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If your photograph has unwanted blurring or incorrect coloring, you can use photo editing software to change it.
The hardware you use for this is important; sticking to a keyboard and mouse could be a mistake.
We know what it’s like to switch from a mouse to a drawing tablet. That’s why we searched through some of the best budget picks of 2020 in order to help you find the best tablets for photo editing.
A mediocre drawing tablet will be a waste of money that doesn’t help you retouch your photos. This list explains the features of many different drawing tablets so that you can choose the one that works for you.
Best Tablets for Photo Editing:
1. XP-Pen StarG640 Tablet for Photo Editing
If you’re an average photo editor who’s never used a tablet before, the XP-Pen StarG640 might be very suitable for you.
Consumers were very pleased with the low price of the XP-Pen StarG640. It provided them with enough precision and accuracy to enhance their creative projects. Some consumers complained that the tablet didn’t last long enough; it stopped working after a short period of time.
The XP-Pen StarG640 is excellent for photo editing if you’re a beginner. It satisfies artists with simple needs. Its low price makes it one of the best cheap tablets for photo editing.
Features
- Has 8192 levels of pen pressure for realistic line drawing
- Conveniently sized at 6 x 4 inches
- Its small and thin structure makes it very portable
- Has a battery-free stylus
- This tablet is suitable for playing “osu!”
- The resolution is 5080 lines per inch
Pros
- Works with a wide variety of photo editing programs
- Useful for many different workflows
Cons
- Must be attached to an external device
- No display screen
2. UGEE M708 Photo Graphics Tablet
Beginners will be happy with the UGEE M708. It does well enough to help you edit photos without requiring a massive investment.
Consumers praised the functionality of the UGEE M708. Most of them were sufficiently pleased with its low price. Some consumers ran into technical errors and found that the tablet would sometimes stop working or fail to meet their needs.
The UGEE M708 may be more suitable for beginners rather than professionals. It may not be the best graphics tablet for photo editing, but it will still make the photo editing process easier.
Features
- 8192 levels of pen pressure for a realistic drawing experience
- Has a battery-free stylus that requires no charging
- 10 x 6 inches in size
- The resolution is 5080 lines per inch
- 8 customizable hotkeys for increasing productivity
- Comes with extra accessories for an improved art process
Pros
- A stress-free 12-month warranty comes with this product
- The Tablet surface has a paper-like texture
Cons
- No display screen
- Must be attached to external devices
3. XP-PEN Artist12 Tablet for Photo Editing
Both beginners and professionals will reap many benefits from the XP-PEN Artist12.
For the price of the XP-PEN Artist12, its quality is superb. Buyers absolutely loved this tablet. Some expected a bit more from it and found themselves disappointed. Occasional glitches and errors were mentioned, but these problems didn’t significantly change buyer opinions.
The XP-PEN Artist12 is an excellent photo editing tablet for Mac or PC. Its external device connection makes it a suitable computer monitor. Professionals should look at this tablet, especially if they’re on a budget.
Features
- The screen is sensitive, with 8192 levels of pen pressure
- Comes with a non-slip battery-free stylus
- 6 handy shortcut keys speed up your creative process
- 11.6-inch display screen size
- 1920 x 1080 resolution display
- 72% color gamut displays a massive number of colors
- The screen is highly protected with anti-reflective coating
- Comes with a variety of useful accessories
Pros
- Comes with a display screen
- Convenient size allows for relaxed and casual drawing
Cons
- Must be hooked up to an external device
4. Wacom CTL4100 Intuos Graphics Drawing Tablet Photo Editing
The Wacom CTL4100 Intuos is yet another excellent option for beginner photo editors who may not have used a drawing tablet before.
Many customers thought this drawing tablet was a great deal. It comes with additional software and is set at a fair price. Some customers struggled to get this tablet working with their computers due to compatibility issues. Other customers noticed wear and tear on their pens, but this issue did not seem to occur often.
