wacom vs xp pen vs huion

You're ready for your next project. Or, are you? When was the last time you updated your graphics tablet?

A digital designer or artist is only as good as their tools. Don't get stuck with subpar equipment. If your tablet is getting in the way of your creativity, it may spell disaster for your artistic genius.

Luckily, there are many different types of graphic tablets on the market. So, check out the latest offerings below for 2021. Find out the good, the bad, and the just right for you.

Best Graphics Tablets

1. Huion H420 Tablet
2. Ugee M708 Tablet
3. XP-Pen Star03 Tablet
4. Wacom Intous CTL4100WLKO Tablet
5. Huion H610PRO Tablet
6. Huion KAMVAS GT-191 Drawing Tablet
7. Ugee 1910B Tablet
8. Wacom Intuos Pro PTH660 Tablet
9. XP-Pen Deco 01
10. Gaomon PD1560 Drawing Tablet
11. Huion Giano Drawing Tablet
12. Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition

1. Huion H420 Tablet

Our Rating

4/5

Review

Huion products dominate the graphic tablet market. But, is their reputation warranted? Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward.

Pros

Inexpensive

However, the low price comes with some compromises in consistency.

Portable

This compact graphic tablet is only a little bigger than most smartphones.

Cons

Small work area

First, the active area of the actual tablet is only 4 x 2.23 inches.

Awkward pen scrolling

Lastly, many designers use the pen to scroll around their software programs. But, this stylus only scrolls up and down.

Who Is It For?

This graphic tablet may be a great option for artists who need a portable solution. Additionally, hobbyists or new designers may find this little tablet useful.

2. Ugee M708 Tablet

Our Rating

4.1/5

Review

Looking for a budget graphic tablet with a large draw space? Ugee's M708 may be the solution for you. Is it the best one on the market? Maybe not. But it makes a great backup tablet for illustrators who need an inexpensive alternative.

Pros

Left-handed user configuration

First, are you left-handed? If you are, you know that many tablets are not sensitive to your plight. The good news is you can reconfigure this tablet to accommodate the left hand.

Rechargeable pen

You may have a love-hate visceral reaction to this one though. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about constant battery replacement. On the bad side, you are looking at downtime waiting for your stylus to recharge.

Smooth sensitivity

The sensitivity between stylus pen and monitor is relatively smooth.

Large drawing area

Last, the drawing area for this tablet is large at 10 by 6 inches.

Cons

Enclosed manual hard to read

You may find the English directions basic and difficult to understand.

Does not support Chrome OS

The drivers do not support Google's operating system.

Who Is It For?

The Ugee M708 is a good option for designers just starting out. This entry-level tablet has many features that new artists may find appealing.

3. XP-Pen Star03 Tablet

Our Rating

4.1/5

Review

Need another large tablet in the budget category? The XP-Pen Star03 is another entry-level graphics tablet that performs relatively well. And, for the price, the features are as expected.

Pros

Large draw space

Like another tablet on this list, it also has a 10 by 6-inch workspace. This is a definite plus for designers who need to draw on a space larger than a smartphone.

Battery and charge-free stylus

The stylus pen is passive so it only works when you do.

Cons

Stylus nibs may scratch surface

This is a problem with many tablets. But the nib design for this tablet makes it more likely to happen.

Express keys hard to set up

If you are heavily reliant on hot keys you may be disappointed with this tablet.

Who Is It For?

The Star03 model is an option for a budget replacement tablet. Or, new users may find this large graphic tablet appealing. But, serious or professional users looking for a full-time replacement may want to look elsewhere.

4. Wacom Intous CTL4100WLKO Tablet

Our Rating

4.1/5

Review

Wacom is a major name in the graphic tablet world. And, aside from a few flaws, their Intous CTL4100WLKO model is exactly what you expect from this dependable brand.

Pros

4096 levels of sensitivity

This is why this tablet is a good option for users who need precision in their work.

Available with Bluetooth or USB

Wireless or wired? Wacom gives you both options. And, the price difference between the two is relatively small.

For both left and right-handed users

You can use this tablet comfortably whether you are left or right handed.

