10 Best Digital Drawing Tablets for Animation of 2021 | Get Your Drawing to the Next Level!

We have some experience with digital art and technology, so we’ve compared the best digital drawing tablets available in 2021. Good animation requires hard work and effort, so it’s ideal to use the best tablets available.

To figure out what the best drawing tablet for animation is, we’ve researched the technology and compiled facts together in a simple manner so your decision can be made confidently.

Our Top Recommended Tablets for Animation

• GAOMON PD1560
• Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080（16:9） Display Area: 344.16 × 193.59mm(13.5*7.6 inch)
• 10 shortcut keys for efficient usage

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• XP-Pen StarG640
• Convenient and portable, it’s 6 x 4 inches in size
• Has a battery-free stylus to avoid interruptions

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• Wacom Cintiq 16
• Have space to be creative with a 15.6” display
• Has a self-charging stylus and tablet connection

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10 Best Tablets for Animation on the Market Today:

Dive right into the thrill of digital art with the GAOMON PD1560.

Fear not if you are left-handed, because this drawing tablet has a rotatable display. Left handed user have a lot of support. The tablet’s stand helps you find a comfortable angle to work and move in.

Its shortcut keys are fully customizable and provide a fast workflow. You’ll get convenient accessories to improve your digital artistry experience, like extra nibs for the stylus in a pen holder.

The GAOMON PD1560 is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It’s not a standalone product and must be connected to a computer. The stylus must also be recharged because it isn’t battery-free.

Conclusion

For a decently-sized and affordable drawing tablet with a display screen, it’s a suitable option when looking for the best animation drawing tablet for beginners.

If you want to take a careful dive into digital art, go for a simple option. The XP-Pen StarG640 has a simple and portable structure at a very fair price.

This affordable and versatile tablet is compatible with many operating systems and applications. This tablet is suitable for playing “osu”! Despite this, it is still very compatible with many different working scenarios, like writing and image editing.

No screen is present on this tablet and it must be hooked up to a device. That may make it harder for beginners who want to see artwork appear directly underneath their hand. Its small size may not work for artists who crave drawing space.

Conclusion

You can carry around the XP-Pen StarG640 with ease. It’s very cheap but highly adaptable, making it a worthy candidate when finding the best cheap drawing tablet for animation.

Professionals go for advanced products. The Wacom Cintiq 16 is a worthy option when searching for the best display tablet for animation.

The display on the Wacom Cintiq 16 makes you feel like you’re drawing directly on the screen. Its heightened pressure sensitivity makes you feel as if you are drawing on paper and holding a regular ink pen.

The battery-free pen that comes with this tablet is self-charging. It uses an advanced process called electromagnetic resonance to draw power from the tablet screen itself.

Unlike other Wacom tablets, this one lacks multi-touch technology. You can’t use your fingers to adjust anything. It must also connect to external hardware and won’t stand on its own.

Conclusion

The Wacom Cintiq 16 makes the drawing process more organic. It isn’t always affordable for beginners, but anyone can appreciate a tablet that feels natural.

Simplicity works well when you have no constrictions on creative work. The Huion Inspiroy H640P is reliable enough to deliver a satisfying digital art experience.

Tablets that are small, portable and super cheap usually attract the attention of beginners. The Huion Inspiroy H640P is compatible with popular art programs and hardware. Android devices can connect to this tablet, but iPhones and iPads cannot.

Due to the tablet’s sensing technology, the pen strokes never lag and the pen’s movement is properly tracked. That’s extra useful because the Huion Inspiroy H640P doesn’t have a display screen.

When it’s connected to a phone, the work area becomes smaller than the tablet’s original workspace size. The workspace will shrink to 100 x 62 millimeters and the scope of your drawings and pen-strokes will be limited.

Conclusion

Beginners with simple needs and no particular goals in mind may benefit from tablets like this. The Huion Inspiroy H640P is another choice if you’re searching for cheap drawing tablets.

Give yourself a decent amount of space and avoid going overboard by getting the VEIKK A30.

Since the VEIKK A30 has a gestures touchpad you don’t have to fuss around with zooming in and out while drawing. This very affordable tablet is also thin and lightweight.

The pen does not need to be charged, preventing inconvenient interruptions from occurring while you draw or animate. Although it has a decently-sized display, it lacks a display screen and must connect with other devices.

It’s compatible with Windows and Mac devices as well as many professional art programs.

Conclusion

An animation drawing-pad doesn’t always require a huge investment. To reduce your investment size and produce decent illustrations, use the VEIKK A30.

