TourBox Elite Plus Review

izpticadraws
Aug 6
6 min read

Updated: Aug 6

Ok, confession time: I didn’t go looking for this device. The lovely folks from TourBox reached out and asked me if I’d like to test their new model – the TourBox Elite Plus – and do a review. So yes, this post is sponsored, but (and this is a hill I’ll die on): everything you’re about to read is 100% my honest take.

When I saw it for the first time, I was like... huh. This looks weird. Kinda like a controller for a video game from an alternate universe. But it also had this serious, focused vibe – like it knows what it’s doing even if you don’t.

A quick detour into its origin story

TourBox wasn't made by some mega tech company throwing spaghetti at the wall. It was actually created by a photographer and designer who got tired of clicking a billion times a day and just wanted a smoother, more natural workflow. The idea was to build something tactile, efficient, and ergonomic – for creators who use software like Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, Clip Studio Paint, and yes, even Procreate (more on that soon).

So it’s made by creatives for creatives. And it shows.

First impressions

When I took it out of the box, I thought: “Oh, this thing is... heavy?”

And yes – it is. It is surprisingly heavy for its size! Small but dense. Which I actually love. It doesn’t feel like cheap plastic. Like, it won't slide around your desk when you’re in full panic mode the night before a deadline.

It’s not exactly cute. If I saw it on someone’s desk without context, I’d assume it controls a drone or a submarine. But what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in function. More on that later.

Each button, dial, and knob has its own shape, sound, and feel. That’s kind of genius. Unlike most tablets with identical express keys, here your hand just knows where it is. No need to look down. No fumbling. That means your fingers (and brain) learn quickly where everything is, without having to stare at it all the time. There’s something kind of lovely about that, like your hand slowly building a map.

Setup and Workflow

When it comes to actually setting it up, I expected pain (as it mostly goes with those gadgets). What I got is is peace. The setup, especially on iPad, was almost SO easy. I downloaded the TourBox Console app, connected the device, and boom – it worked. Calibration took just a moment, and then it was good to go! The app is straightforward and makes setup effortless and intuitive. They even have pre-made templates for apps like Procreate, which I ended up keeping because... it was actually good?

I’m picky with my shortcuts. But this one had all the basics covered: brush size, zoom, canvas rotation, selection tools, quick actions. I only added one custom function – a button to open the Layers panel – and I used it a lot. Also cool: you can program double-clicks or combinations of two buttons for extra shortcuts. It really lets you go wild if you want.

What does it feel like to use? Like having a small, chunky assistant next to your drawing hand. I mostly used the dials (zoom, rotate, brush size), the quick actions button, and my custom layer opener. It just made sense. After a few hours, I wasn't thinking – I was just doing.

There’s definitely a learning curve, but nothing scary or frustrating. Honestly, I’m so grateful that my past self took the time to learn express keys on my Wacom and XP-Pen tablets – it made adapting to this way easier. I already had the mental model of “this button does that”, so my brain clicked into the logic of TourBox faster than expected.

Working with it felt… fun. That’s really the best word I can use. The device fits beautifully in the palm, and I found myself naturally using my thumb and index finger the most. But today, as I’m writing this the day after, I realised I can literally rest my whole hand on it and use all my fingers. Why didn’t I think of that sooner?

The tactility of the buttons is super satisfying – each one feels intentionally different. There’s a quiet pleasure in using it, and I really feel the team behind it cared about making something that isn’t just functional, but comfortable. It doesn’t feel cheap or toy-like. It’s solid, but not heavy. Responsive, but not jumpy. It’s honestly just… nice to use. You don’t have to fight with it – it wants to help.

In their promo they say "no more tedious tapping" – but honestly, I love the tapping. It’s what makes drawing on the iPad feel so direct and human. My fingers are part of the process – the gestures, the swipes – it’s actually my favourite thing about it.

Still, TourBox gave me a new kind of control. And now that I’ve used it for a bit and seen where it shines (and where it maybe doesn’t), I feel ready to break things down – the good and the not-so-good.

