Tablet Duel: Huion KAMVAS Pro 16 vs Wacom Cintiq 16

Every digital artist needs a great drawing tablet. If you’ve come to that realization, you’ll be wondering which tablet you should get.

You might have seen the Wacom Cintiq and the Huion Kamvas Pro 16. They are both mid-range drawing tablets that get fantastic reviews.

Maybe you even stumbled across some of the fierce online debates. People have strong opinions about which tablet is better – the Wacom Cintiq 16 vs. the Kamvas Pro 16. 

Most artists have a favorite and will support their choice with strong arguments. The debate extends beyond these two products to the brands, too. 

Wacom vs. Huion is one of the most divisive topics in the creative world!

So, what’s the difference between Wacom and Huion?

Wacom has been around a lot longer, since the early 1980s. It was the first company to produce high-quality tablets for artists.

Over the decades, Wacom products developed a reputation for being the best around. But some people think their products are now too expensive compared to other products in the same line.

In contrast, Huion was founded in 2011 and is rapidly gaining popularity. Huion is like the innovative younger sibling that is trying to catch up with Wacom.

And Huion must be getting something right! Artists, illustrators, and designers worldwide choose Huion graphic tablets.

Let’s cut to the chase. Both Wacom and Huion produce excellent drawing tablets. 

But there are some key differences. For example, Wacom Cintiq is a drawing tablet, also known as a pen display tablet.

On the other hand, the Huion Kamvas is a graphic tablet. But you’ll need a computer to use both products.

So, which tablet should you go for, Huion Kamvas 16 vs. Wacom Cintiq 16?

The answer to that question will depend mainly on your personal preferences. But you can get closer to that answer by reading these in-depth reviews.

I’ll dive deeply into this question by examining each model’s features and comparing them. I’ll go into every detail in this Wacom vs Huion tablet review.

Read on to find out how these products fare, and which one you should buy!

Introducing the Wacom Cintiq 16

Wacom Cintiq 16

(Image credit: Wacom)

The Wacom Cintiq is an excellent drawing tablet with a great battery-free pen. It’s designed to feel like you’re drawing straight onto the paper rather than onto a glossy screen.

It’s ideal for drawing, sketching, and creating any kind of digital art. But the Wacom Cintiq is versatile, and you can also use it for editing photos, among other tasks.

The Pro Pen 2 is very responsive and precise, with tilt recognition and 8,192 pressure levels. When you apply pressure or tilt the pen, the smart technology picks up on it.

That allows you to create intricate and precise effects like shading. There are no delays or lags when using the Pro Pen 2 for a smooth experience.

You can also experiment with the different brush effects the pen offers. The stylus has one button that you can customize according to your needs.

Another bonus of the Wacom Cintiq is that it comes with extra design software. You get free access to Clip Studio Paint and Substance Suite.

The Wacom Cintiq is a mid-range drawing tablet that offers excellent value for money. It’s more advanced than entry-level tablets and has the features to show!

Wacom Cintiq 16 pen

(Image credit: Wacom)

This pen display tablet feels hard-wearing and durable. It’s constructed from quality plastic and has fold-out legs so that you can stand it up to get the right angle.

Pros:

  • An excellent, responsive drawing tablet with advanced sensitivity and features
  • The pen is very responsive with great sensitivity & brush options

Cons:

  • It doesn’t have any shortcut keys

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Introducing the Huion Kamvas Pro 16

Kamvas Pro 16

(Image credit: Huion)

The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 is another superb product for artists. If you want to get specific, it’s actually a graphic tablet. But it works almost the same way as the Wacom Cintiq.

The Kamvas Pro comes with a battery-free stylus that you use to draw directly onto the screen. 

You get a large space to get creative on, with a 15.6-inch laminated screen for all your sketches. The matte screen provides enough friction and feedback for an enjoyable experience.

The tablet looks sleek and professional, measuring only 11.5 mm and with small bezels. So, it takes up very little space and can fit into your bag with ease.

It also has six programmable shortcut keys, which allow you to set up a customized workflow. A nice feature! 

You can draw very detailed designs on this tablet. It’s super responsive so you can achieve smooth and gradual shading effects.

