Graphic designers, artists and different professionals who sketch or draw for a residing want a responsive touchscreen with excellent brightness and coloration accuracy to convey their work to life. The best tablets for graphic design emulate the pure feeling of drawing on paper and have giant, clear shows with excessive strain sensitivity pens and different specialised options to distinguish them from common iPads and Android tablets. That is to not say common tablets will not work for graphic design – many artists use them due to their multifunction capabilities and portability.
We have reviewed tablets from most main manufacturers this 12 months and determined to check out one of the best graphic design choices to see what they’re all about and whether or not they’re value shopping for. After checking them out, we made a listing of one of the best fashions for each use and funds that will help you resolve which is finest to your design wants.
Best tablets for graphic designers: Our top picks
Wacom / Pocket-lint
Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Creative Pen Display
1. Best overall tablet for graphic designers
The do-all option
$2300 $2700 Save $400
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 has a large 24in 4K UHD display with an etched surface for a soft, papery feel.
- 24in UHD display
- Includes ExpressKey remote
- Supports multi-touch gestures
Wacom’s Cintiq Pro 24 has a large 24-inch 4K UHD show, very best for artists who draw with their complete arm or use their wrist solely. Its excessive color accuracy brings the visuals to life, and an etched floor supplies a snug, paper-like tactile expertise. It rises 20 levels with the built-in legs, and there are flex arms, stands, and numerous mounting choices at a considerable further value from Wacom to search out the proper mounting resolution.
A pen could make or break the expertise, and Wacom’s battery-less Professional Pen 2 is snug for all-day use with 8,192 strain ranges, tilt help, ten nibs, and an eraser. The 17-button ExpressKey distant is included in case you do not feel like utilizing the multi-touch gestures and may change your cumbersome keyboard with shortcuts to zooming out and in, slicing and pasting or something you want.
Its superb show and huge dimension make the Cintiq Professional 24 the most effective tablets for graphic design. The pen and nifty distant go an extended option to enhancing the consumer expertise, though it will be good to have a correct stand to justify its hefty price ticket.
Wacom / Pocket-lint
Wacom Cintiq Professional 27
2. Finest premium pill for graphic designers
Skilled instrument
The Wacom Cintiq Professional 27 has a 27in 4K show and eight customisable ExpressKeys for a snug consumer expertise.
- 27in UHD show
- 120Hz refresh price
- Eight ExpressKeys
- Premium Pricing
- Too cumbersome for many patrons
Wacom’s Cintiq Professional 27 presents an enormous 27-inch 4K UHD canvas with 99 per cent Adobe RGB and 98 per cent DCI-P3 to create your masterpiece. A matte end on the show reduces glare and reflections, and it is responsive and silky easy with a 120Hz refresh rate. Construct high quality is top-notch, and the Cintiq Professional 27 has a sturdy really feel with eight customisable ExpressKeys on the rear panel and multi-touch and pen gestures as enter choices. There is no built-in working system, and it connects to your laptop or MacBook by way of USB-C, with a USB-A, mini DisplayPort, and HDMI additionally out there.
The Wacom Pen 3 takes consolation to the subsequent stage with adjustable weight, grip thickness, and centre of steadiness for a bespoke drawing expertise. It consists of ten nibs, tilt help for shading, and eight,192 strain ranges for superb precision.
In the event you purchase the Cintiq Professional 27, you need to add the expensive non-compulsory stand to get optimum stability and adjustability. It is value it for professionals who’ll spend the subsequent few years creating spellbinding photos on it, however common patrons are higher off with extra sensible and reasonably priced choices on our listing.
Huion / Pocket-lint
Huion Kamvas 24 Plus
3. Finest worth pill for graphic designers
Really feel like a professional for much less
Huion’s Kamvas 24 Plus presents superb worth with a 2.5K (2560 x 1440) QHD show and glorious color accuracy for an inexpensive value.
- 24in QHD show
- Features a stand
- Nice color accuracy
The Huion Kamvas 24 Plus is among the most reasonably priced methods to get a 24-inch drawing tablet, and there isn’t any sacrificing image high quality because of the gorgeous 2.5K (2560 x 1440) QHD display with a wonderful 140 per cent sRGB. An anti-glare etched glass show reduces reflections and contributes to the snug drawing expertise and huge 178-degree viewing angle. Connectivity is respectable, with two USB-C ports and a USB-A thoughtfully positioned behind the show’s proper bezel.
Huion’s battery-free PW 517 stylus retains issues easy with a rubberised grip and all of the anticipated options, like spare nibs, 8,192 strain ranges and a tilt operate. The Kamvas 24 Plus surpasses its pricier rivals by together with a sturdy screw-on stand with rubberised toes for a powerful grip and adjusts between 20 and 80 levels for the proper viewing angle. Whereas there aren’t any built-in shortcut keys, Hulion sells the Mini Keydial distant as an non-compulsory further, together with gloves, cables and different equipment.
