What’s the best screen drawing tablet that gets you bang for the buck but doesn’t leave you with a gigantic hole in your pocket? In this guide, we’ve compiled the best Wacom display tablet picks that you can get below $2000. Whether you’re looking for the best drawing tablet with screen for beginners, such as the Wacom One and Wacom Cintiq 16, or rather the best drawing tablet with screen in the higher-end range, say Wacom Cintiq 22 or Cintiq 22HD – we got you covered in our review of the top 8 Wacom display tablets!
Should I get a drawing tablet with a screen?
If you’ve so far been using a tablet without built-in display, you might wonder whether the upgrade to a drawing tablet with screen is worth the investment.
Well, a screen tablet will get you as close to natural drawing as you can possibly get without putting a real pen on paper. If you’ve been working on a tablet without built-in display, such as a Wacom Intuos (S) or Wacom Intuos Pro Small or Medium, you know that it takes a bit of a learning curve to get used to drawing on the tablet while looking at a computer monitor a few inches away.
Especially if you’re coming from traditional art, you might find it difficult to retain your hand-eye coordination when working with a conventional tablet. A pen display has the big advantage that you can directly draw and see your work on the screen.
Our Top 3 Picks for
Best Wacom Display Tablet below $2000
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13
- High-resolution display with wide color gamut of 87% Adobe RGB
- Etched glass surface with tactile resistance for pen-on-paper feel
- Top-class sensitivity with included Pro Pen 2
Wacom Cintiq 16
- Least expensive higher-end Wacom display tablet with great overall specs
- High levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt response with industry-leading Pro Pen 2
- Minimal parallax and virtually lag-free tracking
Wacom Cintiq 27QHD
- QHD resolution with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
- Top display brightness and color performance
- Accurate and precise tracking with 5080 lpi pen resolution
Our other Candidates for
Best Wacom Display Tablet below $2000
Best Entry-Level
Wacom One 13
- Affordable alternative to Cintiq 16 with Android compatibility
- 13.3" HD display with AHVA technology for reduced glare and natural drawing feel
- Pressure- and tilt-responsive pen
Good Allrounder
Wacom Cintiq 13HD
- Good all-rounder with decent color performance, brightness, and contrast
- 1920x1080 native screen resolution for pin-sharp details
- Lightweight and portable, yet sturdy build quality
Largest in price range
Wacom Cintiq 22
- Lowest price Wacom Cintiq of that size
- Full HD display with good color reproduction and brightness
- Pro Pen 2 technology & minimal parallax
Pro Level Standalone
Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13
- Etched glass surface + Pro Pen 2 for most natural drawing feel
- Pixel-level accuracy, lag-free tracking and no parallax
- Compact & portable, with Wi-Fi connectivity
Oldie but goodie
Wacom Cintiq 22HD
- Large Full HD display with natural surface texture
- Excellent resolution (5080 lpi) for precise tracking without jitter
- Highly responsive Grip Pen with eraser and tilt recognition
what is the best Wacom drawing tablet with screen?
Due to the integrated display technology, screen tablets tend to be more expensive than regular pen tablets, and Wacom’s Cintiq tablets are known for being pricey. The quality merits the price, but it can be out of many artists’ budgets.
In our lineup, we’ve aimed at compiling the eight best Wacom display tablet deals for various skill levels and budgets, summing up the most important features of each tablet so it’s hopefully easier for you to pick out the best Wacom tablet with screen for you!
