Whether you’re a total newbie or an accomplished producer, designer, animator, or digital artist, choosing the perfect drawing tablet can be a headache.
In this comprehensive guide, I will review the best drawing tablets priced at 300 dollars or under. This review will help you select the best drawing tablet based on build quality, functionality, and design.
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Image | Product | Details | |
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★ Top Pick ★Huion KAMVAS Pro 13 GT-133 |
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Gaomon PD-1560 |
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XP-PEN Artist 13.3 Pro |
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Huion KAMVAS Pro 13 GT-133
The Huion KAMVAS Pro is an excellent all-around tablet that ticks all my boxes. It’s a terrific value tool for creators and artists on a budget.
Product specifications
Screen size | 13.3 inches |
Screen Resolution | 1920×1080 |
Tilt angle | +/- 60 degrees |
Compatibility | Windows 7 or later Mac OS 10.12 or later |
Pen Battery | Battery-Free |
Pen Pressure | 8192 levels |
Connection | USB/HDMI |
Weight | 0.91 kg |
Features
A chemically-etched anti-glare screen lowers eye strain and reduces reflections, improving the drawing experience. The etched finish improves screen texture and provides a paperlike surface.
The battery-free stylus has 10 replaceable nibs with two customizable buttons and 60 degrees tilt function for flawless drawing.
This tablet has a full laminate finish which improves durability, eliminates parallax, and increases visual quality. It also boasts four press keys and a single touch bar for added picture customization.
The Huion KAMVAS pro meshes perfectly with popular photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, clip studio, Paint tool SAI.
A tablet stand allows for positional adjustment when working.
Pros:
- Laminate screen improves the performance of drawing pen
- The colors are bright and crisp without too much calibration.
- The tablet is light, weighing less than a kilogram and only 11mm thick making it portable.
Cons:
- The power button is too close to other controls, and accidental power down is typical.
- Overheating on the top half of the tablet may cause discomfort during use.
- The calibration tool isn’t perfect, and pictures are offset to the left after calibration.
In this video, Brad Colbow talks in-depth about the Huion.
You can check out the Huion on Amazon by clicking here.
Gaomon PD-1560
The Gaomon PD-1560 boasts the largest screen size in the under 300$ category. It has numerous fantastic features and comes a close second to the Huion KAMVAS Pro.
This tablet is perfect for beginners and pros and is excellent for sketching, Illustration, photo editing, and digital drawing.
Product Specifications
Screen size | 15.6 inches |
Screen Resolution | 1920×1080 |
Tilt angle | +/- 60 degrees |
Compatibility | Windows 7 or later Mac OS 10.11 or later |
Pen Battery | Rechargeable |
Pen Pressure | 8192 levels |
Connection | USB/HDMI |
Weight | 1.58 kg |
Features
The Gaomon PD rocks an excellent IPS full HD screen with a 178° viewing angle and a custom screen protector.
This tablet has 10 customizable shortcut keys along with an adjustable stand to get the perfect working position.
The drawing pen is rechargeable with over 350 working hours and a 2.5-hour charge rate. The stylus has 8 replaceable nibs and 2 customizable buttons, making drawing with it a breeze.
The Gaodom PD works well with popular drawing software, including Photoshop, Paint tool SAI 2, Clip studio paint, Illustrator, Sketchbook Pro, and Medibang Paint Pro.
Pros
- Spot on out-of-box color and contrast levels, which don’t need lots of adjustments.
- The pen has 8 replaceable nibs and can sustain battery charge for up to 350 working hours.
- Great screen size with a left-handed mode and a stable lever-operated adjustable stand
Cons
- The tablet with stand attachment is too big for the bag.
- The pen has no eraser at the back.
- Shortcut keys need reprogramming when migrating from different software, i.e., from blender to photoshop.
In this video, Harvey Newman reviews the Gaomon.
You can check out the Gaomon on Amazon by clicking here.
XP PEN Artist 13.3 Pro
The XP PEN is a versatile drawing tablet and packs value for money. This Japanese tablet claims the 3rd spot on my list.
Product Specifications
Screen size | 13.3 inches |
Screen Resolution | 1920×1080 |
Tilt angle | +/- 60 degrees |
Compatibility | Windows 7 or later Mac OS 10.10 or later |
Pen Battery | Battery-Free |
Pen Pressure | 8192 levels |
Connection | USB/HDMI |
Weight | 2 kg |
Features
The XP PEN artist pro comes with an IPS drawing screen that creates a perfect drawing surface and eliminates parallax.
A laminate matte finish protects the screen and improves picture quality by providing a paper-like surface to draw on.
It features a high color Gamut pair, 88% color accuracy, with a 178-degree viewing angle that makes colors brighter and sharper.
A battery-free pen with 8 replaceable nibs and 2 customizable soft keys improves the user experience.
The tablet package features a black drawing glove and an adjustable stand with a 180-degree tilt.
This tablet has 8 customizable keys, including the red dial for a smoother workflow.
It Combines seamlessly with photo software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, CDR, GIMP, Krita, Medibang, Fire Alcapa, and Blender 3D.
Pros
- The power button is too close to other controls, and accidental power down is typical.
- Overheating on the top half of the tablet may cause discomfort during use.
- The calibration tool isn’t perfect, and pictures are offset to the left after calibration.
Cons
- The light pen has a solid grip and an excellent button design. The fine nibs provide a more natural drawing experience.
- The anti-glare film keeps the screen clear and drastically reduces parallax.
- It has many customizable shortcut keys, including the red wheel, which improves the drawing experience.
For an in-depth review, watch this video from Jeffie Effendi.
You can check out the XP-Pen on Amazon by clicking here.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. At no cost to you, I may receive a commission if you buy through a link on this page. Read more here.