Cons

Expensive for an entry-level device

What you are really paying for is the trusted name and reliability.

Rough surface wears out nibs

You may find yourself going through nibs at a faster rate than other tablets. This is the trade-off for the "paper-like" tablet surface.

Who Is It For?

The tablet is small, so precision artists who don't need a large surface may like this option. Also, it is a pricey but great option for budding artists and hobbyists.

5. Huion H610PRO Tablet

Our Rating

4.0/5

Review

The Huion H610PRO is a large surface option for artists looking for a mid-range graphic tablet.

Pros

Large draw surface

At 10 by 6.25 inches, you don't have to settle for cramped space.

Rechargeable pen

You get hundreds of hours on a single charge.

One-year warranty

Finally, if you want to try out this tablet but are skeptical about how well it will work. You're covered by a one-year warranty.

Cons

Drivers may be difficult to install

One of the biggest problems for many Huion tablets are the drivers. For many users they are a nightmare to install.

Customer service hard to reach

You may not reach live help at all. An easier option is to try email instead.

Who Is It For?

The H610PRO is a good option for both beginner and advanced artists. However, the potential difficulty setting up drivers may be a turn-off for many users.

6. Huion KAMVAS GT-191 Drawing Tablet

Our Rating

4.2/5

Review

If you are searching for a drawing tablet that allows you to see what you are drawing without staring at a separate screen, take a look at the KAMVAS GT-191. This tablet features an IPS screen that may make the steep price worth it.

Pros

IPS screen

What that means for you is a 19.5" screen at the broadcast standard 16:9 ratio. And the resolution is full HD at 1920 x 1080.

Fast display responsiveness

This tablet has a report rate of 233 PPS. This and the 5081 LPI give you faster recognition with minimal lag.

8K levels of stylus sensitivity

You can use thick strokes and ultra-thin details with confidence that your tablet will pick up these nuances.

Cons

Expensive

If you are on a strict budget, you may want to look elsewhere.

Color screen calibration

You may need to calibrate the colors to make the accuracy adequate for serious design work.

Who Is It For?

This tablet is a good option for beginner designers and artists with deep pockets.

7. Ugee 1910B Tablet

Our Rating

3.6/5

Review

The Ugee 1910B is a good alternative graphic tablet with a 19" TFT screen. It has great responsiveness and sensitivity.

Pros

Large screen

If you are one of those artists that need a lot of draw space, you have 19 inches to play with on this tablet.

Responsive and sensitive

The 2049 pressure sensitivity is just enough to make drawing pleasant.

Good customer service

Lastly, customer service for this company is very responsive and there is a money-back guarantee for this product.

Cons

Heavy

At 15 pounds, this tablet is not portable.

Color accuracy off

For those users whose art doesn't depend on true colors, this may not be a negative.

Who Is It For?

Mid-level artists to professionals may benefit from this price-conscious graphic tablet with a 19" display. Beginner artists also may like this tablet because it is easy to use. And the company has great customer support.

8. Wacom Intuos Pro PTH660 Tablet

Our Rating

4/5

Review

One of Wacom's most popular offerings, the Intous series is loved by amateurs and pros alike.

Pros

8K pressure levels

Need a stylus that is responsive and sensitive to every stroke? Wacom's new pen tech supports 8192 levels of pressure.

USB and Bluetooth capabilities

You don't have to choose between buying one type or another. This one can be wired or wireless.

Multi-touch surface

Navigation is a breeze by using the tablet surface like a touch pad.

Cons

Quick nib wear

This is a characteristic of all Intuos models.

Some lag with Bluetooth

And, if you opt to use Bluetooth with this tablet, you may experience some lag.

Who Is It For?

Professional designers swear by Wacom tablets. And, this model is really no different. This tablet is designed for an advanced user who needs precision and control in their work.

9. XP-Pen Deco 01

Our Rating

4.6/5

Review

XP-Pen's Deco 01 is one of the best budget buys on the market. And it's a great option for beginners who want a quality tablet without the resulting price tag.

Pros

8K levels of pressure

With 8192 levels of pressure, the stylus is as responsive as it needs to be for your detailed work.

Passive pen design

This means that you don't have to mess with charging cables or batteries.

