The Best drawing tablets that don’t need a computer

For many beginner and Professional artists, the ability to draw when on the go and away from your computer offers a flexible workstation that you can use anywhere at your convenience. Drawing tablets that don’t need a computer are the only tablets that provide this functionality.

It wasn’t easy to find an affordable drawing tablet when starting as a designer and artist. However, with the many brands available today, getting a good tablet is possible without spending too much. Below are my top 8 picks for the best ones that you can buy. I carefully chose different brands, and budget ranges, and also added options for both professionals and beginners.

Top Standalone Drawing Tablets

1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 Inch
2. Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 Inch
3. Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra
4. Wacom Mobile Studio Pro
5. Simbans Picasso Tab X 10 Inch
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
7. Huion Kamvas Studio 16
8. XP Pen Magic Drawing Pad

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 Inch: Best Overall

• Screen size: 12.9 inches
• Screen Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
• Processor: Apple M2 chip
• RAM: 8 GB and 16 GB RAM options
• Storage: 128, 256, 512 GB, or 1/2 TB options
• Front Camera: 12 MP
• Rear Camera: Rear 12 MP
• Weight: 685 g
• Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours

Although it is made as a multi-purpose tablet and not necessarily for drawing, the iPad Pro is my favorite pick when it comes to my art and drawing needs. First, it is easy to use the iPad as a drawing tablet, whether independently or with your computer.

Another thing that draws us to love this tablet is the speed and the unique Liquid Retina Display that offers a superior color representation, displaying every detail with its superb resolution.

Apple iPads are popular and the best choice for artists and graphic designers. You will love how your images look attractive and alive on the iPad screen thanks to a large 12.9-inch size and 2048 x 2732 pixels resolution.

The screen is also bright at 1000 to 1600 nits brightness levels meaning you can use it both indoors and outdoors without light issues. Nothing motivates an artist more than a beautiful view of their project in vivid color.

The only downside of this Apple iPad is that you will have to purchase a pen separately. But that does not take from the intuitive interface of this device’s operating system and the iOS art programs compatibility like Procreate.

If you’re looking for a powerful, sleek, and lightweight standalone tablet, you won’t go wrong with the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch. It comes with a powerful Apple M2 chip processor and 8 to 16 GB RAM perfect for complex tasks like gaming and video editing.

When you are drawing, switching from brush to brush or eraser means you have to pause and go to your device and change, which can interrupt and slow your workflow.

The new Apple Pencil makes up for this with a simple tap to switch the function from brush to eraser or vice versa. It does not come with a pen; you can get your Apple Pen replacement here. Some artists find the pen a little slippery, but that is easily sorted using an Apple Pencil Grip.

Although you have a wide choice of storage spaces, that is, 128 GB to 2 TB options, you will have to buy a larger option every time you wish to upgrade. Unlike Samsung Tablets, it is not possible to upgrade using a MicroSD card.

Apple iPad Pro supports all modern drawing applications including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other drawing applications.

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 Inch: Best for animation

1. Screen size: 13 and 11 inches option
2. Screen Resolution: 2752 x 2064 pixels
3. Processor: Apple M4
4. RAM: 8 GB / 16 GB
5. Storage: 256 GB to 2 TB
6. Camera: 12 MP Wide Rear and Front Camera
7. Good sound system with Four speakers and four studio-quality microphones
8. Battery Life: 10 hours 
9. Connectivity: USB-C (Thunderbolt or USB 4), Wi-Fi 6E
10. Security: Face ID

After the May 2024, iPad Pro upgrade, Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 Inch is their new powerhouse with premium functionality. It has the most powerful M4 processor and the largest screen at on any iPad Tablet at 13 inches. What is most important and unique on this screen is the new OLED display with a 2064 x 2752 pixels resolution.

The Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 and Apple iPad Pro 11 M4 are the only iPads with this kind of screen. OLED and AMOLED screens are more crisp than other types of screens with minimal parallax. Apple made this change to more effectively compete with cheaper Samsung tablets.

This is the most powerful and diverse tablet in this review. Most features will be similar to the older iPad Pro M2 2022 save for some improvements we highlighted in our iPad Pro M4 vs. iPad Pro 12.9 comparison.

Compared to the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 that comes with the Apple Pencil 2 Second generation, the new Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 Inch comes with a better Apple Pencil Pro.

