Wacom is the gold standard in the drawing tablet industry, and while their Cintiq screen tablets are first-rate, they are also known to be pricey. However, you do not necessarily need to cash out crazy amounts of money to find the best Wacom drawing tablet with screen for your artistic needs. Our lineup of the best Wacom screen tablet picks shows you what you can get for less than $1000. Excited? Let’s have a look!
What is the best Wacom drawing tablet with screen?
Finding the best Wacom screen tablet for your particular needs depends mainly on three factors: your current artist skill level, your creative way of working, and… on the size of your piggy bank!
Are you just getting started with digital art or have you already been in it for several years? Do you like to paint with wide strokes on a large area or is a smaller screen sufficient for your creations?
While Wacom’s professional pen displays that are used in studios around the world come with a four-figure price tag, there are more affordable Wacom tablets like the Cintiq 16 and Cintiq 22, which you can get below US$1000. Plus, with the new Wacom One released at the beginning of 2020, Wacom taps into the market of entry-level screen tablets and puts up their so far least expensive and best drawing tablet with screen for beginners.
So let’s have a look at our lineup of the Top 5 Best Wacom Screen Tablet Picks below $1000 in 2021!
Our lineup of The Top 5 Best Wacom Screen Tablet Picks below $1000
Wacom Cintiq 16
- Least expensive higher-end Wacom display tablet with great overall specs
- Pro Pen 2 with high levels of sensitivity
- Textured surface for authentic drawing experience
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
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
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 22
- Lowest price Wacom Cintiq of that size
- Full HD display with good color reproduction and brightness
- Pro Pen 2 technology & minimal parallax
These are the Best Wacom Screen Tablet Picks Below $1000 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 (below $1000 on sale) |
Our Round-up of the Best Wacom Tablet Picks below $1000
Jump to a specific Wacom screen tablet
Best Entry-Level
Feature Round-up
The Wacom One is the best drawing tablet with screen for beginners. It was launched at the beginning of 2020 and is one of Wacom’s most budget-friendly screen tablets, retailing for less than US$400. The Full HD screen measures 13 inch across and comes with AHVA technology for accurate off-center viewing.
The Wacom One is on the same level with higher-end screen tablets in many aspects. First of all, it has absolutely no parallax effect, because the screen is laminated like that of the pros. The resolution is a 1920 x 1080p, with 200 cd/m2 of brightness and 72% of NTSC color gamut for crisp and vibrant images.
However, there are a few sacrifices that you need to trade for the affordable price. The Wacom One Pen is not as responsive as the Pro Pen 2, but 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60 degrees of tilt still allow for a natural drawing feel.
Just like the high-end screen tablets, such as the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 and Cintiq Pro 32, the Wacom One has been stripped down of all unnecessary frills for a clean design, meaning you won’t find any built-in hotkeys on the screen tablet. If you like to work with shortcut buttons, you can still get the additional ExpressKey Remote with plenty of customization options.
If you’re a lot on the move, you’ll be delighted to hear that you can easily hook up the Wacom One to select Android phones and tablets for some quick editing on the go. The Wacom One itself is lightweight and compact enough to tuck it in your bag and carry it along.
If that sounds like right down your alley, don’t forget to check out Wacom’s current offers – there are always great software bundles that you get for free when you purchase the device!
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
The Cintiq 13HD was released back in 2013 as the upgraded successor of the 12WX. Now, seven years later, the 13HD still offers great value for money and you can find it for less than US$600.
With an active area of 11.75 x 6.75 inches, the Cintiq 13HD is big enough to draw freely. The four ExpressKeys and the Rocker Ring on the tablet are real workflow boosters that give you quick access to your most-used functions. The regular Wacom Cintiq 13HD is not touch-sensitive, but there’s also the Cintiq 13HD Pen & Touch Display, if you like to work with gesture-based input.
The image on the Cintiq 13HD is vivid and sharp. The display features 16.7 million colors, 75% Adobe RGB, and 250 cd/m2 brightness, making it the best cheap drawing tablet with screen for all artists who are willing to trade slightly reduced sensitivity for better screen performance than in the Wacom One.
Nevertheless, the Pro Pen has more than 2,000 levels of pressure sensitivity for both pen nib and eraser, which is more than enough for most creatives. There are also three side switches on the pen that you can program to your most used shortcuts to have them handy at your fingertips.
