10 Best Manga Drawing Tablets and 2 That are Surprisingly Overpriced

You have a problem, Right? You want to make manga fast and effectively, but there are so many drawing tablets out there—different brands, sizes, features, etc.

We selected 10 tablets out of 73 that you should consider when starting your digital manga art journey. Also two even though great options are too pricey. We also break down the best manga tablet for beginners, advanced manga artists, and one that gives you the best bang for your buck.

The Best drawing tablet for manga is by far the Xencelabs Pen Tablet because of the number of professional features you get compared to the price of the product.

How do we know this? Because we are manga artists too.

best manga art tablets for 2022

You can find the best three here:

BEGINNER
BEST ONE
PROFESSIONAL

Rating methodology

1.) Xencelabs Pen Tablet

This is the best manga drawing tablet without a screen.

Xencelabs is new on the scene. And although Wacom is seen as the industry standard. Xencelabs is seen as the Wacom Killer.

This is backed by the fact that their team includes some former Wacom employees, though. Hence, their excellence should come as no surprise to their early dominance in the market.

4.8

If I Phone Made a Drawing Tablet

The tablet’s design is very minimal, and the quick keys and dials come in a separate module.

It also has an ergonomically curved edge, making it comfortable for drawing. You can rest your pen on the edge of the screen without straining your wrist.

You can put this wherever works best for you. This can be convenient if you don’t like accidentally pressing the keys when attached to the screen.

Who is this for:

This is great for aspiring, beginner mangakas who are serious about their craft. Its customizable features are just enough to give them the pro feel without the price.

Key Features:

Dual Pens

It comes with two pens: a wide 3-button pen and a thin 2-button pen. You can use whichever feels more comfortable for you.

Accurate Drawing Area

It has a 10.33 x 5.8″ screen, which matches a 16:9 aspect ratio. This makes it perfectly compatible with similar monitors.

Wireless

Finally, a drawing tablet that has no wires. Most tablets even the ones on this list have some sort of wire confirmation that could limit setups for travel situations.

Remote Quick Keys

The unique design of the quick keys allows you to set them up according to your preference. You can also program it with up to 40 custom shortcuts per application.

Customizable LEDs

The edge of the screen is marked by four corner LEDs. You can customize the colors depending on what application you’re using.

Drawbacks:

Tablet Driver Incompatibilities

You may have another tablet driver installed on your computer. If so, the Xenecelabs tablet will malfunction. This means that you would have to uninstall other drivers before using Xenecelabs.

Lack of Multi-touch Functionality

You can’t use your fingers to zoom or navigate the screen.

My User Experience:

Drawing on this tablet felt like paper.

Every item that came with this case looked and felt premium, thanks to the material. It makes this device feel like it’s a step ahead of the rest.

I first worked with the external keys remote because I found it fascinating. All the buttons were customizable, and the dial was smooth and responsive. There was a bit of a learning curve, and I initially had a hard time. But eventually, I got fast.

I also encountered some difficulty setting up because of the driver incompatibilities. Remember, I was trying out several other tablets. However, things worked better once that was out of the way.

But it has no screen Why is it the best?

The biggest pro for tablets over pen displays, in my opinion, is that your hand isn’t in the way when drawing. Most newbies don’t realize on most normal size displays your hand is sometimes covering up half the drawing.

And It’s just state of the art compared to its competitors at a price point that’s actually reasonable. That’s why it’s first.

  • Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium
  • Xencelabs Quick Keys
  • 3-Button Pen
  • 1 Thin Pen
  • Pen Case
  • Dongle
  • 2 x USB Cable / USB-A to USB-C
  • 6 Standard Nibs
  • 4 Felt Nibs
  • Glove
  • Adapter / USB-A to USB-C
  • Tablet Sleeve
  • Nib Extracting Ring
Xencelabs digital drawing products

This tablet is very easy to set up and use, for as long as there is no conflicting software on your computer. It comes with two different pens, making it great for those still trying to figure out what to work with. It’s not exemplary, but it is convenient for exploration.