Kamvas Pro 16 Pen

(Image credit: Huion)

Plus, it comes with all the accessories you could need. As well as the pen, you get an adjustable stand, pen stand, replacement nibs, 3-in-1 cable, and cleaning cloth.

But getting the right calibration can take some time and error, so the setup may take a while. It’s good to know this from the start, so you’re not frustrated.

But once you’re done with the configuration, you can create incredible art on the Kamvas Pro.

The Kamvas 16 Pro looks and feels elegant and high-quality. But it’s very affordable and makes a fantastic choice for a beginner artist and a graphic designer or a student. 

Pros:

  • Impressive sensitivity with 8,192 pressure levels
  • It comes with handy features like the ergonomic pen and shortcuts keys

Cons:

  • Getting the calibration set up can be time-consuming

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Features face-to-face: Wacom Cintiq 16 vs. Huion Kamvas Pro 16

Wacom CintiqKamvas Pro 16
TypeDisplayDisplay
Display Size / Quality15.6 inches15.6 inches
Pressure Levels81928192
Stylus TypePressure-sensitive, EMREMR, Pressure sensitive
Stylus PowerBattery-freeBattery-free
Tilt Angle60 degrees60 degrees
Weight1.9 kg/4.19 lbs1.2 kg/2.6 lbs
Dimensions (WxH)16.2 X 10.4 inc14.42 X 8.55 inc
Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
Display Resolution5080 LPI5080 LPI
Controls2 Pen Buttons, No Shortcut Keys4 Shortcut Keys and Touchbar
InterfacesUSB-C, HDMI port and standard USB-A portUSB-C
OS CompatibilityWindows 7, Mac OS 10.11 & laterWindows 7 or later, MacOS 10.12 or later Android
Power SourcePower AdapterUSB
Accesories IncludedWacom Cintiq pro 16, Wacom Pro Pen 2
with 4-color pen ring set, Pen stand
with 10 replacement nibs(6 standards, 4 felt)
and nib removal tool, Pen Holder,
AC adaptor, Power cable, Wacom
Link Plus with Micro-USB,
Mini-DisplayPort, HDMI port and 2 USB-C ports & cables (USB-C to USB-C, Mini-DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort, USB-A to Micro-USB), Quick Start Guide, Regulation sheet cleaning cloth
Kamvas 13 Pen Display, Battery-free Pen PW517, 3-in-1 Cable, USB Extension Cable, Pen Holder PH05, Pen Nib Clip, 10x Pen Nibs, Glove, Cleaning Cloth, Quick Start Guide, Adjustable Stand ST300
ManufacturerWacomHuion

Now that you know a bit about each tablet, let’s take a closer look at the features of each product. In this section, I’ll do a deep dive and declare a winner for each category.

Display Size / Quality

The Kamvas Pro has a fully laminated, ultra-slim screen made of AG glass. 

That means there’s less distance between the screen and glass so that you can draw precise designs.

The screen measures 15.6 inches and displays colors in all their vibrancy, thanks to a 120% sRGB color gamut.

The wide viewing angle allows you to see your progress from any angle in all its beauty.

The Wacom Cintiq has a 15.6-inch etched glass screen. That means you have plenty of space to work on, and the anti-glare allows you to work comfortably. It also reduces the risk of eye strain.

The screen is also startlingly bright and vivid, with incredible color accuracy. The 1920 x 1080 HD screen displays your work in vibrant colors and full detail.

The best feature of the Wacom Cintiq display is that it really does feel like paper. It has a matte finish with the right amount of grit and tension to feel good under your pen. 

The Cintiq only has 96% sRGB color coverage compared to the Kamvas’ 120%. That means that the Kamvas should win on this score.

But in real life, the Cintiq looks more defined due to the ready-to-go calibration. But if you’re willing to spend time calibrating the Kamvas, you can get outstanding results.

But the Wacom Cintiq comes out as the winner of this very tight contest as it looks fantastic with no effort required.

Resolution

Both the Huion Kamvas and the Wacom Cintiq have a 1920 x 1080 resolution. You should get a great definition and no pixelation on either of these tablets. 

This round is a tie! 

Pressure Levels

Both tablets are very sensitive and allow you to have precise control over your drawings.