Jump to a specific Wacom screen tablet
These are the 8 Best Wacom Display Tablet Picks Below $2000 in summary:
| Tablet | Screen specs | Response & Resolution | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wacom One 13 |
• 13.3 in, 1920 x 1080, AHVA • 72% NTSC • 200 cd/m2 |
• 4,096 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 2540 lpi resolution |
US$400 |
| Cintiq 13HD |
• 13.3 in, TFT LCD IPS • 75% Adobe RGB • 250 cd/m2 |
• 2048 pressure levels • 40 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$600 |
| Cintiq 16 |
• 15.6 in, 1920 x 1080, Full HD IPS • 72% NTSC, 96% sRGB • 210 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$650 |
| Cintiq Pro 13 |
• 13.3 in, 1920 x 1080, Full HD IPS • 87% Adobe RGB • 250 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$800 |
| Cintiq 22 |
• 21.5 in, 1920 x 1080, Full HD • 72% NTSC, 96% sRGB • 210 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$1200 |
| MobileStudio Pro 13 |
• 13.3 in, 2560 x 1440, WQHD • 80% Adobe RGB • 253 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
starting at US$1500 |
| Cintiq 27QHD |
• 27 in, 2560 x 1440, LCD AHVA • 97% Adobe RGB • 330 cd/m2 |
• 2048 pressure levels • 40 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$1900 |
| Cintiq 22HD |
• 21.5 in, 1920 x 1080, H-IPS LCD • 72% sRGB • 230 cd/m2 |
• 2,048 pressure levels • 40 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$2000 |
Our Round-up of Best Wacom Display Tablet Picks Below $2000
Best Entry-Level
Feature Round-up
The Wacom One is a pretty new kid on the block. Wacom launched the ‘One’ in 2020, with the intention of providing an entry-level tablet that is also affordable for beginners and artists on a budget. The Wacom One sells for less than US$400, while still featuring a decent size 13-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display and AHVA technology for accurate off-center viewing.
Despite its cheap price, the display is laminated, resulting in virtually no parallax effect (little gap between drawing surface and LCD) – something that you would usually only get with Wacom’s high-end Cintiq Pro models. With 72% of NTSC color gamut, the Wacom One is on the same level with higher-end devices, too.
However, some things needed to be stripped off to justify the low price, so Wacom took away some of the sensitivity features and customization options. With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Wacom One Pen is only half as responsive as the Pro Pen 2, but it still comes with 60 degrees of tilt response, allowing for natural, intuitive brush strokes.
If you’re coming from a non-display drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pro or Wacom Intuos S, you might not want to do without touch functionality and built-in hotkey buttons. The good news is that the Wacom One is compatible with the optional ExpressKey Remote that offers you all the customization options you can possibly dream of!
While the Wacom One is not Bluetooth capable, you can connect it easily to your Android phone or tablet and edit your pictures on the go. The Wacom One is compact and lightweight (2.2 lbs) to slip it into your bag and carry it along. Its two built-in foldout legs ensure a comfortable working angle wherever you are!
PROS
- Built-in 13.3" HD display with AHVA technology
- Real-feel responsive pen + compatibility with other pen brands
- Integrated foldout legs to raise the display to 19 degrees
- Compatible with Windows, Mac and Android devices
- Affordable alternative to the Cintiq 16
- Free software bundle (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom & Fresco, Clip Studio Paint Pro, Bamboo Paper Pro)
CONS
- Multi-cord setup requiring 4 cables, no Bluetooth connectivity
- No hotkey buttons on the tablet
- Display brightness can be an issue under strong light
Good Allrounder
Wacom Cintiq 13HD
Feature Round-up
Despite being released back in 2013, the Cintiq 13HD is still top gear today and a great trade-off between cost and quality. For around US$600, you will get a powerful all-round pen display from Wacom’s higher-end Cintiq range.
For around $200 more, the Cintiq 13HD offers better screen performance than the Wacom One, boasting 16.7 million colors, 75% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum, and 250 cd/m2 brightness. The colors are vivid, and the matte screen effectively cuts down on unwanted glare, while offering the right amount of resistance for a natural pen-on-paper drawing feel.
The active area of 11.75 x 6.75 inches provides enough space to draw freely, and there are even four ExpressKeys and a Rocker Ring built in the tablet surface to quickly access your most used functions.
The Cintiq 13HD comes with the predecessor of the Pro Pen 2, the simple Pro Pen. This older stylus is not as sensitive as the current industry leader. But the 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity in both pen nib and eraser as well as the 40 degrees tilt support are still more than enough to create intuitively and naturally.
The Wacom Cintiq 13HD is not touch-sensitive, but you can upgrade to a Cintiq 13HD Pen & Touch Display, if you prefer using your fingertips for functions like zooming, panning, and so on.
PROS
- Good all-round display tablet with decent color performance, brightness, and contrast
- 1920 x 1080 native screen resolution for pin-sharp details
- Lightweight and portable, yet sturdy build quality
- 3-in-1 cable for easy setup and a clutter-free workspace
- Low parallax
- Great value for money
CONS
- Matte screen texture dulls the colors a bit
- Stand isn’t as robust and flexible
- No touch functionality on the regular 13HD
Real deal for a budget
Feature Round-up
The Cintiq 16 belongs to Wacom’s more affordable display tablet line. It offers more advanced features, while retailing for only around $50 more than the Cintiq 13HD.