Its many customizable aspects make this great for artists with many preferences.

2.) XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro

XP-Pen Artist 12

This is the best beginner manga tablet because of the quality and the price.

The XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro is an inch smaller than most “small” drawing tablets. This makes it very compact and light. However, its fairly large bezels make it close to 13 inches.

With that said it has everything will need to make manga at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

4.2

Reliable

It has a very simple design and is quite sturdy. The screen comes with a pre-applied protector with an anti-reflective coating. It lacked texture, but it does well enough with the drawing experience.

XP-Pen Artist 12

XP-Pen Artist 12

The P06 pen that it came with was quite unique, with its semi-transparent build. It really looked like a pencil.

Who is this for:

This budget tablet is great for beginner mangakas on a budget.

Key Features:

Battery-free Stylus

never runs out of power with this pen.

Anti-Glare Screen

It has a 10.33 x 5.8″ screen, which matches a 16:9 aspect ratio. This makes it perfectly compatible with similar monitors.

8 display customizable Buttons

Drawbacks:

Needs to be connected to a computer

This drawing tablet is not a standalone product. It only works when connected to a computer or laptop.

1080 display

Given the small screen, the quality is negligible. Nonetheless, the 72% NTSC Color Gamut affects the vibrance of the display.

My User Experience:

This is probably the smallest drawing tablet I’ve worked with in my life. That alone intrigued me, as I was curious to see how it would perform.

Upon opening, I had to calibrate the colors, as the screen was dominantly blue in tone.
The difference of the lower color gamut is also evident after using 100% gamut screens. At 72%, the lack of vibrance and accuracy can be apparent.

However, it’s good enough for a first drawing tablet. The pen was responded smoothly to movement and pressure and was great for the price.

My only qualm was that in use, the touch bar was quite limited. One swipe activates only two clicks of the function assigned to it. This means that making big changes would mean several repeated swipes across it. This can be pretty inconvenient and tiresome, especially when you’re pressed for time.

XP-Pen Artist 12
  • XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro
  • P06 Battery-free pen
  • Pen holder
  • 8 Replacement pen nibs
  • 3-in-1 cable
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Black drawing glove
  • Quick guide
  • Extension cord
  • 4 Plugs (US, EU, UK, AU)
XP-Pen Artist 12
XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro

The XP-Pen Artist Pro is only suitable for beginner mangakas. Intermediate and professional mangakas will be unsatisfied with their performance. Don’t get me wrong. It does well enough for a basic drawing tablet. However, its features leave a lot to be desired. For all its limitations, the XP-Pen Artist 12 is good enough to start with. It’s more affordable than other drawing tablets.

So, if you’re just after practicing drawing, then its sketch ability is satisfactory. If you can work with the lackluster display, touch bar, and eraser, then you can make use of this.

3.) Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

This is the best pen display for manga with a screen

The last Pen display tablet you will ever need.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is one of the most-used tablets by professionals. Some would even argue that it’s the best tablet for an artist. It uses etched glass for a better tactile experience, and its matte screen is easy to work with and dust off.

5

All Wacom tablets on this list have software designed for manga.

Reliable

It’s not the most sleek-looking tablet. It’s rather clunky and could take up your entire desk space. But, it is highly functional and effective in what it does.

It has twin USB 3.0 ports on both sides, plus a standard 3.5 mm jack and an SD card slot. On its back are a USB-C port plus HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, and USB-A connectors. Sounds a little old school, but again, very functional.

This tablet is used by Yoshitoshi Abe, Ishida, and Shun Saeki creators of the popular manga and anime Tokyo Ghoul Food wars and Haibane Renmei

Who is this for:

With its price and features, the Wacom Cintiq Pro is for professionals. The quality display and speed of movement won’t be as beneficial for those just starting out.

Key Features:

24” LCD display

You can see every tiny detail of your manga drawings. The etched glass screen also provides a distinct, tactile experience as you draw.

4k resolution

The IPS display has a 3840 x 21604k resolution. It covers 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and supports 1.07 billion colors.

