

However, other lightboxes may suit your specific needs if you need to work at larger sizes, want to save space on your desk, or if you have a tighter (or larger) budget, so, in the guide above, we've included a range of options, each with its own selling points. It’s a very reliable, solid performer, offers a good range of brightness levels, a great brightness control system, and a generous work surface area. In our opinion, the best lightbox for tracing overall at the moment is the Brightpad at $59.99 / £69.99 (opens in new tab). Most are thin and sleek, and not so box-like, so you'll also see them referred to as ‘light tables’, or even more accurately as ‘light pads’ since they’re quite similar in size and shape to a notepad, or even an iPad. The light should shine through your paper, enabling you to see the image below clearly enough to trace it.ĭepending on the thickness of the paper or fabric you use and the brightness of the lightbox, you may need to dim the lights in your studio or office, since the darker you make the room, the easier it will be to see the image on the lightbox.Īlso note that while these devices are conventionally dubbed ‘lightboxes’, they're not actually so big and chunky. You switch it on, place an image you want to copy onto the glass, and then place your paper or fabric on top. It's basically a square or rectangular container that has a glass or plexiglass surface with a light shining beneath it. The best lightbox: frequent questions What is a lightbox?Ī lightbox is quite a simple device.

With this in mind, it's worth noting The Daylight Company makes smaller models: the Wafer 2 (opens in new tab) (A3) and Wafer 1 (opens in new tab) (A4), which feature the same 6,000K LED and dimmer control. I love the size and colour tone of the Wafer 3's LED, but you may find it too large for your uses if you are after the best lightbox for tracing and drawing but if you are creating large projects, this is a great option. 31 inches thick, which makes it the same as the Huion A3 LED Light Pad above but at a larger size and a little heavier. Not only does the Wafer 3 have a large A2 work area, it's also only. This means the Wafer 3 is a little more adaptable than some lightboxes if you're doing more than just sketching, and can include embossing and stencilling. The Wafer 3 differs from other lightboxes by offering a dimmer switch with a memory function, so rather than specific settings you can adjust the brightness to your liking and project's needs. As the name suggests, the Daylight Company specialises in lights that offer a 6,000 kelvin temperature, which is a cool white colour but importantly offers true colour matching. The Daylight Company Wafer 3 is the best lightbox for sketching large projects, its A2 size is rare on this list and it doesn't skimp on brightness or features either. However, given that Huion rates this lightbox to have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, and it has the capability to be used for up to 24 hours continuously without overheating, this is one of the best options for those who plan to get a lot of use out of their lightbox. One annoyance we did find is that the AC cable is a little short, at just 44 inches, which may restrict where you can place the lightbox in your home. With a working area of 16.9 x 12.2 inches, you’ve got plenty of drawing space. If you’re returning time and again to a longform project on the same paper stock, this can be a real time-saver. Also, in a nice touch, the Huion A3 LED Light Pad has a smart memory feature, meaning it can remember the last brightness level you used. Its LED illumination is cold and even, as well as powerful enough to shine through even the thickest papers. We’ve plumped for the Huion A3 LED Light Pad as our top pick – with the combination of a generous drawing area, a slim build and an impressive maximum brightness of 4,050 lux, it’s a lightbox that’s going to suit the vast majority of users.

If you’re familiar with drawing tablets, then Huion is a name you’ll recognise – but you may not have been aware that the firm is also one of the leading names in the world of lightboxes. We think the Huion A3 LED Light Pad is an excellent all round lightbox.
