The best drawing tablet under $300

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Are you looking for the best tablet under $300? Whether you’re a streamer, reader, student, digital artist, or casual tablet user, we have reviewed some of the top-performing tablets in the industry.

These tablets will offer excellent value for your money without breaking the bank. We have covered different brands and types of tablets, including Android OS, iPadOS, and even Windows options.

If you are looking for a reliable tablet that is both reliable and affordable, we recommend you consider a tablet under $300. They are not the most powerful but are perfect for drawing, streaming, browsing, and reading.H

They also offer light photo editing capabilities, although they are highly limited by their specifications. Although they may not offer as powerful specifications as those on premium tablets, they offer versatile performance across different industries for an affordable price range.

Whether you are just looking for a simple entertainment device, a tablet for schoolwork, or even a professional tablet for general work, this category has exactly what you need.

Related: Honor Pad 9 vs Honor Pad 8

Best Tablet Under $300

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Best Overall
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: Best Android tablet
3. Amazon Fire Max 11: Best Battery
4. Apple iPad 10.2 inch 2020: Best Value iPad
5. Simbans PicassoTab 10 Inch: Best for Drawing
6. XP-Pen Deco MW: Best Under $100
7. XP Pen Artist 13.3 Pro V2: Budget Pen Display
8. XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: Budget Standalone drawing Tablet
9. Wacom Intuos Small : Budget and Versatile Use
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1: Best for streaming
11. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) 2022: Mid-range tablet
12. Fusion5 10.1: Best Windows
13. Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2024): Best with Pen
14. Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Best Value for Money

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Best Overall

1. Screen: 10.9‑inch
2. Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
3. Processor (CPU): Samsung Exynos 1380 (Octa-core)
4. RAM: 6 GB
5. Storage: 128 GB (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD)
6. Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
7. Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
8. Stylus Support: Yes, includes IP68-rated S Pen
9. Operating System: Android 13 with One UI
10. Ports: USB-C (no headphone jack)
11. Cameras: 8 MP rear, 12 MP front
12. Build & Weight: Armor Aluminum body, IP68-rated
13. Weight: 527 g
14. Audio: Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos
15. Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3

Full Comparison: Galaxy S7 FE vs Galaxy S9 FE

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: Best Android tablet

1. Screen: 11-inch LCD
2. Resolution: 1920 × 1200 pixels
3. Processor (CPU): Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
4. RAM: 4 GB
5. Storage: 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD)
6. Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
7. Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
8. Stylus Support: No S Pen support
9. Operating System: Android 13 with One UI 5.1
10. Ports: USB-C (no headphone jack)
11. Cameras: 8 MP rear, 5 MP front
12. Build & Weight: Slim design, lightweight
13. Audio: Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos
14. Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1

Full Review : Galaxy Tab A9+ Review

Amazon Fire Max 11: Best Battery

1. Screen: 11-inch LCD
2. Resolution: 2000 × 1200 pixels
3. Processor (CPU): Octa-core MediaTek MT8188J
4. RAM: 4 GB
5. Storage: 64 GB or 128 GB (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD)
6. Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (standard)
7. Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
8. Stylus Support: Yes, USI 2.0 compatible (sold separately)
9. Operating System: Fire OS 8 (based on Android 13+)
10. Ports: USB-C (no headphone jack)
11. Cameras: 8 MP rear, 8 MP front (both support 1080p video)
12. Build & Weight: Aluminum body, 490 g
13. Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
14. Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Full Review: Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet review

Simbans PicassoTab 10 Inch – Best for Drawing Tablet $300

1. Screen Size: 10.1-inch
2. Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
3. Storage Space: 64 and 32 GB options
4. Expandable up to 128 GB
5. Processor: 2 or 1.3 GHz Quad Core MTK8163
6. RAM: 4 GB and 2 GB
7. OS: Android Pie 9 and Android 10 option
8. Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS
9. Front Camera: 2.0 MP
10. Back Camera: 5.0 MP
11. Ports: USB Type-C, Mini-HDMI, SD Card Slot, Audio

The Simbans Picasso Tab is ideal for both students and professionals. If you want a cheap drawing tablet that will also allow you to take notes and draw efficiently, then Simbans Picasso is just what you need.

The Simbans Picasso Tab comes with a 10-inch IPS HD screen, which gives high-resolution images. Another advantage of buying this tablet is that it has a MediaTek quad-core processor, which makes it even easier to multitask.

Screen resolution is slightly lower than most other tablets in this review at 1280 x 800 pixels. It would have been better if they had a Full HD resolution screen.

For its price range, the screen features a fairly wide color gamut at 72% NTSC, which provides a wide range of color displays.