Multi-touch gestures

Zoom in and navigate the screen with a swipe of your fingers.

Express Key remote

The included ExpressKey Remote has 17 custom application-specific keys. There’s also a finger-sensitive Touch Ring for access to time-saving shortcuts.

Drawbacks:

Poor palm rejection

It can go out of control on its own when you use it while drawing. It’s super rare when it happens and probably won’t happen to you, but I had to find something negative right.

My User Experience:

When I turned on the tablet, the first thing I noticed was that the screen was bright, and the colors were vibrant. It immediately gave me high hopes for how my drawings were going to look. True enough, every stroke was vivid and precise.

It didn’t feel as if I was drawing on glass. The texture and interface were a lot like pen on paper. The ProPen 2 was also incredibly comfortable and easy to use.

True enough, the multi-touch gestures sometimes worked against me. As such, I appreciated how the ExpressKey doesn’t respond to every slight touch. I’m clumsy, so there were many times I accidentally brushed against it as I drew. But because it wasn’t hypersensitive, I had no issue with errors. Meanwhile, it would respond quickly and well when I did purposely press a key.

  • Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Pen Display
  • Wacom Pro Pen 2
  • ExpressKey™ Remote
  • USB-A RF dongle
  • 30cm micro-USB to the USB charger cable
  • Pen stand
  • 10 Replacement nibs
  • Nib removal tool
  • Pen holder
  • 4 extra pen color rings
  • 180W AC adaptor and 1.8m power cable
  • 1.8m USB-C to USB-C cable
  • 3m DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable
  • 3m HDMI2.0 to HDMI2.0 cable
  • 3m standard USB-A to USB-A cable
  • DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort adapter
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Cleaning cloth

The Wacom Cintiq Pro provides a stunning display and tactile experience. IT also allows fast and easy switches between drawing applications. There may be a few glitches here and there, but it does not negate the quality of this tablet.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 will give you one of the best digital drawing experiences you’ve ever had. However, you would have to shell out thousands of dollars to attain it. IT is then a question of whether it is worth it to you or not.

4.) Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition

This device mimics the size of a manga page. I argued with people whether this should be in the top three or not with everyone here. But it ended up just out.

Did you know that Wacom made an Intuos for drawing manga specifically?

This is the upgraded version.

Do you find it difficult to decide between traditional and digital drawing methods? Look no further. Wacom continues to step up its game with the Intuos Pro Paper Edition.

4.7

Blending digital and traditional

Just clip on a piece of paper on top of the tablet’s screen. As you draw on the paper using a pen, the tablet scans the image. So you have two versions the one on your computer or the one on paper.

Or you can use it without paper and go completely digital your choice.

The tablet itself is sleek and thin, and the screen is smooth to work on either way. It’s only available in Medium and Large sizes. However, it’s lighter than its counterparts and Bluetooth-capable. That makes it easier to lug around without all the extras.

Who is this for:

With its capacity, the Intuos Pro Paper Edition is great for advanced mangakas. It works best for those transitioning from traditional to digital drawing.

Key Features:

paper-to-digital workflow

Clip your favorite A5 drawing paper on the surface of the Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition. As you draw with the Fine tip Pen, every stroke is captured as an editable file.

8 customizable express keys and pen side switches

Allows for easy shortcuts and flexibility.

Included Wacom Pro Pen 2 & Fine tip Pen

Featuring 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and unparalleled tilt recognition. Every stroke and move of your hand is followed with unerring accuracy.

Wireless

Wireless connection to your devices for effortless synchronization. However, there is also a USB port if you prefer a wired connection.

Drawbacks:

System errors when the computer or laptop goes to sleep

Don’t leave your laptop or computer running if it goes on auto-sleep. You would have to go through the start-up process again.

Fine tip ink pen has limited use

The cartridge can only do 10 pages of moderate drawing. Bottom line have more pens

My User Experience:

Straight up, the Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition may be the thinnest tablet I have ever used in my life. This adds to the illusion of drawing on paper. Still, it feels sturdy and solid enough to set up and carry around.

