Wireless drawing tablets are great if you’re trying to make a desk looks cleaner, or like drawing with your tablet on your lap.
Mobile productivity hounds who want gear that’s ready for travel swear by them, too, and some models are able to be wireless, carried around by itself, and even let you draw directly on the screen.
Thanks to hyper-fast connections and long-lasting batteries, you no longer have to sacrifice some more practical functions to enjoy the freedom of using a wireless tablet.
In fact, they’re so fast and reliable nowadays that even the hard-to-please artist crowd is beginning to embrace them.
These days, the pen tablet market offers plenty of wireless options, from basic non-screen units to standalone display tablets.
If you are a beginner and don’t have much expertise, picking the best one for your needs can be difficult.
In this article, we provide all the buying advice and deep-dive reviews you need to select the right wireless drawing tablet.
We’ve spent hours and hours researching each model, surfing the web, just to bring you a list of the very best wireless graphic tablets around.
What are the two types of wireless drawing tablets?
Bluetooth pen tablets connect with the device over Bluetooth completely wireless connection no need for a dongle.
But some wireless tablets work on 2.4 GHz radio frequency they need a dongle to insert into the USB port of the connecting device.
2.4GHz vs Bluetooth Connection: Which is Better or faster?
The answer depends on what the connection is used for, and what version of Bluetooth you’re talking about.
2.4GHz will usually offer lower latency than Bluetooth but use more power.
Bluetooth technology has been refined over the years, but the older versions of it are still used for some applications. The different versions are numbered with the latest version being Bluetooth 5.
The later versions have significantly increased the transmission range as well as the speed and capacity of earlier versions.
In general, when shopping for Bluetooth drawing tablets, it’s best to look for tablets using the latest version of Bluetooth.
What are the advantages of a wireless pen tablet?
Wireless drawing tablets are a great way to boost your productivity and comfort levels at work or home.
One of the main advantages of wireless pen tablets is that they eliminate the need for cables and wires that can clutter your desk and limit your movement.
With wireless connection, you can position your tablet wherever you want, as long as they are within the Bluetooth or USB range of your computer.
This gives you more flexibility to adjust your posture, angle, and distance according to your preferences and needs. You can also easily move your devices around if you need to change your location or work on different surfaces.
With no wires, there’s little risk of damage or interference due to any accidental pulls or trips over cables!
And it is much easier to transport, since you don’t need to worry about pesky wires and cables. This makes it perfect for people who need a mobile solution, such as students, business people, and more.
In addition, The wireless pen tablet also comes with a usb cable for easy plug-and-play in case your device doesn’t have Bluetooth or the tablet itself is out of battery.
What are the disadvantages of using a wireless drawing tablet?
Wireless tablet require batteries, which can run out of juice at the most inconvenient times.
Compared to a wired tablet, Wireless tablet can sometimes have a slight delay in their response time, which maybe a disadvantage in situations where precise movements are required.
Wireless tablet can be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices, which can cause the tablet to malfunction or become unresponsive.
The final disadvantage to consider before purchasing a wireless tablet is that there are limited options on models.
Wireless tablets are still rather rare to the market so many of them are expensive and contain a lot of extra features that are not needed.
How to connect a bluetooth drawing tablet to a computer?
To connect your bluetooth tablet to a computer, first, ensure it has enough batteries.
Then, turn on the tablet and activate pairing mode, usually by pressing the “connect” or “pair” button.
Next, on your computer, go to the Bluetooth settings, search for available devices, and select your tablet from the list.
How to choose a wireless drawing tablet?
Apart from introducing a couple of new factors that you need to pay attention to (namely, connectivity and battery life), picking out the best wireless drawing tablet isn’t all that different from picking out the best tablet overall.
Wireless tablets that connect via a USB receiver or dongle can only connect to a computer or device if it has a USB-A port.
Bluetooth connectivity on the other hand does not require any dongle or extra receiver and can therefore easily connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices without the need for any ports.
Likewise, battery life is another consideration. Be careful about what wireless tablet model you choose and how long their rechargeable lithium batteries last.
