What to Look for in a Drawing Tablet for Beginners: Check Out 4 of Our Top Picks

If you’re venturing into the world of digital art, finding the right drawing tablet can be a challenging task and it can be difficult to know what to look for in a drawing tablet for beginners. With numerous models available in the market, it is crucial to know what features to look for in a beginner-friendly drawing tablet to help you improve your drawing skills. But don’t worry — in this post, we are going to look at the most important factors when evaluating drawing tablets for beginners and make some recommendations on the best drawing tablets specifically geared for beginners.

Understanding your needs is the first step in choosing the right drawing tablet. The size of the tablet, pressure sensitivity, and stylus responsiveness are key factors to consider when making a decision. As a beginner, you should also pay attention to the ease of setup and compatibility with your computer to make sure your experience is both enjoyable and productive. All of our tablet recommendations for beginners are compatible with a variety of operating systems.

With our recommendations, we’re also keeping affordability in mind. You can always upgrade your tablet later, but when you’re just getting started, it makes sense to purchase a basic, less expensive tablet, so that’s what we’ll focus on.

Key Takeaways for What to Look for in a Drawing Tablet for Beginners

• Determine your needs to select the most suitable drawing tablet
• Consider size, pressure sensitivity, stylus responsiveness as crucial features, as well as a few others that we will address below
• Take into account ease of setup, compatibility, and affordability for a successful first experience with your new tablet

Understanding Drawing Tablets for Beginners

Drawing tablets allow you to draw and create digital art directly on your computer. As a beginner, it’s essential to understand the basics of drawing tablets before making a purchase decision. Leading brands such as Wacom, XP-Pen, Huion, and Gaomon offer an extensive range of tablets to cater to various skill levels.

First, let’s look at the different types of drawing tablets:

Non-display tablets

These tablets, such as those in the Wacom Intuos series, do not have a built-in screen. You’ll draw on the tablet’s surface while looking at your computer screen. They are generally more affordable, making them suitable for beginners.

Display tablets

Also known as pen displays, these tablets, like the Wacom One, come with an integrated screen that displays the image you’re working on. It allows you to draw directly onto the image, offering a more natural drawing experience.

Key Features to Consider

When looking for a drawing tablet, you need to consider several key features to make the best choice. This section will provide a brief overview of some important aspects to take into account.

Size

Tablets come in various sizes, from compact size like the 7.87 x 6.3 inches Wacom Intuos to larger models like Wacom Intuos Pro. If you’re just starting out, you might prefer a small-to-medium sized tablet, which offers a balance between portability and working area.

Pressure sensitivity

This feature determines the tablet’s ability to detect different pressure levels applied by the pen. Higher sensitivity offers more accurate control over your strokes. Aim for at least 2048 level pressure sensitivity, although some tablets like the Wacom Intuos offers up to 4096 levels.

Compatibility

Ensure that your preferred tablet is compatible with your computer’s operating system, be it Mac or Windows. Most drawing tablets can be connected to your computer via USB or Bluetooth.

Budget

Set a budget and select a tablet within your price range. Make sure you look for a good balance between affordability and the features that are most important to you.

Standalone or tethered

Depending on your preferences and workspace, you may want to consider a standalone tablet that can function without being connected to a computer.

With these considerations in mind and a clear understanding of drawing tablets, you’ll be better equipped to choose the perfect tablet for your artistic journey.

Active area size

The active area is the portion of the tablet where you can draw. Consider your personal preferences, workspace, and the type of projects you’re planning to work on while choosing the tablet size:

• Small: around 6×4 inches
• Medium: around 8×5 inches
• Large: anything above 8×5 inches

Stylus

Ideally, a battery-free pen is best for avoiding the need to constantly recharge or replace batteries. Additionally, some styli come with customizable buttons for easy access to frequently-used functions.

Shortcut keys

Many drawing tablets offer programmable buttons, express keys, or a touch bar for quick access to common functions and tools in drawing apps. These shortcuts can improve your workflow, providing more efficiency while drawing.