The drawing experience itself is smooth and seamless. There were a few lags when I used Photoshop or larger brushes. However, they weren’t so drastic as to disrupt my workflow. For the most part, the Inkspace technology copied every line and stroke that I drew on paper.

  • Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition Pen Tablet (medium A5)
  • Wacom Pro Pen 2 (battery-free)
  • Pen stand
  • Standard nibs
  • 4 Felt nibs
  • Fine tip Pen (battery-free)
  • Paper Clip
  • 10 A5 single paper sheets
  • Accessory soft case
  • 4 Extra pen color rings
  • 3 Fine tip ink refills
  • Texture sheet sample card
  • 2m USB cable
  • User manual guide
XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro

This tablet provides the best of both worlds. It links traditional and digital drawing methods. You can use either paper or the screen to create your art without sacrificing quality. The express keys and side switches also help in speeding up your workflow.

The Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition is a unique tablet. You can use it according to your preferred drawing methods. It isn’t too expensive compared to others on this list. However, you would have to purchase additional ink refills. Remember: one Fine tip cartridge can only draw ten pages.

5.) Wacom One

OVERPRICED!

But I found some cheaper options here.

This is the Wacom One. The budget Wacom drawing tablet provides you with the Wacom experience without shelling out a grand.

When people think of Wacom, they think industry standard. It’s like the Nike of drawing tablets.

But quality is something that costs.

4.5

Simple & Efficient

It comes with two ports, one for power and the other for connecting the device. That’s it.

No buttons except the one on the pen giving it a clean iPhone look. If you are the type who wants hotkeys on the device and pen this one isn’t the one for you.

Wacom One has a matte finish to the screen so Keeping it from looking glossy like your typical phone. And protect against glare.

Well calibrated out of the box no line jitters no matter how slow your stroke is. As expected from the Wacom brand.

Who is this for:

Beginners who are serious about creating manga but haven’t started making money from their stories yet. It’s got that professional quality builds and is backed by the best company in the business yet it was created for the beginner enthusiast.

Key Features:

13.3-inch Display

1920 x 1080 pixels and an NTSC 72% color gamut. Giving you 70% of Adobe RGB

Battery-Free Pen

4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Allowing you to control your strokes. This provides more than enough sensitivity anyone should need.

Connects to Android

Samsung s8 and above and Samsung Note 8 and above as well as Huawei p30,p20

Pen Compatablitliy

Any Wacom pen will work with this device. As well as any android pen.

Program Add-ons

  • Clip Paint Studio
  • Bamboo PaperClip Paint Studio
  • Adobe Premiere Rush CC
  • Adobe Fresco

Drawbacks:

Unboned Screen

Or a Non-Laminated Display reduces the amount of space between the screen and the glass. May affect brushstroke feel.

No Touch Screen

The color isn’t bad but compared to others on this list for the price it’s not going to blow your mind.

Color

The color is something a lot of other people need to adjust. Making not out of the box ready.

Cables Management

You have to not only plug one cable into your computer or phone. You also need to plug one into an outlet. This cuts down on the portability

My User Experience:

I went to a Wacom shop here in Tokyo where we got to test out the product and see how it looks and feels.

At first glance, you might not notice that it has a pen holder on top of the device for the pen. Also, they have legs that you can pop out to sit up your device if needed. I know when I draw this can be helpful to stop me from hunching over while drawing.

Works with all apps accept Auto Desk Sketch Book

The pen maintains accurate pressure when drawing. Don’t be fooled you really don’t need more pen pressure than 2000 to draw great manga.

Can easily fit in a bag to take on the go.

If you’re working on anything with a menu Like photoshop your workspace can feel cramped. Great for on the go but for highly detailed full-screen manga panels it might not be the best.

  • Wacom One
  • Pen
  • HDMI and power cord and adapters

The drawing experience for this protect all in all seems to be a great smooth texture on the display your not going to slide off this one. It’s out of the box easy to use. No set up at all making it beginner user friendly.

