We all know that pen is better than a mouse when it comes to drawing. In older times artists used to draw with a paper and pencil or brush, and when something went wrong they had to erase it all. However, we are lucky enough as we have advanced software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Autodesk Sketchbook on our PCs.
With PCs, however, the keyboard and mouse fail to provide the input that is required by an artist. Therefore, artists have switched to hand-drawn painting, but not using the paper and pencil, but using the Graphics tablet.
The drawing tablets are now the favorite tools for artists as they allow them to create beautiful art using the right tool and equipment. If you’re an artist searching for the Best drawing tablet under $100, we have a detailed post for you ahead.
Top-Rated Drawing Tablets under $100
Our Top Picks for the Best Drawing Tablet Under $100:
The right drawing tablet depends on your budget, priorities, and level of experience. As an artist or designer, you don’t need to have the best high-end or expensive tool to carry out your tasks, in fact there are many good and cheaper alternatives available on the market too. Let’s have a look at our top picks that have been jotted down to reduce your efforts in choosing the best drawing tablet under $100:
1. XP-Pen Deco 01 Drawing Tablet – (Best Overall)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6.25 inches
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 levels
- Resolution: 10080 LPI
- Report rate: 266 RPS
- Connectivity: USB Type-C
- Pen: battery-free pen with 8 Nibs
- Accuracy: 0.01 inch
- Weight: 1.3 lbs
XP-Pen Deco 01 Drawing Tablet Review
The XP-Pen Deco 01 Drawing Tablet is good for you if you’re looking forward to polish your drawing skills. The tablet is one of the bests when it comes to pressure sensitivity and other features. The pen can detect pressure sensitivity to up to 8192 levels which is a perfect feature for drawing lines of various widths.
The drawing tablet features an active area of 10 X 6.25 inches that offers good space for drawing. The drawing also lights up at night so that you draw easily when it’s dark. The drawing table is quite slim as it measures only 8 mm in thickness. The portability of the drawing table makes it easier for you to take it along on the go.
The XP-Pen drawing tablet can be used by both left and right hand users. There are 8 express keys on the left that allow you to improve the productivity in an ergonomic way. The pen that is available with the drawing tablet is battery-free. There is a quick toggle button that allows you to switch between pen and eraser easily. Overall, the drawing tablet delivers excellent value for money.
Pros
- It has an ultra-slim profile
- It is very lightweight
- It features accurate and sensitive stylus
- It has a large drawing area
- There are many customizable express keys
- It is compatible with almost all programs and operating systems
Cons
- There are some connectivity issues with Windows 10
2. Wacom Intuos CTL4100 Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet – (Best for all experience level artists)
Specs
- Active area: 6 X 3.7 inches
- Pressure levels: 4096
- Resolution: 2540 LPI
- Wireless support: Yes
- Express keys: 4 customizable application
- Pen: Wacom Pen 4K (Battery free)
Wacom Intuos CTL4100 Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet Review
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the Wacom Intuos is one of the best drawing tablets under 100. The drawing tablet is spacious and it can keep you at a comfortable level while you’re drawing. It has a great build quality as compared to other tablets. The tablet is quite simple and easy to use. It is equipped with all the essential tools that provide an easy way to create amazing drawings.
The tablet is battery-free and it starts working when you connect it to a PC or laptop. The drawing tablet is equipped with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity that makes it easier for varying between thinner and thicker lines. Also, the 6 by 3.7 inches of active area is good for left and right handed users both.
The Wacom Intuos graphics drawing tablet is equipped with multi-gesture support which makes it even more user-friendly and customizable. The drawing tablet is overall a good one and is good for beginners and experts all types of drawing artists.
Pros
- It features a pressure sensitive pen
- It has a 15 hour battery life
- The drawing tablet features a more natural grip
- It is affordable
- There are shortcut express keys
Cons
- It is prone to scratches
- Some initial adjustment period is required
3. Huion H610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet – (Best ergonomic drawing tablet)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6.25 inches
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 levels
- Express keys; Yes
- Viewing angle: 45 degrees
- Battery power: Yes
- Stylus: Yes
Huion H610 Pro Graphic Drawing Tablet Review
The Huion H610 is a perfect choice for most of the digital artists on budget. The tablet includes a stylus pen with a pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels and it provides accurate and natural looking strokes on the drawing tablet. The drawing area is also good, and it gives the feel of a paper so that artists feel easier in drawing.
The Graphic drawing tablet works perfectly with Windows 7 and later versions and with Mac 10.11 and later versions. It also goes well with most of the digital art software and apps. The tablet is equipped with 8 hard keys and 16 soft keys that allow you to have customized shortcuts. The driver allows you to program the shortcut keys according to your requirement.
The good thing is that the plenty of active area gives you enough room to draw. The tablet has an anti-slip and circular side design that prevents the tab from slipping while you draw on it. The sides with curvature improve the overall user experience by reducing fatigue.
