Types of Drawing Tablets in Brief

A drawing tablet is essentially required if you want to perform any digital artwork. It will also be an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve their drawing and design skills.

It is critical to select the best drawing tablet. Let's go over the three major types of drawing tablets on the market and analyze the benefits and cons of each to help you choose the best option.

1. Simple Drawing Tablet with Pen (No Screen/Display)

It's simply a drawing pad with no display. You must connect it to a computer/PC and run drawing programs on the computer/PC. And then you need to use a pen on your drawing tablet, which will reflect on your computer screen. That's all.

A drawing tablet without a screen requires well-developed hand-eye coordination, so it may be difficult to use at first. There will be a long learning curve due to the disconnect of having to look at the monitor but not your hand.

The benefits of a screenless tablet include less cable management and a lower cost. Purchase a good tablet that does not have a screen, such as the XPPen Deco.

2. Pen Display (With Screen/Display)

The only difference is that it has a display screen. You still must connect it to a computer/PC. However, you don’t need to look at the computer screen when drawing. Because your drawing pen display tablet will display the entire computer/PC screen.

The XPPen Artist 12 3rdis our top recommendation for beginners. It's only $200, yet it offers both portability and powerful digital pen and screen performance.You can draw as naturally as if you were drawing on paper with a color-accurate display and pen. And professional screen drawing tablets have incredible pen precision and pressure sensitivity. This will ensure that your lines are consistent and exact, regardless of how hard you press down on the pen.

• X4 Smart Chip Stylus with 16K Pressure Levels

• 2g Initial Activation Force

• 11.9-inch FHD Display with 99% sRGB Color Gamut Coverage

• Dual X-Dial and Eight Shortcut Keys

• One Cable Connection

3. Standalone Drawing Tablet (No Computer Required)

A standalone drawing tablet combines a computer and a drawing tablet. It is a drawing tablet that includes computer hardware and features such as a processor, graphics card, RAM, storage, and so on. So you don't need to connect it to an external computer.

A standalone drawing tablet can run drawing apps and the software itself. You can take it out with you on the go. This will give you more portability. The best options are the iPad Pro, Surface Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Wacom Mobile Studio Pro. They are compatible with a digital pen. They have convenient features that do not require a connection to a laptop.

People who often use drawing tablets must be familiar with the XPPen brand. In 2024, it launched an Android tablet named Magic Drawing Pad. Different from previous drawing tablets required a computer connection, the Magic Drawing Pad is powered by the Android 14 operating system, allowing it to be used independently.

Key Features:

Super portable: The Magic Drawing Tablet is 6.9mm thick and weighs only 590 grams. You can easily take it anywhere.

Powered by Android 14: Featuring the latest operating system, Android 14, users can enjoy an enhanced user experience and improved application compatibility.

X3 Pro Slim Stylus and EMR Technology: Unlike most tablets, the Magic Drawing Tablet is equipped with the X3 Pro Slim Stylus, which has 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support. In addition, with advanced EMR (Electro-magnetic Resonance) technology, X3 Pro Slim Stylus delivers a digital drawing experience that feels as intuitive and natural as pen on paper.

X Paper: X-Paper is crafted with AG etched technology to emulate the friction and resistance of premium paper as you move the stylus across the surface of the pad, while reducing unwanted glare and fingerprints.

The most shocking thing is that for only $499.99, you can get a drawing tablet that allows you to get a professional-level drawing experience without connecting to a computer. Go buy it now!

The End Note

In summary, drawing tablets without screens are relatively affordable and are a worthwhile investment for students and beginners, but hand-eye coordination may require some practice.

Drawing tablets with screens are moderately priced and suitable for both amateurs and experts. The XPPen Artist 12 3rd is an excellent entry-level device.

Furthermore, standalone drawing tablets don't require a computer connection. They're ideal for artists and hobbyists who want to create on the go. The Magic Drawing Pad is a great option.

A quality drawing tablet can help you have a better drawing experience. But you still need to keep in mind that you have to keep practicing and developing your skills.