You’re getting a great budget drawing tablet for your manga. But with Wacom budget is still expensive. So if you were to get this tablet you will be paying more than $100.00 over for the same exact competitors on this list. If you are looking for the WACOM brand name with a decent drawing tablet that will hold up the next 5 years this is for you. Wacom took their higher line product and stripped some things making this. It’s the closest to a pro-level tool you’re going to get.

6.) Huion Kanvas 20

They also have a sale going on to save you another 30% here

Huion is another well-known drawing tablet brand, comparable to Wacom and XP-Pen.

The Kanvas 20 is the regular model of their premium Kamvas 20, and there is a 30% price difference. This makes the Kamvas 20 the economical choice.

4.6

If you care about screen size

It is noticeably bigger than other tablets, which makes it difficult to carry around. But if you are just working at your home who cares.

However, the stand that it comes with is easy to use and adjust. With the anti-glare display, this set-up makes it great for working indoors. No matter where the light hits your screen, you can still see the details.

This tablet is used by popular manga artist Shizuka Yamaguchi who rose to fame with her scroll manga series on LINE the most popular social media app in Japan.

tomodachi no suki na hito

She claims to have always used a Huion tablet for her manga.

Who is this for:

As a budget tablet, the Huion Kamvas 20 is great for beginner mangakas. The size of the screen can help them as they master their art styles and strokes.

Key Features:

19.5-inch Screen

With this size, you can see the details of your drawings more vividly. And with the anti-glare glass, you won’t have to strain your eyes.

120% sRGB color gamut

This tablet has 16.7 million display colors. These are further enhanced by the FHD resolution.

Pen Pressure Sensitivity

The PW507 pen that comes with the Kamvas 20 has 8,192 levels of pressure. It also has a 5,080 LPI pen resolution. This produces smooth strokes and lifelike drawings.

Multiple ports

It supports DP, HDMI, and VGA inputs.

Drawbacks:

Panel Response Time

There is a 25 ms response time, so ghosting can be noticeable with this tablet. This is especially apparent when you zoom in on drawings.

Struggle with portability

It is actually lighter than other tablets its size. However, it is bulky and the 19-inches alone makes it difficult to carry around.

Incompatibility with some computers

If your computer is made post-2017 then you’re fine. Anything before that the operating system could be a problem.

My User Experience:

I thought I had a good idea of how big this tablet was going to be. But nothing could have prepared me for when I unboxed it. I was initially worried that I might not be able to carry it! However, it turned out lighter than I expected.

I connected it to my computer through the cables that came with the tablet. While I liked that there were many options, the thick wires looked a little messy.

I tested it out using Clip Studio and Photoshop, and the drawings turned out really smooth. I did notice that its anti-glare can cause screen distortion, but it’s nothing that I can’t overlook.

  • Kanvas 20
  • Stand
  • Battery-free pen
  • pen holder
  • pen nib clip
  • HDMI cable
  • USB cable
  • Replacement pen nibs
  • AC cable
  • Power Adapter
  • Quick Start Guide

If you want to see every part of your drawing in great detail, go for this tablet. Though the pen can cause a bit of ghosting, the size of the screen can help with precision. Just make sure that it is compatible with your computer.

The Huion Kanvas 20 is great for beginners who want to perfect their art. The size of the screen is as big as a monitor. This means that inconsistencies and imperfections can be easily spotted. It may not be outstanding in some aspects, but it does more than enough.

7.) XP-Pen Artist Pro 16

XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 is one of the more recent additions to XP-Pen’s Pro Series. It has a sleek, clean interface, with 8 customizable express keys. These are flush on the surface, so they’re non-intrusive and don’t cause any bulges.

4.4

Simple & Efficient

It also features the brand’s new pen with X3 Elite Plus technology. While it has no battery indicator, it can go on for weeks or months without being recharged.

It is very responsive, fluid, and easily glides across the anti-glare touchscreen. It even comes with a matte screen protector for added protection.

