Graphic tablet test 2023

We all know it: You press the power button on the computer and shortly afterwards it starts making buzzing or whirring noises. These noises come from the fans, which take care of the inside of the computer case that nothing breaks.

Digital drawing or painting is widespread and you can now find many different variants on the market. The price-performance ratio is good for almost all models. However, you should equip the Tablets check carefully before deciding on a specific graphics tablet.

You can find out which tablets these are in the extensive buying guide. But also in our article you will find an overview in which we have listed the 9 best graphics tablets with their advantages and disadvantages. This allows you to quickly and easily decide on a graphics tablet and know that the graphics tablet and graphics program is just right for you.

The best graphics tablets in the overview

Graphics tablet purchase advice: You should definitely pay attention to this!

You can also draw a picture yourself the classic way, with paper and pen. However, digital drawing can be a good alternative for you and you will quickly see the advantages of digital drawing and buy a first-class graphics tablet. You can then view and save all your drawings directly in digital form on your computer. If you use a graphics tablet, you can also work on many different levels and your results will be much better in digital form. Of course, this doesn't work from the beginning, but has to be practiced just like classic drawing. Another advantage of the graphics tablet is that you can delete the entries you have made directly. With the graphics tablet, your inputs are recorded very precisely by the sensors. You can then change or adjust things in just a few steps.

Benefits of a graphics tablet

In the following article you will find further advantages that the graphics tablet can offer you and the most important information for a successful start in digital drawing.

precision of your digital painting work

A quality graphics tablet has the ability to display your input with absolute precision and accuracy. If you work with a really good drawing program, even the smallest movements will be recorded and transferred. It is also important how much pressure and sensitivity you use on the graphics tablet. With the quality models from Wacom, for example, painting is almost like normal paper. So an ergonomic drawing or painting is possible.

Of course you can also simply create a digital drawing with a computer mouse. However, with this variant you are far from ergonomic drawing, which entails an enormous loss of quality. You can't work with the mouse like you can with a pen in your hand. Do you sign?
passion and want to develop yourself further, then the graphics tablet is just right for you. With it you can create natural drawings or complex contours. It is also possible to use the graphics tablet as an additional operating tool on the computer. It means that you can not only use the painting program with it. It allows you to automatically digitize your images.

The ability to work digitally on your PC means you can save all of your input. Unlike the classic work with pen on paper, you can change your work at any time. You can also trace from your graphics tablet with the automatic digitizing function. Simply load a pattern onto your Tablet. With this function you can easily take symbols or figures and change them for your purposes.

Are there also disadvantages of graphics tablets?

Practice creates masters

If you have mainly drawn on paper up to now, you obviously have to take your time to switch to the graphics tablet. Especially the affordable offers from the many manufacturers do not come close to realistic work, as with pen on paper.

space and technology

Depending on which graphics tablet you choose, it often requires a lot of space on yours Desk. If you prefer a smaller model, there are offers from A5 format upwards. The graphics tablets from Wacom are rather small in design and are recommended for beginners who prefer a device that is not too large. It is also important to ensure that the screen of your computer is large enough. Only then will you have a similar format available when drawing. In order to work as comfortably and precisely as possible, precise positioning on the computer monitor is also crucial.

Which product features play an important role when choosing a graphics tablet?

Graphics tablets are now available in many different versions and the market offers all possible price ranges. Some models that don't even cost 100 euros are very solid. However, they are more suitable for beginners. If you are an ambitious artist, we recommend that you pay a little more and choose a more expensive model with a display. This not only offers a variety of advantages but also leaves more room for improvement. The following overview shows what else you should consider when equipping your graphics tablet.

