Drawing tablets have always been a digital artist’s best friend. If you are a creative type and you want to add more functionality to your laptop, then you probably need to know about the best drawing tablets for Chromebook.
I know what most of you are thinking: Why do you need a drawing tablet when most Chromebooks already come with a touchscreen display? The simple answer: not all touchscreens are made equally. Some are good, while most are just plain awful.
If you’re using a 3-5-year-old Chromebook, then you’ve probably tried drawing on it, only to be disappointed. Fortunately, before you throw out your laptop, maybe you should consider adding a drawing tablet for your setup.
2-in-1 Chromebooks Versus Drawing Tablets for Chromebook
There has been an ongoing debate whether artists are better off using top-of-the-line Chromebooks than adding a drawing tablet to your setup. While both sides have excellent points, it depends on your budget. Here are some points to consider:
Buy a 2-in-1 Chromebook if:
- You want to see your illustration in real-time.
- You are doing more than designing on your laptop
- You want to use more advanced apps or extensions.
Buy a Drawing Tablet for Chromebook if:
- You’re happy with your current Chromebook
- You can’t afford top-of-the-line models
- You prefer accuracy and precision to ease of use.
Also see: The Best Chromebook for Drawing
Once you have decided that you need a drawing tablet than a new Chromebook, be sure to check out what we highly recommend from the list down below:
Most Popular Drawing Tablets for Chromebook on Amazon
To find out which drawing tablet is perfect for your Chromebook, we are going to feature different models at different price points so you can get the best option possible. Here are our picks:
XP-Pen G640 – The cheapest entry-level drawing tablet we recommend
About XP-PEN G640
The G640 from XP-PEN is one of the most affordable yet reliable drawing tablets for Chromebooks. For only $40.00, you will have a great entry-level tablet that can accurately trace your creativity with ease. The pen stylus is battery-operated and can be changed easily, while the surface area is good enough to be used regularly.
The Good
- Rechargeable battery-operated stylus
- Compatible with different Operating Systems
- Slim and compact design
The Bad
- Active surface area is only 6” x 4”
- Buttons on the pen can be intrusive
- Occasionally drops connection when in use.
The Verdict
The XP-PEN G640 is what we would recommend as an entry-level drawing tablet. It is plug-and-play, it has a decent surface area (although it’s better if it’s bigger), it has a reliable pen stylus, and most importantly, it’s very affordable at only $39.99!
If you’re looking for a drawing tablet that can help you unleash your creative side, then the XP-PEN G640 is more than enough for your needs. One word of caution, be sure to practice how you hold your pen, as pressing the buttons accidentally is a common problem among users.
UGEE M708 Graphics Drawing Tablet – A deal that’s hard to pass up
About UGEE M708
The UGEE M708 is the best starter kit you can get for drawing tablets for Chromebook. For only $50.99, you will get a drawing tablet with a large surface area (10” x 6”), a rechargeable pen stylus with pressure sensitivity, and some accessories to help you get started right. This is perfect for beginners and aspiring artists alike.
The Good
- 8 Customizable keys and buttons
- Comes with freebies
- The pen doesn’t require batteries (rechargeable)
The Bad
- Weighs around 1.45lbs
- Instructions not included
- Calibration may be needed for first-time use
The Verdict
What makes UGEE M708 one of the highly recommended drawing tablets for Chromebook is the ability to do more with less. For 50 bucks, you will already get flagship features – as long as you set your expectations.
It may not have the most accurate stylus, nor is it easy to navigate around, but you’ll get your money’s worth. Just like with other knock-off brands, it takes some time to get used to maximizing your purchase. We recommend this if you’re willing to learn and improve with it.
Wacom One Drawing Tablet – Amazon’s Best Seller
About Wacom One
The Wacom One is arguably among the best entry-level drawing tablets for Chromebook. It is a no-nonsense tablet that’s capable of providing accurate and precise input. For $60 bucks, we can say that this tablet has the best stylus-to-tablet feel. It almost feels like you’re writing on a piece of paper.
