Exploring drawing tablets or planning to buy one? There are good chances that you have already started with the obvious steps of looking at YouTube reviews or browsing through tech blogs to help you make a pick. Drawing Tablets with Screen are no different. With a plethora of options available, this online search can be a bit overpowering.
We hope this article serves as a one-stop-shop for all things that concern the category of TABLETS WITH SCREEN.
Best Standalone Drawing Tablets
We have split our list for best buys in screen tablets into two – One for those who want to go for Standalone Tablets and the other who is okay to explore Pen Display Screen Tablets.
1.iPad Pro 2021(12.9-inch) – Undoubtedly the Best Tablet for Overall Performance:
Why we’ve picked it: The iPad 2021 Pro is an excellent addition for almost anyone. For artists, the device is not far away from being the most effective tool ever. Thanks to the built-in hardware and software integration, the 2021 iPad Pro is a deal-breaker for any artist looking to work digitally. From portability to performance efficiency, these tablets bring the combination of everything you can ask for. Also, the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers the most beautiful display ever. Further, Bluetooth 5.0 and Thunderbolt 4 port availability ensures pairing essential artistic devices is seamless as never before.
Talking about external devices, the iPad Pro 2021 supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which is built to meet the need of digital artists. Loaded with features like excellent palm rejection and low latency, coming up with eye-catching art pieces is made pretty convenient. In simple words, everything about the 2021 iPad Pro, together with the Apple Pencil, opens you up to one of the biggest, beautiful, and power-driven canvas for showcasing your artistic creativity in the most promising manner.
Price: $1099.99 (Without the Apple Pencil)
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 12.9 inches | Rear Camera: 12 MP and 10 MP Ultra-Wide | Front Camera: 12 MP with Center Stage Feature | Battery Life: Up to 10 hours | Stylus: Magnetically Charging Apple Pencil
The Gains 💪
- Supports second-generation Apple Pencil with superb palm rejection and minimal latency
- Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connectivity
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display featuring eye-catching elements including ProMotion, True Tone, and even the P3 wide color.
- Display with mini-LEDs and 2596 dimming zones
- Next-generation M1 silicon chip for powerful performance
The Pains😿
- Being one of the premium options, the iPad 2021 is pretty expensive.
Does iPad Pro 12.9 inch need a computer to draw on it? No, you don’t need one. The only thing you’ll need, though, is the Apple Pencil.
1.1 Apple iPad Pro – 12.9 inches
Why we picked it: iPad Pro 2020 is a benchmark in terms of quality, make, and hardware. Apple aficionados can rejoice with this cool app-based drawing tablet that comes with superior display quality and color spectrum.
Ideal for: Digital Art, Entertainment, Picture, and Video Editing
Price: $1130 inclusive of Apple Pencil
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 12.9 inches | Rear Camera: 12 MP and 10 MP | Front Camera: 12 MP | Battery Life: Up to 10 hours | Stylus: Wireless rechargeable Apple Pencil
The Gains 💪
- Portable and Powerful, this tablet is sturdy, slim, and compact for on-the-go use.
- Face ID Support for faster unlocking of the device
- Liquid Retina ProMotion Display with incredible color accuracy and faster processing power up to 120 Hz
- It comes with a Magic Keyboard that can be attached/detached in an instant
- Apple Pencil aces it with its responsiveness and practically NIL lag time.
The Pains😿
- It can get pricey, like MacBook Pro, so that it might be a hiccup for a few users. You can go for iPad Pro 11” inches that come at $799 if you are not fussy about display size. Of course, an Apple pencil is an extra cost.
- 10-hour battery life might be less for avid designers or those who draw on the move
Does iPad Pro 12.9 inch need a computer to draw on it? No, it doesn’t. It’s a standalone tablet. All it needs is a Stylus pen.
2. Wacom Mobile Studio Pro – 13 inches
Why we picked it: A solid device from the most reputed company in the tablets’ world – Wacom’s Mobile Studio Pro 13 is a standalone drawing tablet that packs the power of a computer into an amazing-looking device.
