The best drawing tablets of 2025: Expert tested

Apple's most powerful tablet is our pick for the best drawing tablet thanks to its ease of use and superb display that provides crisp detail while drawing. 

In May, Apple upgraded the iPad Pro with an M4 chip that delivers better performance, battery, and a brighter display. ZDNET's editor-in-chief Jason Hiner even said that "the M4 OLED iPad Pro is a much easier sell for professional digital artists."

Both the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros feature an OLED display with ProMotion with up to 1,600 nits for HDR content and improved color accuracy at a per-pixel level. If you plan to do a lot of professional drawing work, you will have more than enough power with the Apple Silicon M4 chip and high storage options.

ZDNET reviews editor June Wan also went hands-on with the new iPad Pro and was impressed by its display. Wan says "the iPad Pro is better purposed for consumers watching content, editing photos and videos, and handling other use cases that involve attention to visual detail."

The tablet has Apple Pencil Pro compatibility, giving you a professional feel while allowing you to draw by hand. Upgrades added to this model include a squeeze function to switch between tools, colors, and line weights, a gyroscope barrel roll for precise brush and pen control, and custom haptic feedback that you can feel via a pulse. 

iPad Pro tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches, 13-inches: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25-inches | Compatibility: iPad OS 17 and Apple Pencil Pro | Display: 11-inch and 13-inch OLED with 120Hz

If you're shopping on a budget, Huion drawing tablets have come a long way in the last few years. While some models can cost up to $600, this pen display tablet is an excellent budget option at just $250. 

This Huion tablet has four user-defined and customizable express keys and a touch bar to control canvas zooming, brush adjusting, and page scrolling. 

The display's 120% sRGB color gamut volume presents 16.7 million colors vividly. In addition, the anti-glare technology reduces glare while working in a brighter setting to shorten the distance between the pen nib and the cursor.

Chuan Shin, a freelance concept artist, told ZDNET that he works exclusively with Huion tablets. "Huion makes the best tablets when it comes to value and cost," he said. "Huion also does not have issues with driver updates, which I appreciate."

Even though this is a pen display tablet, this model still requires you to connect it to a computer or laptop for it to work. Still, Reddit users note that the display screen is both glare and scratch-resistant. 

Huion Kamvas Pro 13 tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 13.78 x 7.82 x 0.43 inches | Active area: 10.09 x 5.68 inches | Compatibility: Linux (Ubuntu), Mac OS 10.12 and above, Windows 7 and above | Pressure levels: 8,192 and ±60 pen tilt support

Artists who are Wacom fans but prefer a pen display over a pen tablet should look no further than the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24. Prices start at $1,900, but you get an incredible display, reliable software, and an excellent drawing experience.

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 comes in four sizes 16, 24, 27, or 32 inches. No matter what size you get, you can expect a 4K resolution display with industry-leading color accuracy including 99% Adobe RGB coverage. You can see every tiny detail and stroke of your artwork, design, or photographic projects.

Jim Mortensen, a director, storyboard artist, and writer for animation, said he only uses Wacom tablets. After using the Wacom 21UX for 15 years, he upgraded to the Cintiq Pro 24 and said he couldn't be happier.

"Wacom products have been incredibly reliable for me," he said. "Their driver software is consistently reliable compared to other companies, and their software and hardware support have always been great. It will take a LOT for me to switch away."

The tablet utilizes the same Pro Pen 2 as the Intuos Pro, so you'll still get that pen-to-paper feel even on a tablet screen. Reddit users said they ultimately opted for the Cintiq Pro 24 thanks to its 4K resolution, glass surface and sheer precision.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 26.6 x 15.5 x 1.9 inches | Active area: 20.6 x 11.6 inches | Compatibility: Windows 7 or later, macOS X 10.11 or later | Pressure levels: 8,192

All of these drawing tablets come with a stylus pen, but this tablet from Xencelabs allows you to add more accessories to further enhance your experience. You'll get combo nibs, a drawing glove, a Quick Keys remote, and two battery-free pens for 2D and 3D design. Multiple verified Amazon customers said that the customization options of this drawing tablet is ultimately what drove them to purchase it. 

It's a pen tablet, so there is no display, but it is built with a gently curved armrest on the sides and is only 8mm thick, making it super comfortable to use.

Nick Saporito, a graphic designer who has been teaching for over 10 years how to use design software and drawing tablets on his YouTube channel, likes the precision and surface area of the Xencelabs Pen Tablet.

"The feature that stands out to me the most is the programmable controller it comes with," Saporito said. "It can be used to create custom key bindings for whatever features you most commonly use. For example, you can program one of the buttons to 'Undo' by binding it to Control + Z." 

He also added that the glove that comes with the bundle keeps the tablet from accidentally registering your hand as a pen stroke. In addition, the pens' various removable tips allow for different types of brush strokes and detailing.

Xencelabs tech specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.61 x 9.16 x 0.3 inches | Active area: 10.33 x 5.8 inches | Compatibility: Windows 10 and above, macOS 10.12 and newer | Pressure levels: 8,192