# Choosing the Right Drawing Tablet <span style="font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: var(--tx2);">Planted:</span> <span style="color: var(--tx1);">16 May 2026</span><br> <span style="color: var(--tx2);">Last tended:</span> <span style="color: var(--tx1);">17 May 2026</span> </span> When wanting to get started with digital sculpting, or digital art in general, one of the first major purchases is going to be a drawing tablet. With two main types on the market, it might be difficult to choose right away which version might be the best choice. Thus, I decided to write this brief entry covering both types to help establish orientation. ## Mouse (Honorable Mention) Technically, *technically*, it is possible to sculpt using only a mouse, though it certainly isn't recommended. First of all, and most importantly, **you're missing dynamic input pressure, which you'd otherwise have with drawing tablets.** ![[choosing-the-right-drawing-tablet-000.webp]] A mouse click is binary, as it's either fully pressed or not pressed at all. A drawing tablet, meanwhile, can detect varying pressure levels, allowing for much finer control over brush strength. If you want a brush stroke to be less intense when using a mouse, you cannot vary the click pressure itself and instead need to adjust the brush strength in the software. Additionally, you lack the finesse and accuracy of a stylus. But, if you decide to walk that path and one day sculpt a character using only your mouse, and also showcase this in your behind-the-scenes content as proof, be assured that you will absolutely blow most artists' minds, depending on the complexity and level of detail. <div style="width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:49%;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/106UV00IXxYlIQ" width="100%" height="100%" style="position:absolute" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-wtf-106UV00IXxYlIQ"></a></p> ## Pen Tablet A pen tablet is the simplest type of drawing tablet, consisting of a usually small-, medium-, or large-sized tablet with a stylus. Connection is established either by a cable or, more commonly these days, even in cheap versions, wirelessly via Bluetooth. ![[choosing-the-right-drawing-tablet-001.webp]] With a pen tablet, you control the cursor using the stylus on the tablet while looking at your monitor. Meaning that, compared to display tablets, which have a built-in screen, you cannot see the exact position of your cursor beneath the pen's tip. Essentially, pen tablets require more hand-to-eye coordination and are thus sometimes seen as more difficult to get used to. Personally, I believe them to be the best starting point for beginners. Aside from being significantly cheaper than display tablets, I see training that hand-to-eye coordination and being able to handle such tablets as a big advantage. In my experience, transitioning from a display tablet to a pen tablet is significantly harder than the other way around. Regarding the size, it depends on the size of your monitor. A small pen tablet mapped to a large monitor makes small hand movements translate into large cursor movements, which can feel overly sensitive. Whereas a large pen tablet mapped to a small monitor requires bigger hand movements to move across the screen, which can feel slower. Because of this, considering the proportion between your monitor and tablet is important. ![[choosing-the-right-drawing-tablet-002.webp]] Medium-sized tablets are usually the most comfortable option for typical monitor setups. ## Display Tablet Display tablets are drawing tablets with a built-in screen, allowing you to work directly on the display of the tablet with your stylus. This allows you to directly control where your cursor moves, which many perceive as a more comfortable way of working. ![[choosing-the-right-drawing-tablet-003.webp]] Unlike pen tablets, display tablets also require you to consider display quality, including resolution, brightness, color accuracy, and contrast. A good display tablet can be dramatically more expensive than pen tablets, such as the **Wacom Cintiq Pro 27** I use at work, with a **€4285** price tag as of writing this entry. Depending on their size, they can also take up a considerable amount of desk space. Ultimately, both tablet types are capable professional tools. The best choice depends mostly on your budget, workspace, and preferred workflow. For most beginners, however, I consider medium-sized pen tablets the safest and most cost-effective starting point. As for brands specifically, there are by now many different ones to choose from, all offering both tablet types. The most popular brands among artists include *Wacom*, *Xencelabs*, *Huion*, *XP-Pen*, and *Gaomon*. For a more detailed insight into the different brands and their models, I highly recommend [Brad Colbow's YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@thebradcolbow/videos), where he reviews drawing tablets of all kinds and has already built an extensive library of reviews.