A no-nonsense tablet version, it is great to perform all computer tasks and is the only tablet that comes with a built-in camera to capture objects and generate their 3D models.
Ideal for: Illustration Art, Professional artists working on 2D and 3D sketches
Price: $2521
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 13 inches | Rear Camera: 8 MP | Front Camera: 5 MP | Display: 4K Resolution | OS: Windows 10, Intel Core i5 | Stylus: Wacom Pro Pen 2
The Gains 💪
- Battery-free pen, offering natural tilt support with high sensitivity of 8192 pressure levels
- Custom buttons can be programmed for a specific function, environment, and individual apps.
- Matte glass panel, resistant to reflection and fingerprints – ensures no display light interruptions between the users and their artwork.
The Pains😿
- An inhibitive price that suits only creative professionals with a full-fledged production environment
- Battery life sticks out like a sore thumb, with an average work time of 3-4 hours after a full charge. This doesn’t make it suitable for traveling unless you have ports to plug in.
Do Wacom Mobile Studio Pro tablets need a computer to draw on it? No Wacom Mobiel Studio Pro is a fully standalone tablet, which means you don’t need any additional devices to use it.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ – 12.4 inches
Why we picked it: A direct comparator of iPad Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ offers a great level of performance, powered by Snapdragon 865+ and 8 GB of RAM. This Samsung device boasts of a Super AMOLED screen with HDR and justifies its price with a luxurious design and S-Pen with ultra-low latency and superior accuracy.
Ideal for: Good for beginners and professionals, Galaxy Tab S7+ seamlessly switches among tasks like drawing, painting, taking notes, creating storyboards, or signing/marking documents.
Price: $849.99 inclusive of S-Pen
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 12.4 inches |OS : Android 10, One UI 2.5| Resolution 2800*1752 | Front Camera: 8 MP | Rear Camera: 13 MP and 5 MP | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | Stylus: S-Pen
The Gains 💪
- Ultra-slim frame, fast refresh rate, and affordable over iPad Pro
- S-Pen is not just for drawing. It also doubles as a productivity tool, and the fact that the tablet comes bundled with S-Pen in the box is a pure joy
- Super stylish long strip at the back that houses the dual camera and also serves as a magnetic holder for the new S-Pen
- You can take your artistic skills to the next level with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Autodesk Sketchbook, and hundreds of other related apps from the play store
The Pains😿
- The battery of 8 hours with full usage won’t make it through a workday
- The screen is slightly smaller than the comparable iPad Pro
- Software and Widescreen aspect ratio not great for productivity
Does Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ need a computer to draw on it? No, it doesn’t. It’s a standalone tablet, and you don’t need any additional devices. Even the Stylus pen is included in the pricing.
4. Huion Kamvas Studio 22 – 21.5 inches
Why we picked it: With the capabilities of a full-fledged computer, Huion puts its best foot forward with Huion Kamvas Studio 22. The tablet makes you a great artist without compromising on your professional expectations. Kamvas Studio 22 combines powerhouse hardware with versatile software to enable a varied range of uses. It is indeed a multifunctional all-in-one pen computer.
Ideal for: For users who want the best of both worlds – On the go portability and accessibility to desktop functions. It is also a great choice for architects, animators, engineers, business professionals, and gamers (as they can play all desktop games on it).
Price: $1195
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 21.5*10.5 inches |OS : Windows and macOS | Resolution 1920*1080 (Full HD) | Processor: Intel i5-8400 |RAM: 8 GB / 16 GB | Storage: Dual Channel Memory – 1 TB HDD & 120/240 GB SSD | Stylus: PW500| Express Keys: 20 including dual touchpad
The Gains 💪
- A dual touch bar with 20 hotkeys makes it convenient for both right-handed and left-handed designers.
- Great pen quality that supports tilt recognition with virtually no lag
- The tablet comes with an adjustable stand that allows excellent viewing angles and flexibility between 20 and 80 degrees
- It comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard that can be connected via a wireless USB receiver
- A strong cooling system enables stable performance even with multiple programs running simultaneously
The Pains😿
- Has a noticeable yet bearable parallax
- Custom express keys can be set on any one side of the tablet, rendering the mirroring of keys on another side useless.
