Best Tablet for adobe Illustrator

Smart devices like drawing tablets are gaining popularity amongst people of all backgrounds, and rightfully so. Programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Autodesk have made drawing tablets essential at many workplaces.

This guide has been curated to attend to all of your queries regarding the best tablets for Illustrator. We will be reviewing some of the most notable products from multiple angles: such as the price range, specifications, and skill level.

Whether you are a beginner with no advanced knowledge or you are a professional adobe illustrator expert with years of experience, this guide will be the one-stop research for you to find the best tablet for adobe illustrator. Now without further delay, let’s dive into our handpicked favorite best tablets for adobe illustrator!

Quick Pick Table

10/08/2022 10:43 am GMT

These recommendations will help you make your choice:

Wacom PTH660 Intuos Pro Digital: Best Tablet for Illustrator

Wacom Intuos Pro digital graphic tablet, Wacom Cintiq, t is undeniably one of the best drawing tablets and best tablet for adobe illustrator to buy for your graphic design and adobe illustrator endeavors. Since its release, this dazzling device has turned many notable heads and is one of the most sought-after products for all the right reasons. After all, Wacom Cintiq is the gold standard in the world of drawing tablets.

The build quality of the Intuos Pro is nothing less than stellar, with the ability to fast charge thanks to USB-C. Wacom has multiple vertical buttons on its tablets that it calls “Express Keys.”

These can be programmed to function according to your requirements, and Intuos Pro digital graphic drawing comes with a whopping 8 express keys. With the optimal display size, drawing area, and resolution, it delivers professionally to each user.

Your Wacom Intuos Pro digital graphic tablet also has a battery life of roughly 3 days, regardless of how intensively you work on it.

Pro Pen

This is not a brand claim but rather something that multiple users have reported. Perhaps one of the most notable features of Wacom is its Pro Pen 2.

This is the best drawing tablet and has a cordless, battery-free, and lightweight stylus that has impressive pen pressure sensitivity levels, giving it a wow factor.

The silicone rubber pen grip gives you a sturdy yet comfortable approach to drawing for longer hours. If this wasn’t enough, a desktop pen stand comes along where you can easily rest your stylus and not fear any damage to the nibs. If we had to crown a winner of tablets for Illustrator, it would be the Wacom Intuos Pro.

Pro-Tip

Here is a pro tip for Wacom Intuos Pro for you. If you got several monitors and you don’t wish to use half of the space of this tablet, then you can utilize the display toggle as one of the keys. Along with this, make sure there is only one monitor in use at a time in the settings.

This allows you to get ample area possible on the Wacom Intuos Pro. This is a tip for you if you think Wacom Intuos Pro will be your ideal tablet for adobe illustrator.

HUION INSPIROY Q11K Graphic Tablet

The Inspiroy series came with the Q11k – a very durable and large-scale drawing tablet. By large scale, we mean an 11×7 inches large screen size. This is the largest drawing tablet we have up in this guide for you. It is also pressure sensitive.

If you are an artist looking for big, we think this is it for you. It comes with 2 customizable buttons only, along with 8 shortcut keys. This makes it a weak competitor to the other tablets as it doesn’t offer much flexibility. It has a 2500mAh battery, which again is not that impressive: however, Huion claims that the Q11K has 40-hour battery life.

Obviously, this depends on the intensity of your programs, after all. The large size of it makes it hard to adjust the Huion into small workspaces as it takes quite a bit of your desk.

What is remarkable about the Q11K is its pen pressure with levels of pressure sensitivity and display resolutions. It comes with 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity and 5080 LPI resolutions which are impressive for the price range.

It is reputable enough in the world of graphic design and can be considered a decent graphic tablet, as Adobe Illustrator performs well on it.

If you are willing to make some sacrifices to stick to your budget, this purchase might work out fine for your adobe illustrator working. These are the best drawing tablets at reasonable rates.

XP-PEN DECO-03 Wireless Drawing Tablet

For XP pen, can we just say that it’s never a bad purchase? It can be called a direct competitor with the Wacom Intuos, with its distinctive design and budget-friendly nature.

With the XP pen, you get a lot more than what you pay for. It offers you a dazzling 10×5.6 inches active drawing area, wireless connectivity, sleek design, and fully customizable buttons.

These tablets for adobe illustrator are the best tablets thinner than an iPhone with a mere 8mm of thickness; the hotkeys are placed strategically in a corner to allow full freedom of the drawing space.

