Graphic tablet

El graphic design It is a trade that requires the adequate tools for work. If you already have a sleek, high-resolution screen and a large desktop, then the next thing you need is something that allows you to translate human movement into what you're doing on the screen. That's where graphic design tablets come into play; If you've never used one, you may not be aware of how essential they can be for aspiring artists as well as graphic design professionals.

Comparison of the best graphics tablets

Below you have a comparison table to help you choose your next graphic tablet. We have chosen the models with the best ratings among users and with a very tight quality-price ratio so that you buy the best with the budget you have.

Top picks for the best drawing tablets

Factor in other features, like the size of the active area, and even perks like a tablet's built-in display, and you can see why these tablets are considered practically indispensable for high-end graphic design projects.

Wacom OneSmall

On a brand level, the Wacom One Small is very popular with artists. The best seller right now. The Wacom offers a generous active area size of 8,5 x 5,4 inches, along with 1.024 levels of sensitivity to pressure. If you usually work with a pencil and a pad, the tablet will be very intuitive. Its natural alignment makes its surface easy to use, either vertically or horizontally. No matter how many turns you give the tablet, it will work wonderfully in any position.

A big advantage of choosing the Wacom is the creative software suite that comes standard and that includes full versions of Corel Paint Essentials, Photoshop Elements, Autodesk Sketchbook, and Nik Color Efex Pro. For a very cheap price of the complete package, it is likely that you have everything you need to work in one purchase. Additional options like its wireless kit (not included with purchase) give you the benefit of upgrading your tablet in the future if you're looking for ways to get more out of your device.

Ugee M708 v2 Graphics Tablet

This is the cheapest model so far on the list, offering 8192 similar levels of pen sensitivity. Compatible with Photoshop and AutoDesk, and providing a generous 10 x inches of active drawing area, the Ugee M708 graphics tablet is a very good option for graphic design students who need to keep their budget in mind, but do not want to compromise their ability to design. draw, drag, or drop with extreme levels of precision. The 8192 pressure levels It means you can get professional results when working on a project, and the price level means your budget will be open for a great monitor to go with your tablet.

For the price, the level of precision, and the compatibility with PC and Mac alike, it would be difficult to find a better option than the Ugee M708 v2. Don't expect some of the same comforts and luxuries you'd find with Wacom's top models. However, this tablet has a affordable price and it is perfectly valid to make use of the basic functionalities.

HUION Inspiroy

Huion's most compact model, offers a tablet that can be used on a space-limited desktop. Due to its small size it presents 8192 pressure levels, similar to the others that we offer you in this list. In return, you get a tablet that is battery-free and a larger amount of active drawing space on the tablet itself, compared to its edges.

It can be ideal for students, as well as the previously mentioned. Although it is also perfectly valid for professionals who want to work on a laptop. It is easy to carry, extremely light, and can be used at a professional level for graphic design, photo editing, and drawing.

Wacom Intuos Pro

Wacom is a leader in the graphic design tablet market, so it shouldn't surprise you to see so many entries from the company on this list. The Wacom Cintiq's lack of display screen, but offering the same 8192 levels of sensitivity Under pressure, the Wacom Intuos Pro is a very nice, and very affordable, professional graphics design tablet. The lack of a screen makes it a lighter, smaller alternative, which can be ideal if you already have a pretty good monitor and want to be able to take full advantage of its potential size.

Intuos has tablets of all sizes (small, medium and large), which gives you the option to choose the one that suits you best and also without much difference in prices. As with the Cintiq, the Intuos offers ExpressKeys programmable for the specific shortcuts you want to plug in, and a wireless accessory kit, so you can work on graphic design without being tied to your desk. It is a good choice for designers of any level.

Wacom Cintiq 16HD Interactive

La more recommended if you have the budget. They are constantly working to perfect the use of interactive art tablets and their functionality. The Wacom Cintiq 16HD Interactive is the fruit of that work with 8192 pressure levels, a very careful design, and a wide variety of functionalities and tools integrated into your Wacom Pro Pen system. B00BWM1GOY

Setup is straightforward with the Wacom Cintiq 16HD Interactive, whether you're working on a PC or Mac, and the tablet itself has incorporated a quick method of direct access to a key system called ExpressKeys. The tablet screen itself is a 15,6 ″ HD monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution, which actually makes it as big and clear as the kind of screen you might expect to find in a full-size laptop. If you're a professional artist, the Wacom Cintiq 16HD could be your new best friend.