Storage space comes in many options from 128 GB to 2 TB but still can not be upgraded using a MicroSD slot like Android tablets. You have to buy the next size every time you upgrade which can be expensive.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra: Android drawing tablet that doesn’t need a computer

• Screen: 14.6 inches
• Resolution: 2960 by 1848 pixels
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• RAM: 8/16 GB
• Samsung S Pen included
• Storage: 128, 256, or 512 GB
• Expandable storage up to 1 TB using a MicroSD card
• OS: Android
• Battery life: 8 hours

Although the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite is good and cheap, it is nowhere near as good as an Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inches. If you want an Android tablet that can be used as an iPad alternative, then the new Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra is your best pick.

It has a Super AMOLED 14.6-inch screen size and a crisp, clear 2960 × 1848 pixels resolution. Additionally, its unique 16:10 aspect ratio makes it always positioned in a landscape view.

You will be able to run Photoshop, Illustrator, and many design and art programs thanks to a powerful SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 8 and 16 GB of RAM.

Just like the S6 Lite, it features the Samsung S Pen, which is perfect. Additionally, it is a standalone tablet and does not need to be connected to a computer to be used.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13: Best for Professionals

• Screen Size: 13.3 / 15.6 inches
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
• Processor: Intel i7
• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage Space: 512 GB SSD
• OS: Windows 10
• Battery Life: 5.5 hours
• Software: Autodesk SketchBook Express and ArtRage^® Studio and more

The Wacom Mobile Studio Pro Second Generation is one of the few professional-level standalone drawing tablets from Wacom, for those who don’t mind spending more on a drawing tablet.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro is specifically designed for artists and graphic designers. It is one of the top tablets for drawing available on the market today.

This tablet’s price is high, but it also has numerous features that will make your drawing experience fun and flawless. Wacom Mobile Studio comes with an in-built computer. It has all the features you need from your computer, so it enables you to work from anywhere.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro artist or a beginner; this robust tablet is easy to use, and you will love how you can use all the drawing applications on your tablet.

That’s not all. This tablet has eight shortcut buttons that you can customize to perform any shortcut. It also has a touch ring that you can utilize to perform other complex shortcuts when working, like changing your eraser’s size or brush.

Are you a professional graphic designer or artist who wants a tablet to fit your modern artistic skills? Then this tablet is a perfect match for you. Earlier in this review, we mentioned popular multipurpose tablet brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Simban Picasso Tab X. However, as an artist, you may be asking whether there are any art-based tablets available.

Wacom and Huion tablets do not need a computer connection and are the best tablets made with an artist in mind. The answer is yes. The two top players in the drawing tablet world also have a tablet in this category. Wacom Mobile Studio Pro (2^nd Gen) makes our list of the best pro-level Wacom tablets, and the Huion Kamvas Studio 24 comes in close as the best professional standalone tablet.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13 is a premium tablet and is best used by professional-level digital artists. According to Techradar, the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro is perfect for travel and outdoor fieldwork. You will be able to create even when away from your workstation.

Simbans Picasso Tab X 10 Inch: Best Budget

1. Screen Size: 10.1′
2. Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
3. Storage: 32 GB, expandable with an extra 32 GB MicroSD card
4. Processor: Quad-Core MTK8163 1.3/ 2GHz/Core
5. RAM: 4 GB / 2 GB
6. Operating System: Android
7. Front Camera: 2.0 MP
8. Back Camera: 5.0 MP
9. Battery life: 8 Hours
10. Supported drawing applications: Autodesk, Sketchbook App, Illustrator and Photoshop
11. Comes with a Stylus Pen
12. Connectivity: WiFi/Bluetooth, Mini-HDMI, USB Type-C, Audio, Micro-SD Card Slot

Simbans Picasso Tab is a great drawing tablet that you can get at the lowest budget, and it comes with a stylus pen and an Autodesk Sketchbook App pre-installed. Its drawing specifications and affordable price range make it an ideal pick for beginners and students.

The tablet uses a MediaTek quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM, which makes it easy to multitask. That’s not all. Simban Picasso has a high resolution of up to 1280 x 800 pixels that produces clear images.

Additionally, the 10-inch screen size makes drawing and watching movies easy and comfortable. We love how easy it is to work from anywhere with this tablet, and you can also connect it to Wi-Fi. The Simbans Picasso is a great pick at a perfect price for beginners. It is also good for sketching and is the cheapest standalone tablet on this list.

