UGEE UE16 Review: The Best Cheap 15-Inch Pen Display?
Quick verdict
A 15-inch laminated screen with a good pen, a stand and every cable in the box, for very little money. The build is plasticky and the screen is dim.
Buy it if
- You want a 15-inch pen display on a tight budget.
- You want the stand and both cable types included.
- You're a beginner or student.
Skip it if
- You work in a bright room.
- You care about a premium feel.
- You want a sharper 2.5K screen. Look at the Kamvas 16.
Specs
| Screen size | 15.4 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare coating |
| Color (claimed) | 143% sRGB (Parka Blogs measured 99% sRGB) |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits (Parka Blogs measured 191) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Pen | U-Pencil, battery-free, eraser |
| Pressure levels | 16,384 |
| Tilt | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 10 keys + wheel |
| Touch | No |
| Connection | Full-featured USB-C or 3-in-1 cable (both in box) |
| Stand | Included, 21–64° |
| Weight | 1.28 kg |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, Linux |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pen for the price, 16,384 levels with an eraser.
- Stand, USB-C cable and 3-in-1 cable all included.
- 10 keys and a wheel.
- Good measured color for the money.
Cons
- Dim: Parka Blogs measured 191 nits.
- Plasticky build that squeaks when flexed.
- Some visible sparkle from the matte coating.
- Fingerprint magnet.
Real-world math
Drawing space. 341 x 192 mm, about 654 square centimeters. That's about 95% of the Kamvas 16 and about a third more than the Kamvas 13.
Sharpness. 1080p on 15.4 inches is about 143 pixels per inch. The Kamvas 16 is 186. Up close you'll see softer text; drawing is fine.
Brightness. UGEE claims 220 nits. Parka Blogs measured 191. That's about 13% below the claim, so keep it away from sunny windows.
What's in the box. Stand, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3-in-1 cable, USB-A to USB-C cable and 20 nibs. You shouldn't need to buy anything else.
The pen
Parka Blogs found the U-Pencil "consistent and predictable," with easy thin lines and accurate tracking at the edges. Thick strokes can taper a bit abruptly. There's a pressure-sensitive eraser on the end.
The catches
This is where the low price shows. The body feels plasticky and squeaks when flexed. The matte coating shows some sparkle and grain. And it picks up fingerprints front and back. Parka Blogs still called it "probably the best deal for a pen display" in its price range.
How it compares
| Spec | UGEE UE16 | Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) | Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Screen size | 15.4 in | 13.3 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, fully laminated | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare coating | Anti-glare etched (2nd gen) | Anti-glare etched (Canvas Glass 2.0) |
| Color (claimed) | 143% sRGB (Parka Blogs measured 99% sRGB) | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits (Parka Blogs measured 191) | 220 nits | 220 nits |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Pen | U-Pencil, battery-free, eraser | PW600L, battery-free | PW600L, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 16,384 | 16,384 | 16,384 |
| Tilt | ±60° | ±60° | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 10 keys + wheel | 5 keys + 2 dials on the frame | 6 keys + 2 dials on the frame |
| Touch | No | No | No |
| Connection | Full-featured USB-C or 3-in-1 cable (both in box) | 3-in-1 cable, or full-featured USB-C (cable not included) | Full-featured USB-C, or 3-in-1 cable (HDMI + USB) |
| Stand | Included, 21–64° | Included (Amazon version) | Included (Amazon version) |
| Weight | 1.28 kg | 0.87 kg | 1.25 kg |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Does the UGEE UE16 come with a stand?
- Yes. It includes a foldable aluminum stand that adjusts from 21° to 64°.
- Can I run it with one USB-C cable?
- Yes, on a computer with a full-featured USB-C port. The USB-C to USB-C cable is in the box, along with a 3-in-1 cable for other computers.
- Does it work with a Chromebook?
- UGEE lists ChromeOS 88 or later, plus Windows, macOS, Android 9 or later and Linux.
- How accurate is the color?
- UGEE claims 143% sRGB. Parka Blogs measured 99% sRGB, 92% Adobe RGB and 97% P3, which is very good for the price.
Bottom line
If you want a 15-inch pen display and every dollar counts, this is the one I'd buy. It's not fancy, but everything you need is in the box and the pen is good.