4 Best Portable Drawing Tablets for Artists on the Go

As an artist, you need incredible tools to keep up with your creativity wherever inspiration strikes. That's where portable drawing tablets come in! These devices are compact and lightweight and have powerful features that allow you to sketch and design with ease. However, if you are struggling to find the best portable drawing tablet for your trips, this guide is for you.

In this article, we'll discuss some of the best portable tablet options available and the factors to consider before choosing one.

Key Takeaways

• Artist Pro 14 (Gen 2) is perfect for professional artists who prefer precision, vibrant visuals, and ergonomic comfort at a competitive price.
• Apple iPad Pro 11-inch is a reliable device that's designed for photographers and influencers seeking detailed visuals, responsiveness, and a maximum SDR brightness of 600 nits.
• HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.6-inch is ideal for digital artists due to its intuitive OLED display and ample storage.
• For multi-taskers, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a good choice due to its versatility, long-lasting battery, and powerful processor.

Best Portable Drawing Tablet

Here are the top 4 best drawing tablet options that you should try:

Apple iPad Pro 11‑inch - Best for Professional Designers

Price: From $999

Professional designers always seek something reliable, and Apple products, like the Apple iPad Pro 11‑inch, truly stand out in this regard. Its 11-inch LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology offers a crisp 2388-by-1668-pixel resolution for detailed visuals and classy colors.

There's a ProMotion technology that enhances the display’s responsiveness, making every interaction quick and flawless. What we truly like about this portable drawing tablet is its low 1.8% reflectivity and a maximum SDR brightness of 600 nits, which offers decent visibility even outdoors. The tablet supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation and USB-C), so you can annotate and make creative designs.

Pros

• Four high-quality speakers and five studio-grade microphones, ideal for calling and video recording
• A low reflectivity of 1.8% reduces glare during extensive designing and editing work sessions
• Powerful with a high refresh rate

Cons

• No HDR screen
• Limited multitasking capabilities

Artist Pro 14 (Gen 2) - Best Visuals for Professional Artists (Perfect for Android Users)

Price: $419.99

The XPPen Artist Pro 14 (Gen 2) Drawing Tablet has a 14-inch Full Laminated Anti-Glare Screen and is a powerhouse for professional artists who demand precision and efficiency. With the advanced X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus, this tablet offers a seamless drawing experience, capturing life-like colors.

It also has a remarkable 123% sRGB color gamut area ratio and 99% sRGB color gamut coverage, so every stroke is vibrant and captivating. The high resolution of 1920x1200 ensures crystal-clear visuals for all creative projects.

Overall, this drawing tablet is a true example of ergonomics and convenience. It features X-Remote Control for efficient workflow adjustments and an X-Edge Wrist Rest for smooth, strain-free usage. The best part is that the stylus is housed in a durable pen case, so it stays organized and accessible.

Pros

• 123% sRGB color gamut area and 99% sRGB coverage for excellent color accuracy
• High ergonomics and a durable build that ensures comfort drawing for years to come
• Compatible with Windows 7 (or later), macOS 10.10 (or later) and even Android (USB3. 1 DP1)
• Slim and lightweight design, perfect for professionals on the go
• 16k pressure sensitivity levels capturing each stroke

Cons

• The stand isn’t adjustable

HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.6-inch - Best for Digital Artists

Price: $959.00

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.6-inch is a treat for digital artists who are always exploring new destinations. Its exceptional 12.6-inch OLED FullView Display delivers sharp visuals with a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

Powered by the advanced Kirin 9000E chipset, this portable drawing tablet offers efficient performance and enables multitasking. Artists can take advantage of its impressive 256GB of storage, ensuring plenty of space for large files and creative projects.

Pros

• A combination of a 13 MP primary camera and an 8 MP wide-angle camera, perfect for capturing decent images
• Expansive display ensures a comfortable view during extensive design sessions
• Reverse wireless charging feature to power up other devices like smartphones.

Cons

• Low refresh rate
• Doesn't support Google services

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 - Best for Multi-taskers

Price: Starting from $1,199.99

If you are a multi-tasker with a passion for designing and looking for a powerful yet portable drawing tablet, you cannot go wrong with the amazing Microsoft Surface Pro 9. Its 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen makes it easy to create stunning art and designs quickly.

When we look at the performance of this portable drawing tablet, we see that it has a built-in Intel Evo platform and 12th-generation Intel Core Processors, which perfectly handle complex drawing software.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9's battery lasts for around 15.5 hours, so you can use it all day long. What's truly impressive is that it's a 2-in-1 tablet that also serves as a laptop, ensuring a smooth and productive experience for diverse users.

Pros

• Quite good battery life for long drawing sessions
• Available in a variety of colors, including Sapphire and Forest 
• Built-in kickstand that allows quick angle adjustments so you can create art without any issues

Cons

• There's no headphone jack
• The price is quite high

Portable Drawing Tablets Buying Guide

If you are finding it difficult to get your hands on the right portable drawing tablet, here are some factors that can ease the whole decision-making process:

• Refresh Rate: The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more responsive the visuals will be.
• Size and Weight: When searching for a portable drawing tablet, you must consider the size and the weight. Make sure the tablet is lightweight yet durable and can easily fit in your backpack so you can carry it on your trips.
• Display: Know that the display quality directly impacts your creative processes. So, opt for tablets with a resolution of 1080p or higher and a wide color gamut like sRGB or AdobeRGB for accurate colors and sharp details.

Conclusion

There are multiple options when searching for the best portable drawing tablets. However, we suggest going with the XPPen Artist 14 (Gen 2) due to its incredible 14-inch anti-glare display and excellent resolution. If you are a power user, you can also opt for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 or Apple iPad 11-inch, as they are lightweight, durable, and responsive.