This is not the pill to get in case you’re searching for portability as a result of it is meant to sit down on a desk all day whilst you use the pen and large show to create artistic endeavors. It feels nice to attract on, and the stand provides extra worth and makes it the most effective choices for professionals on a funds due to its aggressive value.
Apple / Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Professional 12.9-inch (2022)
4. Finest Apple pill for graphic designers
Portability with a pencil
$1049 $1099 Save $50
The Apple iPad Professional can run most graphic design apps and has a stellar 12.9in Liquid Retina XDR Show to convey out one of the best in your artwork.
- Clear 12.9in show
- Glorious efficiency
- Robust
- Shiny show
- Too small for some customers
Apple’s iPad Pro is not particularly created for drawing and lacks the matte end, papery really feel and battery-less stylus of drawing tablets. However, it is a multifunction instrument for calls, messages and extra and is moveable sufficient to hold wherever because of its 12.9-inch dimension. The iPad Professional works with most design software program, and the Apple Pencil presents incredible precision when paired with the responsive Liquid Retina XDR Show.
Some patrons desire a devoted drawing pill as a result of there aren’t any calls or notifications to distract them, whereas others desire having a do-all gadget, which is commonly cheaper. Both method, it is nice to have the processing energy of the M2 chip and 2TB of storage to your designs, movies and pictures. You may as well connect the non-compulsory Magic Keyboard to show the iPad Professional right into a mini-Macbook when it is advisable to work on paperwork and spreadsheets.
The iPad Professional will not change a fully-fledged drawing pill, nevertheless it’s a horny possibility for anybody stepping into design or who desires a cell choice to work in espresso retailers or planes. You may’t go flawed as a result of it is the most effective tablets available on the market and seamlessly pairs with Airpods and different Apple units.
Microsoft/Pocket-lint
Microsoft Floor Professional 9 (Wi-Fi)
5. Finest Home windows pill for graphic designers
Efficiency and sturdiness
The Microsoft Floor Professional 9 is moveable sufficient to go wherever with a 13.3in touchscreen and has sufficient energy to run most apps with Intel’s Core i7-1255U and 16GB of RAM.
- 13.3in 120Hz show
- Spectacular efficiency
- Constructed-in stand
- Shiny show
- No headphone jack
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is the most suitable choice for Windows followers wanting an all-in-one resolution for graphics and different duties. It is compact however powerful with sturdy aluminium building, and a 13.3-inch 120Hz touchscreen. Other than graphics apps, the Floor Professional 9 can deal with media, looking and different duties with Intel’s Core i7-1255U and 16GB of RAM. Its 256GB of storage is sufficient for many picture and video libraries.
The Floor Professional 9 consists of the rechargeable Slim Pen 2 with a 77-degree tilt operate and a built-in eraser. Its 4,094 strain ranges will not match one of the best drawing tablets, nevertheless it’s sufficient for many customers and works for jotting notes, navigating webpages and extra. Fortunately, a built-in kickstand presents 170 levels of adjustability to search out one of the best place, and the Floor Professional 9 may also flip right into a mini-laptop when paired with a suitable keyboard.
Designers on the go or anybody searching for a do-all possibility with glorious efficiency and compatibility with most apps will respect Microsoft’s Floor Professional 9. It is not one of the best for drawing with a shiny display screen and common pressure-level pen, nevertheless it will get the job performed and presents vivid imagery on its clear show.
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely
6. Finest Samsung pill for graphic designers
Robust sufficient for the street
$1200 $1320 Save $120
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely is nice for drawing, films and different media with a 14.6in, 120Hz AMOLED show.
- IP68 ranking
- 14.6in AMOLED show
- Lengthy battery life
- Wants a stand
- Bluetooth stylus requires charging
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the most suitable choice for patrons searching for a barely bigger show and glorious sturdiness. All the things from films to video games and graphics apps seems to be superb on the 14.6-inch AMOLED show with a large, 16:10 side ratio and as much as 120Hz refresh price. Construct high quality is superb, with a sturdy aluminium housing and 4 speakers constructed into every nook. It is also the one pill in its class to function an IP68 ranking to guard it from mud and water harm.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely consists of Samsung’s rechargeable S Pen with a 0.7mm tip and 4,096 strain ranges. It simply connects by way of Bluetooth and supplies glorious precision for sketching or writing and may scroll via web sites, navigate apps and extra with air gesture management. There is no scarcity of efficiency with the succesful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and also you get a full day’s cost from the 11,200 mAh battery.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely presents a shocking show for multitasking and is hard sufficient to go on tenting journeys, picnics and different outside locations the place you would possibly wish to draw nature. It additionally presents nice efficiency for many apps, however you may want to purchase a separate stand to get one of the best out of it.
Huion / Pocket-lint
Huion Kamvas Professional 16 (2.5K)
7. Finest midrange pill for graphic designers
The on a regular basis possibility
The Huion Kamvas Professional 16 has a pristine 16in QHD show to convey out one of the best in your designs and features a helpful folding stand to carry it in place.