The tablet also has a memory storage of 32 GB, which allows you to download and store your favorite apps and important projects. What’s more? The tablet comes with a screen protector, a protective case, and a good power adapter.

The Picasso Tab X features high pen accuracy with 8192 levels of pressure. This is similar to the more expensive PicassoTab X11, which is manufactured by the same brand. High pen accuracy is made possible by the reduced pen tip size that is free of any lags as you draw on it.

XP Pen Magic Drawing Pad: Best Standalone

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing PAD marks XP-Pen’s first serious step into standalone Android tablets, and after a year of updates, it’s turned into quite a capable portable sketchbook for digital artists.

• Screen: 12.2″
• Screen Type: LCD
• Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Pixels
• Matte etched glass for subtle pen resistance
• CPU: Mid-range MediaTek octa-core
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 256GB plus microSD expansion
• Pen: Battery-freeEMR (Wacom-compatible)
• Thin & light build: Just 6.9 mm thick
• Software: Runs full Android
• Compatible with: with Clip Studio Paint, ibisPaint X, and more
• Price: Around $500

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing PAD marks XP-Pen’s first serious step into standalone Android tablets, and after a year of updates, it’s turned into quite a capable portable sketchbook for digital artists.

The matte etched screen sets this apart from typical glossy Android tablets, giving the pen just enough friction to feel like real sketching. The display itself is sharp at 2160 x 1440, with rich colours that still pop despite the matte surface.

XP-Pen’s stylus feels more like a pro desktop drawing pen than a slim mobile stylus — solid in hand, well-weighted, with satisfying pressure response. It even works with some older Wacom pens thanks to shared EMR tech.

After updates and tweaks, the biggest first-gen issue—slight pen offset—has been largely resolved in apps like ibisPaint X and Clip Studio Paint, which let you manually calibrate. That means line accuracy is finally up to par, especially in those top drawing apps. Palm rejection still needs app-side tweaks to avoid stray marks, but once dialled in, it becomes a true mobile sketch powerhouse.

Pros: Large storage, microSD support, fantastic pen feel, matte screen made for artists, decent CPU for drawing workloads
Cons: Slight offset in some apps unless adjusted, not OLED, palm rejection can need fine-tuning

Best for: Artists who want a dedicated Android tablet made for sketching — not just a general media device with pen support. It’s portable, truly standalone, and feels close to XP-Pen’s desktop tablets, but on the go.

XP Pen Artist 13.3 Pro V2: best for professionals

• Active area: 6.93 x 3.89 inches
• No display, pen-only surface
• Pen: 8,192 pressure levels
• 5080 LPI resolution
• tilt support
• Connections: USB-C, Bluetooth
• OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
• No Android support
• Price: Under $150

If you’re after a slim, minimalist tablet purely for pen work, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet (small) stands out as the top budget pick under $150. It’s more affordable than the Wacom Intuos Pro S but still packs impressive core specs that matter for drawing.

You get a super-responsive surface with high pressure sensitivity and natural tilt handling — excellent for sketching, line art, and even sculpting in 3D apps. Unlike some entry tablets, the surface feels tuned for subtle pen control.

The main tradeoff is the compact size and lack of a screen, which means you’ll be drawing while looking at your monitor. Still, it’s light, travel-friendly, and comes with nice extras: two pens right in the box plus a quality travel case.

The downside? Each pen only gives you three customisable side buttons, which is on the low end. For more shortcut flexibility, Xencelabs sells a separate Quick Keys remote. And while it works flawlessly with desktop OSs, you can’t hook it up to Android phones or tablets.

Pros: Ultra-portable, high pen specs (8,192 levels + tilt), bundled with extra pens & case, premium surface feel
Cons: No built-in screen, only 3 pen buttons, not Android compatible (PC only)

Best for: Artists who want a small, dedicated tablet to carry anywhere or fit tight desks, with reliable pen precision at a very friendly price.

Wacom Intuos Small : Budget and Versatile Use

• Size: 7.8 x 6.3 inches total
• 6.0 x 3.7 inch active area
• Pen: Wacom Pen 4K
• 4096 pressure levels, no tilt
• Buttons: 4 customisable ExpressKeys on the tablet + 2 on the pen
• Connections: USB-A
• OS: macOS 10.10+, Windows 7+, Chromebook, Android 6.0+
• Price: Around $100

Wacom is practically the gold standard for pen tech, and the Intuos CTL4100 continues that legacy with a balanced feature set that makes it great for artists, hobbyists, and students alike.

