Best Wacom Drawing Tablet for Graphic Design

Drawing Tablets are used for creative content production like photography, graphics design, animation, 3D modeling, illustration, etc. While plenty of manufacturers produce these useful tools, Wacom is a leading name in the industry. So, if you're looking for the best Wacom drawing tablets, we got you!

We have identified the five best Wacom models after thorough research based on pressure sensitivity, pointer accuracy, and size. Some of these are intended for professionals, whereas others are entry-level. While there's a general perception that Wacom's tablets are expensive, we have included some economic models in this list to help the budget-conscious folks out there.

1. Wacom Cintiq 22

The best of the best Wacom drawing tablets in the market right now is undoubtedly Wacom Cintiq 22. Its balance of a bigger screen, sublime drawing experience, sensitive stylus, and a reasonable price makes for a huge upgrade from the Intuos lineup.

PS: You get Cintiq's HD in all its glory!

This tablet comes bundled with the Pen Pro 2. Yes, it feels the same in hand as other Wacom drawing pens. But there's a catch, it offers class-leading 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels. So, you can draw as you draw with the help of traditional media (pencils and brushes).

What's more, its well-engineered drawing area has a scratch-resistant anti-glare surface. No more distractions from reflections while you work on your next masterpiece. The surface is also better than Apple Pencil and iPad Pro. It also provides an excellent drag when drawing.

Our only disappointment is the lack of built-in express keys. This becomes problematic initially. But with some re-training, you get used to the new model. Overall, Cintiq 22 provides an excellent value for the size. That's why it tops our list.

Buy Here: Amazon

2. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

On the second spot, we have Wacom Cintiq Pro 24. This big-screen 4K drawing tablet is a joy to behold. It's intended for expert creative work that involves getting in the finest details possible. And that's because it comes paired with ergonomically balanced Pro Pen 2. The resolution is unbeatable, colors are punchy, details sharp, and contrast balance is a massive upgrade.

It draws insanely well with very little to no parallax. The anti-glare screen has a nice texture that isn't very smooth. Yet, it won't wear down the nib too soon – as you can expect from such a high-end product. We also appreciate the little touches, such as shimmering metal accents on the pen and the metallic weight under the pen stand.

Cintiq Pro 24 has a gorgeously-designed ExpressKey remote (17 programmable buttons). You can place it anywhere around the bezel. The remote clings to the magnetized back, so it doesn't slide off in case you have slightly angled your unit. This also makes it convenient to work whether you are right or left-handed.

To sum up, Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is a fantastic screen to draw on. It comes with enough goodies to cover your drawing needs, whether you want to work alone or attach it to a PC. Its price has also come down in recent months, making it slightly more affordable.

Buy Here: Amazon

3. Wacom Cintiq 16

The Cintiq 16 is Wacom's 2019 entry-level pen display tablet. It is aimed at students, creatives graduating from the Intuos lineup, and professionals who can't afford the luxury of a Cintiq Pro. It offers a much more economical way for digital artists to master Wacom's industry-leading tools.

The 15.6 inches LCD display offers a Full HD resolution. While an on-screen feel is a personal choice, if you're looking for that "sliding on glass" experience of iPad Pro, Cintiq 16 isn't for you. Like the previous models, it has an anti-glare texture overlay. Its 72 percent color gamut is somewhat limited and may put off some users like pro photographers.

However, Cintiq 16 comes with chargeless Pro Pen 2, delivering the same sensitivity and build quality you expect from the best Wacom drawing tablets. Moreover, it is even compatible with Wacom Pro Pen 3D, which is worth a purchase if you work with a lot of 3D modeling.

One noticeable absence is the touch feature. This can be a problem for photographers, but digital artists working with software like ZBrush can live without it. Considering this model's price, the value you get in build quality and access to Wacom drawing tools are solid.

Buy Here: Amazon

4. Wacom One

The Wacom One was Wacom's most affordable released in 2020. It is a reasonable entry point for hobbyists looking for a drawing tablet to getting into the profession. This tablet is portable, looks aesthetically pleasing, and works with Windows, Mac, as well as Android devices. Plus, it also supports a variety of styluses other than the one included in the package.

