8 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets in 2023 [Beginners Friendly]

Every tablet you see and want to buy might not agree with your budget. If you are an aspiring graphic designer, tattoo artist, or even an engineering student trying to learn new things visually, investing in a cheap drawing tablet is a worthwhile decision.

But not every budget drawing tablet is good enough for you. To choose well, you must have surf through a slew of digital art tablets that are meant for beginners. As a designer, you should look for options with a pen, shortcut keys, and diverse connectivity and compatibility. However, cheap drawing tablets aren’t always up to the snuff.

Be it graphic design, animation, or any other creative work, it is advised to have an adequate active area, responsive pressure sensitivity, portable form factor, and other valuable resources in play. However, a lack of proper research while locating the best affordable drawing tablet might result in a less capable digitizer that compromises responsiveness and usability.

Keeping each of the factors to consider when purchasing a drawing tablet into consideration, I have finally come up with a list of the most useful yet cheap digital drawing tablets. These devices, despite being cost-effective, can handle almost anything you throw at them.

8 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets in 2023

Finding a reliable option isn’t easy. After a couple of hours of research and over three weeks of constant testing, I have finally enlisted 8 of the best budget drawing tablets in the retail space. Feel free to pick up one depending on the features and amount you are willing to spend.

Just so you know, the list starts with the most cost-effective options and slowly moves ahead with better options at an increased price. That said, let’s delve deeper into the world of reviews and get up close and personal with these resourceful devices:

1. Best for Beginners: XP-PEN Deco Mini

If you seek a functional yet cheap drawing pad that boasts multi-OS compatibility, right out of the box, XP-PEN Deco Mini is the one to invest in. Compared to the Deco Fun L, the Deco is smaller but easier to carry, making it a better bet for beginners.

Why is it a suitable option?

The 4 x 3 square inches active area seems small but is good enough for low-level doodling and sketching. It is best served by the high-end, self-charging stylus pen, boasting 8192 pressure sensitivity levels. The pen also assumes 5080LPI for the best possible sketches.

Plus, the bundle comes equipped with 10 pen nibs for error-free performance. There are 6 shortcut keys in play, allowing you to handle the device without breaking a sweat.

Connectivity & Compatibility

As far as the connectivity suite is concerned, the Deco Mini supports wired connections with the host device via the standard USB port. Also, this digitizer works well with almost every OS in plain sight, including Chrome, Android, Mac, and Windows.

As far as app support is concerned, you can use relevant creative tools like Ibis Paint, Easy Power, Canva, U Launcher, and others on this graphic pad.

Design & Other Features

Despite being the cheapest option, the stylus pen supports 60-degree of tile recognition. Made of hardened plastic, this cheap graphic drawing tablet weighs close to 0.4 pounds and measures 6.97 x 4.92 x 0.39 inches.

Conclusion

Overall, XP-Pen Deco Mini is a reliable yet cheap drawing tablet for beginners. It makes an appearance on the list courtesy of multi-OS compatibility and a portable form factor.

2. Best for Online Teaching: GAOMON S620

Not many digitizers allow you to play rhythm games and handle professional tasks easily. This is where the GAOMON S620 comes in handy, allowing to make the most of the portability and a bigger active area as compared to the likes of S630 from Gaomon.

Why is it a suitable option?

The S620 assumes an overall active drawing area of 6.5 x 4 square inches, allowing you just the right kind of space to express yourself. The battery-free, self-charging stylus works like a charm, boasting 8192 pressure sensitivity levels. Plus, there are 4 shortcut keys to make life easier for you, minimizing your interaction with the host device.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The micro-USB port lets you easily connect with most Android, Windows, and Mac-powered devices. And yes, the bundle comes with a standard USB cable, allowing you to focus on the important things at hand. As far as app support is concerned, the S620 lets you work with Adobe Illustrator, Maga Studio, and other resources.

Design & Other Features

The plastic-clad body weighs 0.55 pounds and measures 8.3 x 6.85 x 0.31 inches, to be exact. And making life more accessible are the rubberized holders that grip the surface and minimize skidding.