PROS
- Good all-round display tablet with decent color performance, brightness, and contrast
- 1920x1080 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
Best Value for Money
Feature Round-up
The Cintiq 16 is one of Wacom’s best screen tablets that remains way below the $1000 mark. Retailing for around US$650, the Cintiq 16 is the ideal choice for all artists who are looking for a trade-off between affordability and Pro specs.
Pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition and line resolution are absolutely up to standard, and the included Pro Pen 2 provides the highest levels of sensitivity and tilt recognition currently available in the market.
Just like the Wacom One, the Cintiq 16 has no multi-touch capability and no built-in ExpressKeys, but you can purchase the compatible ExpressKey Remote if you’d like to access shortcuts at the push of a button.
The 15.6-inch screen has an active area of 13.6 x 7.6 inches, providing sufficient drawing space for most artistic requirements. You don’t need to worry about parallax; the little gap between the pen tip and curser is minimal and tracking is virtually lag-free.
Screen brightness (210 cd/m2) and color gamut (72% NTSC or 96% sRGB) are lower than the pro tablets, but the difference should only be noticeable when you hold the Cintiq right next to a high-end monitor.
Working on the Cintiq 16 is comfortable. The foldout legs on the rear allow you to tilt the device to a 19-degree angle, while the practical 3-in-1 cable connection keeps your desk neat and clutter-free.
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 least expensive display tablet in Wacom’s Cintiq Pro series. Just like the MobileStudio Pro, all Wacom Cintiq Pro models come with bonded glass, which eliminates any parallax completely, resulting in the most accurate and intuitive drawing experience you can get from a screen tablet.
The Cintiq Pro 13 offers you 11.6 x 6.5 inches of active drawing area, approximately the size of a piece of paper. The glass surface is etched, reducing glare and providing some nice tactile resistance to the pen for more accuracy in your workflow.
Multi-touch is available on all Cintiq Pros as standard as well. If you’re not a fan of gesture-based input, you can easily toggle it off at the push of a button. One thing you won’t find on recent Cintiqs anymore is built-in hotkeys. Reacting to customer feedback, Wacom removed all hotkeys from the tablet surface because the majority of the users found that they get into the way when editing.
However, there’s an onscreen keyboard that you can pull up if you like to access shortcut commands on the display directly. Or you can get the additional ExpressKey Remote, which is super-handy and lasts you for more than 100 hours of work.
With 87% of the Adobe RGB, color representation on the Cintiq Pro 13 is not as high as on the larger Cintiq Pro 24 and Cintiq Pro 32, but still extremely accurate. If you’re working in the professional printing industry, you want to go for a higher color gamut. But for regular editing needs, the little Pro 13 is just perfect.
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 not exactly a candidate for our current list of Best Wacom Screen Tablet Picks, as its regular retail price is around US$1200. However, when on sale, you’ll have the chance to get your hands on it for less than US$1000. So, if you’re interested in a large drawing area paired with great higher-end specs, keep a close eye on the Cintiq 22 during Black Friday promotions, and the like.
Apart from the bigger screen, the Wacom Cintiq 22 is similar to the Cintiq 16. It comes with the same Full HD 1920 x 1080 px resolution, 210 cd/m2 brightness, and 72% NTSC color gamut. What you will get more of with the Cintiq 22 is drawing space. The 18.7 x 10.5 inches of active area give you enough room not only for long brush strokes but also for additional menus or reference images that you can keep open next to your artwork.
In terms of sensitivity, the Cintiq 22 does in no way lack behind the Pros. The Cintiq 22 comes with the same pen technology as the high-end tablets, the industry-leading Pro Pen 2. The Pro Pen 2 is cordless and battery-free and provides the highest levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition currently available.
One thing to note is that the Cintiq 22’s surface is not laminated like that of the pros, which leads to a small gap between the glass surface and the actual display. The resulting parallax is minimal, though, and nothing to worry about.
Just like the Cintiq 16, the 22 doesn’t support multi-touch input, but is also compatible with Wacom’s optional ExpressKey Remote that allows you to customize 17 buttons to whatever function you need.
Contrary to its smaller sibling, the Cintiq 22 has a built-in adjustable stand that allows you to tilt the tablet to a range of different drawing angles. All things considered, the Cintiq 22 is the best Wacom screen tablet for all artists that want flexible drawing comfort, ample drawing space, and top-notch features at a price well below the Pro models.
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)
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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!
