The amount of gear that graphic designers have access to bring their designs to life can be incredible. From computers, tablets, or even a stylus, has changed how graphic designers work.
No more is this more apparent than with standalone drawing tablets for graphic design. While at first glance, some may think that a standalone tablet is the same as any other tablet, there is a significant, “standalone” difference. A standalone tablet doesn’t need a PC or laptop for you to create incredible designs on it as it has a screen.
Because of the confusion, we thought that it was about time for us to take an in-depth look at standalone drawing tablets and feature the best choices for your needs.
If you’re ready, let’s jump right in and start creating!
7+ Best Standalone Drawing Tablets 2022
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch — The best standalone drawing tablet overall (Editor’s Choice)
- CHUWI UBook Pro Tablet — The best budget standalone drawing tablet
- Lenovo Tab P11 Pro — The best value standalone drawing tablet
- Wacom MobileStudio Pro — The best professional standalone drawing tablet
- Apple iPad Air (4th Generation) — The best portable standalone drawing tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 — The best Android standalone drawing tablet
- Microsoft Surface Pro — The best high-end standalone drawing tablet
Also, see our post on the best drawing tablets.
What is the best standalone drawing tablet?
The best standalone drawing tablet is the iPad Pro 12.9-inch from Apple. With its combination of power and features, it is easily the best standalone drawing tablet you can find. Check out our comparison table for other options.
Best Standalone Drawing Tablet Buying Guide
Any standalone tablet you consider for drawing can come packed with features. While each feature can have an important function, there are only a few things that you should consider when looking for the best standalone drawing tablet.
Battery Life
No one wants to get caught in the middle of a project and lose everything because the tablet’s battery is dead. A standalone tablet with a battery life of 10 hours or more is ideal to keep you working all day long without having to worry about plugging it in.
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Screen Sensitivity
Screen sensitivity is maybe the most important factor when choosing a standalone drawing tablet. A tablet with a high-pressure sensitivity will provide you with an ample surface and be able to portray all of your sketches, shadings, and drawings accurately. Some models come with more advanced features such as tilt recognition and multi-touch capability giving you an even better experience.
Build Quality
Nobody wants to be dragging around a heavy, bulky tablet. Finding one that has a slim design and is lightweight will let you take it anywhere. If you’re on the move, the last thing you need is a tablet that makes things cumbersome.
Program Support
You can have the greatest standalone drawing tablet out there but if it doesn’t support your program of choice or have enough RAm to run it, then you’ve wasted not only your time but your money as well.
7+ Best Standalone Drawing Tablets
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (Editor’s Choice)
The best standalone drawing tablet overall
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If you’ve read any of our posts in the past, our selection of the iPad Pro from Apple as the best tablet overall shouldn’t surprise anyone. The iPad Pro is the benchmark for all other tablets and good reason. While the 12.9-inch Mini LED screen is a sight to behold, the M1 processor makes the iPad Pro sing.
Paired with the Apple Pencil 2, it is a must-have for any artist. With amazing power, a wealth of apps on the Apple App Store, and a fantastic display should make this tablet a no-brainer for any artist. However, as is the case with any Apple product, it isn’t cheap by any imagination. If you have the budget for it, you owe it to yourself as an artist to get an iPad Pro.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Incredible M1 chip | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Great portable design | ➖ Apple Pencil 2 is sold separately |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi
2. CHUWI UBook Pro Tablet
The best budget standalone drawing tablet
Many graphic designers will shy away from buying a standalone driving tablet simply because of their cost, which can be understandable when you look at some of the options on our list. That’s why the UBook Pro Tablet from CHUWI is a great budget option for any artist.
With a highly sensitive screen, plus a high-quality resolution you can create incredible works of art while saving money. The 11.6-inch screen along with 256GB of memory makes this tablet an absolute steal. If you’re beginning your journey into drawing or looking for a backup standalone tablet, the UBook Pro Tablet is a great option.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Great price | ➖ Not as powerful as other tablets |
| ➕ Incredible sensitivity range | ➖ Pen pressure level could be better |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- EFFICENT QUAD-CORE PROCESSOR: Ubook tablet Powered by Intel N4120 Quad-core, 4-threads, 6W TDP processor, the frequency turbo boost up to 2.6 GHz to deliver responsiveness and smooth, seamless...