Another great thing is that on purchase, you will get a free screen protector, drawing glove, charger set, and cool leather case all in the box.

Unfortunately, if you are serious about your art, then we recommend spending a little more on professional-level tablets such as Wacom Mobile Studio Pro or KAMVAS Studio 16.

The tablet is good when you start off sketching, but not the best in the long run. Check out our Simbans Picasso X Tab detailed review.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Best Value for money

• Screen: 10.4-inch
• Screen Type: TFT LCD
• Resolution: 1200 x 2000 Pixels
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB / 128 GB
• Expandable to 1 TB
• Battery Life: 10 hours
• Weight: 1.03 pounds
• Drawing applications: All new drawing applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and the PENUP app

Despite the competition of drawing tablets into the market, Samsung hasn’t stopped introducing newer products, and luckily, they are doing so while considering different budgets. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite tablet is a better version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.

The Galaxy S6 lite seems to have many unnecessary features and is a bit expensive, but these guys have tried to improve their game by bringing you the S6 lite, which is better and cheaper.

Not everyone can afford a high-end drawing tablet, and that is why there are tablets that will give you the same drawing experience at a lower price, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a good example.

Although there are many cheaper tablets on the market, we can confidently say that none will beat the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite drawing tablet. It has a 10.4-inch screen, an aspect ratio of 5:3, and an impressive resolution of 1200 × 2000 pixels.

The processor speed is also as fast as that of your computer, and you can hold this tablet and work for hours without getting tired. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also has a long-lasting battery, and you can run some Android apps on it effortlessly. If you want a budget-friendly pen, computer, or tablet, you definitely won’t go wrong with it. If you’re a student, you can also take notes on your tablet and save multiple projects.

The Galaxy S6 lite is a multipurpose tablet and will be perfect for art hobbyists and armature artists who just want to draw for fun during their part-time.

Huion Kamvas Studio 16: Best for Beginners

1. Screen Size: 15.8-inch
2. Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels 2.5K QHD
3. Touch Screen
4. Anti-Glare Glass
5. Color Accuracy: 100% Adobe RGB
6. Pen: Slim Pen PW550S
7. OS: Windows 11 Pro
8. Processor: Intel Core i7
9. RAM: 16 GB
10. Storage: 512 GB SSD
11. Battery Life: 6 hours
12. Works with iPhone/iPad by using ibisPaint now

In October 2022, Huion launched the Kamvas Studio 16 and Kamvas Studio 24. The Kamvas Studio 24 has a larger 24-inch screen, while the Kamvas Studio 16 has a smaller 16-inch screen. Huion Studio tablets come with an incredible stylus pen with 8192 pressure levels of sensitivity and tilt sensitivity.

The screen features a Touch Screen display and Anti-Glare Glass to avoid parallax. The display is crisp and clear thanks to 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution or 2.5K QHD and 100% Adobe RGB color gamut.

To protect the tablet screen from damage or scratches the tablet comes with a tough etched glass that provides a good texture for drawing as well as a nonreflective texture. One thing that we love about this tablet is that it comes with 20 programmable shortcut keys and has two touch strips on the sides of the screen. If you are looking for a Pro tablet from another brand instead of Wacom, this is the one for you.

XP Pen Magic Drawing Pad: Most Portable Tablet

1. Screen Size: 12.2-inch
2. Aspect Ratio: 3:2 ratio
3. Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Pixels
4. Color Accuracy: 109% sRGB, 82% Adobe RGB, 77% NTSC
5. Processor:  8-core MT8771
6. GPU: ARM G57 MC2
7. RAM: 8 GB
8. Storage: 256 GB storage expandable to 512 GB
9. OS: Android
10. Pen pressure: 16,384 levels
11. Battery-free EMR tech charging
12. Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi, USB-C 2.0

The XP Pen Magic Drawing Pad is the first pen computer from XP Pen. It is a perfect alternative to many high-end iPads and Android tablets such as the iPad Pro and Galaxy S8 Ultra.

Just like Samsung tablets, it features a large 256 GB storage space that can be upgraded to 512 GB using an external Micro SD card. Processing power is also perfect for running Photoshop and many other design software. It features a powerful 8-core MT8771 processor, supported by an ARM G57 MC2 GPU plus 8 GB RAM.

