The 7 Best Portable Drawing Tablets: Our Top Picks

The best Portable drawing tablets come in different forms and brands. Some have to connect to a computer to draw while some are full standalone devices. Despite these differences, they all possess some key specifications that are important for both beginner and professional artists.

For example, they all feature high pen pressure responsiveness and large bright displays that are in very high brightness, resolution, and contrast.

Whether you choose an iPad, Android or Windows tablet the screen size, resolution, pressure sensitivity, and tablet compatibility are some of the most important considerations when choosing a good portable art tablet. Many portable tablets are small in size and therefore generally affordably priced.

This article will cover both high-end premium-level tablets and cheaper budget-level options explaining who each one is best for, the specifications, price, pros, and cons.

Top Portable Drawing Tablets for Artists

1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9: Best Overall
2. Magic Drawing Pad: Affordable Standalone Tablet
3. Apple iPad Pro 13: Best for Hobbyists
4. Galaxy Tab S8+: Best tablet with pen
5. Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13: Professional tablet 
6. Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite: Best Budget 
7. Simbans Picasso Tab: Best for beginners

Apple iPad Pro 12.9: Best Overall

1. Screen Size: 12.9 inch
2. Resolution: 2732 x 2048 Liquid Retina display
3. Apple M1 Processor with 8 GB RAM
4. Pencil: Apple Pencil 2 bought separately
5. Good front and rear cameras with 12 MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera
6. 4096 Pen Pressure Levels
7. Security: Face ID for secure
8. Storage: 128 GB and 2 TB
9. OS: iPad OS
10. Battery Life: 10 hours

If you are looking for the very best portable drawing tablet, the Apple iPad Pro is without a doubt the best. For several years now, it has been the tablet of choice for many graphic designers and digital artists.

This is mainly because of its standard, powerful, and reliable features. We noticed that most professional-level artists and creatives preferred it for their daily workflow.

The excellent pen, crisp and clear screen, and powerful graphics system make it stand out as an ideal professional tablet. Additionally, unique advanced drawing software like Procreate and Adobe Illustrator are perfectly compatible with it.

Apple Pencils 1 and 2 are the biggest attraction to both pros and beginner artists to use this tablet. The pencil’s responsiveness and accuracy make it stand out as the best pencil for digital artists.

Additionally, its wireless and battery-free charging nature makes it very convenient. To charge the Apple Pencil 2, you just have to place it in the magnetic space at the back of your iPad.

One downside, however, is that you do not get the Apple Pencil 2 in the box when you buy the iPad Pro. You have to purchase it separately, which can be expensive.

Apple Pencils are also not compatible with all versions of the iPad. You have to be keen to make sure you buy the right one that is compatible with your iPad.

If the price is not an issue for you, then this drawing tablet will provide a perfect, unmatched user experience. Unfortunately, you will have to pay extra for the pen because it is sold separately. However, it’s worth the cost because the pencil is highly accurate with a perfect pressure sensitivity curve.

The massive storage space between 128 GB and 2 TB options will save all your projects, programs, and extra files. It is far more than you need.

However, the storage space is not upgradable using a microSD card. To upgrade storage, you will have to buy another iPad. We recommend that you go for the Apple iPad 12.9 if you can afford it because it is more efficient and cannot be compared to other brands. Overall, good graphic design gear is very effective but doesn’t come cheap, and neither is the Apple iPad 12.9 drawing tablet.

Magic Drawing Pad: Affordable Tablet

1. Screen Size: 12.2 inches
2. Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Pixels
3. Pen Pressure: 16384 Pen Pressure Levels
4. Pencil: X3 Pro Pencil
5. Battery Life: 13 hours
6. Storage: 256 GB expandable to 512 GB

If you are looking for an affordable and portable standalone tablet made with digital artists in mind the XP Magic Drawing Pad is a welcome choice. Most of their previous productions have been either Pen Tablets or Pen display tablets. However, in 2024, they made their first Pen computer tablet that effectively competes with premium-level iPads and Samsung Tablets.

The tablet is not only affordable at around 500$ but also easily portable thanks to the easy-to-carry 599-gram weight, 12.2-inch display with an overall 6.9 mm slim body. The large screen is excellent for drawing with high 2160 x 1440 Pixels and up to 16384 Pen Pressure Levels which is better than all tablets in this review.

The X3 Pro Pencil is one of the best aspects of this tablet. Besides having 16K pressure levels, it is also wireless only charging through unique Electromagnetic Resonance or EMR technology as you use the tablet.

You will have up to 13 hours battery life making it usable for a whole working day away from a power source. To save files and install applications, you will have 256 GB storage space on purchase but is expandable to 512 GB using an external MicroSD card.

If you are a Professional or beginner artist, this tablet comes with perfect drawing specifications plus a free 3-month subscription to the ibis Paint X drawing application. You will not regret buying this tablet for digital art.

