Pen Display vs Drawing Tablet: Which Should You Buy?
My picks
- 1Best first drawing tablet
Huion Inspiroy 2 Medium
- 8.7 x 5.4 in area
- 8,192 levels + tilt
- 8 keys x 3 groups
- Scroll wheel
- 2Best first pen display
Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3)
- 13.3" 1080p
- 16,384 pressure levels
- Laminated etched glass
- Stand in the box
- 3Best pen display for most people
Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3)
- 15.8" 2560 x 1440
- 16,384 pressure levels
- Laminated etched glass
- Stand in the box
The short answer
A drawing tablet (also called a pen tablet) is a flat pad. You draw on it and look at your monitor. A pen display is a screen you draw on directly. Pen displays feel more natural right away. Drawing tablets cost much less and take a week or two to get used to.
If you're not sure you'll stick with digital art, start with a drawing tablet. If you already know you will, a pen display is worth it.
Side by side
| Question | Drawing tablet | Pen display |
|---|---|---|
| Where you look | At your monitor | At the pen tip |
| Learning curve | A week or two of hand-eye practice | Feels like paper almost at once |
| Cost | Low | Several times more |
| Desk space | Fits beside a keyboard | Needs room for a second screen |
| Cables | One USB cable, or wireless | USB-C with video, or HDMI + USB + power |
| Posture | You sit up and look ahead | You lean over unless you use a stand |
| Travel | Easy | Possible with a small one |
Why some pros still use drawing tablets
Your hand never covers what you're drawing, your neck stays straight, and your monitor's color is usually better than a budget pen display's. Plenty of professional illustrators and photo editors work this way every day.
Why most people end up wanting a pen display
Drawing where you look is simply easier, especially for line art and handwriting. With a laminated screen, like the Kamvas 13 and 16 (Gen 3), the line sits right under the nib.
Three things to check before you buy a pen display
- Your ports. One-cable setups need a USB-C port that carries video. Here's how to check.
- The stand. Drawing flat hurts your neck. Some screens include a stand; many don't.
- Brightness. Budget screens are around 200 nits. Fine indoors, weak next to a sunny window.
My pick
For a first setup on a budget, get the Huion Inspiroy 2 Medium. If you want to draw on the screen from day one, get the Kamvas 13 (Gen 3), or the Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) if you can stretch.