Moreover, the plastic body makes it a lightweight and portable device that can be carried anywhere you please. Additionally, their levels of pressure sensitivity, express keys, active area, pen display, USB c, and full HD display.

The surface texture mimics exactly like paper which puts you in your artistic mode allowing it to become one of the best tablets for adobe illustrator.

The pen itself has an ergonomic shape making it very comfortable to hold and use even for long periods. Once again, the pen pressure sensitivity is remarkable for xp iPad Pro pen, and it shows in the quality with a great drawing area.

Unique Points

The pen does not require charging, much like the Wacom. There are slight differences where the Wacom wins over XP iPad Pro pen, but the difference is only noticeable if you compare them in real-time.

 To cut short, the XP pen is designed perfectly to give you the best possible experience while creating your artwork. One of the best drawing tablets for adobe? Yes, definitely!

HUION INSPIROY H950P Graphic Drawing

HUION Inspiroy H950P is a spectacular model to talk about. It looks beautiful on the outside with a modern, sleek appearance. The corners are rounded, and there are 8 shortcut keys on the side that are fully customizable, of course.

This drawing tablet has set a standard up against the fierce Wacom Intuos, and we’re going to explain how. HUION H950P comes in the same price point as a Wacom but offers a stunning 8.7×5.4 inches of active drawing space.

It has the 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity level and recognizes tilted strokes on the surface with ease.

The 5080 LPI resolution makes it such a great buy, but if that’s not enough, we should mention it comes with a battery-free stylus and a pen holder as well.

Not only this, but it has earned its way up into the hearts of many notable illustrators and artists due to its beautiful performance.

The pen’s rubber grip makes long hours of work easier by far. With clever engineer designing, HUION designed a combined storage compartment and nib-changing tool within the pen. Obviously, this is something we haven’t seen in any other drawing tablet on the guide. If you love paper-like textures on the surface, unlike the glassy finish of Apple’s iPad. 

HUION Inspiroy H950P got you covered for that! Huion is a comfortable, high quality, inexpensive, and impressive combination, to say the least.

ONE BY WACOM: An Amazing Pen Pressure Sensitivity Tablet

We absolutely need to put another anti glare Wacom in here; it’s just that good. One by adobe illustrator Wacom one may be a cheap drawing tablet, but nobody comes close to matching the quality it provides at this price point. The design of it is so slim and beautiful, giving it a modern, minimalistic touch.

The drawing surface for these tablets for adobe illustrator is the same as on the Wacom Intuos, although Intuos is much more expensive than our guy here.

Forget about scratching the surface; that doesn’t happen to this drawing tablet. Wacom one has no buttons on the Wacom tablet itself, although the pen has 2 on the sides.

Unique Points

The Wacom one tablet comes in two variants; Small and Medium, and offers from 6.0 x 3.7  inches screen size to 8.3 x 5.7 inches, respectively.

It offers you a 2048 pen pressure sensitivity, and the pen is very lightweight due to its plastic nature. The glory of the Wacom Cintiq one is in the way it acts exactly like a high-end drawing tablet would. The strokes are smooth and have virtually no lag at all.

There have been no claims that the drawing pad has resulted in wonky or jittery lines, a common complaint amongst other drawing pads.

Wacom Cintiq one is very easy to set up; in fact, setup only takes a few minutes at most, and then you’re ready to rock on the Wacom. We must say, for the price tag it comes with, you’re in for a real treat (and in a good way).

WACOM INTUOS CTL4100 Graphic Drawing Tablet

The predecessor of Intuos Pro digital graphic tablet has been awarded as the best drawing tablet for beginners by none other than New York Times. That says a lot about a brand and its product.

Intuos offers you the most precision, and control for the least value of cash, especially when compared to the competition. Its 6-by-3.7-inch screen is accurately responsive with minimum delay makes for an incredible drawing experience.

Despite the compact size of these tablets for adobe illustrator, you can easily use adobe illustrator and such apps with ease, and no sacrifices have to be made.

This Wacom one tablet simplifies your drawing experience with just 4 express keys and still sits amongst the best tablets for adobe illustrator-related programs. It is compatible with space-restricted workspaces without losing its accuracy, and that’s why we love it so much.

UGEE M708 Graphic Drawing Tablet

This sleek model has a good reputation in the industry for multiple reasons. It comes with a 10×6 inches large active drawing space, a similar paper texture like the Wacom models discussed above and provides a smooth drawing experience to its users.

There is a natural smoothness with no lag, making it a good deal to swipe. The stylus for M708 is battery-free and gives a spectacular 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity.