Because this tablet uses an IPS panel, you can view the screen from any angle.

The color shift, drop in brightness, and white haze caused by lighting are minimal.

Who is this for:

The Artist Pro 16 is perfect for intermediate artists. The high level of color accuracy and the quality of the pen is beyond what beginners need. Meanwhile, the express keys lack the speed required for a professional.

Key Features:

15.6-inch display

The 1080p 15.6″ display features an extra-wide 178° viewing angle. Its color gamut reaches up to 92% Adobe RGB.

Support 4k displays

It also has a custom-designed anti-reflective coating which reduces glare by 56 percent. This means that you can use it even when it’s bright out.

Compatible with most operating systems and applications

It is compatible with:

· Windows 7 (or later)
· Linux (Detailed versions)
· Mac OS X 10.10 or later
· Adobe Photoshop

Customizable Express keys

It has 8 fully customizable express keys that can be attuned to different software.

Latest X-3 Elite Plus Rechargeable Stylus

The pen has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. This allows for more control and fluidity. It also comes with a multi-function pen holder.

It is compatible with:

· Corel Painter
· Clip Studio
· SAI
· Zbrush
· Medibang
· Toonboom Harmony

Drawbacks:

Only one USB port

Or a Non-Laminated Display reduces the amount of space between the screen and the glass. May affect brushstroke feel.

Thin screen

This makes the tablet lightweight – and delicate. When you press your fingers into the sides of the screen, you can see the bezels pop.

1080p display

The 1080p display can appear lacking for those used to a higher resolution. Some may not even notice but I did after reviewing all these tablets.

My User Experience:

The first thing I noticed when I touched the tablet is that it is extremely light for its size. and it’s really thin. This makes it great for portability. There were buttons on the side, like a regular monitor. These were for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, and other such settings.

While they felt clunky at first, they weren’t difficult to get used to. The hotkeys produced no apparent noise when pressed. They also responded quickly to my touch.

The highlight was the stylus pen. One swipe across the screen, and I was sold. The brush stroke changed in size, depending on how much pressure I applied. The colors were vibrant and the glide itself made for an enjoyable experience.

  • XP-Pen 15.6” HD Graphic Display Monitor
  • 2 Rechargeable Digital Stylus Pens
  • USB Cable
  • Black Drawing Glove
  • HDMI Cable
  • Power Adapter
  • Power Cord
  • Pen Holder
  • 8 Replacement Nibs
  • Quick Guide
  • 1 Cleaning Cloth
  • 2 Pen Charging Cable

This product hits all the right spots when it comes to manga art. You can change strokes without manual adjustment. This drawing experience makes the process more enjoyable. Although pricey, its features are great for intermediate users.

The XP-Artist Pro 16 is a good deal for a tablet; however, it doesn’t exactly come cheap. Still, it manages to prove its worth. It has a smooth interface, pleasing tactile experience, vibrant colors, and generous inclusions. Its quality is great for those who plan on going professional eventually.

8.) Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16

SUPER OVERPRICED!

The Mobile Studio 16 is one of the best tablets that Wacom has come out with. It is a self-contained computer, which means that it’s excellent for more than just drawing.

It’s a computer and professional drawing tablet in one.

5

Simple & Efficient

Like other Wacom tablets, it has eight customizable hardware keys in the bezel. But as an upgrade, the circular button in the middle has a fingerprint scanner. This helps secure your artwork.

On one side, it has volume controls, an auto-rotate switch, a power button, a headset jack, and an SD card slot. On the other side are multiple USB-C ports. It also has a hole that you can use to lock the tablet onto a desk. You can also use the hole to support the pen holder.

It has two cameras, but they aren’t really integral to drawing manga art. However, they can be helpful if you’re using the tablet for image and video work.

Who is this for:

The Wacom Mobile Studio 16 is another one for the pros. It has great functionality and advanced software. These are not necessary for beginner and intermediate mangakas. This is especially true because of its steep price.

Key Features:

4k touch display

Renders each fine brush stroke accurately and provides plenty of space in which to work.