Take a mild but professional approach to your artwork with the XP-PEN Artist12. It’s a decent animation tablet with a screen.

The XP-PEN Artist12 has a decently-sized and responsive display. It has a comfortable and sturdy grip, which gives some control during the drawing process.

It’s yet another product that cannot stand on its own. It must be connected to a Windows or Mac device and matches well with many favorable digital art programs.

There are tablets with larger screen sizes available, yet this one’s size is comfortably wide. It’s suited well for a variety of workflow types such as 3D sculpting and animation.

Conclusion

The XP-PEN Artist12 is professionally reliable. This option balances budget with quality very well. Quality remains decent without a gigantic investment, so this may be ideal for intermediate artists.

Digital art becomes more engaging when the screen is large. The Huion KAMVAS GT-191 has substantial size and advanced functionality.

By using the artist glove provided in this drawing tablet’s package, your greasy hands won’t smudge the screen. Smudges make digital art difficult and are hard to avoid without a glove.

Adjustable stands make tablets work well as computer monitors. The Huion KAMVAS GT-191 sits on your desk and its angle can be adjusted according to your preferences.

It cannot stand on its own and must be connected to Windows or Mac devices. Advanced art programs work well with its graphics driver.

The pen is not battery-free. Your computer also requires an HDMI outlet in order to hook up to it, which might require you to purchase additional adapters.

Conclusion

The Huion KAMVAS GT-191 is a valuable graphics tablet for animation. Its size is quite large and it gives an artist an open drawing space for them to flourish.

Spread your arms freely as you draw on the XP-PEN Artist22E Pro. It’s one of the largest digital workspaces available.

The graphics driver for this tablet can support 4K displays. This allows artists to see their art in the highest resolution available.

The screen of the XP-PEN Artist22E Pro is coated in anti-reflective material. It reduces glare in half so you see the work you’re producing without any lights obscuring your view. You don’t need to worry about smudging the screen when using the glove provided.

This tablet can be used in a variety of scenarios and mediums. It isn’t a standalone product and must be connected to a device. Devices you connect this to must have an HDMI port, or else you’ll need to purchase an extra adapter.

Conclusion

A good pen tablet for animation is usually large and advanced. Professional artists searching for large screen sizes would likely pay a lot of attention to the XP-PEN Artist22E Pro.

The last of these animation tablet reviews revolves around the Huion KAMVAS Pro 16. Artists on the move will appreciate its respect for portability and functionality.

The 120% color gamut and anti-glare glass panel make the display accurate and pleasing. The anti-glare material also increases the accuracy and precision of the drawing stylus.

For a tablet with a decently-large size, the Huion KAMVAS Pro 16 isn’t heavy or thick. It’s portable and moveable, but can also be stationary with its adjustable stand.

This product cannot be used on its own and must be connected to an external computer. This may eliminate the need for portability if you have a desktop computer rather than a laptop.

Conclusion

Not many drawing tablets are large and portable at the same time. If your lifestyle calls for travelling, the Huion KAMVAS Pro 16 is a great option.

Approach your interest in digital art uniquely by exploring the Simbans PicassoTab.

Unlike many other drawing tablets on the market, the Simbans PicassoTab is a standalone tablet that does not need to be connected to another device. This makes it very portable.

The Simbans PicassoTab has a decent processor and uses its own operating system. Useful additions make this a multifunctional product. It has a number of everyday uses, including note-taking and picture-taking.

Moderate size contributes to portability. Being able to connect to wifi lets an active and busy artist bring their work anywhere

Its resolution is only 1280 x 800 pixels even though it has the ability to connect to HDMI. That may not be desirable for artists with strong attention to detail.

With the Simbans PicassoTab, you won’t need to carry a heavy computer system or even a laptop if you want to take your drawing tablet somewhere. This is an independent product that surpasses an artist’s usual needs.

Tips On Choosing The Best Drawing Tablets For Animation

Knowing your skill level as an artist and understanding your goals will clarify the process of choosing digital tablets. You must also know the medium and scenarios you’re most interested in so that your purchase will be effective. Without a clear goal in mind, you may risk spending more or less money than you should.

A 3D modeler or sculptor may not crave advanced functionality when they are using a drawing tablet. They rarely need their tablet to feel like pen and paper because that isn’t the medium they’re mimicking. They may still want pen pressure and high resolution to get the most out of 3D animation or sculpting. Using a drawing tablet for 3D work will often expand productivity.

It’s easy to find an animation drawing tablet with a pen, but reflection is required if you want to find one that works well for you. Don’t waste money on a tablet that has significantly greater functionality than you need. Expensive tablets are not a good option if you haven’t reached a professional level or don’t intend on working your way there.