Apple iPad Pro 13: Best for Hobbyists

1. Screen:13-Inch
2. Processor: (M4)
3. Ultra Retina XDR Display
4. Storage: 1 TB Non expandable
5. Camera: 12 MP Front and rear camera
6. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular with eSIM
7. Security: Face ID
8. Battery Life: 10 Hours

If you are not a full-time dedicated digital artist and just need a general multipurpose tablet for general tasks and gaming, the new Apple iPad Pro is a perfect choice. It is slightly larger than the iPad Pro 12.9 with a 13-inch screen size. The tablet features an XDR OLED screen type similar to Premium Android tablets.

This display is clear with up to 1000 nits brightness levels and a P3 color gamut which is very wide. You will be able to view your work in a rich colorful display thanks to the high screen resolution. For processing power, you will have a very powerful Apple M4 processor that is only available on the new 2024 11” and 13” iPad Pro.

If you prefer an iOS over an Android system, this tablet is perfect for you. Just like other iPads, you will not have free pen accessories, although it is compatible with the new Apple Pencil 3. The Pen is ergonomically designed for drawing with a natural pen-like look. Additionally, it features high pen pressure levels for drawing.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+: Best tablet with pen 

1. Screen Size: 12.4 inches
2. Resolution: 2800 x 1752 pixels
3. AMOLED screen
4. Storage: 256 GB expandable to 1 TB
5. Pen: Free S Pen
6. 4096 Pen Pressure Levels
7. Battery Life: 10 hours

The latest model in Samsung’s top-tier series of Android tablets, the Galaxy Tab S8+, has a 12.4-inch screen display for your amazing drawing experience. The S8+ display is an AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, giving it an excellent display.

The top-end S8+ has a maximum internal storage capacity of 256 GB. However, this can be supplemented with a micro-SD card to increase your storage capacity and preserve your images for longer.

Although you still can’t run a full version of Photoshop on the S8+, DeX mode is still accessible, transforming the device into something that looks more like a typical Windows laptop. For drawing the tablet comes with a free Samsung S Pen on purchase. The pen is highly responsive and perfect for drawing.

The Tab S8 Plus features powerful specifications at a very affordable price range. The stunning Super AMOLED display from Samsung features a 120Hz refresh rate. The S8+ is an extraordinarily powerful tablet with a bright, stunning display and a lag-free pen that is ideal for photo editing, making it the best value for your money.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite: Best Budget

1. Screen size: 10.4 inches
2. Resolution: 2000 x 1200 pixels LCD screen display
3. Processor: Exynos 1280 processor
4. S Pen Included
5. Pen Pressure: 4096 levels
6. Battery Life: 10 hours
7. Operating System: Android 14.0
8. Storage: 64 GB and 128 GB Expandable Storage to 1 TB

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite is a better version of the S6 Samsung Galaxy, but cheaper and without any unnecessary features. Oh, plus an audio jack this time around, unlike the more costly S7 and S7+.

Though it may seem like a downgrade for most Samsung Galaxy users, the S6 Lite packs most of the powerful technology used to produce the more expensive Galaxy Tablets. Just like them, the S6 Lite comes with a free S Pen made with Wacom technology that is ideal for drawing and note-taking.

The screen is clear and clean with a 2000×1200 pixels resolution, and with a 10.4-inch size, this tablet is perfect for artists. Give it a try, or check out more Samsung Galaxy tablets with the S pen.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13: Professional Drawing Tablet

• Display: 13 inches
• Resolution: 2560×1440 pixels
• 82% Adobe RGB coverage 
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16 GB
• Internal Storage: 512 GB
• Battery Life: 5.5 hours
• Pen Pressure: 8,192 sensitivity levels

Wacom is one of the top brands when it comes to drawing tablets. However, most of their tablets are not fully portable. They have a screen but no in-built computer system.

Wacom Mobile Studio is one of the few fully portable tablets from Wacom. The tablet packs enormous power and is by far the best professional-level drawing tablet.

A core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM make it almost impossible for this tablet to slow down when running powerful or many programs at a time.

One thing to note is that the Wacom Mobile Studio was made with artists in mind. As a dedicated drawing tablet, the pen is four times more accurate and pressure-sensitive compared to most tablets.

Unfortunately, this is not a cheap drawing tablet, and you will have to dig a little deeper into the bank to get it. However, as a professional or serious beginner artist, go get the Wacom Mobile Studio, and you will not regret it.

