The 5 Best Graphics Tablets With Screens for Digital Artists
Digital art has exploded in popularity over the last decade. With the rise of concept art for video games and films, more illustrators are turning to graphics tablets with screens to unleash their creative talents. These innovative devices merge the natural feel of pen on paper with the versatility of digital software.
But with so many graphics tablets sporting LCDs on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? This definitive guide breaks down the best graphics tablets with screens available in 2024 based on performance, features, and price. As an aspiring digital artist, we’ll explore what to look for when shopping for a display tablet.
Table of Contents
What Should You Look For In a Graphics Tablet With Screen?
Before diving into recommendations, let’s overview the key factors that separate the best graphics tablets with screens from the rest:
Display Quality
The display needs to represent your artwork accurately with lifelike colours and clarity. Pay attention to the resolution, gamut coverage, brightness, and panel type. IPS, OLED, and quantum dots are preferred.
Pen & Drawing Experience
Look for tablets offering 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity or higher with little lag and palm rejection. Battery-free pens feel more natural. Tilt support adds extra expression.
Software & Shortcuts
The best devices integrate well with creative programs like Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint with handy shortcuts. Some even offer remote desktop control over art apps.
Size & Ergonomics
Consider getting a tablet appropriately sized for either desktop or mobile use. Larger screens enable more detailed work but aren’t as portable—an angled display and grip pen fight fatigue.
Price
Graphics tablets span from affordable entry-level options under $500 to professional models over $2,500. Know your budget, but don’t sacrifice key specs like display quality.
With an idea of what to prioritise, let’s count down picks for the best graphics tablets with screens for digital illustration, photo editing, animation, and more!
5 Top-Rated Graphics Tablets With Screens
1. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24” – Best Overall Graphics Tablet
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24” sits atop the pile as the premier professional pen display thanks to its dazzling 4K resolution and colour accuracy. The adjustable stand provides the perfect drawing angle, while the battery-free Pro Pen 2 offers lag-free tracking with 8192 levels of pressure and tilt.
- Wacom's most natural and advanced pen performance with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, eraser and virtually lag free tracking
- 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) is packed into a 24 LCD display with superb color accuracy (99 percentage of Adobe RGB)
- The Express Key Remote puts 17 programmable buttons within easy reach; The on screen keypad and the radial menus offer further 1 touch shortcuts
Key Features:
- 4K Ultra HD Display (3840 x 2160p)
- 98% Adobe RGB Gamut
- Ergonomic Display Angle
- 8192 Levels Pen Pressure & Tilt
- Multi-Touch Gestures
- Express Keys & Radial Menus
- Foldable Legs for Lap or Desk
No graphics tablet provides a better true-to-life representation of brush and pen strokes for animators, concept artists, illustrators, and more. The price reflects its status as a premium tool for digital creators.
Drawbacks: Costly, large footprint
2. Huion Kamvas Pro 24 – Best 4K Graphics Tablet
Delivering nearly identical performance and features as the Cintiq Pro 24 for hundreds less, the Huion Kamvas Pro 24 proves an affordable pro-level alternative. The gorgeous 16.7 million colour 4K panel shows digital work with stunning clarity and believability while the battery-free pen glides smoothly.
- Pro-level Picture Quality: Enjoy the 4K UHD (3840×2160) resolution in a large 23.8 inch screen, which can effectively reduce the frequency of zoom in and out of the canvas and switch windows to highly increase the efficiency. Combined with full-laminated screen and 178° viewing angle, HUION Kamvas Pro 24 4K monitor can present you with clearer images and more details.
- Precise Color Expression: Featured with industry-leading Quantum Dot technology, Kamvas Pro 24 4K can provide you more natural-looking green, vivider red and deeper black with a stunning 140% sRGB color gamut volume and 1200:1 contrast ratio. Combined with 1.07 billion colors(8bit+Hi-FRC color depth) and HDR technology, it can show you amazing, more life-like color reproduction and ensure professional artists immerse in the creation.
- Upgraded Accessories: Kamvas Pro 24 4K pen display is equipped with a 20° metal integrated stand for drawing assistance. Meanwhile, it has vesa hole on the back for monitor arm(not included). New felt nibs have more stable pen stroke and stronger friction to make the pen more like a real pen. With the included mini keydial you can program your most used shortcuts to make operation more efficient.
Key Features:
- 4K Ultra HD Display (3840 x 2160p)
- 16.7 Million Colors
- 120% sRGB Gamut
- ±60° Tilt Support Pen
- 8192 Pressure Sensitivity
- 13 Express Keys
- Full Laminated Screen
- 178° Viewing Angle
For animators on a budget or hobbyist digital painters seeking to upgrade, the Kamvas Pro 24 provides beautiful, cinematic visuals to take the artwork to the next level. The value for performance is unmatched by any other display tablet.
Drawbacks: Pen requires charging, no touch controls
3. XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro – Best Under $1000 Drawing Display
The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro demonstrates jaw-dropping colour reproduction at a very appealing sub-$1000 price point. Housing an advanced AMOLED screen, the 1920 x 1080p resolution sparkles with shocking vibrance, perfect for fantasy or sci-fi concept art. The rate of report and response time keep up with the quickest brush strokes.
