Buying Guide
The Best Drawing Tablets Under $90, and What a Screen Really Costs
Pen displays rarely come in under $90, so we show the nearest screen model and compare seven screenless tablets on drawing area, pen, shortcut keys and compatibility.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
12 min read8 products evaluated
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The honest answer first: a new drawing tablet with a built-in screen is very hard to find under $90. At the time of writing, even the budget pen display in this guide, the VEIKK VK1200 V2, costs well above that, and major-brand pen displays cost considerably more.
What $90 does buy is a screenless pen tablet: you draw on a pad on the desk and watch the cursor on your monitor. It takes some getting used to, but it is how many people start, and the tablets here cost between about $25 and $50 at the time of writing, leaving room in the budget.
This guide therefore does two things: it shows the nearest screen option for anyone who can stretch the budget, and compares the screenless tablets on active area, pen, shortcut keys and compatibility. Our comparison is based on published specifications and price position, not hands-on testing.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Nearest Screen Option (Above Budget)
VEIKK VK1200 V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen,11.6'',16384 Pressure Sentivity
An 11.6-inch pen display with a laminated anti-glare screen, priced above $90 at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who can stretch the budget to draw directly on a screen.
Our take Check price for VEIKK VK1200 V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen,11.6'',16384 Pressure Sentivity (opens in a new tab)
Best Low-Cost Starter Tablet
HUION Drawing Tablet H420X Graphics Tablet with 8192 Level Pen Pressure
A small, light screenless Huion tablet with a battery-free pen for about $25.
Best for: Beginners who want to try a pen tablet for as little as possible.
Our take Check price for HUION Drawing Tablet H420X Graphics Tablet with 8192 Level Pen Pressure (opens in a new tab)
Best Brand-Name Tablet
Wacom Intuos Small
Wacom's entry-level screenless tablet with a battery-free EMR pen.
Best for: Buyers who prefer a well-known brand for their first tablet.
Our take Check price for Wacom Intuos Small (opens in a new tab)
Best Large Drawing Area
UGEE M708 Drawing Tablet
A large-area UGEE tablet with a 16,384-level pen, pen holder and spare tips.
Best for: Beginners who want plenty of room for broad strokes.
Our take Check price for UGEE M708 Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab)
Alternative UGEE Listing
UGEE Drawing Tablet Graphics
A UGEE graphics tablet that appears to use the M708 pen, with broad Windows support.
Best for: Buyers comparing UGEE listings for the best current price.
Our take Check price for UGEE Drawing Tablet Graphics (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Tablet With Shortcut Keys
HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure
A 6 x 4-inch Huion tablet with six customizable keys and a battery-free pen.
Best for: Students and hobbyists who want shortcuts in a portable tablet.
Our take Check price for HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure (opens in a new tab)
Best for Office Software
XOPPOX Graphics Drawing Tablet
A battery-free tablet with shortcut keys that XOPPOX says works with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Best for: Remote workers and teachers who want to mark up documents by hand.
Our take Check price for XOPPOX Graphics Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab)
Best Accessory Bundle
Graphics Drawing Tablet
A 10 x 6-inch tablet with a tilt-supporting pen, textured surface and a full accessory kit.
Best for: Beginners who want a larger tablet with tilt support and everything in the box.
