Flash Animate Drawing Tablet Settings
The best drawing tablets for animation in 2021
Included in this guide:
With the best tablets for animation, we have more choice than ever when it comes to fantastic animation tools. All it takes is a little software, and anyone with artistic aspirations can start learning the ropes of animation. If you want to make a career in animating, then it's an absolute must to be familiar with drawing tablets, and so picking up one of the models on this list is the perfect way to start.
It's also an excellent time to be thinking about buying an animation tablet. With Black Friday 2021 fast approaching, we can expect to see more and more deals and discount on high-end electronics, a category that absolutely includes the tablets we've included in this guide (see our dedicated Black Friday drawing tablet deals page for details). A little patience, vigilance and willing to keep an eye out can see you netting a really good deal on one of these tablets.
However, first things first, you need to decide which is the right tablet for you. Everyone has different needs, different preferences, and of course a different budget, and that's why we've picked a range of models for this list. Everything from top-end pen displays to entry-level graphics tablets is included here, as well as consumer tablets from the likes of Apple and Samsung, in case you want a tablet that does more than just animation. If this is all a bit confusing, don't worry – we've also included a guide to what to look for when buying an animation tablet, which you can jump straight to if you need a primer on the different types.
The tablets here are suitable for all skill levels, and we've also included the best deals on each one. Discounts don't hang around forever – so if you see a good one, don't delay! For more general drawing tablets, we also have a guide to the best drawing tablets you can buy right now, and our list of the best drawing tablets for kids is perfect if you're a parent shopping for an artistic little one.
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The best drawing tablets for animation Black Friday deals
The best drawing tablets for animation
01. Wacom Cintiq 16
Wacom's excellent mid-range tablet balances price and performance
Specifications
Drawing area: 422 x 285 mm
Screen resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: HDMI/USB out
Reasons to buy
+Great balance of features and price +Superb Pen options
Reasons to avoid
-Not UHD -No built-in ExpressKeys
When buying a tablet for animation, you're balancing features, performance, size, functionality and, yes, price. We reckon that the tablet providing the best balance between all of these different factors right now is the Wacom Cintiq 16. As Wacom's drawing tools are practically industry standard, it makes sense for a Wacom to be high up on your list of considerations for an animation tablet. If you're looking for a gig in animation, being familiar with Wacom tools is a very wise first step to take.
The Cintiq 16 is not the top-of-the-line Wacom, with a screen considerably smaller than that of the Cintiq 32 (which has an enormous 32-inch display). It also doesn't have the UHD resolution of other Wacom tablets? However, you do get the 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, compatibility with the Pro Pen 3D and Pro Pen 2, and an incredible display bearing a wide colour gamut. And, critically, it's much more affordable than many other Wacom tablets with these more advanced features, which for most types of animation, you simply do not need.
One thing we would note is that the Cintiq 16 does not have built-in ExpressKeys. These handy shortcuts can really speed up animating workflow; this isn't a critical omission however, as you can easily pick up the Wacom Express Key remote. Just remember to factor this in.
Discover more about this tablet in our Wacom Cintiq 16 review. We'd unhesitatingly recommend it to a host of animators, from inexperienced newbies to advanced hobbyists looking to take their animation to the next level.
02. Huion HS610
The best cheap drawing tablet for on-the-go animating
Specifications
Drawing area: 254 x 158.8 mm
Screen resolution: n/a
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: Micro USB (USB and USB-C adapters included)
Reasons to buy
+Great value +16 customisable ExpressKeys
Reasons to avoid
-No iPhone compatibility -Requires external display
We know not everyone has a huge budget to spend on an animating tablet. For users who need to keep costs down, we'd recommend looking at a graphics tablet rather than a pen display. These tablets don't have their own screen, and need to be plugged into a monitor or smart device so you can see what you're drawing, but this makes them much more affordable, and they still boast loads of great features. One we'd definitely recommend is the Huion HS610.
So while you don't get fancy screens with thousands of pixels, you still get the 8,192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity just like on a high-end Wacom tablet. The Huion HS610 also operates really intuitively, thanks in part to the 16 ExpressKeys that can be customised to your preferred functions. The drawing area is pretty generous, giving you plenty of room to work, and it's easy to set up via the USB connection. Bear in mind that the tablet is a little fussy with regard to compatibility – for instance, it'll work with macOS, but not iPhones, so make sure you have a device that'll support it.
