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The 8 best drawing tablets for beginners to try in 2024

Want to move into digital drawing and painting? Here’s our pick of the best drawing tablets for beginners

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Published: January 22, 2024 at 9:18 am

Many artists would never dream of attempting any digital drawing or painting on a tablet. How can working away on a computer compare to the messy, tangible joys of drawing and painting?

The mistake most artists make is viewing digital art as a rival, rather than a friendly relation, of traditional media. It’s highly unlikely that digital art will ever supplant real-life drawing and painting – after all, it’s pretty hard to hang a JPEG on the wall. Lots of people also wrongly assume tablets are only used by graphic designers, architects, animators and the like doing client-based work.

Keen to get started? First things first: you’ll need to invest in a drawing tablet.

Read on to discover the best drawing tablets for beginners. We've provided a mix of standard drawing tablets and display tablets that are affordable, simple to set up, and will see you well through many long hours of digital creation. We’ve also answered a few key questions so that you can choose the drawing tablet that's right for you.

Keen to know more? Checkout our ultimate guide to drawing tablets.

We've also gathered the 8 best cheap drawing tablets, so you can bag a discount.


Best drawing tablets for beginners 2024

Prices are updated regularly and are correct at the time of writing, but may change

1. Wacom One

Wacom One Drawing Tablet

Key specs

  • RRP: £55.99 / $59.95
  • Active area size (mm): 52 x 95
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 2048
  • Resolution (LPI): 2540
  • Report rate: N/a
  • Pen type: Choose from a selection of battery free, cordless digital pens with different configurations.
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: None
  • Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.1

Not sure about this digital malarkey and keen to keep your spending low? There’s no other contender than Wacom’s entry-level digital tablet, which has a working area of 152mm by 94mm (6in x 3.7in). It actually has the same LPI (2540) as the pricier Wacom Intuos, although the stylus has around half the number of pressure levels (2048 versus 4096).

At £36, it’s seriously good value - you could easily spend more on a box of pencils. One thing to bear in mind is that the Wacom One doesn’t have any customisable button – that’s something you might miss later down the line.

For customisable colourways, add-ons, and 2 year warranty with access to their repair service, buy direct from the Wacom website.

Pros: Affordable, great for beginners, reputable brand.

Cons: Not a display tablet, smaller active working area.


2. Huion H1060P

Huion H1060P Drawing Tablet

Key specs

  • RRP: £79.99 / $99.99
  • Active area size (mm): 254 x 159
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 8192
  • Resolution (LPI): 5080
  • Report rate (RPS): 220
  • Pen type: ±60° tilt, silicone covered digital pen PW100 with twin buttons to eraser and brush, comes with pen holder PH03 with a nib extractor
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: 12 hard plus 16 soft express keys
  • Compatibility: macOS/Windows/Android/Linux
  • Connectivity: Micro USB 3

Next up in price is Huion’s H1060P. As you can see, just a little extra spending represents a significant jump in specs: the H160P has an LPI of 5080, and its stylus boasts an impressive 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.

With an active area of 158mm by 99mm (6.25 x 3.9 inches), it’s a little larger than the Wacom One. The stylus has a 60-degree tilt function, which means the mark you make will change depending on the angle at which you hold it - just like real life!

It connects to your device with a Micro-USB cable but comes with a USB-C adaptor, which is handy as that’s a connection that’s becoming increasingly common on laptops and even some smartphones. The Huion H1060P also has two banks of buttons along the top and left-hand edges, which you can tailor to your needs as you get more and more into digital work.

Pros: Larger active area, several customisable keys, more pressure levels, and higher LPI than the Wacom One, for a fairly small increase in price.

Cons: Not a display tablet, no software included.


3. Wireless Wacom Intuos (small)

best_drawing_tablet_for_beginners_wacom_intuos (1)

Key specs

  • RRP W/o Bluetooth: £70 / $69.95
  • RRP With Bluetooth: £89.99 / $99.95
  • Active area size (mm): 152 x 95
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 4096
  • Resolution (LPI): 2540
  • Report rate (RPS): 133
  • Pen type: Cordless, pressure-sensitive, battery-free pen with built-in pen nib compartment and nib removal tool at end, plus 3 spare nibs
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: 4 customisable keys
  • Connectivity: Micro USB 3, Bluetooth 5.1

Wacom’s step up from the entry-level One is the Intuos. Even though it’s costlier than the Huion H1060P, it only has about half that tablet’s LPI.

So why the extra dosh? Two reasons: firstly, the Intuos can be used wirelessly. You can buy without Bluetooth for £4 less on Amazon, but it’s such a meagre saving we can’t imagine anyone opting for that. Although, for our friends across the pond, the non-Bluetooth version is currently on sale via the Wacom website for just $39.95, so there's a bit more incentive to opt for the less tech-y version.

Secondly, it comes with a trio of free software packages: Corel Painter Essentials 7 (for digital painting), Clip Studio Paint Pro (for drawing and painting) and Core AfterShot Pro 3 (photo post-production). That’s a great selection if you’re interested in trying out lots of different things with your tablet.

