I have used drawing tablets from Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen over the years. As an artist, having the right drawing tablet can make all the difference in digital art creation. In this in-depth shootout, I compare the latest offerings from the big 3 drawing tablet brands to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Wacom Drawing Tablets
Wacom Still Leads in Overall Quality and Reliability
Wacom drawing tablets are renowned for their excellent build quality, reliability, and performance. Wacom has been the market leader for many years and its products live up to the premium price tags. I have used several Wacom tablets over the past decade and they have never let me down.
The pen and drawing experience on Wacom tablets is unmatched. The pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition is excellent. The nibs have good glide and last a long time. Palm rejection also works flawlessly on all Wacom tablets I have tried.
Top Wacom Tablet Lines in 2022
Wacom has different product lines catering to beginners and professionals. The Intuos and Intuos Pro lines are the most popular. The high-end Cintiq line offers dedicated drawing monitors.
For beginners, the Wacom Intuos line offers great value with entry-level prices but advanced features. The Wacom Intuos Pro line is geared towards professionals and enthusiasts with large drawing areas, high resolution, and abundant express keys.
The Wacom Cintiq line features full-fledged drawing tablets with displays built-in. They offer the most natural drawing experience but cost a premium.
Key Specs and Prices of Wacom Tablets
Here is an overview of the key specs and latest prices of popular Wacom tablets:
- Wacom Intuos – starts around $80. Drawing area up to 8.5 x 5.3″. 2048 levels of pressure.
- Wacom Intuos Pro – starts around $250. Drawing size up to 12 x 8″. 8192 pressure levels. More express keys.
- Wacom Cintiq 16 – $650. 15.6″ HD screen. 2048 pressure levels.
- Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 – $2000. 4K 24″ touchscreen. 8192 pressure levels. Ergonomic stand.
Huion Drawing Tablets
Huion Offers Great Value for Money
Huion drawing tablets offer an excellent balance of features and price. They are much more affordable than comparable Wacom models.
I have used several Huion tablets and found them to perform really well, especially for the price. The tablet surface provides good glide and traction. Pen pressure sensitivity and tilt functionality is also impressive.
Top Huion Tablet Lines
Some of Huion’s most popular lines include the Kamvas, Inspiroy, and New 1060 Plus tablets.
The Kamvas series features pen displays making them Huion’s answer to Wacom Cintiq. The non-screen Inspiroy and 1060 Plus lines compete with Wacom Intuos.
Key Specs and Prices
Here are some of the key specs and prices for the latest Huion tablets:
- Huion Inspiroy H1060P – $99. 10 x 6.25″ drawing area. 8192 pressure levels. Battery-free pen.
- Huion Kamvas 16 – $300. 15.6″ HD screen tablet. Battery-free pen.
- Huion Kamvas Pro 24 – $799. 23.8″ QHD pen display. 120% sRGB color gamut.
XP-Pen Drawing Tablets
XP-Pen Also Provides Great Bang for Buck
Like Huion, XP-Pen is another budget brand that aims to provide great affordable drawing tablets. They offer many similar alternatives to Wacom at lower prices.
I tried the XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro pen display and found it provided a smooth drawing experience comparable to more expensive options. XP-Pen tablets work seamlessly with common art software as well.
Key XP-Pen Tablet Lines
XP-Pen has the Deco and Artist lines of graphics tablets catering to different users.
The Deco tablets are aimed at beginners with basic features and smaller drawing areas. The Artist series provides larger drawing space and more functionality for enthusiasts.
For pen displays, the Artist series spans 15.6″ to 24″ screens sizes.
Notable Specs and Prices
Here are some notable XP-Pen tablets and their prices:
- XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 – $59. 10 x 6″ drawing area. Battery-free stylus.
- XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro – $399. 15.6″ FHD display. 92% NTSC color accuracy.
- XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro – $750. 23.8″ QHD monitor. 178° viewing angle. Red dial controller.
Drawing Tablet Buying Considerations
Drawing Area Size
Consider the active drawing area size you need. Entry-level tablets start around 6 x 4″. Enthusiast models go up to 12 x 8″ or more. Pen displays span 15″ to 24″ monitor sizes.
Pen Performance
Look for tablets offering 8000+ levels of pressure sensitivity and good tilt support. Battery-free pens are convenient. Nib feel and replacement nibs are also factors.
Custom Express Keys
Express keys boost productivity in art software. Look for tablets with 6+ shortcut keys if using advanced programs.
Wireless Capability
Some tablets offer wireless operation if you need to draw away from your desk. This adds convenience but may affect pen responsiveness.
Display Quality
For pen displays, look for full HD (1920 x 1080) or QHD (2560 x 1440) monitors with good color accuracy like 100% sRGB coverage.
Price and Budget
Of course, price plays a big role. Wacom tablets cost the most while Huion and XP-Pen offer more affordable alternatives. Decide how much you can invest in your drawing tablet.
The Verdict
Wacom for Premium Performance
If budget is no constraint, Wacom tablets provide an unmatched drawing experience. Their high reliability and quality ensure years of flawless use. The ecosystem of software and accessories is also hard to beat.
Huion and XP-Pen for Value
For budget-conscious buyers, Huion and XP-Pen make excellent alternatives to Wacom. You still get great pen sensitivity, tilt support, and robust build quality. The savings can be put towards art software and other gear.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with any of these premium drawing tablet brands. Assess your budget, drawing area needs, and feature requirements, and pick the model that fits best! Let me know if you have any other questions.
