I remember the feeling well. Staring at the incredible digital art online, filled with a burning desire to create something similar, only to be stopped dead by the staggering price tags on professional-grade equipment. For years, the world of digital illustration felt like an exclusive club with a four-figure entry fee. The barrier wasn’t a lack of passion, but a lack of accessible tools. This frustration is a common story for students, aspiring artists, and hobbyists who want to translate their ideas from paper to pixel without remortgaging their house. The fear is that a “budget” option means a compromised experience—laggy pens, poor sensitivity, and a workflow so clunky it extinguishes the creative spark. It’s this very problem that drove us to find a tool that could genuinely democratise digital art, a device that offers performance without the punishing price. The GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet aims to be that very solution.
- 【PASSIVE and ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PEN】-- It is a battery-free stylus which adopts the most advanced passive technology, no battery and no charging required. This environment-friendly pen, allows...
- 【8192 HIGH LEVEL PEN PRESSURE & 4 CUSTOMIZABLE EXPRESS KEYS】-- It will provide you precise control and accuracy at your fingertips, to bring more natural lines and enhance creative performance. 4...
What to Consider Before Buying a Graphics Tablet
A graphics tablet is more than just a peripheral; it’s a key solution that bridges the gap between traditional and digital art. It provides a natural, intuitive way to draw, paint, and edit that a standard mouse simply cannot replicate. The primary benefit lies in its pressure sensitivity, allowing an artist to vary line weight and opacity with the subtlety of a real pencil or brush. This unlocks a new level of expression for digital illustrators, photo editors, 3D modellers, and online educators who need to annotate documents or whiteboards in real-time. It transforms a static, clinical computer interface into a fluid, responsive canvas.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the entry-level barrier we just discussed: students taking their first design course, hobbyists wanting to explore digital painting, or professionals in other fields (like teaching) who need a precise input device for presentations and notes. It’s a perfect first step. However, it might not be suitable for those who are established professional artists requiring a massive drawing area or the direct visual feedback of drawing on a screen. For them, a larger pen display or a standalone drawing computer would be a more appropriate, albeit far more expensive, alternative. The GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet is designed to be the perfect starting point, not the final destination for a seasoned veteran of a major animation studio.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Active Area: The active area is your digital canvas. A smaller tablet, like the S620’s 6.5 x 4 inches, is incredibly portable and perfect for working on laptops or in limited desk space. However, artists who use broad, sweeping arm movements may find a larger surface more comfortable. Consider your workflow and physical space before deciding.
- Performance & Specs: Three numbers are key: Pen Pressure Levels (LPI), Lines Per Inch (LPI), and Report Rate (PPS). The S620’s 8192 pressure levels offer immense nuance in line variation. Its 5080 LPI resolution ensures high detail and precision, and the 266 PPS report rate means your lines appear on screen with virtually no perceptible lag. These specs are crucial for a smooth and responsive drawing experience.
- Stylus Type & Ergonomics: Pens can be active (requiring batteries or charging) or passive (battery-free). The S620 uses a passive, battery-free stylus, which is a massive advantage. You never have to worry about the pen dying mid-session, making it more reliable and maintenance-free. Also, consider the pen’s shape, weight, and button placement for long-term comfort.
- Ease of Use & Compatibility: A great tablet is useless if it doesn’t work with your system. Check for compatibility with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Android) and your preferred software (Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, etc.). The GAOMON S620 boasts broad compatibility, and its plug-and-play nature, supplemented by an optional driver for customisation, makes it very user-friendly.
This groundwork is essential to ensure you choose a tablet that empowers, rather than hinders, your creative process.
While the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 【Widely Application】UGEE M708 graphic drawing tablet, features 10 x 6 inch large active drawing space with papery texture surface, provides enormous and smooth drawing for your digital artwork...
- 【PASSIVE and ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PEN】-- It is a battery-free stylus which adopts the most advanced passive technology, no battery and no charging required. This environment-friendly pen, allows...
- One by Wacom Medium: Graphics tablet with an active area of 8.5 x 5.3 inch (21,6 x 13,5 cm) – Perfect digital drawing pad with a variety of possibilities: whether digital sketching, photo-editing,...