Conclusion

Overall, Gaomon S620 is one of the go-to budget digitizers on the list, best known for its excellent stylus, responsive drawing area, and compatibility with OSU games.

3. Best Stylus Pen Quality: Huion Inspiroy H640P

In case you want to surpass the creator within, the Huion Inspiroy H640P is the perfect graphic tablet on a budget. I even compared it with the Huion’s H430P and found the former to be more creator-specific, courtesy of a much-improved stylus pen.

Why is it a suitable option?

The Inspiroy H640P isn’t a pushover when the active drawing area is concerned. You get access to 6.3 x 3.9 square inches of the cumulative area, followed by a self-charging stylus pen. When it comes to the built-in features, the pen boasts 8192 pressure sensitivity levels followed by 8 built-in nibs and a decent report rate of almost 200pps.

There are 4 express keys in play followed by 2 dedicated buttons: meant to work as an undo tab, built-in eraser, and whatnot.

Connectivity & Compatibility

There is a micro-USB port to help you connect the Inspiroy H640P with Windows laptops, Macbooks, and Android devices. As far as app compatibility is concerned, you can use it with After Effects, Sketchbook, Maya, and more.

Design & Other Features

The device weighs close to 0.60 pounds and measures 10 x 6 x 0.30 inches when dimensions are concerned. Plus, the rubberized form factor makes it a highly durable option.

Conclusion

In theory, the Huion Inspiroy H640P is a more affordable yet reliable option in play, allowing you to handle most tasks with relative ease. Plus, the stylus quality is out of this world, making it stand out among other products on the list.

4. Best with Tilt Support: Veikk VK640

If you feel the need for an accurate graphic tablet at a throwaway price, the Veikk VK640 is the one to consider. Despite the affordable price, it offers better multi-platform compatibility than the likes of Huion Inspiroy H640P.

Why is it a suitable option?

As far as the active area is concerned, Veikk offers 6 x 4 square inches of coverage. Complementing the same is a responsive and ergonomic stylus pen, best known for pressure sensitivity of up to 8192. To top it all off, the stylus offers 60-degree tilt recognition support followed by excellent LPI resolution and report rate.

Plus, there are 6 shortcut tabs to make device handling easier for you.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The Veikk VK640 supports wired connectivity, all thanks to the built-in USB port. And there are OTG connectors in play, which you can get ahead of courtesy of the bundled USB cable. As far as compatibility is concerned, the device works really well with Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux-powered devices.

Coming to the app suite, you can deploy the same to work with Adobe Illustrator, SAI, and other creative resources.

Design & Other Features

This product measures close to 10.31 x 7.68 x 0.35 inches and weighs close to 0.62 pounds. Adding to the portability is the rubberized form factor, allowing the device to handle a few bumps along the way without cracking.

Conclusion

The Veikk VK640 is one of the better-looking graphic tablets on the list, courtesy of a sleek form factor and a reliable stylus pen.

5. Cheapest Wacom Tablet: Wacom One

Imagine you only have a Chromebook to work with. In that case, the Wacom One comes forth as your best bet. Also, I compared it with the Intuos Graphics, only to find that the One from Wacom has a niftier and more responsive stylus pen.

Why is it a suitable option?

The graphic pad offers an active area of 6 x 3.7 square inches, which is more than enough to work as an extension of your Chromebook. As far as the stylus support is concerned, the featured pen comes equipped with a rubberized yet comfortable grip, a responsive pen with an overall pressure sensitivity level of 8192, a 200+ report rate, and 8 bundled nibs.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Wacom One only supports wired connectivity, courtesy of the micro-USB port and OTG support. Wacom also includes cable in the package. What works well for this device is its ability to handle multiple apps like Pear Deck, Collaboard, and more. And even though it works like a charm with a Chromebook, One does offer Mac and Windows support as well.

Design & Other Features

The affordable drawing pad weighs a mere 0.57 pounds. As far as dimensions are concerned, it measures 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.3 inches. Not to mention the pressure-sensitive surface and the top-notch pen that works in tandem to create the best possible designs.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a Wacom tablet, the Wacom One is the best bet around. And it readily bests other products on the list, courtesy of the cost-to-ownership ratio.

