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.

Before you purchase:

• Read Beginner's guide to drawing tablets

• Review these Buying tips

• Look through the Drawing Tablet Buying Guide

If you want to see the full set recommendations go here: Drawing tablet recommendations

Which kind of drawing tablet

The first thing you need to understand is the type of drawing tablet you want to buy. So, read this document first before you continue: Types of drawing tablets.

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 One by Wacom CTL-672 for true. It's reliable and has a good drawing experience. The Huion Frego is a new tablet (released in 2024) that is also a terrific beginner choice.

• One by Wacom Medium (CTL-672) [no tilt, no wireless] [$60, links, my notes] ★★★

• Huion Inspiroy Frego M (L610) [$90, links, my notes ] ★★★

• XP-Pen Deco series ★★★

  • XP-Pen Deco M (IT850) [no wireless] [$50, links]

  • XP-Pen Deco MW (IT850B) [$70, links]

  • XP-Pen Deco L (IT1060) [no wireless] [$70, links]

  • XP-Pen Deco LW (IT1060B) [$90, links, my notes]

• Wacom Intuos series

  • Wacom Intuos Medium (CTL-6100) [no tilt, no wireless] [$200, links]

  • Wacom Intuos Medium Bluetooth (CTL-6100WL) [no tilt] [$200, links]

Pen displays

These are tablets WITH A SCREEN that need to be connected to a computer. No pen displays are wireless. 13" is a good way to get introduced to pen displays. Though I do think ultimately 16" is a better size longer term.

SMALL 13"

• Huion Kamvas 13 GEN3 (GS1333) [$260, links, my notes] ★★★

• XP-Pen Artist 13 GEN2 (CD130FH) [$300, links, my notes]

MEDIUM 16"

• Huion Kamvas 16 GEN3 (GS1563) ★★★ [$500, links, 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.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (My notes )

  • NOTE: The Samsung S Pen COMES WITH the tablet.

  • If you are one a smaller budget, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 lite (2022 or 2024 edition) (My notes) - a little bit sluggish but the price is great. The Samsun S pen also comes with this tablet.