- It doesn’t offer touchscreen support and a camera.
Does the Huion Kamvas Studio 22 need a computer? No, it doesn’t. It’s a standalone tablet. You can connect it to an external device if needed, but it is a full-fledged computer by itself.
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3 inches
Why we picked it: Microsoft Surface Pro 7 stands true to the virtue of standalone tablets – that merges a built-in computer and a drawing tablet together. Backed by Windows 10 OS and a very capable Surface Pen, this tablet doesn’t compromise on style and portability.
Ideal for: Artists requiring desktop-grade application support in a portable way; Multitaskers who switch between graphic work and computer tasks
Price: $970
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 12.3 inches | 10th Gen Intel Core Processor | Rear Camera: 8 MP| RAM: 8 GB and 16 GB | Storage: 256 GB | Stylus: Microsoft Surface Pen
The Gains 💪
- Powerful and compact with the availability of multiple configurations/ customizations
- Built-in Kickstand and above-average battery life of 13.5 hours
- Light sensing technology that automatically adapts to the user environment
- Rubber-tip stylus that gives a better grip on screen for a seamless drawing experience
The Pains😿
- The pen comes at an additional cost
- Average display quality
Does Microsoft Surface Pro 7 need a computer to draw on it? No, it doesn’t. It’s a standalone tablet. You can surely connect it to external devices if you need it, through the USB-C connection.
6. Apple iPad Air 4th Gen – 10.2 inches
Why we picked it: Another app-based standalone drawing tablet from the Apple family, iPad Air, is the mid-variant between the regular iPad and powerful iPad Pro. The tablet is portable and yet packs considerable processing power.
Fusing affordability with graphic functionalities is an excellent budget device that justifies your expectation of “Value for Money.”
Ideal for: Beginners and Professionals; dabbling in digital art, taking and editing pictures, shooting and editing HD videos
Price: $395
Tech Specs 🔧
Screen Size: 10.2 inches | Rear Camera: 8 MP | All-day battery Life | Processor: A2 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine | Stylus: Apple Pencil | Storage: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB Variants
The Gains 💪
- It comes with support for the full-size keyboard when you want to multitask and use it as a laptop.
- Attractive and accurate retina display
- Sensitive Apple Pencil that renders sharp and color-rich artwork
- Intuitive and easy to use interface
The Pains😿
- Screen size might feel smaller for a few professional artists
- Speed is slower than iPad Pro, which is more suited for heavy workloads
- 2 speakers instead of 4
- Apple Pencil needs to be purchased separately
Does Apple iPad Air 4th Gen need a computer to draw on it? No, it doesn’t. It’s a standalone tablet, and you don’t need any additional devices except Stylus Pen. Apple Air 4th gen is only compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Gen.
Best Drawing Tablets with Screen
To function, these tablets need to be connected to a laptop or a computer.
1. Wacom Cintiq 22 with HD
Why we picked it: It is a hands-down industry-leading pen display tablet that comes with the premium Wacom pressure-sensitive pen. Superior display quality with intuitive productivity tools and multi-touch access makes it a popular choice among the artist fraternity. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS versions.
Ideal for: Creative Professionals who want ample space for their artwork; Digital artists and Photographers who want to sketch, draw and edit directly on the screen
Price: $1199
Tech Specs 🔧
Display Size: 21.5 inches | Battery Life: 5 years | RAM: 1 GB | Screen Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels | 16 Express Keys | Multi-touch controls
The Gains 💪
- Large HD screen with a user-friendly interface
- Advanced pressure sensitivity gives you a natural pen-to-paper feel
- Time-saving, customizable express keys, touch strips, and toggle buttons
- Ergonomic adjustable stand and tilt support for a pen that allows working with different angles
- Long-lasting hardware
The Pains😿
- Bit Expensive
- Cord management can be tiresome
- The screen reflects gloss in certain lightings
Does Wacom Cintiq 22 need a computer to draw on it? Yes, you will need an additional device to use it. It’s not a standalone drawing tablet. It requires a Mac or PC since it doesn’t have an operating system on its own. There’s no pre-installed software for this device.
