Do I need a drawing tablet to do digital art?

Technically no — you can use a mouse — but a drawing tablet is essential for natural-feeling art. Even a $50 graphics tablet dramatically improves the digital drawing experience compared to a mouse.

Is Wacom worth the premium over XP-Pen and Huion?

For professionals who depend on their tablet daily, Wacom's superior driver stability and pen feel justify the premium. For students and hobbyists, XP-Pen and Huion offer 90% of Wacom's quality at 50-60% of the price.

Can I use a drawing tablet with Photoshop and other apps?

Yes. All tablets in this roundup work with Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Procreate (via Astropad), and virtually every drawing application on Windows and Mac.

Best Drawing Tablets for Artists 2026