Screen

Some tablets come with a built-in screen, known as creative pen displays, which can be preferable for some artists. These tablets often offer better color accuracy and resolution. However, they are typically more expensive than traditional graphic tablets without screens. If you’re interested in learning more about resolution, please see our article that covers lines per inch for a deep dive into this particular specification.

Price

Set a budget based on your requirements for the tablet and stick to it. For beginners, it is advised not to exceed a $500 price tag. As you gain experience and become more serious, you may want to invest in more advanced tablets ranging between $600 and $1,200.

Remember that finding the best drawing tablet for you might take some research and comparisons, but considering these features will help you make an informed decision.

Recommended Tablets for Beginners

When looking for the perfect drawing tablet, you should focus on finding an affordable and easy-to-use device. Here are some recommendations of the best drawing tablets for beginners:

Wacom Intuos CTL4100

This entry-level tablet, also known as the Wacom Intuos Small, is compatible with various operating systems and offers precise graphics. It comes with an active drawing area of 7.9 x 6.3 inches. The pen pressure sensitivity is 4096 levels, which is perfect for beginners. Wacom is known for its quality and reliability, making its small tablet an excellent choice for your first drawing tablet purchase. Check out our review if you’d like to learn more.

XP-PEN Artist12 Pro

A great option for those looking for performance with a small screen, this tablet is budget-friendly and provides an 11.6-inch touchscreen display. You’ll appreciate the quality build and the ease of use of the XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro, which will make learning digital drawing a relatively simple process. Overall, this tablet is a great choice for serious artists who are ready to transition to digital drawing. You can read our review to learn more.

Huion Inspiroy H1060P

This tablet is also affordable. With an active area of 10 x 6.25 inches, it offers ample space for drawing. With a pen pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels and customizable shortcut keys, it has the features to help you transition into digital art smoothly. To learn more about this tablet, be sure to check out our review of the Huion Inspiroy H1060P.

GAOMON PD1560

This tablet includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen display and a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It offers 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, and the build quality is excellent for its price range. The adjustable stand and customizable shortcut keys make it a user-friendly choice for beginners. If you’re looking for a medium-end tablet that will help you get started, you can learn more about the GAOMON PD1560 graphics tablet in our review.

Feature Comparisons

Additional Considerations

We’ve covered most of the features to consider when choosing a drawing tablet for beginners. Depending on your situation, there are a few additional aspects you may want to consider to ensure you choose a tablet that will fit your needs. These range from digital art, animation, to compatibility with art software like Photoshop.

Software applications

If you want to use specific software with your tablet for creating digital art, architecture, animation, paintings, or sketches, it must be compatible with the software itself. Examples include Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Clip Studio Paint. Before purchasing a tablet, do some research to make sure it is compatible with any software you want to use with it.

Nibs

The pen’s nibs should be replaceable, as they wear out over time. Check the availability and cost of replacement nibs before purchasing your tablet.

Touchscreen Display

If you opt for a pen display tablet, make sure the screen is comfortable to use and offers good color accuracy.

Warranty

Look for a tablet with a good warranty to protect your investment.

Additional features

Ensure the tablet you choose comes with features that assist you in your work. These may include customizable buttons, tilt recognition, and wireless/wired connectivity options. Some tablets also offer touch functionality, allowing you to use gestures to zoom, pan, or perform other operations.

Price and deals

Drawing tablets are available in various price ranges to cater to the needs of different users, such as beginners, artists, graphic designers, animators, and architects. On special days like Black Friday, you can find attractive deals on Amazon and other leading online stores to grab a quality tablet at discounted rates.

Finding the best drawing tablet for beginners depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Wacom Intuos, XP-PEN Artist12, Huion Inspiroy H1060P, and GAOMON PD1560 are all solid options for entry-level artists. By considering the factors we mentioned in our post, you can confidently select a drawing tablet that complements your artistic journey in digital drawing and painting. Take your time to research the products and prioritize features that matter most to you.