What are the 3 main types of graphic tablet? Does it support wireless connection?
In the world of graphic tablets you have three kinds: pen tablets without display, graphic tablets with display, and standalone drawing tablets.
1. graphic pen tablets
A non-screen graphic tablet consists of a pen and a plastic pad, with which you can perform various manipulations with information in various art programs.
Since your hand is on the tablet and your eyes are on a computer monitor, So screenless tablets are more difficult to use and take longer time to get used to.
They are a really good option for someone getting started in digital art. The main reasons for this is that they are much more affordable and quite durable.
This type of tablet has Wireless compatibility, You can often choose between a wireless or a wired only model.
Some of the most popular options include: Wacom Intuos, Huion Inspiroy, and XPPen Deco.
2. Pen tablets with screen
There are graphics tablets with screen available in the market. These devices are commonly referred to as “pen displays”.
They combine the features of a traditional graphics tablet with the convenience of a built-in screen, allowing you to draw or design directly on the display.
There is a much smaller learning curve and it feels more natural from that perspective. However, Even if they have a display, you still need to hook them up to a computer, so not portable.
They are essentially secondary computer monitors you can draw on. These tablets doesn’t have computing units like processor, RAM, storage, battery, and OS inside.
No such “wireless pen display” exists yet, as the amount of data that would need to be transferred wirelessly to get a FHD~4K display to operate unwired from an actual computer is too great.
At the top of this category are the Wacom Cintiq, Huion Kamvas and XPPen Artist. They come in all sorts of sizes with all sorts of options. Every extra, whether it be a bigger screen, or higher resolution functionality, will drive up the price point.
3. Standalone Drawing Tablets
They are powerful and costly machines that act as a full workstation all their own, allowing you to draw without the aid of any extra devices.
Brands like Wacom and Huion offer Dedicated all-in-one tablet workstations (Windows 11): Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13/16, and Huion Kamvas Studio 16 — essentially display tablets with built-in PCs.
Regular consumer tablets have come a long way, Apple’s ipad Pros (iPad OS), Samsung’s galaxy tabs (Android), and Microsoft’s Surface Pros (Windows 11), with its special attention to artistic endeavors – support pen input, has garnered a passionate following.
All these tablets can be used wireless, portable, and independently, making them a convenient option for artists who want to create digital art while traveling or away from a computer.
The problem is the software available is limited – especially on android and ipad os, super expensive price, the pressure points on regular consumer tablet are not as good as professional ones.
10 Best Wireless drawing tablets
Here are our top 10 picks for the best wireless drawing tablets with or without a display built in:
1. Ugee S640W
The Ugee S640W is a small, affordable drawing tablet provides a stable wireless 2.4GHz connection, allowing you to create on the go.
2 hours of fast charging can satisfylast up to 10 hours of usage wireless use. And it allows drawing wirelessly within 3-5 m from computer.
The design and layout are good with 10 hotkeys on the top, the build quality is excellent. Textured surface offers a little friction and better handling while drawing.
The 6.3 x 4 inches drawing area is perfect when working with laptop displays ranging from 13 inches to 16 inches.
Battery-free digital pen supports 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity with 60°tilt response for a more natural line and a true feeling of drawing.
S640W tablet is widely compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, chrome os and even android devices.
2. XP-Pen Deco MW
The XP-Pen Deco MW pen tablet is a great entry-level pen tablet that’s both affordable and easy to use. It support Windows, Mac, Android, Chrome OS, and Linux systems.
It can be used wireless via Bluetooth v5.0. Equipped with an 1000mAh lithium battery, Deco MW keeps the power going throughout your day, ≥ 10 Hours Working Time.
With 8 buttons to customize, It helps with you workflow. Build quality of tablet is solid, lightweight, easy to use, sleek and clean design. It is available in four colors: black, blue, green and pink.
With an 8 x 5 inch working area, this Deco MW tablet is nicely mid-sized, Neither too big nor too small. The matte textured surface is nice to draw on.
