Sketch & Note Devices: Best Tablets for Drawing & Note-Taking

You no longer have to rely on pen and paper to take notes or work on creative projects. A tablet with a pen is a much more practical and portable option. 

You can work from anywhere or jot down an idea when it comes to mind. You’ll become more productive and streamline your workflow with the right tablet. And with digital notes, you’ll never misplace anything. 

So, I put together this guide of the best tablets with a stylus for drawing and note-taking.

In my opinion, the best premium tablet for taking handwritten notes overall is the iPad Pro. It’s hard to beat Apple technology, especially for a versatile and multipurpose tablet. 

Regarding Android, the Samsung Galaxy S7+ takes the best overall for note-taking and drawing. But if you want a cheaper option, the S6 is another great option.

Buying Guide: How To Choose the Best Tablets

Buying a new tablet is quite an investment, so you want to make sure you’re making the right choice. In this section, I’ll share some of the essential features to look out for to help you find the best tablet with a stylus. 

In the past ten years, technology has advanced significantly. You can now rely on a tablet for all your creative work. That covers everything from designing logos, illustrating, or making notes on a project.

Tablets are lightweight, portable, and more affordable than ever before. Another advantage is that you can easily edit, save, and share your work.

A wide range of tablets with a stylus is available for every operating system. 

Screen Active Area

There are certain features to look for when buying. You should check out the screen size and the active area, which is the space where you’ll be drawing.

You’ll need a large screen size for drawings and graphic artwork. 

Resolution & Pen Sensitivity

Another factor to consider is the screen resolution and multi-touch capability. For drawing and graphic design projects, you’ll need a super-high-resolution model. It should also have a very responsive stylus so you can let your creativity flow. 

If you’re looking for a tablet for note-taking, you might not need such advanced features. For example, pressure sensitivity and pen tilt recognition aren’t essential for taking notes.

Instead, you’ll want to know that your chosen tablet is powerful and fast enough to run all your apps. Size and weight are also crucial if you carry your tablet around and use it on the go.

Price

Your budget will also factor in choosing the best tablet for your needs. There is something for every budget, including some great, affordable options. But remember that cheaper tablets won’t offer the same premium features.

Top 3 Note-Taking and Drawing Tablets Compared

The Best Tablets for Taking Notes and Drawing

Here’s my rundown of the best tablets for all your drawing, design, and note-taking needs! From high-end options to affordable ones, there’s something for everyone. You’re sure to find a suitable model in my list of the best writing tablets.

Apple Ipad Pro

The best premium multipurpose tablet

(Image credit: Apple)

The Apple Ipad Pro is one of the slickest and most responsive models on the market. It has very powerful features and a user-friendly interface.

But what sets it apart from the competition is the high-resolution screen. Pro-Motion, True-Tone display, and 120 Hz refresh rate make for an incredible experience. 

It’s so responsive and fast, with bright, vivid colors. I think any other tablet pales compared to the iPad display. And with 12.9 inches of screen, you have plenty of space to work on. (Movies also look amazing on the iPad!)

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

You can’t go wrong with the Apple Ipad Pro for your creative projects. Whether you use it for drawing or graphic design, your designs will look stunning!

It’s also the best tablet for taking handwritten notes or drawing when paired with the Apple Pencil. You will need to buy it separately, so factor that into your budget. 

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

But the 2nd Gen Apple feels great in your hand and has a nice balance. It’s super responsive and writes flawlessly, like a regular pen. Another bonus is that it attaches magnetically to the iPad, so you can keep it safe and charge it all at once.

The 4th Gen iPad Pro is more powerful than the 2018 version, thanks to the improved A12Z Bionic chip. And with 6GB of RAM compared to the earlier model’s 4GB, multitasking is easy.

Harnessing the best of modern technology, the Apple Pencil is a fantastic tablet pen. It gives you an exceptional level of control over your designs and notes. 

While it’s very expensive, it’s also a multipurpose tablet you can use for everything. If it fits your budget, you won’t regret investing in an iPad Pro!

• Screen Size: 12.9 inches
• Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches, 1.5 lbs
• Processor: Apple A12X Bionic 8-core CPU
• OS: iPad OS 14

Pros:

• Large screen size
• Impressive, crystal clear resolution
• Very powerful
• The Apple Pencil feels just like a real pen
• Can have two apps side by side

Cons:

• No headphones jack
• No SD cards
• It’s very expensive

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

The best android tablet with a stylus

(Image credit: Samsung)

If you prefer to use Android gadgets, then check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. This fantastic tablet is cheaper than the iPad Pro but rivals it in many ways. 

