Graphic design has come a long way in the last decade. Computers have made it much easier to create stunning works of art without ever having to lift a paintbrush. Whether you’re a working professional, budding student, or a dedicated hobbyist, a great digital drawing tablet is a must-have addition to your creative workspace.
These handy little devices are modern tools for expressing yourself through the oldest form of art in the world. You can create digital masterpieces without having to worry about real-life messes, depleting resources, or time crunches. Huion is one of the most trusted digital drawing tablet brands among artists. They have a wide range of products to suit all types of artists.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a new Huion drawing tablet, you may be overwhelmed with your options. The company has a very large lineup of products. While they all may look similar, each option has its own unique features and benefits. Here’s a list of some of the best Huion drawing tablets on the market today.
Huion GT-191 KAMVAS Drawing Tablet
The GT/ 191 Kamvas is a beautiful on-screen tablet. With an LPI resolution of 5,081, the artwork looks crisp and vibrant. The tablet has a widescreen design, allowing you to see more of your creation. The drawing area measures approximately 19.5 inches diagonally. The surrounding bezel is quite thin, giving the tablet a sleek and modern look. Behind the scenes, the screen is capable of producing over 16 million colors. There are 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing you to create detailed works of art. The tablet includes two battery operated styluses with hotkeys. There’s also a stylus stand and rear kickstand for standing the tablet up.
Pros:
- 19.5-inch drawing area
- 5,081 LPI for high-definition graphics
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- Includes two styluses with hotkey buttons
- Includes multiple connection cords, artists glove, and replacement pen tips
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of room on desk
Huion KAMVAS Pro 13 GT-133 Drawing Tablet
Another option from Huion’s KAMVAS line is the GT-133. It’s a much smaller alternative to the previous option. The drawing area measures just 13.3 inches diagonally. As a whole, the tablet is only a mere 11 millimeters thick. On one side of the tablet, there’s an array of discrete buttons. In addition to the power buttons, there are four hotkeys and a large vertical touchpad that can be programmed for scrolling. The screen itself is laminated for protection and features 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. A battery-free stylus is included. Despite its lack of dedicated power, the stylus has tilt functionality for greater finesse.
Pros:
- 13.3-inch drawing area
- Separate hotkeys and touchpad
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- Non-powered stylus with tilt functionality
- Includes pen holder
- USB-C interface
- Compatible with Windows, MacOS, and popular software titles
Cons:
- Make experience issues with pressure sensitivity from time to time
Huion H610 Drawing Tablet
This off-screen drawing tablet is great for heavy workloads. It’s relatively small in size, taking up less room than other options. There are also curved edges to keep it stable on any flat surface. The drawing area measures approximately 10 inches long by 6.25 inches wide. There’s a sizable bezel for resting your hand. Above the drawing area, there are 16 soft hotkeys that you can program. Simply touch the key with the stylus to perform the designated function. Along the left side, there is an addition 8 hard hotkeys. The tablet includes a rechargeable stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Anti-slip feet
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- Rechargeable battery operated stylus
- 16 soft hotkeys and 8 hard hotkeys
- Paper-like drawing surface treatment
- Compatible with Windows, MacOS, and popular software titles
Cons:
- Doesn’t have stylus tilt functionality
Huion Kamvas GT-156HD V2 Drawing Tablet
At first glance, this device looks like a standard tablet. It has a bright screen with a full HD resolution. There’s also an anti-glare glass screen that improves visibility in multiple lighting conditions. To improve your workflow, the drawing tablet has 7 hotkey buttons and a vertical touch bar. All of these physical buttons can be programmed to your preferred software application. An EMR stylus is included. It has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Pros:
- Full HD display
- Anti-glare glass screen
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- EMR stylus
- 7 hotkeys and a touch bar
- Large 15.6-inch display
- Adjustable kickstand
Cons:
- May be too large for some setups
Huion 1060 Plus Drawing Tablet
Despite its simple look, the 1060 Plus has many useful features. The most notable is its hotkey buttons. There are 12 physical hotkey buttons on the left side of the tablet. There are an additional 16 soft buttons on the drawing surface. The drawing area measured about 10 inches by 6.25 inches in size. The top of the tablet is noticeably smooth. There isn’t a large raised bezel. The tablet is designed to be portable. It has a sleeve for storing the EMR pen and a microSD slot for saving art on the go.