First Impressions: Unboxing the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet
From the moment we opened the box, the GAOMON S620 conveyed a sense of thoughtful, efficient design. The packaging is compact and secure, presenting the tablet, the battery-free Artpaint AP32 stylus, a set of replacement nibs (and a nib remover tool), and the necessary cabling, including USB-C and Micro-USB adapters for Android connectivity. This immediate inclusion of adapters is a fantastic touch, signalling that GAOMON understands the modern, multi-device workflow of its users. The tablet itself is impressively slim and lightweight, weighing in at a mere 249 grams. It feels sturdy enough for daily use and travel without being cumbersome. The matte black surface has a subtle texture, and the four customisable express keys are neatly arranged along the top edge (or side, depending on orientation), easily accessible without being intrusive. Compared to older, bulkier entry-level tablets, the S620 feels sleek and modern. It doesn’t scream “premium” with metal finishes, but its build quality is far superior to what its budget price tag might suggest, a sentiment echoed by users who are “chocked at the quality for this price.” It’s clear this is a product designed for accessibility, and you can see all the included accessories online.
What We Like
- Exceptional value for money, offering professional-grade specs at an entry-level price.
- The passive, battery-free stylus ensures uninterrupted creative sessions.
- Highly portable and lightweight design, perfect for students and travel.
- Impressive 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity for nuanced and precise line work.
- Broad compatibility with Windows, macOS, Android, and major creative software.
Drawbacks
- Official drivers can sometimes require troubleshooting or administrative privileges to work correctly.
- Some users, particularly OSU! gamers, have reported occasional cursor freezing issues.
- The pen’s rubber grip can become slippery during long periods of use.
A Deep Dive into the GAOMON S620’s Real-World Performance
Specs on a page are one thing, but the true test of a graphics tablet is how it performs under pressure—both literally and figuratively. We put the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet through its paces across a range of applications, from intricate digital illustration in Krita and Clip Studio Paint to photo retouching in Photoshop and even some frantic gameplay in OSU!. Our goal was to see if this affordable device could truly keep up with the demands of a creative workflow and stand as a viable tool for aspiring artists.
Setup and Software: From Box to Canvas in Minutes
One of the most intimidating aspects of new hardware is the setup process. Thankfully, the GAOMON S620 makes this remarkably straightforward. For basic functionality, it’s virtually plug-and-play on both Windows and macOS. We connected the tablet, the OS recognised it as an input device, and we were able to move the cursor with the pen immediately. This is fantastic for users who just want to jump right in. As one user noted, “this device was up & running in no time, I didn’t install any drivers etc just plugged & played with photoshop cs and it worked liked a charm.”
However, to unlock the tablet’s full potential—namely, the pressure sensitivity and customisable express keys—installing the official GAOMON driver is essential. The process is simple: download the latest version from their website, uninstall any other tablet drivers to prevent conflicts (a crucial step!), and run the installer. We did encounter a minor hiccup where the software didn’t initially recognise the tablet, a problem echoed by a user who advised that the software “need to run with administrator privileges.” A quick relaunch of the driver software as an administrator solved the issue instantly. Inside the software, the interface is clean and intuitive. You can map the active area, adjust the pressure curve to your liking, and assign any keyboard shortcut or function to the four tablet keys and two pen buttons. We set ours up for Undo, Pan, Zoom In, and Zoom Out, which dramatically sped up our workflow. Once set up, the performance is remarkable, a fact you can confirm by reading more user experiences.
The Drawing Experience: Pressure, Precision, and Surface Feel
This is where the GAOMON S620 truly shines and defies its price tag. The drawing experience is, in a word, excellent. The 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity are not just a marketing number; they translate into tangible, precise control over your digital brush. Transitioning from a hairline sketch to a thick, bold stroke is smooth and intuitive. The pen reacts beautifully, making our digital writing look “much more natural,” as one online educator reported. The tablet’s surface has a finely-textured finish that provides just the right amount of resistance. Many users compare it favourably to the feel of paper, noting the pen “glided well, nice bit of resistance, not as much as paper but enough to make it comfortable.” This tactile feedback is critical for control and prevents the slippery, “drawing on glass” feeling that plagues some cheaper tablets.
