Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) Review: Best Small Pen Display?
Quick verdict
The same great pen as the pricier Kamvas 16, in a small, light body with the stand in the box. The screen is 1080p and a bit dim.
Buy it if
- You want your first pen display without spending much.
- Your desk is small or you draw on the go.
- You want the stand included.
Skip it if
- You want a sharp 2.5K screen. Step up to the Kamvas 16.
- You want one USB-C cable out of the box. You'll need to buy that cable.
- You work in a bright room.
Specs
| Screen size | 13.3 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare etched (2nd gen) |
| Color (claimed) | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Pen | PW600L, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 16,384 |
| Tilt | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 5 keys + 2 dials on the frame |
| Touch | No |
| Connection | 3-in-1 cable, or full-featured USB-C (cable not included) |
| Stand | Included (Amazon version) |
| Weight | 0.87 kg |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux |
Pros and cons
Pros
- PenTech 4.0 pen with a very light touch.
- Laminated etched glass with no sparkle.
- Good color out of the box.
- Stand included on the Amazon version.
Cons
- 1080p, so it's softer than the Kamvas 16.
- Dim, around 220 nits.
- No USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
- Small drawing area for long sessions.
Real-world math
Drawing space. A 13.3-inch 16:9 screen is about 294 x 166 mm, or 488 square centimeters. The Wacom One 14 gives you about 538, and the Kamvas 16 about 690. So this is the smallest of the three, by a good margin.
Sharpness. 1080p on 13.3 inches is about 166 pixels per inch. The Kamvas 16 is 186. The gap is smaller than you'd think, because the screen is smaller too.
Weight. 865 grams. Light enough to toss in a bag with a laptop.
What's in the box. The stand and the 3-in-1 cable are included. A USB-C to USB-C cable isn't, so budget for one if you want a single-cable setup.
The pen and screen
It uses the PW600L pen, the same one as the Kamvas 16 and 22. Huion rates the initial press at 2 grams, so light sketch lines come easily. Don Corgi called the pen "exceptionally responsive" for the price.
The etched glass has a light paper-like feel and no sparkle. Huion calibrates each unit at the factory and includes a report. Brightness is the weak spot at 220 nits. One reviewer measured closer to 200.
Controls
There are 5 keys and 2 dials on the frame. Don Corgi noted the keys take a little more force to press than the older model's.
How it compares
| Spec | Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) | Wacom One 14 | Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Screen size | 13.3 in | 14 in | 15.8 in |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) | 2560 x 1440 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, fully laminated | IPS, laminated | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare etched (2nd gen) | Anti-glare, anti-fingerprint | Anti-glare etched (Canvas Glass 2.0) |
| Color (claimed) | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB | 98% sRGB | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits | 285 nits | 220 nits |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | - | 60Hz |
| Pen | PW600L, battery-free | Wacom One Standard Pen, battery-free | PW600L, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 16,384 | 4,096 | 16,384 |
| Tilt | ±60° | 60° | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 5 keys + 2 dials on the frame | None on the frame | 6 keys + 2 dials on the frame |
| Touch | No | No | No |
| Connection | 3-in-1 cable, or full-featured USB-C (cable not included) | USB-C only (needs a port with video) | Full-featured USB-C, or 3-in-1 cable (HDMI + USB) |
| Stand | Included (Amazon version) | Not included | Included (Amazon version) |
| Weight | 0.87 kg | 0.75 kg | 1.25 kg |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux | Windows 10+, macOS 13+, ChromeOS | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Does the Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) come with a stand?
- The Amazon version does. It includes the ST300 adjustable stand.
- Can I use one USB-C cable?
- Yes, if your computer has a full-featured USB-C port with video. The cable isn't in the Amazon box, so you'd buy one. Otherwise, use the included 3-in-1 cable.
- Is it good for beginners?
- Yes. Reviewers call it one of the best first pen displays, because it has the same pen as Huion's pricier models.
- Kamvas 13 or Kamvas 16?
- Get the 16 if you can. It's sharper (2.5K), bigger and has a USB-C cable in the box. Get the 13 if desk space or budget is tight.
Bottom line
This is the small pen display I'd recommend to most beginners. You get Huion's best pen and a stand for less money. Just know you'll want a USB-C cable if you plan to run it off a laptop.