Powered by the X3 smart chip, without the spring mechanism, the battery-free stylus performs better than any other existing XPPen stylus.
With its 3g low initial activation force, 8192 pressure sensitivity levels and a 60-degree tilt function, you will have easy, intuitive control while creating artwork.
3. XP-Pen Deco Pro MW
The XP-Pen Deco Pro is a great tablet that is an absolute bargain at its price point. It supports Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and Chrome OS.
It works over a single USB-C cable or Bluetooth 5.0 with a range of 3-5 meters. The large capacity battery has a long life and satisfies your needs for all-day work
With its award-winning design featuring aluminum body, eight shortcuts and an innovative double wheel design, the Deco Pro is attractive.
The active area on the medium version – deco pro mw, which is quite large at 11” by 6”. On the smaller version – deco pro sw, it drops to 9” by 5”, making it more portabe.
The PA1 battery-free pen is very comfortable to hold with the rubber grip, What is more, it supports 60° tilt and 8192 pressure sensitivity levels. you will notice that you will draw quite well and steadily when using the pen.
4. Huion Inspiroy Dial 2
The Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Q630M is a good looking pen tablet with fantastic drawing performance. It can be connected to Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and Android devices.
It supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity with an 11-yard range. Its 1300mAh battery lasts 18 hours on a 2.5-4.5 hour charge.
The Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 comes in a great, relatively portable size with a lightweight body, but actually manages a generous 10.5 x 6.56-inch workspace.
6 press keys are extremely responsive with a soft tactile click. The dual dials can be programmed to change the brush size or any continuous function of your choice.
The PW517 battery-free pen features Huion’s latest PenTech 3.0 technology, which means that the retraction distance decreased by 40% to bring more stability.
You will enjoy almost the same experience as using a real pen due to the precise 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and up to 60 degrees tilt recognition.
5. Huion Inspiroy Q11K V2
If you need an even larger wireless tablet, there’s the enormous Huion Inspiroy Q11k V2. It is able to be used with computers running Windows or Mac operating systems.
2.4GHz Wireless connection works well with the usb dongle, no perceived latency. 2500mAh battery enables you to enjoy the continuous creating for at least 30 hours.
This Inspiroy Q11k V2 tablet is solid, well designed, and functional. The 8 shortcut buttons are very useful and can be customised to a wide range of uses.
It has a huge drawing area of 11 x 6.87 inch, allowing you to do large brushstrokes and easily use your whole arm, shoulder and elbow when drawing and painting.
The battery-free pen is superb, which has the standard features you see in graphics tablets nowadays, like the 8192 pressure sensitivty levels and ±60° tilt sensitivity.
6. Wacom Intuos
Wacom Intuos is compact, light weight and bluetooth connection enabled. This tablet is compatible with Windwos and Mac OS, with plug-in and play for Chromebooks and Android devices.
It boasts an impressive 15-hour battery life, more than sufficient for a day’s work, and you can still use it while it is charging.
The Intuos comes in two sizes, small or medium, with 6.0 x 3.7 inches and 8.5 x 5.3 inches working area, respectively. This also makes it extremely portable and can be used even in the most cramped of desk setups.
The tablet feels solidly built with 4 programmable buttons, and the drawing surface has a subtle texture and feels closer to paper in use.
With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, the stylus is very responsive. It doesn’t require charging, as it gets power from the Intuos itself through electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) technology.
7. Wacom Intuos Pro
The Wacom Intuos Pro is a professional wireless drawing tablet for artists, designers, and photography editors.
It can be run via bluetooth, so it’s simple to use almost anywhere. The battery lasts 10 hours for continuous usage with pen or multi-touch.
Pretty solid quality with black anodized aluminum and fiberglass composite resin, with only 8mm thick, intuos pro looks slim and sleek.
The Intuos Pro comes in three sizes from small (6.3 x 3.9-inch active area), medium (8.7 x 5.8 in active area), to large (12.1 x 8.4 in active area). There are also 3 different textures you can get which are Rough, Standard, and Smooth.