The technical specifications back up this real-world performance. The 266 PPS (Points Per Second) report rate ensures that lines appear on screen with no discernible lag, keeping up with even our fastest strokes. The 5080 LPI (Lines Per Inch) resolution allows for incredible precision, making detailed work and fine adjustments a breeze. We did, however, notice a minor issue that one user pointed out: “Very very careful lines sometimes don’t get picked up.” This was only apparent when attempting extremely light, slow, and tentative strokes, and for the vast majority of drawing and writing, it was a non-issue. The 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity are a feature that really sets it apart at this price point, delivering a core drawing experience that rivals devices costing three or four times as much.
Ergonomics and Portability: Your Go-Anywhere Digital Sketchbook
The physical design of the GAOMON S620 is one of its strongest assets. Its compact 21.11 x 17.4 cm footprint and razor-thin profile make it an ideal companion for a laptop. It slips into any backpack or laptop sleeve without adding noticeable bulk or weight. We found it incredibly convenient for sketching ideas on the go, transforming a coffee shop table into a temporary art studio. The 6.5 x 4-inch active area is a well-judged compromise; it’s large enough for comfortable drawing and photo editing without making the device unwieldy. Users working on very large monitors might want to map the tablet to a specific portion of their screen via the driver, but for our work on a 2K display, it calibrated perfectly and felt great.
The Artpaint AP32 stylus is comfortable to hold, with a weight and balance that feels similar to a traditional pen. The two programmable buttons are placed within easy reach of the index finger, perfect for quick access to functions like right-click or switching to an eraser. The battery-free technology is a game-changer, removing any anxiety about charging. However, we did notice the same issue a few users mentioned: the rubber grip can become a bit slippery after an extended, intense drawing session. One user found they “had to wrap the stylus to be able to hold it properly.” While a drawing glove (often included in some packages) can mitigate this, it’s a minor ergonomic flaw worth noting in an otherwise excellent design.
Beyond Art: A Versatile Tool for OSU!, Online Learning, and More
While designed for artists, the tablet’s utility extends far beyond digital painting. We found it to be an exceptional tool for online teaching and remote work. Annotating PDFs, whiteboarding complex ideas during a video call, or signing documents digitally in Adobe Acrobat is far more natural and precise with the S620 than a mouse. One teacher confirmed it’s been “great” for their use in online education. The Android compatibility is another huge plus. Using the included adapters, we connected it to a smartphone and were sketching in IbisPaint X within seconds. A cursor appears on the phone screen, making it easy to see where you’re drawing. As one user enthused, it’s “way better than a notebook and pen” for portable creativity.
The tablet is also famous within the rhythm game community, specifically for OSU!. Its high report rate and absolute positioning make it a popular choice. However, this is where we must address its most significant potential flaw. A small but vocal group of competitive OSU! players have reported a persistent issue where the “cursor will freeze with any input on the tablet other than stylus location.” This means clicking a key while hovering the pen can cause a momentary stutter, which is fatal in a high-speed game. While we didn’t experience this during our drawing tests, for dedicated OSU! players, this is a serious consideration that may lead them to seek alternative tablets or third-party drivers.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the user sentiment for the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet is overwhelmingly positive, especially when factoring in its price. The most common praise is for its incredible value. Users frequently describe it as a “cheap alternative for artists” that “just works” and delivers “Wacom-quality” performance for a fraction of the cost. Beginners, students, and hobbyists celebrate its ease of setup and the immediate, tangible improvement it brings to their digital art and online work. One freelance artist, who uses it for Blender and Clip Studio Paint, found it to be a “decent” and reliable tool that proved GAOMON is a “good company.”
However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms. The most prominent negative point, as we also noted, revolves around driver instability and performance quirks. The cursor freezing issue is a significant concern for the OSU! gaming community. Another user experienced a “mouse was stuck from the moment I purchased,” indicating that while rare, faulty units are a possibility. The finicky nature of the official drivers, sometimes requiring administrative privileges or conflicting with other software, is another recurring theme. These issues, while often solvable, detract from the otherwise seamless plug-and-play experience that many users enjoy.
How Does the GAOMON S620 Compare to the Competition?
The GAOMON S620 operates in a fiercely competitive market, but its primary strength is offering core functionality at an ultra-budget price. To understand its place, it’s best to compare it against alternatives that represent the next steps up in features and price. While you’re weighing your options, if you’re just starting, the simplicity and low cost of the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet remains a compelling choice.
