10 Best Tablets with Pen to Buy
If you’re looking to buy the best tablet with a pen for designers, artists, hobbyists, and students, then this article is for you.
For designers and artists, it is important to have the best devices to use in their creative work — that’s why buying a tablet with a pen is a great choice.
Whether you’re doing drawing, animation, graphic design, editing, etc., using a tablet that comes with a stylus will make your work easier.
What is the best tablet with pen to buy?
In addition to the fact that it is more convenient to use, you can also save money by buying the pen and tablet separately.
That’s why in this article, I wanted to give you an idea of which of all the products available online are must-buys.
If you’re a graphic designer, then the Apple iPad Pro 2021 is the best choice for you.
However, if you’re looking for the best tablet with pen for digital arts in general, the HUION Kamvas Pro 24 is a great choice.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for the best budget tablet with a stylus pen or the best for students, I’ve got something for you.
So without keeping you waiting, here is my list of the top 10 best tablets with pen for drawing and note-taking.
Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
10 Best Tablets with Pen for Drawing & Note-taking
- 2022 Apple iPad Air — Best overall
- Apple iPad Pro 2021 — Best for graphic designers
- XENCELABS Tablet — Best for students
- Wacom Cintiq 22 Tablet — Best for animation
- XP-PEN Deco Pro Tablet — Best budget
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 — Best for business
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 — Best for drawing
- HUION Kamvas Pro 24 — Best for digital arts
- Microsoft Surface Pro 8 — Best Windows
- Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet — Best tablet with pen and keyboard
How to choose the best tablet with pen?
Just like when choosing any other device or tool for creatives, there are also things that you must consider before buying a tablet with pen.
If you want to have an idea of factors to consider when purchasing one, here’s my tablet with pen buying guide:
- Screen Display
- Stylus Pen
- Pressure Sensitivity
- Connectivity
And for you to understand why these things are necessary to look upon, here’s a further explanation:
Screen Display
When purchasing a tablet with pen for drawing and note-taking, screen size and resolution are other important considerations.
Of course, having a larger screen is preferable because it provides more surface area on which to draw.
Furthermore, a high-resolution drawing tablet is recommended for use with a screen.
Your creative work will be seen in its most accurate form if you do so.
Stylus Pen
Since we’re talking about the best tablets with pen, it is obvious that the stylus pen is one of the most relevant things to check.
Fast and responsiveness are equally important as portability and ease of use when choosing a drawing tablet.
Some drawing tablets with pens don’t require batteries, so you can use them for as long as you like.
So whether you’re a beginner artist or consider yourself a pro, looking for a tablet that comes with a great stylus pen is ideal.
Pressure Sensitivity
An important consideration when using a drawing tablet with pen is the sensitivity of the pressure point.
The weight of your lines will be more precisely controlled if your pen has increased pressure sensitivity.
High-pressure sensitivity is defined as having at least 2,048 levels which is ideal whether you’re doing digital arts, drawing, or notes.
It will allow you to work with a high level of accuracy since you can control how thin or thick the pencil stroke will be.
Connectivity
Make sure you know how to connect your tablet to your computer before purchasing one.
In order to avoid tangled connections, Bluetooth-enabled tablets are the finest.
To make things even more convenient, you won’t have to sit right next to your laptop when you’re working.
It’s not uncommon for tablets to require a USB cable for connection with a computer. Some tablets even call for three different cables.
Consider a Bluetooth-enabled tablet or a 3-in-1 cable to reduce the number of cords on your desk if you prefer a more structured workflow.
These are my overall guide in buying the best tablet with a stylus pen, so without further ado, let’s dive into my list.
1. 2022 Apple iPad Air
If you’re looking for the latest iPad Air that is suitable for all creative works such as drawing, arts, and design, then the 2022 Apple iPad Air is for you.
The best tablet with a stylus overall.
Refreshed for 2022, this iPad Air model brings it in line with the iPad Pro lineup and, in fact, almost to the level of a MacBook Pro
The Apple M1 CPU in this iPad Air 2022 has eight GPU cores and 8GB of RAM, making it an outstanding tablet.
The Apple Pencil 2’s drawing feel, which is still one of the best on the market, received high marks from us, as it always has.
It’s true that the iPad Air’s screen has a lower refresh rate than the iPad Pro’s (120Hz), thus instant-response drawing isn’t as fluid.
Comparing them side by side, the 120Hz version is noticeably superior in terms of visual quality.
Overall, the Apple iPad Air 2022 is a great choice in case you’re looking for a highly-recommended tablet with a stylus.
Specifications
Screen Size: 10.9-inch
Storage: 64GB
Operating System: Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Luxurious design
Cons
- Expensive
Buy 2022 Apple iPad Air on Amazon
2. Apple iPad Pro 2021
Since Apple has been proven to be the best device for graphic designers, I want to include the iPad Pro 2021 in my list.
The best tablet with pen for graphic designers.
It is the best graphic design tablet with pen for all kinds of creatives, especially graphic and logo designers.
This tablet has amazing speed and excellent graphics that will allow you to do your creative work seamlessly.