The large 12.4-inch AMOLED display is vibrant with a super-fast refresh rate. It’s a real improvement from the Galaxy Tab S7. I think that if you’re an artist or designer, it’s worth upgrading just for the larger and brighter screen.

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

You can draw directly on the screen with the included S Pen – no extra spending necessary! The tablet and pen work seamlessly together for drawing or taking notes. 

You can easily change font color and write directly onto PDFs. Students will love this tablet with a pen for its handy features like searchable tags. It makes taking digital notes much easier and more streamlined. 

I also love that the S Pen fixes magnetically to the tablet. But I would be careful to keep it attached when out of the house because it could dislodge and get lost. 

The Galaxy Tab S7+ is powerful enough to replace your laptop for most uses. Taking notes on the screen saves you from carrying your laptop everywhere. 

While the Galaxy Tab isn’t quite as robust as the iPad Pro, it’s the best Android tablet with a stylus around. That gorgeous screen and useful features make the user experience hard to beat. 

Product Specs:

• Screen Size: 11 inches
• Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 11.3 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches, 1.3 lbs
• Processor: 1.6 Ghz octa-core
• OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5

Pros:

• The large AMOLED screen is gorgeous, responsive, and refreshes quickly
• It comes with the S Pen (so you don’t need to spend more money on a stylus)
• The S Pen is pressure-sensitive with low latency
• You can attach the S Pen magnetically to the Galaxy Tab S7+

Cons:

• The Galaxy Tab S7+ is quite expensive
• It’s pretty big – this isn’t a compact tablet

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Microsoft Surface Pro 7

The best multipurpose laptop & tablet with a keyboard & stylus

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is, without a doubt, the finest tablet for Windows users. The edge-to-edge AMOLED display looks incredible.

It offers improved performance and processor than the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. So, you can run all your favorite Adobe apps without delay or lag.

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

The Surface Pen writes smoothly on this tablet. It’s responsive and has excellent palm rejection so that you can write quick and accurate notes. 

When you use OneNote, it syncs to all your devices – a feature I’ve found very useful. But even better, you can convert your handwritten notes to text.

But one thing that doesn’t compare is the battery life. You’ll only get around 4-5 hours out of the Pro 7, up to 7 if you’re lucky. That’s disappointing, as you’ll have to carry the charger. 

It charges very quickly, so you can be back up to full power in an hour or two.

If you’re looking for a laptop you can use for all your creative projects, the Surface Pro 7 is for you. As it doubles up as a tablet, it’s versatile and means you only need one device for everything!

• Screen Size: 12.3 inches
• Resolution: 2736 x 1824 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches, 1.7 lbs
• Processor: Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i5
• OS: Windows 10

Pros:

• Very lightweight
• Super-fast processor
• You can use it with the Surface Pen – it’s a clean, precise pen
• Best note-taking tablet/laptop combo

Cons:

• The battery only lasts 4-5 hours
• The Surface Pro doesn’t have a lot of ports so you may need an adapter

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The best mid-range android tablet with a pen

(Image credit: Samsung)

If you’re looking for a cheaper tablet, consider getting the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. Although it’s not the newest Samsung model, it was released less than two years ago. It’s still a great tablet with many features the S7 or S7+ offers.

Unlike some tablets on this list, the Galaxy Tab S6 comes with an S Pen. So, you’ll save even more money right from the start. 

With this Samsung tablet with S Pen, you can easily take handwritten notes. The S Pen is responsive, lightweight, and balanced in your hand. It also packs 4,096 pressure levels, so it feels like a real pen.

The Galaxy S6 also has a very long battery life, so you won’t have to worry about charging it often.

(Image credit: Samsung)

While the screen is smaller than the Galaxy Tab S7, you’ll hardly notice the 0.5-inch difference. At 10.5 inches, the S6 is compact and perfect for taking anywhere. You can use it to work in a cafe or take notes during a lecture or meeting.

It also has that stunning AMOLED display, and the tiny bezels make it seem even larger. The refresh rate is slower than the S7 at 60Hz. But you won’t even realize it unless you’re used to a faster refresh rate.

All these features make the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 ideal for note-taking or drawing. It’s a sturdy little tablet that will last and is one of the best mid-range Android tablets with a pen. 