The Wacom Cintiq has 8,192 pressure levels, just like the Kamvas Pro. So, this category is another draw between the two products!

Wacom vs Huion - Pressure Levels

(Image credit: Outmane Amahou/Proactive Creative)

Weight

Although you’ll use your drawing tablet on your desk, you might need to travel with it sometimes. So, it’s convenient if it’s lightweight and easily portable. 

The Huion weighs around 1.2 kg or 2.6 lbs, which is very light for this type of drawing tablet. At the same time, it feels durable and isn’t flimsy.

But the Wacom Cintiq is much heavier at 4.19 lbs or 1.9 kg. You’ll notice a big difference between the two tablets, making the Huion much more portable. 

In this case, the Huion Kamvas 16 wins the weight category. If you plan to travel or commute with your tablet, I’d recommend going to the Kamvas for this reason.

Pen / Stylus

Both tablets come with a battery-free pen, so you don’t need to worry about replacing the batteries often. 

The Wacom Cintiq has an impressive resolution of 5080 LPI and a tilt angle of 60 degrees. The display picks up on the angle of the pen and adjusts the thickness of the line in accordance.

The Cintiq comes with the Pro Pen 2, which greatly improves the cheaper pens you get with the Wacom One.

The Pro Pen 2 has a nice rubber area that allows you to get a firm grip when drawing. It has an ergonomic design and two buttons that you can program. 

It also has a useful eraser, which the Kamvas pen doesn’t have.

You also get a tilt angle up to 60 degrees on the Kamvas Pro pen, which comes with a stand to hold your pen when you’re not using it. It’s a handy addition, as it means I’m not always searching for where I put the pen down.

You can open up the stand, and you’ll find 10 replaceable nibs and a nib remover. This smart design is practical and thoughtful, as you’ll never be without a new nib when you need one. 

The Kamvas stylus has a nice rubber section to ensure that you have a good grip at all times. This feature makes it comfortable to hold for long periods.

Overall, the ergonomics and design of the Kamvas pen makes Huion the winner in this category. 

But the eraser on the Wacom Pro Pen 2 is a great feature, and this round was a very close run.

Express keys

Being able to program express keys on a drawing tablet can be a real bonus. It allows you to customize your workflow and access functions with a click of a button. 

The Wacom Cintiq doesn’t have any express keys on the tablet, which is a bit of a drawback. You will find two buttons on the pen, which you can customize according to your needs.

But you can buy the Wacom ExpressKey Remote and hook it up to use with your Wacom Cintiq.

(Image credit: Wacom)

It’s not as straightforward a solution as built-in shortcut keys, and you will have to spend some extra money. But the remote allows you to have up to 17 different express keys in total.

In contrast, the Huion Kamvas Pro has six shortcut buttons on the tablet, and two more on the pen. That means you can quickly select the controls you need and access them any time.

Camvas 16 express keys

(Image credit: Huion)

For simplicity, the Huion Kamvas beats the Wacom Cintiq in this section. But if you do go for the Cintiq, the remote is a workable solution.

Connectivity

Neither of these tablets offers WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. So, using cables is still necessary, even if it feels a little outdated.

Both tablets need your computer to have an HDMI and USB port. If it doesn’t have these ports, you’ll need to use an adapter as well.

Both the Wacom Cintiq and the Huion Kamvas have a 3-in-1 cable, which is a tidier solution with less clutter on your desktop. This smart design makes this tablet the winner when it comes to connectivity.

But I’d welcome wireless connectivity from both Huion and Wacom. Hopefully, we will see some new updates on these products in the future. Having a cable-free desk would be a dream!

Android Compatibility

The Kamavas Pr0 16 can connect to Android phones and tablets using a USB-C cable. On your Android phone, you may need to use the Desktop/Dex mode for it to work. 

Wacom is well known for providing drivers for all operating systems. But in this case, the Wacom Cintiq isn’t compatible with Android, which is a bit of a disappointment.

Maybe, Wacom will update their software to cover more Android devices. That would be a huge benefit, making these tablets more accessible even if you don’t have a computer.

But right now, the Huion Kamvas beats the Cintiq for Android compatibility.

