8 of the best cheap drawing tablets for 2023

If you’re accustomed to more traditional methods of drawing, taking the dive into digital drawing can be daunting. The drawing tablet market is flooded with options, and we know it’s tempting to go for the best of the best. You’ll discover, however, that starting out with a cheap drawing tablet does not mean compromising on quality!

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We’ll walk you through the best budget-friendly drawing tablets to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. Starting out at a lower price point will take the pressure off, allowing you to give it a try without feeling guilty for spending lots of money.

We think that’s unlikely though, drawing tablets are great fun and a fantastic way to expand your creative repertoire. They give you much more freedom than traditional paper and pencil drawing.

Drawing tablets allow you to erase and redo your drawing without any consequences, move parts of the drawing, undo mistakes, and so much more. If you’re using image editing software alongside your drawing tablet such as Photoshop, you can draw layer by layer and edit these individually, something you can’t do with paper and pencil.

8 of the best cheap drawing tablets for 2023

1. XP-PEN G960S Graphics Tablet

This drawing tablet is jam-packed with useful features. With 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the lines and drawings you create will look even more natural. The joy of the stylus is that it doesn’t require batteries or charging! So you’ll never run out of steam with this kit.

Featuring a large working area, you’ll have plenty of space to get your creativity flowing. The tablet is compatible with most of the popular drawing software available and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

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Pros: Large working area
Cons: Cable can’t be unplugged from the tablet

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2. WACOM One By Wacom CTL-472-N Graphics Tablet

• Buy now from Currys

Wacom drawing tablets come in at a variety of price points each reflecting the features of the product. Choose from a basic drawing tablet (which does what it says on the tin) to professional-level drawing tablets.

For now, we’re looking at the budget-friendly WACOM One. It comes in under £40 making it the ideal beginner drawing tablet. It’s small in price but big in features. With 2048 levels of pressure, it’ll be sufficient for precision sketching.

The electromagnetic pen means it requires no batteries or charging, you can just plug your tablet in and start drawing. It’s as easy as that!

Pros: 2-year guarantee
Cons: Small size

3. Huion Inspiroy H1060P Drawing Tablet

Huion is another brand that’s big on quality but won’t break the bank. They have a range of budget-friendly tablets many of which boast similar features to professional-level tablets.

The Huion has a generous 6.25×3.9 inches working area for Android phones and provides 10 x 6.25 inches for PC mode, so there’s plenty of space to get creative! With a pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels, you’ll certainly notice the detail in your drawings.

In the box, you’ll find your tablet along with eight spare pen nibs and a helpful holder to safely store your pen.

Pros: Compatible with Android devices
Cons: No warranty from manufacturer

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4. Huion Graphics Tablets INSPIROY Q11K

If you’re in the market for a wireless tablet at a low price, this one is for you! Designed by the trusted brand Huion this wireless tablet will connect to your PC via Bluetooth. This allows you freedom of movement with your tablet.

Without wires you can place your tablet anywhere, this is great if you prefer to have it on your lap whilst drawing.

Another pro to this tablet is that it has eight customisable buttons, so you can add the shortcuts which suit you.

Pros: Wireless connection to PC or Mac
Cons: Buttons on pen easily accidentally pressed

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5. UGEE M708 V3 Drawing Tablet

This excellent tablet offers a large working space of 10 x 6 inches, and 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Although the price is only around £50, it matches up on spec with more expensive models.

The tablet works well with any popular drawing app such as Photoshop and will result in a smooth drawing experience with no lag.

Pros: 12-month warranty
Cons: Connection is micro USB (as opposed to newer USB-C)

Video review of the UGEE M708 V3 Drawing Tablet

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6. GAOMON S620 OSU Signature Graphics Tablet

Coming in at the lowest price on the list at under £30, this tablet is incredible value for money! Compatible with Windows & Mac & Android, this is a great, versatile first drawing tablet. It does have a small working area of just 6×4 inches, however, this works well if you want to travel with your tablet.

As an extra bonus, the kit includes a glove so that you can rest your hand on the tablet without interfering with your drawing.

Pros: 8192 pressure levels
Cons: Small working area

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7. GAOMON PD1161 11.6″ IPS HD Graphics Tablet with Screen

If you want a screen on your drawing tablet, naturally it will be a little more pricy. However, this nifty tablet from Gaomon is under £200. It’s one of the cheapest drawing tablets with a screen on the market. This doesn’t mean compromise though, it’s certainly favoured by shoppers.

This tablet is packed with features. You’ll have an HD screen in ​​1920x1080p, eight shortcut keys and 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, plus a battery-free stylus.

Considering drawing tablets with screens can quickly skyrocket in price, this one is a fantastic way to get started.

Pros: Cheap drawing tablet with screen
Cons: Wired

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8. XP-PEN Deco Pro SW Drawing Tablet 9″ x 5″ Wireless Graphic Tablet

This one is for you if you want to go pro but keep it cheap! This glorious tablet from XP-Pen is just over £100, making it the ideal choice if you want to treat yourself that little bit more.

You’ll find this tablet gives you a smooth drawing experience with up to 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and a 60-degree tilt function, showcasing every subtle detail.

The tablet has eight customizable shortcut keys and two innovative dial wheels on its left, which can be tailored to your preferences (great for changing brush sizes).

Pros: Wireless
Cons: Costly for a beginner tablet

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Cheap drawing tablets can equal high-quality

Just because these drawing tablets are cheap, it doesn’t mean you’ll lose out on quality. As you’ll see the majority of low-cost tablets have sufficient features to keep any beginner busy.

You don’t need to break the bank in order to try digital drawing. It’s always sensible to choose the cheaper option if you’re brand new to digital drawing and would like to get a feel for it.

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Looking to step up your digital drawing?

If you’re already well-versed in drawing tablets and digital art, it’s time to upgrade! Take a look at the big boys of drawing tablets with our ultimate guide to the best drawing tablets for 2023.