10 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets for Artists on an Affordable Budget

As designers, artists and creative’s, we don’t always require the best, highest spec’d, and most expensive tools to carry out our work on a day to day basis, and when choosing a new drawing and graphics tablet, there are many very good cheaper alternatives to the more expensive models we review here in our; Guide To Finding The Best Drawing Tablet

That said, there is trade off for a reduced price, and many of the best cheaper tablets do not come with a built in screen, which some users may find difficult. However for the most part many are willing to make this trade off.

We have a separate page for the best drawing tablets with screens here: How To Find The Best Drawing Tablet With A Screen

This guide begins with a list and review of our recommended best cheap drawing tablets, and is followed by an in depth guide to identifying the most important aspects and elements that need to be considered before buying a budget product such as this.

For quick reference, these tablets are:

The below comparison table provides a speedy break down of all 10 tablets with a score out of 10, they do of course all score highly as we’re only disusing and recommending the best options here.

ImageProductFeaturesPrice

Overall Winner

HUION HS610

Dimensions – 13.78 x 8.3 inches
Display Area – 10 x 5 inches
Weight – 600 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 12
Stylus – Battery-free with 60° tilt detection

9.8

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Runner-up

XP-PEN Deco 03

Dimensions – 13.82 x 8.54 inches
Display Area – 10 x 6.25 inches
Weight – 1250 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 6
Stylus – Battery free with 60° tilt detection

9.6

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Looking For An Upgrade?

Wacom Medium Intuos

Dimensions – 10.4 x 7.8 inches
Display Area – 8.5 x 5.3 inches
Weight – 410 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 4096 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 4
Stylus – Battery free

9.4

Check Price HUION Inspiroy H1161

HUION Inspiroy H1161

Dimensions – 14.67 x 8.72 inches
Display Area – 11 x 6.88 inches
Weight – 570 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 10 press & 16 soft keys
Stylus – Battery-free with 60° tilt detection

8.8

Check Price HUION HS64

HUION HS64

Dimensions – 7.87 x 6.54 inches
Display Area – 6.3 x 4.1 inches
Weight – 299 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 2
Stylus – Battery-free

9.1

Check Price HUION Inspiroy H640P

HUION Inspiroy H640P

Dimensions – 10.23 x 5.8 inches
Display Area – 6 x 4 inches
Weight – 226 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 4
Stylus – Battery-free

8.8

Check Price Wacom Small Intuos

Wacom Small Intuos

Dimensions – 7.87 x 6.3 inches
Display Area – 6.0 x 3.7 inches
Weight – 240 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 4
Stylus – Battery-free

9.3

Check Price GAOMON S620

GAOMON S620

Dimensions – 8.3 x 6.85 inches
Display Area – 6.5 x 4 inches
Weight – 250 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 12
Stylus – Battery-free with 60° tilt detection

8.5

Check Price UGEE S640

UGEE S640

Dimensions – 8.66 x 6.69 inches
Display Area – 6.3 x 4 inches
Weight – 489 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 10
Stylus – Battery-free with 60° tilt detection

8.7

Check Price VEIKK VK1060

VEIKK VK1060

Dimensions – 13.39 x 8.39 inches
Display Area – 10 x 6 inches
Weight – 568 grams
Pressure Sensitivity – 8192 levels
Compatibility – Android, PC, and Mac
Express Keys – 8
Stylus – Battery-free with 60° tilt detection

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Mục Lục

Our favorite 3 best cheap drawing tablets…

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of our top three…

Firstly for speed and efficiency we only review and shortlist our top results, and so the below tablets form an updated list of what we consider to be some of the best cheap drawing tablets currently available:

Overall winner – The best cheap tablet

HUION HS610 Graphics Drawing Tablet

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The Huion HS610 is an excellent budget option for anyone looking for a powerful and full-featured graphics tablet. Not only does it have lots of functionality, but it is also compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Android devices.

Runner up

XP-PEN Deco Graphics Tablet

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This second iteration of the famous XP Pen Deco 01 does not disappoint. This model includes a battery-free pen and Android compatibility on top of Windows and MacOS compatibility. The battery-free pen also supports tilt functionality.

Looking for an upgrade?

Wacom Intuos Medium Graphics Drawing Tablet

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The Wacom Intuos Medium does its job very well. So well, in fact, that they had to remove multi-touch functionality to differentiate it from more expensive models. While this model is pricier than the other ones on this list, it is well worth a purchase if you’re looking to upgrade.