The pen accommodates different stroke styles with the pressure you use on the stylus: which is a smart feature, to say the least. It’s a good instrument for the moderate price range and would be appreciated by beginners, to say the least. 

Furthermore, it can be called a good tablet for Illustrator and Photoshop apps with great drawing areagiven its 8 customizable hotkeys on the side, improving convenience and efficiency of the artistic process.

Of course, we have to mention the diverse compatibility that the tablet offers amongst various processors, and it’s safe to say, UGEE M708 is worth the money.

GAOMON M10K2018 Graphic Tablet

Gaomon is a reliable name when it comes to a tablet for drawing, although not as competitive as Wacom if we compare them both. The Gaomon M10K made it into our guide due to the complex specifications that give it that extra kick you might be looking for.

The tablet can take up to 8192 pressure sensitivity levels. It also comes with 5080LPI: which gives you a feather-like smoothness.

The report rate is at 233PPS: which is a great bargain for its price range. There are 10 hotkeys on the side of the tablet without compromising the space available for your creative ventures. Maybe the best thing about this tablet is that it allows compatibility on both OS and Windows. This means that every program that supports styluses, M10K, will not disappoint.

This is a remarkable feature since some notable drawing tablets fail to produce such outcomes. Specifically speaking about apps like Adobe Illustrator or Autodesk, this does a fine job of producing decent quality throughout.

UGEE M708 V2 Graphic Drawing Tablet

The first thing you should be able to tell from Ugee M708 V2 is its large-scaled appearance. It has a boastful 10×6 inches active drawing area which allows you to unleash your creativity without bounds.

However, this does mean that it automatically becomes a no-go for those who want something small and convenient.

This too comes with a battery-free pen, cordless stylus as well as a holder for an easier handle. It supports Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Autodesk, Blender, Toon Boom, and 15 more programs related to graphic designs and digital art. It is super friendly to set up, so if you’re not tech-savvy, this may be just your guy. This is not all, though!

It comes with an 8192 pen pressure sensitivity level, like some of the other tablets we’ve mentioned here in this guide. However, this feature comes in much cheaper for the Ugee M708 V2.

It is suitable for beginners who don’t wish to spend too much on a tablet; it may come across as a good option.

It also has 8 shortcut keys that can be fully customized to your requirements which ultimately enhance efficiency and save time.

GAOMON PD1161 Graphic Drawing Tablet

Our last product to review is a Gaomon drawing tablet. Much like the Inspiroy Q11K, this is humongous for a drawing tablet with an active drawing size of 11×6 inches. The corners are sculpted into a perfect curve, giving it a nice and soft appearance, with 8 shortcut keys aligned vertically on the side.

These buttons are customizable to your likings, such as the zoom in, zoom out, scroll buttons, etc. Along with being big, it also weighs a bit more than others, so you may think of sacrificing portability.

The stylus requires no battery, something we’ve seen recur throughout this guide. It recognizes tilted strokes up to 60 degrees, has a pen pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels, and is environmentally safe to use. While the pen does not offer an ergonomic shape, it is still comfortable to use for your graphic design sessions, albeit for shorter durations.

This graphics andorid tablet works amazing with programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, amongst many other digital art platforms. However, there are cheaper alternatives that offer the same performance Gaomon does with this drawing tablet, maybe even with more benefits.

What are the different types of Best Tablets for Adobe Illustrator?

We’ve brought up our top ten drawing tablets for adobe Illustrator in 2021 with their features and drawbacks. You can easily understand the differences and similarities between brands and the models we have brought to you. Now let’s figure out which one fits you the best.

Before you make any purchase, it may be a good idea to be aware of the types of drawing tablets available in the current technological world. It will simplify the process of understanding what kind of tablet suits your creative needs and wants.

There are namely 3 types of drawing iPad Pro tablets, and each of them is best at adapting to the requirements in different ways, and it comes down to the consumer’s taste and preference.

Some very high-end best drawing tablets are used strictly by notable professionals, and some cost less than $100, which targets the beginner niche more.

1.Graphics Tablet

This is a very traditional style of drawing tablets for adobe illustrator. Some of the main features of a graphic tablet are flat surfaces meant to be drawn on with a pen.

The digital art is not displayed on the tablet itself but rather is connected to a monitor screen through wired or wireless connections.

It may be difficult to adjust to the disconnection you feel from drawing elsewhere and watching your work elsewhere, but once adapted, people hardly wish to go back. Examples of graphic tablets are Wacom Intuos and Wacom One.

