For less than 400$, you can choose between many different drawing tablets. XP Pen’s Artist12 Pro is my top recommendation as this has both a high-definition laminated display screen and extensive features.
Regarding drawing tablets without display, the Wacom Intuos Pro is unsurpassed with its multi-touch feature and other key functions. Both are perfect for professionals on a budget.
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#1 XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro
- Display Screen Specifications: 1920×1080 HD display paired with 100%SRGB Color gamut
- Size: 11.6”
- Pen Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192
This drawing tablet is one of the most affordable drawing tablets with a display. Its 11.6-inch high-definition laminated screen allows a smoother drawing experience with the least pen-to-screen delay.
The tablet itself has a customizable red dial that is useful for navigating illustrations seamlessly, and eight express keys that are also customizable. Using its battery-free pen for coloring and shading is an elevated experience with its 60-degree natural tilt recognition.
The tablet comes with its own stand, pen holder, and three-in-one USB cable that makes it convenient.
#2 Wacom Intuos Pro
- Size: 13.2” x 8.5”
- Active Drawing Area: 8.7” x 5.8” (Medium) or 6.3” x 3.9” (Small)
- Pen Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192
A 400 dollars budget is enough to get the medium size Intuos Pro, which is a good thing since you can get to enjoy the same bells and whistles that Wacom is famous for, just with a bit smaller drawing area.
Its multi-touch feature makes any artists’ drawing experience smooth as it allows our fingers to be recognized on the drawing area to zoom in or out of our drawings. It eliminates the hassle of going back and forth with our mouse and keyboard to navigate through drawings. This feature can be turned off with a physical switch on the tablet.
The tablet also features eight customizable express keys and a nifty touch wheel for navigation. Its Bluetooth capability allows it to be effortlessly portable. Its battery-free stylus pen is equipped with tilt recognition that produces multiple textures from a single brush setting.
#3 XP-Pen Artist 12
- 1920×1080 HD display paired with 100%SRGB Color gamut
- Size: 11.6”
- Pen Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192
I know, you’re probably wondering what makes this drawing tablet different from its pro variant. Well, it has a bit fewer features, but it doesn’t take away the overall functionality of the product that is perfect for beginners or amateurs.
It has six express keys, less than two of its pro version, but still entirely customizable. It doesn’t have a touch dial, but it does have a touchpad that we can still use to navigate drawings based on our customized function.
Its battery-free pen is shaped to mimic the feel of a pencil, and it even has its own built-in eraser. That’s one thing that the pro version lacks.
Although it has the same size and high-definition display, this drawing tablet might appear a bit fuzzy because its display screen is not laminated which causes a more noticeable gap between the pen and screen.
Unlike the pro version, it doesn’t have its own stand. Though, this is not a big deal if you’re just after the necessary functions.
#4 Wacom Intuos S with Bluetooth
- Size: 7.8” x 6.3”
- Active Drawing Area: 6.0” x 3.7”
- Pen Pressure Sensitivity: 4,096
The Wacom Intuos S with Bluetooth is undoubtedly a reliable introductory drawing tablet for beginners who are looking for quality and affordability in one. This drawing tablet is inclusive to artists with all sorts of resources with its compatibility to Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and even Android devices by using an OTG connector.
What makes it even more perfect for starters and amateurs is that it’s bundled with drawing software such as Clip Studio Paint and Corel Paint which are also beginner-friendly.
It comes with its own battery-free stylus pen, and the tablet itself is equipped with four customizable express keys.
Conclusion
The XP-Pen Artist12 Pro is my top recommendation with its extensive features and high-definition laminated display screen. The Wacom Intuos Pro is the best non-display drawing tablet that is less than $400 but is equipped with features that elevate your drawing experience. These drawing tablets are perfect for professionals on a budget.
For beginners and amateurs, the XP-Pen Artist 12 is another drawing tablet with a display that contains all the necessary features for creating digital art at a reasonable price. The Wacom Intuos S with Bluetooth is our most affordable recommendation that still promises a smooth drawing experience.
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