The 10 best cheap drawing tablets reviewed

Starting with the winner and two runner up tablets, below we review the 10 devices we feel best fit this “cheap” drawing tablet category. At a range of price points and varied sizes, these best fit beginner artists that are new to digital drawing and those who are experienced that want a tablet to travel with.

First up…

Huion HS610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet

HUION HS610 Graphics Drawing Tablet

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Who is this for?

Considering its price tag (under $100), the Huion HS610 offers many cool features for anyone looking for a powerful budget graphics tablet. It’s easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface and quick setup procedures.

It is also compatible with Mac, PC, and even Android devices. If you’re looking for something simple that allows you to get started drawing immediately, it’s hard to do much better than this affordable tablet. It also has many capable features, as we will mention below.

Why we like it

The Huion HS610 comes in at 13.75 by 8.25 inches, making it a sizeable tablet for drawing in any size. The drawing surface is also textured to emulate the feel of paper and make the drawing process more fun and familiar.

On the left is a touch ring for easy control. Note that the dial doesn’t actually rotate, but rather is touch-sensitive. You can use it to scroll pages, adjust brush sizes, zoom in and out of canvasses, and much more.

Above and below the touch ring is a set of 12 hard express keys, and a further 16 soft express keys along the top edge. All of these are programmable, so you should be able to set up a shortcut for pretty much any function you’d like.

There is also a micro USB port on the side, which plays many roles. Apart from using it to charge the tablet, you can also use it to connect the tablet to an Android device or a computer.

The stylus is also quite capable, with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60 degrees of tilt detection. It’s battery-free, so you don’t have to worry about charging it or replacing the batteries.

It also has replaceable nibs and comes with extras in the box, so you can replace them as they get worn off. The tip functions as both a brush and eraser and you can switch between the two using a button on the side of the pen.

An ink well holds the pen when not in use, as well as the extra nibs.

Setting up the HS610 is quite easy. You’ll first need to charge it using the provided micro USB port and cable. An LED light will tell you the charging status, turning green when the tablet is fully charged.

Once charged, you will need to install the tablet’s drivers on Mac OS and PC devices. You won’t need to install drivers on Android devices, but the device should run on Android OS 6.0 or higher. There is also an included OTG adapter for Micro USB and USB-C devices.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Unfortunately, the touch ring and express keys do not work with Android devices, which is unfortunate, considering how much power and control they offer over the drawing process.

We also noted that the tiny status LED was rather too tiny. It can be hard sometimes to figure out whether it is alight at all, at least until it turns green and you know for sure your device is charged. This can be an issue for people with sight issues.

We also didn’t like the fact that we were restricted to using the left third of the tablet’s drawing surface when working with Android devices. We understand this is because of the aspect ratio of Android screens, but it can still feel limiting sometimes.

Pros

Large drawing area
Lots of express keys
Compatible with Mac OS, PC, and Android
Great value for money, considering the price

Cons

Touch ring and express keys don’t work with Android
No iOS compatibility
Android devices restricted to smaller working area

XP-Pen Deco Drawing Tablet

XP-PEN Deco Graphics Tablet

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Who is this for?

If you’re looking for a high-quality graphics tablet with an easy price tag, the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is the perfect candidate. It is not only compatible with PC and macOS devices but with Android 6.0 and above as well, a new feature in the second version of this iconic model.

Why we like it

One of the greatest realizations we came to when reviewing the Deco 01 V2 was how affordable high-quality graphics tablets are getting these days. For the amounts we’re paying these days, we would have got low-quality, probably counterfeit devices, just a few years back.

And even with that in mind, the Deco 01 tablet has a build quality and array of features that surpass its peers in this price category. It represents an excellent bargain.

To be sure, the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is the second iteration of the popular XP-Pen Deco 01, which we reviewed before, and which had great features. This version comes with Android support, as well as a wider and more robust list of capabilities.

The design is modern and minimalistic, which we have come to associate with the Deco line. The tablet has an incredibly slim form factor, with the functional drawing area taking up most of the space on the front, its bounds marked by four arrows that glow green when active.

8 shortcut buttons sit on the left of the drawing. Left-handed artists can rotate the tablets so that the shortcut buttons are on the right and press the right hand-mode button to get the new orientation to work. The 8 express keys are also all programmable, giving you lots of options for setting your most useful shortcuts.

The base of the tablet has 4 rubber pads to prevent slippage on a flat surface. Construction consists of high-quality plastic, and the buttons give a satisfying click when you press them. The drawing surface is scratch-resistant, yet with a textured tip for a pleasant drawing experience.