The Wacom CTL4100 Intuos is fairly simple and low-priced. It’s not the most advanced tablet on the market, but it’s a suitable tablet for Photoshop editing.
Features
- 7.9 x 6.3 inches in size
- Battery-free pen requires no charging
- Provides 4096 levels of pen pressure
- Comes with bonus software
- 5 shortcut keys add convenience and efficiency
Pros
- Additional art and photo-editing software allows buyers to avoid additional purchases
Cons
- Doesn’t have the highest pen pressure available for most tablets
- Must be hooked up to an external device
- Doesn’t have a display screen
5. VEIKK A30 Graphics Drawing Tablet for Photo Editing
With a decent amount of working space, this tablet works well for photo editing and is great for beginners on a budget.
The VEIKK A30 was greatly appreciated by consumers. It’s been praised for its affordability and sufficient functionality. Some felt limited by it, especially when they were using it for advanced projects with advanced software.
Although this drawing tablet doesn’t have a screen and isn’t the most advanced piece of technology available, the VEIKK A30 presents some features that are normally seen in higher-end models.
Features
- 8192 levels of pen pressure for realistic line drawing
- 10 x 6 inches of available working space
- Has 4 customizable shortcut keys to facilitate workflow
- Canvas can be easily adjusted with the gesture pad on the side
- Has a Type-C USB port, which adds convenience and stability
- The resolution is 5080 lines per inch
Pros
- Perfectly suitable for both left-handed and right-handed artists
- Maximized efficiency achieved from the Type-C USB port and the gesture pad
Cons
- Lacks a display screen
- Must be connected to an external device
6. GAOMON PD1560 Screen Drawing Tablet Photo Editing
If you want to take your photo-editing goals seriously without a huge investment, seek an affordable and high-end tablet like the GAOMON PD1560.
Buyers saw the GAOMON PD1560 as one of the best tablets you can get in its price range. It’s considered a fantastic alternative to many other high-end drawing tablets. Only minor glitches were mentioned by consumers; no one was heavily complaining about this tablet.
With its excellent display and high-pressure sensitivity, the GAOMON PD1560 is a perfect pen tablet for photo editing. Professionals can appreciate this decently-priced tablet for the advanced features and capabilities it provides.
Features
- The display size is 15.6-inches
- Realistic sensitivity was achieved with 8192 levels of pen pressure
- 1920 x 1080 screen resolution
- The display is easily rotatable
- 10 customizable shortcut keys benefit your creative habits
- The angle of the tablet can be adjusted with a monitor stand
- Wide color variety achieved with a 72% color gamut
Pros
- The rechargeable pen lasts a long time
- Has a very sensitive and colorful display screen
Cons
- The stylus must be recharged because it isn’t battery-free
- Must be connected to an external device
7. HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 Graphics Drawing Tablet with Screen Full-Laminated Graphics Monitor
For professionals with a heavy eye on detail and color, the HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 will probably be impressive.
Consumers consider the HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 to be a superb alternative to other more expensive tablets out on the market. Some users reported clunkiness and awkwardness when using additional features like the express keys. However, this drawing tablet amazed most of its buyers.
The HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 will be a worthy choice when you’re searching through the best tablets for photo editing. Its features may stand out to you, and they are certainly worth checking out.
Features
- The screen is fully laminated with anti-glare glass
- The 120% color gamut presents a massive number of colors for vivid imagery
- Display resolution is 1920 x 1080
- Has an accurate and long-lasting battery-free stylus
- 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity
- 15.6-inch display screen for comfortable creation
- Comes with 6 custom express keys and a touch bar that adjusts the canvas
- Has a Type-C USB port for convenience
Pros
- The anti-glare glass increases pen accuracy
- The protective glass makes this tablet last longer
- Has an extremely vivid and vibrant color display
Cons
- Must be connected to external devices
8. Wacom Cintiq 16 Screen Drawing Tablet Photo Editing
Professional photo editors will be very comfortable with the Wacom Cintiq 16.