94% sRGB color gamut

Delivers vivid and accurate colors.

i7 intel chip

Can boost up to 4.5Ghz.

Uses NVIDIA Quadro P1000

It also includes 4Gb of GPU memory for your high-end graphics program. This means that there is virtually no lag. You can even use 2D, 3D, and 4D CAD applications on this tablet without concern.

Drawbacks:

Non-removable battery

One can easily work around the battery life if it has a removable battery. However, the tablet still lacks that, contrary to popular requests. This means that you always have to stay close to a power source.

Very expensive

Additional accessories will cost even more.

My User Experience:

The first thing I noticed when I touched the tablet is that it is extremely light for its size. and it’s really thin. This makes it great for portability. There were buttons on the side, like a regular monitor. These were for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, and other such settings.

While they felt clunky at first, they weren’t difficult to get used to. The hotkeys produced no apparent noise when pressed. They also responded quickly to my touch.

The highlight was the stylus pen. One swipe across the screen, and I was sold. The brush stroke changed in size, depending on how much pressure I applied. The colors were vibrant and the glide itself made for an enjoyable experience.

  • Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16 Tablet
  • Wacom Pro Pen 2 
  • Pen case
  • 3 Replacement nibs
  • Nib removal tool 
  • Pen holder
  • Wacom Stand 
  • AC Power Adapter
  • Power cable 
  • Quick Start Guide 
  • Cleaning cloth 
  • Regulation sheet

As the name implies, the Wacom Mobile Pro 16 packs a punch. In fact, it may even have more power than you need. It really is a mobile studio. You can use heavy applications and software without worrying about performance or delays.

This tablet would have been perfect if not for the <100% color gamut and the price. Still, it’s worth getting if you can afford it.

9.) Apple iPad Pro

I found one with a discount here

Most people would never think of an Ipad pro as a drawing tablet but we at Manga Scout do.

Why?

Because it works well and has one of the best screens in terms of color on this list.

What’s most surprising is many people have drawn their first manga using this Ipad Pro. And if you decide not to pursue a career in manga you have a computer you can use for other things.

4.5

Also, if you want a device that not only is compliant with all artists as well as delivers laptop-like tools this is the perfect item for you. It’s not just an Ipad. It’s a drawing tablet, desktop computer, laptop depending on the setup.

It would be no exaggeration to say that possibly every person in the world has heard of Apple. They’ve come out with a number of iPads, but the iPad Pro is the best one for artists. If you’ve ever handled an iPad, think of everything it does. The iPad Pro does it better.

The user-friendly interface and the classic Apple design are recognizable. It has high-quality cameras in the front and back. You can also use it to use other apps. This makes it stand out from other tablets.

In true Apple fashion, it has discreet volume and power buttons on its side. There is also that one Thunderbolt port the company is famed for.

Who is this for:

Beginner manga artists who want to use their tablets for other things. Buying the equipment can be expensive, so having a multi-tasking one can give more bang for your buck.

Key Features:

Liquid Retina XDR Display

It has a resolution of 2732 x 2048 at 264 pixels per inch. This makes your art appear in high definition.

M1 Chip

The speed is 50% faster than A12Z Bionic and delivers 40% higher GPU performance. This makes drawing much more seamless, without having to deal with lags.

Up to 2 TB storage

Apple iPad Pro comes in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.

Wireless support

Do you have a MacBook or Apple TV? You won’t need to use wires to transfer files or project displays on them. You can simply use AirDrop or Bluetooth connectivity. However, note that this can only be done among Apple products.

Drawbacks:

Low Battery Life

Since it contains so many apps, the iPad Pro can only last for up to 10 hours long.

App compatibility

You would need to choose a manga software that works for you from the App Store. You can’t download or import other drawing software.

My User Experience:

When I looked at the iPad Pro before turning it on, I was unimpressed. It seemed like any other Apple product. But all of that changed once I started experimenting with the apps.