XP-Pens

XP-Pen is another of the big brands, with models like this one from 13.3″ with IPS panel and full color screen so you can see the drawing you are doing in real time.

This model includes the necessary digital pen, and does not need to be charged. In addition, it is a model that can be practical for both beginners and more advanced users.

Best brands of graphics tablets

If you are thinking of buying a model, you should know the best brands of graphic tablets that you can find, and with which you will be sure to be making a good purchase:

Wacom

They are a benchmark in the world of graphic tablets, a guarantee of quality and good results. This Japanese firm is especially dedicated to this type of digitization products, with some of the best models both with a screen and without a screen.

In addition, they also have some accessories at your disposal, such as digital pens and other items to make working with the tablet much more comfortable.

huion

It is another of the greats, along with Wacom. Therefore, they also offer high-quality products. In addition, in terms of drivers and compatibility, it has also improved a lot in recent years, as well as in the compatibility of the design / drawing software.

So they've gotten almost on a Wacom level in that regard. On the other hand, a positive point of Huion is that they tend to come very complete in terms of accessories and spare parts, while the Wacom are less equipped for you to buy them separately.

XP PEN

These graphics tablets are also of great quality, and tend to have an extremely good level of sensitivity. They are very fast in terms of movement responses, and the stroke widths are usually very thin. As for their value for money, they also come out well.

GAOMON

They are quality graphics tablets with very competitive prices. Therefore, they are ideal for amateurs just starting out in the world of digitization and design. However, it also has more advanced models for professionals. There are both with a screen and without it.

Graphics tablets with display

After conventional graphics tablets, they have also arrived touchscreen models. These tablets are more advanced and will allow you to be directly seeing the image you are manipulating, making the experience more similar to how you would when you draw on a canvas or paper. In other words, you can see the results instantly, in real time.

With all the advantages of digitization, such as the possibility of modifying them with retouching or editing programs, infinite possibilities of colors, brushes and effects, the probability of animating them, being able to easily send them or store them in the cloud, and even replicate or print them ...

Another advantage of a graphics tablet with a screen is that, some models, do not need to connect to the PC to be able to use it, but they can work independently, as if they were a tablet. This is because the pen / touch-sensitive surface acts as a screen, and has a series of controls to program it, store designs, etc.

They also allow you to achieve much more precise strokes, they are extremely versatile, they allow you to help you achieve more natural and realistic results, they are easy, intuitive and comfortable.

Obviously they have a higher price, but many professionals and amateurs They prefer them to conventional ones, which is making them one of the best sellers today.

What is a graphics tablet?

A graphics tablet (also known as a pen tablet, drawing tablet, or digitizer) is a hardware input device used primarily by digital artists, although you don't have to dedicate yourself to using them.

Graphics tablets have a kind of hard plastic as their drawing surface. It is sensitive to the touch and transfers pen or mouse movements to a monitor. The position of the pen or mouse is directly correlated to the position of the cursor on the monitor. It takes a while to get used to drawing on the tablet surface, but once you hit the learning curve, it's as natural as using a pen or pencil on paper.

Graphics tablets use a seemingly simple system of translating pen movements into current computer input. While it may not seem like much, the amount of pressure, input lag, and other factors can also play a role in what actually happens with your drawing tools.

What is a graphics tablet for?

A graphics tablet can be used for a multitude of applications. They are used by architects, engineers, illustrators, photographers, animators, painting enthusiasts, etc. Some popular uses you can give them are:

• To draw: if you love to draw and want to save on paper or don't know where to put all the drawings you make (or those of the smallest ones in the house), it is a great option. In addition, you can not only make your sketches, color them, apply effects, filters, insert images, animate or enrich them, but you can also print them, store them, share them on social networks, etc.
• To write: other options that these graphics cards give you is to practice your calligraphy writing text using the digital pen, or simply to take notes by hand if you are not very fast with the keyboard. This can allow you to store the text in a document to edit it, convert it to PDF, or upload your notes to the cloud.
• To teach online: It is also a great option for teachers. If you unite the two previous capabilities, being able to draw and being able to write, you can add software to display the results and use it as your “blackboard” for distance education. Draw your schemes, diagrams, add text notes, draw or point on images or drawings already created, etc. The versatility is absolute.
• For photography- Photographers and other designers can also use them to retouch their photos in a more comfortable way. Sometimes, the use of the keyboard and the mouse is not the most comfortable, and using the usual editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, ...), together with the graphic tablet and a digital pen, you can have better precision and control of what is done.

So what is the best graphic design tablet?