PROS	CONS
Tactile pleasure Each button feels different. The dials are smooth. The clicks are satisfying. It’s genuinely fun to use. Like fidgeting with purpose.	Price It’s not exactly pocket money. Especially if you only use Procreate, you might find yourself wondering if the cost-to-benefit ratio is...off. Because...
Versatility of controls You’ve got buttons, knobs, scroll wheels – and every one can do something different. Bonus points for being able to assign double functions. Great if your brain is shortcut-hungry.	Do you really need it for Procreate? Let’s be honest – Procreate is already designed to be minimal and intuitive. It has gesture shortcuts, customizable menus, and quick actions built in. TourBox is nice... but maybe a bit extra in this context.
Works with multiple apps Photoshop? Yes. Procreate? Yes. Lightroom? DaVinci? LumaFusion? Also yes. That kind of flexibility means it won’t become obsolete if you switch software.	The looks No offense to the engineers, but it’s not what I’d call pretty. If it came in all-white or all-black – sleek and simple – I think a lot more people would happily show it off on their desk.
Great mapping system You can assign a TON of shortcuts. It's customizable to a crazy level – and actually easy to figure out.	Sustainability If you only use iPad + Procreate, I honestly question whether this plastic-heavy device is necessary. It works great, yes. But from a minimalist and eco point of view – it might just be one gadget too many.
Real potential on desktop While the Procreate experience is already smooth, I’m really hyped to try it on desktop where my current setup is way more cramped and chaotic. I think this is where TourBox will shine brightest.	The Vibe If you’re someone who likes to draw curled up on the couch or in cafés, this setup might kill the vibe. It’s not a huge deal, but it does chip away at the minimalist iPad joy.

Is this overkill if you're a Procreate-only kind of illustrator?

Let’s be real – $297 ain’t cheap. Especially if you’re not gonna use it to its full potential across multiple apps. I definitely paused for a moment when I saw the price tag and asked myself: do I really need this? I mean that seriously. Why would you want this device and do you actually need it?

To be real, if you’re using Procreate on iPad only, you might not need it. Procreate is already simple and very intuitive. It has great gestures, customizable quick menus, and honestly, I rarely feel like I’m missing anything when using it alone. The iPad Pro (I use the 12.9") is already a very tactile experience. If tapping and other gestures don't drive you crazy and you enjoy them as I do, having an extra gadget might be overkill.

Also… I draw on the go a lot. Cafes, sofas, park benches. And I’ll be hones: I can’t see myself dragging this extra device around town. It’s a bit chunky and, again, not a style icon.

BUT.

When it comes to Windows or Mac and desktop-level drawing apps – TourBox starts to shine. Express keys on Wacom and XP-Pen tablets are... meh. Identical buttons, no texture difference, boring positioning. I never really enjoyed using them, but I had to – otherwise, my fingers would’ve been wrecked from all those four-button shortcuts. TourBox, on the other hand, is the first tool that makes me actually want to use shortcuts. It feels intentional. Like someone finally thought about it!

And that’s where this device might become a big part of my workflow. For now, I’ve tested it with Procreate just to see what’s possible – and honestly, it works better than I expected. But again, I definitely didn’t have to spend a couple hundred bucks just to find that out.

However, I’m beyond excited to try it with Photoshop and tablets that connect to my PC. I think that’s where it’ll truly prove its value! And don’t worry – I’ll report back when I’ve had more time with it on desktop.

Let’s conclude

I still think TourBox is kinda weird looking. But also, weirdly wonderful.

It’s not for everyone. It’s not for every setup. Is it cheap? Nope. Is it essential? Depends on your workflow.

But if you often switch between apps, use a desktop setup, or hate your tablet’s built-in buttons – this might be that missing puzzle piece you didn’t know you needed.

Thanks for reading – and if you’re curious about how it works with my desktop setup, stick around. I’ll definitely keep you posted.

Love,

-K