2021 has seen a number of new releases of drawing tablets from brands like XP-Pen and Huion that you might want to check out, especially With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner. There will undoubtedly be some great specials on tech for digital artists.
Screenless pen tablet
If you have a computer already, then a screenless drawing tablet is going to be your cheapest start with digital drawing and painting. Usually this is the route I recommend for beginners, even though it can take some time to get used to drawing on one surface while looking at another.
For the beginner
Wacom Intuos Small: $49.95 on AmazonUS for BLACK FRIDAY!
(Normal price is $79.95)
The Intuos Small is the entry-level tablet from long-time trusted brand, Wacom. It comes in a wired and wireless version for a little extra. If you are just getting started and need something compact, then this is a good option to consider.
XP-Pen Deco 01v2 drawing tablet: $51 on AmazonUS for BLACK FRIDAY!
(Normal price is $69.99)
if you want a slightly larger active area, and prefer a few more express keys along the side, then take a look at XP-Pen’s Deco 01v2 which is a similar price. Like the Intuos Small, the Deco 01v2 is Android compatible, but I would consider the Deco Mini 7 if you are looking specifically for something to pair with your phone.
Also consider the secondhand market when looking for your first tablet. I found a bunch of older Wacom Intuos tablets going for bargain prices. I reviewed a couple here.
For the professional
Do you have a bit more experience under your belt and are looking for something to improve your workflow? Then there are some nice options to consider with some added features.
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium: $299.95 on AmazonUS for Black Friday!
(Normal price is $379.95)
The Wacom Intuos Pro is a popular options with artists and designers. What is noticeably different with this model is how much more tooth the surface has in comparison to older models giving it a more paper-like feel. The active area is a decent 8.7” x 5.8” and has Bluetooth capability if you want to avoid the cable clutter on your desk.
Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium with Quick Keys Remote – $359.99 via their website or AmazonUS
($223.99 for the Medium without quick keys remote during Black Friday from their website!)
Xencelabs is the new premium competitor to Wacom showing incredible promise. Their first offering is this medium-sized tablet, and bundled with their controller, there is an exceptional degree of customizability available to you. This means more ways for you to speed up productivity no matter what software you are using. If you already have a tablet, just the controller will be a solid addition, especially if that tablet is short on express keys.
The way Xencelabs has presented its products it looks like they have taken into consideration the different preferences artists might have. Some might want a premium tablet without the express keys, but they have a high-quality remote for those that want that. Some prefer slimmer pens, so each tablet comes with two pens of different thicknesses and weights.
XP-Pen Deco Pro Small wireless – $129.99 on AmazonUS
The Deco Pro from XP-Pen sits a little higher on the affordability scale for the professional with a limited budget. This is the tablet I have been using over the last 2 years (review here, but not the wireless version) and have been very pleased with it. It’s tactile mechanical wheel has to be a favourite feature putting you in full control of your zooming, and brush size adjusting.
I’d also recommend this for the more serious beginner that’s looking for something with a premium feel. It’s one you can grow in to, but that also doesn’t break the bank.
Display tablet
Display tablets kick away some of that time it can take to get used drawing on screenless tablets like those above. They are a second monitor that you can draw directly on to, and compatible with most popular art-related software installed on your computer. Check out some of the options below if you are looking for screened drawing tablets this Black Friday.
Remember that these must be plugged into a computer to work. I’ve seen a few saddened travelers who have ordered one of these only to realise this after it arrives.
For the beginner
It’s difficult to break this into Beginner and Pro sections and things have more to do with your budget and needs.
XP-Pen Artist 12 2nd Gen: $213 (Amazon) For BLACK FRIDAY!
(Normal price is $249.99)
XP-Pen recently released the second generation of their Artist 12. The new iteration boasts a fully laminated display and their new X3 chip stylus. Being able to select different colours also makes it kind of fun. If you want a super portable display tablet to hook up to your laptop while on the go, then this is the one I’d consider.
