PROS
- 4K screen resolution for pixel-perfect accuracy
- Excellent color representation with 94% of Adobe RGB
- Most natural pen-on-screen experience with Wacom Pro Pen 2
- Etched glass surface with anti-glare coating to reduce reflections and provide tactile resistance to the stylus
- Multi-Touch for gesture-based input as standard
- Ample drawing space while still being lightweight and portable
CONS
- Adjustable stand and ExpressKey Remote not included
- 250 cd/m2 brightness is not top standard
- USB-C connection can be a bit loose and requires adapter for older computers
Is the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 worth it?
Wacom is the top player in the industry when it comes to graphic tablets for digital artists and photographers. Wacom’s Cintiq range includes the best drawing tablets with screen that you can get on the market.
Wacom’s current creative pen display lineup consists of the basic Cintiqs (Cintiq 16 and Cintiq 22), and the higher-end Cintiqs for professional use, the Cintiq Pro line.
The Cintiq Pro 16 Creative Pen & Touch Display lies exactly in the middle of Wacom’s Cintiq Pro lineup, with the smaller Cintiq Pro 13 on one end, and the larger Cintiq Pro 24 and Cintiq Pro 32 on the other.
As compared to previous models, the Cintiq Pro 16 comes with much better screen specs and a more natural drawing experience thanks to the included Pro Pen 2.
The 15.6-inch screen with 4K 3840 x 2160 px resolution allows for accurate and crisp images down to the smallest detail. With 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity along with tilt recognition, the Pro Pen 2 brings digital editing as close to working with a pen on paper as practically possible.
Like all Wacom tablets, the Cintiq Pro 16 is build quality. With its back made of one solid piece of metal, the Pro 16 is sturdy and durable.
For more drawing space, there are the 24-inch and 32-inch Cintiq Pro, also with 4K resolution. At US$2,000 and US$3,300, they are naturally the most expensive models in the Cintiq Pro lineup. The current Cintiq Pro 16 retails for around US$1,500, while the smaller 13-inch version costs around US$1,000.
If those prices are a little out of your range, check out our roundup of the Best Wacom Screen Tablets Below $1000.
For everybody who wants more in-depth info, let’s jump into our Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review and find out if the Cintiq 16 is worth it for you! ☺
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Key Specs
- Screen: 15.6 in, 3840 x 2160 px, IPS UHD
- Color gamut & brightness: 94% Adobe RGB, 250 cd/m2
- Active area: 13.6 x 7.5 in (345 x 194 mm)
- Pen technology: 8,192 pressure levels, ±60 levels tilt recognition, 5080 lpi
- Buttons & Touch: No hotkeys, Multi-touch functionality
- Size: 16.2 x 10.4 x 0.7 in (410 x 265 x 17.5 mm)
- Weight: 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) without stand
Getting Started – Unboxing the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16
OK, let’s kick off this Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review by unboxing the pen display!
When taking the Cintiq Pro 16 out of the box, you’re holding a professional 3.3-pound (1.5 kg) device in your hands. The tablet measures 16.2 inches in width and 10.4 inches in height, while being 0.7 inches slim (410 x 265 x 17.5 mm).
Although you rather want to use the Cintiq Pro 16 as a stationary device, its dimensions and weight are still portable, allowing for some random carrying around. For that purpose, Wacom offer a soft case for the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 to protect it from scratches.
The screen is covered with a glass surface that extends over the bezel to the edges of the tablet. There are no hotkeys on the tablet, only five touch-buttons in the top right corner that will light up as soon as the tablet is powered on.
You’ll see one strip of rubber running along the bottom rear, and two little hatches at the top. The rubber strip helps keep the tablet in place on your desk, and the two hatches are foldout legs that tilt the device to a comfortable 20-degree angle.
Altogether, the Cintiq Pro 16 looks sleek and professional, while being a sturdy and durable piece of kit.
What’s in the box?