Pros:
- Off-screen tablet
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- EMR stylus
- 12 physical hotkeys and 16 soft hotkeys
- Display measures 10 x 6.25 inches
- MicroSD slot compatible with cards up to 64GB
- Includes replacement pen tips and holder
Cons:
- May be too large for some setups
Huion H420 Drawing Tablet
With a drawing area of only 4 inches long by 2.23 inches long, this tablet is very small. It’s designed to be a portable and versatile option for artists who want to create on the go. The surface of the tablet is sleek and simple. There are only 3 hotkey buttons. Additional scrolling buttons are included on the powered stylus as well. Connecting the device is quite simple. It has a common USB interface and is compatible with some of the most popular graphic design applications.
Pros:
- Off-screen tablet
- 2,048 pressure sensitivity levels
- Powered stylus with scroller buttons
- 3 hotkeys
- Compact design
- Simple USB interface
Cons:
- May be too small for detail work
Huion INSPROY Q11K Drawing Tablet
Want to keep your creative space clutter-free? This option from Huion can connect to your computer wirelessly. It has built-in wireless technology, allowing it to communicate with your computer from up to 10 meters away. It’s also battery powered and can work continuously for up to 40 hours before it needs recharging. There are 8 hotkeys and an additional 2 on the EMR stylus. Overall, the tablet is very sleek and refined. There are no raised bezels around the working area, which measures 11 x 6.875 inches.
Pros:
- Off-screen tablet
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- Active EMR stylus
- Wireless connectivity
- 40-hour battery
- Simple USB interface
- Large drawing area
Cons:
- Measures over 13 diagonally in total, making it too large for some applications
Huion H610 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet
This is the second version of the popular H610 model. At face value, the tablet looks almost identical to the first model. However, some internal changes have been made to make the tablet more efficient and easy to use. The biggest change comes with the stylus. Instead of a battery-operated model, this tablet comes with an EMR stylus. It still retains the 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. However, there’s no need to worry about constant charging issues. This stylus also has tilt functionality.
Pros:
- Off-screen tablet
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- EMR stylus
- Tilt functionality for more precision
- 8 hard hotkeys and 16 soft hotkeys
- Supports Windows, MacOS, and many popular graphic design software
- 5,080 LPI
- 10 x 6.25 drawing area
Cons:
- Drawing area may be too small for some projects
- No scroller
Huion KAMVAS Pro 22 Drawing Tablet
As one of the largest tablets offered by Huion, the KAMVAS Pro 22 offers plenty of space to create digital works of art. It’s an on-screen drawing tablet with a work area that measures 21.5 inches diagonally. The screen has full HD resolution and an anti-glare glass top. The glass protects your eyes and produces color that’s true to life. There are 10 programmable hotkeys and a dedicated touch bar. Because the tablet is so large, the button array is located on both sides of the screen.
Pros:
- HD resolution on-screen tablet
- 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels
- Battery-free EMR stylus
- 10 hotkeys and touch bar on both sides
- Adjustable stand
- Anti-glare glass
- Compatible with most graphic design software
- 21.5-inch drawing area
Cons:
- Large size may be cumbersome for some setups
- Hotkey buttons must be same on both sides
Huion Drawing Tablet Buying Guide
While they may share the same branding, each one of Huion’s drawing tablets is unique. It can be overwhelming to find one that’s right for you, especially if you’re not well-versed in the technical jargon. Luckily, Huion has a tablet to meet nearly every artist’s skill level and drawing technique. Here are some important terms and features to keep in mind on your search.
On-Screen vs. Off-Screen
The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want an on-screen model of an off-screen model. On-screen models are aptly named because the drawing surface contains a built-in screen. The screen displays the project you’re working on, allowing you to make changes in real-time while you’re looking directly at the work area.