I downloaded ProCreate, which is the must-have app for artists if you’re using an iPad. Using my Apple Pencil 2, I swiped across the screen and was stunned. From the very first touch, the pen on the screen was comfortable; natural, even. The lines were clean and smooth. Sketching was seamless. The colors were stunning and vibrant. I got what I paid for.

And I liked the idea that whenever I got tired of drawing, I could just change apps. From the same tablet, I can go on social media, read some manga, or watch YouTube videos.

However, I also thought that professional manga artists would want to focus on their work. They have no time to get distracted by other apps. Because of this, they may be better off using dedicated drawing tablets.

  • IPad Pro
  • 1 x USB-C to Lightning Cable
  • 1 x Power Adapter

This tablet has the most stunning display you will encounter among the items on this list. Its pen also has the most natural feel out of all the stylus mentioned here. But all of that comes at a very high price.

The iPad Pro is Apple’s best tablet yet. If you truly spend time on it, you will get your money’s worth. On the flip side, its multi-tasking ability may end up inconveniencing professional manga artists. You would also have to shell out extra for the Apple Pencil and a stand.

10.) Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Many people say that the Surface Pro 7 is Microsoft’s answer to the iPad Pro. It can house many applications and be used for different occasions.

If you buy the external keyboard, you can even use it as a laptop. You just need to prop it up using its built-in kickstand.

4.5

The USB-C slot is something that its predecessors don’t have. This then adds to its functionality. It also has a regular USB slot, headphone jack, SD card slot, and charging port.

Its magnesium-alloy design looks and feels like high quality. Its bezels are relatively thick, but this doesn’t affect the performance.

Who is this for:

Intermediate manga artists who want to get their money’s worth in a tablet. It’s more expensive than other drawing tablets. However, you can use it for things beyond drawing.

Key Features:

Intel Core Processor

It has varying processors at different price ranges. The most advanced one uses i7.

Up to 1 TB storage

Like the processor, the storage depends on the price you pay. Nonetheless, you can have as much as 1 TB, which is great for storing artwork.

HD cameras and studio mics

This isn’t something you need for manga drawing. However, it is useful for conducting video calls and watching videos.

Drawbacks:

Heats up

Using the tablet for three hours straight will make it heat up. This can be a cause of concern and can disturb your workflow.

Lack of thunderbolt port

Many devices have made the switch to the thunderbolt port. The tablet’s lack of it can hamper device connections and file transfers.

Low battery life

One charge amounts to 8 hours of use.

Doesn’t come with a stylus

You have to purchase the Surface Pen separately.

My User Experience:

At first glance, the Surface Pro 7 is not as impressive as its counterparts. The thick bezels make it look dated. Nonetheless, it is small and light enough to carry around with ease.

I downloaded the Sketchable application to test out its drawing prowess. This is where the tablet began to redeem itself from my first impressions. It was smooth and quick to respond. The brush size also adjusted depending on the pressure that I put on the pen.

It’s not as bright or vibrant as the other tablets, even compared to the iPad Pro. However, this isn’t so noticeable unless you put them side by side. As a bonus, it has facial recognition software. This means that you can ensure the security of your manga drawings.

If you’re looking for a tablet that is good for more than drawing, the Windows Surface Pro 7 may be your bet. You can make the purchase depending on your budget and just upgrade accordingly. However, we do recommend that you go for the i7 core processor for better performance.

The Windows Surface Pro 7 isn’t mainly made for drawing, and it can seem a little dated. However, it performs pretty well despite its limitations. The downside is that you would need to purchase the pen on top of the tablet.

Here we are at the end of our journey for the best manga drawing tablets for beginners to advanced manga artists.

I hope you got value out of these suggestions. As you can see almost all of these tablets and non-tablet options would be fine for all people drawing manga so we tried to categorize them best we could be based on what type of person would be best to use each device in price, ease of use, pen functionality and display look and feel.

Again our top three picks are:

BEGINNER
BEST ONE
PROFESSIONAL

Check out our other posts:

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10 Best Manga Drawing Tablets and 2 That are Surprisingly Overpriced

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