5 Best Tablets for Drawing in 2021

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Everything’s going digital these days, including art. There’s nothing wrong with an old fashioned sketchpad and pencil, but sometimes you’ll need something more modern. Whether you’re a professional artist or digital art is just a hobby, you’ll want the best tablet for drawing.

What makes a tablet good for drawing? While some of it comes down to preference, you generally want something with high pressure sensitivity, resolution and responsiveness. Stylus compatibility and quality are other things to look out for. 

With that in mind, here are the five of the best tablets for drawing you can get right now.

1. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Generation)

Apple shaped the modern tablet market, and the second generation 11-inch iPad Pro is one of the best yet. It has a longer battery life than previous iPads, as well as a higher resolution and faster touch response. The 11-inch screen gives you plenty of space for drawing, but if you want more, there’s a more expensive 12.9-inch version too.

Apple finally gave iPad Pros a USB-C port, making it more versatile and compatible with other devices. One of the best things about iPads for drawing is the Apple Pencil. It’s sold separately, but it has almost no lag, excellent pressure sensitivity and attaches to your iPad magnetically.

2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 isn’t a traditional tablet but something of a tablet-laptop hybrid. As a result, it has power and versatility that are hard to match. Since it runs Windows, you’ll get full access to the drawing app of your choice, including the entire Adobe suite.

Like with the iPad Pro, the Surface doesn’t come with a stylus, and its pen offers similar latency. What sets the Surface apart from everything else is how much of a workhorse it is. If you need something with as many features and extensions as possible, this may be the right choice for you.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

Samsung’s answer to the new iPad Pro, the Galaxy Tab S7, is a worthy competitor. It features a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning you probably won’t notice any lag when drawing. Its speed doesn’t stop there, with the included S Pen offering just nine milliseconds of latency.

Like the iPad Pro, the S7 has an 11-inch screen, unless you get the pricier S7 Plus, which has a 12.4-inch screen. Unlike Apple devices, the Galaxy Tab lets you add external storage, which helps if you draw a lot. The Google Play Store doesn’t feature as many quality tablet apps as Apple’s store, but this is your best bet if you prefer Android.

4. Apple iPad Air (2020)

If you want something more affordable or portable, the new iPad Air is an excellent choice. The thinner design may feel more comfortable in your hands, and the 10.9-inch screen still gives you plenty of room to draw. Like the more expensive iPad Pro, it supports the outstanding Apple Pencil.

The Air’s chipset is less powerful than the Pro, but you probably won’t notice any lag. Its resolution isn’t as high as some of the more expensive options on this list, but it’s still in full HD.

5. Wacom Intuos Pro (Large)

Rounding off this list is the large Wacom Intuos Pro, a more traditional drawing tablet. This is a device specifically designed for drawing, not a little computer like other tablets. It doesn’t have a screen, but rather, you plug it into your computer and use it to draw in that.

Since this is built for drawing, it offers pressure sensitivity and art-related features you won’t find in other tablets. It also comes with two free months of Adobe Premier Pro and After Effects when you register it. It may not be portable or multi-functional, but if all you want is a drawing machine, it doesn’t get much better than Wacom.

Find the Best Tablet for Drawing for Your Needs

So, what’s the best tablet for drawing? The answer mostly depends on what you need it for, but these five cover various features and purposes. No matter what you want in a tablet, you have some excellent options to choose from.