Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 Review: The Pro Reference, at a Price
Quick verdict
The reference pro pen display: superb pen, accurate 4K color and a screen that doubles as a reference monitor. The stand and remote are extra, and rivals cost far less.
Buy it if
- You work in a studio standardized on Wacom.
- You need the most trusted pen and drivers.
- You want the screen as a color reference monitor too.
Skip it if
- You're paying out of pocket. XPPen and Huion 27-inch screens cost far less.
- You want a stand in the box.
- Your desk can't hold a 7 kg screen plus a stand.
Specs
| Screen size | 26.9 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS |
| Glass | Edge-to-edge tempered glass, AG etched |
| Color (claimed) | 99% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3 |
| Brightness (claimed) | 400 nits |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Pen | Wacom Pro Pen 3, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 8,192 |
| Tilt | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 8 ExpressKeys on rear grips |
| Touch | Yes, multi-touch |
| Connection | Mini DisplayPort, HDMI or USB-C, plus power |
| Stand | Not included; VESA mount |
| Weight | 7.2 kg (no stand) |
| Works with | Windows, macOS |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exceptionally smooth, accurate Pro Pen 3.
- 4K at 120Hz, 99% Adobe RGB, 400 nits.
- Touch and 8 rear ExpressKeys.
- Quiet fan, low heat.
Cons
- Stand not included.
- Very expensive.
- Touch lags; not iPad-level.
- Cheap-feeling pen cradle.
Real-world math
The real cost. Add a stand or VESA arm. Best Buy owners called the Wacom stand very pricey. The XPPen Artist Pro 27 includes its stand, two pens and a remote.
Drawing space. 596 x 335 mm, about 1,997 square centimeters. Same as the other 27-inch 4K screens.
Brightness. 400 nits claimed, the brightest of the 27s. PetaPixel still found it a bit dim, with colors looking slightly muted.
Pen and screen
PetaPixel called it "one of the most immersive, accurate, and stable display tablets ever," with pen accuracy down to a single pixel. The screen resists scratches well. Best Buy owners (10 reviews, 5.0/5) praised the 4K screen and pen.
The trade-offs
Touch lags and doesn't match an iPad. The pen cradle feels cheap. One Best Buy owner had a pen button fall out and needed a replacement. And the stand's lock is awkward to reach for quick angle changes.
How it compares
| Spec | Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 | XPPen Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) | Huion Kamvas Pro 27 (144Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Screen size | 26.9 in | 26.9 in | 27 in |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (16:9) | 3840 x 2160 (16:9) | 3840 x 2160 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS | IPS, fully laminated | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Edge-to-edge tempered glass, AG etched | Etched anti-glare | Canvas Glass 3.0 (nano-etched) |
| Color (claimed) | 99% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3 | 99% Adobe RGB, 99% sRGB, 97% Display P3 | 99% sRGB, 98% Adobe RGB, dE<1 |
| Brightness (claimed) | 400 nits | 350 nits | 300 nits |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Pen | Wacom Pro Pen 3, battery-free | X3 Pro Smart Chip + X3 Pro Slim, battery-free | PW600 + PW600S, battery-free, erasers |
| Pressure levels | 8,192 | 16,384 | 16,384 |
| Tilt | ±60° | 60° | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | 8 ExpressKeys on rear grips | ACK05 wireless remote | Wireless Express Key remote (Amazon box) |
| Touch | Yes, multi-touch | Yes, 10-finger | Yes, 10-point |
| Connection | Mini DisplayPort, HDMI or USB-C, plus power | USB-C, HDMI or DisplayPort, plus power | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 or USB-C, plus power |
| Stand | Not included; VESA mount | Included, 16–72° | Built-in 20° stand; VESA 100 |
| Weight | 7.2 kg (no stand) | 7 kg | 7.2 kg |
| Works with | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android, Linux |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Does the Cintiq Pro 27 come with a stand?
- No. Wacom sells its stand separately, or you can use a VESA arm.
- What's in the box?
- Wacom lists the Pro Pen 3 with 2 grips, 10 nibs, USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort cables, and a power adapter.
- Does it have a fan?
- Yes, but PetaPixel found it relatively quiet with little heat.
- Is it worth it over XPPen or Huion?
- For studios invested in Wacom, yes. For most individual buyers, the XPPen Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) gets close for much less.
Bottom line
It's the best pro pen display, and it's priced like it. Buy it if Wacom is a requirement. Otherwise, the XPPen Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) gets you most of the way with everything in the box.