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Drawing tablets can be intimidating for beginners, especially with how expensive the higher-end options tend to be. However, the popularity of drawing tablets has a strong reason behind it. It’s way more efficient, and it makes art more accessible for everyone.
In the spirit of accessibility, we’ve put together a list of drawing tablets that any beginner or amateur artist can stand behind without breaking the bank. Even if you aren’t an artist or a designer, we feel like these tablets have functions that apply to most professions.
Table of contents
One by Wacom (Medium)
Size: 12.4 inches / Drawing area dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 inches / Pen pressure levels: 8,192 / Wireless?: No / Weight: 0.9 pounds
The simplicity and affordability of The One make it an attractive choice for budding artists. It has a simple design without extra buttons or dials, making it a great choice for beginners. Wacom’s long history of quality has earned strong trust in schools and universities.
The only thing they didn’t have in their inventory was a tablet that gave beginners an economical and user-friendly experience. The One caters to those who are still adapting to using a digital stylus, and all things considered, it’s a very well-designed tablet that just so happens to come in several colors. Beyond content creation and gaming, The One by Wacom is an excellent option for teachers or office workers. It offers a dependable tool for signing PDFs, annotating and highlighting sections of projects, and taking
The One features a grid of dots that aids users in understanding the correlation between the stylus position and the on-screen cursor. The stylus itself is slim and comfortable, equipped with two programmable buttons for added convenience. It lacks a wrist rest and has a hard plastic edge, but The One offers an affordable way to experience Wacom quality for under $100.
XP-Pen Artist 12 (Gen 2)
Size: 11.9 inches / Drawing area dimensions: 10.3 x 5.8 inches / Screen resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080) / Pen pressure levels: 8,192 / Color gamut: 90 percent NTSC, 127 percent sRGB, 94 percent Adobe RGB / Weight: 1.9 pounds
The second-gen XP-Pen Artist 12 is an affordable all-rounder for daily sketching and editing, serving as a great introduction to macros and hotkeys in creative software. For those ready to map tools to physical buttons, it surpasses the basic Wacom One, despite some cursor jitters. However, as you move into the $200 price range, you get more functionality and freedom.
Equipped with the X3 Elite stylus, which boasts 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60 degrees of tilt recognition, it replicates real brush strokes. The stylus includes two programmable buttons for seamless tool switching and erasing. While the active area is smaller than the Wacom One, it’s adequate for sketching or note-taking. In charming pastel colors (or professional black), it unexpectedly offers eight programmable buttons at an affordable price. It has no built-in stand, but its lightweight design makes it easy to use on a desk or lap, ideal for beginners learning to draw on a screen.
It’s a solid first-display tablet, especially for those hesitant about Wacom; it falls short on software. There is slight cursor jitter compared to pricier options, but it won’t affect tasks like line art in Clip Studio Paint or sculpting in Blender. Beginners may not even notice it, but it’s something to consider.
Wacom One (2019)
Size: 13.3 inches / Drawing area: 11.6 x 6.5 inches / Screen resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080), 26ms response time / Pen pressure levels: 4,096 / Colour gamut: 72 percent NTSC / Weight: 2.2 pounds
Don’t let the names confuse you, despite Wacom’s best efforts. The One by Wacom is the basic model, while the Wacom One is a more advanced $300 tablet with features that showcase why Wacom is a leading brand. It stands out as an excellent choice for those who want a straightforward display drawing tablet to grasp the basics. With its textured 1080p display and a conveniently slim stylus stored on the device’s side, it offers simplicity without compromising on Wacom’s renowned build quality.
As one of Wacom’s most budget-friendly display tablets, it has become a preferred option in high schools and colleges, combining affordability with the reliability of the Wacom brand. For those transitioning from traditional media to digital illustration, the familiarity of Wacom tools aids in a smoother adjustment process. While lacking in additional features, the Wacom One compensates with a frustration-free software experience.
