The Best Drawing Tablet

Buying Guide

If you’re a fan of TV cartoons, anime shorts or feature-length animated films, you’re almost certainly watching art that was created on a digital tablet. Drawing tablets are quickly becoming a favorite tool for animators and graphic designers. FOX’s hit show, “Bob’s Burgers,” is animated entirely on drawing tablets, and more and more graphic design departments are turning to drawing tablets to save trees and share visual concepts with remote workers.

Drawing tablets digitize the process of drawing with a pencil and paper. You can sketch anything from architectural designs to new marketing logos to 30-minute cartoons on a drawing tablet. The tablet takes the place of a pad of paper, while a digital stylus captures your movements and places them on your computer screen.

So how do digital drawing tablets turn your stylus etchings into beautiful onscreen designs? It’s all thanks to electromagnetic induction technology. Horizontal and vertical wires beneath the tablet’s surface generate an electromagnetic signal, which transfers to the tablet’s stylus as you draw. The wires then flip into a receiving mode, reading the movements of your stylus and translating them to your computer’s graphic design program as you draw.

High-end models let you draw directly on their screens for a precise view of your own creation. Budget-friendly options transmit the movements of your stylus to your computer’s screen through compatible design software.

The electromagnetic induction technology also allows some tablets to power your stylus as you draw. Other models rely on a USB cable to recharge your pen.

Your tablet can also sense changes in pressure from the stylus and adjust line widths and darkness accordingly. Some models have advanced sensitivity and detail options, which detect subtle nuances in pressure and stylus position for a drawing experience that closely mimics pen-to-paper techniques.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist who needs a tablet for work or a dedicated hobbyist who wants to bring a tech edge to your designs, you’re going to have to do some comparison shopping to find the best tablet for you. Check out our tips, advice and recommendations for the best tablets on the web.  

• The first question you’ll want to ask yourself before buying a tablet is: What are you going to use it for? Professional cartoonists and anyone who creates their own art from scratch will benefit from feature-rich models. If you’re going to break out your tablet for hobby drawing or minor photo touch-ups, a choice like the Simbans PicassoTab IPS Drawing Tablet & Stylus Pen is more appropriate. It’ll save you several hundred dollars on features you wouldn’t use anyway, and the tablet surface and stylus are just as reliable as pricier models.
• As for the size tablet you’ll need for your work, most artists prefer larger tablets with a 13.3-inch screen. However, if you’re working on smaller projects or need a tablet that you can easily pack up and travel with, a compact option, like a model that has a 7.9 x 3.6-inch surface, is best.
• Virtually all drawing tablets on the market work on both Mac and PCs, but some of them function a little smoother on certain software programs. Some models are equipped with multiple creative software programs, such as Corel Painter Essentials 6, Corel Aftershot 3 and Clip Studio Paint Pro, but you’ll have to buy graphics software for most other options. It is important to note that while some models are compatible with an array of programs, they work best when paired with the most recent versions available.
• Every tablet comes with a stylus, but additional items can help you create your best work yet. Look for a drawing tablet that comes with a pen stand, a carrying bag and a specially designed drawing glove that prevents sweat from damaging your tablet or marring your creations.