10 Best Drawing Tablets for Beginners
If you’re a starter artist that is looking for a suitable device to use — This list of 10 best drawing tablets for beginners is for you.
The right choice of devices to use while you’re starting with drawing is necessary if you want to become an expert in the future.
Using a drawing tablet will be a great choice if you want to learn and master different drawing styles and techniques.
Fortunately, there are different tablet manufacturers that make and design specific drawing tablets to cater to the needs of beginner artists.
Which drawing tablet is best for beginners?
So if you’re going to ask me, “what is the best drawing tablet for beginners?”
I will confidently suggest the Wacom PTH660 since it is the best overall drawing tablet.
If you’re a fan of using Wacom, you can also check out my other article where I feature the best Wacom tablets for graphic designers.
However, I understand that, as creatives, we have different preferences and standards when buying a tablet.
That’s why in this article, I will be highlighting the most popular beginner drawing tablet available today.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for an affordable tablet for drawing or a high-end one — I’ve included something for you.
Just check out this list of the 10 best drawing tablets for beginners, and I hope you will get an idea of which best suits you.
Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Top 10 Drawing Tablets for Beginners
- Wacom PTH660 — best overall
- HUION H610 Pro V2 — budget-friendly
- One by Wacom — best for students
- XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 — best portable
- Wacom CTL4100 — most lightweight
- XENCELABS Tablet — best for illustration
- Apple Ipad Pro 2021 — great value with screen
- GAOMON PD1560 — best for animation
- SAMSUNG Tab S7 — best Android with screen
- Apple Ipad 2021 — best Apple with screen
PS. If you’re looking for the best drawing tablets with screen, items 7 to 10 are perfect for you.
How to choose a drawing tablet for beginners?
As a starting artist, it is important to know the things to consider when buying a beginner’s tablet for drawing.
That’s why in this article, I also included a buying guide for drawing tablets for beginners.
- Price
- Pressure Sensitivity
- Display
- Stylus
- Size
- Connectivity
And for you to further understand why these factors need to be checked first, here’s a more detailed explanation:
Price
If it is your first time purchasing a drawing tablet, it is not advisable for you to spend too much on it.
Fortunately, there are different brands that are offering a great beginner tablet at an affordable price, like the HUION H610 Pro V2.
However, for starter creatives that really want to invest in a tablet that can make them experience drawing like a pro, the Wacom PTH660 is ideal for you.
At the end of the day, it is important to consider your budget first before buying a drawing tablet, so you won’t regret it in the long run.
Pressure Sensitivity
The most important thing about a drawing tablet is how sensitive it is to the pressure you put on it.
Having more pressure sensitivity means that you can better control the weight of the lines you write.
A drawing tablet with at least 2,048 levels is considered high in pressure sensitivity.
Since you’re still in the process of learning and finding your best drawing style, it is much better to look for a drawing tablet that suits your needs as a beginner.
Display
The screen size and its resolution are another essential thing to consider when buying a tablet for drawing.
Of course, it is better to have a wider screen so that you have a lot of space to draw on.
And with regards to the drawing tablet with a screen, it is best to have a tablet with a high resolution.
By that way, you’ll have the best view of your creative work, and you’ll be able to see your drawing in the most accurate way.
Stylus
One of the most important aspects of a drawing tablet is the stylus, since it is the one you will use to draw.
It should be light and easy to hold, as well as quick and responsive — note that the faster the response time, the less lag you’ll see as you draw.
Additionally, there are drawing tablets with pens that don’t have batteries, meaning you can use them no matter how long you want.
These kinds of drawing tablets are ideal for beginning creatives who don’t want to be bothered because their pens run out of power.
Size
Consider how you’ll use the drawing tablet while selecting the ideal one for your needs.
Are you seeking a device that is small and portable? Or do you want to work from your desk and prefer a larger screen?
As a beginner, you’ll need to balance the benefits and drawbacks of a large or tiny screen.
Larger tablets are heavier and more unwieldy, but they provide a greater area for creation.
However, a smaller tablet may easily fit into any suitcase, allowing you to work from anywhere.
When it comes to the size of the tablet that you will purchase, it is really a matter of personal preference.
Connectivity
When buying a drawing tablet for beginners, you should figure out how to connect the tablet to your PC.
