Best Artists Light Boxes of 2026

"I use this mainly for viewing film negatives and it's exactly the right size and brightness for my needs. The multiple brightness settings are a real upgrade from my old trick of using a blank Word doc on my monitor. I also appreciate the metric ruler—much more helpful for film work than imperial measurements. The fact that it doesn't rely on a battery is a plus for me, too."

"For my craft and art projects, this light box is a game changer. I can now easily transfer designs onto card stock or fabric, and even use it for random office tasks like aligning text. The dual brightness settings and touch-sensitive controls make it easy and pleasant to use. It's very lightweight and portable, but I do take care not to put too much pressure on the USB port. If anything happens to it, I'd definitely buy another."

"As someone new to sketching, I found this pad perfect for tracing and minimizing eraser marks. It's very lightweight and straightforward—just plug it in and it works. My paper stays in place, and the light is just right for seeing through even thick multimedia sheets. The only minor issue is that it has to stay plugged in, but that's not a big drawback for me."

"I'm impressed with how thin and bright this light box is, especially for viewing film negatives. I love the multiple brightness options—it’s much easier on my eyes than my old method of using my computer monitor. The metric ruler is a bonus for film work. No battery means I never have to worry about replacements. It just does the job really well."

"This light box is incredibly useful for tracing—it’s so much easier than holding papers up to a window or using tracing paper. The lightweight build and portable size make it easy to move around, and the brightness is perfect for my art projects. I store it in a laptop sleeve to protect it from my cat and scratches. If anything happens to it, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another."

"As someone new to sketching, I found this light pad very helpful for tracing images. It’s simple to use, turns on with a button, and the paper stays in place while I work. The lightweight and sturdy feel give me confidence, even as a beginner. The only thing to note is that the on/off switch is sensitive, but otherwise, it’s exactly what I needed."

"I’m so impressed with this light pad. The size is generous and the brightness is fantastic. The button lock feature is a real game changer for me, and the pad feels solid without being too heavy. For the price, it’s a definite win. The cord is an okay length and overall, I’m just really happy with this purchase."

"I use this light pad for tracing garment patterns, and the light is wonderfully bright. I’m glad I chose the A2 size—it’s more than enough for my needs. The brightness settings are easy to adjust and can be locked so I don’t accidentally change them. It came well-packaged and the included strong clips are a nice touch. I just taped the cord for better durability at the connection point. Not being rechargeable works better for my setup, too."

"I picked up this light pad for digitizing old photo negatives, and it’s been incredibly versatile and simple to use. My scanning process is much faster now, and the results are great. I highly recommend this for anyone needing a reliable backlit surface."

"I bought this for my child and it’s been an amazing addition to our creative time at home. The tracing pad’s brightness and clarity make tracing even detailed images easy, and it’s gentle enough on the eyes for long use. It’s light and portable, so we can bring it anywhere, and it works just as well with coloring book pages or our own printed images. My child’s drawing confidence has grown, and for the price, the quality is impressive. I absolutely recommend it as a fun and engaging gift for any young artist."

"I was looking for something to stop my granddaughter from tracing directly on the computer screen and found this tracing pad. It has been a perfect gift—used constantly by the younger kids, our teenage artist, and even for my own sewing patterns. After a year, it’s still running on the first set of batteries! The set includes colored pencils, a graphite pencil, blank and tracing paper, and locking mechanisms to keep paper in place. You don’t need expensive tracing paper; regular copy paper works perfectly. It’s a simple, affordable solution that the kids never get bored of."

"This tracing pad is a hit with my 7- and 3-year-olds. It’s super easy to set up, comes with lots of color options, and is built to last. We love that you can use regular printer paper and that it’s fun for all ages. Great buy for creative play!"

"The Ratukall 183PCS A4 Light Pad set is truly a dream for anyone into diamond art! The even, bright illumination makes long sessions easy on my eyes, and having all the accessories included means I could get started right away. This kit has really improved the quality and speed of my work. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it."

"I was amazed at the affordability and quality of this light pad—especially compared to similar products at local stores. The three brightness levels are perfect for my needs, and the thin design makes it easy to store. The only minor issue I noticed is that the sides get a bit warm, but overall, I'm extremely satisfied and would absolutely recommend it."

