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Best Drawing Tablets for Architects in 2024

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best for every need

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: August 1st, 2024

Last Updated: August 2nd, 2024

✏️With architectural design leaning heavily into the digital space, having the right tools can make a world of difference. A quality drawing tablet is essential for effortlessly sketching, rendering, and presenting your designs. We dove deep into the research, considering a myriad of reviews, to bring you the best drawing tablets that fit various needs and budgets. Keep reading to find the one that’s going to take your design process to the next level.

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Overall Best: Wacom Cintiq 22

Wacom Cintiq 22 Drawing Tablet with HD Screen, Graphic Monitor, 8192 Pressure-Levels (DTK2260K0A) 2019 Version

The Wacom Cintiq 22 is our top choice for architects, offering an ideal blend of functionality and value. Its expansive 22-inch Full HD screen provides ample space for detailed drawings, while the anti-glare finish ensures comfortable viewing under various lighting conditions. The renowned Wacom Pen 2, with its 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, captures every nuance of your strokes, making your digital sketches feel incredibly lifelike. According to the manufacturer, this tablet integrates seamlessly with major design software, making it a versatile option for both novice and experienced professionals aiming to enhance their digital craft.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$1,249.00 at Amazon

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Runner-up: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)

2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) - Silver

Our runner-up, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), is celebrated for its exceptional versatility and powerful performance. With its M1 chip, this tablet can effortlessly handle demanding architectural software. The Apple Pencil, known for its high-pressure sensitivity and low latency, delivers an outstanding drawing experience with precise control. The vivid Retina display boasts excellent color accuracy, bringing your designs to life in stunning detail. Beyond its drawing capabilities, the iPad Pro serves as a robust multifunctional device, making it an indispensable tool for architects who need flexibility and mobility.

Lowest at Amazon

$999.00 at Amazon

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$706.99 at Newegg.com

More Answers

Still curious about the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

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Does the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch have blooming issues with the display?

Hey! So, about the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch and its display—there's been some talk about blooming issues. Blooming is that halo effect you might notice around bright objects against a dark background. According to our research, a few folks have mentioned seeing this on this model. The manufacturer's description talks about its Liquid Retina XDR display, which uses mini-LED tech. This setup is supposed to deliver great brightness and contrast, perfect for HDR content. But with the many tiny LEDs working behind the scenes, some blooming can pop up, especially in low-light settings or with high-contrast images. From what we've gathered, some people notice this effect more than others. However, many still think the overall display experience is fantastic, thanks to qualities like its color accuracy and brightness. It's more noticeable if you're actively looking for it or if you're comparing it directly to [OLED](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DOLED%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) displays, which handle contrast in their own way. If this is a concern for you, it might be worth checking out some reviews or testing it in person to see what you think. Despite this blooming issue, lots of people are finding the iPad Pro 12.9-inch a great device for things like creative work, media consumption, and productivity.

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What is the battery life of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch?

Hey there! So, if you're wondering about the battery life of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch, here's the scoop. The manufacturer says you can expect about 10 hours of use on a full charge, whether that's surfing the web via Wi-Fi or watching videos. Pretty solid for a day of regular use! Our research shows that actual battery life can vary depending on how you're using the iPad. If you're into gaming or using apps that need more power, you might see the battery drain a bit faster. But for everyday tasks, people generally find it holds up pretty well. If you're using the [Apple Pencil](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dapple%2Bpencil%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) or [Magic Keyboard](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dmagic%2Bkeyboard%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) (which you'll need to buy separately), these gadgets can make the iPad even more fun and productive. Just keep in mind, things like the Apple Pencil can charge right on the iPad, which is super handy! And a quick tip: to keep the battery health in check, try to avoid really hot or cold places and, if you're not using it for a while, store it halfway charged. That'll help the battery last longer over time. Overall, the iPad Pro is great for most of your day-to-day needs. But if you're going to be away from a charger for a while, maybe think about a power bank to keep it going. With its strong performance and decent battery life, it's a solid choice for both casual and professional use.

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How does the M1 chip improve performance on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch?

The M1 chip really steps up the game for the iPad Pro 12.9-inch. It's like having a laptop’s power in a tablet. Apple mentions that this chip delivers desktop-level processing power, which means you can run demanding apps and tasks smoothly. From our research, it looks like the M1 chip packs an 8-core CPU that boosts performance by up to 50% compared to older models. This is great if you're into stuff like video editing, 3D modeling, or gaming—everything runs a lot smoother. The graphics performance is also enhanced with the M1's 8-core GPU, offering about 40% faster speeds. This means tasks that need heavy graphics, like photo editing or designing, are much easier. Particularly for creatives, the Liquid Retina XDR display is known for its amazing brightness and contrast, which pairs wonderfully with the M1’s capabilities. Apart from speed, the M1 chip updates the Neural Engine to a 16-core setup, which means better machine learning tasks like photo edits and language processing—they become quicker and more accurate. Even with all this power, the iPad Pro’s battery life stays impressive because the M1 chip is efficient with energy. You can keep going for longer periods without plugging in. On top of that, the chip allows faster storage access, so loading big apps and files is quicker, improving your overall experience. In short, the M1 chip turns the iPad Pro 12.9-inch into a strong contender for replacing a traditional computer. It’s portable yet powerful, making it a solid choice if you want a device that handles heavy tasks without breaking a sweat.

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Budget Pick: Huion Kamvas Pro 16

HUION KAMVAS Pro 16 2.5K QHD Drawing Tablet with Screen QLED Full-Laminated Graphics Tablet with Battery-Free Pen, 15.8-inch Digital Art Tablet Compatible with Mac, PC, Android & Linux 15.6inch 2.5K QHD

For architects on a budget, the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 stands out as an exceptional value without sacrificing quality. This tablet features a Full HD display and a responsive pen with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, ensuring a satisfying drawing experience. Its compact size is ideal for smaller workspaces or for architects who require a portable solution. Despite its affordability, the Kamvas Pro 16 supports seamless integration with a variety of design software, making it a reliable entry-level option for budding architects or those looking to optimize their spending.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$599.00 at Amazon

Best Versatile Option: Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i7 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 16GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Graphite Microsoft Copilot

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 excels as a versatile 2-in-1 device, functioning as both a drawing tablet and a laptop. This dual capability is perfect for architects who need to transition seamlessly between sketching and traditional computing tasks. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and featuring a high-resolution PixelSense display, the Surface Pro 9 offers smooth performance and stylus compatibility. Its portability and multitasking prowess make it an excellent choice for architects on the move, who require a comprehensive yet flexible tool in their workflow.

Lowest at Amazon

$1,539.99 at Amazon

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$1,089.00 at Walmart

Best for 3D Artists: XP-Pen Artist Pro 24

For architects and 3D artists, the XP-Pen Artist Pro 24 offers an impressive 23.8-inch display and robust processing capabilities. The large screen accommodates intricate designs and provides ample space for detailed 3D modeling. Compatible with multiple operating systems, including Android, Windows, and iOS, this tablet integrates well with popular software such as Adobe and Blender. According to the manufacturer, its high graphic range and powerful performance make the XP-Pen Artist Pro 24 an ideal choice for professionals seeking a specialized tool to bring their complex architectural and 3D designs to life.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$649.99 at Amazon

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