The stylus is wider near the tip, tapering toward the back. It has a balanced feel for good ergonomics and is made of high-quality plastic with a matte finish. It has 2 handy shortcut buttons located on the side.

It has 8192 shades of pressure sensitivity, as well as up to 60 degrees of title sensitivity either way (forwards or backward). We love that the stylus is battery-free, so no need to worry about batteries or charging, thanks to EMR technology.

The accessories are also great on this model. A functional pen holder keeps your pen secure when you’re not using it, while also holding the 8 replacement nibs that come free with your Deco 01. Other accessories include drawing gloves, a cleaning cloth, a stylus, and a USB cable.

Connectivity is via USB-C, and a driver exists for Mac and Windows compatibility. Android compatibility is native, and all you have to do is connect the tablet to an Android device using the USB adapter.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

There isn’t much to criticize in this pen, but there are a couple of things of note to consider. First, we think the pen would have been even better ergonomically if it had a rubber cover or something for better grip.

Depending on your device, there might also be some lag between drawing lines and seeing them appear on the screen. We also wish it were compatible with iOS devices.

Pros

Batter-free pen
High pressure sensitivity
Android compatibility

Cons

No rubber cover on the stylus
Some users have experienced lag

Wacom Intuos Medium Drawing Tablet

Wacom Intuos Medium Graphics Drawing Tablet

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Who is this for?

The Wacom Intuos M is a Wacom’s base tablet, with a budget price tag and surprisingly good features. This model is very popular among beginners and even experienced artists who want to have a Wacom in their tools set.

In fact, it’s so good that Wacom had to remove multi-touch functionality to distinguish it from more expensive models.

Why we like it

Perhaps the more appropriate question here is “why shouldn’t we like it?”

There’s a lot going for this tablet, from the 15-hour battery life to the incredibly smooth Bluetooth connectivity, to the large active drawing area that covers most of the surface. Build quality is very high, as would be expected of any Wacom device, and the stylus is battery-free – another plus.

The Wacom Intuos M is compatible with both Windows and macOS devices and is very easy to set up. To do so, you need to connect the device to the computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth.

You should then download the free driver and install it, and register your product for warranty tracking purposes. Another good reason to register your tablet is so that you can get Clip Studio Paint Pro, Corel Aftershot 3, and Corel Painter Essentials 6, all for free.

Once you’re done with the initial setup, you can easily customize the settings as you wish. If it’s your first time using a graphics tablet, this might involve a bit of a learning curve.

It’s normal for all beginners, however, and you’ll get the hang of it very quickly. When customizing the 4 shortcut buttons, be sure to have custom settings for the different art programs you might use. For example, one button can have multiple functions, depending on whether you’re in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom.

The tablet itself has a simple, yet elegant appearance, with a ridge along the top of the otherwise flat front surface. The four shortcut buttons, along with a power button, are built into that ridge, emulating its shape perfectly.

The drawing area covers most of the rest of the surface, extending 8.5 inches by 5.3 inches. The stylus has 4096 levels of pressure and is battery-free. Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t have tilt sensitivity.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

There are lots of things going well for this tablet, but there is also some stuff that could be improved without taking away from the base design.

For starters, we think the multi-touch functionality should be present, as it allows you to use the tablet as a trackpad when not using the pen. The smooth plastic of the tablet also scratches too easily when using standard nibs.

If you’re the kind of digital artist who presses hard down on a surface with your pen, you might want to buy soft nibs.

Pros

Bluetooth compatibility
Great build quality
15-hour battery life

Cons

Drawing surface scratches easily with standard nibs
Multi-touch functionality missing
Sits at the more expensive end of the cheap drawing tablet category

Huion Inspiroy H1161 Drawing Tablet

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The Huion Inspiroy H1161 is an affordable graphics tablet that nonetheless has plenty of modern and useful features. It has a decent active area of 279.4 by 174.6 mm and is 8mm thin, making it very slim and lightweight. The pen is battery-free and comes with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, as well as tilt functionality.

On the tablet itself, you will find 10 physical shortcut keys as well as 16 more ‘soft’ keys. Both the hard and soft keys can be programmed to whatever functionality you want.

What we love the most is the interoperability of this tablet. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Android versions over 6.0. So you can take your drawing to any device, whether your laptop, tablet, or smartphone!