- Wacom Cintiq Pro 16
- Wacom Pro Pen 2 with 4 color pen rings
- Pen stand with 10 replacement nibs (6 standard and 4 felt nibs) and nib removal tool
- Pen holder
- Power cable
- Wacom Link Plus with Micro-USB, Mini-DisplayPort, HDMI port, 2 USB-C ports, and cables (USB-C to USB-C, Mini-DiplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort, USB-A to Micro-USB)
- Quick Start Guide
- Regulation Sheet
- Cleaning cloth
Getting started with the Cintiq Pro 16
Setting up the Cintiq Pro 16 graphic tablet is easy. Once you’ve plugged in the Cintiq’s power cable and hooked it up with your computer, it’s plug & play.
You can download the drivers for Mac or Windows from Wacom’s website and start customizing your tablet.
Is the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 standalone?
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 is not a standalone device. That means you cannot use it without a PC or Mac.
The Pro 16 doesn’t have a built-in battery and wireless Bluetooth connectivity. Therefore, it needs cables to connect it to a computer and power supply at all times.
If you like to work with a standalone tablet for more editing flexibility, then check out the Cintiq Pro 24 and Cintiq Pro 32 that can be turned into full-fledged, standalone Windows PCs with Wacom’s Cintiq Pro Engine.
There are also the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 and 16 that come as ready-made standalone graphic tablets.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review: Display Technology
Is the Cintiq Pro 16 big enough?
The display of the Cintiq Pro 16 measures 15.6 inches diagonally and offers an active area of 13.6 by 7.6 inches (345 x 194 mm).
The drawing area is slightly bigger than the regular A4 sheet of paper. So if you feel comfortable working with this size, then the 16-inch Wacom Cintiq Pro is a great choice for you.
However, if you like to have a reference image open next to your canvas, or different windows and toolbars, then a larger size might be better for you.
If you feel the Cintiq Pro 16 is too small for you, but you don’t want to go for the larger and more expensive Cintiq Pro models, have a look at the regular Cintiq 22, the Cintiq 27QHD, and the Cintiq 22HD.
4K Ultra HD Display packed with Top-End Features
The display is packed with the latest top-end features. A 4K Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 px guarantees super-crisp images for pixel-perfect editing.
Color representation is excellent, too. The screen is capable of displaying 16.7 million colors and 94% of the Adobe RGB spectrum – which makes it the absolutely best in class.
This is only topped by the larger Cintiq Pro 24 and Pro 32 that can display up to 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut.
Adding to that a contrast ratio of 1000:1, you can be sure to get great looking colors and high definition with the Cintiq Pro 16.
At 250 cd/m2, the brightness could be a little bit higher. But the Cintiq Pro 16 comes with an anti-glare coating that effectively cuts down on reflections. So glare shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’re working under normal indoor lighting conditions.
What’s more, the etched surface provides some nice tactile resistance to the stylus as you’re moving it over the drawing area. This creates a much more natural feeling than when moving a plastic nib over a slippery glass pane.
Digital editing can probably not get any closer to drawing with a pen on paper.
The #Wacom #CintiqPro16 gets you as close to drawing with a pen on paper as #digitalediting possibly can.
Immersive editing with no parallax effect
Speaking about parallax, the gap between pen nib and brush pointer is vanishingly small because the Cintiq Pro 16 has a bonded display like the top-tier Cintiq Pro 24, Cintiq Pro 32, and the MobileStudio Pro.
That means there’s virtually no parallax noticeable.
Cheaper devices tend to have a parallax effect, meaning the line you are drawing appears slightly off from where you pen tip is.
Multi-touch capability as standard
The Cintiq Pro 16 comes with multi-touch capability as standard. All artists who like gesture-based input can use their fingers to navigate around the screen.
For all those who think that touch is more of a curse than a blessing – don’t worry. The feature can be toggled off at the push of one of the light-buttons along the top of the display.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review: Pen Technology
Like all of Wacom’s professional tablets – from the Intuos Pro to the MobileStudio Pro – the Cintiq Pro 16 comes with the company’s market-leading pen technology – the Pro Pen 2.
Highest levels of pressure & tilt sensitivity
The Pro Pen 2 boasts an insane 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, giving you the most natural and immersive drawing experience you can get from a digital stylus.