The Wacom Cintiq 16 impressed customers a lot. They found that the price of the tablet directly reflected its quality. Although many customers were aware of other models that had higher resolutions and more accurate displays, they weren’t pushed away from the Wacom Cintiq 16.
Wacom is known for producing high-quality drawing tablets. They’re usually a bit pricey, but the Wacom Cintiq 16 stands out as one of the best Wacom tablets for photo editing. It provides every feature necessary for professional work and doesn’t come with any unnecessary extra features.
Features
- The 15.6-inch display provides ample working space
- 16.7 million colors are displayed with a 72% color gamut
- Display resolution is 1920 x 1080
- 8192 levels of pen pressure are achieved with this screen
- The pen draws power from the screen itself
- Comes with a 3-in-1 cable that includes an HDMI connection
Pros
- The battery-free pen uses the display to charge itself, adding extra convenience to this tablet
- The display provides excellent pen precision and control
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Not a standalone; must be connected to external devices
- Lacks touch input, which is included in many Wacom tablets
9. Huion GT-191 KAMVAS Graphics Monitor Tablet for Photo Editing
With the Huion GT-191 KAMVAS, you can significantly expand your working space and see your art in detail with a large screen.
The large, vibrant, and paper-like display was a major factor that satisfied buyers of the Huion GT-191 KAMVAS. A few buyers were frustrated with minor technical errors and connection issues. Some were even annoyed by the anti-glare screen protector. Few errors were large enough to ruin buyer opinions.
For a very affordable tablet with such a large screen, the Huion GT-191 KAMVAS is a great drawing tablet for photo editing. It provides all the features you need to edit your photos flawlessly and professionally.
Features
- Has a large size of 19.5 inches
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- Comfort is added by its adjustable monitor stand
- 72% color gamut is responsible for displaying many colors
- 8192 levels of pen pressure make the pen feel real
- Comes with useful extra accessories
- The drawing tablet resolution is 5080 lines per inch
- Protected with anti-glare screen
Pros
- Large enough to work excellently as a computer monitor
- The tablet’s price is low for such a large size
Cons
- Your computer must have an HDMI port in order to work with this tablet, and this may require an additional purchase
- Doesn’t have a battery-free stylus
- Must be hooked up to external devices; doesn’t stand on its own
10. Simbans PicassoTab Drawing Tablet and Stylus Pen for Photo Editing
The Simbans PicassoTab is a very unique and portable tablet that stands on its own.
Consumers considered the Simbans PicassoTab to be a great gift or a casual art tool to keep around. Its lack of professional functioning was somewhat irritating to certain customers. Overall, its performance wasn’t too disappointing and the tablet made most of its buyers happy.
The Simbans PicassoTab is better for casual artists rather than professionals. Its standalone operating system doesn’t make it great for photo editing because you can’t connect it to devices that are able to run advanced programs like Photoshop. Of all the Android tablets available, the Simbans PicassoTab is still one of the best for photo editing.
Features
- Uses its own processor
- Uses Android 8.1 Oreo operating system
- 1280 x 800 display resolution
- The screen size is 10 inches
- Assists in navigation with its GPS technology
- Connects to WiFi
- Comes with its own camera
- An HDMI port allows you to display your work externally
- The type-C USB port allows for convenient device connections
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- This product stands on its own and doesn’t require external device connections
- Because it’s standalone, it’s extremely portable
Cons
- Display resolution is lower than many other tablets
- Pen pressure is not significant
Tips on Choosing the Best Tablet for Photo Editing
It may not be instantly obvious that a drawing tablet would serve you well in the art of photo editing. Many photo editors become stuck in the habit of using their keyboard and mouse. Old comfort can prevent you from seeing the hidden benefits of a drawing tablet.
Any drawing tablet has the potential to be a great photo editing tool. Drawing tablets increase the speed of your workflow. Line strokes are made faster and more precisely on good tablets.
