5 Cheap Drawing Tablets to Buy in 2024 2026
Written by, Andriana Moskovska
Updated February, 7, 2024
With the number of drawing tablets available on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for you.
If budget is a priority, then we compiled a list of the top 5 cheap drawing tablets to help narrow down your search.
Best Cheap Drawing Tablets: At a Glance
- HUION H610 Pro V2 – The Best Overall
- VEIKK A30 – The Best Tablet for Multiple Device Users
- GAOMON M1230 Graphics Drawing Pen Tablet – The Best Tablet for Kids
- XP-PEN Star06 Wireless 2.4G Graphics Drawing Tablet – The Best Wireless Tablet
- XP-PEN Artist12 Pro Graphics Drawing Tablet – The Best Cheap Drawing Tablet with Screen
The Best Cheap Drawing Tablets Reviewed
HUION H610 Pro V2 Graphic Drawing Tablet -Best Overall
- Pen holder and 8 pen nibs
- Compatible with the latest Windows update
- Software is highly-customisable
- Pen holder might be a little loose
HUION delivers a drawing tablet with many of the same features found in more expensive models but for a price that suits anyone’s budget. The tablet has a fairly large (10 x 6.25 inches) working area and an innovative tilt control system that provides better pressure detection and accurate cursor positioning with different angles for a lifelike painting experience.
The tablet also boasts an ergonomic design. Specifically, the sides of the HUION H610 Pro V2 are curved to reduce fatigue, and there are anti-slip mats on the back of the tablet that make it easier to hold.
Best of all, the pen needs no battery or charging, so you can use the tablet at home or when you’re out and about.
VEIKK A30 Digital Drawing Tablet -The Best Tablet for Multiple Device Users
- Made of durable & quality materials
- Easy to use
- Large drawing area
- Screen can make a slight scratching sound
If you’re looking for a tablet that is compatible with a variety of platforms and devices, the VEIKK A30 is the perfect model for you.
This 10 x 6-inches tablet works with Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux systems, as well as a wide range of digital painting software solutions, including Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Krita.
Equipped with 4 touch keys and a large working area, the A30 also has solid resistance making it closer to drawing on paper, thus suitable to those used to traditional artistic methods. This feature also makes drawing feel more authentic—a feature most reviews praise and one of the reasons why the A30 is one of the best cheap drawing tablets.
GAOMON S620 OSU 6.5 x 4 Inch Graphics Tablet -The Best Tablet for Kids
- Compact size
- Scratch-resistant screen
- Good quality build
- Some users complain that the grip can be slippery
If you’re looking for the best cheap drawing tablet for kids to engage in school activities, you can’t go wrong with the Gaomon S620.
Parents will appreciate that the tablet is sturdy and that its matte colour conceals fingerprints. For students doing more serious work, the tablet features a LED light for tablet status that alerts to any issues during drawing sessions and supports various programs like Photoshop, SAI and Adobe Illustrator.
Perhaps one of its best qualities, though, is the highly-durable, scratch-resistant drawing surface, as well as the balanced pressure sensitivity of the pen.
What’s more, the tablet is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for drawing on the go. It also works straight out of the box, which is a major advantage for children and those who are not as comfortable with tech.
XP-PEN Star06 10x6" Wireless Graphics Drawing Pen Tablet -The Best Wireless Tablet
- Wired and wireless USB connection
- Pen stand can replace pen tips
- Customasible shortcuts
- No pen-tilt feature
XP-Pen makes highly affordable alternatives to pricier brands, and its Start06 is no exception. It is widely considered to be one of, if not the best Wacom tablet alternative for under £100.
The Star 06 offers a natural drawing experience thanks to its anti-shake feature. It has a 10×6 inches working area that’s great for limited desktop spaces and a dial that allows quick access to software shortcuts. The pen is battery-free, and it provides automatic line correction.
If you choose the wireless route, X-Pen promises that the battery lasts for up to 16 hours and charges in two. Even better, you can continue to use the tablet while it’s charging as well, so you won’t experience any interruptions.
XP-PEN Artist 12 Pro Graphics Drawing Tablet - The Best Cheap Drawing Tablet with a Screen
- Super-portable
- Customisable dial wheel
- Full HD display
- The software can be slow
This XP-Pen tablet might not be the best budget drawing tablet on the list, but it still offers a lot for the price range.
Its best feature is the portable screen with an 11.6-inch working area, which is enough space for both professional and novice artists.
Furthermore, the Artist 12 Pro also has a fully-laminated HD display equipped with an 88% NTSC colour gamut and 178 degrees viewing angle that allows for a distraction-free working environment.
The battery-free pen supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function and light pen nibs that contribute to a more natural and smooth drawing experience.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Drawing Tablets: A Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right drawing tablet can be a challenge, especially if you’re a beginner who hasn’t spent hours online looking at digital drawing tools.
If you’re not sure how to a good drawing tablet, here’s what to look for:
Screen size
The screen size or the active area is the portion of the tablet where you draw.
A larger active area is more comfortable to work on, but you’d also want to make sure you have enough desktop space for the tablet. A smaller tablet is more compact and portable and a better option if you’re a travelling artist.
The battery of the tablet and stylus
Good battery life means having fewer worries, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road. The good news is most tablets, even if they’re wireless, have a USB connection.
However, styluses aren’t that adaptable.
Battery-powered pens are usually thicker, and you’d have to change the batteries every now and then. The rechargeable ones are comfortable for most hand sizes and have a good pen grip, but they need charging.
EMR styluses, which are battery-free, are the latest on the market and one of the best solutions available.
Pressure sensitivity of the stylus
Pressure sensitivity dictates the thickness of the lines, which makes this essential for those who create high-resolution drawings. The more pressure levels, the finer the line distinction. On average, pen pressure sensitivity for graphic tablets is around 8192 levels, so aim for something in this range.
Wrapping Up
Getting a drawing tablet is a must for digital illustration work, whether you are thinking of storyboarding your ideas or incorporating writing and drawing in your online courses.
The good news is that there are several budget-friendly options on the market, so you can find a good-quality, cheap graphic tablet, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced artist.
FAQ
What is the cheapest drawing tablet you can get?
The cheapest graphic tablet is the GAOMON S620 OSU. You can order it on Amazon or buy it from the official store for just £29.99.
What is the cheapest Huion drawing tablet?
HUION H420 is the company’s cheapest drawing tablet. The tablet comes with 4000 LPI resolution, 2048 pen pressure levels, and 3 express keys among many other features.
Is XP-Pen a good brand?
XP-Pen quickly made a name for itself in a very competitive market, providing highly affordable alternatives to the more expensive brands like Wacom. The company has 25 years of experience in providing various kinds of high-quality tablets at low prices, which is why it earned its place on the 7 cheap drawing tablets list.