Display | Requires External Device |
| Responsive Stylus | Stand Limitations |
| User-Friendly Controls |
To Conclude
Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, we have the right tablet for you. Our selection has budget-friendly options like the Huion Kamvas 13. We also offer advanced models such as the iPad Pro M2 and Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16.
What fuels your creativity? Is it the freedom to create anywhere, the ease of using a stylus, the thrill of bright visuals, or the ease of app integration? Pick the tablet that brings your artistic vision to life.