Our take Check price for Graphics Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An 11.6-inch pen display with a laminated anti-glare screen, priced above $90 at the time of writing. | Buyers who can stretch the budget to draw directly on a screen. | Check price for VEIKK VK1200 V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen,11.6'',16384 Pressure Sentivity (opens in a new tab) |
| A small, light screenless Huion tablet with a battery-free pen for about $25. | Beginners who want to try a pen tablet for as little as possible. | Check price for HUION Drawing Tablet H420X Graphics Tablet with 8192 Level Pen Pressure (opens in a new tab) |
| Wacom's entry-level screenless tablet with a battery-free EMR pen. | Buyers who prefer a well-known brand for their first tablet. | Check price for Wacom Intuos Small (opens in a new tab) |
| A large-area UGEE tablet with a 16,384-level pen, pen holder and spare tips. | Beginners who want plenty of room for broad strokes. | Check price for UGEE M708 Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab) |
| A UGEE graphics tablet that appears to use the M708 pen, with broad Windows support. | Buyers comparing UGEE listings for the best current price. | Check price for UGEE Drawing Tablet Graphics (opens in a new tab) |
| A 6 x 4-inch Huion tablet with six customizable keys and a battery-free pen. | Students and hobbyists who want shortcuts in a portable tablet. | Check price for HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure (opens in a new tab) |
| A battery-free tablet with shortcut keys that XOPPOX says works with Word, Excel and PowerPoint. | Remote workers and teachers who want to mark up documents by hand. | Check price for XOPPOX Graphics Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab) |
| A 10 x 6-inch tablet with a tilt-supporting pen, textured surface and a full accessory kit. | Beginners who want a larger tablet with tilt support and everything in the box. | Check price for Graphics Drawing Tablet (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Nearest Screen Option (Above Budget)1 of 8
VEIKK VK1200 V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen,11.6'',16384 Pressure Sentivity on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VEIKK VK1200 V2 is the only tablet here with a screen, and it is the one to look at if drawing directly on the image matters more than staying under $90.
Best for
- Buyers who can stretch the budget to draw directly on a screen.
Skip if
- You must stay under $90; a screenless tablet is the realistic option.
Why we like it
At about $143 at the time of writing, it is over the budget.
VEIKK lists an 11.6-inch fully laminated screen with anti-glare glass, a battery-free pen with 16,384 pressure levels and tilt support. Lamination reduces the gap between the pen tip and the image.
A pen display also needs a computer and cable connection; check the included cables and your computer's ports before ordering.
Key dimensions & specs
- Screen: 11.6", fully laminated, anti-glare glass
- Pen: battery-free, 16,384 pressure levels, tilt
Pros
- Draw directly on the screen
- Laminated anti-glare display
- Tilt support
Cons
- Above $90 at the time of writing
- Needs a computer connection
Best Low-Cost Starter Tablet2 of 8
HUION Drawing Tablet H420X Graphics Tablet with 8192 Level Pen Pressure on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Huion H420X is the lowest-cost way to try digital drawing: a screenless tablet with a battery-free pen offering 8,192 pressure levels.
Best for
- Beginners who want to try a pen tablet for as little as possible.
Skip if
- You want more drawing room; the UGEE M708 or the 10 x 6-inch tablet offer much more.
Why we like it
Huion lists a 7mm thickness and 167g weight, making it easy to carry, and compatibility with Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.12 or later and Android 6.0 or later.
Its small size means a small drawing area, which suits sketching, signatures and photo touch-ups more than broad strokes. Larger tablets here cost only a little more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Pen: battery-free, 8,192 levels
- Thickness: 7mm; weight: 167g
- Compatibility: Windows 7+, macOS 10.12+, Android 6.0+
Pros
- Lowest price here
- Very portable
- Battery-free pen
Cons
- Small drawing area
- No screen
Best Brand-Name Tablet3 of 8
Wacom Intuos Small on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Wacom Intuos Small is the pick for buyers who want the established brand in pen tablets: a screenless tablet with Wacom's battery-free EMR pen, which Wacom says works with any software.
Best for
- Buyers who prefer a well-known brand for their first tablet.
Skip if
- You want the largest drawing area for the money; the UGEE M708 costs slightly less.
Why we like it
Wacom describes it as suited to drawing, painting, photo and video editing and marking up documents.
As the name says, it is small, and it costs more than similarly sized tablets from Huion. The listing does not give an active area or pressure level figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Pen: battery-free EMR
- Size: small
Pros
- Established brand
- Battery-free pen
- Broad software compatibility
Cons
- Small drawing area
- Active area and pressure levels not listed
Best Large Drawing Area4 of 8
UGEE M708 Drawing Tablet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The UGEE M708 is the choice if drawing room matters: UGEE lists a large active area and a battery-free pen with 16,384 pressure levels.
