Affordable drawing tablets
Drawing artists can do a lot in the modern world, especially with the new tools that the digital revolution has offered. Specifically, many artists who draw now use drawing tablets, which let the user draw normally onto a tablet while the tablet communicates with a computer to digitize the piece as the user draws. The result is greater access to digital art, without sacrificing the strokes of the artist’s pen — or in this case, the stylus.
Whether you plan to use your drawing tablet professionally, personally or somewhere in between, finding the right one may seem daunting. However, even the most affordable drawing tablets in this day and age include useful features and pressure sensitivity, so you can still do a lot with them no matter what your price point is.
Factors to consider when buying a drawing tablet
Drawing tablet pressure sensitivity
Pressure sensitivity is a tablet’s ability to distinguish between light and heavy pressure when touched with either a person’s finger or stylus. A tablet’s pressure sensitivity is one of the most helpful features for artists since it makes the artist’s drawings more realistic and drawing-like with light and heavy strokes. Not every drawing tablet will list a specific amount of pressure levels, but it’s important to at least make sure a tablet has pressure sensitivity if you plan to use it for drawing.
Drawing tablet size
Another major factor affecting which drawing tablet is best is the size of the drawing surface. While it may not be a dealbreaker for many digital artists, a larger drawing tablet can allow the user to work on a larger area within the drawing, without having to scroll around to different spots. Alternatively, some may prefer smaller drawing tablets that are more lightweight or easier to transport.
Drawing tablet ports
Most drawing tablets connect to computers using some kind of USB cable, most commonly USB-A, USB-C or micro USB. Still, many others also include connections via Wi-Fi, HDMI, Bluetooth or a combination of multiple connection methods.
Drawing tablet buttons
Some drawing tablets also include shortcut buttons that can be assigned to different commands on a given graphics program. These can be used to help the user work more quickly, with easier access to commands like undo, redo, erase or other tools which can usually be selected by the user themselves.
Drawing tablet stylus/digital pen
No matter what drawing tablet you decide on, the stylus or digital pen that either comes with it or that you purchase separately will make a major difference in how your experience turns out. While low-end styluses can sometimes feel clunky and only slightly responsive, other more high-end digital pen models can seriously help replicate the feeling of drawing with a real pen or pencil — which can make all the difference to artists who are used to a physical medium for drawing.
Digital tablet resolution
A drawing tablet’s resolution is measured differently than that of a typical touch screen or non-touch screen, using the unit Lines Per Inch (LPI) or Dots Per Inch (DPI). Drawing tablets with higher LPI or DPI measurements offer a better overall resolution, meaning they have more lines of sensitivity within which the artist can draw, and ultimately resulting in cleaner, clearer drawings.
Best cheap drawing tablets
Best of the best cheap drawing tablet
One by Wacom Small Drawing Tablet with USB-C Connection: available at Amazon
Our take: This super-affordable drawing tablet features high-pressure sensitivity, and is especially user-friendly for those with Chrome OS, though it works with other operating systems.
What we like: Affordable. Includes high-pressure sensitivity. Works great with Chromebook and includes three free months of Clip Studio Paint Pro. Also works with Mac and Windows. 6 x 3.7-inch drawing space. Feels like a pen on paper. Available in small and medium formats.
What we dislike: Some users complained that the micro-USB cable was too short.
Best bang for your buck cheap drawing tablet
XP-Pen Deco Mini7 Drawing Tablet with 8,192 Pressure Levels: available at Amazon
Our take: Despite being one of the most affordable drawing tablets on the market, this simple tablet includes eight shortcut buttons that are completely customizable and 8,192 pressure-sensitivity levels.
What we like: Very affordable. Thin, lightweight design for the utmost portability. Works with a number of programs. 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels. Includes adaptable shortcut buttons. The pen has tilt support. 7 x 4.37-inch drawing area. Compatible with most operating systems.
What we dislike: Does not include a wireless option.
Best cheap drawing tablet
Huion Inspiroy H640P Drawing Tablet with 8,192 Pressure Levels: available at Amazon
Our take: This budget-friendly tablet boasts some of the same features as its more expensive competitors, including six programmable keys and eight extra pen-nib attachments.
What we like: Micro USB connection. Six assignable buttons on the tablet. Includes express buttons on the stylus. 6.3 x 3.9-inch drawing space. 8,192 pressure-sensitivity levels. Very narrow, lightweight design for easy portable use. Includes pen holder and replacement tips.
What we dislike: Only works with Windows or Mac OS, not with Chrome OS.
Best large cheap drawing tablet
GAOMON M10K2018 Graphic Drawing Tablet with Stylus: available at Amazon
Our take: This affordable drawing tablet features an impressively large drawing space for such a low price, and it also includes a responsive, battery-free stylus and 8,192 pressure levels.
What we like: Affordable. Large drawing area size at 10 x 6.25-inches. Includes 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Battery-free stylus is fairly responsive. Includes 10 assignable buttons and touch ring with a scrolling wheel. Works with most graphics-processing programs.
What we dislike: This model only works with Mac OS and Windows.
Best cheap drawing tablet with shortcut buttons
XOPPOX Graphics Drawing Tablet with 12 Shortcut Buttons: available at Amazon
Our take: This tablet features a whopping 12 assignable shortcut buttons, as well as a larger-than-average drawing space and 10 other multimedia keys for Windows users.
What we like: 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. 12 customizable buttons with 10 touch multimedia keys. Works best with Windows, though it’s also compatible with Apple computers. Battery-free digital pen feels very natural. Connects via USB cable.
What we dislike: Does not support Chromebook, iPhone or iPad.
Zachary Visconti is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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