- Nice value
- 16in QHD show
- Features a folding stand
- Brief energy cable
- Requires updates to get it working proper
The Kamvas Professional 16 by Huion is right for brand new artists or anybody searching for an outstanding pro-grade drawing pill at an ideal value. Drawings and sketches look superb on the fully-laminated 2.5K (2560×1440) QHD show, which presents a large 145 per cent sRGB color gamut and a excessive 1200:1 distinction ratio. Its anti-glare etched glass supplies a smooth, papery really feel if you’re writing or drawing, and there are eight customisable keys on the left aspect for shortcuts in several apps.
A battery-less PW517 stylus is included with the whole lot you’d anticipate at this stage, like 60-degree tilt, 8,192 strain ranges, and ten nibs within the field. You additionally get a sensible folding stand adjustable between 14.5 to 45 levels, and Huion presents a spread of add-ons just like the Key Dial Mini distant management, slim pen, and artist’s gloves to boost the consumer expertise. Like most drawing tablets, it would not have an OS and connects to your PC or Mac by way of USB-C.
This pill presents an incredible steadiness between efficiency and worth with a wide ranging 16-inch QHD show and a helpful adjustable stand for a aggressive value. It requires fast software program updates to get it going, and the quick energy wire could be inconvenient, however these are minor nitpicks and are not value contemplating with all the advantages on provide.
XPPen / Pocket-lint
XPPen Star03 V2
8. Finest funds pill for graphic designers
Finances-friendly for inexperienced persons
$60 $70 Save $10
The XPPen Star03 V2 is an reasonably priced drawing pill with a responsive 10 x 6in or 25.4 x 15.2cm floor and eight shortcut keys for fast entry to sure features.
- Sturdy
- Reasonably priced
- Eight hot-keys
- Wants a separate show to work
- Steep studying curve
Drawing tablets just like the XPPen Star03 V2 are reasonably priced and sturdy as a result of they provide a pressure-sensitive pad to attract on as an alternative of a fragile and costly touchscreen. You plug it into your computer, and all of your pen actions and strokes are registered on the monitor. With the Star03 V2, you get a reasonably compact 10 x 6-inch floor space to attract on, and it consists of eight shortcut keys to assign to zone out and in and different features.
The light-weight matte plastic battery-less pen is a pleasure to carry, has 8,192 strain ranges, and consists of eight substitute nibs. Whereas the Star03 V2’s slim 360 x 210 x 8.0mm design and 610g weight make it simple to steadiness in your lap whilst you draw, it isn’t moveable and may’t work with out a separate monitor.
XPPen’s Star03 V2 will get the job performed and is ideal for inexperienced persons or anybody desirous to check out a drawing tablet with the smallest money outlay doable. It is sturdy and responsive, however the steep studying curve and lack of portability would possibly delay some patrons.
The underside line: That are one of the best tablets for graphic design?
Wacom’s Cintiq Professional 24 is one of the best pill for graphics design as a result of it has a big 24-inch UHD touchscreen with a snug pen and paper-like expertise. The Wacom Cintiq Professional 27 takes issues up a notch with the identical nice construct high quality and an enormous 27-inch 4K show with a 120Hz refresh price. Patrons searching for one of the best worth can attempt the Huion Kamvas 24 Plus as a result of it has a 24-inch QHD show at a incredible value.
Wacom / Pocket-lint
Wacom Cintiq Professional 24 Inventive Pen Show
Editor’s Alternative
$2300 $2700 Save $400
How did we decide one of the best tablets for graphic design?
Our staff has examined many tablets this 12 months, together with Surface and Fire fashions and have hands-on expertise with some on this listing, just like the Apple iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro 9. There are various specs to think about when testing a pill, and we attempt to make issues easier by specializing in main elements just like the show, efficiency, and worth.
The most effective tablets for graphic design have enormous anti-glare shows providing a smooth writing expertise to imitate the texture of a pen on paper. Regardless of their shiny really feel, common tablets additionally work for drawing and graphic design and provide a conveyable resolution that may go wherever with you.
Most shopping for choices are primarily based on worth, so we at all times contemplate it when testing tools. All of the choices listed right here provide respectable worth, with the expensive choices having premium options to justify their value and the reasonably priced fashions punching above their weight, providing nice options for much less.
Do I want a graphics pill for graphic design?
You should use a daily pill for graphics design, however graphics tablets provide a greater writing floor, shortcut buttons, and different specialised options that make them interesting to professionals.
What pill for graphic design and Photoshop?
Many choices on our listing, just like the Wacom Cintiq Professional 24, iPad Professional, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely, will work for design and Photoshop.
Why do graphic designers use iPads?
As a result of they’ve a vivid and responsive show for drawing and are highly effective sufficient to run most graphics and picture modifying apps.
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