2. GAOMON PD1560 15.6
Why we picked it: A competent rival to Wacom, Gaomon PD1560 does a decent job at drawing and painting, backed by a wide array of colors and a large display area. The tablet is compatible with most operating systems and creative software programs. It fits many high-end features for a mid-range priced product that is light, portable, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Ideal for: Artists who have long-term exposure to digital drawing; Users who are looking for cheaper Cintiq alternative, students and hobbyists
Price: $280 – $ 399.99
Tech Specs 🔧
Display Size: 15.6 inches | Battery Life: 5 years | RAM: 1 GB | Screen Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels | 9 Express Keys | Multi-touch controls
The Gains 💪
- Great display with a wide range of adjustability
- Battery-free pen with 8192 pressure levels – One of the best among non-Wacom pens
- Bundled up accessories – 8 replacement nibs, stylus holder, tablet stand, screwdriver, drawing gloves, and a bag to slide the tablet
- Full laminated HD screen with a color gamut of 88% (NTSC)
- Highly affordable as compared to the Cintiq range of tablets
The Pains😿
- Light sketchers need to apply more pressure for the lines to be visible
- Tilt support might not be as great as Wacom Pen
- Build quality is good but kind of suggests that the tablet is not very expensive.
Does GAOMON PD1560 need a computer to draw on it? Yes, you will need an additional computer to use Gaomon PD 1560. A Windows or Mac. You will also need an HDMI adapter to connect to this device.
3. Wacom One
Why we picked it: One of the most popular choices among digital artists, Wacom One comes with an HD anti-glare screen and a battery-free precision stylus that has made it a regular on the list of best drawing tablets. It is economical, easy to set up, durable, and compatible with most digital art software and OS versions.
Ideal for: Artists and Designers who work with primary set up of PC/laptop; Users who want best of Wacom at a lower price; Beginners
Price: $399.95
Tech Specs 🔧
Display Size: 13.3 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels | Pen tilt support – 60 degrees | Stylus: Wacom One Pen | Pressure Levels: 4096
The Gains 💪
- The pen feels and looks right; it works without batteries
- Easy compatibility with laptops and other devices
- Pen tilt is supported for you to work with different angles
- It comes with bundled software like Clip Studio Paint Pro, Bamboo Paper, Adobe Premiere Rush, Adobe Fresco
- Android compatibility makes it a good choice for photographers for editing
The Pains😿
- No-touch capability, no express keys, and no eraser
- Not suitable for advanced digital art users
- Supports only certain android devices, not compatible with iPhone
Does Wacom One need a computer to draw on it? Yes, you will need an additional computer to use Wacome One tablet. It’s not a standalone tablet. It doesn’t come with pre-installed software.
4. Huion Kamvas 22 Plus
Why we picked it: The newest addition to the Huion Family of Screen Tablets, Kamvas 22 Plus, packs quite a punch for the price it is pegged at. It is compatible with all OS versions – Windows (7 & above), macOS ( 10.12 & above), and Android (6 & above). The tablet produces amazing colors, and it outperforms other Huion tablets like Kamvas 24 Pro with its performance and affordability.
Ideal for: Graphic Designers and VFX Artists who work with multiple designing software; Artists who are transitioning to digital illustrations
Price: $549
Tech Specs 🔧
Display Size: 21.5 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels | Full HD Resolution | 266 PPS report rate | Stylus: Battery-free PW517 Pen
The Gains 💪
- A laminated screen eliminates external reflections to ensure a lifelike drawing experience.