2.Pen Display Tablet

The Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen display tablets come with an in-built flat screen monitor, usually sensitive to pressure, and thus are the best tablets for adobe with express keys.

This has the upper hand on graphic tablets in the form of providing a connection. Whatever you draw on the screen with the pen will show up in real-time and with minimal lag.

However, a lot of cables are required to transfer work from the pen display tablet to your main computer, making it a tedious option, and the graphics don’t offer the wow factor that the graphic tablet delivers. An example of a pen display tablet is Wacom Cintiq 22.

3.Tablet Computers

Tablet computers are a multitasking form of best drawing tablets for adobe illustrator that allows you much more functionality on your device than just drawings. You require no additional computer screens to transfer or edit your work. All you have to do with a tablet computer is download a drawing app and get started.

These offer features like WiFi connectivity to wireless keyboards, mice as well as some wired connections, which makes it a great option for when you want to keep your drawing experience simple and not have a myriad of interconnected devices. An example of a tablet computer is the well-known Apple iPad.

What should I choose to create graphics: an iPad or a graphics tablet?

This question often arises among those who are just beginning to engage in illustration. So I’ve written out the main features of each type of tablet.

iPad:

• It is portable and can work without a computer.
• It’s multifunctional. You can not only do illustrations, but also watch instructional videos, surf the internet, and use other applications. You don’t have to carry two devices with you. 
• The iPad has a touchscreen with which you can easily zoom in/out. You can also set up other useful gestures on it.
• The iPad version of Adobe Illustrator has limited features and you have to pay for the program.

Graphics tablets:

• Most graphics tablets need to be connected to a computer or laptop. But there are also portable graphics tablets. This can be a good option.
• Also, graphics tablets have more pressure levels and sensitivity to pressure, and working with them makes it feel like you are writing on paper.
• Graphic tablets have a larger work surface than iPad.
• They can be connected to any device, while the iPad can only work as a second display with a MacBook.

Conclusion: a graphics tablet is necessary for those who do illustration all the time and at a professional level. If you want to try to work with a graphics tablet, then first buy an inexpensive model. After all, most illustrators say that it is much more pleasant and comfortable to work with such a device. But perhaps for you this option will not be as convenient as the iPad.

You can find more information in thus video:

Which is the best pen tablet for adobe illustrator/graphic design? Buying Guide

We’ve talked about so much generic information about iPad Pro and drawing tablets, but now it’s time to question which exact lane you need to go down with your purchase. It would be easier to answer this by ticking off some simple boxes.

In the end, it really depends on what you aim to achieve out of your drawing tablet. Therefore, we’ve curated this detailed buying guide for you which enlists several important factors that influence the purchase of a tablet. By getting to know these factors, you’ll be able to differentiate between your requirements and the features offered in a particular tablet. Hence, without further delay, let’s jump into the buying guide of the best tablets for illustrators.

1.Wired or Wireless

Graphic tablets come in two types of connectivity: wired and wireless. This android tablet is Wired graphic tablets come with the hassle of cables going from the tablet to your main monitor screen: hence, it can be considered messy for many users who like to keep their workspaces clean and tidy.

However, if you want absolutely no lag in your drawing process, this will be your go-to. You can see the designs form in real-time right in front of you, and that is preferred by many artists worldwide.

Wireless graphic tablets fall a little behind in this aspect as they do have a tiny bit of delay that you can observe while working. Although it is very minute and you can get past it, it still is an important factor when finding what works best for you as a graphic designer or artist.

You can easily avoid the jungle of cables with the wireless connection; some tablets offer, and if it counts much for you, we’d suggest going wireless.

2.Stylus

Quality of art is balanced equally on two beams: the skill level and the quality of your products. The stylus pen can be considered one of the most important parts of your digital creative process because it can make or break your deal.

The stylus you select must go you are planning to adopt. There are 2 types of stylus available currently, i.e., EMR and battery-operated stylus.

A battery-operated stylus requires a cell to be placed inside and hence have a thicker body and nib to accommodate well. They have to be changed frequently, but that depends entirely on how intensively you work.

If you are an individual who has to work multiple hours consecutively, then a battery-operated stylus just might not be for you. Similarly, if you need a thin nib on your stylus, you may lean towards the EMR pens.

EMR pens rely on low-energy pulses and can easily work wireless for a long period of time. They have both thin and thick nibs to choose from and never need recharging. This is perfect for professionals who have to rely on their drawing tablets for more than just a few hours of work.

