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In the past, sketchers, painters, and drawers were relegated to the simple use of pencil, pen, paint, and paper. However, as with everything that has ever existed, technology has made its way into the realm of visual art. Now, visual artists can do all of their work on a computer screen. But how do they accomplish this? With the use of a tablet.
Artist tablets are essentially motion detection boards which connect to computers and allow you to draw with your hand in drawing programs. If you’re into visual art, and especially if you’re a graphic designer, an artist tablet is a near necessity.
Compare the Top Ten Best Artist Tablets of 2018
Contents
| Picture | Name | Brand | Screen Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen Display | Wacom | 13.3 x 9.75 inches | $$$$ |
 | Artisul D10 - 10.1" LCD Graphics Tablet | Artisul | 10.1 x 6 inches | $$$ |
 | XP-Pen Artist16 15.6 Inch IPS Drawing Monitor | XP-Pen | 15.6 x 10 inches | $$$ |
 | Ugee 1910B Interactive Pen Display Drawing Monitor Graphics Tablet | Ugee | 19 x 21 inches | $$$ |
 | Wacom Intuos Draw CTL490DW Digital Drawing and Graphics Tablet | Wacom | 8.25 x 6.7 inches | $$ |
 | Huion H610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet | Huion | 10 x 6.25 inches | $$ |
 | Turcom TS-6610 Graphic Tablet | Turcom | 10 x 6.25 inches | $ |
| Ugee M1000L 10 x 6 Inch Graphics Drawing Digital Pen Tablet | Ugee | 10 x 6 inches | $ |
 | Huion H420 USB Graphics Drawing Tablet | Huion | 7 x 4.4 inches | $ |
 | AMZNEVO 8.5-inch LCD Writing Tablet | AMZNEVO | 8.65 x 5.7 inches | $ |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Screen Size | Price |
What to Consider When Choosing an Artist Tablet
When looking for an appropriate artist tablet, you’re going to come across quite a variety of them. Every tablet you look at will be a little different, so there are a number of things which you must take into consideration when perusing them. Doing so will ensure that you get the best artist tablet for you. Things to consider include portability, functionality, ease of use, and compatibility.
Portability
While you may only desire a static, stationary artist tablet, you might also be interested in one which possesses a little more portability. If so, you want to make sure that the tablet is small and light enough to be carried with you in a bag or in your hands. There are tablets of all sizes available, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding one that’s right for you.
Functionality
Some artist tablets possess screens upon which your draw directly. Others connect to your computer via USB and mimic the motions of your pen in a drawing program. In general, artist tablets which allow you to draw directly on their screens are easier to use. However, the other types are generally cheaper.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, artist tablets aren’t created even close to equally. Some are essentially plug-n-play, allowing you to get started without much fuss at all. Others have troubles operating within specific drawing programs. Not to mention, some tablets lag when being used. Lagging can be beyond frustrating, and can make it almost impossible draw adequately.
Compatibility
Not all artist tablets work with all operating systems. Some are designed to be used only with Mac operating systems while others are designed to be used only with Windows. Some are only compatible with specific versions of those operating systems. Make sure that the tablet you choose is designed to accommodate your specific operating system.
Top Ten: Our Picks For The Best Artist Tablets
1. Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen Display
The first artist tablet on our list is also the best artist tablet on our list. The Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen Display allows you to draw directly on its screen, giving you ultimate control and functionality overall.
This tablet possesses a screen of 13 inches long, making it much bigger than the vast majority of artist tablets out there. It possesses a 1920 x 1080 HD display, providing you with terrific image quality that you won’t get with most other artist tablets.
It comes with an electronic pen which allows you to sketch and draw with effortlessness. It’s also equipped with a stand so that you can position it upright regardless of where you are. All in all, this is a superb artist tablet; the best artist tablet on the market today. Though it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth every penny.
Key Features
- Offers excellent 1920 x 1080 HD image quality
- Possesses a screen of 13 inches
- Equipped with a stand so that it can sit upright
- Allows you to draw directly on its screen
2. Artisul D10 – 10.1″ LCD Graphics Tablet
Up next on our list is the Artisul D10. This artist table is available for about a third of the price of the Wacom reviewed above, but still offers quite a bit in the ways of picture quality and general functionality.
It possesses an image resolution of 1280 x 800 with HD resolution. This isn’t as good as the Wacom’s, but is still good enough for most drawing purposes. The screen on this tablet measure sin at 10 inches long, giving you more than enough space to get the job done.
Coming with an electronic pen, it allows for smooth, natural drawing. With 6 shortcut keys, it’s fairly intuitive, and capable of being used by everyone from kids, to teens, to adults. All in all, this is a terrific artist tablet; the best artist tablet for the money.
Key Features
- Offers excellent functionality for its price
- Screen measures in at 10 inches in length
- 1280 x 800 HD resolution offers above average image quality
- Allows you to draw directly on the screen
3. XP-Pen Artist16 15.6 Inch IPS Drawing Monitor
Another excellent artist table is the XP-Pen Artist16. This tablet offers a large screen measuring in at 15.6 inches, giving you more than enough room to finish any project you’re tasked with. While it’s a little expensive, it’s easily functional enough to make it worth its price.
This tablet allows you to draw directly on it, offering a smooth and responsive interface overall. It possesses a HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, giving it fantastic image quality overall. With a stand attached to it, it can be set upright just about anywhere.
It comes with two rechargeable electronic pens allowing you to draw continuously for long periods of time. Compatible with both Mac and Windows, it’s an exceptional artist tablet overall. There is no major downside to it.
Key Features
- Offers a 1920 x 1080 HD resolution
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
- Offers a large 15.6-inch screen
- Equipped with a stand, allowing it to be set upright anywhere
4. Ugee 1910B Interactive Pen Display Graphics Tablet
If you’re looking for a huge artist tablet, you might consider this one from Ugee. This tablet is equipped with a 19-inch screen, giving you seemingly endless amounts of room to get your projects done.