- Drawing Tablet-❤Enough Room for Creation❤Featuring stunning 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1440) and a large 23.8-inch display, the Artist 24 Pro delivers remarkably realistic and vivid colors and allows you to craft with astonishing nuance and amazing detail.
- Drawing Tablet with Screen-❤Ideal Connections❤ Artist 24 Pro supports a USB-C to USB-C connection, allowing you to connect your iMac, Mac Book Pro or Windows computer without using an adapter.
- Graphics Tablets-❤High Color Gamut❤ XPPen Artist Display 24 Pro support 90% Adobe RGB color gamut, fuel your creativity with brilliant color and blazing graphics as you draw, design and create on this strikingly large, immersive display
Key Features:
- AMOLED Display (1920 x 1080p)
- 100% sRGB & 128% Adobe RGB Gamut
- Battery-Free Pen with 8192 Pressure
- ±60° Tilt & 236 PPS Report Rate
- 1080p HDMI External Display Mode
- 14 Express Keys & Red Dial Wheel
- Full 16.7 Million Display Colors
For digital painters and photo editors needing accurate colour representation, the Artist 24 Pro’s wide gamut AMOLED screen is a bargain compared to competitors. Fast response and expansive software support seal the deal.
Drawbacks: No 4K display, smaller drawing space
4. Apple iPad Pro 12.9′′ – Most Portable Graphics Tablet
While technically a tablet, the latest Apple iPad Pro 12.9” offers desktop-class creative software support combined with the portability of an oversized smartphone. The huge 12.9” XDR display renders colours and details with unbelievable accuracy while the Apple Pencil glides smoothly with precision.
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience, with the astonishing performance of the M2 chip, superfast wireless connectivity, and next-generation Apple Pencil experience. Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Pro comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6E gives you fast wireless connections. Work from almost anywhere with quick transfers of photos, documents, and large video files.
Key Features:
- 12.9” XDR Mini LED Display
- 1600 nits Peak Brightness
- Apple Pencil w/ Palm Rejection
- 120Hz ProMotion Refresh Rate
- Works With Procreate, Affinity, Clip Studio & More
- Bluetooth Keyboard Case Options
- Thinner & Lighter Than Laptops
For artists needing production power with supreme mobility, the iPad Pro’s lightweight chassis and software versatility excel as a portable graphics tablet for photo editing, drawing, painting, and animation.
Drawbacks: iOS limitations, expensive accessories
5. Simbans PicassoTab – Budget Drawing Display Under $400
Proving you don’t need to spend an arm-and-a-leg for a capable graphics tablet monitor, the Simbans PicassoTab provides solid pen tracking and ample drawing space at a bargain cost. While colours and viewing angles fall short of premium brands, the 1920 x 1080p resolution offers excellent clarity for creative apps. The rechargeable pen feels snappy.
- DRAW ANYWHERE: PicassoTab XL is a standalone drawing tablet that doesn’t need to be connected to a computer to work. You can take your work and art anywhere and everywhere, from the park, a bus, or even school. Your artistic drive doesn’t need to be shackled to a desktop when drawing.
- All-IN-ONE PACKAGE: When you buy a PicassoTab XL, you don’t just get a tablet. It’s an all-in-one package that comes with all the accessories you need to protect and maintain the device. Along with 11.6-inch tablet, a presure-sentitive Pen and pre-installed drawing app, you get 4 bonus items worth $70 inside the box (a high-quality tablet book-case, Drawing Glove, universal power adaptor and pre-installed screen protector).
- BIGGER SCREEN, LARGE DISK: PicassoTab XL comes with a 11.6 inch screen which gives you 30% more screen area to enjoy your drawing and IPS HD resolution makes the art crystal clear. Large 64GB disk allows you to store all of drawings as well as download thousands of free apps from the play store.
Key Features:
- 10.1″ IPS FHD Display (1920 x 1080p)
- Battery-Free Pen w/ 8192 Pressure
- 178° Visual Angle Range
- 60 PPS Report Rate
- HDMI & USB-C Connectivity
- Four Pen Tips Included
- Designed for Lap & Desk
For hobbyists looking to upgrade from a standard drawing tablet to a display model, the Simbans PicassoTab does the job admirably, considering its price. Digital wireframes, painting concepts, amateur illustrations and more pop respectably on its HD screen.
