Summary of "Can the World’s Cheapest Drawing Tablet Make Good Art? (Huion 420)"

Huion 420 Drawing Tablet Review

World’s cheapest drawing tablet

Main Features

Very small active drawing area: approximately 4 inches wide by 2.2 inches deep (slightly bigger than a credit card).
USB connection to computer (no built-in screen).
Comes with two pens and extra pen nibs with a replacement tool.
Pressure sensitivity: 2000 levels (lower than newer tablets with up to 8000 levels).
Compatible with drawing software such as Adobe Photoshop (paid) and free alternatives like Krita and Medibang.
Lightweight and highly portable.

Pros

Extremely affordable (~$20), making it accessible for beginners or those on a tight budget.
Sufficient pressure sensitivity for most drawing needs despite being lower-end.
Comes with two pens, which is a nice bonus.
Can produce portfolio-quality artwork with enough practice.
Small size can encourage zooming in on details, potentially improving line accuracy.
Lightweight and easy to carry.

Cons

Very small drawing surface leads to a steep learning curve and initial difficulty in controlling lines.
Requires adjustment in drawing technique (more wrist and finger movement rather than whole arm).
Can cause hand fatigue due to the small active area and drawing style required.
Lines can initially be wobbly and inaccurate.
No built-in screen; drawing is done on the tablet but viewed on a separate computer screen, which can be disorienting.
Requires downloading drivers online and setup can be a bit cumbersome.
Not ideal for artists used to larger tablets or screen tablets like iPad Pro or Cintiq.
The tablet’s small size makes detailed work more challenging without zooming.

User Experience

Initial difficulty adapting to the small drawing area and different hand movements.
Zooming in on the canvas helps compensate for the small active area and improves line quality.
After some practice (about 30-45 minutes), the user became more comfortable and was able to produce clean, cartoony ink lines.
Coloring was easier than inking, as precision was less critical.
The user’s hand got tired after extended use due to the small size and wrist-focused drawing.
Despite limitations, the final artwork was comparable in quality to pieces made on more expensive devices like the iPad Pro.
Pressure sensitivity was adequate and did not hinder the drawing process significantly.

Comparisons

Compared to iPad Pro and larger Cintiq tablets, the Huion 420 is much smaller and less sophisticated.
Pressure sensitivity is lower than newer tablets (2000 vs. 8000+ levels), but this did not negatively impact the user’s workflow.
The user emphasized that skill and practice matter more than having the latest or most expensive hardware.
The Huion 420 is positioned as an entry-level device that can still produce good art if the artist adapts.

Additional Notes

The reviewer used Adobe Photoshop but acknowledged free software alternatives.
The video also briefly promoted Squarespace for showcasing artwork online.
The reviewer humorously rated the tablet “8 out of 10” with the main caution not to slam it on the desk.

Different Views / Aspects from the Reviewer

Skeptical at first about the tablet’s capability due to size and price.
Emphasized the importance of skill over hardware specs.
Found pressure sensitivity less important than commonly believed.
Noted the ergonomic challenge of drawing on such a small tablet.
Ultimately impressed by the quality achievable with the Huion 420 after adjustment.

Verdict / Overall Recommendation

The Huion 420 is an excellent ultra-budget drawing tablet for beginners or artists on a strict budget. While its small size and limited features present a learning curve and some ergonomic challenges, it is fully capable of producing portfolio-quality artwork with patience and practice. Pressure sensitivity and technical specs are sufficient for most digital art tasks. It is not a replacement for high-end devices like the iPad Pro or Cintiq but proves that good art can be made without expensive tools. Recommended for those starting out or needing a highly portable, inexpensive drawing solution.