Whether you need a simple tablet for drawing or a complex powerhouse for animation and video editing, the XP Pen Magic Drawing Pad is perfect.

To match up to the standards set by Samsung in the drawing industry, it comes with a pen almost as powerful as Samsung’s S pen. The pen is battery-free and will charge as you use it without having to connect it with wires.

This is made possible by EMR technology or Electromagnetic Resonance in full. The display size is larger than the Galaxy S6 Lite but smaller than the iPad Pro at 12.2 inches.

The large screen size and even larger resolution at 2160 x 1440 Pixels make for a crisp and clean display. You will view your work in accurate and vivid color display thanks to 109% sRGB, and 82% Adobe RGB color gamut.

On purchase, you will get some free accessories such as a slim case with a pen holder slot that can work as a simple stand. You will also get a free USB-C charger and cable to charge your device.

A free XP Pen X3 Pro Pencil is also included plus four plastic nibs plus a nib remover. To protect your screen from sweaty palms, you get a free screen-protecting glove to wear as you draw.

Choosing the Right Tablet for Your Needs

1. Display Size and Quality
2. Stylus Pen Performance
3. Operating System Compatibility
4. Battery Life and Connectivity

When choosing the best tablet for your needs, you need to consider the screen quality, resolution, and color accuracy. A wide-color Gamut will ensure you view rich accurate colors. The screen size and aspect ratio will ensure you are comfortable when working on your drawing tablet. You can choose either a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio and 1920 x1080 full HD resolution and above.

As an artist, the display quality is crucial and should be the first thing you check before you pay for your drawing tablet. If you don’t want a screen that reflects, we recommend you go for a matte screen. A good example of a drawing tablet with a matte display is the Wacom Mobile Studio.

You want to produce high-quality images. Therefore, you need to choose a tablet with high color accuracy. Apple and Samsung have tablets that have great color accuracy, so you can never go wrong with these two brands.

Stylus Pen Performance

For the tablet’s pen performance, choose a tablet with high-pressure sensitivity, +-60 degrees tilt recognition, and high drawing precision. Make sure to check whether the Ben is available or is bought separately. Tablets that come with a free pen are normally cheaper and more affordable.

It’s hard to produce accurate drawings without a stylus pen, and thus it is a crucial accessory. If you’re a team matte screen or glossy screen, you will have to pick the right one that makes it easy to draw.

Operating System Compatibility

Tablets come in various brands based on the operating system they run. For example, iPads come with iPad OS while Samsung Tablets come with Android OS. Windows tablets have similar operating systems and Processors like laptops that are Windows 10/ 11 and Intel Core i5 or i7.

When choosing the best one, it is important to consider whether the tablet OS you buy is compatible with the system you intend to use it with.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Finally, choose a tablet that easily connects to your devices when need be. For this, check the availability of HDMI and USBC Ports. The battery life on your tablet will affect the tablet’s portability. Choose a tablet that charges fast and retains power for at least a whole 8 to 10-hour working day.

What are Standalone Drawing Tablets?

A Standalone drawing tablet is a device that does not require a PC or Laptop connection to draw. It has a screen and computer to install drawing applications like Adobe Illustrator. For this tablet type, both drawing software and hardware are compact one device. This is different for Pen Tablets and Pen Display Tablets that must connect to a computer.

Because you can use them on the go without needing a computer, they are considered fully portable tablets. They are Perfect for digital artists, graphic designers, and creatives too. Unlike regular tablets that are limited to digital drawing, Standalone tablets can be used for many different functions like gaming, streaming, and many more.

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. They are independent of laptops or computers and fully portable.
2. They are versatile and can be used for multiple tasks like streaming movies, gaming, and surfing.
3. Standalone or Pen Computer tablets are considered to be professional devices and are perfect for Creatives and Professional Designers.
4. Most of these types of tablets are more expensive compared to Pen Tablets and Pen Display Tablets. Make sure to check the price and accessories available on purchase.

Portable drawing tablets: Our Top Picks

Tablet	Rating	Price
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 Inch	Best Overall	Check Price
Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra	Best Android	Check Price
Wacom Mobile Studio Pro	Best for Professionals	Check Price
Simbans Picasso Tab X	Best For Beginners	Check Price
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite	Best Budget	Check Price

Frequently Asked Questions