Top 10 Graphics Tablets | Graphics Tablet Brands and Reviews

If you are looking for a graphics tablet, you will want to know which ones are the best for drawing. You want to be able to get a tablet that can improve the quality of your work for the lowest price possible. Well, you have found the right place—in this article, you will be able to find the tablet best suited to your personal needs, whether you are a professional designer or or a passionate hobbyist.

I personally know that finding a suitable drawing pad can seem intimidating. But while people often assume a drawing pad will be expensive, there are dozens and dozens of inexpensive devices that will work if you are looking for basic functionality. The only expensive drawing pads are specialized for professionals who need something top-of-the-line. This article will review tablets within a wide price range, from some very cheap pen tabs to some professional ones that may be a bit pricey. The majority of the tablets you will find on this page are affordable and well-suited to most needs.

Which tablet is the best for you largely depends on what you will be using it for. For example, a tablet for art will be different than one for document editing. This page will discuss and consider the different features available, so you can choose the one that best for your needs and budget.

If you are already familiar with the different features, scroll down to the top 10.

A graphics tablet can also be referred to as a graphics pad, drawing tablet, or digitizing tablet, so don't be confused. The device is the same. So, this handy little apparatus is an input that can be used instead of or in conjunction with a mouse or trackpad. Your typical tablet consists of a flat surface on which you can draw with the included pen, stylus, or puck. Some tablets come with a handy wireless mouse or a pen holder, but in reality all you need is a pen and the tablet itself. Sometimes, even people who are not artists choose to use a tablet because of its practicality!

People who prefer to work by hand, rather than by mouse or keyboard, are drawn to these devices. You can use them to edit anything from pictures to documents, in the office or at home.

Next, you will find explanations of some common features of graphic tablets.

Here is a breakdown of the different features available in graphics tablets. It's important to know the options available because, while all the tablets on the top 10 list are good, the best one for your needs will be the one with the most suitable combination of features.

In this section, we will cover tablet sizes, interfaces, pens/styli, accessories, and sensitivity.

If you are already familiar with the different features, skip directly to the top 10 list.

One of the most important factors you will need to consider when choosing the right tablet for yourself is its size. For hobby users and your average artists, some common sizes are six by eight inches and four by five inches, but more developed artists and illustrators may require a larger work surface. While it is tempting to think the bigger, the better, be careful: The price rises with size.

You should only choose a bigger tablet for purely practical reasons. For example, it is crucial to make sure the work surface size is appropriate for the range of your hand motion.

If you work with minimal hand motion, a smaller tablet will be better for you. If you are used to drawing or painting in bigger, sweeping motions, then you need a larger work surface. It is as simple as that.

Up until recently, the dimensions of graphics tablets have corresponded with the 4:3 aspect ratio of traditional computer monitors. But as of lately, some companies (e.g. Wacom and Aiptek) have begun producing tablets that are better for working with widescreen monitors or even multiple monitors at the same time. Although it is neat to have your tablet dimensions correspond with the aspect ratio, it is not necessary. The tablet software works similarly to trackpad software, resolving this issue so that it does not interfere with your experience.

The interface is how your tablet connects to the computer. Most tablets have a USB interface, which is excellent because it is supported by virtually all computers. However, if you own a computer that does not support USB, you will need to choose a tablet with a serial interface.

Bluetooth is another option for connecting to computers. Currently the only manufacturer that produces Bluetooth tablets is Wacom, with its Graphire Bluetooth that connects to your computer without wires. Wacom also makes handy wireless accessory kits to support its devices, enabling you to get rid of messy cables.

When you choose a tablet, consider the dimensions and weight of the pen because you need it to feel comfortable in your hand. Check if the stylus needs a battery, because that will make it heavier. Some pens are not tethered—while this allows for greater freedom, it also means you will need to be extra careful not to misplace or lose them.

Certain pens also have an erasing end, which is a pretty cool feature. Some tablet manufacturers offer several pens, so you can program each with different settings (e.g. brush strokes, widths, etc). All in all, there are plenty of additional optional accessories, but the most important thing is that the pen and the work surface suit your needs.

Pressure sensitivity is a very important feature when choosing a suitable tablet for your needs. It refers to the sensitivity of the tablet to pressure on its surface. Currently, most tablets have 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity—the higher the sensitivity, the less pressure it takes for the tablet to begin registering a mark made by the stylus. You can change the settings so that different aspects can be controlled by the amount of pressure that you use. For example, you can choose for the line thickness, transparency, color, and so on to vary with pressure.

The more sensitive your tablet, the better your experience, because it will feel more natural and authentic, and you will have more control over your strokes. However, don't feel as though you must automatically opt for the most expensive option you can afford. Most fare just fine with a tablet with medium specs.