Suggested Comparison: Wacom vs Huion

6. Best for Professioanls: XP-Pen Deco 01 V2

There aren’t many affordable graphic tablets around that can cater to creative professionals. One such device is the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2, which promises a larger drawing surface. It works even better than the Deco 02, courtesy of two additional shortcut keys.

Why is it a suitable option?

As a professional, you cannot go wrong with the Deco 01 V2, courtesy of the sizable active area of 10 x 6.25 square inches. However, the brilliant stylus steals the show, courtesy of 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, 60-degree tilt, and rotation support for up to 270 degrees.

The 8 shortcut keys are fun to work with and allow you to manage the device with precision. And each of these keys allows you to delete, pan, and zoom designs with relative ease.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The Deco 01 V2 lets you connect to Macbooks, Windows laptops, Android tablets, and Linux devices without breaking a sweat. The USB connectivity works like a charm and allows you to work with various tools meant for animation, illustrations, web conferencing, and more.

Design & Other Features

As a graphic tablet, the Deco 01 V2  is one of the more rugged options around, weighing close to 1.50 pounds. Also, it measures 13.82 x 8.54 x 0.31 inches, to be exact.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is one of the more impactful, professional-grade tablets on the list, best known for its massive surface area and a highly responsive stylus pen.

7. Best for Animation: Huion Inspiroy H610X

Huion is known for manufacturing some of the best tablets for drawing in the retail space. The Inspiroy H610X is one such offering that trumps the likes of the H320M, courtesy of a slimmer chassis and bigger active area.

Why is it a suitable option?

Well, the overall active area of 10 x 6.25 square inches is worth the wait. Adding to the functionality is the highly responsive stylus that boasts built-in keys, tilt recognition support of up to 60 degrees, and 8192 pressure sensitivity levels.

On top of that, you get access to 8 pen nibs followed by an overall resolution of 5080LPI. Adding to the functionality are 8 shortcut keys, which help you manage the tablet better.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The H610X boasts wired connectivity, courtesy of the built-in USB port. As far as compatibility is concerned, it supports Macbooks, Windows laptops, and even Android devices. When it comes to app compatibility, it supports tools like Clip Studio, SAI, Krita, and more.

Design & Other Features

As far as device heft is concerned, it weighs close to 1.20 pounds. Coming to the dimensions, this product measures 12.78 x 8.09 x 0.31 inches. Finally, this is one of the few offerings around that offer anti-slip cushioning to help you handle the graphic tablet better without worrying about the sudden drops.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the Huion Inspiroy H610X is a professional-grade tablet that outpaces other products on the list, courtesy of the excellent stylus support and a rubberized form factor.

Suggested Read: Best-Rated Huion Tablets of 2022

8. Best with Dedicated Screen: Huion Kamvas 12

Honestly, there aren’t many cheap drawing tablets with screens available in the market, but I still have one in my mind. If you’re ready to spend a bit more, this is a worthy option to invest in.

I guess by now, you would want to look at something more than standard digitizers. And that is exactly why I have tracked down the Huion Kamvas 12: a cheap display drawing tablet. And when compared with the likes of Kamvas Pro 12, the Kamvas 12 steals the show with four additional programmable keys and a tech-infused stylus pen.

Why is it a suitable option?

If you are a professional illustrator, the Kamvas 12 is a powerful yet inexpensive drawing tablet that makes a compelling case, courtesy of the 11.6-inch display and an overall resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Adding to the display-specific brilliance is the 120% sRGB color palette, 178-degree wide-angle viewing, and a laminated screen that ensures the highest levels of color accuracy.

The stylus pen features the PenTech 3.0 technology, assumes a pressure sensitivity of up to 8192, and even throws in 60-degree tilt support. Adding to this are 8 express keys, which allow you to operate the tablet without accessing the host device every now and then.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The standard USB port lets you connect the device using an HDMI or USB cable, as per requirements and the capabilities of the host. Plus, it lets you work with Android-powered devices, Windows laptops, and MacBooks.