Best for
- Beginners who want plenty of room for broad strokes.
Skip if
- You want a tablet to carry around; the Huion H420X or H640P are smaller.
Why we like it
It is designed for left- or right-handed use and comes with a pen holder and extra pen tips. It costs a few dollars less than the Wacom Intuos Small at the time of writing.
A larger tablet takes more desk space. Compatibility varies by model version, so check the listing against your operating system.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Active area: large (per listing)
- Pen: battery-free, 16,384 levels
- Pen holder and spare tips included
Pros
- Large drawing area
- High listed pressure levels
- Ambidextrous design
Cons
- Takes more desk space
- Exact active area not given in the listing
Alternative UGEE Listing5 of 8
UGEE Drawing Tablet Graphics on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This UGEE listing appears to be closely related to the M708: its specifications reference the M708 pen and list compatibility with Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 among other systems.
Best for
- Buyers comparing UGEE listings for the best current price.
Skip if
- You want full specifications; the UGEE M708 listing gives more detail.
Why we like it
The listing gives fewer details than the M708 entry above, including no active area or pressure figure.
Compare both UGEE listings side by side before ordering; if they are the same tablet, choose whichever is cheaper at the time you buy.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11 and other systems
- Pen: M708 (per listing)
Pros
- Similar to the UGEE M708
- Broad Windows support
Cons
- Few specifications listed
- May duplicate the M708
Best Compact Tablet With Shortcut Keys6 of 8
HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Huion H640P is the compact pick for people who want shortcut keys: six customizable buttons for commands such as undo, zoom or brush switching, so you can keep your hand on the tablet.
Best for
- Students and hobbyists who want shortcuts in a portable tablet.
Skip if
- You want a larger area; the 10 x 6-inch tablet or UGEE M708 give more room.
Why we like it
It has a 6 x 4-inch area and a battery-free PW100 pen with 8,192 pressure levels, and Huion lists support for Mac, Windows, Linux and Android 6.0 or later.
The drawing area is modest, though larger than the H420X's, for only a few dollars more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Area: 6 x 4"
- Shortcut keys: 6
- Pen: battery-free PW100, 8,192 levels
- Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android 6.0+
Pros
- Six shortcut keys
- Linux support listed
- Compact
Cons
- Modest drawing area
- No screen
Best for Office Software7 of 8
XOPPOX Graphics Drawing Tablet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XOPPOX tablet suits anyone who wants to annotate documents and presentations as well as draw: XOPPOX lists compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Best for
- Remote workers and teachers who want to mark up documents by hand.
Skip if
- You use a Chromebook; the 10 x 6-inch tablet lists ChromeOS support.
Why we like it
It has shortcut keys and a battery-free pen with 8,192 pressure levels. XOPPOX lists support for Windows XP through 11, Android 4.4 and later and macOS 11 or later, but not iPhone, iPad or Chromebook.
The listing does not give an active area.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Pen: battery-free, 8,192 levels
- Shortcut keys
- Compatibility: Windows, Android 4.4+, macOS 11+; not iOS, iPadOS or ChromeOS
Pros
- Office software support listed
- Shortcut keys
- Clear compatibility list
Cons
- Does not work with Chromebooks or iPads
- Active area not listed
Best Accessory Bundle8 of 8
Graphics Drawing Tablet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This graphics tablet is the most complete kit here: a 10 x 6-inch active area, a tilt-supporting pen with 8,192 pressure levels, a paper-like textured surface, and a bundle including a pen stand, eight spare nibs, a drawing glove and cleaning supplies.
Best for
- Beginners who want a larger tablet with tilt support and everything in the box.
Skip if
- You want the lowest price; the Huion H420X or H640P cost about half as much.
Why we like it
The listing claims compatibility with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS 88 or later and Linux, which makes it the broadest here.
