Wacom Cintiq 16 review

Cintiq 16 brings Wacom's professional pen to a mid-size screen. Wacom's page says it ships with the Wacom Pro Pen 3, the same pen as its pro models, which is battery-free and can be tuned with different nibs, grip thickness, balance weights and side switches (some accessories sold separately). The 16.0-inch display is 2.5K, which is sharper than the Full HD screens on the Huion and XPPen displays above it, and the anti-glare glass is direct bonded for near-zero parallax. Ports sit on the back so cables stay tidy when the display is tilted. On a computer with DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery it runs from one USB-C cable; otherwise you need HDMI and USB-A cables, which Wacom sells separately. The same family includes 23.8-inch Cintiq 24 models with and without touch. Wacom's US store did not show a price to our checker, so compare it with the Huion and XPPen prices before buying.

Who it is for

serious hobbyists and students moving up to a larger pen display

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 16.0-inch 2.5K display with anti-glare glass
• Wacom Pro Pen 3 included, the same pen as Wacom's professional models
• Direct bonding to reduce parallax
• USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports on the back
• Single USB-C cable connection on computers with DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Highest resolution of the pen displays on this list
• Strength: Battery-free Pro Pen 3 with adjustable grip, weights and side switches
• Strength: Also offered as Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 touch
• Weakness: Single-cable use needs DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery
• Weakness: HDMI and USB-A cables are sold separately
• Weakness: Wacom's US store did not show a price to our checker

Key facts

• Screen: 16.0-inch, 2.5K
• Pen: Wacom Pro Pen 3
• Ports: USB-C, HDMI, USB-A
• Surface: Anti-glare glass
• Other sizes: 23.8-inch, 23.8-inch touch

Where it ranks

Wacom Cintiq 16 is No. 7 in our Best Drawing Tablets verdict.