Wacom Intuos Small Review: Simple, Reliable, Very Small
Quick verdict
The simplest name-brand way to start, with a large owner base and a software bundle. It's very small, dated, and has no tilt.
Buy it if
- You want the Wacom name and easy setup.
- You use a Chromebook for school.
- You mostly draw on a laptop screen.
Skip it if
- You use a large monitor. Get the Medium.
- You want tilt or more shortcuts.
- You want the best value. Huion and XPPen offer more.
Specs
| Active area | 152 x 95 mm (6.0 x 3.7 in) |
|---|---|
| Pen | Wacom Pen 4K, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 4,096 |
| Tilt | No |
| Shortcuts | 4 ExpressKeys |
| Connection | USB (wired version) |
| Wireless | No (Bluetooth version sold separately) |
| Weight | 230 g |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy setup; top praise from owners.
- Paper-like surface.
- Works with Chromebook and Android.
- Software bundle when you register.
Cons
- Very small drawing area.
- 4,096 levels and no tilt.
- Only 4 keys.
- Many owners wish they'd bought the Medium.
Real-world math
Drawing space. 152 x 95 mm, about 144 square centimeters. The Intuos Medium is about 292, so the Small is half the size.
How it maps to your screen. On a 24-inch monitor, every millimeter on the tablet moves the cursor about 3.5 mm. That's why owners often wish they'd bought bigger.
Weight. 230 grams, the lightest tablet on this site.
What owners say
Best Buy lists over 1,400 reviews at around 4.7 out of 5. Ease of use comes up most, followed by performance and compact size. Owners like the paper-like surface.
The complaints: Mac setup needs security permissions, some had to restart to reconnect, a few saw pressure lag, and many said it's too small.
The pen
The Wacom Pen 4K needs no battery and has 4,096 pressure levels. No tilt. It's simple and dependable.
How it compares
| Spec | Wacom Intuos Small | Huion Inspiroy H640P | Wacom Intuos Medium Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Active area | 152 x 95 mm (6.0 x 3.7 in) | 160 x 100 mm (6.3 x 3.9 in) | 216 x 135 mm (8.5 x 5.3 in) |
| Pen | Wacom Pen 4K, battery-free | PW100, battery-free | Wacom Pen 4K, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 4,096 | 8,192 | 4,096 |
| Tilt | No | No | No |
| Shortcuts | 4 ExpressKeys | 6 keys | 4 ExpressKeys |
| Connection | USB (wired version) | Micro USB (adapters in box) | USB |
| Wireless | No (Bluetooth version sold separately) | No | Bluetooth, 15+ hours |
| Weight | 230 g | 277 g | 410 g |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, Linux | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Is the Intuos Small wireless?
- This version is wired. Wacom also sells a Bluetooth version with about 15 hours per charge.
- Does it work with a Chromebook?
- Yes. Wacom lists Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Android.
- Small or Medium?
- Medium if you use a monitor bigger than a laptop screen. It's about twice the area.
- What software comes with it?
- Wacom offers creative software like Clip Studio Paint when you register. The bundle changes, so check the current offer.
Bottom line
It's a safe first tablet, and Best Buy owners love how easy it is. But it's small and dated. If you can, get the Medium, or the Huion Inspiroy 2 Medium for more features.