- MEMORY and STORAGE GALORE: This 2 in 1 tablet built-in LPDDR4 8GB dual channel memory delivering quick apps launch, smooth games and videos playback. 256GB solid state disk ideal for downloading tons...
- 11.6" IPS STUNNING DISPLAY: This touchscreen tablet has Anti-glare full laminated FHD IPS display, 1920x1280 resolution, aspect ratios 16:9, the viewing Angle can reach 178 degrees. Delivers a clear,...
- LONG LASTING BATTERY LIFE: This windows 10 tablet theoretical 6 hours regular use(26.6Wh (7.6V/3500mAh). However, battery power consumption depends on usage patterns, results may vary. Easy to switch...
- MULTIPLE I/O PRODUCTIVE TOOL: You can go from traditional laptop to tablet whenever inspiration strikes, the 4096 level of pressure sensitivity stylus pen would help you grab inspiration and docking...
3. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
The best value standalone drawing tablet
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Sporting a sleek and contemporary style. the Tab P11 Pro is a beautiful tablet that offers you so much value, that you might just fall in love with the experience that it offers. Lightweight, the aluminum-alloy body makes it easy to take with you anywhere you need to go.
Packed with incredible power, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, while the P11 Pro is a great standalone drawing tablet, it is also a great multitasker or a great option for watching movies or your favorite show in your downtime. The 11.5-inch screen portrays everything beautifully and with its optional keyboard, you can turn it into a full-fledged laptop. While the P11 Pro may surprise some with the great performance it offers, no one should be surprised by its value.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Wonderful OLED display | ➖ Weak camera |
| ➕ Great battery life | ➖ App availability could be better |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Processor Manufacturer Qualcomm Processor TypeSnapdragon Processor Model730G Processor Speed 2.20 GHz Processor CoreOcta-core (8 Core)
- Memory4 GB Flash Memory Capacity128 GB
- Screen Size11.5" Display Screen Type OLED Display Screen Technology Dolby Vision Display Features HDR10, Glossy
4. Wacom MobileStudio Pro
The best professional standalone drawing tablet
While there are many high-end standalone drawing tablets out there, the MobileStudio Pro from Wacom is an impressive option packed with a beautiful high-definition screen. While it can be a bit bulkier and heavier than other options on our list, this doesn’t mean that you can’t take it with you when working at your favorite coffee shop or park.
The features that the MobileStudio Pro offers make it a great choice for any artist. There are few standalone tablets as precise as Wacom’s, allowing you to create amazing detailed illustrations without any issues. Compatible with Adobe Suite and Corel Suite and many other programs, the MobielStudio Pro from Wacom delivers every single time.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Highly responsive and extremely accurate | ➖ Super-expensive |
| ➕ Able to run graphically intense programs | ➖ Heavy and bulky |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Our most powerful device yet with enhanced computing power, fast data processing & quick data transfer, powered by Intel i7- 8559U processor, 16GB system memory, 512GB SSD, & Thunderbolt 3...
- See your artwork in amazing detail and clarity with high-resolution 15.6” 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160) screen with up to 85% Adobe RGB coverage (CIE1931) and included 3-angle adjustable Wacom Stand
- Enjoy fast-processing and high performance in 2D, 3D, video and CAD applications with graphics options including the powerful NVIDIA Quadro P1000 graphic card
- Extraordinary precision with the Wacom Pro Pen 2 and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt response & lag free tracking – pen computer includes customizable ExpressKeys & multi-touch surface
- Comes with 16GB system memory and 512 GD SSD. With upgradable memory and hard drive, this all-in-one studio provides a future-proof creative workspace
5. Apple iPad Air (4th Generation)
The best portable standalone drawing tablet
The iPad Air (4th Generation) from Apple has a bit of sibling rivalry with its bigger brother, the iPad Pro. While the iPad Pro gets a lot of attention, artists should take a second look at the iPad Air to see a great portable, cheaper option with many of the features the iPad Pro offers.
Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air supports Procreate, a great drawing program that we love for drawing, sketching, or just about any other type of artwork. The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil, meaning that everything you do is responsive and accurate. With a robust app store, the number of creative options available is nearly limitless. The only real downsides to the iPad Air are a lack of support for Adobe programs, meaning you’ll have access to lite versions of the program and the cost. Even though it’s smaller than the iPad Pro, that doesn’t mean that it comes cheap.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Comes with plenty of power | ➖ Could use more memory |
| ➕ Available in multiple colors | ➖ Apple Pencil needs to be bought separately |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color
- A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
- Available in Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The best Android standalone drawing tablet
There are many artists out there that aren’t fans of Apple’s operating system and prefer Android. For those artists, the Galaxy Tab S6 from Samsung is a great choice. Much like the iPad Air, it features a beautiful 10-inch screen, making it a great portable option for working away from your desk.
Unlike Apple’s product, you can use the full mobile versions of Adobe’s product line and the Galaxy Tab S6 even comes with Samsung’s famed stylus, the S-Pen which is incredibly responsive, and even charges when attached to the Galaxy Tab S6 magnetically. Between its performance, features, and even price. it’s no surprise to see the Galaxy Tab S6 as a favorite of artists everywhere.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Beautiful AMOLED screen | ➖ The screen could be bigger |
| ➕ S-Pen included with the tablet | ➖ Sensitivity levels are lower than other options |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The 2 in 1 that’s your all in one; Instantly transform your Android tablet into a PC desktop experience when you attach the keyboard1 with built in trackpad
- Power to multitask; Thanks to the speed of the fast mobile processor, rapidly switch between apps and tasks or immerse yourself in graphic intensive games; Plus, get PC caliber internal RAM
- All new S Pen included; Now the included S Pen lets you pause and skip at the press of the button; Plus, you can still mark up papers, sign docs and take notes; The S Pen even attaches magnetically...
- Light on weight; Heavy on entertainment; With a spectacular edge to edge Super Amoled display, superior graphics and quad speakers tuned by AKG, get drawn into immersive games all on a 2 in 1 that...
- More hours of power; With up to 15 hours 1 on a full charge, you can create and edit all day, plus enjoy continuous browsing and streaming; Then quickly recharge the Fast Charging battery. Bluetooth...
7. Microsoft Surface Pro
The best high-end standalone drawing tablet
For years, Microsoft was world-renowned for the software they created and will more and more products like the Surface Pro, they are becoming more known for hardware than software. With 8GB of RAM plus an Intel Core processor, the Surface Pro can handle just about anything that you can throw at it.
Part of the Surface Pro’s appeal is the three different modes the tablet has. It can be used as a tablet or a standard laptop but the studio mode is what artists will love as it gives you the perfect setup for drawing and illustrating. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro doesn’t come with the Surface Pen but it will allow you to create intricate designs easily.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Plenty of memory | ➖ Only one USB port |
| ➕ Super lightweight design | ➖ Surface Pen is sold separately |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The latest Microsoft Surface Pro Features a 7th generation Intel Core i5 Processor, 256 GB of storage, 8 GB RAM, and up to 13.5 hours of video playback
- Our fastest Surface Pro ever* thanks to a powerful Intel Core laptop grade processor
- Go all day with up to 13.5 hours of battery life. * 50 percent more battery life than the previous generation
- Our lightest Surface Pro yet*, starting at 1.69 lbs (m3 model). Wireless: Wi Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible,Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology
- Surface Pro Signature Type cover and Microsoft Surface Pen sold separately
Related Posts
Be sure to check out some of our other tablet posts for even more options!
- 10 Best Drawing Tablets for Kids in 2022
- 10+ Best Cheap Drawing Tablets (Under $100) in 2022
- 12+ Best Drawing Tablets for Beginners in 2022
- 10 Best Tablets with Keyboard in 2022
- 12 Best Tablets with Stylus Pen in 2022
7+ Best Standalone Drawing Tablets
A standalone drawing tablet can be a good option for anyone who hates having tons of clutter on their desk or even likes getting out of the office and working at their favorite cafe. Our picks for the best standalone drawing tablet are primed and ready for you to create incredible works of art from day one.