Off-screen drawing tablets do not contain a built-in screen. These are the types of tablets that were first made available back when this technology hit the market. These models act more like a touchpad. You draw on the tablet’s surface while looking at your connected computer screen, which shows all the changes you make in real time.
Drawing Area
Next, let’s talk about the tablet’s active drawing area. This refers to the pressure-sensitive surface that reacts to the touch of your stylus. Huion tablets come in many different sizes. Typically, you won’t need a significantly large drawing area. You’ll be working on a digital canvas that can be as big or as small as you make it. With that being said, larger tablets can be beneficial for artists who tend to do large strokes that require more room.
When you’re shopping for tablets, pay close attention to the active drawing area size. The measurement is usually referencing the diagonal from one corner to the adjacent one. Always look for measurements that depict the drawing area size. You may see the screen size of the tablet being advertised, but that often refers to the entire unit rather than the actual drawing area. All tablets have a bezel. This small frame is a dead-zone, meaning that it doesn’t respond to stylus input.
Pressure Sensitivity
The way the drawing area reacts to your stylus is going to have a big effect on the creative experience. Pressure sensitivity is displayed in numbers. If you need to create fine details that require as much pressure sensitivity as possible, go with a higher number. Sensitivity measurements can go all the way up to 8,192 and as low as 256 for Huion drawing tablets.
Resolution
Like with any other tablet or television, a higher resolution is going to let you see finer details. Resolution is measured in LPI, or lines per inch. It’s always recommended that you get the highest resolution your budget will allow. This will ensure that you can work on your art in a true-to-scale format.
Stylus Compatibility
The stylus is what delivers the movements of your hand to the digital drawing surface. There are many different stylus options available. Huion includes a stylus with every tablet. However, you can also purchase one separately. Before you do that, you should know about the specific stylus technology used for your tablet.
There are two different types of styluses. There are battery operated models and electromagnetic resonance, or EMR, models. Battery operated stylus tend to offer the most control and precision. They’re a bit larger and can awkward to hold. Though, this is something you get used to over time. EMR styluses are the most common. They use hidden circuitry to communicate with the tablet each time it makes contact.
Added Extras
At the end of the day, drawing tablets are built to merge the worlds of classical art with digital technology. All models do a relatively good job in this regard. With that being said, some models make it easier than others. Unique features can change the way you draw.
Some examples include hotkeys and built-in scrollers. Any seasoned digital artist can probably tell you a list of hotkey shortcuts to perform certain tasks in their favorite drawing program. What if you could do the same thing with a single press of a button? Hotkeys map out these shortcuts so that you can perform a task without having to take your hands off the tablet. These hotkeys can be programmed within the tablet’s software, allowing you to customize the buttons to your needs.
Scrollwheels work the same way. They let you move to different parts of your digital masterpiece with just a few movements of your finger. The inclusion of a scroller can speed up the drawing process quite a bit by eliminating the need to use the computer mouse completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an off-screen or on-screen tablet better?
There really is no right or wrong decision when it comes to which one is better. It’s all a matter of personal preference. If you have experience working with off-screen tablets, you may find it difficult to draw any other way. However, if you’re a newbie, it may be a bit easier to adapt to digital drawing with an on-screen style tablet.
Q: Do Huion drawing tablets require specific software?
Huion tablets do have drivers that need to be installed on your computer. These drivers help the tablet communicate efficiently without any issues. However, beyond the drivers, there are no specific software titles you need. Essentially, the tablet acts as a fine-tuned mouse. You can use with virtually any graphic design software. Though, they are best used with popular titles like Photoshop, Illustrator, and more.
Q: Do drawing tablets need to be connected to a computer?
Huion tablets do require a connection to a computer. Drawing tablets are merely a tool that lets you create digital art. It doesn’t process the art itself. Drawing tablets don’t have the necessary equipment to process complex digital functions on their own.
Q: How are drawing tablets connected to a computer?
Drawing tablets can be connected with a cord or through wireless technology. Wireless tablets have built-in features that let you connect in a matter of minutes. Corded options typically come with an array of connectors to help you find the right one. Most utilize USB, USB-C, or HDMI. Though, there are some alternatives for older computers.