A big step up for Huion’s standalone tablets, the Kamvas Pad 12 is a very good portable device for sketching and painting, provided you stick to lower-end apps and games. The etched glass with a paper-like feel and the responsive PenTech 4.0 stylus make drawing a pleasure. Included pre-installed art apps and a generous set of extras add to its value. For the price, it’s a solid buy as an entry-level drawing tablet. However, its processor isn’t as powerful as its rivals, and while it handles everyday sketching well, fine line detail and outright precision are still out of reach.

Despite its flaws, the Kamvas Pad 12 feels designed for artists from day one, with a hint of lag that doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience. It’s a joy to carry around and use when inspiration strikes. The longer I drew, the more I liked it, especially on small details where a steady line is key. The drawing experience is smooth, with fast flicks not stuttering and slow lines not wandering. However, very fine detail work reveals a little latency, the line sitting a millimetre behind the nib. Loose painting and big sketching hide it well, but if you’re used to a top-end iPad Pro or Wacom, you’ll spot it. Still, for everyday sketching, inking, and painting, it will work just fine.

Overall, the Kamvas Pad 12 is a budget-friendly option for artists looking for a reliable and enjoyable drawing experience. It’s not perfect, but it gets the small things right. For the price, it’s worth the money as a starter drawing tablet.