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.

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 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 ] ★★★

• Wacom Intuos series

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

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

• 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]

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: Small pen display recommendations

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

• XP-Pen Artist 13 GEN2 (CD130FH) [$300, 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.