Best Graphics Tablets 2021

Graphics tablets are must-have tools for digital artists – a cheaper alternative to the often prohibitively expensive pen displays, graphic tablets are one of the best way to take drawing skills and apply them to the field of digital art.

Nevertheless, there are a lot of options out there, and not all of them are worth the money. We compiled a list of some of the best graphics tablets money can buy. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, you’ll be able to find something here!

Huion has long since been Wacom’s main competitor as far as graphics tablets go – at a much more affordable price, the H610 can beat many Wacom devices hollow. Featuring an unusually high number of customisable buttons and standard speed, tilt and pressure stats, it’s a solid choice for just about any purpose, be it art, office, or anything else.

Compatible with most art programs, this graphics tablet also sets itself apart through its wide OS compatibility. In order to work with phones, it has a second, smaller mobile phone workspace on the tablet that matches a portrait-oriented smartphone. This area is 6.2*3.9 inches.

This small budget graphics tablet is a fantastic choice for those looking to test out functionality without a big financial commitment. Available for less than $30 dollars at full price, the XP-Pen is a great ‘first’ graphic tablet. Its small active area makes it unsuitable for advanced graphic work, however, it is very portable and can therefore be used for things like hand-written signatures, or simple graph drawings, and the like.

The small and thin device can be used in either orientation and therefore be used by both left- and right-hand users. Despite the equally small price tag, the G430S has the industry-standard stats as far as pressure levels and RPS go – in other words, it’s the ideal entry-level and budget device, in particular for office or classroom uses.

Wacom is the undisputed king in the world of graphics tablets and pen displays – it is, however, also quite expensive. This model is no exception – it costs about the same as some models twice the size of this one does. That said, its compact size may make it the perfect solution for small desks. It’s also one of the few models that has buttons at the top rather than on one side, making it more convenient to use.

It is worth noting that the tablet has fewer pressure sensitivity levels than competing models. For heavy users this will likely present an issue, however for beginners or occasional users, 4k sensitivity levels should still be plenty. The software licenses that come with it may also be an incentive – art software is not cheap, and buying it as a bundle can end up saving quite a bit.

This mid-price-range device offers just about everything a graphic tablet user could want – the standard 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, 8 customisable shortcut keys, and a pretty good number of extras in the box. A pen holder, replacement nibs, two artist’s gloves, and some cleaning equipment make this tablet a great choice for beginners – everything you could need comes with the tablet.

At 5080 LPI (Lines Per Inch), this tablet can easily compete with more expensive options out there, and it may even have an edge on them given that the ratio between the active drawing area and the rest of the tablet is a notch above average. Like all of these tablets, it comes with a battery-free pen – and it’s the other additional equipment that helps it set itself apart a bit more.

This somewhat more expensive graphic tablet has received several awards – and deservedly so. Compatible with a wide range of software and every major OS other than iOS, this tablet is a solid choice for any digital artist. It features a somewhat unusual rotary wheel that can be used to adjust things like brush size – and its function is customisable.

With a resolution of 5080 LPI and 8192 pressure levels, both skilled artists and beginners can use this tablet to create digital art, with as close to a ‘regular’ drawing experience as you can hope for. This tablet is one of the more expensive ones out there, however, its function buttons and scroll wheel easily justify the price tag.

The was our list of the best graphics tablets in 2021. Have you bought a new graphics tablet recently? What model did you go for, and how well does it work for you?