Wacom One Review: Excellent Drawing Tablet with a Screen on a Budget


Final Verdict

The Wacom One is an excellent option for digital artists and creative enthusiasts. Its sleek design, Full HD display, ergonomic battery-free pen with remarkable pressure sensitivity, wide-ranging compatibility, and user-friendly setup make it a winner for those on a budget.


Pros Cons
Spacious screen (13.3”)Lack of shortcut keys
High-resolution screen tablet Inability to adjust brightness 
Battery-free penNo touchscreen functionality 
Solid build quality
Affordable 

Specs

Size: 13.3-inch 

Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)

Weight: 1.0 kg / 2.2 lbs / 35.27 ounces 

Pen Type: Battery-free, pressure-sensitive; 4096 pressure levels

Pen Resolution: 2540 Ipi

Compatibility: Works well with Windows 7 and above, Mac OS 10.13 and above, and Android OS 6.0 and above.


Wacom is undeniably a major player in the world of graphic tablets. They consistently create tools that are highly regarded by digital artists and creative professionals.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the Wacom One. It’s worth mentioning that Wacom has done a fantastic job with this pen display. The best part is that this interactive pen display won’t cost you a fortune and is a great choice for both artists who are just starting and those who’ve been around the block.

Since this one meets digital artists’ expectations reasonably well, it’s only fair to dig deeper with a thorough review. We’ll look at its features, how easy it is to use, the setup process, and most importantly, whether it’s worth your money. 

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, we aim to help you figure out if the Wacom One is a good fit for you.

Wacom One Overview

Wacom One drawing tablet connected using USB cable with laptop computer

Starting with a brief overview, the Wacom One is a portable drawing device with a built-in screen, designed to elevate your drawing experience. It is suitable for a wide range of users, including both beginners and professional artists. 

So, whether you’re passionate about graphic design, digital illustration, or simply enjoy a good doodle session, the Wacom One is definitely worth checking out.  

This pen tablet offers a spacious 13.3-inch screen, providing you with ample space to pour your heart and soul onto the screen. 

It features an impressive Full HD display, which is a game-changer for your art. The real standout, however, is its pen, powered by EMR technology. Due to its pressure sensitivity, it’s perfect for graphic design, illustration, and sketching.

The good thing is that this creative pen tablet is designed with compatibility in mind. It works smoothly with Windows 7 and newer, Mac OS 10.13 and above, as well as Android OS 6.0 and higher. 

Design 

The Wacom One has a sleek and minimalistic design. It’s incredibly lightweight, weighing in at just 4.4 pounds.

Wacom One unboxing of display tablet and stylus

One interesting design feature is the built-in stand with two fold-out legs, allowing users to set the tablet at a comfortable 19-degree angle. However, some people might prefer a few more degrees of tilt for an even better viewing angle. 

The tablet has rubber grips on its legs and bottom edges to prevent sliding. There’s also a pen holder made of fabric at the top center, which is a handy addition.

Wacom One open foldable legs with rubber grips

But here’s the thing, the Wacom one doesn’t have any express keys. Some people might find that a bit inconvenient, especially if they’re used to those shortcut keys on other tablets, like the Wacom Intuos

It does take a little bit of time to get used to not having shortcut buttons, but honestly, it’s not a big deal. It’s kind of like having a car without those fancy cup holders – you can still drive just fine. 

Build Quality 

The Wacom One didn’t disappoint with its build quality. It has a solid and durable feel to it that’s quite impressive.

The tablet has a sleek matte surface that feels nice when you touch it, and it’s perfect for drawing. Plus, it has something even cooler – an anti-glare coating. This coating doesn’t just stop annoying reflections but also enhances the overall experience. 

Display and Pen Technology 

The Wacom One is primarily a pen display tablet. You can draw directly on the screen using a stylus (pen). It does not have built-in touch functionality like some other tablets that allow pen and touch input.

The display quality of Wacom One is quite impressive, especially considering it’s often seen as a beginner’s graphics tablet. 

The display’s color accuracy is highly commendable, making it ideal for tasks like drawing and photo editing. Yet, it’s important to consider your workspace. In a super bright workplace or under direct sunlight, you might want a bit more screen brightness to handle glare. However, for everyday indoor or home studio conditions, the display works like a charm.

Wacom One display tablet with pen

What’s truly impressive about this entry-level tablet is its top-tier pen experience. Its ergonomically designed, battery-free pen with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition up to 60 degrees delivers a paper-like drawing feel. 

With pen tilt support, adjusting brush angles and shading becomes as easy as pie. Plus, it’s super responsive, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable drawing experience.  