Pros

26 programmable buttons
Very affordable
Battery-free pen
Android compatible
High resolution and report rate

Cons

The cable connects in a rather awkward way
The tablet is entirely plastic and needs care as the build quality isn’t the best
The buttons feel a little loose

Huion Inspiroy HS64 Drawing Tablet

HUION HS64 Graphics Drawing Tablet

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The Huion Inspiroy HS64 is a small graphics tablet that causes an equally small dent in your pocket thanks to how cheap it is. The active area measures 6.3 by 4 inches, making it spacious yet compact. It has 6 shortcut buttons lined along the to, each giving firm feedback when pressed. Best part is they’re all customizable.

The stylus is battery-free with 2 shortcut buttons on the side. We thought it felt a little too light but other than that it works like a charm. It also has great grip, 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, and 18 pen nibs! It’s also compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Android versions later than 6.0.

Pros

Very compact and lightweight
Pen performance is great considering the price
Price is affordable
Comes with 18 nibs out of the box
Compatible with multiple operating systems

Cons

There is no variety in the nib – only 1 type
The pen feels a little cheap for being so light

HUION Inspiroy H640P Drawing Tablet

HUION Inspiroy H640P Graphics Drawing Tablet

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The Huion Inspiroy h640p was the first graphics tablet by this manufacturer to offer a battery-free stylus, making it a great bargain compared to its price tag.

The design is quite simple, yet still elegant. It’s nothing more than a rectangle with rounded corners. It has decorative frames along the edges, making it look rather like a smartphone.

Whether that is a good design call or not is up to you. We love it a lot! At 2 inches thick, it’s a fairly thin tablet, though not the thinnest in the market. However, it is remarkably light at 1.35 pounds. The build is high-quality plastic with a matte case.

On the tablet, there are 6 shortcut keys, with the rest of the surface being taken up by the 6.3 by 3.9-inch drawing area. It has a micro-USB port for connecting to the computer on the left side, and that’s about it.

The surface is smooth and pleasant to touch, and the buttons are well-designed, with a satisfying click whenever they are pressed.

The stylus comes with 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, but no tilt detection Screen resolution stands at 5080LPI, and the report rate for the pen is 233PPS. All of these are remarkably good for such a cheap tablet, allowing you to do professional work on a small budget.

The setup is simple. Just connect the device to your PC and download and install the free driver. You can then program the shortcut keys however you wish and set the pressure sensitivity as well.

Note, however, that this device is only compatible with Windows and macOS devices.

Pros

Easy to use and set up
Suitable for beginner artist and children
8192 levels of pressure sensitivity
Comes with 8 nibs

Cons

Some will find the connectivity poor

Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet

Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet

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Wacom’s introductory graphics tablet is a great choice for many beginners, and it comes with a humble price tag too. It’s pretty small at 7.87 inches by 6.3 inches, but it is also very reliable and is compatible with Windows and macOS devices.

Along the top are four programmable shortcut buttons. The pen is battery-free and offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, but no tilt detection. On the back are four rubber pads to prevent the drawing pad from sliding on a smooth surface.

The Intuos is also very light, at just 240 grams. If it weren’t for its size, you would be able to throw this tablet in your pocket and go about your day like normal!

As is expected of any Wacom device, drawing with this one is a joy. The pen is highly responsive and the matte finish on the drawing surface makes drawing feel natural and satisfying.

The light stylus has two extra buttons on the side which you can set to perform whatever function you want. The greatest plus for this tablet is also its greatest minus, as some artists might prefer a much larger drawing surface for their needs.

Pros

Carries the Wacom build quality
Comes with Wacom’s Pro Pen 2
One of the few to feature multi-touch functions.

Cons

Some will find the connectivity poor

GAOMON S620 Drawing Tablet

GAOMON S620

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The Gaomon S620 is an excellent low priced budget tablet costing in the ballpark of $40. It has better build quality than most tablets in this category, a battery-free stylus, and lots of features.

The active drawing area measures 6.5 by 4 inches. The pen has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and is but no tilt support. The tablet comes with an artist’s glove, USB-A/USB-C adaptor, and 8 replacement nibs. While the tablet is made of plastic, it is good quality plastic with a nice feel.

The tablet’s matte black color also adds to the appeal of the design.

Unlike the other tablets in this price range, however, this tablet only comes with 4 shortcut buttons. That said, we feel this is more than enough for a beginner artist.

