Recommended Tablets For Procreate Review: Best Picks

If you’re looking to dive into digital art with Procreate, picking the right tablet is key. Not all tablets are created equal when it comes to this powerful app. Don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed; it’s a common question for aspiring digital artists! Finding a device that feels natural, runs Procreate smoothly, and fits your budget can seem tricky. This guide will break it down, helping you understand which tablets are the absolute best for bringing your creative visions to life. Let’s find your perfect digital canvas! Throughout this article, we’ll explore the top contenders and what makes them shine for Procreate users, making your choice much simpler.

Recommended Tablets For Procreate Review: Best Picks

Welcome to Tabletzoo! As your friendly guide to all things tablets, I know how exciting – and sometimes a little daunting – it is to choose the perfect tool for a specific passion. Procreate is an incredibly popular and powerful drawing and painting app that runs exclusively on Apple’s iPadOS devices. This means your search for the best Procreate tablet will naturally lead you to the iPad. But with several iPad models available, which one is the “best pick” for you?

Choosing the right iPad for Procreate isn’t just about getting the most expensive model; it’s about finding the right balance of performance, screen quality, portability, and price that suits your artistic needs and budget. Think of it like choosing the right brush for a painting – you need the one that feels right in your hand and helps you achieve your desired effect.

This review will walk you through the top recommended tablets for Procreate, focusing on what makes each one a great choice. We’ll break down the key features you should be looking for, compare some of the leading models, and help you make a confident decision. Get ready to unlock your digital art potential!

To get started with Procreate, you’ll need a compatible iPad and the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil is essential for the precision and pressure sensitivity that digital art demands. While third-party styluses exist for other tablet types, Procreate’s deep integration with the Apple Pencil is a major reason why iPads are the go-to choice for many artists.

What Makes an iPad Great for Procreate?

Before we dive into specific models, let’s understand what makes an iPad the ideal platform for Procreate. It boils down to a few key elements:

• Performance: Procreate can be demanding, especially with large canvases, many layers, and complex brushes. A faster processor (even an older but still capable one) ensures smooth operation, quick brush strokes, and minimal lag.
• Screen Quality: You’ll be spending hours looking at your screen. A high-resolution display with excellent color accuracy means your artwork will look vibrant and true to life. Features like the P3 wide color gamut are a big plus.
• Apple Pencil Support: Procreate leverages the Apple Pencil’s pressure and tilt sensitivity. This allows for natural-looking strokes that vary in opacity and thickness based on how hard you press and the angle of your Pencil. Make sure the iPad you choose officially supports an Apple Pencil model.
• Screen Size: While Procreate works on all supported iPads, a larger screen offers more workspace, making it easier to see details and manoeuvre your artwork without constant zooming.
• Storage: Procreate itself doesn’t take up a huge amount of space, but your artwork files can add up quickly, especially if you create many large, high-resolution pieces. More storage means more art!
• Portability: Some artists prefer a smaller, lighter iPad for sketching on the go, while others want a larger “digital canvas” experience that rivals a traditional drawing board.

The Best iPads for Procreate: Top Picks Reviewed

When it comes to Procreate, the iPad ecosystem is the place to be. Here are our top recommendations, catering to different needs and budgets.

1. The All-Around Champion: iPad Air (M2, 2024)

The latest iPad Air models are fantastic all-rounders that strike a brilliant balance. They offer powerful performance, a beautiful display, and support for the latest Apple Pencil features. For most aspiring and intermediate Procreate artists, this is likely to be the sweet spot.

Key Features for Procreate:

• M2 Chip: This chip is incredibly powerful, handling complex Procreate files with ease. You’ll experience minimal lag, even with many layers.
• 10.9-inch or 13-inch display: The larger 13-inch option provides a more expansive canvas, which is a huge advantage for detailed work. The Liquid Retina display is sharp and color-accurate.
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C): Access to the latest Apple Pencil features like barrel roll and hover (with Apple Pencil Pro) adds another layer of creative control.
• Good Portability: While the 13-inch is larger, both Air models remain relatively light and easy to carry.

