A graphics tablet is a modern graphic input device similar to familiar multimedia tablets, only with a narrower specialization. These tablets are sharpened for working with graphics and allow you to create a detailed drawing. An important attribute of these devices is the stylus – a stick with which drawing is carried out.
Their main advantage over classic drawing supplies is the acquisition of a digitized image. This greatly facilitates the life of professional artists working remotely, painting to order. In addition, any mistake or blot can be quickly and easily corrected, it will not be as fatal as when working with physical paper and paints. By the way, in fact, there is no need for consumables, there is no need to buy new ones every time. This is not only economically beneficial, but also beneficial to the environment.
A graphics tablet is suitable for both a professional and a beginner, including a child. When using this device, the risk of soiling yourself and surrounding objects will be minimal. Also, these devices are popular with engineers and designers – they can simply and conveniently create and edit a drawing, diagram or plan.
Editor’s Choice
WACOM One Medium
A good mid-budget model from a top brand in the graphics tablet market. Has a universal size. Working area of A5 format. The tablet has a good number of lines per inch, so it allows you to make fairly complex and accurate drawings. The disadvantages include slightly raw software and compatibility issues.
Top 9 rating according to KP
1. XP-PEN Star G960
Budget model from a manufacturer from China. Despite its democratic cost, it has a good basic functionality. Perfect for those who are not ready to overpay for a brand, want to get acquainted with graphics tablets and are not ready to pay extra money. The format of the device is A5, the kit includes all the necessary cables and a stylus. To get started, just download the drivers from the official site and the tablet will be ready!
2. HUION H640P
Despite the not very high price, this tablet, which is included in the ranking of the best graphics tablets of 2022, boasts a cool feature. It reacts to the tilt of the pen, which allows you to make better and “thin” sketches. It is lightweight and easy to use, but there are downsides. The tablet is equipped with a relatively small working area and it may not be very convenient to take large-scale images.
3. HUION Q11K
A large tablet that is suitable for both professional activities and amateur drawings. The dimensions of the working area are 279.4 by 174.6 mm, they should be enough for comfortable work even with large-scale images. The main disadvantage of this model is its large size and weight. There are no special lotions and functionality, and the cost is dictated mainly by the dimensions of the tablet.
4. XP-PEN Deco Pro Medium
This tablet is in many ways similar to the previous one, it has the same large working area, but differs in a less minimalistic design and a richer bundle. On the front panel are navigation keys and a joystick, and in the kit it comes with a glove, a set of interchangeable nibs for the stick and a lot of adapter cables. The cost is slightly lower, while it is the same voluminous and quite weighty.
5. XP-PEN Star G430S
Over budget model. It couldn’t be cheaper, it’s the most affordable solution on our list of the best graphics tablets. Its main advantage is its low price. The design is minimalistic, as is the equipment, the working area is small. Suitable for an unpretentious user, a child or a person who wants to try his hand at graphic design, but does not want or cannot spend money.
6. XP-PEN Deco 01
A strong middle peasant – there is nothing superfluous, there is everything you need. The size of the workspace will most likely be sufficient to solve any problems. The number of lines per inch and the pressure levels of the stars from the sky are not enough, but they are at a decent level. At the same time, the tablet has an adequate price-quality ratio, is easy to use and quite simple, and the build quality does not cause any particular complaints. XP-PEN Deco 01 is a workhorse, without a narrow specialization, which works out every ruble spent on it.
7. WACOM Intuos Pro Small (PTH-460) + Corel Painter 2020
Professional tool for working with vector graphics. The cost is high, the functionality too. For an amateur who just loves to draw, the functionality is likely to be redundant – he simply will not use the device at 100%. But experts will appreciate the model. The tablet comes with 4 felt-tip nibs and colored identification rings, as well as Corel Painter 2020, making it an extremely powerful tool for working with color and vector graphics.
8. HUION DWH69
The developers of this tablet tried to give customers a device with a not very high cost and a large working area. Naturally, they had to make compromises – the number of pressure levels is not very large, but the weight is the opposite – the device weighs 1,3 kg. It is unlikely that it will work with him in a mobile key. At the same time, the workmanship is not bad and it is suitable for solving many problems.
9. WACOM One Small (CTL-472-N)
Another budget option in the ranking of the best graphics tablets in 2022. A well-known company, low cost, high-quality assembly, A6 format. Not very high lines per inch and pressure levels. However, it is a suitable and easy option for getting to know graphics tablets and performing simple types of work. And its reliability is guaranteed by a well-known brand.
How to choose a graphics tablet
In choosing a graphics tablet will help us Andrey Mokeev, design engineer, whose work every day is connected with graphics tablets. Through his hands passed a lot of models from beginner to professional level.
How price affects the choice of graphics tablet
You should not take the cheapest one – you will suffer with it, the build quality will be low, the ergonomics will be uncomfortable, the device will constantly lag (draw delay) and there will be misclicks (the appearance of a random line or dot without pressing). In addition, most likely you will encounter unpleasant creaking backlashes and problems with finding software, compatibility with devices. If you are not a professional, you should not take premium models either – you won’t notice a difference with cheaper ones, and the functionality will simply be redundant.
What to look for when choosing a graphics tablet
First of all, you need to decide on goals and objectives. If you understand what you need from the device and how much you are willing to spend on it, the choice will no longer be so wide and a well-known brand should be preferred.
Is it worth buying a graphics tablet for a child or entertainment
I think not. All the same, this is a rather highly specialized item and it makes no sense to buy it just for the sake of fun. At the same time, using it for work tasks, you can save a lot of time and nerves. So, this is more of a niche product, a tool, and not a way of entertainment.