You’ll see that the brushstrokes are highly accurate and jitter-free – even when zooming in close. With a response time of 25ms, there’s no noticeable lag.
All artists working with a graphics program that is able to recognize rotation can also enjoy the Pro Pen 2’s 60 degrees of tilt recognition.
Tilt recognition makes for the realistic simulation of a paintbrush, as the brush strokes change with the angle of the stylus (think of writing with a calligraphy pen).
This is also great when using the Cintiq Pro 16 for photography, e.g. with Photoshop, Lightroom, or Illustrator. What many people don’t know is that tools like Dodge and Burn in Photoshop are pressure- and tilt-sensitive, too.
The #WacomCintiqPro16 UHD with the #WacomProPen2 gives you the most natural drawing experience.
Pressure-sensitive eraser & customizable side-switches
The Pro Pen 2 includes an eraser at the back, with the same 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. If you’ve drawn a wrong line, you can simply flip around the pen and erase it – just like with a real pencil.
There are also two side-switches that allow you to quickly access handy shortcuts. The side-switches can be customized in the Wacom Desktop Center where you can assign them any function you like (zooming in and out, undo/redo, rotate, etc.).
Just like most of Wacom’s pens, the Pro Pen 2 is battery-free and wireless. It draws its energy over the display, using Wacom’s patented EMR (electromagnetic resonance) technology. That means the pen doesn’t need any charging and is ready to use any time.
There’s an ergonomic silicon-free rubber grip at the bottom. It’s a bit bulkier than a regular pencil and makes holding the Pro Pen 2 comfortable – even during extended editing sessions.
Pen stands and replacement nibs
Wacom include a pen holder and a pen stand in the package. The pen holder can be attached to one side of the tablet. This is where you can clip in the pen to store it safely when you don’t need it.
The pen stand, on the other hand, accommodates the pen when you need to lay it down shortly during your drawing session. It also contains the nib removal tool and 10 replacement nibs, 6 standard and 4 felt nibs.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review: Creative Experience
Drawing on the Cintiq Pro 16 feels super-natural (pun intended 😄). It’s very much like working with a pen on paper. The etched coating offers some nice ‘bite’ for the stylus, so you don’t slip like on a glass screen.
With the Ultra HD 4K resolution, every detail is extremely sharp and colors look vivid and vibrant.
The highly sensitive Pro Pen 2 reacts to the slightest bit of pressure. Pressing harder makes the lines look thicker and more opaque. Light pressure results in thinner and more transparent lines.
Along with the Pro Pen’s sensitivity to tilt, tilt-capable graphic programs can recognize even subtle rotations that you apply to the pen.
There are two legs on the Cintiq Pro’s back that you can flip out to tilt the tablet to a comfortable 20-degree angle. If you want more flexible positions, you need to get the optional stand for the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16.
The adjustable stand allows setting the tablet to three different angles. But unfortunately, Wacom don’t include it in the package.
Wacom Stand for Cintiq Pro 16
The Mobile Stand can hold the Cintiq Pro 16 at three different angles, offering you more flexibility and drawing comfort.
As I mentioned above, the five softkeys in the top right corner are the only buttons you’ll find on the device. You can use them to access functions like the settings, on-screen keyboard, tablet mode, and to toggle touch input on and off.
Pressing the Tablet Mode button turns your Cintiq Pro into a regular Intuos Pro, which you can then use like a screenless drawing tablet.
The absence of on-tablet hotkeys is considered a disadvantage by some, while others love the minimal design that it brings to the tablet.
Of course, you can place your keyboard right next to the device, so you can quickly reach over to access common shortcuts. If you like to enjoy the comfort of a Touch and Rocker Ring, Home Button, and 17 customizable keys, then you can get Wacom’s additional ExpressKey Remote.
ExpressKey Remote
The Wacom ExpressKey Remote with 17 customizable buttons puts your favorite shortcuts right at your fingertips.
One more thing we need to talk about in this Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review: fan noise. There’s a fan inside the tablet that will kick in intermittently as you’re working on the device. You can see the ventilation holes on the back of the Cintiq.