The first thing to notice when you open the package is the cables. You need three to attach it to a computer. Good thing? It doesn't draw power from the laptop. The 13 inches screen has a 1920×1080 resolution. When working with One, we noticed the viewing angles hold well for color accuracy, even though the screen manages only 72 percent of the color gamut.

The stylus that comes with Wacom One is also very basic. It has 4096 pressure sensitivity levels. However, drawing feels just as precise as with any Wacom tablet. The stylus has only one button, which can be mapped to do whatever you want in the driver settings.

Overall, Wacom One is a robust and dependable tablet because of its portability, flexibility, solid construction, and decent drawing experience. It is a decent option for anyone looking for their first Wacom display.

Buy Here: Amazon

5. Wacom Intuos S

Looking for a Wacom tablet under $100? Look no further. Like Wacom One, the CTL4100 or the Intuos S is the perfect entry into the world of Wacom Tablets. It has Wacom's build quality, ease of use, and portability among some of its major draws. However, the initial setup can be a bit of a hassle!

It's a jolly-looking device available in a wireless as well as a wired style. The tablet is lightweight & sleek with an 8.8mm thin frame and a 6 by 3.7 inches drawing area. The work area is certainly tiny but designed for desktop needs. Although a very basic tablet, it has some of the best ergonomic features, thanks to its left and right-hand compatibility.

There are four shortcut keys for reducing the tasks at hand, and their positioning is excellent, just above the active area. This makes your workflow much smoother. The battery-free pen has 4K pressure sensitivity levels, giving you a decent pen on paper experience. Plus, it has EMR control for precision.

That said, The Wacom Intuos S is a great option for anyone looking for a drawing tablet with decent features without emptying their wallet. We believe it can be a perfect gift for your artistic child.

Buy Here: Amazon

Buyer's Guide for the Best Wacom Drawing Tablets

Several factors can impact the functionality of a drawing tablet. Let's take a look at the most important ones.

Stylus

There are three types of tablet styluses: rechargeable, battery-powered, or EMR. Rechargeable – as the name suggests – need charging like your phone. They are slim and sit comfortably in your hand. Battery-powered styluses need to accommodate a battery as well. That's why they may feel too big for small hands. EMR styluses are unlike others. They charge wirelessly right from the tablet. So, there's no need to charge or keep additional batteries. They're also slim in profile.

Pressure Sensitivity

In layman's terms, the stylus's pressure sensitivity means how thick (or thin) it can draw on the screen. A stylus with more pressure sensitivity levels (some go as high as 8192) is better than the one with fewer levels. The advantage of using a pen with more pressure levels is that you can then make finer distinctions in every line. This is crucial when working with high-resolution drawings. For beginners, however, anything above 1024 is good to go.

Size

When discussing tablet size, keep in mind that the size of the active area is different from the overall size. The active area is the space where you draw something. A bigger active area lets you draw larger drawings without any need to zoom or pan. So, think about the kind of art you work with before deciding on size. In case you are always on the move, a more compact tablet will suit your needs.

Resolution

The higher the resolution, the more details you can add to your sketches and drawings. This is because, with greater LPI, the displays can detect more from the stylus, thus, adding finer details becomes a possibility. Large screens typically have greater resolution. That's why the difference in resolution between similarly sized tablets is often insignificant.

Responsiveness

The responsiveness of the display is the speed at which you can draw a line. This depends on your tablet's drivers, as well as the specifications of your rig. CPU, GPU, and RAM all play their part. So, before you purchase one of the best Wacom drawing tablets, make sure its software is compatible with your PC. This way, you won't run into any lag.

Final Thoughts

So, that ends our discussion on the best Wacom Drawing Tablets. Based on our reviews, we hope you now have a much better idea of the market. These are currently the best models in the tablet market. You can choose one depending on your budget and needs. When confused, consider the tips mentioned in our buyer's guide portion for further information. Thank you for reading!

About the author

Asad is passionate about all things tech. He brings you reviews of the latest gadgets, devices, and computers

Best Wacom Drawing Tablet for Graphic Design

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