Pros:

• Excellent performance for Procreate
• Beautiful, color-accurate display
• Choice of screen sizes
• Supports the latest Apple Pencil features
• More affordable than the iPad Pro

Cons:

• Base storage can be a bit low for heavy users (consider upgrading or cloud storage)
• Doesn’t have ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate), which the Pro models do

2. The Professional’s Choice: iPad Pro (M4, 2024) – 11-inch & 13-inch

If budget isn’t your primary concern and you want the absolute best performance and features available, the iPad Pro is the king. With the latest M4 chip, these iPads are powerhouses that can handle anything you throw at them.

Key Features for Procreate:

• Apple M4 Chip: This is Apple’s most powerful mobile chip yet, offering desktop-class performance. Procreate will fly, even with the most demanding projects.
• Stunning Tandem OLED Displays: The new “Ultra Retina XDR” displays are simply breathtaking. They offer incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy, making them perfect for detailed digital art.
• ProMotion Technology (120Hz refresh rate): This makes drawing feel incredibly fluid and responsive, mimicking the feel of drawing on paper.
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro: Get the most advanced Apple Pencil experience with features like barrel roll, hover, and advanced haptics.
• USB-C Thunderbolt/USB 4: Faster data transfer for importing/exporting files and connecting accessories.

Pros:

• Unmatched performance for any app, including Procreate
• Best-in-class display technology for color accuracy and detail
• Ultra-smooth drawing experience with ProMotion
• Supports the most advanced Apple Pencil features

Cons:

• The most expensive option
• Might be overkill for casual users or beginners
• OLED displays may be more susceptible to burn-in with static content over very long periods (though less of a concern for art creation).

3. The Budget-Friendly Gem: iPad (10th generation, 2022)

For those just starting out or on a tighter budget, the standard iPad can be a surprisingly capable option for Procreate. While it lacks some of the high-end features of the Air and Pro models, it still provides a solid entry point into the world of digital art.

Key Features for Procreate:

• A14 Bionic Chip: Still a powerful chip that handles Procreate perfectly well for most tasks. You might notice a little more lag on extremely complex pieces, but it’s generally very smooth.
• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display: A good-sized, sharp display for most users.
• Supports Apple Pencil (1st generation) & Apple Pencil (USB-C): Be aware that it uses the older Apple Pencil (1st gen) which charges via Lightning from the iPad itself, or the more convenient USB-C version. Using the Pencil 1 requires an adapter for charging, which can be a bit fiddly.
• Most Affordable: This is usually the most budget-friendly way to get into Procreate on an iPad.

Pros:

• Most affordable entry point for Procreate on iPad
• Good performance for beginners and intermediate users
• Decent screen size

Cons:

• Supports only the Apple Pencil (1st gen) or USB-C, which lack some advanced features (like tilt sensitivity on the Pencil 1, and pressure can vary). The connection and charging for Pencil 1 is clunky.
• No ProMotion display for a super-smooth feel
• The design is a bit older compared to newer models (e.g., speaker placement)

4. The Compact Creator: iPad Mini (6th generation, 2021)

If you prioritize portability above all else and love sketching on the go, the iPad Mini is a fantastic choice. Don’t let its small size fool you; it packs a punch.

Key Features for Procreate:

• A15 Bionic Chip: Very capable and handles Procreate smoothly.
• 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display: While smaller, the resolution is still sharp. This size is perfect for sketching in a notebook-sized form factor.
• Supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation): The magnetic charging and pairing are super convenient.
• Ultra-Portable: It fits easily into a jacket pocket or small bag.

Pros:

• Extremely portable and lightweight
• Great performance for its size
• Supports the convenient Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
• Wonderful for on-the-go sketching and note-taking

Cons:

• The smaller screen size can be restrictive for larger, more detailed artwork.
• No ProMotion display.
• Can be fiddly to use for extended periods due to its compact nature if you’re used to larger devices.