The best tablet for graphic design, in our opinion, is the Cintiq 13HD from Wacom. Of the options mentioned above, it is the only one that has its own screen to facilitate drawing and graphic design. It also boasts the highest levels of pressure sensitivity (tied with other tablets), and this may be a near-perfect graphics tablet design for professionals who need a tool that can keep up with the demands of the gaming industry. design. Although in our opinion it is the best, this does not mean that it is the one that best suits you. You must choose the one that best suits your needs and your level.

Do I really need a drawing tablet before a mouse?

Short answer? Yes. A computer mouse can be very, very precise, but the way the strokes are drawn makes them less precise than graphics tablet screens. They are also unable to provide the same levels of pressure sensitivity as a tablet's pen system. With a mouse, you can only click and drag, nothing more. With a tablet pen, you can lightly sprinkle a screen with shading, or draw thick, dark lines, all with the same art tool and without changing any options in drop-down boxes or menus. Without forgetting that, thanks to the pressure points, you can draw as if it were a pencil.

Tablets Not only are more accurate. They are also faster when making changes, both large and small, and are absolutely necessary for drawing and illustration. Even simple sketches can take much less time with a tablet compared to the time it will take with a mouse.

Nobody needs a graphics tablet, they are not absolutely necessary. However, if you work dedicated to digital illustration or photo retouching, a graphics tablet could make your job a good deal easier and even more fun. A pencil offers a more natural way to draw, paint, and touch up. Something that a mouse can never provide. Using a mouse is slow and awkward and doesn't allow for the smooth, pressure-sensitive flow that a tablet does. You will see how you make the designs in a much more fluid way thanks to a graphic design tablet.

What Makes a Good Tablet for Graphic Design?

• La pressure sensitivity counts a lot; If you are an artist and are already used to drawing on paper, then you know that the actual tactile sensation of drawing, putting pressure on a pen or pencil, and even being able to erase lines with precision, all contribute to the creation of a higher quality work of art. Similarly, graphic design tablets must have, at a minimum, more than a thousand different pressure levels. That feedback comes through creative software, such as Adobe and Corel products, and it can result in some truly exceptional graphic design.
• La comfort of use is another factor to consider. Tablets that have a larger active area make it much easier to make changes and finer details in an art piece. If your active area is narrow or very confined, it will be much more difficult to move your hand naturally.
• Customization means convenience, and you'll find that higher-end tablets can provide exactly that via direct access systems or hotkeys. All the tablets mentioned in this listing provide some kind of direct access system, either through the buttons that are placed on the tablet itself, or through programmable movements. That means you can easily change the tools you're using on the fly, perform actions in programs like Adobe Photoshop without reaching for the mouse, and much more.

When less is more, choose according to the use you are going to give it

Another thing to consider when buying a drawing tablet is how much you are going to use it.

• If graphic design is your professionIt is always worth investing in a tablet even if it can cost hundreds of euros. This is the device that you are going to use to carry out your work life and it is essential to feel comfortable and make the most of your time. With graphic design tablets, you will better optimize your working hours, being able to make designs much faster and more fluidly.
• If graphic design is your hobbyThere are two tablets on our list that are in the range below € 100, and one that is only slightly above it. Although they may not have as many additional features as tablets that cost multiple times as much, they can still provide accurate information with their professional levels of response time and pressure sensitivity. This is relative, it depends on your purchasing power. If you do graphic work in an amateur way and economically, you can afford a better tablet, it will always do a better job for you.
• Also considering active areas, because there will be times when having a larger tablet may not be the right option for you. If your workspace is tight on space, then a larger, more expensive tablet might actually be more of a hindrance than a smaller, cheaper tablet.
• Easy-to-carry tablets are also something to consider. All the tablets on the list are perfectly compatible with laptops, but not all tablets are going to be ideal for quick and easy transport. Weight, size, and other considerations should play a role in your final purchase decision. You must know well where and how you are going to use it.

Whichever you choose, you should consider your real needs before comparing yourself to what may seem like the "biggest and best" tablet on the market. There are a wide range of applications that can be used on the best drawing tablets. However, it could happen that you end up not using or taking advantage of these applications and functionalities, so you should stop and think a bit before buying your tablet. The opinions of other users about drawing tablets can go a long way to clarify any doubts you may have about a particular model.

Does size matter?

