You’ve decided to start drawing digitally but have no idea which drawing tablet to get. When you search Amazon or eBay for drawing tablets, you are bombarded with multiple options. They range in size, purpose, portability, price, etc. But the question is still which one is more suitable for a beginner?
When I started drawing digitally, I thought I didn’t need a drawing tablet but drawing with a mouse and drawing with a pen makes a huge difference and it also saves you time. The biggest hurdle when choosing a drawing tablet for me was the price.
When I started to look into it a bit more, I discovered three types of drawing tablets: pen display, drawing pad, and computer tablets (aka iPad). And there are big differences just between pen display tablets themselves.
So, before I decided to buy a drawing device, I set up a criteria:
- It has to be below 200$ because that is what I could afford at the time
- Pen pressure-sensitive.
- The area of drawing should be at least as big as an A5 paper size.
- Easy to set up and transport.
- Quick and cheap delivery (I live in Europe; hence the shipping tends to be quite expensive).
- The pen needs to work without a battery (I’m too forgetful for constantly remembering to charge the pen).
At the time I got a One by Wacom drawing pad and I loved it. I use it daily and I’m not in the mood to change it any time soon. Maybe, later on, I’ll invest in a good pen display tablet but for now, I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. It cost me around 80€ with shipping.
The pen pressure is excellent, and the drawing area is big enough. It doesn’t have any additional keys on it, but I don’t need them. The pen has two buttons which is enough to start with.
Searching for a suitable drawing pad led me to think about what I’ll be using it for mostly, which is digital drawing and graphic design. Since I’ve decided to turn my hobby into a business, I’ll be using it continuously and it also needs to be light enough so I can take it with me easily and it needed to be compatible with different operating systems.
Choosing a drawing pad instead of a pen display was also important, mostly because my working space is small as it is, and putting a big display tablet on my desk would take up all the space I had on my table. So, moving it away every time I’m not using it would be a hassle, but a smaller pad can easily be stored away and brought back to the workspace.
Here are 6 drawing tablets that I believe are great for beginners
(and 2 bonus tablets that can be used for art as well)
1. Wacom CTL 4100 Intuos (drawing pad)
For Mac, PC, or Android smartphone/tablet,
Connects through USB,
Battery-free pen, 4000 pressure sensitivity, 2 buttons,
Slim and compact, small (7.9’’x6.3’’inch)
Customizable express keys on tablet,
PRICE: app. 80$
2. Huion Inspiroy H1060P (drawing pad)
Android supported as well, Mac, PC,
Light and portable,
10x6.25 inch
Battery-free pen, tilt support, 2 buttons,
8000 pressure sensitivity,
Customizable express keys on tablet,
Connects through USB cable
PRICE: app. 100$
3. Wacom PTH660 Intuos Pro (drawing pad)
For Mac and PC,
3 sizes (small, medium, large),
Connects through Bluetooth and USB cable,
Battery-free pen, pressure sensitivity, tilt-response,
eraser on pen, 2 buttons,
Multi-touch surface possibility,
customizable express keys on tablet
PRICE: app 240 – 500 $
4. XP- PEN Artist 12 (2nd gen) (pen display)
Wide color gamut, 1920x1080 resolution
Full lamination minimized parallax
Battery-free pen, 8000 pressure sensitivity,
2 buttons, tilt response,
For PC, Mac, Linux, Android, Chrome OS,
3 in 1 cable, extension cord
Customizable express keys on tablet
PRICE: app. 270$
5. Huion Kamvas Pro 12 (pen display)
11.6 inches, 1920x1080 resolution, FHD
Anti-glare glass, paper-like texture,
Compatible with Mac, PC, Chrome OS
Battery-free pen, tilt support, 8000 pressure sensitivity, 2 buttons,
Customizable express keys on tablet,
3 in 1 USB cable
Adjustable stand – up to 45 degrees
PRICE: app. 350$
6. Wacom One (pen display)
13.3 inch.
HD display, 1920x1080.
Build-in legs folds to 19 degrees.
Use as a secondary monitor.
Battery-free pen, 4000 pressure sensitivity,
tilt recognition, 2 buttons, no lag,
Minimal reflection.
Connects to Mac, PC, certain Android devices.
PRICE: app. 400$
BONUS Portable tablets suitable for drawing
7. iPad Pro
Can use Procreate to draw
11 inch
USB connector
Pencil not battery-free, not leggy,
good pressure sensitivity,
Standalone computer, portable, versatile,
PRICE: app. 1500$
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
12 inch
Samsung stylus, not battery-free,
good pressure sensitivity,
Android, can’t use Procreate,
Good resolution, low glare, portable
PRICE: app. 700$
In the end, it all comes down to you. Which one you choose will depend on your criteria. What are the things you’re looking for and what you’ll need the drawing tablet for?
But in my opinion, these are the ones that are great for beginners, and they won’t make you break your account.
Well except the iPad, but that’s Apple. It’s an iPad… The high price is understandable.
Now go and buy your own drawing tablet and start creating great art and great designs.
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