The Apple iPad Pro 2021 is definitely an ideal choice if you’re looking for the best-buy tablet with a stylus in 2022.
And since it has extremely high brightness and high contrast, it is also perfect for viewing and editing content like HDR photos and videos.
Additionally, it boasts a 12.9-inch screen display, which makes it ideal for designers to do their work efficiently.
And most especially, the iPad Pro 2021 comes with an Apple pencil, which will let you do your work even more comfortably.
If you’re interested, you can also check out my other article where I featured the best Apple pencil alternatives.
Specifications
Screen Size: 12.9 Inches
Storage: 128 GB
Operating System: Apple M1 chip
Pros
- Easy to use
- Powerful
- Portable
Cons
- Expensive
Buy Apple iPad Pro 2021 on Amazon
3. XENCELABS Tablet
For beginners, it is not necessary to go for a high-end tablet — that’s why I include the XENCELABS Tablet.
The best tablet with stylus pen for students.
It is the best beginner tablet with stylus pen for students since it doesn’t come at an expensive price.
In fact, this tablet was co-designed with the input of industry-leading creatives.
It comes with not just one but two digital pens of different diameters and a number of buttons.
Both pens come with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and virtually no lag.
The XENCELABS Tablet is a great choice for anyone who is looking for the best student tablet with pen.
If you’re just starting out as a creative person, you can also visit my other article where I featured the best drawing tablets for beginners.
Specifications
Screen Size: 12“
Weight: 4.75 pounds
Pen Pressure: 8192 Levels Pressure
Pros
- Great connectivity
- Easy to use
Cons
- Delay issue
Buy XENCELABS Tablet on Amazon
4. Wacom Cintiq 22 Tablet
If you’re looking for the best animation tablet with stylus available today, then check out the Wacom Cintiq 22.
The best tablet with pen for animation.
It is one of the most popular tablets for creatives because it allows them to bring their ideas to life.
Whether you’re still creating on paper or using a pen tablet, the Wacom Cintiq’s seamless interaction between pen and display will feel natural and take your skills to the next level.
It comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, which offers amazing precision and control, reacting to the tilt of your hand and accurately responding to each movement.
Its digital pen looks and feels like a regular pen, so you don’t need to learn any new techniques before you start to bring your ideas to life digitally.
The balance of weight, rubber grip, and position of the two side buttons combine to make it sit comfortably in your hand.
Those buttons can also be programmed, giving you quick control and making your favorite software’s shortcuts easy to find.
Overall, the Wacom Cintiq 22 Tablet is a perfect choice for creatives that are looking for the best tablet with a stylus pen for animation.
If you’re a fan of using Wacom, you can also check out my other article, where I highlighted the best Wacom tablets in 2022.
Specifications
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Color Gamut: 72% NTSC (CIE1931) typical
RAM: 1 MB
Pen Pressure: 8,192 pressure levels
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Portable
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor build
Buy Wacom Cintiq 22 Tablet on Amazon
5. XP-PEN Deco Pro Tablet
If you’re looking for the most affordable tablet with stylus to buy in 2022, then here’s the XP-PEN Deco Pro.
The best budget tablet with stylus pen.
This drawing tablet is perfect for hobbyists and beginners that want to experience doing art digitally.
Although it is ideal to have high-end devices, it is not necessary, especially if you’re just a beginner creative.
The XP-PEN Deco Pro Tablet is an amazing choice for creatives that are looking for the best tablet with pen on a budget.
This tablet features an 11 x 6-inch working area, giving you a bigger canvas for your creations.
It is made with an aluminum casing and features a curved form as thin as 7 mm, making it smooth to use and sleek in appearance.
So if you want to buy the best cheap tablet with pen, then the XP-PEN Deco Pro is a great choice for you.
By the way, if you’re into affordable drawing tablets, check out my other article where I featured the best cheap drawing tablets.
Specifications
Screen Size: 11 x 6 inch
Weight: 4.02 pounds
Pen Pressure: 8192 level pressure
Pros
- Fine stylus
- Compatible with the most main software
Cons
- Poor build
Buy XP-PEN Deco Pro Tablet on Amazon
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
If you like the appearance of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra but need something smaller and lighter, the Galaxy Tab S8 tablet with stylus may be the best alternative.
The best tablet with pen for business.
Although it still boasts a stunning display and a potent Snapdragon CPU, the smaller and lighter design makes it easier to carry about for sketching on the go.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is absolutely a great choice for professionals that are looking for the best business tablet with pen.
Although it comes at a much higher price than others, you will be guaranteed that you are getting the best quality possible.
This tablet with pen is also one of the best lightweight tablets available today, which makes it suitable for travel.
So if you’re a creative on the go that wants to have a portable tablet with stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is a must-have.
Specifications
Screen Size: 11”
Storage: 128GB
Operating System: Qualcomm Snapdragon
Pros
- Great battery life
- Excellent display
Cons
- Laggy
Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 on Amazon
7. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7
The next product on my list is absolutely a must-buy since it is the best tablet with stylus for drawing.
The best drawing tablet with stylus pen.
The Galaxy Tab S7 is the best drawing tablet with pen that will allow you to do your creative work, from sketching to finishing artwork.