"As someone who does diamond painting regularly, I found this light board to be a huge upgrade over my previous one. The multiple light settings are fantastic, and the size fits my 12x16 projects perfectly. I especially love the included stand and accessories. My only wish is for a less sensitive power button, but otherwise, this is a must-have for crafters."

"I bought this for my niece and she absolutely loves it! The brightness is just right, the board is lightweight yet durable, and it makes seeing the colors so much easier. She uses it even in the car—totally worth the money!"

"As someone who does a lot of diamond painting, I’m thrilled with this lightboard. The different brightness settings, large A3 size, and magnetic surface make it very versatile. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and the USB-C connection is solid. I don’t mind that it’s not rechargeable at all!"

"This light up board is even better than I expected. It’s bigger than I thought, super slim, and has tons of brightness options. The magnetic frame and measurement markings are so convenient. I use it for everything from diamond painting to tracing and drawing. Highly recommend for anyone aged 4 to 99!"

"This kit is honestly fantastic—the bright, evenly-lit light box made my diamond art sessions way easier on my eyes, and the huge set of accessories meant I could organize everything and start right away. It really improved both the quality and speed of my projects. I’d easily give it five stars and recommend it to anyone!"

"I’ve used a smaller light pad before, but this larger one is the perfect size for my 12x16 pieces. The adjustable brightness is a major plus, ranging from very dim to super bright. If you want a solid light pad for diamond painting, this one is definitely a winner."

"I compared this to the one at Michael’s and honestly, for the price, this one is a way better value. The three brightness settings are super helpful, and it works really well for my projects. The only thing I noticed is the sides can get a bit warm, but beyond that, it’s amazing and I totally recommend it."

"For how inexpensive this light board is, I'm truly impressed with the great quality. It's thin and light, which makes it super convenient for working in bed or on the floor. The brightness is very strong and adjustable, so transferring sketches onto thick watercolor paper was no trouble at all. The only mild drawback is the short cord, but I didn't mind since I was close to an outlet."

"I use light boxes for various creative projects, and I was surprised to find this one at such an affordable price. It's sleek, just a bit thicker than glass, with smooth touch controls and a fully dimmable light—even better than my much more expensive one! The even lighting and overall build are impressive. My only tiny gripe is that the measurement markings are only in centimeters, but that's not a big deal. I think this is a fantastic value for artists and crafters."

"I was looking forward to using this, but I discovered it's actually A4 size, not A2 as described online. The product itself seems well-made and functional, and I'm sure it works great for others, but I had to return it because I needed the larger size. The listing could be clearer about the dimensions."

"I was thrilled to add this light pad to my diamond painting setup—it’s been a fantastic addition! The packaging was well-designed with protective foam, and I got a cord and instructions in the box. Its size is just right for my workspace, and the brightness control lets me find the exact level I want. It never gets hot, even after hours of use, which I really appreciate. For the price, the value is genuinely impressive. If you need extra illumination for crafts, this pad definitely delivers."

"I needed a reliable tracing board for homeschool art time, and this one exceeded my expectations. It’s super thin and lightweight, so it fits neatly in a drawer, and even my younger kids can use it easily. The brightness is vibrant and adjustable, and I love that it remembers the last setting. No flickering or hot spots—just a bright, even surface that’s gentle on the eyes. For the cost, it’s surprisingly durable and solid. A great tool for anything from worksheets to sketching."

"After trying a few different boards, this large light board is perfect for me! I don’t need fancy features, just good dimming and brightness control, and this delivers. It’s ultra thin, well-packed, and has mm markings for easy measuring. The power button is perfectly placed so I don’t accidentally turn it off. It must stay plugged in, but that’s not an issue for my needs. For the price, it’s absolutely worth it—highly recommend for diamond art, calligraphy, or genealogy work."

"I bought this for my quilting projects, and I’m amazed at how easy it is to use and how long the charge lasts. My grandkids also love using it for coloring, so it’s really versatile. The fact that it comes with a padded case and power cord makes it even better for storage and portability."

"As someone who travels a lot, I appreciate the compact size and lightweight design of this light pad. The three light settings are super helpful, and the tote bag is perfect for storing all my diamond painting accessories. The battery holds up well, so I can use it anywhere."

"I got this as a gift for my niece and nephews, ages 5–9, and they’re absolutely thrilled with it. It’s beginner-friendly, well-made, and has great brightness. I’d recommend it for a wide age range, and it makes a really nice present."