The Best Lightboxes for Artists

Litenergy Portable A4 Lightbox

Stylish and functional

This is an awesome choice for anyone looking for a feature-rich lightbox.

Best Overall

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If you’re on the hunt for a lightbox that’s easily portable so you can take your work with you everywhere you go, the Litenergy Portable A4 Lightbox may be just what you need. It’s lightweight, extra thin, and fits into most backpacks or bags for quick transport. Meanwhile, you aren’t losing any of the features you’d get from your larger at-home box. You’ll still have an adjustable light, easy controls, measuring marks on the sides to help you gauge your proportions, and more.

Pros:

• All you need to do to control the brightness is hold down the power button
• The light seamlessly adjusts without flickering to protect your eyes
• There’re four colors to choose from

Cons:

• It’s not very durable
• The included USB charging wire is relatively short

Tiktecklab A4 Ultra-Thin Artcraft Lightbox

High-quality option

Get this well-made lightbox for a great price without sacrificing any of the features you want.

Best Value

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For a feature-rich option at an affordable price, we turn to the Tiktecklab A4 Ultra-Thing Artcraft Lightbox. It’s super-bright and easily illuminates your work to make shading, tracing, and designing so much easier. The thin profile and A4 size ensure you can take it with you no matter where you go. There are rubber pads on the bottom, as well, so you can set it down on nearly any surface without the worry of it sliding around or falling as you work.

Pros:

• This lightbox is super affordable
• It’s available in four colors to fit your style
• The brightness is easily adjusted to match your preferences and needs

Cons:

• You have to leave the USB plugged in all the time, so even though its small size makes it portable, you also need a power source with you
• It’s easy to hit the power button accidentally

Hsk A2 Lightbox

Powerfully versatile

This lightbox is extra-large and great for working on multiple pieces at a time.

Best For Large Artwork

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When you work with larger pieces, you’ll quickly notice that the average A4 and A3 boxes are a bit too small to use comfortably. That’s when you may want to take a look at the Hsk A2 Lightbox. Its sturdy aluminum frame is understated and doesn’t take up too much space. Most of the surface is all light, which is exactly what we look for. Use it for diamond art, comics, pattern tracing, and more. The large surface area makes it super versatile and easy to use without needing to shift it often.

Pros:

• Adjusting the brightness is easier than ever with its dedicated buttons that are easily visible
• The sturdy design makes it an excellent choice for kids
• We appreciate the length and quality of the included power adapter

Cons:

• It’s an expensive option, but it’s worth the investment
• This lightbox is not portable, so it’s best for the home studio

Me456 A4 Dimmable Lightbox

Simple convenience

We appreciate the simplicity and ease of use that this lightbox provides.

Easiest To Adjust

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Between its ease of use and colorful frame, nothing beats the Me456 A4 Dimmable Lightbox for kids. They can make the light brighter or dimmer by holding down one simple control. Plus, you can plug the included USB wire into a wall adapter, laptop, power bank, and any other medium that can fit a USB, making it a great choice to take to visit friends and family, too.

Pros:

• Your kiddo can choose from three colors
• It’s affordably priced, so you can get one for each child
• The back has anti-slip rubber pieces to help kids keep it where they want it

Cons:

• We wish it were a bit more durable
• The power cord isn’t the best quality, so you may want to get a better one

Miserwe A4 Light Table

Affordable and lightweight

Save money while improving your art with this illuminating lightbox.

Best For Students

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If cost is your number one concern, the Miserwe A4 Light Table is just what you need. It costs less than most other lightboxes on the market, but that doesn’t mean you’re losing any of the functionality you’re looking for. The light is bright and doesn’t flicker, while the brightness easily adjusts by long-pressing the power button. It’s thin and compact, too, making it an excellent choice for taking to class or work. Overall, this is a great choice, especially for the cost.

Pros:

• It’s very lightweight and easy to carry
• The light gets bright enough for any application
• A great choice for bulk buys for classrooms and large families

Cons:

• The working surface isn’t very big, so you may need to adjust your paper around often
• It’s easy to hit the button accidentally

Frequently Asked Questions

What are lightboxes for?

Lightboxes are helpful for lots of art and craft projects. For example, they’re an amazing way to trace an image from the original to another sheet of paper. They also brighten your drawings so you can see the details better. Tattoo artists often use them to create their stencils, while others even like them for diamond art.

How are the sizes measured?

Lightboxes are sized similarly to the paper they hold. That’s why you’ll recognize the sizes A2, A3, and A4. A2 lightboxes are generally larger to accommodate A2 style paper, while A4 boxes are sized to use with average A4 copy paper. When shopping for a lightbox, consider the size of the medium you usually use to decide which size you’ll need.