The stylus, meanwhile, has two customisable buttons and 4,096 pressure levels. In a particularly nice touch, the tablet’s four customisable buttons are grooved so you have somewhere to rest the stylus. This is one of the best drawing tablets for beginners, with plenty of great features to experiment with.

Pros: Includes artist software packages, customisable buttons on both tablet and stylus, wireless.

Cons: Lower LPI means reduced resolution.


4. XP-Pen Deco03

XP-Pen Deco03 Drawing Tablet
  • RRP: £99.99 / $99.99
  • Active area size (mm): 254 x 143
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 8192
  • Resolution (LPI): 5,080
  • Report rate (RPS): 266
  • Pen type: P05 pen with multifunction holder and 8 replacement nibs
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: 6 customisable express keys, multifunction dial
  • Connectivity: Micro USB 3, ISM 2.4G USB wireless

With a 254mm by 143mm (10 x 5.62 inch) working area, the XP-Pen Deco03 is perfect for beginners looking for a larger-sized tablet - more space will ultimately offer your hand scope for more expression. It’s another one that supports a wireless connection, and it has the same 5,080 LPI resolution as the Huion H1060P.

Although it only has a modest six keys, the Deco03 boasts a dial that will no doubt be popular with people who are doing things like subtly tweaking colours or brightness.

You’re also well set up for the long term - the package contains 8 replacement stylus nibs, and an anti-fouling glove.

Pros: Larger drawing space, wireless connection, high LPI, adjustment dial.

Cons: No software included.


5. XP-Pen Artist12

XP-Pen Artist12 drawing tablet
  • RRP: £199.99 / $199.99
  • Active area size (mm): 256 x 144
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 8192
  • Resolution (LPI): 5080
  • Report rate (RPS): 266
  • Pen type: Latest battery-free P06 stylus, unique hexagonal design, non-slip & tack-free flexible glue grip, partial transparent pen tip, eraser at the end
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: 6 customisable express keys
  • Connectivity: Micro USB 3, ISM 2.4G USB wireless

Currently on sale on the XP-Pen website for £169.99 / $159.99.

XP-Pen Artist12 is a drawing tablet that effectively works as a second screen and can be used in conjunction with the art software on your laptop or PC. This is an incredibly useful feature for budding digital artists. The screen has a sharp HD display and an anti-glare coating to protect your eyes – this means that you can see your work easily, even on bright and sunny days.

The surface of the tablet is very sensitive to pressure, which helps you to get the effects you want to achieve when you’re drawing. This tablet comes with a XP-Pen advanced P06 passive pen which won’t slip on the surface. It feels like using a traditional pencil!

The X-Pen Artist-12 drawing tablet is excellent value for money for anyone looking for the best drawing tablets for beginners. It’s a high-quality tablet that’s less pricey than most professional drawing tablets.

Pros: First display tablet in our roundup, behaves as a second screen, anti-glare coating, latest P06 pen, great value.

Cons: Not as large a screen as some more expensive models.

Everything you need to know about drawing tablets

Get to grips with all of the essential info you need to know with Gathered's complete guide to drawing tablets.


6. Wacom One Creative Pen Display

Wacom One Creative Pen Display Tablet
  • RRP: £359.99 / $399.95
  • Active area size (mm): 294 x 166
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 4096
  • Resolution (LPI): 2540
  • Report rate (RPS): 240
  • Pen type: Pressure-sensitive, cordless, battery-free
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: Not specified
  • Connectivity: USB 3

Okay, okay: we know we said that display tablets aren’t really aimed at beginners. But also we know that lots of people are much more comfortable with the idea of stylus-to-screen drawing and painting. So if you’re dead set on a tablet with a screen, we’re going to point you in the direction of Wacom’s One Creative Pen Display, which was developed as an entry-level, cheaper alternative to the professional-oriented Cintiq range.

There are curious trade-offs in terms of quality – the included Wacom One Pen has a modest 4,092 levels of pressure sensitivity, and the screen doesn’t have the full colour range of the Cintiq 16. But for casual artists and hobbyists who want to see their digital creations growing directly beneath the tip of their pen, this is the ideal choice.

Pros: Beginners may find display tablet easier to use, 3 months free access to the bundles apps, larger active screen.

Cons: Pricier than a standard digital tablet, fairly low pressure sensitivity and resolution, not wireless.

Shopping around for a loved one? Check out 40 of the best gifts for artists.


7. Huion Kamvas 22 Plus

Huion Kamvas 22 plus
  • RRP: £449 / $549
  • Active area size (mm): 476.64 x 268.11
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: 8192
  • Resolution (LPI): 5080
  • Report rate (RPS): 220
  • Pen type: Huion PenTech 3.0 technology, battery-free pen PW517
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: None
  • Connectivity: 2 x USB C ports, 1 x USB A

If you have a bigger budget, consider buying a tablet like the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus. This is a good choice to go for if you want to get into graphic design or illustration more seriously – if you just want to do it occasionally then we’d recommend choosing one of the cheaper drawing tablets.