The best tablets include Bluetooth connectivity, which eliminates the need for tangled cords.
You’ll also have greater freedom of movement because you won’t have to sit directly next to your laptop to work.
However, many tablets still require a USB cable to connect to your laptop, and some require up to three separate wires, which can make your desk look cluttered.
If you like a more structured workstation, check for a Bluetooth-enabled tablet or get one with a 3-in-1 cable to reduce the number of cords on your desk.
Now that I’m done giving you the important things to consider when buying a drawing tablet for a beginners, let’s proceed with my list.
1. Wacom PTH660 Intuos Pro
As the first tablet on my list, I included the Wacom PTH660, which is the best overall drawing tablet available today.
The best overall Wacom drawing tablet.
If you’re a startup artist and want to invest in a tablet that will help you become an expert, then this drawing tablet from Wacom is for you.
Wacom is known as one of the most popular and best brands of tablets because they have a lot to offer, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or professional.
It is one of the best drawing tablets with a pen that has accurate and advanced performance and a realistic pen-on-paper feel.
What’s more attractive about this drawing tablet is that it includes pre-installed creative software such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro.
Additionally, the Wacom PTH660 comes in both small, medium, and large sizes, so you can choose a size that best fits your hand-movement and style.
With the inbuilt Bluetooth feature, you can use this drawing tablet to create and improve your digital artwork on your computer without being limited by wires.
Specifications
Active Area: 8.7” x 5.8”
Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Weight: 1.5 Pounds
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB
Pros
- Large active area
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Pen doesn’t grip well
- Difficult to access new pen nibs
2. HUION H610 Pro V2
For beginners that wants to learn to draw using a tablet, I will feature the H610 Pro V2, which is the best HUION drawing tablet for starters.
A budget-friendly drawing tablet for beginners.
Although high-end tablets are one great choice, it is not necessary to spend money that is out of your budget.
If you’re on a budget but want to improve your creative skills, the H610 Pro V2 is the best choice for you since it is one of the affordable drawing tablets today.
This drawing tablet is compatible with Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Android, so you can easily connect your phone to the tablet with the OTG connector.
It also has an innovative tilt control system that can provide you with better pressure detection and accurate cursor positioning at different angles.
H610 Pro V2’s features offer a more accurate and natural drawing experience, which makes it even perfect for beginners.
So if you’re looking for an affordable drawing tablet for starters, then the H610 Pro V2 is a must-have tablet for you.
Specifications
Active Area: 10” x 6.25”
Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
Resolution: 5080 LPI
Weight: 1.35 pounds
Connectivity: Mini USB
Pros
- Portable
- User friendly
- Multiple customized key
- Compatible with android devices
Cons
- Connectivity issue
- Compatibility issue
3. One by Wacom
Looking for a great beginner drawing tablet for students or startup artists? Then One by Wacom is the perfect tablet for your needs.
The best beginner drawing tablet for students.
Because you’re still in the process of learning how to become a drawing expert, it is better to have a drawing tablet that is designed for people like you.
One by Wacom adds an easy-to-use digital pen to your computer, allowing you to learn to sketch and edit images easily.
It can helps your art project come out the way you’ve always wanted, by perfectly matching the movement of your pen.
Since everything is made online (including studying), this tablet will allow you to collaborate, share work, and interact with other students and teachers more effectively.
It is perfect to use for art-related subjects since you will have a tablet and pen that you can widely use for creating your work.
So if you’re looking for an easy to set-up drawing tablet for students, the One by Wacom is a great choice to consider.
Specifications
Active Area: 6.0 x 3.7 inches
Pressure Sensitivity: 2048 levels
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Weight: 0.57 Pounds
Connectivity: USB
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to setup
- Compact
Cons
- Clunky connectivity
- No touch to navigate
4. XP-Pen Deco 01 V2
If portability is one of your requirements for buying a tablet, look no further because I also feature the best portable drawing tablet for beginners.
The best portable display drawing tablet.
The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is a perfect drawing tablet for beginner creatives on-the-go.
Its super slim and compact design will allow you to learn and work seamlessly without being bothered.
This graphics drawing tablet features eight round, customizable express keys that fit easily at your fingertips.