Performance 

The Wacom One truly shines when it comes to performance. It’s like having all the functions of a pricey pro tablet without the hefty price tag. You can draw, edit photos and videos, or get as creative as you want.

This tablet is a real winner for digital art. It performs exceptionally well in various tasks, delivering top-notch accuracy and responsiveness. Whether you are sketching, painting, or working on detailed illustrations, it handles each task like a champ. The pen pressure sensitivity is incredible, and it captures every line and stroke flawlessly. 

But here’s the thing, it’s not just for graphic design or art. You can also edit your photos and videos on the Wacom One. With the pen’s accuracy and pressure sensitivity, tasks like adjusting colors and retouching become much easier. 

Another noteworthy feature of the Wacom One is its ability to customize the pen buttons. This means you can easily switch between different tools, which makes your work faster as you don’t have to remember lots of complex keyboard shortcuts.

One tiny thing that bothered me a bit is that the pen doesn’t have an eraser. But, even without it, the Wacom One performs perfectly well in everything.

User Experience 

I like how simple it is to start using the Wacom One graphics tablet. You don’t have to go through a lot of tricky stuff to get it working. 

To set it up, just connect the Wacom One tablet to your operating device using a USB-C cable, similar to how you would plug in a phone charger to charge your phone. 

Once it’s physically connected to your desired device, visit Wacom’s website and install the necessary drivers, and that’s all you need to do to get it working. 

Once the tablet is connected and the drivers are installed, the calibration process is equally user-friendly. To make sure your pen works perfectly and the tablet knows precisely where the pen is on the screen, you’ll need to tap specific points on the screen when it asks you. 

Overall, the whole process is quick and easy, and it significantly improves the overall user experience.

Software and Compatibility 

The Wacom One is like a good friend that gets along with all your favorite art and design apps. It works smoothly with popular ones like Adobe Creative Cloud, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, ibisPaint, Corel Painter, and many more. 

So, no matter what creative software you like to use, this tablet makes your creative life a breeze. 

One additional point to note is that the Wacom One isn’t limited to only its pen. It’s also compatible with different pens from other brands, such as LAMY and Staedtler. So, if you happen to have a favorite pen from one of these brands, there’s a good chance you can use it with the Wacom One. 

Wacom also offers some free/bundled software, but here’s the deal – it’s only for Windows 10 users. You’ll get Clip Studio Paint Pro, a great drawing and painting app with a free license for up to six months. There’s also Adobe Premiere Rush, which is a user-friendly video editing tool. Plus, they’re planning to add Adobe Fresco soon, with a six-month license. 

To grab these freebies, all you have to do is create a Wacom account and register your tablet. 

Value for Money 

Now, you could be wondering, is the Wacom One’s price tag worth it? Yes, absolutely. At $399, the Wacom One is a steal compared to some high-end drawing tablets. It offers almost all the fancy features you’d find in other high-priced tablets. 

Its high-quality pen input, responsive display, and compatibility with various operating devices make it suitable for both beginners and professionals.

But, before you make your decision, consider your specific work needs. If you’re new to digital art, a beginner, or on a budget, the Wacom One is a perfect choice. It’s also an ideal option for professionals looking for an affordable drawing tablet.

However, if you’re used to larger displays or touchscreen features, it might not be your best match. But all in all, it’s a tablet worth trying.

Final Verdict 

Wacom has built a solid reputation as a trusted and favored brand among artists over the years, and they continue to live up to expectations with the Wacom One. When it comes to digital art tablets, Wacom One stands out as an excellent choice. It offers everything you need at an affordable price.

The Wacom One is an excellent option for digital artists and creative enthusiasts. Its sleek design, Full HD display, ergonomic battery-free pen with remarkable pressure sensitivity, wide-ranging compatibility, and user-friendly setup make it a winner for those on a budget.

Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Pen

Wacom One Drawing Tablet

The Wacom One is an excellent option for digital artists and creative enthusiasts who wish to elevate their digital art, photo editing, and drawing skills – while getting the most bang out of their buck

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Can Wacom One Be Used Without a Computer? 

No. The Wacom One cannot be used as a standalone device; it requires a computer or compatible device to function for drawing and graphic tasks.

How to Connect the Wacom One Pen Tablet to your Device? 

Follow these steps to connect:

  1. Connect one end of the provided USB-C cable to the tablet’s USB-C port.
  2. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to a USB port on your computer or device.
  3. After you’ve connected, go to Wacom’s website to download and install the drivers for your operating system.
  4. To finish installing the driver, follow the instructions shown on the screen
  5. Your Wacom One tablet will be recognized by your computer after installation, and you can begin using it with compatible software.

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