Graphics tablet: how to know which one is the best for you?

Are you a graphic designer or photo editor in the search of a new piece of hardware that will make your work easier? Or are you a traditional art enthusiast looking to jump onto the digital wagon but aren’t sure how to make the most out of a graphics tablet?

A graphics tablet, amongst other options in the market, is one of the best tools that an illustrator, graphic designer or animator can use to make the job a little easier. But they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.

There are many brands available, and also many different models within each company that produces graphic tablets. And there’s also the most recent option of using a tablet computer, such as an iPad, Samsung or Microsoft one.

According to your needs, here are some recommendations if you are looking for your first tablet or if you are looking to upgrade.

Beginners

For editing photos at a basic level, you could work with a small, portable tablet, that allows you to achieve finer detail than using a mouse. One very good option is one of the new basic Intuos tablets by Wacom. They are the replacement for the old Bamboo series: small, portable, but trustworthy. They are perfect for beginners who are also learning how to draw digitally (and following some freepik academy tutorials, of course!).

Intermediate level

When you already have an idea of how to illustrate digitally or are intensively using software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, you could go a step up and consider a wider selection. At this level you will probably be able to tell the difference in pressure recognition, so look for tablets with at least 2048 pressure levels. Wacom has recently upgraded their smaller tablets, so from a very basic level you can find enough sensibility at a relatively low price. But they can sometimes fall short in some aspects, so it’s a good idea to consider a more professional tablet at this point. The Intuos Pro or the professional line by Huion are popular options amongst artists.

Advanced level

If you are seriously dedicated to working with graphics and digital painting, it would be a great idea to invest in a pen tablet monitor instead of a graphic tablet. Wacom offers the Cintiq, while Huion has the Kamvas model amongst others. They are pricier, but they are a great investment in the long run. Since you can see directly where you are placing your stylus, you can work faster and increase your accuracy. But since they are more expensive, you will have to consider a few factors before buying: there are many reviews on Youtube that can help you get an idea of how these tablets work, but only you can decide what monitor size you will feel more comfortable working with, or if you need a portable option (such as the Wacom Companion, which includes its own software and serves as a computer itself).

More options

In the last few years, companies like Apple and Samsung have realized that many artists like to work on the go, and carrying your Cintiq around isn’t always the most comfortable idea. So they have worked in tools like the Apple Pencil or the S Pen, which allow you to work on these tablets with ease and achieving professional results. A very popular option is to combine it with the iPad app called Procreate.

Of course, picking a tablet is no easy task, but hopefully these tips will help you in the search of your first (or next) graphic tablet. Let us know in the comments if you have a graphics tablet and why would you (or would not) recommend it! 🙂