The Intuos Pro offers a good deal of customizability with eight express keys and the multi-function touch ring. You can also take advantage of the multi-touch gestures.
The Wacom Pro Pen 2 features impressive pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels, tilt response and virtually lag free tracking, which offers incredible realism.
8. iPad Pro
If you’re interested in illustration and sketching on the go, The iPad Pro is light and portable, but powerful that can be a fully capable artist’s workstation.
The 12.9-inch 2K Liquid Retina XDR display is vibrant, sharp and bright. 100% DCI-P3 colour support is good for creating visuals for photo and video editing.
M2 chip is incredibly powerful, great for anyone wanting to use a tablet for heavy graphics work or photo or video editing.
You’ll have to purchase the second-generation Apple Pencil separately for the full experience, But it’s well worth it, Combined with 120HZ ProMotion screen, the writing and drawing performance is fantastic.
iPad Pro runs on iPad OS, For this reason, It won’t allow you to install full-featured desktop art software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Zbrush, Blender and more.
But some apps, like Adobe Fresco, Procreate — a famous illustration software, and note taking apps like Bear, Notability and GoodNotes, are exclusive to the iPad.
With the M2 chip and 10758 mAh big battery capacity, the iPad Pro (6th gen) feature an all-day battery life (10 hours) on a single charge.
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the best Android tablet with a stylus for drawing, and one of the best tablets full stop. One nice thing is the portability. You can take it around wherever and draw.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 comes with a 11-inch 2K OLED display, with superb contrast and punchy, lively colors, as well as excellent brightness.
It is powered by the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and at least 8GB of RAM, providing the performance necessary to run most demanding apps in real time.
Using the included S Pen to draw and take notes on the screen of 120Hz refresh rate is fun, as it is responsive and feels natural.
However, Android doesn’t have as many “tablet-native” art apps as the iPad and some Android apps don’t have the same feature set as the Windows desktop apps.
Thankfully, There are still enough art programs, such as Clip Studio paint, Ibis Paint X, Infinite Painter, Sketchbook, Artflow, Krita, Medibang paint, and more.
Galaxy Tab S9 house a decently sized 8400mAh battery within its thin chassis, it lasted about 9 or 10 hours on average before you need to charge it up again.
10. Surface Pro 9
The Surface Pro 9 tablet with its Slim Pen 2 is a good option if you want something like Adobe Photoshop but you also need portability.
This tablet has a sleek, slim, and modern design. Its 13-inch 2K Pixel Sense touch screen is bright and colorful enough to lend excitement to even mundane office work.
The inside 12th Gen Intel i5 or i7 processor is sufficiently powerful enough to handle daily computing tasks. You can also add storage and RAM upgrades.
Its Signature Type Cover keyboard, along with the Surface Slim Pen 2, is sold separately but is quintessential to achieving the optimal Surface Pro experience.
The flat shape is unusual but is comfortable, the pen is accurate and customisable, together with the use of haptic feedback and 120Hz screen, It’s a joy to use for creating art.
Surface Pro 9 use Windows 11, running full desktop apps like photoshop, Illustrator, OneNote, and more. making it great for productivity work like photo editing, drawing, note taking, etc.
Due to 47.7Wh battery capacity and Intel CPU, the battery life is average, about 7-8 hours in ordinary use. This should last the working day but not much more.
Conclusion
Want to work or play without cables getting in the way? Wireless graphics tablets are becoming increasingly popular due to their mobility and flexibility.
These 10 best Wireless tablets are in different price brackets. Each has particular benefits and a lot will depend on your budget, preference, work type and skill level.
If you have the money for it, wireless standalone tablets with screen would be the best, most natural-feeling option for a mobile solution.
It doesn’t matter if you pick the iPad Pro, Samsung galaxy tab S9 or the Surface Pro 9, you will have a wonderful machine to work with.
In case you’re a beginner or an intermediate-level artist, sticking to the budget wireless screenless pen tablets is probably a good idea.
They are unbelievably affordable and will still allow you to create artwork as good as anything created with a super expensive tablet.
It’s up to you to decide which one best suit you.