- Compatible with any drawing and designing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Corel, Gimp, SAI, Krita, Blender, Zbrush, and many others
- Lowest parallax and perfect tracking sensitivity
- Premium drawing experience at an exceptional price
The Pains😿
- The absence of programmable hotkeys might be an issue for some designers
- The pen could have been a little heavier for a substantial grip
- Little big to carry around
Does Huion Kamvas 22 Plus need a computer to draw on it? Yes, you will need an additional computer for this device. It’s not a standalone tablet. Mac or Windows computer is necessary to use it. It doesn’t come pre-installed with software.
5. XP – PEN Artist 15.6 Pro
Why we picked it:: The XP – Pen Artist 15.6 Pro is a total champion in the tablet screen peripherals category as it fuses affordable extravagance with professional features. With 8192 pen pressure levels, reasonably sized drawing area, and compatibility with both Windows and Mac, it is arguably one of the best non-Wacom/Apple competitors so far.
Ideal for: Serious Graphic Designers that value advanced features; Professions like Photography, Fashion Design, Animation, and Architecture
Price: $399.99
Tech Specs 🔧
Display Size: 13.54 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels | 6 Express Keys | 4K Display | Stylus: Battery-Free P05 Passive PEN
The Gains 💪
- Conveniently sized, lightweight with an anti-glare screen that is sturdy, clear and dirt-proof
- Dual film color technology makes the pen fluid, accurate, and provides a comfortable grip to the user.
- It comes with a pen stand that makes replacing pen tips simple and easy
- Offers pen holder and 8 nibs to make your life stress free without the worry of frequent nib purchases
The Pains😿
- Less detailing and add-ons as compared to other luxury tablets
- Little jittery in terms of the line quality and gives slight lag making smooth lines trickier
Does XP-Pen need a computer to draw on it? Yes, you will need an additional device to use it. It’s not a standalone tablet. It’s an input device for your computer, so it needs a Windows or Mac computer to use it.
Why iPad Pro 2021 is better than Walcom Mobile Studio Pro when we talk about tablets for drawing?
With features like an excellent 3D scanner and similar software, the Walcom Mobile Studio Pro is a great tablet for artists; however, if we consider the overall credibility, the 2021 iPad Pro comes out at the top.
Compared with the Walcom Mobile Studio Pro, the iPad Pro is a more portable option, thanks to its lightweight nature. Also, the device outruns its competitor in the battery backup section, which is again a plus for any user, and artists are no exception. The iPad Pro 2021 is also home to one of the best tablet displays for a great viewing experience.
Moving our attention to the physical drawing tools, the iPad Pro 2021 bags the 2nd generation Apple Pencil while with Walcom Mobile studio, you’ll have the Pro Pen 2. Both the styluses are built in a manner that enables users to work flawlessly without any issue. However, when we compare the accuracy and pressure variation, the Apple Pencil seems to hold down a bit of the upper hand. Additionally, the iPad Pro’s stylus also performs better with a lesser latency and higher speed.
Besides, when we talk about built design and performance, the iPad Pro 2021 sits in a position way better than the Walcom Mobile Studio Pro. So, if you plan to go to the Apple option, be ready to get introduced to a heap of features and functionality. With that being said, the iPad Pro 2021 is an excellent tablet for drawing and an absolute all-rounder.
Final Words
Purchasing a tablet is an investment of time, money, and a lot of internet research. We want to make this process swift and smooth by including only the tried and tested devices that have created a niche among the artists and designers’ community.
We hope some clouds of doubt around screen tablets were dispelled after reading this article. Our recommendation should be pretty clear if you’re going after the best multipurpose tablet – Apple iPad Pro is your best bet. If you’re going after the best drawing tablet with a screen and you’re only going to use it for that purpose, professionally – Wacom Cintiq 22 is your best option.
Most Common Questions about Drawing Tablets
We know there’s a lot of noise out there. It’s easy to get lost when you’re searching for something particular. We don’t like long answers where you don’t get the answer you’re looking for, so we will try to keep it short and right on point and answer the most common questions young artists usually have when it comes to drawing tablets and standalone tablets if you haven’t made a decision yet, read through the Q&A. You might learn something valuable that will help you with decision-making.
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