Not sure? Check out our Wacom vs Huion comparison guide where we run through the pros and cons of tablets from each of these major manufacturers.
- Read more: The best Huion drawing tablets in 2021
03. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021)
Apple's top-flight iPad is the fastest on the market
Specifications
Drawing area: 262 x 196 mm
Screen resolution: 2,732 x 2,048 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: Not specified
Connections: Lightning, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Reasons to buy
+Amazing processing performance +Gorgeous mini-LED display
Reasons to avoid
-Only worth it for pros -Pricey, and Pencil costs extra
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (M1), the manufacturer's top-of-the-line tablet, is arguably the finest tablet ever made, and very possibly the best tablet for animation. Why doesn't it top our list? Well, the M1 processor that powers Apple's latest line of tablets is blisteringly fast, a whole new way of working. Apps are being redesigned to take advantage of its architecture, and the level of performance it offers means that the iPad Pro 12.9 can essentially function like a Macbook. However, all this comes at a cost, and unless you're an animation professional who's working in a high-intensity environment, this is almost certainly more tech than you need, at a price you don't need to pay.
Still, if you are the target demographic for a tablet like this, then you're in for a hell of a ride. The M1 processing power pairs beautifully with the new mini-LED-powered XDR display, found exclusively on the 12.9-inch model, offering better than-ever vibrancy, 1,600 nits of peak brightness and 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness. There is also greater contrast and control of local dimming, giving you more depth across the board.
This tablet shakes off some of the workflow issues and app niggles that have held back previous iPads, and is an absolute sublime working tool. If the price bothers you, there are options here that will better suit smaller budgets, but if you can afford it, and feel you will benefit from its power. You won't be disappointed – let our iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) review do the talking if you're not convinced.
04. XP-Pen Deco 03
This is the best animation drawing pad around
Specifications
Drawing area: 254 x 142 mm
Screen resolution: n/a
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C, wireless (using USB-C receiver)
Reasons to buy
+Sleek, minimalist design +Simple wireless connection
Reasons to avoid
-External display required -No pen tilt sensitivity
Not everyone has loads to spend on a tablet for animation, and we really rate the XP-Pen Deco 03 for those who just need a simple solution that works. Plugging easily into a computer or smart device via the USB connection, the Deco 03 provides a generous drawing surface and a battery-free stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. You don't get the fancier features like tilt sensitivity, but the broad compatibility means this is a drawing pad pretty much anyone will be able to use. It's lightweight and slim, with a pleasingly sleek design and customisable keys that can be mapped to your preferred function. Here's our XP-Pen Deco Pro review for more.
05. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
The best Android tablet for animation, with a fabulous screen
Specifications
Drawing area: 287 x 185 mm
Screen resolution: 2800 x 1752 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: 4,096 levels
Connections: USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Reasons to buy
+Exceptional display +S Pen included
Reasons to avoid
-Not great battery life -Android is poorer on tablet
If you're already an Android user, it may make sense to use an Android tablet for animation. We'd recommend considering the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, which is top of the range right now and the best drawing tablet with screen for animation. Its gorgeous display is ideal for drawing on, with punchy colours and a generous working area, while the up-to-date processing power ensures that your chosen apps should run well. Having the S-Pen included in the price is also welcome, giving you everything you need from the moment you open the box. If this version is too expensive, consider also the Galaxy Tab S7, which uses a smaller, non-OLED screen but still works really well. Find out more in our Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review.
06. Wacom One
One of the best animation tablets for beginners
Specifications
Drawing area: 294 x 166 mm
Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: 4,096 levels
Connections: USB, HDMI, wireless
Reasons to buy
+Great value +Easy, streamlined setup
Reasons to avoid
-Screen isn't very bright -Somewhat basic stylus
While Wacom makes tablets used by top industry professionals, it also has a few entry-level models for those just starting to dip their toes into drawing or animation. A good example is the Wacom One, which is a great beginner's tablet and offers tremendous value, providing that Wacom drawing experience at a very friendly price point. Okay, it's not as cheap as some others on this list, but you are getting a Full HD screen and a tablet that interfaces seamlessly with Mac and Windows alike. We wouldn't have minded the screen being a bit brighter, and the stylus is a less sophisticated model than you get with the top-range Wacom models, but this is a fantastic starter tablet for animators nonetheless. Need more info? Here's our Wacom One review.
07. XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro
This pro-spec tablet offers great fine-detail definition for manga drawing
Specifications
Drawing area: 526 x 296 mm
Screen resolution: 2K QHD 2560 x 1440 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C, USB, HDMI
Reasons to buy
+Excellent, high-resolution display +Comfortable stylus
Reasons to avoid
-Screen a bit reflective -Very hefty
If you're looking to draw some manga, we'd really recommend the XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro. It's a high-quality tablet that's obviously been specifically tailored to undercut Wacom, offering a comparable experience to the Cintiq 24 but for about a third of the price. The battery-free stylus is perfect for manga drawing, providing top-of-the-line pressure sensitivity as well as tilt response, delivering superior definition of even the finest lines.
Give your manga drawings more detail and depth than ever – the XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro makes it easy. The 2K QHD display also features 90 per cent coverage of the Adobe RGB colour gamut, which is very impressive for a tablet at this price. Our XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro review explains all.
08. Wacom Intuos Pro (Large)
A great Wacom tablet with a large drawing area
Specifications
Drawing area: 311 x 216 mm
Screen resolution: n/a
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB 2.0, Bluetooth
Reasons to buy
+Generous drawing area +3D pen compatibility
Reasons to avoid
-Bluetooth can be laggy -Lightweight
We've recommended two Wacom tablets on this list already – the Cintiq Pro 32 and the One, which are for pros and beginners respectively. The reason we'd also recommend the Intuos Pro Large for animation is that it's a solid all-rounder that'll work for pretty much anyone! Easy to hook up to a laptop or other device, the Intuos Pro provides a dependable drawing surface, and is easy to take with you wherever you go. It's also compatible with the Wacom Pro Pen 3D, which is a great asset if you're looking to create 3D animation. Head over to our Wacom Intuos Pro review to explore more.
Best tablets for animation: what to look for
If you're looking for a new animation tablet, it's worth familiarising yourself with the key differences between the various models. Here, we've put together a quick guide to the main criteria it's worth thinking about when choosing a tablet for animation
Display vs graphics
The two main types of tablet you'll be looking at for animation are display tablets and graphics tablets. Display tablets are just as they sound – tablets that have their own display screens – while graphics tablets are drawing surfaces that need to be connected to an external display like a monitor.
Display tablets are the better choice for animation where possible, as having your drawing surface and your display in the same place makes for a smoother experience, and makes it easier to take advantage of the various animation software programs. However, they also tend to be more expensive than graphics tablets – and if you already have invested in a high-quality monitor, a graphics tablet may be the more cost-effective choice.
Size
When we talk about a tablet's size we are of course talking about two things – the overall physical size of the tablet, and the size of the screen or drawing surface. A tablet's size matters of course because you're going to need to keep, store and potentially transport it, but also because a larger tablet will likely have more inputs, and more space for controls (more on which shortly).
In terms of screen size, it's worth thinking about how much drawing space you actually need. While it may seem like the obvious thing would be to get as big a tablet screen as possible, this will drive the cost of the unit way up, and it may simply be more space than you need. This will of course depend on the nature of the animation you're doing – it's worth looking at your art with a critical eye to determine how much space you need.
Controls and shortcut keys
This may not seem that important to an inexperienced user, but trust us, having a suite of customisable shortcut keys that you've mapped to your preferred functions can super-charge the speed of your workflow. Some tablets will have one or two customisable keys, some will have as many as 16, and others will have none – though many of these will be tablets like iPads, which offer other advantages.
Pen sensitivity
One of the main reasons that tablets are so useful for drawing and animation is the incredible level of pen pressure sensitivity they're capable of. With pen sensitivities routinely going as high as being able to recognise as much as 8,192 levels of pressure, you can get truly granular with line thickness and shape.
Budget/price
We've mentioned this already a few times of course, but it is simply a fact of life. Deciding which is the best animation tablet for you will of course in part be dictated by how much you've got to spend. This will vary for everyone of course, and while the more you spend, the more you'll get, there are plenty of great cheap animation tablets out there – we've included some in the guide above!
Read more:
- Understand Disney's 12 principles of animation
- Top animation tools for digital artists
- Best drawing tablet: Top graphics tablets for digital art
Jon is a freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art, technology, and the intersection of all three. Interests include old film cameras, new digital gadgets, and pounding the pavements of London looking for fresh photo opportunities. If he finds any, he will let you know.
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Flash Animate Drawing Tablet Settings
Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-drawing-tablets-for-animation
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