The process of retouching can be finished in much less time because a drawing tablet is usually more accurate and controlled than a mouse input.
You must consider the features and specifications of your drawing tablet before making a purchase. Your ability to finish projects faster will hinge on your device’s features.
For detailed work, consider the display resolution. Seeing every detail is key for professionals, and not every tablet will provide that option.
The pressure sensitivity of your drawing tablet will impact how much effort you put into every stroke. Pressure sensitivity is essential to pay attention to when you’re retouching images.
Erasing edges or covering up unwanted areas will require a lot of precision, and this can be taken care of with a highly sensitive display.
If you focus on recoloring images and photographs, the color gamut of your tablet’s display will be another crucial element to focus on.
The higher the tablet’s color gamut, the more colors can be displayed. You’ll typically want to seek a high color gamut if you’re a professional with a keen eye for detail.
Pay attention to the programs compatible with whichever drawing tablet you want.
Some drawing tablets do not have drivers that work with important photo editing programs like Photoshop. Some programs also cost a lot of money, so make sure you have a way to acquire them or find decent alternatives that are cheap.
If the tablet is a standalone product, you may not be able to use advanced software like Photoshop. The best tablets for Photoshop will need to connect to external devices. Drawing tablets with their own operating system are usually not capable of managing this.
Although a drawing tablet can help in every area of photo editing, it’s best to become aware of what exactly you’ll be doing.
If you aren’t going to spend time retouching your photographs or cleaning up details, a drawing tablet might be a waste of money. Simple rearrangements and color changes can be achieved with a keyboard and mouse.
Both beginner and professional photo editors will see a lot of value in a drawing tablet, especially if they use one for more than a week. If you’re used to using a mouse and keyboard, a drawing tablet may seem uncomfortable at first. However, many photo editors attest to the fact that acquiring a tablet significantly improved their productivity.
Photo Editing Tablets FAQ
What is the best photo editing software?
The answer to this question is going to rely a lot on what you intend to do with the software. If you plan on making basic changes to your photos, you don’t need something advanced and expensive.
If you intend on making detailed edits and heavily retouching an image, programs like Photoshop may be essential. There are other alternatives and some of those are free. You’ll find a program that works best with your needs and your particular creative style.
Remember not to jump on the bandwagon by buying Photoshop immediately. Take your time to search through other options and consider that many high-quality photo editors cost nothing.
Why is photo editing important?
Most photographs don’t come out the way you intend. Sometimes, the coloring is extremely off. Sometimes, blurs or smudges appear out of nowhere. You may even want to completely erase a part of the image.
Photo editing is completely needed to reverse these issues and transform your photographs into something more ideal. The technology and skill used to do this will significantly impact your results, and that’s why some people hire professionals to do their retouching.
Is it worth editing photos on mobile phones?
This ties into your choice of photo editing software and your particular needs. Today, many mobile phones are so advanced that they can run powerful photo editing applications. Basic errors are automatically removable with the touch of a button.
Despite the fact that this is extra convenient, this is not a cure-all solution. Some problems will be ever-present until you have them professionally taken care of.
Professionals do not use their mobile phones to make changes. Drawing tablets will help make detailed edits in ways that mobile phones cannot.
Making the Decision
An unsightly photo can be significantly improved with just a few changes made in a photo editing program. Drawing tablets speed up this process and increase the quality of the final product.
The best tablets for picture editing will have screens so that your pen strokes will be accurate and easy to control. A good tablet to choose from would be the GAOMON PD1560 because it provides every feature found in good tablets without having a large price tag. Alternatively, the Huion GT-191 KAMVAS might be suitable for photo editors interested in a large working space.
Rather than messing around with a clunky mouse and keyboard, speed up your workflow with a drawing tablet. Remember to search for tablets that meet your needs without providing extra unneeded features. Photo editing can be challenging sometimes, but that challenge will be reduced if your hardware is good enough.