It possesses HD resolution of 1440 x 900, offering above average image quality overall. It’s compatible with Windows XP and above as well as with all Mac operating systems. Like with the tablets reviewed above, it allows you to draw directly on its screen.
Coming with two electronic pens, it has an almost natural writing feel to it. It’s a little smoother than pencil on paper, but is comparable at least. Overall, this is a terrific artist tablet. While it’s a little on the expensive side, it offers enough in the ways of functionality and screen size to make it worthwhile.
Key Features
- Offers a huge 19-inch screen
- Comes with HD resolution of 1440 x900
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems
- Comes with two rechargeable electric pens
5. Wacom Intuos Draw CTL490DW Digital Drawing Tablet
A great budget artist tablet is the Wacom Intuos Draw CTL490DW. It’s available for a very reasonable price, and still offers a decent amount in the ways of performance and overall functionality.
This tablet works by plugging into your PC or laptop. It does not possess its very own screen. After it’s been plugged in, you draw on it with an included electronic pen, producing the angles and colors that you wish to create.
It’s compatible with MAC 10.8.5 and above as well as with Windows 7 and above. It measures in at 8 inches x 10 inches, giving you sufficient space to draw what you need to draw. If you’re just getting into digital drawing and designing, the would be a great option for you.
Key Features
- Screen measures in at 8 inches x 10 inches, giving you ample room to draw
- Doesn’t possess a screen; plugs into your computer’s USB port
- Available for a very reasonable price
- Extremely responsive, especially for its price
6. Huion H610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet
Like the Wacom tablet reviewed above, this one from Huion connects to a PC or laptop externally via a USB port. Available for a reasonable price, it’s very similar to the Wacom in many ways.
It measures in at 10 inches x 6.25 inches, making it a little smaller, but still suitable for all drawing purposes. In terms of compatibility, it’s pretty standard, working with MAC operating systems of 10.8.0 and later as well as with Windows operating systems of XP and later.
This tablet is equipped with 16 different hotkeys, enabling you to use it with absolute ease. It comes with an electronic pen as well as with a black artist’s glove which keeps you from drawing any unwanted lines. All in all, this is an above-average budget artist tablet.
Key Features
- Comes with all necessary equipment, including an electronic pen and artist’s glove
- Connects to PC and laptops externally through USB ports
- Fairly quick and responsive for its price
- Measures in at 10 inches x 6.25 inches, giving you standard amounts of space to draw
7. Turcom TS-6610 Graphic Tablet
An even cheaper artist tablet than the Huion and Wacom tablets reviewed above is the Turcom TS-6610 Graphic Tablet. Available for an exceedingly reasonable price, it’s not quite as reliable as the Huion and Wacom, but is still fairly solid.
This tablet attaches through a USB port to a laptop or PC. It’s compatible with everything from Windows 7, to Mac 10.8.0 and up. It measures in with a screen size of 10 inches x 6.25 inches, giving you quite a bit of room to do your work.
It includes an electronic pen, enabling you to get started on your work as soon as it’s out of the box and connected. All in all, this is a pretty solid budget artist tablet. Its only true problems are that it’s difficult to install, and not easily compatible with all drawing programs.
Key Features
- Drawing area measures in at a respectable 10 inches x 6.25 inches
- Pretty quick and responsive, especially for its price
- Compatible with all modern operating systems
- Comes with electronic pen that feels smooth and natural
8. Ugee M1000L 10 x 6 Inch Graphics Drawing Tablet
This next artist tablet is, like the ones reviewed directly above, a solid budget option. Available for a very reasonable price, it offers a decent amount in the ways of functionality and screen size.
The screen on this table measures in at 10 inches x 6 inches, giving you easily enough room to completely any task that may come your way. This tablet works by connecting to your laptop or PC and allowing you to draw within a sketching or drawing program.
It’s compatible with Windows XP and above as well as with Mac operating systems of all kinds. Coming with an electronic pen, it’s fairly quick and responsive. All in all, this is as solid budget artist tablet.
Key Features
- Screen measures in at 10 inches x 6 inches
- Connects to your PC or laptop via USB cable
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems
- Available for a very reasonable price
9. Huion H420 USB Graphics Drawing Tablet
This next table is ridiculously affordable, available for about half the price of the Ugee reviewed above. Yet still, it offers a decent amount in the ways of responsiveness and overall functionality.
This board possesses a rather small drawing area of just 4 inches x 2.23 inches. While this isn’t the largest area, it’s large enough for most drawing purposes. It connects to your laptop or PC via USB cable, and allows you to work in programs such as Comic Studio and Autodesk.
Coming with an artist’s glove as well as an electronic pen, it has everything you need to get started right away. All in all, this is a great artist tablet for its price. If you’re looking for something very cheap, yet still functional, this is a great option.
Key Features
- Offers quite a bit of value for its low price
- Drawing area of 4 inches x 2.23 inches
- Fairly quick and responsive for its price
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
10. AMZNEVO 8.5-inch LCD Writing Tablet
This last artist tablet is really designed for kids more than anyone else. It’s available for a general pittance and allows for drawing in one color. It doesn’t connect to any computers, only working as a standalone product.
It runs on a 3v battery, giving it decent battery power overall. This board is really designed more for quick sketches and notes. It’s great as a replacement for post-it notes as it will prevent you from using too much paper.
All in all, this is a solid product for what it is. It’s not at all meant for serious artists, but just for those who want something electronic to mess around and doodle on.
Key Features
- Available for a general pittance
- Runs on a 3v battery
- Allows for only basic doodling
- Possesses an 8.5-inch screen