Apple Pencil Compatibility: A Quick Guide

It’s crucial to match your iPad with the correct Apple Pencil. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Apple Pencil (1st generation): Works with iPad (9th gen and earlier), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen). Charges via Lightning.
• Apple Pencil (2nd generation): Works with iPad Air (4th gen & later), iPad mini (6th gen), iPad Pro (all models from 2018 on). Charges magnetically on the side.
• Apple Pencil (USB-C): Works with all iPads that have a USB-C port (iPad Pro models from 2018 onward, iPad Air models from 2020 onward, iPad mini models from 2021 onward, and iPad 10th gen). Charges and pairs via USB-C. It offers pressure sensitivity but lacks tilt and hover.
• Apple Pencil Pro: Works with iPad Air (M2 models) and iPad Pro (M4 models). Offers the most advanced features including hover, barrel roll, and haptic feedback.

For Procreate, the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and Apple Pencil Pro are generally preferred due to their seamless charging and pairing. The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is a good, more affordable option that works great for pressure sensitivity.

iPad Storage Considerations for Procreate

When choosing an iPad, storage is a significant factor for digital artists. Procreate itself is not very large, but your artwork files can grow rapidly. Each Procreate artwork can consume a considerable amount of space, especially when working with high-resolution canvases and numerous layers.

Here’s what to consider:

• Minimum Recommended: 64GB is the absolute minimum, but you might find yourself running out of space quickly if you plan to create many large illustrations.
• Sweet Spot: 256GB is a great compromise for most users. It offers enough breathing room for a good number of projects, brushes, and Procreate itself.
• For Professionals/Heavy Users: 512GB or 1TB is ideal if you work with extremely large files, high-resolution print work, or plan to store a vast library of artwork directly on your device.

If you choose an iPad with less storage, make sure to have a strategy for backing up your work. You can export your Procreate files to cloud services like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. You can also back up to your computer or an external hard drive.

iPad Model	Best For	Processor	Apple Pencil Support	Screen Size	Price Range (USD, Approx.)	Overall Recommendation for Procreate
iPad Pro (M4, 2024)	Professionals, Enthusiasts, Best Performance	Apple M4	Apple Pencil Pro	11-inch, 13-inch	$999+	Top Tier: Unmatched power, display, and responsiveness. The ultimate digital canvas.
iPad Air (M2, 2024)	Serious Hobbyists, Students, Balanced Power	Apple M2	Apple Pencil Pro / USB-C	10.9-inch, 13-inch	$599+	Excellent All-Rounder: Fantastic performance, great display, and good value. The sweet spot for many.
iPad (10th gen, 2022)	Beginners, Budget-Conscious Artists	A14 Bionic	Apple Pencil (1st gen) / USB-C	10.9-inch	$329+	Great Starter Option: Affordable entry into Procreate with solid performance. Be mindful of Pencil compatibility.
iPad Mini (6th gen, 2021)	On-the-Go Artists, Sketchers	A15 Bionic	Apple Pencil (2nd gen)	8.3-inch	$499+	Best Portability: Tiny but mighty for sketching anywhere. Screen size is the main limitation for larger projects.

Choosing Your Apple Pencil

The Apple Pencil is your digital paintbrush. Getting the right one makes a huge difference in your Procreate experience.

• Apple Pencil Pro: The latest and greatest. Offers advanced features like barrel roll for brush manipulation and haptic feedback for a more tactile drawing experience. Best paired with the latest M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro.
• Apple Pencil (2nd generation): A very close second. It offers pressure and tilt sensitivity, charges magnetically, and pairs wirelessly. It’s excellent and works with a wide range of recent iPads.
• Apple Pencil (USB-C): A more affordable option that provides essential pressure sensitivity. It’s functional and a good choice if budget is a constraint, but lacks tilt and hover capabilities.
• Apple Pencil (1st generation): The original. It works well, offering pressure sensitivity, but charging it directly from the iPad’s Lightning port feels dated and cumbersome. It may also require a dongle to charge.

For Procreate, I generally recommend the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or Apple Pencil Pro for the best user experience due to their convenience and enhanced features. The USB-C version is a solid, more budget-friendly pick.

What About Android Tablets for Procreate?

This is a common question, and the answer is straightforward: Procreate is exclusively available for iPadOS. You cannot download or run Procreate on Android tablets. If you’re set on using Procreate, an iPad is your only option.

However, if you’re open to Android tablets and their respective drawing apps, there are excellent alternatives like:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S series (<a href=”https://www.samsung.com/us/tablets/galaxy-tab-s9