The regular Cintiq 16 is a great, budget-conscious alternative to Wacom’s Cintiq Pro models.
→ What Is The Difference Between Cintiq And Cintiq Pro?
While the Cintiq 16’s color gamut (72% NTSC or 96% sRGB) is lower than that of the pro tablets, you should only notice the difference when holding the Cintiq right next to a high-end monitor.
Besides the added bonus of a screen to draw on, the Cintiq 16 offers essentially the same features as the Wacom Intuos Pro, but with no multi-touch capability and no built-in ExpressKeys. If you’d like to have your most-used shortcuts handy, you can get the optional ExpressKey Remote.
The 15.6-inch screen is slightly textured and has an anti-glare coating, so working with overhead lighting shouldn’t be an issue. Parallax is minimal and tracking is virtually lag-free. And the included Pro Pen 2 lets you enjoy the best responsiveness available in the market!
The active area of 13.6 x 7.6 inches offers sufficient space for most editing needs, and with the two foldout legs on the rear, you can raise the tablet to a comfortable 19-degree angle.
PROS
- Great overall specs for a mid-range drawing tablet with screen
- Pro Pen 2 included & compatibility with Pro Pen 3D
- High levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt responsiveness
- 3-in-1 cable to avoid clutter and keep workspace neat
- Textured surface for natural drawing feel with different surface textures available
- Least expensive higher-end Wacom display tablet
CONS
- Moderate screen resolution and color gamut
- No Express Keys & Multi Touch capability
- Stand not included
Most Affordable with Pro Specs
Feature Round-up
The Cintiq Pro 13 is the smallest and most affordable display tablet in Wacom’s Cintiq Pro lineup.
The Cintiq Pro 13 looks sleek and modern with an etched glass cover that extends over the entire tablet surface up to the bezels. The screen has a nice tactile feel that emulates a real-life drawing experience.
Just like all Cintiq Pro tablets and the MobileStudio Pro, the Cintiq Pro 13 comes with bonded glass, which does away with any parallax issues completely.
The color performance of the small Pro is extremely accurate, but it has a lower color gamut and brightness than its larger siblings. The Cintiq Pro 13 is capable of displaying 87% of the Adobe RGB spectrum, whereas the larger Cintiq Pro 24 features 99% and the Cintiq Pro 32 98% of Adobe RGB.
If you’re fan of gesture-based input, you’ll be delighted to hear that all Cintiq Pros come with multi-touch capability as standard. For everyone who doesn’t like that feature; it can be toggled on and off at the push of a button.
Like all recent Wacom tablets, the Cintiq Pro 13 doesn’t have built-in hotkeys, but it’s compatible with the ExpressKey Remote that you can purchase separately.
If you occasionally want to move your display tablet around between your home and your office or like to hold it in your lap while editing, that’s absolutely possible with the Cintiq Pro 13. The device weighs just under 2.5 pounds and is compact enough for some random carrying around.
PROS
- HD screen resolution (1920 x 1080px) for pin-sharp details
- Wide color gamut of 87% Adobe RGB
- Etched glass surface provides tactile resistance for pen-on-paper feel
- High levels of responsiveness with included Pro Pen 2 & compatibility with Pro Pen 3D and Pro Pen slim
- Lightweight and more portable for edition in your lap or on the go
- Compatible with optional ExpressKey Remote for best workflow speeds
CONS
- 250 cd/m2 brightness is not top standard
- Stand needs to be purchased separately
Largest in Price Range
Feature Round-up
The Wacom Cintiq 22 is the twin brother of the Cintiq 16 – with the same specifications, just bigger. What makes the Cintiq 22 stand out among mid-range display tablets is its ample working area. The 21.5-inch screen is ideal for all artists and designers who like to work with long, sweeping brush strokes.
The 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution and 210 cd/m2 brightness are the same as the smaller Cintiq 16, but less sharp than the 4K screen of the larger Pro models.