Competing brands like Huion and XP-Pen may offer more features at a similar price, but the Wacom One’s simplicity has its advantages. For beginners, the absence of extra buttons eliminates potential confusion, providing a straightforward drawing experience. Moreover, Wacom’s reputation for reliability in both software and build quality makes it a compelling choice, even with slightly higher price tags, as many professional artists attest to its unmatched standards.
Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K)
Size: 15.8 inches / Drawing area dimensions: 13.7 x 7.7 inches / Screen resolution: 2.5K (2560 x 1440), 60Hz, 14ms response time / Pen pressure levels: 8,192 / Color gamut: 145 percent sRGB / Weight: 2.6 pounds
The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is a strong contender among midsize display tablets. Its 1440p resolution offers a great balance, providing a noticeable upgrade from 1080p at a lower cost than a 4K Wacom Cintiq, which needs adjustments for 1440p. While a 4K version is available, the 2.5K variant provides a better deal unless you absolutely need the additional pixels.
With eight programmable hotkeys and a versatile built-in kickstand with two positions, the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 has been designed with practicality in mind. While Huion’s software reputation has improved, it’s worth noting that the products have become more reliable over recent years. The Slim Pen PW550S stylus has 8,192 pressure levels and two programmable buttons. It is battery-free and comes with a donut-shaped stand that holds replacement nibs. All things considered, they do a great job justifying the $599 price tag.
For digital illustrators seeking an upgrade from their initial display tablet, the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) proves to be a solid choice. Unless your work necessitates a larger workspace, more pixels, or heightened color accuracy, this tablet covers all the essentials. Its portable size allows for easy transportation in a backpack, while the ample work area accommodates character art and web comics with ease.
Xencelabs Pen Tablet Bundle SE (Medium)
Size: 13.1 inches / Drawing area dimensions: 10.33 x 5.8 inches / Pen pressure levels: 8,192 / Wireless?: Yes, 16-hour battery life per charge / Weight: 1.5 pounds
Xencelabs is new to the graphics tablet market but made a strong start. Most attention goes to their flagship Pen Tablet, which supports both wired and wireless use. Notably, it features an ergonomic palm rest to enhance comfort during extended use. The real value, however, lies in the bundle package. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Bundle includes two styluses (one slim and one chunky with extra buttons) and the Quick Keys, a macro pad accessory with eight programmable buttons, a physical dial, and an OLED display.
The bundle is an outstanding technique to tackle the industry giants. It’s brilliant because it’s suitable for all skill levels, and you can go a long time before needing to upgrade your tablet. If you get the special edition in white, you’ll get a rare aesthetic option that complements an all-white or Apple setup. Regardless of the stylus you use, the cursor is smooth and has accurate pressure changes. The three programmable buttons on the device feel sturdy, and the drawing surface is so smooth that it’s satisfying. Additionally, Xencelabs software works seamlessly without any hitches, as good as the Wacom Intuos Pro range, while giving you additional perks and fewer built-in options for hotkeys and navigation.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet is a strong contender for creative professionals. It may not have the Wacom name, but it’s a solid alternative for quality and performance at $380. Xencelabs lacks Wacom’s long history, but our testing shows it can compete with the industry leader.
Whether you’re a student exploring new tech or a professional beginning in design, these top 5 tablets offer something for everyone. With prices ranging from under $100 to around $600, there’s a tablet to suit every need.
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FAQs
- What is the difference between a screen and a non-screen drawing tablet?
Screen tablets allow you to draw directly on the display, while non-screen tablets require a separate monitor to see your work.
- Do I need a computer to use a drawing tablet?
Most traditional drawing tablets need a computer, but some standalone options exist, like the iPad or Wacom MobileStudio Pro.
- Can I use a drawing tablet for writing notes?
Yes, most drawing tablets can be used for handwriting, note-taking, and annotating PDFs.
- Are drawing tablets compatible with all software?
Most tablets work with popular programs like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Krita, but it’s best to check compatibility before buying.
- How do I choose the right drawing tablet size?
Smaller tablets are more portable, while larger ones give more space to draw comfortably. Pick one based on your workspace and drawing style.