The Good
- One of the most precise drawing tablets
- Compatible with different operating systems
- Designed to be used for either hand orientations
The Bad
- Active surface area is only 6” x 3.7”
- Clip Studio Paint Pro is only free for 3 months
- A little heavy for size (1.35lbs)
The Verdict
Wacom One may not have the largest active surface area, nor does it have next-generation tech that can blow the competition away. However, for 60 bucks, you will get the most important thing – an accurate drawing tablet that gets the job done.
Sure, it may cost more, but for what you can do, we agree with the majority as to why this is regarded as one of the best drawing tablets for Chromebook… as long as you’re willing to pay a little premium for the brand.
XP-PEN Deco 01 – Bang-for-the-buck drawing tablet
About XP-PEN Deco 01
The XP-PEN Deco 01 is a remappable and customizable drawing tablet for Chromebooks, Windows, Macs, and more. It comes with a large surface area (10” x 6.25”), the pen has tilting effects and pressure sensitivity. All in all, it’s one of the best investments you can get for yourself at only $69.99.
The Good
- Weighs only 570 grams
- Works with various operating systems including Android
- Comes with tilt functionality
The Bad
- Sometimes lags in certain applications
- Users report first-time setup glitches
- Needs a little practice to master
The Verdict
If you have 70 bucks to spare and you’re looking for drawing tablets for Chromebook that offer a lot of bang for your buck, then the XP-PEN Deco 01 is our best recommendation. Apart from the large surface area, it also has all the bells and whistles to keep you occupied.
Is it as accurate as Wacom One? It depends on how you’re willing to familiarize yourself with its pressure-sensitive pens and tilting functions. Sure, Wacom One is more plug-and-play, but the Deco 01 is a worthy opponent, especially if you maximize its potential.
Huion Inspiroy H1161 – Premium drawing tablet at a reasonable price
About the Inspiroy H1161
Don’t let the name fool you; the H1161 from Huion is one of the best drawing tablets for Chromebook under 100 bucks. For the price of $89.99, you will get a large surface area (11” x 6.875”), 10 customizable shortcut keys, a battery-free stylus pen, as well as guaranteed compatibility across multiple platforms – including Android OS!
The Good
- USB-C interface
- 266pps report rate
- Supports multiple operating systems
The Bad
- Compatibility issues in Windows
- Software optimizations are still needed
- Not advisable for beginners
The Verdict
The things about affordable flagship devices are that they usually come with lacklustre software support and compatibility issues. The Inspiroy H1161, unfortunately, is also riddled with issues like these. However, if you’re willing to practice how to use it with mediocre software, you’ll be surprised at what it’s capable of.
For 90 bucks, you can’t find something that can compete with drawing tablets for Chromebook above $120. Hardware-wise, this is the best on the list, but if you’re not willing to wait for software optimizations soon, we suggest buying something else that’s more established.
Also see: Best Chromebook under $300
In Closing
We hope you enjoyed the choices we offered regarding the best drawing tablets for Chromebook. While there might be better options out there, we really believe that our list will give you your money’s worth regardless of your choice or price point.
If you’re looking for more amazing tips and tricks for your Chromebook, be sure to check out our website to keep yourself informed with the latest tech stuff.
Last update on 2023-06-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
“…..About UGEE M708…..The UGEE M708 is the best starter kit you can get for drawing tablets for Chromebook. For only $50.99, you will get a drawing tablet with a large surface area (10” x 6”), a rechargeable pen stylus with pressure sensitivity, and some accessories to help you get started right. This is perfect for beginners and aspiring artists alike…..”. HELP! PLEASE! I have a Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431, and a Acer Chromebook 15 CB3-532, and I bought a Ugee M708, but there are no Chrome drivers for these Chromebooks on the Ugee website! I tried downloading the Linux driver, but it doesn’t work on a Chromebook. Help!