The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is a battery-free pen with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, giving it the intelligence to modify, navigate, and create with a full pallet of brushes and pens.
The pen works just like a real pen, and the best thing is that there is no battery, so there’s no charging needed.
Lastly, this drawing tablet supports up to 60 degrees of tilt brush effect and delivers smoother, more natural lines and strokes.
As a result, you can add shading to your creation and enjoy more natural writing and drawing experiences.
Specifications
Active Area: 10 x 6.25 inch
Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
Weight: 1000 Grams
Connectivity: USB
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great connectivity
- Advanced driver
Cons
- Poor build
- Logging issue
5. Wacom Intuos CTL4100
No one wants to carry a heavy and bulky tablet, right? That’s why we included the Wacom CTL4100, which is the best lightweight beginner tablet.
The most lightweight drawing tablet for beginners.
This drawing tablet is perfect for those who are looking for a tablet that you can take with you anywhere you go.
It is a graphic drawing tablet with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity that can give you control and precision when drawing, painting, and photo-editing.
The Wacom CTL4100 is a beginner drawing tablet that is ideal for small desktop spaces and can be configured for both left and right-handed use.
It also has four customizable ExpressKeys that include shortcuts like undo or copy/paste at your fingertips when used with your Mac or PC.
With this drawing tablet from Wacom, you can bring your wildest ideas to life with a lightweight digital pen and downloadable software.
Aside from the fact that this beginner tablet is lightweight, it also has an ergonomic design for ease-of-use and comfort, as well as a realistic pen-on-paper feel.
Specifications
Active Area: 6.0” x 3.7”
Pressure Sensitivity: 4,096 levels
Resolution: 2540 LPI
Weight: 8.11 Ounces
Connectivity: USB
Pros
- Battery free pen
- Comes with shortcut key
- Great connectivity
Cons
- Software issue
- Poor build
6. XENCELABS Drawing Tablet
Another best tablet for beginners on my list is the XENCELABS Tablet, which is the best drawing tablet for artists, especially illustrators.
The best display drawing tablet for illustration.
If you’re a newbie in illustration and you want to have an excellent drawing tablet for your needs, then this tablet from XENCELABS is for you.
Did you know that this drawing tablet was co-designed with the input of industry-leading creatives?
Yes, that’s right, so if you want to become an expert in doing illustrations, the XENCELABS Tablet is a great tool to use for you.
Take note that it is not limited to illustrators; in fact, it can also be used by beginning graphic and fashion designers.
Additionally, this drawing tablet has a physical dial with colored LED lighting that can give you control over brush size, zoom, or other functions as needed.
The XENCELABS Tablet also has application shortcut keys, so if you’re looking for the best drawing tablet that supports Adobe software, look no further.
You can use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other creative applications as well.
Specifications
Active Area: 10.33”x5.8”
Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
Resolution: 5080 lpi
Weight: 4.75 pounds
Connectivity: USB
Pros
- Two pen types
- No lag
- Great connectivity
Cons
- Can’t double as a touch pad
- No pen stand
7. Apple Ipad Pro 2021
If you’re a beginner and willing to invest in a great tablet, then the Apple iPad Pro is for you since it is the most high-end drawing tablet.
A great value beginner drawing tablet with screen.
Despite the fact that it is quite expensive for a beginner, you will be guaranteed to feel the experience of drawing like a pro.
Even if you’re still a beginner, you will be able to experience what professional artists feel when they are creating their drawings.
It is a drawing tablet for beginning creatives that are looking for a device that is worth their money.
The Apple iPad Pro is easy to use and will allow you to do everything in powerful yet simple ways on the large multi-touch display.
It is great for running applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe software, as well as graphics-related apps.
Furthermore, this high-end drawing tablet is made thin, light, and with a durable design, ensuring that you can use it for a long time.
So if you’re a beginner but looking for a drawing tablet for professionals, then the Apple iPad Pro is perfect for you.
Specifications
Memory: Up to 2 TB
Display: 11 inch Liquid Retina display
Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
Connectivity: USB-C connector
Pros
- Gorgeous design
- Upgraded front facing camera
- 5G connection
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
8. GAOMON PD1560
If you’re looking for the best drawing tablet with a screen that you can use for making animations, the GAOMON PD1560 is a perfect choice for you.
