Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we have looked at many tablets that use a stylus, we compared these devices and then selected the ones we thought were the best. We have shortlisted these tablets based on their display, performance, note-taking features, and other important aspects. Further, we are always on the lookout for new products to add to our list, so keep checking back for more information.
Product Reviews
- 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- Powerful M2 chip
- High brightness levels
- Apple Pencil sold separately
If you want a powerful tablet with a stylus, then you should check out the Apple iPad Pro (6th Generation). In fact, this is such a powerhouse that we think it’s one of the best tablets for photo editing.
The iPad features a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which should let you view and edit HDR media content. If you’re a creator, you’d be happy to know that the iPad features ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color – all of which should come in handy. The display offers 1000 nits of brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness, which makes it suitable for use in brightly lit rooms.
As far as performance goes, the iPad comes equipped with an M2 chip, so you should be able to handle demanding tasks like photo editing, 3D modeling, and even running professional software.
Coming to stylus compatibility, the Apple Pencil 2 works fine with this iPad. The stylus has near-zero latency and pressure sensitivity that mimics real pen and paper – so you can use it to take notes, annotate documents, sketch intricate details, or paint detailed masterpieces. However, it should be noted that the Pencil is sold separately.
Despite its massive display, the iPad Pro is surprisingly thin and lightweight, so you should be able to carry it around without feeling any bulk. Plus, you get an all-day battery, which should keep you going for hours.
- 12.4-inch AMOLED display
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- S-Pen comes included
- Expensive
If you prefer an Android tablet with a stylus, then you should check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+, which we think is one of the best Android tablets.
The Samsung tablet comes with a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED 2X screen and has a 2560 x 1600p resolution, so you can expect the device to deliver crisp, bright, and colorful pictures.
On the inside, the tablet comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which should tackle demanding tasks effortlessly, from editing high-resolution photos to playing graphically intense games.
Now, unlike Apple’s iPads, Samsung’s tablets come with an S-Pen, so you have to shell out extra money for it. The included S Pen has improved latency and pressure sensitivity, so you should be able to take notes, annotate documents, or draw with intuitive brushstrokes and detailed control.
As far as portability is concerned, the Tab S9+ is surprisingly thin and lightweight for its size, making it suitable for on-the-go productivity or entertainment. To add to that, the tablet offers an all-day battery life, so you can keep going nonstop.
- 12.7-inch 2K display
- MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor
- Lightweight and portable
- 60Hz refresh rate, not 120Hz
If you want a budget-friendly tablet that comes with a stylus, then you should check out the Lenovo Tab P12, which was released in 2023.
The Lenovo tablet comes with a spacious 12.7-inch display with a 2K resolution, which should deliver good picture quality for movies, browsing, and general multimedia consumption.
On the inside, the tablet comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, which should handle everyday tasks smoothly, letting you browse, stream videos, and work on documents without lags.
As far as productivity is concerned, you get a Tab Pen Plus that has built-in tilt detection and palm rejection for accurate strokes, so you should be able to use the pen on screen easily. Plus, it has a lost connection alert that tells you when the stylus to connected to the device or not. Further, much like some of the best tablets with a keyboard, this tablet also supports a keyboard that you can buy separately for easier typing.
Despite its larger screen, the Tab P12-2023 is surprisingly thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. To add to its travel-friendliness, you get an all-day battery life, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice.
- 13-inch PixelSense Flow display
- Intel 12th Gen i7 processor
- 8-hour battery life
- Expensive
If you want a 2-in-1 tablet that has stylus support, then you should check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – which we think is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops available.
The Surface Pro 9 comes with a vibrant 13-inch PixelSense Flow display with 2880 x 1920p resolution, so you can expect good picture quality while streaming, gaming, and browsing.
On the inside, the tablet has an Intel 12th Gen i7 processor, which should deliver smooth multitasking and handle demanding tasks. This means you can edit photos, run productivity software, or even play some games.
Much like some of the best Windows tablets, this one is also a convertible device. To turn this into a mini laptop, all you need to do is flip the kickstand and attach the keyboard. When not needed, you can unhook the keyboard and use the touchscreen instead. Now, you can use the Microsoft Surface Pen on the display for taking notes, annotations, and drawing.
As far as battery life is concerned, the tablet-cum-laptop can deliver around 8-10 hours on a single charge, thanks to the efficient processors and optimized software. Plus, considering that it only weighs 1.9 pounds, it is quite lightweight and travel-friendly.
How to pick the best tablet with a stylus
Here are a few things to keep in mind while looking for a tablet with a stylus –
Display
Assuming that you would be creating designs and drawing on your screen, you should opt for a bigger display – ideally, bigger than 10 inches. Further, you should go for a high resolution (at least 1080p) to make sure that you catch all the details on your screen. An added bonus would be a pressure-sensitive screen, which will make it easy for creators to draw and sketch.
Performance
To ensure that your creative tasks flow smoothly, you’d need a powerful processor like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Apple M2 Max. Further, for lag-free performance, you need at least 8GB of RAM and a sizable amount of storage to store your files.
Stylus Support
Now, for this guide, we are looking at only the tablets that can support stylus pens. But not all styluses are the same – some are active, and some are passive.
The active ones are often the “official” ones that the manufacturer offers with the devices. A good example would be Samsung’s S-Pen and Apple Pencil. These are often used for precise control, and they have low latency. Meanwhile, the passive styluses are less responsive, and they are often meant for casual activities.
Portability
Inspiration can strike anywhere, so it is likely that you will end up carrying your tablet around with you. Plus, you might also have to hold your tablet in one hand – so you should go for a lightweight tablet. And to power through your creative sessions, look for a tablet that delivers at least 8 to 10 hours of battery life.
Do all tablets work with a stylus?
Most tablets should work with a basic stylus pen, granted that the screen isn’t damaged. How well they work with a stylus is more down to the tablet itself and the pen.
If you are looking to draw or take notes, then we’d suggest going for an “active” stylus like the Apple Pencil or Samsung S-Pen. These styluses are pressure-sensitive and come loaded with features that make writing and drawing easier. Meanwhile, the “passive” styluses are the ones that make navigation and controls easier.
Our Verdict
The definitive answer is simple: Apple has one of the best styluses on the market. The iPad Pro 12.9 is the perfect fit to complete a relationship so balanced that not only lets you do the most demanding illustrations and photo editing, but also makes your life that much easier via simple tasks, like note-taking or just making quick annotations in presentation mode. Apple’s stylus and tablet combo prove time again to be among the most top-tier, despite their exorbitant price points.