Artists in the 21st century have come to rely on certain technological tools, including the drawing tablet and all the useful features that come along with it. While there are various new forms of laptops and tablets that allow users to draw on them, drawing tablets are in a class of their own when it comes to creating professional-level art and edits, as they remove the annoyance of screen drag and can offer you more precise strokes when using a stylus.

This guide reviews the differences between some of the best drawing tablets and the basic features that every pro artist looks for when purchasing a new drawing tablet, including the high-end Wacom Cintiq 22.

Things to know before you buy a tablet for animation

Display vs. non-display

The first thing to consider when looking for a new drawing tablet is whether it has a display screen. Tablets with a display screen are often more expensive, but they’re much more beginner-friendly. While these screens usually don’t have touch capabilities and aren’t necessarily extensions of your computer, they’re great for people who have a hard time drawing on a screenless tablet.

While a screenless display isn’t necessary, animators especially may find it easier to have the screen, as multiple displays can greatly help the multitasking that most animators are accustomed to doing.

Resolution

Across the board (whether with a display or non-display tablet), resolution is the most important feature of any drawing tablet. Simply put, the higher the resolution, the finer the details you’ll be able to place into your art. Considering the type of work influences the strength of resolution required.

It’s also important to note that higher-resolution tablets usually cost much more than their lower-resolution counterparts. For animation, high resolution is extremely important and is a feature of the drawing tablet that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Tablet-to-monitor size

Size is extremely important while picking out a new tablet. Tablets generally fall under three size categories, which are simply described as small, medium and large. Small tablets work best for monitors under 19 inches, while medium tablets work best for those larger than 19 inches. Large tablets are great for extra detailing. Naturally, small tablets are more portable and thus suitable for students, while medium and large tablets are stationary and are great for professional workspaces.

Tablet for animation features

Pressure sensitivity

Unlike tablets and laptops that aren’t primarily designed for art and animation, drawing tablets provide users with pressure sensitivity, allowing artists to create depth in their art by applying various levels of pressure with the stylus. Different tablets have different levels of pressure sensitivity, and finding the best option to suit your needs depends on the job you’re doing with the tablet.

Stylus

A stylus is an important accessory and is the sole method of interacting with the tablet. The stylus itself can host various controls, including buttons to help undo or zoom, as well as an eraser, which could also be pressure-sensitive. A good stylus can also come with multiple tips that provide various textures and mimic different types of pencils and pens.

Controls

Since a drawing tablet must be connected to a computer or monitor, it may have customizable buttons. For animation, these controls can help the animator by assigning the most-used functions to the buttons and cutting down the time of animating something drastically.

Responsiveness

Most drawing tablets are extremely responsive to the stylus they’re paired with. This level of responsiveness is simply not available on other types of tablets and is one of the reasons why drawing tablets are such a popular choice for professional artists.

Tablet for animation cost

Drawing tablets come in at three different price ranges: low-end, mid-end and high-end. On average, low-end tablets cost around $75-$150, while high-end models can range between $1,500-$2,500.

Tablet for animation FAQ

Why should I use a drawing tablet for drawing or editing?

A. Unlike regular tablets, drawing tablets have additional features that are extremely beneficial to artists and animators. They provide pressure sensitivity, quick responsiveness and higher resolutions than average tablets. They’re specifically designed for the task of drawing and editing, which enables a lot more control for artists and animators.

Does the size of the tablet matter?

A. Yes. When purchasing a tablet, remember that you’ll be connecting it to a computer, and if the tablet doesn’t have a display screen, you’ll also be connecting it to a monitor. The size of your tablet must then be compatible with that of your monitor display. It’s generally more challenging to control a larger monitor while using a smaller tablet.

Which tablet for animation should I get?

Best of the best tablet for animation

Wacom Cintiq 22: available at Amazon

Our take: The newest Cintiq model takes the best parts of the old 16 model and improves them further, making this a superb Wacom drawing tablet for every artist and animator.

What we like: The Cintiq 22 comes with a large display but can still comfortably sit on your desk without taking up too much space. It comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, a step up from its predecessor and a welcome addition to the stylus family. It’s extremely user-friendly and is a great drawing tablet for beginners as well as professionals.

What we dislike: The wired connection removes the benefits of having a wireless tablet that can move around, and the display itself is FHD rather than 4K.

Best bang for your buck tablet for animation

Huion H610 Pro V2: available at Amazon

Our take: With a highly affordable price, the H610 V2 has an improved pen that is no longer battery-powered, and is one of the best gateways into the drawing tablet world.

What we like: The addition of a better pen is a welcome change. Has good responsiveness and a decent resolution for the price and is a great entry-level drawing tablet. Huion has improved its range of compatible devices and fixed some of the issues with the buttons that the previous model had.

What we dislike: While compatibility is better, there are still several issues and it’s not able to connect to every driver. The soft keys can be hard to spot and the lack of a touch function makes the user experience a bit more challenging than it should be.

Honorable mention tablet for animation

Wacom Intuos Pro: available at Amazon

Our take: The Intuos Pro is a great all-around tablet that comes with one of the best pens created by Wacom, and has a variety of sizes that will no doubt fit every artist’s needs.

What we like: A great pen and between six and eight customizable buttons (depending on the size) allows the Intuos Pro to stand out. A decent price for a tablet that provides so many additional features.

What we dislike: The lack of a screen means there’s a steep learning curve for people who haven’t worked with a drawing tablet before. While the pen itself is great, the nibs can wear down quickly and are difficult to change out.

Arjun Sheth is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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