Simbans Picasso Tab: Beginner-level Tablet 

• Screen Size: 10.1-inch
• Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
• Screen Type: IPS touchscreen
• Storage: 32 GB, expandable with an extra 32 GB MicroSD card
• Processor: Quad-Core MTK8163 1.3/ 2GHz/Core
• RAM: 4 GB / 2 GB
• Operating System: Android
• Front Camera: 2.0 MP and 5 MP Back Camera
• Stylus Pen Included
• Pen 1024 pressure sensitivity
• Battery Life: ‎5 Hours

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 Picasso Tab X is just what you need.

The Simbans Picasso Tab comes with a 10-inch IPS HD screen, which gives high-resolution, clear, and crisp images. Another advantage of buying this tablet is that it has a powerful MediaTek quad-core processor plus 2 GB of RAM, which makes it even easier to multitask.

The tablet also has 32 GB of memory storage, which allows you to download and store your favorite apps and important projects. There is also a 64-GB option that is not so different in price. If you go for this option, then the RAM will double to 4 GB.

The pen is highly pressure sensitive, with 1024 pressure sensitivity levels and tilt sensitivity. What’s more? The tablet comes with a free screen protector, a protective leather case, a good power adapter, and a drawing glove. Simbans Picasso is a standalone drawing tablet that does not need a computer.

Apple iPad Air 4th Gen: Best Compact Tablet

1. Size: 10.9-inch
2. Resolution: 2360 by 1640 pixels Liquid Retina Display
3. Processor: A14 Bionic Chip
4. Apple Pencil 1
5. Pen Pressure: 4096 levels
6. Battery Life: 9 hours

The Apple iPad Air 4th Gen is your best option if you’re a graphic designer or artist seeking the greatest tablet overall. It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a 2360 by 1640 pixels resolution at 264 pixels per inch (PPI) to take care of the fine details of your painting.

The compatibility is excellent if you already own an Apple gadget. With the 10.9-inch active drawing surface provided by this stand-alone drawing tablet, you can create amazing drawings.

When it comes to performance, the Apple iPad comes out on top thanks to its 64-bit A14 Bionic engine and maximum storage capacity of 256 GB.

You can utilize your iPad to its full potential thanks to its built-in accessibility capabilities that benefit people with hearing, visual, mobility, and cognitive impairments.

Choosing the Right Portable Art Tablet

Choosing the right portable tablet for drawing is easy if you know what to consider for your art needs. If you are not sure what to look for, do not worry, we are here to help. Below are some of the key factors to look for in a good portable art tablet.

1. Screen Size
2. Screen quality and resolution
3. Stylus type and specifications
4. Operating system and Price
5. Purpose you need the tablet for

Screen Size

For the best experience, choose a tablet that is small enough to carry but not too small to affect the drawing experience. We recommend anywhere between 10 inches and 13 inches in tablet sizes. Make sure to be keen on the overall weight because the bigger the screen is, the heavier your tablet will be.

Screen quality and resolution

The quality of the display on the screen will be affected by the type of screen you have on the tablet. You will have to choose between an LCD and an AMOLED screen type. AMOLED screens provide an overall better display than LCD options.

You can also choose between a laminated and nonlaminated screen. A laminated screen will be more clear and durable than a nonlaminated one. If the screen has no lamination consider checking whether it has a film covering the screen. Matte-type screen films offer lower environmental reflectiveness and are better than Gloss-finish screens. Other screen factors that affect clarity include resolution, color accuracy, and brightness.

Stylus type and specifications

Some tablets come with a responsive stylus on purchase while others require you to buy it separately. Make sure your Pen is compatible with your tablet. A pen can either be active or passive. An active pen needs batteries while a passive one will not have to be used with batteries. Overall you need a pen that feels natural just like a pen on paper when drawing.

Some ergonomically designed pens have extra shortcut keys which is an added advantage. However, this requirement is not a must-have on stylus pens.

For the best drawing experience, you need a pen with high-pressure levels, usually anywhere between 8192 and 4096 levels. To create strokes simply, you need to have at least +-60 degrees tilt recognition and around 5080 lines per inch or LPI resolution on the pen.

Operating system and Price

Most drawing tablets vary in price depending on the tablet type, price, specifications, and Operating systems. You will notice Android tablets will offer cheap pricing with many free accessories while iPads are more expensive and do not come with many free accessories. Windows tablets will work on an operating system similar to ones found on laptops, that is the Intel Core i5, i7, or i9. All tablet types will be compatible with different drawing applications like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Conclusion

Portable drawing tablets offer high user friendliness and flexibility allowing artists the freedom to create digital art on simple but professional-level devices. They offer high display quality and resolution with a rich and accurate color display thanks to a wide-color Gamut.

Although some pen display tablets must connect to a computer, most portable tablets provide a fully portable alternative that does not have to connect to a computer to use. You can use it away from your office or even in high-light outdoor setups.

A long battery life, easy portability, and an affordable price range among other specifications, make these tablets very popular among different levels of digital artists.

Frequently Asked Questions