The fan isn’t too noisy, though. It’s probably as loud as the fan of a typical mid-range laptop. However, it’s something to consider before buying the Cintiq Pro 16.
All larger Cintiq Pro’s have built-in fans, including the Cintiq Pro 24 and Pro 32. The only tablet without fan in the Cintiq Pro line is the smaller Cintiq Pro 13.
Compatibility & Connectivity
Let’s come to the end of this Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review by having a look at the operating system requirements and connectivity options.
You can use the Cintiq Pro 16 with both a PC and a Mac. It’s compatible with Window 7 or later and Mac OS X 10.11 or later.
How to connect the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16?
If you have newer computer with USB-C ports, then all you need is a single cable connection. However, the flipside of using a USB-C to USB-C cable is that the connection is somewhat loose on both ends. An accidental push might knock off the data flow. All you can do then is plug the cables back in and restart the system.
If, on the other hand, you have an older computer without USB-C ports, then you can use Wacom’s included Link Plus adapter. On the tablet side, you still plug in the USB-C cable, which then branches out through the adapter into a USB-C and Mini-DisplayPort connection to your computer.
You can also connect the Cintiq Pro 16 via HDMI, but keep in mind that this only supports a QHD resolution with up to 2560 x 1440 pixels. If you want to enjoy 4K UHD, then you’ll need to connect via Mini-DisplayPort.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Accessories
Replacement pens
One thing one shouldn’t forget to speak about in this Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review is the multiple pen alternatives that you can use with the tablet.
The Cintiq Pro 16 is compatible with a whole range of other Wacom styluses, so all digital artists can find the right pen for their needs. The compatible replacement pens include:
- Pro Pen 3D,
- Pro Pen slim,
- Classic Pen,
- Airbrush Pen,
- Art Pen, and
- Previous Pro Pen 1.
Wacom color manager
As an optional accessory, the Wacom Color Manager will help you calibrate the Cintiq Pro 16 to achieve perfect color accuracy.
The Wacom Color Manager is a standalone unit, powered by X-Rite and consisting of a colorimeter and calibration software. It will auto-adjust parameters like screen color, grayscale gamma, white point and others.
It’s a great add-on for all professional users whose workflow depends on precise color and display calibration.
Color Manager
Wacom Color Manager for the Cintiq Pro 16 to auto-adjust color accuracy.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Alternatives
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs Wacom Cintiq 16
The Cintiq 16 is Wacom’s best drawing tablet with screen in the mid-price range. Retailing for less than half the price of the Cintiq Pro 16, it’s Wacom’s most budget-friendly display tablet in the higher-end Cintiq family.
However, to make a screen tablet of that size available at such a low price, Wacom had to drop some of the pro features. While having exactly the same drawing area, the Cintiq 16 has ‘only‘ 1920 x 1080 px Full HD resolution – instead of 4K like the Pro 16.
Color gamut (72% NTSC) and screen brightness (210 cd/m2) are not as good as on the pro either. And another feature that Wacom did cut down on is multi-touch functionality.
So in terms of regular Wacom Cintiq 16 vs Pro, the Cintiq 16 is still a great upgrade for all artists coming from an Intuos or Intuos Pro tablet, and a fantastic investment for creators on a budget.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs 13
The Cintiq Pro 13 is the smaller sibling of the Pro 16.
Apart from being larger, the Cintiq Pro 16 has slightly better specs than the smaller 13-inch model.
Just like the regular Cintiq, the Pro 13’s resolution is not 4K, but a 1920 x 1080 px Full HD.
While screen brightness is the same, the Pro 13’s color representation of 87% Adobe RGB is lower than the Pro 16.
Aside from that, the Pro 13 uses the same pen technology as its larger counterpart, and also features multi-touch capability as standard.
So Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 or 13? → Read our full Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review for more.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs 24
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is huge. It’s one of Wacom’s flagship models for professional editing on ample screen size.
Everything about the Cintiq Pro 24 is top class: 23.6 inches screen size, 3840 x 2160 px 4K Ultra HD resolution, 99% of Adobe RGB color gamut, and 350 cd/m² of display brightness.