1. HUION KAMVAS 16 (Gen 3) 15.8 inch 2.5K Drawing Tablet
- [2.5K QHD Resolution] The perfect combination of 2.5K QHD (2560×1440) resolution and 15.8-inch size, Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) art tablet achieves a pixel density of 186 PPI, providing a sharp and...
- [Accurate Color Display] Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) digital art tablet boasts a high-quality screen that covers 99% of the sRGB and Rec.709 color gamuts, as well as 90% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. △E<1.5...
The HUION KAMVAS 16 is a massive leap forward in both features and investment. This is a pen display, meaning you draw directly onto its 15.8-inch, 2.5K QHD screen. This eliminates the hand-eye coordination learning curve required by screenless tablets like the S620. With its full-laminated anti-sparkle glass, superior colour accuracy (120% sRGB), and next-generation pen technology, this device is aimed squarely at serious hobbyists and professional artists who need a dedicated, high-fidelity digital canvas. Someone should choose the Kamvas 16 over the S620 if their budget allows and their primary goal is professional-level illustration where seeing the artwork directly under the pen tip is non-negotiable.
2. PicassoTab A10 10 Inch Drawing Tablet
- SKETCH, ANIMATE or TAKE NOTES: Discover the most affordable art tablet designed for creativity and productivity. It comes with an active pen and pre-installed drawing and animation apps, making it...
- 4 BONUS ITEMS INCLUDED: Inside the box, you'll find a high-quality tablet case, a drawing glove, a universal power adapter, and a pre-installed screen protector—collectively worth $50—all bundled...
The PicassoTab A10 represents a different branch of the creative tool tree. It’s a standalone Android tablet that requires no computer. This makes it the ultimate portable solution for artists who want an all-in-one device for sketching on the go. Its primary advantage is freedom from a desk and a host computer. However, it relies on mobile processing power and Android drawing apps, which may not be as powerful or feature-rich as desktop software like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint. A user would choose the PicassoTab over the S620 if their priority is absolute portability and they prefer the self-contained simplicity of a mobile operating system for their creative work.
3. XP-Pen Artist13.3 Pro Drawing Tablet
- Portable Size for Going Out - A super-portable screen with a 13.3 inch display area, which is the closest size proportion to your daily-use laptop, Artist13.3 Pro can be taking anywhere easily in your...
- Ultimate Visual Experience - Seamlessly fits the glass and the screen, XP-PEN Artist13.3 Pro adopts a fully-laminated technology, to create a zero-parallax, almost without offset and easy-to-use...
The XP-Pen Artist13.3 Pro sits comfortably between the entry-level S620 and the higher-end HUION KAMVAS 16. Like the Kamvas, it’s a pen display, offering a 13.3-inch screen to draw on directly. It provides a significant upgrade from the S620 by adding a screen but is more compact and typically more affordable than the 16-inch models. It’s an excellent “next step” for an artist who has mastered a screenless tablet like the S620 and is ready to invest in a more integrated workflow. It’s the perfect middle ground for those who want the pen-on-screen experience without committing to the size and cost of a larger professional display.
Final Verdict: Is the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet is an absolutely phenomenal piece of kit for its price. It successfully dismantles the financial barrier to digital creativity, offering a responsive, precise, and enjoyable drawing experience that punches far above its weight class. For students, beginners, online educators, and anyone curious about digital art, this tablet isn’t just a good choice; it’s arguably one of the best and most sensible starting points available today. Its combination of a battery-free pen, excellent pressure sensitivity, and effortless portability is a winning formula.
While it has minor flaws, such as the occasionally finicky drivers and a potential for performance issues in niche gaming scenarios, these are small compromises for the immense value it delivers. For its intended audience focusing on drawing, photo editing, and digital note-taking, it performs flawlessly. If you’ve been on the fence about diving into the world of digital art, held back by the intimidating cost of entry-level gear from bigger brands, this is your sign. The GAOMON S620 is an easy, enthusiastic recommendation. For anyone ready to take their first step or add a portable powerhouse to their toolkit, we wholeheartedly recommend you explore the GAOMON S620 Graphics Tablet further and check the latest price.
Last update on 2025-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API