Pros
- It is good for those artists who require a large drawing area
- The tablet also offers left-handed support
- It has good pressure sensitivity
- It has a solid and sturdy build quality
- For its specifications, the price is really good
Cons
- There is no wireless connection
4. Veikk A30 Drawing Tablet – (Best for beginners)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6 inches
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Battery power: Yes
- Stylus: Yes
- Express keys: No
Veikk A30 Drawing Tablet Review
The Veikk A30 Drawing tablet offers a large and clear active area for drawing. The pen is battery-free and it offers 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity which gives you good control over painting, drawing, or editing. There are four customizable shortcut keys that make workflow smoother and faster.
The drawing pad has an innovative gesture pad that allows you to zoom and brush for drawing more comfortably. The Veikk A30 is also one of the lightest tablets on this list and its portability makes it perfect for carrying it along on the go. The pen is battery-free and this makes it easier to work without interruptions.
The Veikk A30 is designed for right and left both users. The type-C USB port allows you to plug in and out in any direction and also ensures more stable data processing. The drawing tablet is a good choice for running all the major software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Core Painter, Sai, Krita, Clip Studio, and more.
Pros
- It features a large drawing area
- It has a slim and slender design
- It features a very sturdy connection
- It has a good pressure sensitivity
- The paper like structure makes drawing easier
- Though it’s large, it is quite lightweight
Cons
- The straight edged frames can cause discomfort if used for long periods
5. Ugee M708 – (Best budget drawing tablet)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6 inches
- Pressure sensitivity: 2048 levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Report rate: 230 RPS
- Keys Onboard: 8 user-defined shortcuts
- Interface support: USB cable
Ugee M708 Review
The Ugee M708 digital paintaing tablet is one of the most affordable tablets available on the market. The size of the canvas is large so that you can easily draw your paintings. It has a drawing area of 10 X 6 inches which is quite big and can take up whole space at your desktop. The drawing tablet has an overall nice and slim build.
Ugee drawing tablet comes with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity pen that mimics paper drawing. The tablet also supports a variety of operating systems including Mac OS X 10.6, Windows OS, and more. Ugee can be used with various software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Photoshop CC, Lightroom, Autodesk MAYA, Corel Painter, Pixologic, and more.
The Ugee M708 is a perfect choice for those who are looking for a feature-packed drawing tablet at an affordable rate. The drawing tablet is quite user-friendly and is easy to setup too. The Ugee tablet is ideal for professional artists, amateur hobbyists, and newbie designers as well.
Pros
- It has a high pressure sensitivity
- It is easy to setup in Photoshop
- There are 8 simple to setup customizable buttons
- It has a slim elegant design
- There are extra pen tips and two pen holders
- The active area is large
Cons
- There is no built-in rechargeable battery for pen
6. Huion H640P Battery-Free Drawing Tablet – (Best portable tablet)
Specs
- Active area: 6.3 X 3.9 inches
- Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Report Rate: 233 RPS
- Interface support: USB
- Technology: Electromagnetic digitizer
Huion H640P Battery-Free Drawing Tablet Review
The Huion 640P is a compact and stylish drawing tablet. The drawing tablet has an active area of 6.3 X 3.9 inches and a pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels. The best thing about this tablet is that it is very compact and portable and you can just throw into your backpack and take it along on the go.
The graphics tablet is equipped with a resolution of 5080 LPI and a good response rate of 233 words per second. The tablet supports both right and left hand users and has an ergonomic design. The drawing tablet is also supported by an electromagnetic digitizer that makes it easier to take inputs from you and then display it on the connected device.
The Huion drawing tablet is a good choice for running Photoshop. However, according to some users, the cord length could be more to work comfortably. The tablet is compatible with Windows, Android OS, and Mac.
Pros
- The drawing tablet is quite sturdy and durable
- The battery-free feature allows you to use it without worrying about charging
- The express keys make it easier for those who want to work fast
- It is small and convenient
- It is affordable and easy to use
Cons
- Some programs don’t work properly with the pressure sensitivity
7. Turcom TS-6610 Graphic Drawing Tablet – (Best user-friendly drawing tablet)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6.25 inches
- Pressure sensitivity: 2048 levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Report rate: 220 RPS
- Connectivity: USB
- Pen: Battery pen with 4 Nibs
- Express buttons: 8 Express keys
Turcom TS-6610 Graphic Drawing Tablet Review
The Turcom 6610 graphics tablet has a large drawing surface and good pressure sensitivity level. The tablet offers an amazing drawing experience as is easy to use too. The tablet is portable too and it’s easy to carry it around in your backpack. The tablet is equipped with 8 on-board hot keys that maximize the workflow.
The active area of the drawing tablet is large and it gives enough room for creativity to you for showing creativity. If you’re looking forward to access the shortcuts and your favorite tools, the drawing tablet will allow you to do so in an easier way. The 220 RPS of report rate is also good and it offers a lag-free and accurate drawing experience to the users.
The Turcom drawing tablet is compatible with all the major drawing software including Corel, Adobe, and Autodesk across the Windows and Mac platforms. The laptop has an overall solid look and feel and is durable too. Though it would be better if the USB cable was long and the button programming was a bit advanced.
