Recommended drawing tablets for beginners
Overview
These are highly-curated recommendations for people who are just beginning to get into drawing tablets.
All these tablets deliver the basic experiences and a reasonable price
Some of these tablets are missing so-called "pro" features.
Below you'll find my beginner-friendly recommendations for:
pen tablets (no screen)
pen displays (have a screen)
and standalone tablets.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read Beginner's guide to drawing tablets.
If you want to see the full set recommendations go here: Drawing tablet recommendations
Pen tablets vs Pen displays
My recommendation for beginners is to start with a pen tablet (medium size) and get used to that first. Pen displays have pros and cons - don't assume they are better.
Much more here: pen tablets vs pen displays
Pen tablets
These are tablets WITHOUT a screen that need to be connected to a computer (some support wireless) to work.
If I had to pick one item on this list, I would recommend the Wacom CTL-672 for true beginners. It's reliable and has a decent drawing experience.
More info: Comparison of Wacom pen tablets
One by Wacom Medium (CTL-672) [no tilt, no wireless] (my notes)
Wacom Intuos Medium (CTL-6100) [no tilt, no wireless]
Wacom Intuos Medium (CTL-6100WL) [no tilt]
XP-Pen Deco M [no wireless] & XP-Pen Deco MW
XP-Pen Deco L (IT1060) [no wireless] & XP-Pen Deco LW (IT1060B) (my notes)
Huion Inspiroy Frego L (L610) (my notes)
Pen displays
These are tablets WITH A SCREEN that need to be connected to a computer. No pen displays are wireless. I don't enjoy drawing an 13" pen display. Instead, I prefer 16" and above. But 13" is a good way to get introduced to pen displays. More info: 7P notes on 13" pen displays
Huion Kamvas 13 (GS1331) (my notes)
The new Kamvas 13 GEN3 (GS1333) will be an even better choice.
XP-Pen Artist 12 GEN2 (CD120FH)
XP-Pen Artist 13 GEN2 (CD130FH) (my notes)
Standalone tablets
These are tablets that don't need to be connect to a computer.
More info: 7P notes: Apple iPad versus Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Apple iPad - Any Apple iPad that works with the Apple Pencil 2 (My notes)
NOTE: You will have the buy the Apple Pencil 2 separately. It does NOT come with the iPad.
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