Another thing that the Cintiq 22 does not have in common with the Pros is the laminated surface. However, the parallax of the Cintiq 22 is so minimal that it’s very unlikely to get into your way when editing. The anti-glare coating does not only reduce reflections but also offers some nice, natural resistance as you move the stylus across the active area. The stylus is the same as that of the Pros – the Pro Pen 2 provides the highest levels of sensitivity and tilt recognition.
Just like the Cintiq 16, the Cintiq 22 has no on-tablet hotkeys and doesn’t support multi-touch input. For all artists who like to have maximum shortcut accessibility, there is Wacom’s compatible ExpressKey Remote that you can purchase separately.
Contrary to its smaller sibling, which only has foldout legs, the Cintiq 22 comes with a built-in adjustable stand. The stand is much more flexible and allows you to tilt the device to a range of comfortable angles.
PROS
- Full HD display with good color reproduction and brightness
- Lowest price Wacom Cintiq of that size
- Minimal parallax
- Textured surface providing natural resistance to the stylus
- Same pen technology as the Pro tablets with 8,192 pressure levels and 60 degrees tilt
- Built-in adjustable stand
CONS
- No built-in ExpressKeys
- No touch-based input capability
- Relatively heavy (5.6 kg without stand)
Pro level standalone
Feature Round-up
The Wacom MobileStudio Pro is a stand-alone graphics tablet, available with a 13-inch and 16-inch screen. The least expensive Mobile Studio Pro 13 of the first generation retails for around US$1,500. The more expensive models run Windows 10 Professional, while the more affordable versions come with Windows 10 Home Edition.
Like all high-end Wacom display tablets, the MobileStudio Pro 13 includes the industry-leading Pro Pen 2 with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Along with 60 degrees of tilt recognition, the MobileStudio Pro offers the most natural drawing experience currently available. Tracking is virtually lag-free, and the laminated screen reduces the parallax gap to an unnoticeable minimum.
The 13.3-inch WQHD display has a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels and superb color accuracy. Color gamut is quoted at 80% of Adobe RGB and color depth at 16.7 million colors. The screen is coated with an anti-glare texture and also is touch-sensitive, meaning you can use your fingertips to pan, zoom, rotate your canvas, etc.
6 built-in ExpressKeys and a Touch Ring offer you more options to quickly access often used functions without having to move your hands away from the tablet.
The MobileStudio Pro is sturdy quality, while being compact and portable, which makes it a great device for some quick editing on the go or to work with it in your lap as you’re sitting in your favorite armchair…
PROS
- Etched glass surface with tactile feel offering right amount of resistance for most natural drawing feel
- Vibrant colors and excellent color gamut coverage of 82% Adobe RGB
- Precise pixel-level positioning with virtually lag-free tracking and no parallax
- Super-responsive Wacom Pro Pen 2 and compatibility with Pro Pen 3D
- MicroSD slot for additional storage and easy image import
- Compact dimensions, portable weight and Wi-Fi connectivity for creative editing on the go
CONS
- Battery life is only about 4 hours
- Brightness of 250cd/m2 is not top standard
- Stand only included with Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 2nd generation
Largest in Price Range
Feature Round-up
The Wacom Cintiq 27QHD is a display tablet for professionals. Despite being released back in 2016, the tablet is still top-notch and the display comes with excellent specs. Color performance (1.07 billion colors and 97% Adobe RGB) and brightness (330 cd/m2) belong to the highest in class. The Cintiq 27QHD’s active area measures 23.5 x 13.2 inches, offering ample space for drawing and keeping reference images open next to your art.
The glass covers the entire surface of the tablet and is slightly etched, offering the exact amount of resistance to emulate a natural drawing feel. Wacom’s AHVA technology effectively keeps reflections down to a minimum, so you can work comfortably without being distracted by glare. One thing to mention is the little gap between the pen tip and the cursor, but it’s hardly noticeable and very unlikely to get into your way when editing.
The Cintiq 27QHD comes with the Pro Pen 1, providing you with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity and 40 degrees tilt recognition. That’s not completely up to what we’re used to today, but tracking is precise and jitter-free.
Just like Wacom’s most recent high-end display tablets, the Cintiq Pro 24 and Cintiq Pro 32, the Cintiq 27QHD has magnetic bezels on both sides that can hold the ExpressKey Remote. The good thing is that you don’t need to purchase the Remote separately, because it’s included in the package. That means you will get endless customization options without having to pay for it extra!
