The 5 Best Light Box Tracers

Whether you're an amateur illustrator or a professional graphic designer, a light box tracer is one of the most essential tools to have in your artist's kit. These tablet-shaped devices feature smooth surfaces and LED backlighting, allowing you to place a reference image beneath a blank sheet of paper and see all the lines and even colors. Many come in highly compact sizes, too, so you can take them with you on the road and use them whenever the moment of inspiration strikes. The models on this list represent a wide range of designs and functionalities, from USB-powered options to ultra-thin, ultra-portable ones.

1. Tikteck A4 Ultra-thin Portable LED Light Box Tracer

An Ultra-Thin, USB-Powered Canvas

The USB-powered Tikteck A4 Light Box Tracer is great for illustrators, designers, or any other artist.

Best Overall

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When it comes to judging a light box tracer, there are at least two main metrics. Portability is one, since you may not want to be tied to a single working location. And ease-of-use is another, since you don’t want technology interferring with your creative process. Thankfully, the Tikteck A4 Light Box Tracer checks both of those boxes with its combination of ultra-thin, highly portable size and easy-to-use, USB-equipped design. The former allows you to easily slip the whole thing into a briefcase or bag, while the latter allows you to power it using a wide variety of sources, from your laptop to an external power bank.

Pros:

Only 5mm thick
USB cable included
Stepless adjustable brightness

Cons:

Brightness button is a little sensitive
Hue is slightly blue

2. Huion L4S LED Light Box A4

An Even Thinner Canvas

For slightly more money, the Huion L4S LED Light Box A4 offers even more portability than our #1 pick.

Best Runner-Up

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At just 5.1 mm, the Huion L4S LED Light Box A4 may be one of the thinnest models around. That makes it perfect for artists who are location-flexible, or for anyone who wants the ability to take their tracing to the cafe or library. And despite its size, it still manages to offer a vibrant, spacious screen that incorporates stepless brightness adjustments, allowing you to quickly and easily dial in your ideal lighting setting. On top of all that, it also incorporates USB power, making it even easier to take with you from place to place.

Pros:

12-by-8-inch work surface
Weighs just over a pound
Easy to read left and top scales

Cons:

Must be plugged in at all times
Paper clip isn’t very sturdy

3. U.S. Art Supply Lightmaster A4

Brighter And More Spacious

With a spacious design and bright surface, the U.S. Art Supply Lightmaster A3 is a professional-grade tracer that is ideal for large projects.

Best High-End

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For the professional illustrator or graphic designer, space and brightness are key to a successful workflow. To that end, the U.S. Art Supply Lightmaster A4 incorporates a large, spacious working surface of 12-by-17 inches, plus a set of flicker-free, 8-watt LED lamps. Together, those features allow the screen to be used in a variety of lighting environments and with a variety of papers materials, as well as for a wide range of projects, from industrial design to animation to even X-ray viewing. And despite all that power, the whole thing also remains surprisingly thin and lightweight.

Pros:

LEDs rated for 50,000 hours
Dimmable touch button
Backed by 1 year warranty

Cons:

Power button is sensitive
Fairly expensive

4. Voilamart A2 LED Tracing Board Light Box

Spacious And Affordable

At 23.8-by-17 inches, the Voilamart A2 LED Tracing Board Light Box is one of the most affordable large-screen models around.

Best Large Screen

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If your project calls for more space but you’d rather not shell out tons of money for a professional-grade model, try the the Voilamart A2 LED Light Box Tracer. At 23.8-by-17 inches, it offers one of the most spacious screen dimensions at this price range, making it a budget-conscious choice for professional artists that routinely work with larger-scale designs. It’s also plenty powerful, thanks to a 12V LED panel capable of reaching a brightness of 3100cd/m2 — much higher than thinner, more portable models.

Pros:

Brightness color is neutral temperature
Anti-slip rubber stand
Includes carrying case

Cons:

A little heavy
No USB

5. Picture/Perfect Best Light Box for Tracing

Affordable, Period

Beginners and amateurs will love the functionality -- and price -- of the Picture/Perfect Best Light Box.

Best On A Budget

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If you’re just getting into tracing or illustration and don’t want to drop a ton of money on a first light box, you could do worse than pick up this Picture/Perfect Best Light Box for Tracing. Not only is it one of the most affordable models available, but it’s also one of the thinnest and most portable, thanks to a minimalist design that weighs in at less than 11 ounces and 3.5 mm thickness. It’s not the brightest option, and only offers three light adjustments, but it’s hard to complain when you consider that alongside its size, price, and its micro-USB functionality.

Pros:

Includes tracing paper and holder
Bezel-less design
Durable acrylic surface

Cons:

Could be brighter
Built-in filter masks light

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a light box for tracing?

As its name suggests, a light box is an LED-equipped panel that makes tracing artwork and other designs easy. By offering a smooth writing surface that incorporates built-in LED bulbs, these devices allow light to filter through your tracing paper and illuminate your reference design beneath, so you can more easily trace the lines and shapes from the latter to the former. Light boxes come in several different dimensions that correspond to standard paper sizes, including A4 and A3, and are powered either through conventional 12V DC cables or, as is increasingly common today, USB and micro-USB ones.

Which light box is right for me?

This depends on your particular needs and uses. If you’re a professional artist who regularly works with large-scale designs, you’ll probably want a full-size model, such as one with an A2 panel. You may also want one with a conventional 12V DC power outlet, since these often are able to offer much brighter settings than USB-equipped options. If you’re a beginner or amateur artist, on the other hand, the ability to power your USB-equipped light box off a laptop or external power bank may be more convenient.