This is a high-quality drawing tablet for beginners that can be used with a computer or laptop. It can also be connected to an iPad Pro if you have one. This tablet is suitable for kids, students or amateur artists to use.

It has a large 21.5in screen, the colours display clearly and it works with minimal setup – so you can start drawing straight away. It also has an adjustable stand so you can enjoy drawing at a 20 degree - 80 degree angle, depending on what suits you.

The Huion Kamvas 22 Plus is an upgrade from the previous 2020 model, with a laminated screen and a high colour gamut (140% up from 120%).

Pros: Much larger active area, high pressure sensitivity and resolution, 3 ports for connectivity, adjustable stand.

Cons: More expensive, no customisable keys.

Ready to step it up a notch? Check out the 5 best drawing tablets to take your digital art to the next level.


8. iPad Pro

2021 iPad Pro
  • RRP: £899 / $799
  • Active area size (in): 11
  • Pressure sensitivity levels: Not specified
  • Resolution: 2388 x 1668 pixels
  • Report rate (RPS): Not specified
  • Pen type: Apple Pencil ($129) wireless pairing and charging, attaches magnetically, double-tap to change tools, hover tool.
  • Express keys and shortcut buttons: No
  • Connectivity: Thunderbolt / USB 4

If you’ve been thinking about getting a drawing tablet for beginners, consider whether an iPad might actually be better suited to your needs. An iPad such as an iPad Pro can be used to produce stunning digital artwork and there are lots of great illustration and photo-editing apps available. Plus, if you decide digital drawing isn't for you, you still have an iPad to play around with!

The iPad Pro has a beautiful liquid crystal display, which has a high number of pixels per inch. This means that the pixels on the screen are not visible to the naked eye.

This iPad doesn’t come with a stylus, so you will need to buy an Apple Pencil separately. Some people find that the stylus slips on the screen – if this is a problem for you, you can buy rubber stylus tips fairly cheaply online.

Pros: Better for beginners as it has a variety of uses, portable, plenty of apps available.

Cons: Glossy screen may not be preferable, apps tend to be of reduced capacity compared with desktop versions, no express keys.


How much are drawing tablets?

Drawing tablets come in a dizzying range of price points, but fortunately this reflects the target audience rather than quality.

There are two main types of tablet: standard digital tablets and display tablets. The first are faceless tablets you connect either via USB or wi-fi to your computer: you draw on the tablet, and your marks appear on your monitor through whatever software you’re using. These typically cost between £50 and £100, though you’ll find more advanced models can cost as much as £500.

Then there are display tablets, which are also known as pen display. These contain screens that you draw directly on to, which makes the process far more like typical drawing, with no disconnect between tablet and monitor. Sadly, these are considerably more expensive, with high-end models like the Wacom Cintiq Pro costing an eye-watering £1,482.

If you already own an iPad or other general tablet, you can invest in a standalone stylus like the Apple Pencil (£114.97 from Amazon). But these aren’t universally compatible, so if you’re set on using your stylus on a screen, make sure it’s labelled clearly to work with your device. If you're looking for a drawing app for your iPad, check out our guide to the best drawing apps for iPads.

Which are the best drawing tablets for beginners?

When you're looking for the best drawing tablets for beginners, we suggest you invest in a standard digital tablet, since you’re new to this game. Unless you’re 100% certain that you wish to commit to digital artmaking, a screen-based tablet is too steep an investment at this point.

Fortunately, the drawing tablet market has relatively few names - it’s monopolised for the most part by Wacom and Huion. If you see these two names, you know you’ll be buying a reliable tablet.

Unsurprisingly, the larger the tablet, the more you’ll spend. Many notable drawing tablets come in a range of sizes. As with any art equipment, think about your available space and your daily commitments. You might want a larger tablet that never leaves your desk; you might want a compact-sized one that can be tucked easily into a backpack.

Other things to look out for are the number of pressure levels that the stylus can offer, and the tablet’s LPI. This stands for line-per-inch: essentially how many pixelated lines of detail fit into a square inch of your tablet. If you appreciate a cable-free workspace, check to see if the tablet supports wireless connectivity.


Create digital art with the best drawing tablets for beginners

Digital art may not be as messy as traditional mediums, but it's full of creative possibilities. You can use drawing tablets to make incredible artwork and illustrations, build on your physical work or experiment with new ideas.

Buying a drawing tablet can be a big investment, and with so many options available it can be difficult to make a decision. The good news is that there are plenty of brilliant options to choose from, making it easy to find the best drawing tablets for beginners.

Save money with our cheap drawing tablet recommendations

If you're on a tighter budget, there are lots of affordable choices available to buy. Find the right one for your needs with Gathered's cheap drawing tablets guide.

Drawing tablet on desk
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