Pros
- There are a lot of customization options
- There are extra nibs and pen battery included
- It has a good drawing surface
- It delivers good value for money
- The resolution is high
Cons
- The pen is a bit heavy
- Drivers can create issues
8. Veikk A15 Pro Graphics drawing tablet – (Ultra-slim drawing tablet)
Specs
- Active area: 10 X 6 inches
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 levels
- Resolution: 5080 LPI
- Express keys: 12 customizable
- Multi-touch: No
- Cables included: Yes
Veikk A15 Pro Graphics drawing tablet Review
Veikk A15 is a high-end drawing tablet and it features a unique function dial design. The drawing tablet features 12 customizable shortcut keys and a quick dial. These shortcut keys make sure that you complete your task without wasting any time. Using the quick dial, you can switch between the functions which include brush zoom in and out, mouse wheel up and down, and canvas zoom in and out.
The driver allows you to program the shortcut keys according to your requirement. The pen is a battery free one and it provides 8192 pressure sensitivity levels. The tablet offers accurate and quick response to the input. The buttons on the pen allow you to switch between pen/eraser and the mouse.
The canvas is a large one which provides you a good platform for showcasing your talent. It is ultra-thin and portable and thus allows portability. The drawing tablet is suitable for left and right handed users both.
Pros
- It has a sleek design with large active area
- The pen offers a non-slip grip
- There is no lag time
- It has a design that supports right and left handed users both
- There is a quick dial for convenience
Cons
- There are some driver issues
Things you MUST KNOW before choosing your Best Drawing Tablet under $100
Graphic tablets or drawing tablets are an essential tool for all the artists out there. Not only these tablets are natural and intuitive to use, but they are quite ergonomic too and prevent wrist pain and fatigue that could result from using mouse for prolonged time. The challenge is, how you select the best drawing tablet from those that are available on the market, and that too considering your budget. Following are the factors that you need to consider:
Size
When buying a tablet for drawing, size matters a lot. The larger the surface area, the more space you’ll get for drawing. Large sized drawing tablets are also equipped with more shortcut keys and higher input qualities, thus it is always better to choose a large tablet. Consider two factors when you want to choose a particular size:
- The size of the overall device
- The size of the active area
When you’re going to choose the size of a tablet, don’t confuse the total tablet size with the active area. If you do drawing while travelling, then you should go for a compact one that is portable too. However, if you don’t carry your tablet around, a large sized tablet would be better.
Pressure Sensitivity
Drawing tablets capture the pressure information and the motion of your pen, both. The pressure sensitivity allow these tablets to track the amount of pressure applied on them. The tablets come with pressure sensitivity levels that lie between 300 and 3000.
The harder you press on the screen, the greater the pressure level and thus thicker the line. The pressure levels allow you to distinguish between the thickness of lines which is quite important especially if you’re working on high-resolution drawings. If you’re a beginner, you should look for a drawing tablet with at least 1,024 pressure levels.
Resolution
Resolution describes the Lines Per Inch (LPI) of a drawing tablet and it depends on the how many lines it can detect from the stylus pen. The large drawing tablets have higher resolutions as compared to the smaller ones. The higher the LPI, the more details you can add to your drawings.
Controls
Drawing tablets are equipped with functional keys that you can program according to your requirements. Some of the tablets have keys around the drawing area while some of them include these functions on the pen. Functional keys and controls on the pen save your time as they give you a shortcut method. You can use these functions without navigating on the tablet.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness is the speed or time that is required by the lines to show up on the screen when you’re drawing them. Most of the drawing tablets have instantaneous responsiveness but it also depends on your system’s specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of drawing tablets is the best?
There are many good brands of drawing tablets available on the market, but the ones that are used by most of the artists for decades are Wacom and Huion. Drawing tablets from these brands are highly reliable and they deliver good value for money. However, all the products reviewed in this post are good ones and can be used without giving a second thought
Is it difficult for beginners to use a drawing tablet?
The learning process takes some time for sure, but once you get familiar with the features, you won’t find it difficult. All you have to do is to understand how to use the stylus and the tablet. For some artists, the initial period might be a bit frustrating. If you have been using a mouse prior to using a drawing tablet, you must forget the drag, lift and reposition motion.
Does the size of the tablet matter?
The size of the tablet depends on the device, particularly the monitor you’re going to connect it to. If you’re using a small monitor or laptop, you’ll need a small tablet. If you have a large monitor, then you’ll need a medium-sized tablet which will give you good space to work with comfort. Large-screened drawing tablets are good for 3D animators and most of photographers find them ideal for drawing.
Conclusion
Working on a PC can be tiring but if you’re a digital artist who needs portability, you don’t need a fixed setup. A portable drawing tablet will give you freedom to work from anywhere and you can create your beautiful artwork sitting anywhere.
There are a plethora of drawing tablets available on the market but when it comes to the best drawing tablets under 100, the choice gets narrower. Our top pick for the best budget drawing tablet is XP Pen Deco-01 drawing tablet which is equipped with all the features that will help you draw comfortably.
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