Wacom One 14 Review: Simple Wacom, With a USB-C Catch
Quick verdict
A light, simple Wacom that runs on one USB-C cable with a good pen. Your computer's USB-C port has to carry video, and there's no stand, keys or touch.
Buy it if
- You have a newer laptop with a USB-C port that carries video.
- You want Wacom's drivers and a simple one-cable setup.
- You want something light to carry.
Skip it if
- Your computer doesn't have video over USB-C. You'd need an extra converter and power supply.
- You want shortcut keys or touch.
- You want the most features for the money.
Specs
| Screen size | 14 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare, anti-fingerprint |
| Color (claimed) | 98% sRGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 285 nits |
| Refresh rate | - |
| Pen | Wacom One Standard Pen, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 4,096 |
| Tilt | 60° |
| Shortcuts | None on the frame |
| Touch | No |
| Connection | USB-C only (needs a port with video) |
| Stand | Not included |
| Weight | 0.75 kg |
| Works with | Windows 10+, macOS 13+, ChromeOS |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light pen touch and clean lines.
- One USB-C cable does power and video.
- Light and thin at 750 grams.
- Matte surface with some grip.
Cons
- Needs a USB-C port with video (DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt).
- No stand, shortcut keys or touch.
- Only 4,096 pressure levels.
- Huion's Kamvas 13 includes more for similar money.
Real-world math
Drawing space. The active area is 309 x 174 mm, about 538 square centimeters. That's about 10% more room than the Kamvas 13 (Gen 3), and about 22% less than the Kamvas 16.
Sharpness. 1080p on 14 inches is about 157 pixels per inch. Fine for drawing, a little soft for small text.
The hidden cost. Best Buy owners said the biggest surprise was the connection. Three or more of the 8 reviews mention having to buy a converter and a power supply because their computer's USB-C port didn't carry video. Check your port before you buy, and this cost disappears.
The pen
The Wacom One Standard Pen needs no battery and has 4,096 pressure levels, tilt and two buttons. drawingipad found the initial press very light. AppleInsider called the line quality sharp and responsive. The matte surface has friction closer to nylon than paper, which helps control.
What's missing
There's no stand, no shortcut keys and no touch. AppleInsider drew on it propped on a rolled towel before buying a stand. Some reviewers noticed slight parallax near the corners, which is normal for this kind of screen.
AppleInsider gave it 3.5 out of 5 and summed it up well: it's solid Wacom hardware, but it's no longer the only good option.
How it compares
| Spec | Wacom One 14 | Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) | Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Screen size | 14 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, laminated | IPS, fully laminated | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare, anti-fingerprint | Anti-glare etched (2nd gen) | Anti-glare etched (Canvas Glass 2.0) |
| Color (claimed) | 98% sRGB | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 285 nits | 220 nits | 220 nits |
| Refresh rate | - | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Pen | Wacom One Standard Pen, battery-free | PW600L, battery-free | PW600L, battery-free |
| Pressure levels | 4,096 | 16,384 | 16,384 |
| Tilt | 60° | ±60° | ±60° |
| Shortcuts | None on the frame | 5 keys + 2 dials on the frame | 6 keys + 2 dials on the frame |
| Touch | No | No | No |
| Connection | USB-C only (needs a port with video) | 3-in-1 cable, or full-featured USB-C (cable not included) | Full-featured USB-C, or 3-in-1 cable (HDMI + USB) |
| Stand | Not included | Included (Amazon version) | Included (Amazon version) |
| Weight | 0.75 kg | 0.87 kg | 1.25 kg |
| Works with | Windows 10+, macOS 13+, ChromeOS | 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
- Will the Wacom One 14 work with my laptop?
- Only if your USB-C port carries video: DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt 3 or later. Look for a small DisplayPort or lightning-bolt icon next to the port, or check your laptop's specs. Otherwise you need Wacom's converter kit and a power supply.
- Does it have touch?
- No. The older Wacom One 13 Touch did. The One 14 is pen only.
- Is a stand included?
- No. It lies flat unless you buy Wacom's stand or a third-party one.
- Does it come with software?
- Wacom includes trials of Clip Studio Paint Pro, Concepts and Magma, plus a Skillshare trial. Check the current offer, since it changes.
Bottom line
If your laptop has video over USB-C and you want a simple Wacom, the One 14 is a nice, light screen. Everyone else gets more from the Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3), which includes a stand, keys and more cables.