Wacom’s LP1100K Pen 4K is battery-free thanks to EMR tech, so you never have to worry about charging. It’s light, ergonomically balanced, and offers smooth lines with excellent pressure control.

At 4096 levels of sensitivity, it’s slightly behind higher-end or pro-grade tablets but still far ahead of typical consumer styluses. Built-in storage for extra nibs keeps spares on hand, and you get three nibs in the box.

The four customisable tablet buttons plus the pen’s side switches make it easy to create shortcuts for brushes, undo, or tool switching — boosting workflow without reaching for the keyboard. The broad OS compatibility also means you can switch between a laptop, Chromebook, or even Android phone or tablet with ease, connecting simply via USB-A.

Pros: Renowned Wacom pen feel, lightweight & ergonomic, integrated nib storage, wide OS support (including Android & ChromeOS)
Cons: No tilt detection, lower pressure levels vs. premium tablets, small active area

Best for: Beginners or multi-device artists who want trusted Wacom reliability for sketching, note-taking, or light illustration, without spending big.

Best for: Professionals or advanced hobbyists seeking an affordable pen display with excellent colour, a smooth drawing feel, and plenty of shortcuts—without the high Wacom Cintiq cost.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 – cheap 10-inch tablet

1. Screen Size: 10.1 inches
2. Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
3. Storage Space: 32 GB expandable up to 512 GB using a microSD card.
4. Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad-Core Processor
5. RAM: 2 GB
6. • Pen Pressure: 1,024 levels of pressure
7. Operating System: Android Pie 9
8. Battery Life: 10 Hours
9. Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS
10. Front Camera 2.0 MP
11. Back Camera 8.0 MP
12. Weight: 3.87 ounces

The Samsung Galaxy TAB A has one of the best-built bodies for this price range. Although very different from an iPad, its aluminum feel at the back makes it feel like an iPad but cheaper.

There are 2 varieties of sizes, one at 8 inches and a 10-inch option. Although both sizes are smaller than a Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite or S7+, both options are large enough for drawing and can make for a great tablet for writing and note-taking.

For a budget tablet, the slim 7.5 mm feel is classy and sleek compared to other tablets in its range and will make it easy to carry for your college classes or travel from place to place. The lack of fingerprint identification takes away from the greatness of the tablet, but hey, the price makes up for everything here. Oh, it is also not water resistant.

The speaker quality is not the best compared to this tablet’s bigger, higher-end, more expensive brothers. Furthermore, the storage space is a good 32 GB. Although the storage space is low, it is expandable with a micro SD slot up to 512 GB.

For this price, the 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 pixel screen is ok, but it, however, lacks the AMOLED screen technology and backlight used in premium-level tablets, such as the Galaxy S7+ and S6. The clarity is therefore not as crisp but good for the cheap price. Unfortunately, colors will not display as clearly as on more expensive options because of its narrow color gamut.

It will produce a 24-bit full-screen color, capable of 256 intensity levels for RGB color sub-pixels. A mixture of these produces the different screen colors.

To maximize the working area, the thickness of the screen to the edge border is reduced and made to create a comfortable working area for artists.

The battery life is great with up to 13 hours of battery life. As a computer tablet, you will not need a computer to use it, and you can install software on it.

Although you can easily play games with it, Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is a better pick for a faster CPU, but ultimately for a smooth gaming tablet experience, you might want to invest in a Samsung S6 Lite or S7+. Another similar but smaller option for this tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. Below are its specifications.

The tablet features low pen accuracy due to its low 1024 pen pressure levels on the stylus pen. If you want higher pen pressure, you can replace the native pen with a Wacom Penabled stylus since it is made with the same pen technology.

Apple iPad 10.2 inch 2020 – iPad Under $300

• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
• Color Accuracy: 122.9% of the sRGB color gamut
• Pen: Apple Pencil 1
• Storage Space: 32 GB
• Processor: A12 Bionic chipsets
• RAM: 3 GB
• Operating System: iPadOS 14 upgradable to iPadOS 16.5
• Battery Life: 10 Hours
• Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS
• Front Camera 1.2 MP
• Rear Camera: 8 MP

The Apple iPad 2020 is an upgrade from the smaller iPad 2018. Unlike the 2018 model, it comes with a bigger 10.2-inch Retina view screen, which is great and ideal for gaming, drawing, or note-taking tablets. The screen display is also decent with a 1620 x 2160 pixel display and matches brightness levels to the perfect, more expensive iPad Pro.

It features a crisp and clear color display thanks to a wide 122.9% of the sRGB color gamut, which is even better than that on the Surface Pro 7 at 102% and the Surface Pro X with a 103% sRGB color gamut.

