Product test
Graphics tablet for travelling: XP-Pens Magic Drawing Pad with Android
by Michelle Brändle
Tablets for art: Michelle’s recommendations in June 2025
6/6/2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Michelle Brändle
Are you on the lookout for hardware suited to creating digital works of art? Then look no further than my list of recommended tablets for newbie artists and pros alike.
Choosing the right tools for digital artwork can be challenging. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner with creative ambitions, this guide will help you find the perfect device for your needs.
My picks include ordinary Android or iOS tablets as well as graphic design-oriented tools that require a connection to a computer. I’ve paid special attention to two particular iPads; not only are they impressive on account of their hardware, but they’re also the only tablets to provide access to the established art software Procreate.
Affordable entry-level device: XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad
As an Android tablet, the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad gives you maximum flexibility when doing creative work on the go. Drawing on the matt display feels really nice; the XP-Pen comes with a decent stylus that detects even the finest nuances in pressure. Once you’ve calibrated it, you can also use other XP-Pen styluses. The tablet comes with extra accessories, including a case, a glove and a power adapter.
The fact that the device is still running on the older Android version 12 for the time being, combined with the mid-range hardware, restricts you somewhat in terms of use. For example, you can’t generate very many layers in the programs. What’s more, although you’re free to choose which drawing app you want to use, some of them might stop offering updates earlier than programs running on more up-to-date versions of Android. If you can live with that, the Magic Drawing Pad might be your ideal creative companion – especially if you’re a beginner.
Pros:
- matt display
- supports any XP-Pen stylus
- software for stylus calibration
- lots of accessories (case, pen, glove, power adapter)
Cons:
- mid-range hardware
- older operating system (Android 12)
Art tablet and e-reader: XP-Pen Magic Note Pad
Like the XP-Pen’s Magic Drawing Pad, you can kit out this Android tablet with your favourite art apps. It also has more up-to-date software in the form of Android 14. Different display modes for drawing, reading and writing make the device versatile. The manufacturer has given the matt screen special laminate, making reading and drawing more pleasant than on conventional tablets. You also get a high-quality stylus and a case included with the device.
Though the battery life is respectable too, there are some compromises when it comes to performance. As a result, the tablet’s unable to cope with too many layers. The resolution (1920 × 1200 pixels) just about cuts it. All in all, it’s suitable for smaller art projects and doing creative work on the go.
Pros:
- versatile thanks to its three display modes
- matt display
- high-quality stylus and case included
- decent battery life
- Android 14
Cons:
- mediocre performance
- display resolution could be better
All-rounder for on-the-go creatives: Huawei Matepad 11.5 S
The biggest plus side of the Huawei Matepad 11.5 S? It comes with a really good, free drawing app. GoPaint, Huawei’s specially developed drawing program, is very similar to Procreate for the iPad. The matt display and separately available stylus with pressure recognition also make the tablet pleasant to draw on. At the time I reviewed it, the device still struggled with precision when I was drawing. However, Huawei has since fixed those issues.
Huawei uses the open-source version of Android without Google services for the Matepad. Although the connected app store boasts numerous apps, the full program requires workarounds and alternative app stores such as Aurora.
Pros:
- matt display
- good, free drawing software
- powerful hardware
Cons:
- workaround needed to install Google services
The full package for desk-based work: Huion Kamvas 16 Gen 3
The Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) is a robust graphics tablet ideal for a fixed workstation at home or in a studio. It has to be connected to a computer or laptop (Mac, Windows or Linux), and it’ll use that computer’s programs. With its generous 16-inch diagonal, it offers significantly more work space than a mobile Android tablet without taking up too much room on your desk.
Huion has given it a high-quality, laminated display. This means that there’s very little distance between the stylus and the screen, allowing for extremely precise drawings. The 2.5K resolution does the job for most projects. If you take extremely detailed, large images and zoom in far, you might get some slight pixelation.
In addition to a high-quality stylus capable of detecting the finest pressure gradations, Huion provides a comprehensive accessory package with the device, including a tablet holder. However, you’ll have to shell out a lot more for one of these than Android tablets. Not to mention the fact that there are no touchscreen functions.
Pros:
- comprehensive package of accessories
- laminated 2.5K display
- good size
- recognises the finest lines
Cons:
- no touchscreen function
- requires a second device
Large-scale, desk-based professional projects: Huion Kamvas Pro 19
Compared to the other tablets in this lineup, using the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 involves practically no trade-offs. The flip side of that is that it carries a professional price tag. You get accurate colour reproduction, a display with a matt, glass surface and a generous 19-inch diagonal. When it comes to creating digital art, this device isn’t lacking in a single area.
That being said, I wish the feet were height-adjustable so that I could draw at different angles. My second quibble is with compatibility. Although you can use the Kamvas Pro 19 with Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, the touchscreen only works under Windows. Thanks to the tablet’s shortcut keyboard, however, I don’t really feel like I’m missing that.
In addition to the keyboard, the tablet also comes with two styluses, two types of replacement stylus tips and the necessary USB-C cables. One of the cables is for connecting to your second device, while the other hooks up the tablet to the power supply. Smaller items such as a drawing glove and a microfibre cloth are also included with the tablet. As a result, you’re well equipped and can get started on your creative projects right away.
Pros:
- matt 4K glass display
- good colour space coverage
- two styluses included
- shortcut keyboard included
- compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux and Android
Cons:
- touchscreen only compatible with Windows
- angle not adjustable
The little stand-out: iPad Mini (2024)
My favourite art software, Procreate, only runs on Apple iPads. In my view, this gives the device a special edge over Android tablets.
Thanks to its handy size of just under eight inches, the iPad Mini with Procreate is ideal for smaller sketches and creating artwork on the go. With the performance of a mid-range smartphone, the device is also a great all-rounder. I use it to read, play games or watch YouTube tutorials.
The glossy display sometimes causes me to suddenly slip up, which annoys me when I’m drawing. With this in mind, I’d advise you to use the tablet with a matt protective film. I’d recommend the device if you travel frequently and want to do so without much luggage. The battery’s well able to last the whole day.
Pros:
- handy size
- digital notebook and sketchbook
- works well as a gaming handheld
Con
- mid-range performance
- glossy display
iPad Pro 2024: this power tablet is my number one
The iPad Pro 2024 boasts miraculous performance and is ideal for drawing and editing photos and videos on the go. If you need to jot something down, the tablet doubles as a notebook when used with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. You can choose whether to go for an 11-inch or a 13-inch display, opting for either matt or non-matt. Given how much extra a matt screen costs, however, I’d recommend getting a matt film instead.
The OLED display’s colour values aren’t as accurate as those of stationary graphics tablets. If you’re working on a project for print, this might be a stumbling block. What’s more, the iPadOS software doesn’t give you the same options as macOS on a notebook. Despite this, the tablet costs far more than a laptop with the same performance.
If you do artistic work on a daily basis and want to edit videos, photos and drawings, the iPad Pro 2024 is worth considering. The investment is worthwhile if you really do need all the functions and money’s less of an issue for you.
Pros:
- powerful M4 chip
- creative all-rounder
- great if you’re on the move
Cons:
- extremely expensive
- glossy display
Is this list missing a tablet suited to your needs? Do you have a favourite device? Let me know in the comments.
Header image: Michelle Brändle
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
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