As far as the app support is concerned, you can work on SAI, Photoshop, Painter, and Krita with this device at your disposal.

Design & Other Features

The Huion Kamvas 12 weighs 1.62 pounds and measures 13 x 7.76 x 0.46 inches, to be exact. What works in its favor is the rugged form factor and a hardened glass that can resist casual falls and drops.

Conclusion

If you seek the best cheap drawing tablet with screen, the Huion Kamvas 12 would be my top recommendation. It outpaces every other device on the list, courtesy of the dedicated 1080p screen. But if the price point still feels a tad inflated, the Gaomon PD1161 can also be opted for, courtesy of a similar specs sheet at a $20 concession.

Suggested Read: Graphic Tablet vs Drawing Tablet

Buying Guide to Pick an Affordable Drawing Tablet

Interested in picking up a cheap art tablet without compromising the features? Well, skim through this buying guide to learn more:

1. Requirements & Use-Cases

First of all, it is crucial to pick a device that aligns with your specific requirements. For instance, if you want a device to work as a signature pad or an extension to your laptop, I recommend picking up an ultra-portable digitizer.

That way, it becomes easier to carry the device around. However, suppose you are a professional or semi-professional creator. In that case, it is essential to focus on a larger active area, maybe a display, if you have the budget and a host of connectivity specs.

However, budget tablets do not always let you go wireless with device connections. Next in line are the accessories. If you want to use the product on a table as part of your workstation, I would recommend looking at something with a dedicated stand and tilt support.

Also, if you travel around a lot, I would suggest going for a tablet with a rugged and rubberized chassis; to make handling easier.

2. Working Area

When looking up for a good cheap drawing tablet, without the screen, consider taking a closer look at the active area available for executing the sketches. Firstly, anything between 15 to 40 square inches is considered small and is best used for signatures, online document checking, and doodling.

If you are more interested in using a tablet with Photoshop, Krita, and more, I would recommend going for an active area of at least 50 square inches. Anything larger increases the price but is worth the investment.

Also, if you plan on handling your device without having to rely way too much on the host device, aim for at least 4 shortcut keys. If you have the budget, opt for 8 keys, allowing you to Pan, Zoom, Erase, and handle other essential tasks with ease.

3. Pen Support

Regardless of the price you are willing to pay for your new drawing companion, it is important to get a pen that sketches and draws like a pro. Also, even the most affordable picks on the list come with high-end battery-free pens, with pressure sensitivity going all the way up to 8192.

However, before you pick the tablet of choice, take a closer look at the highest pressure sensitivity level support, availability of additional pen nibs or the lack thereof, quality of grip and pen structure to be able to draw longer, and the optional pen-specific buttons, if any. In case you have the budget, you can get a best-in-class stylus with all these features included.

4. Connectivity

Some graphic and drawing tablets allow you to establish wireless connections with the host. However, if you plan on persisting with cheap options, I would recommend looking only for the models that support wired connectivity. And while most connections are initiated via the micro-USB port, check whether the package bundle includes the complimentary cable or not.

5. Compatibility

Almost every pen display and digitizer is compatible with Windows laptops and Macbooks. However, if you have multiple drawing devices at your disposal and plan to connect the drawing tablet to each one at any given point in time, I would suggest going for a device that also offers Android compatibility right out of the box.

You might even want to consider Chrome and Linux compatibility in case you want the tablet to cover every possible scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Each product mentioned on the list takes productivity to a whole new level. Yet, if you are confused seeing me review all the 8 tablets at once, here is a more curated list to help you choose better:

• If you want a signature pad that can handle other creative apps as well and that too at a highly affordable price point, nothing beats the XP-PEN Deco Mini.
• When it comes to experiencing a large drawing area without the intrusion of shortcut keys, the Wacom One is a perfect choice.
• Finally, if you want an affordable tablet with a dedicated screen, the Huion Kamvas 12 is easily the best pick.

And even though these are some of the best picks to go with, you can always surf through the reviews once more and pick any other product of choice, as per requirements and budget.

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