It is the most expensive screenless tablet in this guide at about $50 at the time of writing. The listing text refers to the UGEE M708, so it may be a UGEE product sold under a generic name; check the brand before ordering.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: screenless pen tablet
- Active area: 10 x 6"
- Pen: 8,192 levels, tilt
- Textured surface
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS 88+, Linux
- Accessories: stand, 8 nibs, glove, cleaning kit
Pros
- Large area with tilt support
- Broadest compatibility here, including ChromeOS
- Full accessory kit
Cons
- Most expensive screenless tablet here
- Brand unclear in the listing
How We Chose These Drawing Tablets Under $90
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Category fit
- We checked whether each product has a screen. Only one does, and it is priced above $90, so we say so rather than presenting screenless tablets as pen displays.
- Drawing area and pen
- We compared active area, pressure levels and tilt support where listed.
- Compatibility
- We recorded the operating systems each listing supports and excludes.
- Price position
- We compared what each step up in price adds. Prices change often, so we treat them as relative position.
What to Look for in a Drawing Tablet Under $90
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen or screenless
A pen display lets you draw directly on the image, but in this guide the only one costs well above $90. A screenless tablet costs far less; you draw on the pad and watch the monitor, which takes some practice.
Active area
A larger area suits broad strokes and bigger monitors; a smaller one is more portable. Here, areas range from the compact Huion H420X to the 10 x 6-inch kit.
Pen
All the pens here are battery-free. Pressure levels range from 8,192 to 16,384; tilt support, listed on the VEIKK and the 10 x 6-inch tablet, helps with shading.
Compatibility
Check your operating system against the listing. XOPPOX excludes Chromebooks and iPads; the 10 x 6-inch tablet lists ChromeOS; the H640P lists Linux.
Shortcut keys and accessories
Programmable keys save trips to the keyboard. Spare nibs and a glove add value if they are included.
How to Choose a Drawing Tablet Under $90
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing on a screen | VEIKK VK1200 V2 | 11.6-inch display, above $90 |
| Lowest cost | Huion H420X | About $25 |
| Shortcut keys, compact | Huion H640P | Six keys, 6 x 4 inches |
| A large area | UGEE M708 or 10 x 6-inch tablet | More room for broad strokes |
| A familiar brand | Wacom Intuos Small | EMR battery-free pen |
| Marking up documents | XOPPOX | Office software support listed |
| Chromebook | 10 x 6-inch tablet | ChromeOS 88+ listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change frequently; these tiers reflect typical prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Tablets |
|---|---|
| About $25–$30 | Huion H420X, Huion H640P |
| About $38–$50 | UGEE M708, XOPPOX, Wacom Intuos Small, UGEE graphics tablet, 10 x 6-inch tablet |
| About $143 | VEIKK VK1200 V2 (screen) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a drawing tablet with a screen under $90?
It is unusual. In this guide, the only screen model, the VEIKK VK1200 V2, cost about $143 at the time of writing. Check for sales, but expect to pay more than $90 for a new pen display.
Is a screenless tablet hard to learn?
It takes some practice to draw while looking at the monitor rather than your hand. Many people adjust with regular use, and the low cost makes it a sensible way to find out whether digital drawing suits you.
Is a cheaper tablet always lower quality?
Not necessarily. The pens here are all battery-free, and differences are more about drawing area, shortcut keys and compatibility than basic function.
What else might I need to buy?
Check the included items. Screenless tablets usually need only a USB connection. A pen display may need specific cables or ports, and a drawing glove or spare nibs may be extra.
How often do prices change?
Often. Treat the prices here as a snapshot and check the listing before buying.
Bottom Line
If you need a screen, budget above $90: the VEIKK VK1200 V2 is the nearest option in this guide. If $90 is a firm limit, a screenless tablet is the realistic choice and leaves money to spare.
Among those, the Huion H420X is the cheapest way to start, the H640P adds shortcut keys, and the UGEE M708 and the 10 x 6-inch kit give the most drawing room, with the kit adding tilt support and ChromeOS compatibility. Choose the Wacom for the brand, or the XOPPOX if you mainly want to mark up documents.