The ExpressKey Remote is included in the package, and the optional Cintiq Pro Engine can turn the Pro 24 into a standalone Windows PC.
So whether you go for the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 or 24 totally depends on your editing needs – and, of course, the free space on your desk…
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs 22HD
The Cintiq 22HD was released back in 2012, but still is a solid drawing tablet with great performance and screen size.
With a 21.5-inch screen, 1920 x 1080 px HD resolution, 72% of Adobe RGB color gamut, and 230 cd/m2 of brightness, the Cintiq 22HD is still up-to-the-minute.
If you want gesture-based input, you need to go for the Cintiq 22HD Touch model. But even with the regular 22HD, you get plenty of on-tablet input buttons: 16 ExpressKeys, 2 Center Rings, and 2 Touch Strips on the rear.
By default, the Cintiq 22HD uses the Grip Pen with 2,048 pressure levels and 40 degrees of tilt recognition, but is compatible with the Wacom Pro Pen 2.
Are you not sure yet whether Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 or 22HD? → Read our full Wacom Cintiq 22HD Review for more.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16
The Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 has the screen size in common with the Cintiq Pro 16. But apart from that, the MobileStudio is a full-featured, standalone Windows PC, available with different processors, RAM, and disk space.
As you see, there’s a whole set of buttons available on the tablet: 8 hotkeys and one touch ring in the middle. You can have these buttons either at the left or right side, so it’s easy to use for both left- and right-handers.
The screen is touch-capable as well, and the included Pro Pen 2 ensures the ultimate natural drawing experience.
You can hook up a mouse or a keyboard via Bluetooth, and let the tablet rest on your knees or lap while editing. Can it get any more comfortable…? 😏
| Tablet | Screen specs | Response & Resolution | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Cintiq Pro 16 |
• 15.6 in, 3840 x 2160, IPS UHD • 94% Adobe RGB • 250 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
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 |
| Cintiq Pro 24 |
• 23.6 in, 3840 x 2160, 4K: Ultra HD • 99% Adobe RGB • 350 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$2500 |
| Cintiq Pro 32 |
• 31.5 in, 3840 x 2160, 4K: Ultra HD • 98% Adobe RGB • 310 cd/m2 |
• 8,192 pressure levels • 60 degrees tilt • 5080 lpi resolution |
US$3300 |
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review:
Overall rating
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 is the ideal tool for all professional creators and ambitious hobbyists that like to enjoy top-class features on a still quite compact and portable device.
With a drawing area that is slightly larger than an A4 sheet of paper, the Cintiq Pro 16 lies in the lower price segment of professional Wacom tablets.
Still, it comes with all the features of the Pros, including 4K screen resolution, 94% of Adobe RGB color gamut, multi-touch input, and a satisfying 250 nits of brightness.
All in all, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 UHD with the Wacom Pro Pen 2 is a build quality device, offering you the most natural drawing experience to expect from a digital tablet!
PROS
- 4K screen resolution for pixel-perfect accuracy
- Excellent color representation with 94% of Adobe RGB
- Most natural pen-on-screen experience with Wacom Pro Pen 2
- Etched glass surface with anti-glare coating to reduce reflections and provide tactile resistance to the stylus
- Multi-Touch for gesture-based input as standard
- Ample drawing space while still being lightweight and portable
CONS
- Adjustable stand and ExpressKey Remote not included
- 250 cd/m2 brightness is not top standard
- USB-C connection can be a bit loose and requires adapter for older computers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 discontinued?
Yes, Wacom have discontinued the Cintiq Pro 16 in 2020. You can still obtain the tablet from their resellers, or buy a used or refurbished one from the typical online platforms.
Can I use the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 without PC?
The Cintiq Pro 16 is not a standalone device. That means you must connect it to a PC or Mac to be able to use it.
Currently, Wacom’s product range includes four pen displays that are standalone tablets or can be turned into one: the MobileStudio Pro 13 and 16, Cintiq Pro 24, and Cintiq Pro 32.
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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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