Pros

Very affordable (one of the cheapest drawing tablets here)
Great build quality considering the price
Battery-free pen
8 replacement nibs
Compatible with Android versions later than 6.0

Cons

No tilt sensitivity
The stylus isn’t as well-built as the tablet

UGEE S640 Drawing Tablet

UGEE S640 Graphics Drawing Tablet

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The UGEE S640 is yet another cheap tablet – even cheaper than the UGEE M708 V3 above at $35! As you may expect, there are upsides and downsides to this. This pen comes with 10 replacement nibs, and a USB-A/USB-C cable, which makes it a little more modern than the UGEE M708 V3. It also has a decent active area of 6.3 by 4 inches and 10 shortcut keys. The stylus is battery-free and has tilt functionality.

On the other hand, the build is not the best, and users have reported that the settings are very hard to understand. One user on Amazon said they were only able to configure the tablet to work as a mouse on their Windows 10 PC and nothing else. This is an excellent tablet to own if you don’t mind poring through documentation to figure the settings out.

Pros

Very affordable
USB-C cable included
10 shortcut keys

Cons

Low-quality build
Difficult to figure settings out

VEIKK VK1060 Drawing Tablet

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The VEIKK VK1060 is quite affordable at approximately $60. This tablet has a considerably large active area compared to the others on this list: 10 inches by 6 inches. It also comes with 8 programmable shortcut keys and has support for Windows, MacOS, and Android versions later than 6.0. It also has a USB-A/USB-C cable.

The stylus has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Unfortunately, however, while the box says the stylus has tilt sensitivity, we haven’t managed to get it to work yet.

Pros

Very affordable
Comes with a large active area
Has USB-C cable
Battery-free pen

Cons

Tilt sensitivity does not work

Best cheap drawing tablets with a screen

When it comes to budget tablets with screens, the price can (and should)jump up significantly from the above graphics tablets to be in and around the $200 mark.

There are of course a few cheaper options available, but as with anything you get what you pay for, and we strongly advise against going for anything lower in price without the risk of significant loss of performance.

The cheapest drawing tablet with a screen we can recommend is the Parblo Coast10 10.1″ Digital Pen Tablet Display, followed by the slightly more expensive GAOMON PD1161 11.6 Inches Tilt Support Drawing Pen Display.

However the overall winner here is the below HUION Kamvas 16 closely followed by the HUION Kamvas 13, with a 13 inch screen display. For its price, size, and brand reassurance, this tablet is fantastic value and perfect for anyone on a tight budget.

Huion Kamvas 16 Drawing Tablet

HUION KAMVAS Pro 16

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Who is this for?

The Huion Kamvas 16 is an excellent tablet for beginning and intermediate artists. Not only does it have most features that any artist might need, but it also comes at a deep discount compared to the industry leader in this category, the Wacom Cintiq 16. At just a few hundred dollars, this tablet is quite the bargain, offering new and improved colors, pen technology, and overall design. While this is technically a 2021 model, we strongly believe it is as relevant as ever in 2022 and will help many young artists launch promising careers.

Why we like it

For starters, the Kamvas 16 2021 is an upgrade on its predecessor, the 2019 model. It comes with some interesting improvements, including crisper colors (the 2021 model has 120% sRGB compared to 100% sRGB in the predecessor) and a cooler pen (PenTech 3 compared to PenTech 2 in the 2019 model).

When you purchase this tablet online, you get to choose the right plug, depending on what the wall power outlet looks like in your area. With the variety of wall outlets around the world, we thought this was a convenient feature.

The cabling is also quite diverse. There are 3 different cables. First, we have the USB-C to USB-C data cable, which allows you to directly transfer data from the tablet to other devices that use USB-C. Then we have two USB power cables, and finally a single 3-to-1 power and USB data cable for data and power transfer to devices using different ports.

We also love the pen. It’s a PW517 and uses PenTech 3, one of the best in Huion products. It has up to 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt functionality. It is also completely battery-free so you don’t have to worry about charging it. Overall, the pen is well-built, with a solid feel and comfortable grip, and yet it’s quite lightweight!

There are 2 buttons on the side that you can customize using the tablet’s driver. They give satisfying feedback when pressed.

The pen is also a major improvement over its predecessor, as it is firmer and less shaky, making for a better drawing experience.

There are also 10 physical shortcut buttons you can customize with the driver. They give excellent feedback when pressed. We also love how thin the pen display is. It’s thinner than some laptops we’ve seen!

Flaws, but not dealbreakers

For starters, the pen display comes with a glossy film that covers the matte screen protector. It needs to be peeled off. Unfortunately, the instructions on the sticker aren’t very instructive. They say to remove the screen protector to get to the antiglare film, and yet they don’t mention what we quickly discovered when we tried this: you have to be super careful not to remove the matte film at the same time as the screen protector covering it.