Warranty & support

The Wacom Cintiq warranty depends on where you buy it. In the US, Canada, and Latin America, it comes with a 2-year warranty. 

In Europe, Africa, China and the Middle East, you’ll get an impressive 3-year warranty. But in Japan and Asia Pacific, your tablet is covered for just one year.

If you go for the Kamvas, you’ll get a 1-year warranty. You can choose to extend that period to 2 years if you like (but you’ll pay extra).

Wacom is more experienced at customer service. It has a better capacity and faster response time.

Huion is a fairly new company that is growing quickly. Currently, they don’t have their processes set up as smoothly as Wacom. That’s not to say that you’ll have a bad response, but you may wait a bit longer to hear back. 

For example, you can access Wacom’s 24/7 support chat if you have a problem or a question. Plus, they also have call centers in many countries across the world.

If you need to get in touch with Huion, you can contact them via live chat, email, or phone. The difference is that they only work in China’s business hours, so you will wait longer for an answer.

Huion has a lot to learn from Wacom’s around-the-clock customer service. Wacom also prides itself on its swift and friendly responses. 

If you have a faulty product, the Huion customer service could be slow, which can get frustrating. So, Wacom comes out tops when it comes to customer support.

Should you get the Wacom Cintiq?

Without a doubt, both products are reliable, high-quality, and have a great reputation.

The standout feature of the Wacom Cintiq is the authentic pencil-on-paper feel. If you’re an old-school artist and want that genuine feeling, you’ll love this tablet.

The Wacom Cintiq has a slightly gritty texture, just like real paper does. That means you get some friction and a haptic sensation from the surface as you draw.

It’s hard to beat good old paper and pen, apart from the lack of the undo button! If that feeling is crucial for you, the Wacom Cintiq ticks all the right boxes.

It has a matte surface rather than a smooth or shiny surface. 

Plus, the parallax is almost nonexistent, with little calibration required. That means there’s very little distance between your pen and the marks you make on the screen.

As a result, your drawings will be more precise and accurate. You also save a lot of time fiddling with the settings, as the Wacom Cintiq is good to go, straight out of the box.

You also get the reliability of such a well-established brand. Wacom is known for its reliability. It creates excellent quality products with long-lasting performances.

The Wacom Cintiq 16 is also a more durable, sturdy tablet. It’s constructed from quality materials according to Wacom’s well-developed processes. As a result, it should last a long time.

Or should you buy a Huion Kamvas Pro 16?

But that’s not to say that you shouldn’t consider a Huion Kamvas Pro 16, either. As you can see from above, it has lots of other great features to offer.

It’s also a preferred product of many artists and designers. It has excellent specs and features. Some notable examples are the larger screen, vibrant colors, and shortcut keys.

Plus, it provides an excellent drawing performance. You can use all your favorite apps on the Huion Kamvas. That includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Krita, Clip Studio Paint, and Affinity Photo.

The results are smooth and impressive, and it’s very user-friendly.

One of the bonus features the Huion Kamvas provides is the shortcut keys. They make it so much easier to create your own workflow and adapt the tablet and pen to suit your needs.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s also cheaper than the Cintiq Pro! So, if your budget is your main concern, go for the Kamvas Pro 16.

It offers exceptional value for detail and is perfect for beginner or advanced artists.

Huion Tablet vs Wacom: The Wrap Up

As you can see, both the Wacom Cintiq and the Huion Kamvas are excellent tablets for artists. 

Which tablet you go for will depend on your individual preference and need. If you’re looking for a super responsive tablet with a laminated screen, the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 fits the bill.

Or if you’re focused on getting the best value for your money, the Kamvas is also the most affordable deal.

But if you find the reputation and customer service of Wacom tempting, go for the Wacom Cintiq instead.

Either way, both tablets are responsive, sensitive, and durable. They are made with quality materials and have high-res screens. So, you can be sure that your artwork will look amazing!

So make your choice and snap up your new drawing tablet today! Click the links above to find out more and order your tablet.

Let me know which tablet you choose in the comments! I’m curious to know which one wins you over. 

This post contains affiliate links. Proactive Creative may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

Author

Outmane is the founder of Proactive Creative. He is an artist/designer.


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