Buying guide
The best tablets for drawing and handwritten notes
For drawing and handwriting, two things matter above all else: a low-latency stylus and a screen that feels good to write on. Here are the tablets that nail both — at every budget.
Find your drawing tablet →The short answer
- Best overall: iPad Pro 13-inch (M5). The tandem-OLED screen, 120Hz refresh, and Apple Pencil Pro make it the best drawing tablet, full stop — paired with Procreate, it's what most digital artists reach for.
- Best value: iPad Air (M4). The same Apple Pencil Pro support and a laminated 11-inch screen for less than half the Pro's price. The right pick for most people who draw.
- Best on Android: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. A massive 14.6-inch AMOLED with the S Pen included in the box — no extra purchase — and effectively no latency. The best non-Apple option.
- Best budget: iPad (A16). It supports the Apple Pencil and is fine for handwritten notes — just know the screen isn't laminated, so the tip feels slightly further from the "ink."
What to look for in a drawing tablet
The stylus is half the experience. The Apple Pencil Pro and Samsung S Pen are the two best: low latency, tilt, and pressure sensitivity. The big practical difference is cost — Samsung bundles the S Pen, while the Apple Pencil Pro is a $129 add-on.
Lamination matters more than resolution. A laminated display bonds the glass directly to the panel, so your strokes appear right under the pen tip. Non-laminated screens (like the base iPad's) leave a tiny gap that makes drawing feel less precise. Every tablet here is laminated except the base iPad.
Refresh rate helps. A 120Hz screen (iPad Pro, Galaxy Tab Ultra) makes lines feel like they're flowing out of the pen. It's a luxury, not a necessity — the 60Hz iPad Air still draws beautifully.
Apps decide the ceiling. This is where iPad pulls ahead: Procreate, Affinity, and the full Adobe suite are all first-class on iPadOS. Android's drawing apps (Clip Studio Paint, Infinite Painter) are good, but a step behind.
If you're choosing between the two Apple options, our iPad Air vs base iPad comparison breaks down exactly what you give up by saving money. Torn between the flagships? See iPad Pro vs Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
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Frequently asked
Is the iPad still the best tablet for drawing?
Yes, for most people. The combination of low-latency Apple Pencil support, laminated high-refresh screens, and the best drawing apps (Procreate, Affinity, Adobe) keeps the iPad ahead. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the one genuine alternative — it has a superb screen and includes the S Pen — but its app selection trails iPadOS.
Do I need to buy the stylus separately?
On Apple, yes — the Apple Pencil Pro is a separate $129 purchase on top of any iPad. On Samsung, no — the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra includes the S Pen in the box, which is a real cost saving if you're comparing total price. Factor the stylus into your budget when comparing an iPad against a Galaxy Tab.
Is a non-laminated screen a dealbreaker for drawing?
Not a dealbreaker, but you'll feel it. On a non-laminated screen like the base iPad's, there's a small air gap between the glass and the display, so your strokes land a hair away from the pen tip. It's fine for handwritten notes and casual sketching. If you draw seriously, step up to a laminated screen like the iPad Air's or better.