The anti-glare on the matte film can also be rather aggressive, almost doing its job too well when there is a lot of reflection.

We also didn’t like the limitations of the Android support. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether it will work with your particular Android device or not.

Pros

Very nice design
120% sRGB
1080p resolution
Nice size
10 replacement nibs

Cons

You have to buy the stand separately
Android support unpredictable
It’s easy to peel off the matte screen protector along with the protective film covering it
Aggressive anti-glare can affect the contrast and introduce white noise
Only has a maximum brightness of 195

Understanding the different types of drawing tablets (a novices guide)

If you enjoy sketching, it’s highly likely that you have considered trying alternative medias to a pen and paper. Drawing tablets for example are an excellent way to enhance your art work whilst using all the benefits of working digitally.

While shopping for this kind of equipment, the first thing to think about is whether you want a graphics or drawing tablet. Some people believe they are the same, but that is definitely not the case.

New and amateur artists often find that a graphics tablet with a good pressure sensitivity is a solid starting point because they’re less expensive.

If you’re shopping for a drawing tablet, be prepared to spend more money, as these tablets are quite a bit more costly, though they offer a whole other user experience.

We have a complete guide to finding the best tablet for new artists here in our “Guide To Finding The Best Drawing Tablets For Beginners”

So what is the difference?

Graphics tablets

A graphics tablet has no actual screen. Instead, it connects to a separate monitor that shows your sketch in real-time. These tablets must link to an external PC or monitor to work.

Pros for graphics tablets:

No battery
No screen means no damage
Shockproof and longer-lasting
More natural sketching/writing
Faster operation backed by your PC’s processor
Compatible with Windows, MAC OS, and Android operating systems

Cons for graphics tablets:

Must use with a computer
No built-in computing power

Drawing tablet

A drawing tablet is the most common among today’s digital artists and offers an ideal canvas for sketching, and consequently provides the best drawing experience. This style of a tablet includes a fully-operational onboard computer and has a digital screen for drawing.

Pros for drawing tablets:

Various kinds of connectivity including HDMI, USB, and USB-C
Digital screen output
Compatible with Windows, MAC OS, and Android operating systems

Cons for drawing tablets:

Easily damaged
Less potent than PC-connected graphics tablet
More expensive

What to look for when buying a cheap drawing tablet

Especially for first time buyers, choosing this type of equipment can involve a lot research and often quickly become quite overwhelming.

However to help you with this, we have prepared the below buyers guide and broken down the most important areas that need to be considered before making your purchase.

HotKeys / Shortcut keys

HotKeys are essentially shortcut keys that help to make the drawing process more efficient by providing a ‘shortcut’ to your most frequently used tools. Nowadays, drawing tablets often have these keys built right in, whilst in the past, they were only accessible directly via the artists PC or Mac.

For hotkeys to work to their fullest potential, they must be customizable and allow the artist to assign their own bespoke shortcuts. There are however tablets that automatically do this based on how frequently a tool is used, which can of course have its disadvantages.

The benefit of having a customizable work space is the freedom it provides to add and delete shortcut key as and when needed, as not every project requires the same drawing tools.

Connectivity

Your drawing tablet must connect to a PC and/or monitor for it to work, and there are several different key types of connection available:

USB:

The most common cable connection is via USB. This as with any cable connection comes with the limitation of needing to be physically connected to a PC and/or monitor for it to work, and so is not easily transportable. The benefit however is that the connection rarely (if at all) fails, and is therefore highly reliable when working.

Wireless – Bluetooth:

Wireless technology as with a WiFi internet connection, eliminates the use of cables, and opens up a great amount of user freedom and flexibility. A wireless tablet can be treated much like a piece of paper, as for example can picked up, rotated, moved about on the desk, and passed around etc.

Best cheap drawing tablet

Price

When it comes to drawing tablets, it is larger priced models that have the higher specifications, and as mentioned and seen above, when looking for a drawing tablet on a budget, the cheaper options tend to not have their own screens.

So find your price point and stick it, and be prepared for a trade off of price vs performance.

Pressure Sensitivity / Pressure Levels

The thickness of the pen stroke and therefore the lines being drawn are controlled via the pen pressure levels or level of pen pressure sensitivity the artist places upon the pen when drawing. The levels of pressure sensitivity are measured from 512 to 8192 levels, where the higher the number, the more subtle the strokes can be.

