The world of digital art has come a long way, and in 2025, the options available for artists looking to create on-the-go or in the studio are better than ever. Whether you’re a professional illustrator, graphic designer, concept artist, or hobbyist, a tablet can be an invaluable tool for your creative process. With powerful processing capabilities, incredible screens, and advanced stylus support, the best tablets for artists in 2025 can take your work to the next level.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best tablets for artists in 2025, comparing features like screen quality, stylus responsiveness, processing power, and more, so you can find the perfect tablet to suit your artistic needs.
1. Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
Apple’s iPad Pro continues to be a top choice for digital artists, and the 2025 version is no exception. With its powerful M-series chip, an ultra-responsive Liquid Retina XDR display, and support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, the iPad Pro is a perfect blend of performance and portability.
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Screen: The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers stunning color accuracy and a wide color gamut, making it ideal for color-critical work. It also has ProMotion technology, which means a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
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Stylus: The Apple Pencil 2 is one of the most responsive styluses on the market, offering low latency, pressure sensitivity, and tilt recognition. The magnetically attached design makes it easy to charge and store.
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Performance: With the new M-series chip, this iPad can handle even the most demanding art software, including Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and Affinity Designer. Its smooth performance ensures that your creative process is uninterrupted.
Who Should Choose It?
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Artists who need a versatile, portable device with a seamless drawing experience.
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Professionals who want a powerful tablet capable of handling complex art files and multitasking.
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offers a great balance between performance, portability, and functionality, making it a favorite for digital artists and designers. With Windows 11 and the powerful Intel Core i7 (or ARM chip for better battery life), it’s like having a full PC in tablet form.
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Screen: The 13-inch PixelSense Flow display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, perfect for creating detailed artwork. The screen is also touch-sensitive, which is great for interactive design elements.
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Stylus: The Surface Slim Pen 2 is highly responsive, offering excellent pressure sensitivity and tilt support. It also features haptic feedback, which provides a more tactile feel when drawing.
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Performance: Whether you’re using Adobe Creative Cloud apps or other professional software, the Surface Pro 9 handles heavy-duty tasks with ease. Plus, you can run full desktop applications like Photoshop and Illustrator without any limitations.
Who Should Choose It?
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Artists who need a full PC experience in a tablet form, ideal for those who need desktop-class software.
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Creatives who prefer Windows over macOS and need a stylus that feels natural for sketching or note-taking.
3. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 (2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
Wacom has been a trusted name in the art world for years, and their Cintiq Pro line is still one of the best options for professional artists. The 24-inch model offers an exceptional drawing experience, making it a top choice for those who want to work on a larger canvas.
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Screen: The Cintiq Pro 24 features a 4K resolution, stunning color accuracy, and a huge screen area, making it ideal for large, detailed projects. It also supports HDR, so you can work in even finer detail.
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Stylus: The Wacom Pro Pen 2 is known for its incredible responsiveness, offering 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and virtually no lag. It feels like drawing with a traditional pencil or brush, making it perfect for artists who prefer a more tactile, precise experience.
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Performance: While the Cintiq Pro doesn’t have a built-in computer, it connects seamlessly with your Mac or Windows PC via USB-C, allowing for high-powered performance from your existing system.
Who Should Choose It?
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Professional artists and illustrators who want a large, high-quality tablet with a true-to-life drawing experience.
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Those who already have a powerful desktop or laptop and want a high-end drawing tablet to complement their setup.
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is an Android-based powerhouse that caters to digital artists who want a larger tablet with a stunning AMOLED display and powerful internals. It offers a great alternative to the iPad Pro, especially for users who prefer the Android ecosystem.
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Screen: The 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, with deep blacks and rich colors. Its high resolution and wide color gamut make it perfect for detailed artwork and design work.
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Stylus: The included S Pen offers excellent precision and responsiveness. It has 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and low latency, making it ideal for detailed drawings and sketches.
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Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can handle heavy-duty applications with ease. Whether you're sketching in ArtFlow or editing photos in Photoshop Express, the tablet runs smoothly.
Who Should Choose It?
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Artists who prefer Android and want a large tablet with a premium display and responsive stylus.
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Creatives looking for a tablet that can double as a productivity device, with multitasking features and good integration with Android apps.
5. Huion Kamvas 22 Plus (2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Wacom’s Cintiq line but still want a high-quality drawing experience, the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus is a great option. It provides an excellent display and stylus combination at a much lower price point.
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Screen: The 22-inch IPS display offers full HD resolution and 120% sRGB color coverage, making it suitable for professional art projects. The screen is matte, which reduces glare and provides a more natural drawing experience.
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Stylus: The included Huion PenTech 3.0 stylus offers 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support, and low latency. It’s a responsive and precise tool for drawing, sketching, and inking.
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Performance: While the Kamvas 22 Plus needs to be connected to a PC or Mac to work, it offers smooth performance when paired with a powerful machine. The tablet’s build quality and responsiveness are great for digital artists on a budget.
Who Should Choose It?
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Artists who want a large, affordable drawing tablet with a high-quality display and stylus.
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Those who are looking for a Wacom alternative but don’t want to break the bank.
6. XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 (2025)
Why It's Great for Artists:
XP-Pen’s Artist Pro 16 is a solid mid-range option for digital artists who want a high-quality drawing tablet without the premium price tag. It’s a great choice for both beginners and professionals who want a portable and budget-friendly tablet.
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Screen: The 16-inch display features 4K resolution and an anti-glare coating for comfortable drawing in various lighting conditions. It offers great color accuracy with 92% Adobe RGB coverage.
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Stylus: The XP-Pen PA2 stylus features 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support, offering a responsive and natural drawing experience.
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Performance: The tablet integrates well with both macOS and Windows, offering smooth drawing performance when connected to a laptop or desktop.
Who Should Choose It?
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Artists looking for an affordable tablet that doesn’t compromise on quality.
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Those who want a portable, easy-to-use tablet for professional art projects without paying for top-tier options like Wacom.
Conclusion: Which Tablet is Right for You?
In 2025, digital art tablets have never been more advanced, offering a range of options that cater to different creative needs. Whether you’re a professional illustrator looking for a premium experience or a hobbyist on a budget, there’s a tablet that fits your workflow.
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For a portable powerhouse: The iPad Pro (2025) or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are perfect for on-the-go artists.
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For professional-grade drawing: The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offer the best in class for detailed work and multitasking.
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For budget-conscious creatives: The Huion Kamvas 22 Plus and XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 provide solid performance without the high price tag.
Whatever your needs, 2025’s best tablets for artists offer the tools and flexibility you need to bring your creative vision to life. Choose wisely, and let your imagination run wild!