3. Active Area

The active area size is one of the most important factors that you may want to look deeply into. The size will determine how well you can carry your work. A lot of tablets come with bezel-less displays, but some of them come with plastic edges that cover a portion of your available space.

Mainly, your work environment counts in figuring which size works best for you. If you have a tiny accommodation, a large tablet would not be a logical purchase, and you would want to look into something that fits or grow your workspace.

A tablet for adobe illustrator should be big enough for you to comfortably move your stylus across without having to cut short and ruin your strokes. Of course, different people find different sizes fit for them, and we think it comes down to the size of your hand and the depth of your work.

Hence idealistically speaking, you want to look for a pen tablet that has low bezels, big active area space, and comfortable screen size.

4.Pressure Sensitivity

Before anything, we should explain pen pressure sensitivity levels in case you are not informed on the technicality of it.

Pressure sensitivity is a feature that correlates the pressure you apply with the stylus on the screen to the thickness of the strokes drawn. This means that the more pressure you apply on your drawing tablet surface, the thicker the lines will be. Now, what do the levels indicate? The higher the sensitivity levels, the more variety of thickness you will receive.

Consider it as greater sensitivity to the pressure, if you must. So an 8192 sensitivity level tablet will offer a heavenly amount of thickness variance compared to a mere 1024 sensitivity level tablet.

5.Screen Resolution

This factor should make you think of the quality of work you will be doing on your drawing tablet for adobe illustrator. If you are dealing with ultra HD quality of drawings, such as intensive graphic designing or professional photo editing, then you want to go for something with high screen resolution.

For that case, you’d want something that offers sharp graphics and a higher Lines Per Inch rate. If you’re wondering what that is, it’s a measure to know how sharp your graphics are. The higher the LPI, the better your screen resolution.

On the other hand, if you are just a hobbyist and don’t need much in terms of graphics, then you can simply settle for something with a moderate LPI. In most cases, people prefer AMOLED or ultra HD displays.

6.Scrollers

Scroller is a terrific feature that is helpful when your work requires a constant change of brushes and tools within the program. If that is your line of work, you definitely want a scroller. Trust me.

A scroller is basically a touch-sensitive wheel on your drawing tablet that lets you switch between tools with ease. A lot of graphic designers appreciate the tool as it saves time and energy while working.

7.Performance

Last but not least, the performance of a drawing tablet really brings everything to the top and makes them the best drawing tablet. Something that we subconsciously assume is that the higher the price, the better the product. This is not true in most cases, and it definitely is not when we discuss drawing tablets. You need some research and a proper keyline to get to the exact model that fits you, and you’d be surprised to find it might not be as expensive as you’d expect it to be.

One thing to remember is that if you’re paying a very generous price for pro digital graphic drawing, you are expected to receive the latest software and hardware available with the best pen tablet.

Related video:

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Conclusion

If you are wondering to purchase the right pen tablet for an illustrator with great pressure sensitivity, and an active drawing area we hope this guide is super helpful. In this article, we have reviewed the best tablets for adobe including Samsung galaxy tab s6, XP pen artist 15.6, Wacom Cintiq, and the best surface pro, battery-free, and good battery life android tablets for adobe with amazing HD display.

We’ve presented information to you in the simplest manner, and the next process is quite simple. You read the entire guide, think about where your needs are fulfilled with the pros and cons mentioned, and make a happy purchase.

Hence, we hope that you’ve managed to get some clarity on what drawing tablet better suits you and your work patterns, whether you are a professional in the field or a youngster starting a new, undiscovered hobby.

If there are still some questions about the best drawing tablets, we have prepared a small and precise FAQ for you to check out below. It won’t take much time, and maybe it helps you out as well!

In our thorough search for the best tablet for Adobe Illustrator in 2021, we have scoured through many brands and their multiple models.

We sat down and tested them all one by one, in a critical magnifying glass, and our personal favorite would be Wacom Intuos Pro, and for the correct reasons.

On the other hand, we also conducted surveys by asking multiple artists from different niches, including graphic designers, game visualizers, visual art students, fan-art developers, and photographers.

They all showed a tendency to like and recommend the Wacom Intuos Pro more than any other graphic tablet out there. They commended on its ability to last multiple years and yet beat the newest technology. So if you asked for our opinion, go for the Wacom Intuos Pro if you can. It is worth the money!

If you want us to pick a budget-friendly drawing tablet that gives you the greatest experience from its price range, it would be none other than the UGEE M708.

It has some commendable features from its competitive range and can easily be considered pocket-friendly. Refer back to our product details for both of these tablets mentioned as recommendations.