Suitable for left or right-handed users

In addition, the small and flat express keys won't get in the way if you switch orientation.

Cons

Does not work on Chromebooks

This tablet does not have drivers for Google OS.

Inconsistent software responsiveness

Although this tablet is supposed to work with all major drawing software, there's some occasional unresponsiveness.

Who Is It For?

XP-Pen's Deco 01 is a great alternative option for someone who is a beginner or on a budget. In general, it works reasonably well for the price and is easy to set up.

Materials Analysis

The Deco 01 has a special bonded surface that makes it very durable, and scratch-resistant.

10. Gaomon PD1560 Drawing Tablet

Our Rating

4.4/5

Review

The Gaomon PD1560 drawing monitor is a good alternative to other pricier brands.

Pros

Customer Service response

The customer service support is very prompt and helpful. And, they seem to genuinely care about helping.

Convenient stand

The stand adjusts from 10 to 90 degrees for you to get that perfect angle for longer periods of drawing.

8K pressure levels

This gives you smooth and natural lines.

Cons

No advanced pressure calibration

Some brands allow for advanced calibration of your stylus. But this one only gives you 5 options.

Pen needs recharging

For those who don't like downtime for their stylus this may be a fatal flaw.

Who Is It For?

The unit is a bit pricey for a beginner. But, it's okay for a professional looking for a mid-range or backup for their main tablet.

11. Huion Giano Drawing Tablet

Our Rating

4.2/5

Review

Professionals that need a wireless graphic tablet with a large surface may want to check out the Huion Giano WH1409. It's the broad wireless range and long battery life make this a unique offering by Huion.

Pros

Large surface

The Giano WH1409 has a very wide work surface. So, you don't have to worry about space restrictions with its 13.8 by 8.6-inch area.

4 GHz Wireless

In addition, you don't need to be physically restricted by proximity to your computer, too. You can wander up to 40 feet away while still working on your tablet.

Long battery life

Lastly, even if you are using wireless mode continuously your battery will keep going. You get approximately 40 hours of wireless work from one charge.

Cons

Only 2048 levels of pressure

There are so many graphic tablets on the market now that have over 8K levels of pressure sensitivity. This downgrade may not be worth it for many users.

Unresponsive customer support

The problem with customer support is with the company as a whole. Unfortunately, driver problems may have you calling them more than you'd like. And, they are very slow to respond.

Who Is It For?

This is a decent option for those just getting started. Newbies may enjoy the extra work surface. And, it's a bit cheaper than the professional brand competitors on the market.

Materials Analysis

Overall, this tablet is built sturdy. And, the outside casing appears like it may last for a long time without abuse.

12. Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition

Our Rating

4/5

Review

Ready to upgrade your old Walcom device? This may be the best solution for you.

Pros

Lightweight and aesthetically pleasing

The compact footprint makes this a great option to travel with.

Pro Pen 2 technology

You can now capture pen-on-paper sketches and eliminates the need to scan them later.

Native wireless option

The new Paper edition comes with a wireless option already installed. Previously you had to buy a separate kit.

Cons

Surface texture is very rough

The surface sheet is supposed to resemble natural paper. However, it may seem like natural chalkboard to for some people. You can buy new sheets if the standard one doesn't appeal to you.

Nibs wear out fast

You could say that this is the side effect of the rough surface texture.

Who Is It For?

This graphic tablet would work well for someone who wants an upgrade from a starter Wacom. Or, for someone who is new to this famous series.

Final Thoughts

If you are in the market for a new graphic tablet that won't break the bank, XP-Pen's Deco 01 may be the right one for you. It offers a variety of standard features that you need, such as 8K levels of pressure. And, its passive pen doesn't need batteries or recharging.

Additionally, you can readily adjust the orientation to use it left or right-handed. If you want to learn more about the Deco 01, check out this link.

New graphic tablets don't come out very often. So, finding the right graphic tablet for your needs may be frustrating. But, if you are willing to make some compromises, you may find the right one for you.

The Daily Logo Challenge is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on links on our site it is possible we will earn an affiliate commission. This helps pay for the costs of the logo challenge.