• Screen Size: 10.5 inch
• Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 9.63 x 6.28 x 0.22 in, 0.9 lbs
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
• OS: Android 9.0, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1

Pros:

• It has a very long battery life and a great AMOLED screen
• It’s compact, lightweight, and reasonably priced
• It comes with the responsive and sensitive S Pen

Cons:

• The refresh rate is slower than the Tab S7

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Asus Transformer Mini

The best affordable tablet/laptop for note taking

(Image credit: Asus)

The Asus Transformer is the cheapest option on this list, and it’s technically a laptop. But you can use it as a tablet due to the touchscreen and adjustable hinge design.

Are you looking for a low-cost tablet? The Asus Transformer Mini ticks all the right boxes. It comes with an included stylus and offers great value for money.

You can draw directly onto the touchscreen with the Asus pen. The kickstand lets you prop it up to get the best angle and is compatible with Windows Ink.

It’s also very lightweight – perfect for commuting or using on the go. The keyboard detaches if you don’t need it, making it even more compact. And with the long battery life, you can work all day without needing to charge it.

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus has also improved the processor, so it’s more powerful than earlier models.

But don’t expect the same performance level as premium tablets and laptops. It’s only 4 GB RAM, and the camera is slightly disappointing with just 2 MP. 

However, the Asus Transformer Mini is not the laptop for heavy design work, video editing, or gaming. But if you want it for light use and have realistic expectations, you’ll get on fine with it. 

The Asus Transformer Mini is a cheap option for note-taking or sending emails. As it’s lightweight and compact, it’s a great choice if you’re on the move.

• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 10.19 x 6.69 x 0.32 inches, 1.17 lbs
• Processor: Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8350 Processor 1.4 GHz
• OS: Windows 10

Pros:

• It weighs only 1.17 lbs and is compact enough to take anywhere
• It comes with a stylus for note-taking on the touchscreen
• It’s pretty cheap for a laptop/tablet combo

Cons:

• It’s not very powerful and can run slow
• This laptop can’t handle intensive programs 

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Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 

The best value for money android tablet

(Image credit: Lenovo)

If you’re looking for a compact tablet that won’t break the bank, the Lenovo Tab M10+ is for you! 

This very affordable tablet still packs a punch with a powerful octa-core processor. You also get 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage – impressive for such a cheap tablet! 

The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus looks and feels sturdy. It has a sleek metal cover, and the display looks great, with a pretty high resolution. 

You shouldn’t expect a premium tablet for this price. But even so, the features don’t disappoint. You get 8MP and 5MP cameras, good sound quality, and gorgeous visuals. It’s fast and responsive.

(Image credit: Lenovo)

This tablet supports 10-point touch, but using a stylus is a little complicated. It doesn’t work with active pens, but you can pair it with the AccuPoint pen. This stylus emits electric pulses that the tablet responds to the same way as your finger on the screen. 

With this handy tip, you can transform the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus into a tablet. But it’s worth noting that it won’t be as sensitive as other tablets with pressure levels. 

All in all, it offers excellent value for money and is very versatile. The Lenovo Tab won’t let you down if you want a simple tablet.

• Screen Size: 10.3 inches
• Resolution: 1200 x 1920 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 9.61 x 6.04 x 0.32 inches, 1.01 lbs
• Processor:  1.8GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P22T 
• OS: Android 9.0

Pros:

• It offers great value for money
• It’s lightweight and provides a lot of storage

Cons:

• Not all digital pens will work with the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
• It doesn’t offer premium features like more expensive tablets on this list

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New Microsoft Surface Go 2 

The best Microsoft tablet

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is one of the best tablets around for note-taking. It works seamlessly with the Surface Pen and makes digital organization easy.

Although you’ll need to buy the Surface Pen separately, it’s worth the investment. It moves smoothly across the screen with no lag and is very sensitive. The sleek metal design makes it feel premium and has the right weight to sit nicely in your hand.

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

Compared with the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, the Go 2 is cheaper and more portable. It’s lightweight with thinner bezels, although it can’t compete when it comes to pixels. But with 1920 x 1080 pixels, the Go 2 still isn’t shabby. The display looks crisp and clean.

An Intel Pentium processor powers the Surface Go 2. While it’s fine for light tasks like emails and surfing, it can struggle with heavy programs. You can run Photoshop on the Surface Go 2, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll find that it’s quite laggy.

Where this tablet shines is for OneNote users. If you want to get on top of your digital notes, you can’t beat this tablet combined with the Surface Pen.