Fortunately this range of pen pressure sensitivity means that there are products for both light and heavy detailed strokes to ensure the best drawing experience. If required, most artists will find a 2048 pressure level will be sufficient for most tasks.

Scrollers

Scrolling on a drawing tablet can at first require a little getting used to, as many users find it challenging to transition from a mouse.

There are however two main ways to scroll, where one is to use a finger in a swiping motion and the other is to use the stylus (pen).

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and many artists transition between both, but please make sure that the stylus has been configured correctly for scrolling, and does not confuse it for pen strokes or vice versa.

Compatibility

Fortunately, for most products available today they are compatible with Windows, MAC OS, and often also Android operating systems, making them highly versatile in both the studio and at home.

Portability

Unfortunately where affordable tablet fail, is when the artist wants to sketch and/or draw whilst travelling, which due to the lack of a screen is impossible. Many users however also own an iPad, and the iPad Pro in particular comes with a pen with equal pen pressure sensitivity capabilities to most high level tablets for this very reason.

It also hopefully goes without saying that an iPad Pro also provides a very compact and fast personal computer, that can aid in far more than just drawing.

Best cheap drawing tablet

Drawing surface and active drawing area

When it comes to discussing a drawing tablets size, we are referencing the available active drawing area (drawing surface) as appose to its physical presence.

The active area is the surface where you draw. With a drawing tablet, this is the screen. But, with graphic tablets, the active area is covered with sensors that detect your strokes and then relay the image to a separate monitor using your PC.

Tablets come in all manner of sizes, however when searching for cheaper models, we must be careful to not opt for a large drawing area over overall quality, as the best drawing output is not dependant on size.

For this reason, and as you will see from our recommendations above, several of the products come in quite modest sizes and active areas, as primarily it is your budget that will control the size options available to you..

Accessories

While the stylus is the most significant accessory to think about, there are other items that you might also consider. For example, buying a drawing tablet that includes a travel bag saves you having to invest in one separately.

A case or screen protector is useful if you plan to frequently transport your tablet, as are cleaning cloths.

Some tablets also have additional nibs for the stylus. These can provide alternative stroke and pressure patterns for more detailed work, for example.

Support

There’s always the possibility that you will encounter a problem, or two while setting up your drawing tablet. You could even run into issues once you’re a seasoned user, and so it can be extremely useful for a tablet to include a regular support feature.

Having the added insurance of technical support means never having to worry about any issues. Whether its an operational problem, or a question about its features. Without access to a support network, you won’t be able to get the right solutions to your problems.

Stylus / Pen

The stylus is a critical element of your drawing tablet. With the right kind and through careful control of pen pressure sensitivity, you will draw more naturally and achieve subtle transitions between strokes.

Most often, the stylus included with your drawing tablet will be sufficient for everyday use. However, if you’re a professional artist, you might find it lacks the necessary features.

Why use a stylus?

Put simply, all the best drawing tablets come with and recommend that artists use a stylus and/or pen when drawing.

Using a stylus instead of your finger keeps your screen free from fingerprints, its soft thin tip prevents scratches, and provides a more accurate and precise stroke patterns through precise pressure levels.

The following parts of your pen are worth thinking through before making your decision;

Style

There are two kinds available, the standard and the stylus pen. The difference is the stylus has a simple rubber tip, while the stylus pen includes both the rubber tip and writing instrument in one.

The tip along with the pressure levels used is what decides the precision of your stroke. Just like a traditional paintbrush or drawing pencil, thicker tips are better for coloring and broader strokes. Whereas, thin tips give you more precise results and a smaller stroke.

FAQ’s

What is the best budget drawing tablet?

There are several budget drawing tablets that may be suitable for your needs. Some options to consider include:

Huion H610 Pro: This tablet has a large drawing area, a high pressure sensitivity, and a low price point. It is a popular choice among budget-conscious artists.
Wacom Intuos: The Wacom Intuos line of tablets offers a variety of sizes and features, including pressure sensitivity and Bluetooth connectivity. These tablets tend to be more expensive than some other budget options, but they are well-regarded for their build quality and performance.
XP-Pen Deco 01: This budget drawing tablet has a large drawing area and good pressure sensitivity, making it suitable for drawing and painting. It also has a sleek, slim design that is easy to carry.
VEIKK A50: This budget tablet has a large drawing area and good pressure sensitivity, as well as a durable build quality. It also has a variety of shortcut buttons that can be customized to suit your workflow.

Ultimately, the best budget drawing tablet for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to read reviews and compare the features and specifications of different tablets before making a decision.