Graphics tablet size

First find out what character size you want on your graphics tablet. You have to note that the transfer to the screen of your computer is 1:1 and that there can be differences when comparing the formats. For example, a fairly inexpensive graphics tablet has a much smaller format than a standard computer screen. So if you really want to work accurately, you need to get a graphics tablet that is exactly the same format as your monitor. Note that the larger the graphics tablet, the higher the price. Graphics tablets with their own display are also in the upper price range.

crayons

The input devices that are sold with the graphics tablets are mostly pens that you can use wirelessly. On the latest models, these pens connect to the tablet via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a cumbersome cable. You can then use the software you use to customize the shape of the pens and brushes. It is best to always use the supplied pen. As a result, your tablet will recognize it immediately and it will work flawlessly.

pressure intensity

First-class graphics tablets are pressure-sensitive. Due to the different intensity levels, the graphics tablet can display exactly the brush shapes on the computer that you create by pressing. Even higher-quality models that are already very expensive are even more pressure-sensitive. These graphics tablets contain thousands of print phases and thus allow you as an artist to implement extensive ideas.

Graphic tablet with or without display

The cheap versions have no display. You have to connect it to your computer via the USB port and use the monitor to transmit your graphics. If you want to work like you would on paper, we recommend that you choose a graphics tablet with its own display. But these models cost a lot of money. So check your budget first before you consider these explanations.

Additional controls and multi-touch function

With most graphics tablets, you also have the option of operating them with other elements in addition to the input pen in order to use additional functions. For example, you can assign any function to the keys. This allows you to tailor your graphics tablet to your operating system, your computer and your graphics program and benefit from other advantages. You can then, for example, use the zoom function in an image or activate active scrolling, which makes using a mouse unnecessary.

Additional controls and multi-touch function

You connect traditional graphics tablets to your computer via USB. This means it doesn't need to be connected to an external power source and you don't have to worry about extra cables. Do you want a graphics tablet with a display, but the power via USB is not enough and an external one Power Supplies is necessary.

Software

With most offerings on the market, the graphics tablets are sold with their own drawing program. You can easily install this on your computer in a short time. These programs work on the Mac as well as on the Windows operating system. You need this program in order to be able to fully use the graphics tablet with all its functions. However, the cheap models only come with programs for beginners. If you want to use your graphics tablet professionally, you have to obtain the appropriate programs from Adobe separately.

Which graphics tablet is best suited for your application?

We have listed the most important features for you above. In the following section you can now read our product recommendations. We go into the purpose of use and help you not to make a bad purchase.

Graphics tablets that are suitable for beginners

If you are just starting out with digital drawing, it is advisable to choose a compact device. This is usually supplied directly with the associated software and offers the ideal start. A graphics tablet with a display would be too big an investment to start with, which makes little sense. The compact devices, which are also good, are available from 50 euros.

Graphic tablets for designers and graphic artists

If you want to work with it professionally, you should opt for a mid-range device. Models with their own display have many advantages that make work much easier. You then paint directly on the tablet display and no longer have to adjust the tools on the computer monitor. But you have to know that you have to spend at least 1000 euros to buy a really good graphics tablet with a display.

Graphic tablets for real artists

Graphics tablets for real professionals are not actually available in normal shops. There are special dealers who can organize products for you and also advise you.

These graphics tablets have very large displays and are therefore designed for real artists. In addition to countless pressure levels, the display can often also be tilted to ensure an optimal viewing angle.

Conclusion on choosing a graphics tablet

The first thing you need to figure out is what you want to use the graphics tablet for. If you are still a beginner, then a cheap model from Wacom is just right for you. You can use it to take your first steps in the digital world of painting and drawing. However, if you are already a professional, then you should buy a graphics tablet with its own display. Even if you are an artist and like to make detailed pictures, then you are best served with such a graphics tablet. The price ranges mentioned above offer you a great guide. As an absolute beginner, the models start at 50 euros. You can find quality graphics tablets with their own display from at least 1000 euros and graphics tablets with an extra large display are in the price range of 1500 euros and up. We recommend tablets from 15 inches.

What kind of graphics tablet should you buy?