(Image credit: Proactive Creative)

You can also use the Surface Pen with other apps to make notes on PDFs. If you want to get creative, you could do some sketching on this tablet!

• Screen Size: 10.5 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1280
• Dimensions & Weight: 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches, 1.22 lbs
• Processor: 8th Gen Intel® Core™ m3 Processor
• OS: Windows 10

Pros:

• It’s a great tablet for a reasonable price
• The resolution is good, and the screen looks even bigger due to thinner bezels
• It works beautifully with the Surface Pen
• You can take handwritten notes on many different apps

Cons:

• The processor lacks power and can’t handle heavy programs like Photoshop

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Apple iPad mini

The best compact tablet

(Image credit: Apple)

The iPad mini is a small-size tablet that’s practical and handy for note-taking. If you want a compact tablet you can take anywhere, snap it up! It’s both affordable and impressive.

The display on the iPad Mini is as close to flawless as is possible. It has a 7.9-inch Retina display with True Tone and a wide color gamut that will blow your mind. While it’s missing the Pro-Motion feature, that shouldn’t be enough to put you off. 

The Apple Pencil works wonders on the iPad Mini. It’s effective for taking notes, drawing, and even graphic design. The robust A12 chip allows you to run any program, so there are no limits to what you can do.

The gorgeous display and powerful processor make it perfect for creative projects. You can use the iPad Mini to draw, illustrate, or edit photos from anywhere. 

It’s so lightweight you won’t notice it, and it can fit into any bag. With up to 10 hours of battery life, you won’t need to worry about charging it while you’re out.

Overall, I think the iPad Mini is the best compact tablet around! Many smaller tablets don’t have the power or sensitivity for drawing and design work. But the iPad Mini provides all that and more! 

• Screen Size: 7.9 inches
• Resolution: 2048 x 1536 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 8 x 5.3 x 0.24 inches, 0.68 lbs
• Processor: A12 Bionic chip, 2.49 GHz Hexa-core 
• OS: iPad OS 14.5.1

Pros:

• Incredibly crisp 7. 9-inch Retina display with True Tone and wide color
• Super fast and responsive
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor
• 8MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
• Up to 10 hours of battery life

Cons:

• It’s a bit pricey
• No headphones jack or SD cards
• You’ll need to buy the Apple Pencil separately

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Wacom Bamboo Slate

The best hybrid note-taking tablet

(Image credit: Wacom)

The Wacom Bamboo Slate Smartpad is one of the most innovative tablets on the market. Halfway between a good old notebook and a tablet, you get the best of both worlds. 

You can doodle right onto a standard sheet of paper. The Smartpad will save your ideas into clever digital files when you’re finished. Then, you can access, edit, and share online at the touch of a button.

(Image credit: Wacom)

You can even use the free Wacom Inkspace app to transform your handwritten notes into text. This feature will take your digital note-taking to the next level. You can export, edit, or share your notes with ease. 

(Image credit: Wacom)

The Wacom Slate isn’t a regular, multipurpose tablet. But it’s ideal for handwritten notes and drawings and converting them to digital files. If that idea appeals to you, I think you’ll love it!

• Screen Size: 11.69 x 8.26 inches
• Resolution: N/A
• Dimensions & Weight: 12.99 x 10 x 0.27 inches, 1.04 lbs
• Processor: N/A
• OS: Windows 8

Pros:

• Draw on a piece of paper and convert your designs to digital files by pressing a button
• Save your drawings and edit them online.
• A great combination of the old and new, analog and digital – the best of both worlds
• Store your notes online and find them easily when you need them
• Transform your notes to text form quickly and at no cost with the Wacom Inkspace app

Cons:

• The handwriting-to-text option requires a paid subscription.

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Wacom Cintiq 16 

The best drawing tablet with a large screen

(Image credit: Wacom)

Wacom products are some of the best tools for graphic designers and creatives. Whether you want a tablet with a pen for note-taking, designing, or drawing, you’ll love the Cintiq 16.

The 15.6-inch 1920×1080 HD display is sure to wow you. It has an anti-glare surface that protects your eyes and allows you to work for longer.

The amazing features tick all the boxes, specially designed with artists in mind. These include pen tilt recognition, ExpressKeys, and impressive pen sensitivity. 

(Image credit: Wacom)

It also offers multi-touch functionality and comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 2. Unlike many styluses, this pen has shortcut buttons that can save you time as you draw.

One drawback is that you’ll have to connect the Cintiq to your computer. So, it’s not a portable option for working on the go. 

