80 Level Ratings: Graphic Tablets for All Budgets

Budget-Friendly Tablets

1) Wacom Intuos S (starting from $79.80 on Amazon)

No tablet review is complete without at least one Wacom product. If you are looking for solid quality under $100, you cannot go wrong with Intuos S. Customers find it to be a perfect tool both for drawing and photo editing. Most users say that Wacom Intuos S is easy to use, fast and responsive. Moreover, Intuos S is perfect for carrying around as it is rather small and lightweight. 

Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 11,126 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• wireless option available
• CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO 2-year license included

Cons:

• pricier option for lower resolution and sensitivity (starting from $80)
• some users experience difficulties when installing the drivers

2) HUION H430P (starting from $32.99 on Amazon)

Small yet powerful and surprisingly versatile are the key characteristics of this tablet according to the users. H430P connects to computers running on Windows and Mac, as well as some Android devices. The size of the tablet makes it a perfect tool for artists who are always on the go. This is one of the best options for beginners who do not want to splurge on their first tool and are just getting into digital art since it also contains a set of tutorials for those who are only getting started with the graphic tablets. 

Customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 (based on 645 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• low price 
• compatible with the majority of devices and graphic design applications

Cons:

• small working area
• thin and fragile cable 

3) XP-PEN G430S (starting from $29.99 on Amazon)

Another tiny but pretty swift guy for those who are not ready to invest hundreds of dollars in doing digital art, XP-PEN G430S is the most wallet-friendly option on the list. G430S is only 2 mm thick which makes it even thinner than HUION H430P. Other than that, these two are almost the same size. The tablet is compatible with Windows and macOS devices and supports all major 2D and 3D graphic design apps including Adobe Illustrator, Maya, and 3ds Max. 

Customer rating: 4.2 out of 5 (based on 5,857 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• low price 
• highly sensitive pen

Cons:

• the extreme sensitivity of the pen often leads to the accidental execution of random actions
• there are no express keys on the surface of the tablet

4) VEIKK VK640 (starting from $39.99 on Amazon)

VEIKK VK640 is another tablet within the 'below $50' price range that is a little less popular than HUION and XP-PEN. The users, however, seem to love its functionality and size as VK640 is significantly bigger than the other two tablets without being bulky. According to the reviews, the users enjoy how quickly and smoothly the pen glides across the surface of the tablet without lagging. What is more, there are 4 anti-slip rubber pads at the bottom of the tablet which prevents it from sliding around while drawing.

Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 (based on 134 reviews on Amazon)

Pros:

• low price 
• highly customizable

Cons:

• express keys do not work when the tablet is connected to a smartphone
• some users reported freezing of the tablet driver

5) GAOMON M10K 2018 (starting from $59.99 on Amazon)

Moving on to the bigger tablets, there is another underrated yet pretty impressive product from Gaomon. The M10K tablet has got not 4, not 6, but 10 express keys you can adjust however you like. There is also a touch ring that is made for zooming in and out, scrolling the page, and modifying brush settings. The users find it comfortable and easy to work with, as the size allows the hand to move more freely, almost mimicking drawing on paper. 

Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 6,491 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• low price 
• highly customizable

Cons:

• some users report bugginess of the driver 
• if there are other drivers for drawing tablets installed, the driver for Gaomon M10K 2018 might be conflicting with them

High-End Drawing Tablets

1) Wacom Intuos Pro (starting from $376.83 on Amazon)

Professional tablets do not necessarily have to be screen tablets, and Intuos Pro is a perfect example of a graphic tablet that is simple yet functional and reliable. 8 customizable express keys and a touch ring allow you to zoom in and out, rotate the screen, adjust the brush, and a lot more without having to click through the menu of your digital art app. Another useful feature of this tool is wireless connection — you can connect it to your computer using Bluetooth or a USB cable — depends on your personal preferences.

Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 2,220 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• no lag, no parallax pen with tilt recognition
• Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects 2-month license included

Cons:

• high price
• according to several reviews, pen nibs need to be changed quite often

2) GAOMON PD1161 (starting from $199.99 on Amazon)

This tablet is the least expensive item on the list of high-end professional tablets but it is definitely one of the customers' favorites. With a 1920×1080 screen resolution, it is perfect for 2D and 3D art as well as photo editing. There is a thin matte screen protector that prevents the working surface from getting scratched up. GAOMON PD1161 has 8 customizable express keys and there are 2 shortcut buttons on the pen.

Customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 (based on 1,851 reviews on Amazon)

Pros:

• relatively inexpensive screen tablet 

Cons:

• the package does not include a tablet stand
• the installation process is tricky according to most reviews

3) XP-PEN Artist15.6 Pro (starting from $399.99 on Amazon)

Artist15.6 Pro has already become many artists' holy grail with its juicy colorful 1920×1080 screen and quick and ergonomic pen. Just like the previous tablet, XP-PEN Artist15.6 Pro has 8 customizable express buttons. Moreover, you do not need to buy a tablet holder for this one as it is included in the package. Artist15.6 Pro is a universal tool for all kinds of digital art and design and it is not too complicated for a beginner. Plus, compared to the most advanced screen tablets, this tool is a good deal at around $400.

Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 (based on 1,156 reviews on Amazon)

Pros: 

• has a scratch-resistant anti-glare screen cover
• supports 60° tilt function for the imitation of a real tilting brush effect

Cons:

• some users found that the colors on the tablet were a bit off
• customers often report driver issues  

4) HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 (starting from $399.99 on Amazon)

There are so many generations of HUION KAMVAS that it is easy to get completely lost and confused in the ocean of reviews. However, Pro 16 seems to be the favorite child in the KAMVAS family. With 16.7 million colors this screen tablet is a great choice for digital artists who value precision in colorwork. The screen is fully laminated to protect it from scratches from the stylus nib. Even though the tablet looks massive due to a 16-inch screen, it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to carry with you.

Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 1,845 reviews on Amazon)

Pros:

• reasonable price for a professional screen tablet
• accurate color representation

Cons:

• a rigid driver that is very likely to conflict with similar drivers installed on your PC

5) Wacom Cintiq 22 (starting from $1,199.95 on Amazon)

Some call it the best overall choice, the others use it as the golden standard of screen tablets to compare every other device to it. According to the reviews, the tablet deserves all the praise and is without a doubt worth the money (and it is far from being an affordable option at $1200). Cintiq 22 is easy to set up, brisk and precise. Unlike the users of the other tablets, Cintiq 22 owners do not experience driver issues and say the tablet is ready to work right out of the box.

Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 (based on 1,735 reviews on Amazon)

Pros:

• adjustable tablet holder
• highly responsive and precise pen

Cons:

• no express keys
• lower screen resolution compared to Cintiq 16 (both are 1920×1080 but Cintiq 22 is bigger)

Bonus Item

Wacom Cintiq 24 Pro (starting from $1,999.95 on Amazon)

In case you really want to step up your game and your budget allows you to go a little crazy, Wacom Cintiq 24 Pro is a killer choice with its premium 4K screen and 99% RGB coverage. Unlike any other tablet on the list, this one has a whole remote with 17 customizable express keys. The new Wacom Pro Pen 2 included in the package has greater pressure sensitivity and tilt response. The users also say it is absolutely lag- and parallax-free. 

Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 269 reviews)

Pros: 

• incredibly accurate color rendering
• a huge active area to work on bigger projects without having to zoom in and out

Cons:

• some users found dead pixels on the screen 
• according to some reviews, the fan is loud, especially when brightness is set to 100%