Are cheap drawing tablets worth it?

Cheap drawing tablets can be a good option for those who are just starting out with digital art or who don’t need a high-end tablet for professional use. These tablets may have limited features and may not be as responsive or precise as more expensive models, but they can still be a good tool for casual or beginner artists.

That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that you often get what you pay for when it comes to technology. Cheap tablets may have lower build quality and may not last as long as more expensive models. They may also have less accurate pressure sensitivity or other features that may impact the overall user experience.

If you’re considering a cheap drawing tablet, it’s a good idea to read reviews and compare the features and specifications of different models before making a decision. This will help you make an informed choice and ensure that you get a tablet that meets your needs and budget.

We have an article here, that explores this topic further.

What drawing tablet is best for beginners?

We have a full article on this here, but in short – there are a few key factors to consider when choosing a drawing tablet for beginners:

Budget: It’s important to set a budget and choose a tablet that fits within your price range. There are a number of budget-friendly tablets available that can be suitable for beginners.
Size and portability: If you plan to take your tablet with you when you travel or work on the go, you may want to consider a smaller, more portable option.
Features: Look for a tablet with basic features such as pressure sensitivity and a good-sized drawing area. Some tablets also come with software or online tutorials to help you get started.

Some popular options for beginners include the Huion H610 Pro, the Wacom Intuos, and the XP-Pen Deco 01. It’s a good idea to compare the features and specifications of different tablets before making a decision.

What is the best cheap Android tablet for drawing?

There are a number of cheap Android tablets that may be suitable for drawing, depending on your needs and budget. Some options to consider include:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A: This budget-friendly tablet has a large display and good pressure sensitivity, making it suitable for drawing and painting. It also has a durable build quality and a long battery life.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus: This tablet has a large, full HD display and good pressure sensitivity, as well as a durable build quality. It also has a long battery life and a variety of connectivity options.
Huawei MediaPad T5: This budget tablet has a large, full HD display and good pressure sensitivity, as well as a durable build quality and a long battery life. It also has a variety of connectivity options.

We discuss this further here.

To conclusion – The ultimate best cheap drawing tablet…

Being industry leaders, Wacom tablets are very well known for their professional grade drawing experience. Whereas Xp-Pen are more commonly known for a slightly more budget friendly product that is packed full of features, and aimed at entry level artists.

Some artists will find that XP-Pen’s high amount of features and specifications compromise its overall quality in terms of its physical feel and sturdiness, and therefore tend to lean towards a slightly more durable product.

Wacom in this regard are a little more conservative with their tablet features and specifications, but balance this out with an overall higher quality drawing experience, that as a result has led to their widespread popularity amongst most (if not all) professional digital artists.

With that all said, Huion fall’s in the middle here and offers a very comparable stylus’ and a similar drawing experience, it wont beat Wacom’s superior hardware and durability, but as an all round cheap drawing tablet its a winner in our book!

Final verdict… the Huion HS610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet

10 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets for Artists on an Affordable Budget

Our favorite 3 best cheap drawing tablets…

Overall winner – The best cheap tablet

Runner up

Looking for an upgrade?

The 10 best cheap drawing tablets reviewed

Huion HS610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet

Who is this for?

Why we like it

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Pros

Cons

XP-Pen Deco Drawing Tablet

Who is this for?

Why we like it

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Pros

Cons

Wacom Intuos Medium Drawing Tablet

Who is this for?

Why we like it

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Pros

Cons

Huion Inspiroy H1161 Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

Huion Inspiroy HS64 Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

HUION Inspiroy H640P Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

GAOMON S620 Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

UGEE S640 Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

VEIKK VK1060 Drawing Tablet

Pros

Cons

Best cheap drawing tablets with a screen

Huion Kamvas 16 Drawing Tablet

Who is this for?

Why we like it

Flaws, but not dealbreakers

Pros

Cons

Understanding the different types of drawing tablets (a novices guide)

Graphics tablets

Drawing tablet

What to look for when buying a cheap drawing tablet

HotKeys / Shortcut keys

Connectivity

Price

Pressure Sensitivity / Pressure Levels

Scrollers

Compatibility

Portability

Drawing surface and active drawing area

Accessories

Support

Stylus / Pen

Why use a stylus?

FAQ’s

What is the best budget drawing tablet?

Are cheap drawing tablets worth it?

What drawing tablet is best for beginners?

What is the best cheap Android tablet for drawing?

To conclusion – The ultimate best cheap drawing tablet…

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