Fast processing and multitasking are made possible by 3GB RAM plus two additional processing cores from the 2018 model. This tablet is an Apple product and processes faster than many tablets in its range. This is made possible thanks to the A12 Bionic chipset processor.

The 32 GB of storage memory is, however, a little small and may not be large enough to save your files and apps. To make up for this, there is a 128 GB option for a little more.

The Apple iPad 2020 can be used without a computer or PC connection. This means you can use it for your outdoors or travel. Adding to this, the battery life is good with up to 10 hours.

An extra fingerprint scan security feature plus the 8 MP rear camera and 1.2 MP front selfie camera make this a definite top contender for the best Apple tablet for under $300.

The Apple iPad 2020 is compatible with Apple Pencil 2 with high pen accuracy, tilt recognition, and up to 8192 pen pressure levels on the massive screen.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) 2022: Mid-range tablet

1. Screen Size: 10.3 inches
2. Resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1200 Pixels
3. Screen Type: IPS LCD
4. Processor: 2.3 GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625
5. RAM: 2 GB, 4 GB, 6 GB
6. • Color Gamut:70% sRGB
7. Brightness: 400 nits
8. Pen pressure: 4096 pressure levels
9. Internal Storage: 32 GB
10. Expandable Storage: microSD card slot up to 256 GB
11. Operating System: Android 9 Pie
12. Speakers: Dolby Atmos with dual speakers
13. Camera: Rear Camera at 8 MP and Front Camera at 5 MP
14. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB Type-C

The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus features a bright IPS LCD screen at 10.3 inches in size and Full HD 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution. It is bright and clear thanks to a 70 sRGB color accuracy display and 400 nits brightness levels. This is a better display compared to the Lenovo Tab 4 10 with a color gamut at 60% and 350 nits brightness.

To get an incredibly quick and smooth performance, the Lenovo Tab 4 comes with a powerful octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor. However, multitasking is highly limited by the low 2 GB RAM. You can choose 4 or 6 GB options at a slightly higher price range.

It has the best gaming style, and with this tablet, you can manage a wide range of top-of-the-line Android games and applications. Make for an incredible gaming tablet.

The extra room is somewhat low at 16 GB, yet it is expandable to 256 GB, which is the reason you can store various things according to your necessities. For drawing, the pen is accurate with up to 4096 pen pressure levels. Other accessories like cameras and speakers are also reliable and provide a great user experience.

For recording videos and video conferencing, the tablet features an 8 MP resolution rear camera and a front camera at 5 MP. The sound experience is great for music consumption thanks to the Dolby Atmos audio system with dual speakers.

Like Samsung tablets, the Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus runs on an Android OS with an old upgradable Android Pie OS.

Fusion5 10.1: best Windows Tablet Under $300

1. OS: Windows 11 Home
2. Screen Size: 10.1 inches
3. Resolution: 1920×1080 Pixels Full HD
4. RAM: 8 GB DDR5
5. Storage: 256 GB SSD Expandable to 512 GB
6. Processor: N100 Quad-Core
7. HD Webcam
8. Battery Life: 8 hours

Windows tablets have not been left behind when it comes to digital art creation. The fact that they run a Windows 11 Home OS similar to many modern laptops makes them adaptable and easy to use.

The Fusion5 10.1 comes with a large 10.1-inch screen size with 1920×1080 pixels in full HD resolution. For a very affordable price range, you will get a powerful 13th GEN N100 Quad-Core Processor and 8 GB RAM.

This powerful processor and RAM not only run drawing software with ease but also basic video editing and animation applications.

You will have a 256 GB storage space that is expandable using an external MicroSD slot up to 512 GB. If you are looking for a laptop-like tablet experience with keyboard compatibility, then look no further; the Fusion5 10.1 allows a simple keyboard docking connection.

However, you have to buy the keyboard separately, adding to the cost. You have multiple connectivity ports, including a 3.5 mm jack, if you like listening to music on your headphones as you work.

Fusion has created a variation of the tablet with an Android operating system instead of Windows to better serve its clients. This option is slightly cheaper at almost half the price compared to the Windows version.

If you would like us to do a head-to-head comparison between the two, just comment on this post.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2024): Best with Pen

• Screen Size: 10.4 inches
• Resolution: 2000 x 1200 pixels
• Color Accuracy: 98.4% of the sRGB color gamut
• Processor: Exynos 9611
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage Space: 128 GB with microSD up to 1 TB
• Stylus Pen: Samsung S Pen
• Pen Pressure: 4,096 levels

If you are looking for a compact tablet that will not break the bank, then the Samsung Galaxy is the best pick for you. The 10.4-inch screen is a large enough working area for different tasks, whether drawing, writing, or gaming.