I’ve also noticed a little parallax, the distance between the screen and the pen. But it’s not enough to affect the accuracy of your lines, so don’t worry.

The Wacom Cintiq 16 is worth the investment if you’re an artist or designer. But if you’re after a more versatile tablet, check out the other options on this list! 

• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight: 16.2 x 10.4 x .7inches, 3.3 lbs
• Processor: N/A
• OS: Windows, macOS

Pros:

• The Wacom Grip Pen is included and boasts 8,192 levels of pen pressure
• Fantastic 15.6-inch 1920×1080 HD widescreen display
• Incomparable visual experience
• You can easily create a wide range of brush and pen styles with the pen
• Combines seamlessly with all your favorite apps and software

Cons:

• It’s not portable 
• You can’t use it for Internet browsing or streaming videos

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Huion Inspiroy H640P

The best budget tablet with a pen

(Image credit: Huion)

The Huion Inspiroy H640P is the cheapest product on this list. And first of all, I want to clarify that this tablet doesn’t have a screen.

It’s designed for your computer screen and isn’t a standalone tablet. As you draw on the active area, you’ll need to look at your monitor to see your designs. It can take time to adjust to drawing on one device while looking at another.

(Image credit: Huion)

The Inspiroy H640P meets a specific need for a low-cost yet accurate drawing tablet. It’s perfect if you want to get into digital art but are on a tight budget. Just make sure that you have the right expectations! 

This tablet is pretty compact, so you could find that a bit limiting for your artwork.  

You can also use the Huion Inspiroy for note-taking and annotating. But you’ll need to zoom in on your monitor to write comfortably within the small active area.

(Image credit: Huion)

The H640P doesn’t disappoint when it comes to accuracy and sensitivity. If you don’t mind the small size, this tablet will come in handy for drawing and note-taking. Especially at such a bargain price! 

• Screen Size: 6.3 x 3.9 inches
• Resolution: 5080 LPI
• Dimensions & Weight: 10.23 x 5.7 x 0.31 inches, 0.61 lbs
• Processor: N/A
• OS: Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS 10.11.0 or above

Pros:

• It’s very affordable – great for anyone on a budget
• It’s compact and has great accuracy and sensitivity

Cons:

• This tablet doesn’t have a screen
• You only have

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Simbans Picasso Tab 10-inch 

The best low-cost android tablet

(Image credit: Simbans)

If you’re looking for a cheap drawing tablet with a screen, check out the Simbans Picasso Tab. This tablet is affordable and comes with some excellent features. They make it ideal for drawing or note-taking, among other uses.

The 10-inch screen on the Picasso Tab makes it compact and large enough to work on easily. 

This tablet doesn’t have the best resolution, so I wouldn’t recommend it to professional artists. But it’s ideal if you’re starting or want to use it for note-taking and studying. 

(Image credit: Simbans)

It comes with an active drawing pen in the box, so no extra spending is necessary. 

You can also use this tablet for gaming, surfing, and other light uses. Video calls are easy as it has a 5MP back camera and a 2MP front camera.

(Image credit: Simbans)

The RAM is quite low at just 2 GB, so set your expectations. I would avoid multitasking on this tablet so you don’t slow it down.

But for this price, it’s a great little buy. It’s perfect for students, kids, or anyone who wants to draw and take notes on the screen. 

• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
• Dimensions & Weight:  10.24 x 6.81 x 0.39 inches 2.91 lbs
• Processor: Quad Core MTK8163 1.3GHz
• OS: Android 10

Pros:

• You get an active stylus and accessories included in the price 
• The 10-inch HD screen gives you lots of space to work on
• It’s a great low-cost tablet for drawing and note-taking

Cons:

• The resolution isn’t the best at 1280 x 800, so it looks a little grainy
• It’s not the most powerful tablet

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Conclusions

Tablet technology has come a long way, and some awesome high-end and budget options for note-taking tablets are on the market. Any of the above-recommended products will serve you well and meet all your needs, whether you intend to use your tablet for creative projects or taking notes.

The best tablet is portable and lightweight, has a great screen resolution, and is powerful enough to run your favorite apps. All the tablets on this list tick the right boxes, and there’s something for everyone, no matter your budget. 

Everyone should have a handy little tablet, whether you use it for note-taking, drawing, graphic design work, or just surfing the web.

Hey, I’d love to hear what you think about this post. If you’ve got a question or an opinion on this, leave a comment at the bottom.

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