The 8 Best Drawing Tablets Under $200 for Beginners and Hobbyists, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: An 11.6 inch zero-parallax display with 124% sRGB, a 16K pressure stylus and one-cable connection.

The UE12 is an 11.6 inch FHD pen display with a 124% sRGB colour gamut and a zero-parallax screen, which means the pen tip sits directly under the line it draws. The stylus offers 16K pressure and 60 degrees of tilt, and two Type-C ports allow a single-cable connection. It lands in the $100 to $200 range.

It wins because it removes the hardest parts of learning digital art. Drawing directly on the image skips the eye-hand disconnect of a screenless tablet, and a zero-parallax display keeps the cursor under the pen. The wide gamut means colours look rich, though gamut size is not accuracy and professionals will still want to calibrate. The single-cable setup keeps a small desk tidy.

Buy it if you want to draw on the screen. Skip it if you want the cheapest possible entry to digital art.

Display

11.6 inch FHD, zero-parallax

Colour

124% sRGB

Stylus

16K pressure, 60 degree tilt

Ports

Dual Type-C, single cable

Our verdict: An 11.6 inch FHD display with 8192 pressure levels and a screen protector pre-installed.

The Artist12 is an 11.6 inch FHD pen display with 72% NTSC, equal to 100% sRGB, and 8192 pressure levels from a hexagonal-grip pen. An anti-reflective screen protector comes pre-installed, and the unit costs between $100 and $200.

It ranks second because it is an older, widely used design that gives you a full pen display at a fair price. The 100% sRGB figure is a more modest gamut than the UGEE's, but it is a respectable base for hobby work, and the anti-reflective film reduces glare while adding a slight tooth to the surface. The 8192 pressure levels sit below the 16K of the leader.

Pick it if you want a proven pen display. Skip it if you want the highest pressure figure.

Display

11.6 inch FHD

Colour

72% NTSC (100% sRGB)

Pressure

8192 levels

Screen

Anti-reflective protector fitted

Our verdict: A thin wireless tablet with a true 16:9 area, two pens and 16 hours of use per charge.

The Xencelabs Small has a 6.93 by 3.89 inch active area in a true 16:9 ratio, comes with two battery-free styluses and runs for about 16 hours on a 2.5 hour charge. It is 8mm thin, and costs between $50 and $100.

It ranks third because it is the best screenless tablet for a mobile or minimalist set-up. The 16:9 area matches a widescreen monitor, so strokes map without stretching. Two pens mean a spare is always on hand. The area is small for large gestures, and cheaper tablets offer more space.

Choose it if you want a wireless pen tablet for a laptop. Skip it if you prefer a big drawing area.

Active area

6.93 x 3.89 inch, 16:9

Pens

2 battery-free styluses

Pressure

8192 levels

Battery

2.5 hr charge, 16 hr use

Our verdict: A 10 by 6.25 inch tablet with 16,384 pressure levels, 60 degrees of tilt and eight shortcut keys.

The Deco 01 V3 offers a 10 by 6.25 inch active area in an 8mm body, with a battery-free stylus rated at 16,384 pressure levels and 60 degrees of tilt. It has eight express keys and works with Android 10 or newer through the XPPen Tools app. It costs $25 to $50.

It ranks fourth because it is the best value screenless tablet in the field. The large surface gives comfortable room for sketching, and the 16K pressure figure is high for the money. Compared with the HUION H1060P below it has fewer keys, but a thinner and more modern body.

Buy it for desk-based sketching on a budget. Skip it if you want a screen.

Active area

10 x 6.25 inch

Pressure

16,384 levels

Tilt

60 degrees

Keys

8 express keys

Our verdict: A 10 by 6.25 inch tablet with 12 plus 16 hot keys and a battery-free stylus with tilt.

The H1060P has a 10 by 6.25 inch area with 12 plus 16 hot keys, and a battery-free stylus with plus or minus 60 degrees of tilt. It works with Windows, macOS, Android and Linux. It costs $25 to $50.

It places fifth because it has more shortcut keys than any other tablet here, which suits artists who live in software menus. Against the Deco 01 V3 it is thicker and older, and the extra keys are only useful if you set them up. A battery-free pen avoids charging and keeps the pen light.

Pick it if you like physical shortcuts. Skip it if you prefer a thin, minimal tablet.

Active area

10 x 6.25 inch

Keys

12 + 16 hot keys

Tilt

+/- 60 degrees

Platforms

Windows, macOS, Android, Linux

Our verdict: A 6 by 4 inch, 0.3 inch thick tablet with 8192 pressure levels and wide platform support.

The H640P is a 6 by 4 inch tablet with 8192 pressure levels, 0.3 inches thick and 1.41 lbs in weight. It works with Mac, Windows, Linux and Android. It costs $25 to $50.

It ranks sixth because the small area suits note-taking, signing documents and simple sketching more than serious illustration. It is light, portable and works on Android, which makes it handy for teaching or quick marks on a phone. The small surface forces smaller strokes, and bigger gestures can feel cramped.

Buy it for notes and simple art on a tight budget. Skip it if you want to draw large scenes.

Active area

6 x 4 inch

Pressure

8192 levels

Weight

1.41 lbs, 0.3 in thick

Platforms

Mac, Windows, Linux, Android

Our verdict: A 6 by 4 inch, 2mm thin tablet with a battery-free stylus that works with Chromebooks.

The StarG640 has a 6 by 4 inch area, is 2mm thick, uses a battery-free PN01 stylus and works with Chromebooks through Jamboard, Keep and Canvas. It costs $25 to $50.

It ranks seventh because it matches the H640P on size but adds Chromebook compatibility, which makes it popular for classrooms and remote teaching. The 2mm thickness is very slim, and the pen needs no battery. It gives no pressure figure in the listing, so we cannot compare it directly with the others.

Choose it for a Chromebook or classroom. Skip it if you need a listed pressure level.

Active area

6 x 4 inch

Thickness

2mm

Stylus

Battery-free PN01

Chromebook

Jamboard, Keep, Canvas

Our verdict: A wired Wacom tablet with an EMR battery-free pen and a creative software bundle.

The Wacom Intuos Small is a wired USB tablet with an EMR battery-free pen and a bundled creative software package. It works as a screenless tablet mapped to your monitor, and costs $25 to $50.

It ranks last because the listing gives no active area, pressure figure or tilt support, which leaves it behind rivals that publish detailed numbers. The Wacom name is an advantage for support and driver quality, and the software bundle is a useful extra for beginners.

Buy it if brand matters and you want bundled software. Skip it if you want listed specs.

Type

Wired screenless tablet

Pen

EMR battery-free

Extras

Creative software bundle

Connection

USB