The screen is great and comes at a 2000 x 1200 pixel screen resolution that is crisp and clear. Although you can watch or view on the screen from virtually any angle, it lacks a Super AMOLED screen display present in the more expensive S7+ that allows for an enhanced detailed view.

This means that blacks will not appear as deep on the S6 Lite as they would on the S7+, but they will be clear enough and appealing all the same. Additionally, a high 98.4% of the sRGB color gamut means the screen color is accurately presented for the best user experience.

The tablet is great for multitasking with 4 GB of RAM, coupled with a great 1.7 GHz Exynos 9611 processor. On purchase, it comes with 64 GB of storage space but features a microSD slot that is expandable up to 1 TB, where you can save all your files and applications.

Another great thing is that it comes with a sensitive S Pen, and you will not have to buy it separately. The pen provides a natural pen-to-paper-like feel when drawing with around 4096 pen pressure sensitivity levels. This is lower than the optimal 8192 levels but will still draw perfectly without any lags.

The Samsung S Pen is made based on the professional Wacom Pro Pen 2 design; thus, pen accuracy is quite good for a drawing stylus. Just like the other tablets in this category, it comes with a built-in computer and a screen. It is therefore a pen computer tablet and does not need a computer to use.

A long-life, fast-charging battery with up to 13 hours of battery life makes the Galaxy S6 Lite easy to use outdoors or when used as a traveling tablet. You can either choose the older Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2022) or the new and improved Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2024).

how to choose the best tablet under $300

Build Quality and Battery Life

If you want to move around with your tablet or work outdoors, consider the overall weight and battery life of your tablet. We recommend anywhere from 8 to 10 hours, which is equal to a whole working day.

Storage Options

Storage space is where you will both store files and install applications. Most 300-dollar tablets will not be too big in terms of storage. However, choose those options that can be upgraded using an external MicroSD card. Samsung and Android tablets can be easily upgraded to a larger size. iPads, on the other hand, are not upgradeable.

Perfomance

Consider how fast your tablet operates or its ability to run many programs at the same time. The processor will influence the speed, while the RAM affects multitasking. For the best experience, consider tablets with 3 GB RAM and above. For the processor, we recommend either a MediaTek G99, MediaTek Helio P60T, Unisoc T618, or Snapdragon 600 series.

Display Quality

For the best gaming and streaming tablet, make sure to choose a large 10-inch screen or above plus Full HD 1920×1080 pixel resolution. Bright screens are ideal for both indoor and outdoor usage. Most screens in this price range will feature low brightness at around 350 nits.

Operating System

An operating system is a program that is responsible for the functionality of any device. Most devices use Windows, Mac, and Linux as operating systems. When choosing a drawing tablet, it is advisable to go for a tablet that has Mac or Windows operating systems.

Android tablets will offer flexible performance, while iPads will offer powerful and seamless performance even with complex tasks. The choice of OS will mostly depend on preference.

If you are not sure which one to choose, it is important to note that Android OS offers versatility, Windows OS offers a PC- or laptop-like experience, while iPadOS offers premium performance but at a premium price. Fire OS is best for those who are regular Amazon users or use other Amazon products for easy integration.

Stylus Support

A stylus pencil is also known as an optical pencil. This accessory is essential because it is responsible for recording the strokes that you make in the working areas and displaying them on the screen.

It is very uncomfortable to draw without an optical pencil; therefore, you should ensure that you have this accessory in mind. Choosing a tablet with a stylus will be highly influenced by what you want to use the tablet for. Drawing tablets under $300 require a pen with high pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition for easy drawing of strokes.

If you are looking for a drawing or note taking Pen, we recommend Samsung S Pen, Apple Pencil 1 and 2 or the Picasso Pen on Simbans Picasso.

When choosing a stylus, we recommend that you go for the one without batteries because you will reduce the stress of replacing the batteries, and they are also light.

Conclusion

If you prefer an iOS tablet, the Apple iPad 10.2-inch 2020 will be your best pick. For those who want a tablet purely for streaming and reading, the Amazon Fire Max 11 will offer a good experience.

Many artists and designers prefer the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2024) because of the S Pen, but for professionals who need a professional-level dedicated drawing tablet, the Simbans PicassoTab 10 Inch is best. It offers many art-focused offers, such as a free pen and drawing glove.

The best overall spot goes to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, although some users speculate that the new Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad 12.7 Pro 2025 offers better features. We did not include it here since it has not been fully released and is unavailable in the US. Once available, we will compare them and update our findings on which one is better.

Frequently Asked Questions