Graphics\Drawing Tablets - Ultimate Buyers Guide

In this video I go through the different types of graphics tablet and discuss which one is right for you and if you even need one. I talk about display tablets versus normal tablets and the different brands and what to look out for when buying.

recommended graphics tablet:
Generally I would recommend XP Pen because of the drivers. ITs often best to go straight to their website to check if they have any offers which they often do throughout the year

Visit my blog for more details on my preferences and further breakdowns of drawing tablets

Display Tablet
my choices:_
Display Tablet
XP Pen pro 16 - 22

Basic graphics Tablet (no screen)
Wacom one

[ZephrusPrime]

Had many tablets over the years. I have found that for 3D sculpting 8-12 hours a day, I've had to put the Cintiq back in the closet and my go to is a Large Wacom Intuos pro. Neck and shoulder pain is real when you are on these all day. An Intuos paired with a good color accurate monitor will bring you everything you need to make money. I've used XP and Huion and I have found that Huion has less issues with Zbrush and 3D. I put my Intuos on a small tablet stand so I can have a little bit of angle for wrist comfort and I have to say that my Logitec G13 is key for a speedy work flow. Huion 22 Plus is the best Huion I have found but it and my Wacom 27 QHD are in the closet.

[cargorunner]

I bought a simple Wacom drawing tablet a couple of years ago and after a lot of practice I still never got used to drawing while looking at the computer monitor. And that meant drawing was always really inneficient as I had to delete and try again so often. It also really affects the satisfaction/enjoyment you get from drawing. Thanks for the advice on how to take the next step and get a display graphics tablet.

[johntnguyen]

Been using the XP-Pen Artist Pro for about 2 months now...it's my first display tablet (I upgraded from a Wacom Intuos)...and I'm completely in love! It feels like a premium build...the price was wonderful...and from what I hear the new X3 Stylus is a big improvement on previous XP Pen stylus (can't speak to this since this is my first time with this brand). But all in all it's been an A+ experience for me...especially in Blender! 😍

[FrankieIpp]

Thanks for making this, I have an older small wacom that I never even thought about upgrading to another display-less one until I can get an XP-Pen tablet but now I definitely will, your tutorials are amazing, you're giving so many people so much knowledge for free and us new guys will never thank you enough when we have jobs doing things we love.

[davewills]

Its always a pleasure to find content creators that are well informed and have excellent delivery. I am a beginner Blender user, so a tablet is something im looking into. Kudos

[CurtisTheEngineer]

Grant, I've been a student of yours for years through Youtube and GameDev TV. I just have to explicitly thank you for being literally the best source for all things digital art in my life. Every time I stumble on one of your videos in my search for answers, I am never disappointed. You made this easy for me. Cheers <3

[AshFrankArt]

As someone who's left handed the buttons on my tablet are a must! It's hard to use a lot of the common shortcuts such as CTRL+Z which are concentrated on the left side of the keyboard when you have a pen in that hand. But I can appreciate why others including yourself might not need the buttons so much.

[Mors_Umber]

Dude I love how you got into the small details that a beginner who's just getting into this stuff wants to know. Thanks!

[zaodacrusher]

Just wanted to tell you thanks for the video. I've been wanting to pick up a graphics tablet, but had no clue where to even start. Truly can't thank you enough.

[isakuliyev]

For days I've been watching yours and other's old videos about graphic tablets and bought XP-Pen Deco Pro Medium yesterday but didn't even start using it yet)
And here you are with fresh video. Love it!
Thank you Grant! You're professional and a great teacher!

[buraktabakoglu]

i bought xp pen innovator 16 due to your recommendation on the previous video about buying tablets. It's such an amazing device for the price. Highly recommended. Thanks for the tips !

Note: I also recommend buying its original sleeve from xp pen. It makes carrying it one place to another a breeze.

[Shivakisa]

Great video. Many thanks, as a beginner it's so difficult to "enter" this tablet graphic market

[FiorinaArtworks]

Switched from an Intuos to a Cintiq and both are good to work with. The main issue I have with the Cintiq is that is seems a little wonkier handling brushes, especially line ends with a sharp thin finish. The line starts out thin but ends thicker. Even after adjusting the brush settings (for some reason brushes are all set "thin to thick" by default in several programs which is annoying), sometimes the line finish ends up thin and sometimes thicker despite the same pressure. I have the feeling the Intuos sensitivity is better concerning details like these.

[OviGomy]

I bought the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro for Sculpting and Painting last year. No driver issues. Pen-Buttons and Shortcut-Buttons are programmed for Blender. The wheel for zooming in and out is quit comfortable. Thumbs up.

[TikiShootah]

A fine guide as always. Good to know the products and their capabilities

[danielhirst]

Though it seems obvious it’s probably worth mentioning when you talk about FHD, QHD and 4K displays that the user needs to make sure they have a graphics card capable of running the higher resolution screens.

[kraftsandkats]

I have the Gamon M10K and love it, it works for me really well. Didn't have a laminated screen, but I put a Dura-Lar .005 clear film on it, and it works. I didn't want to scratch up the work surface. Good thing I did because there are a few good scratched on it already LOL

[apieceofart]

Exactly what I was looking for! Didn’t know where to begin

[Jive-]

Thank you for making this video
It answered all of my questions and now I know what to look for in a pen tablet

[philipmcdonnell]

I always had Wacoms but the last two pens I had just fell apart after a year or so. Spares were always expensive too. I changed to a Huion Inspiroy and had a lot of driver issues but, touch wood, it is behaving itself on my old MacBook Pro