The best Android tablets for drawing generally share a lot in common with the best Android tablets, period. The biggest difference is that these devices need to prioritize display quality and stylus support, while still boasting enough power to handle your favorite games and apps.
If the distinction feels fuzzy to you, you're in luck: I've tested dozens of tablets over the years and can tell you exactly which tablet for drawing is going to be right for you.
If you don't need a proper operating system or apps, you can check out our guide on the best drawing tablets. However, different tablet makers have improved their offerings to the point where you can ditch the idea of a traditional drawing tablet and instead use the best Android tablets for drawing.
Andrew Myrick is a senior editor at Android Central. In between figuring out ways to put retro emulators on everything, Andrew thoroughly enjoys exploring what's possible with Android tablets. He's constantly looking for new and different ways to use tablets, such as replacing his laptop or turning tablets into smart home dashboards.
At a glance
Best overall
Although it's technically a last-gen device now that the S10 series is out, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra remains an impressive choice with a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display that gives you ample room to draw or write. It also has oodles of power, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC under the hood.
Best mid-range
The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus isn't the latest model from Samsung, but it's still quick with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a bright display. Speaking of displays, this one is a beautiful 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel.
Best budget
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is one of the cheapest large tablets you can buy, but it still has a solid 2000 x 1200 screen resolution and microSD card expansion. Its USI 2.0 stylus has plenty of pressure sensitivity for drawing or writing.
Best E Ink Display
The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 is an excellent e-reader, but it's even better for taking notes and drawing. It's based on Android, so you can also download your favorite Play Store apps.
Best S Pen value
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a cheaper alternative to the pricier S9 tablets. Its screen is lower quality, but it has plenty of power for drawing. It comes with an S Pen in the box, so you can start drawing right away.
Best add-on display
The Wacom One can be used with a compatible Android phone or tablet, using USB-C and a desktop mode like Samsung Dex. With legs to keep it propped up and an excellent stylus, you may not need a new tablet.
Best overall
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra lives up to every bit of its name with some of the most powerful hardware ever packed into an Android tablet. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, depending on the storage you pick. In our Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review, we found this to be one of the fastest Android tablets you can buy. It has a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which allows for plenty of space for an 11,200mAh battery that can be charged at up to 45W.
There's no question that this is an expensive tablet, but you end up with a device that can just about replace a laptop in functionality. If you travel a lot, the massive TV-like screen can be great for catching up on YouTube videos or even watching movies. And thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support, you'll have plenty of Wi-Fi speed for high-quality video.
Naturally, an S Pen is included in the box, so you can start drawing just as soon as the tablet is set up. The stylus is also IP68-rated and has enhanced sensitivity for fewer accidental clicks. It can be magnetically attached to the tablet for charging. If this tablet sounds like it will be too big for you, the smaller Galaxy Tab S9 is still a great pick with its 11-inch screen and is one of the Best Android Tablets you can get.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra scorecard
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| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Outstanding and huge | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Unrivaled, unless you can afford the S10 Ultra | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Too price-y for casual use | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stylus | S Pen included | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Over 10 hours with heavy use; fast charging | ★★★★☆ |
Best mid-range
Its versatility makes the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus stand out amongst the best Android tablets. Since the Galaxy Tab S4, Samsung has continued to include an S Pen in the box, which removes the need for you to try and find a compatible stylus if you want to get down to business.
Thanks to the 12.4-inch display, the Tab S8 Plus is more portable than the iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. You'll still enjoy the same great power under the hood, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 paired with up to 12GB RAM and even a microSD card slot for excellent processing power and storage for all your artwork.
The biggest reason the Tab S8 Plus is my pick if you're looking at the best Android tablet for drawing is the display and price. Samsung uses its beautiful Super AMOLED panel, complete with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2800 x 1752 resolution. Plus, the S Pen is the newer version, sporting just 2.8ms of latency, as opposed to the 9ms found with the smaller Tab S8.
In practice, our Galaxy Tab S8 Plus reviewer found that the "S Pen and software felt much more responsive than on the iPad Pro" with its popular Apple Pencil.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus scorecard
| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Glorious AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Great, but starting to feel a little dated | ★★★★☆ |
| Value | Discounts are common, so don't buy at full price | ★★★★☆ |
| Stylus | Included S Pen | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours with casual use | ★★★★☆ |
Best budget
Amazon has a distinct advantage in pricing hardware since the company makes up much of the cost in in-app sales, subscriptions, and, of course, lock screen ads. As a result, the Fire Max 11 punches well above its weight with a large 11-inch display running at a 2000 x 1200 resolution.
It comes with 4GB of RAM and a MediaTek MTK8188J SoC, so it's not going to have the maximum Genshin Impact, but our Fire Max 11 review notes that it has some of the best performance of any Amazon tablet. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate, which won't feel as smooth under a stylus, but it's an IPS panel, so it's bright with vibrant colors.
This bundle includes a stylus made for the tablet, but you can also use another USI 2.0 stylus if you've already invested or want something with different ergonomics. Amazon includes ads on your lock screen, but if you want them removed, you can pay a bit more for the same tablet. You can also remove lock-screen ads later by paying the difference if you're on a budget.