Drawbacks: Small drawing space, no stand adjustment
Key Spec Comparison of Top Drawing Displays
| Model | Display Size | Max Resolution | Panel | Gamut | Refresh Rate | Touch |
| Wacom Cintiq 24 | 24″ | 4K UHD | IPS | 98% Adobe RGB | 60 Hz | Yes |
| Huion Kamvas 24 | 24″ | 4K UHD | IPS | 120% sRGB | 120 Hz | No |
| XP-Pen Artist 24 | 23.8” | 1080p FHD | AMOLED | 128% Adobe RGB | 236 PPS | No |
| iPad Pro 12.9” | 12.9” | 2732 x 2048 | XDR | Wide P3 | 120 Hz ProMotion | Yes |
| Simbans PicassoTab | 10.1” | 1080p FHD | IPS | 72% NTSC | 60 PPS | Yes |
Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Pen Display Tablet
Beyond tech specs, keep these critical considerations in mind when choosing your graphics tablet with a screen for digital art and creative work:
Drawing Size
- Smaller tablets: 10-13 inches: Great portability for travel but limited workspace. Best for quick sketches and wireframes.
- Medium tablets: 15-18 inches: Balance of mobility and drawing area suited for concept art, painting, and animation.
- Large tablets: 20+ inches: Massive canvas perfect for detailed character/environment art illustrations. Not as portable.
Having more room to draw comfortably without your hand leaving the tablet results in better lines and flow. But mobility matters, too. Prioritise based on where you create art most – desk or couch?
Display Resolution
Higher resolution displays show off finer details, better textures, and subtle colour gradients. They also delay the need to upgrade for handling larger canvas sizes.
- 1080p FHD: Great for beginners getting started. Colours and quality still impress compared to non-display tablets.
- 2K QHD: The drawing sweet spot balancing performance and price. Noticeably sharper than 1080p.
- 4K UHD: Over 8 million pixels reveal the finest linework and beautifully painted textures—future-proof.
Of course, resolution means little without colour reproduction. AMOLED and high-gamut IPS/OLED panels make artwork shine compared to stock displays.
Accessories & Customisation
Many graphic pen displays allow customising your workflow through:
- Express keys to assign shortcuts around the screen edge
- Touch bars, dials and wheels to quickly adjust brush size, layers
- Optional foot pedals for more tool switches while drawing
- Arm mounts to position the tablet exactly where you need
An adjustable arm mount provides the best alignment and viewing angle flexibility if used at a desk.
Other Optional Features
- Multi-touch input with finger gestures to pan, rotate, zoom
- Air gap layers to dull reflections in the glossy screen
- Anti-glare etched glass to diffuse reflections
- Glove textures on the screen to reduce friction and add grip
Creating Digital Masterpieces: What Can You Make With a Drawing Display Tablet?
The beauty of these innovative graphics tablets with screens is their versatility, empowering creators across so many fields:
Concept Art
Flesh out characters, vehicles and worlds for films, animation and video games
Illustrations
Bring book covers, magazine spots and product designs to life
Graphic Design
Mockup webpage layouts, logos, and marketing materials faster
Photography
Enhance, manipulate and transform digital photos with ease
Animation & Comics
Storyboard cartoons, anime and graphic novels smoothly
Industrial Design
Prototype product designs with precision
Special Effects
Composite 3D elements and CGI into live footage believably
Matte Paintings
Develop mesmerising backgrounds and environments
This only scratches the surface of their creative potential!
Top Graphics Tablets With Screens – FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about displays and tablets for digital art:
Are screens on graphic tablets necessary?
No, but they provide significant benefits: Direct on-screen drawing lets you see strokes and adjustments appear in real-time rather than looking back and forth from a detached monitor. This leads to better flow, precision and overall experience.
Do all drawing apps support pen displays?
Yes, leading digital art programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, Rebelle and Procreate all enable pressure sensitivity and other capabilities when using a pen display tablet. Some older software may need Wacom drivers.
Is a 4K tablet monitor overkill for beginners?
Not necessarily. While the extra resolution diminishes returns below large canvas sizes, beginners won’t utilise it much. And a 4K screen future-proofs your investment for when you are ready for larger digital paintings.
Can I use gloves or finger touches?
Many graphic pen monitors support specially designed glove textures on their screens to reduce friction and facilitate finger touches/gestures. Some artists use gloves to glide more naturally.
Do screen tablets work for left-handed artists?
Absolutely. All display graphics tablets allow left-hand configuration, so shortcuts, buttons and menus suit Southpaw creators. Some stands may need to be reversed, but tablets handle just as well.
Unleash Your Creative Potential with the Best Pen Display Graphics Tablets
This guide demonstrates that graphics tablets with screens enable digital artists to sketch, paint and illustrate with exquisite precision thanks to their realistic displays and sensitive pens. They merge natural analogue sensation with the limitless versatility of digital software.
We hope this breakdown of the market's leading pen display tablet options helps you invest in the perfect creative hardware matched to your needs, budget and goals as an artist. Each device delivers an engaging sensory experience that mimics ink and paintbrushes remarkably well.
Whether conjuring up dazzling concept art environments, drafting meticulous product prototypes, or simply doodling for fun, a drawing tablet with a built-in screen brings imagination to ‘paper' more straightforward than ever! Don't blame us when you suddenly realise hours flew by, absorbed and amplified your talents on these digital canvases!
So, which model stands out as best aligned with your artistic ambitions? After checking out our top recommendations and analysis, let us know your thoughts in the comments. Happy creating!
Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