Graphics tablets range in size from 4 "x 5" to 18 "x 12". If you need something bigger, the Cintiq measures an impressive 20.4 "x 12.8". While the small tablets are suitable for home and professional use, most artists prefer medium or large size tablets, as they allow a much more natural drawing and painting movement. If you are not a professional artist, a small tablet is usually more than enough. In fact, it is preferred by people who do not need a large tablet to express their inner Picasso. Those with carpal tunnel and similar problems also prefer the smaller tablets as less movement means less stress on their wrists and hands. As we have already mentioned, you have to look at everything.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a tablet is your desktop available in real estate. Please note that the dimensions of a tablet refer to the actual drawing space and not the outer dimensions of the tablet. For example, my tablet is 7 "x 4.5". However, its presence is 12 "x 8". And, finally, in the same way that it happens with a multitude of everyday objects, the larger the product, the higher the price.

Other characteristics

Some options that I am also interesting to consider when you want to buy one of these devices for graphic designers.

• Programmable Functions: Features vary from tablet to tablet, but most come with at least a couple of programmable buttons that can be on the tablet or pen itself. The following is a list of some of the buttons and gadgets that you can find.
• Quick keys: Most tablets include hotkeys, even the smallest models. These keys can be programmed to act frequently as keyboards and functions.
• Side pen buttons: Side buttons on a pen are normally set to double click and right click. However, some models give you the option to modify these functions by default.
• Touch Ring: Wacom Intuos tablets come with a nifty little touch ring. This touch-sensitive area controls auto pan / zoom, layers, brush size, and canvas rotation. You can also program it to perform other functions, simply by visiting the tablet's properties menu and assigning new functions. Once assigned, a click on the center button opens the menu on the monitor and allows you to choose your weapon.

Pen functions

La Punta

In addition to the standard hard plastic nib, Wacom offers a variety of additional nibs for its pencils. If you want a get the feel of pencil on paper, the hard felt tip will do the job. Flex tips will give you a similar feel, but they don't wear out as quickly as their felt counterpart. Need a brush-like feel? Stroke nibs have a small spring that allows the nib to give just enough to transform the pencil into what feels like a brush.

The Adesso tablets come with only one nib style, but they do have an interesting stylus that is both a touch screen stylus and an ink pen. Twist the barrel and you have an ink pen. Turn around again and you've got a tablet pen. Although it gives us the impression that, with this device, more than once the screen of the tablet would end up stained with ink. Besides this quality, this needle also has a laser pointer. It can come in handy for introductions and… to play with your cat!

Draft tip

Many tablet pencils come with a pressure sensitive eraser that works just like a pencil eraser. Instead of erasing graphite or ink, it erases digital marks and information in programs ranging from Microsoft Word to Adobe Photoshop.

Side pen buttons

The side buttons on a stylus are normally set to double click and right click. However, some models give you the option to modify these functions in a different way than the ones that come by default.

Other pen options

When it comes to stylus options, Wacom is the leader. Most manufacturers do not sell alternative pens or even replacement alternative nibs.

When you buy the tablet you get the basic pencil and that's it, don't wait any longer. However, in addition to the standard grip pen that comes with a tablet WacomAlso they sell pencil accessories, such as an air brush (shaped like an air brush), an art pen, a classic pen (thinner without a rubber grip), and an ink pen. Each stylus is designed to mimic the feel and effects of the art tool it represents.

Pressure levels

The levels of presión for most tablets they are either 256, 512, 1024, or 2048. These numbers refer to the sensitivity levels of the stylus. The highest levels are the most sensitive and produce the best results.Especially if you are using the pencil as an art tool. The pressure levels work on the same principle as a brush, pencil or chalk. The stronger you press, the darker and thicker the line will be.

Sensitivity to stylus pressure is especially important for digital artists who need to control line thickness, color, transparency, and blending.

Some high-end pens also allow you to use tilt and rotation to control the line width and orientation of the brush.

Can you use a graphics tablet on Mac and PC?

Yes, graphics tablets can be used both in macOS operating systems, as in Windows, as well as in GNU / Linux. You just have to choose the right one, which has drivers and support for these operating systems.

Many typical programs of these systems are compatible with the input of these tablets, so you can use them with them: Krita, GIMP, Photoshop, PixelImator, Autodesk Sketchbook, Blender, Inkscape, Corel Painter Lite, etc.

Conclusion

Now it is your decision to choose a good graphic design tablet based on all the features that we have given you, do you already know which one you need? There are tablets like the iPad Pro designed for graphics professionals. But nevertheless you do not need to spend € 1.000 for it, and if you really want to pay such an amount, you most likely want to do it with a graphic tablet specific.

Graphics Tablets Stores sorted by price, so we recommend that you buy according to your budget.