The best drawing tablet for animation.
This drawing tablet is designed for animators to have the best view of the creations that they are currently working on.
Since it is one of the best drawing tablets with a screen, you will be able to create and view the progress of the work that you are doing.
It has a 1080 HD screen that is capable of providing you with the most realistic details and colors.
GAOMON PD1560’s 8192 pen pressure levels offer a more accurate and precise movement of the pen-slider, making your drawing line smooth and natural.
There are 10 express keys that may be adjusted based on your own creative preferences, making the work more effective and saving you valuable time.
This drawing tablet also comes with an adjustable stand, so you can find a perfect and comfortable position by dragging the switch to adjust the angle of the pen display.
Lastly, it is compatible with most popular drawing programs, like Krita, gimp, fireplaca, meidibang, inscape, blender, etc.
Specifications
Active Area: 13.43'’ x 7.62'’
Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Weight: 1.58 Kg
Connectivity: USB, HDMI
Pros
- Affordable
- Huge screen
- Great design
Cons
- Too short pen cable
- Lots of wire
9. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7
If you’re a fan of using Android devices and are looking for the best Android drawing tablet for beginners, then this Samsung Tab S7 is for you.
The best Android drawing tablet with screen.
It is an ideal choice for startup creatives that need a drawing tablet with a screen.
This drawing tablet includes a unique feature called DeX mode, which allows you to transform your tablet into a PC experience.
The Samsung Tab S7 boasts a high-resolution display, so you can be sure that you are able to see the most realistic details of your drawings.
Additionally, it has a great feature where you can easily sync up and share content with compatible Samsung devices.
This drawing tablet is built to be easy to use and durable, so you can be sure that you are spending your money wisely.
By using the Samsung Tab S7, you will be able to explore different styles of drawing as well as improve your own.
Specifications
Display: 11 inches
Audio: Quad + AKG + Dolby Atmos
Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) TFT
Weight: 1.1 lb
Internal memory: 6/8GB(RAM) + 128/256/512GB
Pros
- Full aluminum build
- Lightweight
- Great AMOLED display
Cons
- No 3.5 Headphone jack
- No keyboard
10. Apple Ipad 2021
Since I’m including something for Android users, I don’t want to be unfair, so I also include the best Apple drawing tablet for beginners.
The best Apple drawing tablet with screen.
Since most creatives prefer to use Apple devices because of their great responsiveness rate and great display, the Apple iPad is perfect for you.
Since Apple is well known for manufacturing products that provide a one-of-a-kind experience, it will be a great choice for you to try one if you’re a beginner.
The Apple Ipad is another tablet that is best for beginners that are looking for a drawing tablet with a screen.
It is much more affordable compared to the Apple iPad Pro, but it can basically provide almost the same quality and performance.
As a beginner, it is a given that you will most likely be focused and need a lot of time to finish your creative work.
That’s why the Apple iPad is perfect for you if you are looking for a drawing tablet that has an extremely long battery life.
This drawing tablet also includes an Apple pen, so you can create your artwork, drawings, and designs in the most efficient and accurate way.
Specifications
Retina display: 10.2 inches
Chip: A13
Memory: 156GB
Camera: 8MP
Connectivity: 4G
Pros
- Great storage
- Excellent build
- Luxurious design
Cons
- No USB-C port
- Low refresh rate
Conclusions
Since I also started as a beginner creative, I understand that it is not easy to decide on which device is best to fit your needs.
That’s why in this article, I highlighted my top picks for the best beginner drawing tablets for your reference.
What is the best drawing tablet for beginners?
If you need a tablet that you can take anywhere you go, you can choose between the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 and the Wacom CTL4100 since they are the most lightweight and portable tablets.
XENCELABS Tablet and GAOMON PD1560 on the other hand, are ideal for you if you are doing illustrations, graphic and fashion design, animation, etc.
However, are you looking for the best drawing tablets with screen?
Then you can choose between the Apple Ipad Pro 2021, GAOMON PD1560, SAMSUNG Tab S7, and Apple Ipad 2021.
I also included other drawing tablets for beginners, so rest assured that you can find one that will suit your preferences and demands.
Now that I’m done enumerating my favorites, which do you think is the best drawing tablet for beginners? — Feel free to leave a comment.