If, on top of that, you also prefer to work with gesture-based input, there’s the Wacom Cintiq 27QHD Touch available for around US$400 more.
PROS
- Sleek design with a large drawing surface
- Accurate and precise tracking with 5080 lpi pen resolution
- QHD resolution with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
- Top display brightness and color performance
- Included ExpressKey Remote with 17 customizable buttons and 160 hours operation time
CONS
- Stand not included
- Slight but noticeable parallax
- Relatively heavy (19.8 lbs, without stand)
Oldie but goodie
Feature Round-up
The Cintiq 22HD is one of the best Wacom display tablets on our list that was released earlier, back in 2012. Nonetheless, you will get an impeccable and powerful device whose sales price has dropped quite a bit in recent years.
The Cintiq 22HD’s screen is a 21.5-inch Full HD H-IPS display with a 16:9 widescreen ratio, 1920 x 1080 resolution, and an active area of 18.87 by 10.68 inches. With a color depth of 16.7 million colors and a color gamut of 72% Adobe RGB, the display offers stellar performance. The active area is slightly textured to make drawing feel natural.
Where you need to lower your sights, however, is display brightness (210 cd/m2) and responsiveness (2,048 levels pressure and 40 degrees tilt). While the latest display tablets offer four times as much pressure sensitivity, the supplied Grip Pen is still highly accurate and jitter-free.
On the bright side, the Cintiq 22HD comes with 16 built-in ExpressKeys, two Center Buttons, and two Touch Strips on the rear – plenty of customization options to speed up your workflow immensely! If these are not yet enough shortcuts for you, you can go for the Cintiq 22HD Touch with additional multi-touch input capability.
The included stand is up to standard as well. It offers a 180° rotation feature and lets you adjust the tablet’s swivel and angle the way you need. Three cables connect through a center ring on the back (DVI, USB, and AC adapter), keeping your desktop neat and avoiding tangled cables!
PROS
- Large Full HD display with natural surface texture
- Excellent resolution (5080 lpi, highest in class) for precise tracking without jitter
- Highly responsive Grip Pen with eraser and tilt recognition
- 16 customizable ExpressKeys, 2 Touch Rings & 2 Touch Strips on the back for an intuitive workflow
- Adjustable stand with swivel function
- Compatible with different Wacom pens (e.g. Classic, Inking, Art & Airbrush Pen)
CONS
- Delicate surface texture may scratch easily
- Quite huge footprint and heavy weight (around 18 lbs with stand)
- No standalone device (needs computer connection)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wacom the best tablet?
Unlike most competitors, Wacom pens are cordless and battery-free. They work with Wacom’s patented electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, which enables the stylus to draw its power through the tablet’s active area. This reduces maintenance and weight, so the stylus feels more like a real pen in your hand. However, what really sets Wacom tablets apart is greater pen precision and pressure sensitivity.
Apart from that, Wacom tablets come with better drivers and customer support. Whether you need country-specific support, an easy-to-reach customer service, or an interactive forum – all of that is much more accessible when it’s about a Wacom tablet. When purchasing a tablet of a little-known brand, you’re much more likely to not get adequate support when you run into a problem with your device.
What graphics tablet do professionals use?
Ask around among your artist friends, look around in art forums – you’ll always come to see that most professionals are died-in-the-wool Wacom users.
→ Best Graphics Tablet For Professionals – Top 10 Picks
What sets Wacom tablets apart from other brands are pressure sensitivity, tilt and, in some cases, rotation recognition of the pen used to control parameters such as brush size, opacity, scatter and flow very intuitively.
As for non-display tablets, the Intuos Pro line tablets are the preferred tools of the trade for professionals. They offer the highest pressure sensitivity currently available on the market, and have considerably more functionality as compared to lower-end tablets.
The cream of the crop are the Wacom Cintiq pen displays (Cintiq 16 and Cintiq 22), in particular those of the Pro series (Cintiq Pro 13, Cintiq Pro 16, Cintiq Pro 24, Cintiq Pro 32). They offer all the pressure sensitivity and tilt response features of the Wacom Intuos tablets but with the benefit to draw directly onscreen.
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My name is Angie and I’m a self-taught digital artist. On this blog, I am sharing my knowledge and discussing the best software and hardware for different artistic needs. My desire is to offer options for all creative stages and budgets so that everyone can follow their dream and create art!
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