Amazon Fire Max 11 and Stylus Pen bundle
| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11-inch screen, decent resolution | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Good for the money | ★★★☆☆ |
| Value | Great bang for the buck, and discounts are common | ★★★★★ |
| Stylus | Included in the bundle | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours | ★★★★☆ |
Best E Ink display
The market for E Ink tablets has exploded over the past couple of years, largely thanks to the Onyx Boox lineup. Our favorite pick for those who want the best Android tablet for drawing but prefer an E Ink screen is the Onyx Boox Note Air 3.
The metal build makes it feel premium and sturdy, while the massive E Ink Carta 1200 display worked beautifully in the two months we used it for reading and sketching. There are some limitations for the latter aspect, like a slight delay when creating strokes, and you can't duplicate a layer or copy large drawings. But we didn't find any issues for good ol' note-taking. It ships with a protective case and the Pen Plus, which can attach to the tablet after you're done with it.
While Onyx has its own built-in note-taking application, the fact that it is powered by Android 12 and has the Play Store pre-installed means that you can download any drawing app of your liking. Your results may vary, though, as not all apps are optimized for E Ink displays. If you need a color display, there's a Note Air 3 C model for $100 more, which comes with a Kaleido 3 color ePaper screen that can display mellow hues.
Overall, the Note Air 3 is a fantastic e-reader that works just as well for taking notes or doodling. It can last a week on a single charge and is lightweight and portable.
Onyx Boox Note Air 3 scorecard
| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Black and white, anti-glare; color variant available | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Should only be used for reading and drawing/note-taking | ★★★★☆ |
| Value | Typically retails around $399 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stylus | Included stylus | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Multiple days | ★★★★★ |
Best S Pen value
If you don't want to spend a ton of money but still want access to Samsung's excellent S Pen features, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a good starting point. This tablet has a 10.9-inch display that runs at 90Hz, so it feels reasonably responsive under the stylus. Unlike many other cheap tablets or discounted older models, it was released with Android 13, but Samsung has updated it to Android 14.
You can get this tablet with Wi-Fi 6 only or a version with 5G that can be activated on just about any carrier. It's powered by Samsung's Exynos 1380 SoC, which can keep up with everyday tasks like reading, browsing, or drawing just fine but will struggle with 3D gaming.
One thing to note is that the display uses a TFT LCD panel. This older LCD tech is known for having poor viewing angles and color distortion when viewing it off-axis. If you plan on using your tablet to watch movies, upgrading to the proper Galaxy Tab S9 series with AMOLED displays will be worth the extra money. However, if you're looking for something cheap with an S Pen in the box, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE still hits the mark.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE scorecard
| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Only 90Hz, but still quite nice | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Decent for casual use; not recommended for gaming | ★★★☆☆ |
| Value | Regularly discounted these days | ★★★★★ |
| Stylus | Included S Pen | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Easily surpass 10 hours, fast charging | ★★★★☆ |
Best add-on display
We've come to our second "cheating" addition to the list, the Wacom One. This dedicated drawing tablet provides a plug-and-play experience across pretty much any device. It's even possible to use it with many of the best Android phones, let alone Windows, macOS, Android tablets, and Chromebooks.
With the Wacom One, you can choose from an 11-inch or 13.3-inch display. The latter makes it feel like you're actually writing or drawing on paper, which is one reason why many opt for a screen protector with a matte finish on tablets like the Tab S9 or iPad Pro. The pressure-sensitive pen is included in the box and is designed so that you shouldn't get fatigued as easily as using other stylus options.
It's easy to understand why the Wacom One is our pick for the best drawing tablet overall, especially since the brand has been making some of the best in that market for years. With support for many devices across various platforms, the Wacom One may not run Android. Still, it's a highly compelling option if you're serious about drawing and have other Android devices at home or work.
Wacom One scorecard
| Attribute | Quick look | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Big and beautiful 13.3-inch | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | N/A | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| Value | A bit price-y for casual users | ★★★★☆ |
| Stylus | Feels just like ink on paper | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | N/A | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
How to choose
These are the best Android tablets for drawing
While Samsung's tablets dominate the list of best Android tablets for drawing, it's for a good reason. With tablets like the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra, you have a stylus in the box, and Samsung continues innovating. Having a latency as low as 2.8ms is absolutely incredible, and when paired with the best drawing apps, these tablets are just second to none. They also have some of the best displays with AMOLED panels and 120Hz refresh rates.
However, outside of the stylus-specific features, the gap between Samsung and other Android tablets is getting slightly smaller. For example, the Amazon Fire Max 11 has some incredible hardware for the price. While its Fire OS software won't be to everyone's taste, you can still side-load the Play Store. You can bundle it with a pen or buy it alone and grab a USI 2.0 stylus down the line.
What is USI 2.0?
USI 2.0 stands for Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) 2.0, and it's an open standard for active styli that allow a stylus to function with various touch-enabled devices.
While Samsung's S Pen is impressive, it's disappointing that it can't be used with more devices. USI 2.0 is a standard that addresses the problem of proprietary styli, a single standard that companies like Google can use to add high-end stylus capabilities to their products. The Google Pixel Tablet, for example, supports USI 2.0, so you can use a stylus like the Penoval USI 2.0 Pen with 4,096 pressure points.
This standard has also made its way to several other devices, including some of the best Chromebooks, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714. Just be sure you pick one of the best styli with USI 2.0 support to get the complete feature set.