You can now transform your tablet into a PC experience with DeX mode and the optional keyboard with an expanded trackpad.
This tablet has stunning brightness and clarity with its wide 13MP and ultra-wide 5MP dual rear cameras and 8MP front-facing cameras.
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 is an ideal choice for creatives that are looking for the best tablet with pen from Samsung.
It also has a larger edge-to-edge display that will allow you to experience cinematic viewing for the creative work that you are working on.
Moreover, you can go for hours on a single charge and get back to 100% with the fast-charging USB-C port using this tablet from Samsung.
Specifications
Screen Size: 11 Inches
Storage: 128 GB
Operating System: Octa Core (3.09+2.4+1.8GHz)
RAM: 6 GB
Pros
- Great performance
- Excellent for gaming
- Ad-free YouTube
Cons
- Glitch issue
Buy SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 on Amazon
8. HUION Kamvas Pro 24
Since it became a trend for digital artists to use tablets in doing their creative works, I also include the HUION Kamvas Pro 24.
The best tablet with pen for digital arts.
It is the largest tablet from HUION that will save you time from frequent window switching and zooming in and out, which will greatly improve your working efficiency.
It is equipped with chemically etched anti-glare glass, which makes the screen virtually eliminate reflections and reduce eye strain.
That’s what makes it ideal for doing digital art since you will not experience any discomfort even if you work for long hours.
Additionally, the Kamvas Pro 24 features PenTech 3.0, which is a battery-free pen that can provide better stability with a lower-positioned pen nib.
As a bonus, it has a tilt function and can sense 8192 levels of pressure — this will make it possible for you to have a lifelike drawing experience.
The HUION Kamvas Pro 24 is a perfect option for creatives that are looking for the best tablet and pen for digital art.
If you’re interested in other products from HUION, you can visit my other article where I highlighted the best HUION tablets for designers.
Specifications
Screen Size: 23.8-inch QHD screen
Weight: 13.2 pounds
Dimensions: 25.94 x 15.39 x 0.98 inches
Pros
- Full laminated
- Great screen
Cons
- Tricky to setup
Buy HUION Kamvas Pro 24 on Amazon
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you’re looking for the latest Surface Pro model from Microsoft, then I will recommend the Surface Pro 8 to you.
The best Windows tablet with stylus pen.
This tablet with pen is a great Windows 11 tablet with plenty of power for digital creatives
Surface Pro 8 combines the power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, and every angle in between, with the iconic Kickstand and larger 13” touchscreen.
Actually, it is one of the most powerful tablets with stylus and it is the first consumer laptop-to-tablet PC based on the Intel Evo platform and designed to light up the best of Windows 11.
With 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs, Surface Pro 8 allows you to multitask while on a video call, crush an Excel spreadsheet, or play games with friends.
Additionally, it comes with the Surface Slim Pen 2 which will allow you to write, sketch, navigate, and recharge with the same feeling you get with pen on paper.
Lastly, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is an excellent choice for creatives that are interested in buying the best Windows tablet with pen in 2022.
Specifications
Screen Size: 13“
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Core™ i7
Pros
- Great processor
- Excellent display
Cons
- No USB-C port
Buy Microsoft Surface Pro 8 on Amazon
10. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet
For creatives that want to have the best Lenovo tablet with stylus pen today, then the Tab P11 Pro Tablet is definitely a must-buy for you.
The best tablet with pen and keyboard.
This tablet from Lenovo has a lovely OLED display, excellent speakers, and solid battery life.
Though the tablet can be used in either orientation, it works best in landscape mode with the magnetic kickstand that comes with the optional keyboard.
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet is absolutely an amazing choice for creatives that are looking for the best tablet with pen and keyboard.
It is also built to last, which guarantees that you can use it for a long period of time.
Additionally, it is one of the most portable tablets available today, which makes it ideal for freelance designers or creatives on the go.
So if you want to buy a tablet that doesn’t only come with a pen but also with a keyboard, then the Tab P11 Pro Tablet is perfect for you.
Specifications
Screen Size: 11.5“
Storage: 128GB
Operating System: Android 10
RAM: 6GB
Pros
- Stunning design
- Solid performance
- Loudspeakers
Cons
- Subpar software experience
Buy Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet on Amazon
Conclusions
For designers and creatives, it is such a great advantage if you have the best devices possible.
Although you can go for regular tablets, it is better to be practical and buy a tablet that already comes with a stylus pen.
Which tablet with pen is the best?
Fortunately, there are a lot of available brands and products online that you can choose from.
But if you want to make sure that you’ll be getting the best tablet with pen possible, I created this list for you.
I included great tablets for specific uses, like the Galaxy Tab S7 for drawing, the Wacom Cintiq 22 for animation, the Kamvas Pro 24 for digital arts, etc.
However, if you’re looking for the best tablet with pen and keyboard, look no further, because the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is definitely for you.
The GAOMON PD2200, on the other hand, is a perfect choice for anyone who is looking for the best tablet for taking notes.
Now that I’m done highlighting my top picks, which tablet with pen do you think is the best for drawing and writing? — Leave a comment below.