Artists with a decent skill level in non-digital analog art will also benefit from making large investments. It’s wise to avoid underspending because that might sabotage your ability to grow. If you don’t want to be a casual doodler, don’t buy a cheap tablet that’s mostly suitable for casual doodlers.

Big animation studios commonly have huge and advanced drawing tablets in their offices. They have the funds for it and they’re also skilled at their craft. As you become more experienced, you’ll develop a deeper need for a larger and more advanced drawing workspace.

Animation has a particular need for intense concentration and attention to detail. If you take this path seriously, you’ll naturally gravitate towards higher-end technology.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Drawing Tablets For Animation

Certain specifications must be considered when you’re purchasing a drawing tablet for animation. There’s an extensive number of factors to consider, but we’ve condensed a few to make everything easier.

Size

The size of your digital drawing tablet will have one of the largest and most noticeable impacts on your digital art experience. Professional artists often gravitate towards large tablets, and beginners tend to lean towards small and portable ones.

Battery Life

If you’re interested in portability, it’s even more important to consider the battery life of your tablet and the pen that comes with it. You may prefer a self-charging or battery-free pen if you plan on moving your drawing tablet around.

A screen of the Display

The display screen will also have a major and noticeable impact on your experience with digital art and animation. Some tablets come without a display screen for a cheaper price, but they do not feel as natural as pen and paper. Tablets with display screens provide this natural feeling, but tend to be more costly.

Pressure Levels

Some tablets don’t provide pen pressure. Any lines produced on them will be thick and continuous. Screens that respond to pen pressure and angle are more preferable to experienced digital artists. From an artistic perspective, there’s no point in using a tablet that cannot detect pen pressure very well.

Programmable Buttons

Switching between applications can be cumbersome and frustrating for busy artists. If you’re pressed for time or too impatient to fuss with navigating your computer, it helps to have programmable buttons on the side of your tablet.

Digital drawing tablets often include buttons with customizable functions so that artists can hasten their workflow. This is useful for advanced projects that include 2D animation.

Functionality

The functionality of your drawing tablet can be simple or complex. Some tablets are merely sensitive pads that take input from a pen. Others have software installed or work as monitors for external devices. They may even have a touchscreen to take input from your fingers. Your personal workflow and goals will depend on the functions of your drawing tablet.

Specs

Many specifications must be considered before you can make an effective and clear-minded decision. A wide variety of digital drawing tablets are available, but by knowing your specific goals and understanding how these devices function, you’ll have an easy time narrowing your search.

Pro tip: Getting a good tablet for drawing is a necessary tool for artist, but keep in mind that you need a good printer that able to print your graphic design with high resolution.

Drawing Tablets FAQ

Are drawing tablets worth it?

Your goals as an artist determine the overall worth of a drawing tablet. If you want to be a clay sculptor or an acrylic painter, then drawing tablets aren’t worth it.

If you want to be a 2D and 3D animator or graphic designer, a drawing tablet will serve you well. Drawing tablets are worth the purchase when they meet your needs and function decently. They eliminate the need for messy clean ups and make the revision process easy.

Are drawing tablets hard to use?

Drawing fundamentals are the same regardless of whether you use digital or analog mediums. Your understanding of proportions and geometry is relevant in the world of digital art.

Being a digital artist also requires computer knowledge and may be challenging for individuals who aren’t tech-savvy. There is a very apparent learning curve present with these devices.

Are drawing tablets with screens better?

Many artists prefer to see their artwork appear beneath their hand. Drawing directly on the screen is far more intuitive than using a tablet with no screen.

A drawing pad for computer animation often needs a screen due to the complexity of the craft. Beginners sometimes benefit from tablets without displays, so the answer to this question usually depends on the needs of the artist.

What drawing tablets do professionals use?

Professionals often use large-sized tablets with advanced functionality. The drawing tablets they use aren’t portable because they’re massive. To a professional, their tablet is a stationary easel. Good animation tablets act as desktop monitors that remain in one place. They are often found in major animation studios or university classrooms.

Making the Decision

To find the best tablet for art animation, you must know your artistic goals. You must understand how these devices function. Beginners with limited knowledge benefit from avoiding large investments. A top pick for dedicated artists is the Wacom Cintiq 16 for its organic feel.

An affordable, but larger option is the XP-PEN Artist22E Pro. To take animation seriously, make a proper investment when the time is right and seek tablets that mimic non-digital art. When it feels organic, it’s more enjoyable