Wacom One: $399.99 on AmazonUS
The Wacom One (not to be confused with the One By Wacom) is the trusted brands entry level display tablet. It’s a no-frills 13″ device that doesn’t waste space with express keys, and has portability in mind. On top of normal Windows and Mac compatibility, you can also connect it to some Android devices.
For the professional
Wacom Cintiq 16 Pro (2021): $1499.99
OK, this shouldn’t be in a list of affordable devices (it’s all relative), but it’s good to know what’s out there to put other options into perspective. In October, Wacom announced its new Cintiq Pro 16. It is no small spend at $1500 but there are some definite improvements on the 2019 ‘non-pro’ worth mentioning. This most notable of these is that the display recognizes touch, and that display is also 4k resolution. Because many professionals prefer to use their keyboard or a separate controller for shortcuts, you’ll see that this does not have any express keys taking up space on the device.
XP-Pen Innovator 16 – $339.99 on AmazonUS for BLACK FRIDAY!
(Normal price is $399)
This is not XP-Pen’s latest display tablet, but one that looks like a really good value for money option.
The design of the Innovator is very similar to the Deco Pro, which I really like. It’s incredibly slim at only 9mm and weighs 7 pounds (just over 3kgs). That with the improved laminated display, with a bit of a colour and contrast bump, this feels like a bit of a step up from the Artist 15.6 Pro.
I haven’t had a chance to test the Innovator 16 display tablet out myself yet, but having looked at a number of reviews, this is one I have my eye on even though it is more than a year old at the time of writing this. And with this Black Friday special, it’s an awesome deal!
Artist 22 Pro (2nd Gen) : $499.99 on AmazonUS
The Artist 22 Pro (2nd Gen) is another fairly recent release from XP-Pen that brings big size at low price. The display resolution is only 1080p which isn’t the best for a screen this big but it’s really not bad. Again, this size at this price is fantastic. It’s also straight USB-C to USB-C which is nice news for iMac/MacBook Pro users. One less adapter to carry around.
Standalone devices
For the beginner
Samsung Galaxy tab S6 Lite : $345 on AmazonUS
Still the most affordable decent option in this category is the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite. Palm rejection isn’t quite as good as on the iPad, but at this prices it’s great value for money. It also includes the S-Pen with the device. This is ultimately what makes it the cheaper option than the iPad. In terms of software, ClipStudioPaint and Autodesk Sketchbook are great options.
iPad 9th Gen 10.2” : $329 on AmazonUS
(Look out for great prices upon signup with Amazon Rewards Visa Card)
If you want to spend a little more and prefer the Apple ecosystem, then the base iPad will serve you well. Best paired with the Apple Pencil (sold separately) and Procreate. The Apple Pencil is compatible with 6th gen upwards, but you might want to grab a newer model like the recently released 9th gen for that added processing power.
One of the best reasons to go the iPad route in my opinion is because of Procreate. It’s exclusive to Apple mobile devices and is an exceptional app for beginners and professionals alike.
For the professional
iPad Pro 12.9” : From $999 on AmazonUS
(Look out for great prices upon signup with Amazon Rewards Visa Card)
The iPad Pro is a very popular option for professional illustrators. There are a number I’ve seen who work exclusively in Procreate for their illustration and painting jobs, proving it to be a very capable device. I’ve been using the 2020 12.9” for about six months now (review here) and I love it. I don’t think the M1 chip and XDR display on the 2021 model is necessary for digital art but if you want to treat yourself…
If you want something a little smaller and a little cheaper, consider the iPad Air 4.
Whichever way you go, I recommend getting the Apple Pencil 2 with it.
Wrapping up…
I hope this buying guide for drawing tablets helps you with your decision ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are plenty of options out there to suit different needs and budgets. It’s always a good idea to check out multiple reviews of devices that grab your eye to make sure it suits yours.
Full disclosure. This post does contain multiple affiliate links. Purchasing through them has no impact on the price of the products, but I may earn a small commission from the purchase. This goes a long way to helping me grow the DrawYourWeapon into a valuable resource for young digital artists getting started on their journey.
