One by Wacom review

Is the One by Wacom worth checking out?

Digital artists know the value of a high-quality drawing tablet. These handy devices come in various styles, with features specific to drawing. Traditional tablets, such as the iPad or Galaxy Tab, can be used for digital art, but they lack the pressure sensitivity that makes drawing tablets special. 

One by Wacom promises a top-notch artist experience with a surface that feels similar to drawing on paper. The BestReviews Testing Lab tried the tablet to see how well it works.

Testing the One by Wacom 

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim the brand or manufacturer makes about a product. For this article, the tester set the tablet up, gauging how complicated the process was. They explored the tablet’s settings menu and tested the line thickness settings. 

As the tester used the pen, they paid close attention to how comfortable it felt in their hand. They also noted any delays between their pen strokes and the lines appearing on their computer screen.

The tester used it flat on their desk and in their hand to determine if it was light enough to use comfortably. Finally, they used the tablet with three art software programs to test its versatility.

What is the One by Wacom?

The One by Wacom is a screenless drawing tablet that hooks up to your computer via USB. According to Wacom, it allows you to write, create and take notes with a battery-free pen. It’s smaller than many competitors, making it a convenient choice for drawing on the go. 

The included pen isn’t as precise as the Wacom Cintiq and has a cheap feel. Nonetheless, it gets easier to use over time and is better than expected at this price point. 

This drawing tablet comes with a three-month trial of Bluescape, an online collaboration software for virtual work. Additionally, it includes a six-month free trial of Kami, a virtual learning platform, and four three-month free trials for various education software.

Its robust settings menu lets you adjust the sensitivity, pen pressure, response time and more. The lightweight design makes it easy to hold in your hand while you draw or take notes, and it works well with most design software. Our tester used it with Photoshop, Mural and Clip Studio Paint and had no issues switching between the three.

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best drawing tablets.

One by Wacom price and where to buy

The One by Wacom drawing tablet costs $99.95 and is available on Amazon.

How to use the One by Wacom

Setting the One up is incredibly basic. After plugging it in, you’ll have the option to download the Wacom software. If you’ve used other Wacom tablets, you likely already have it. The program lets you customize your pen settings until you figure out what works best. You can use the pen and tablet like a trackpad as you navigate the software. 

Once it’s set up, you can connect it to your design program of choice and draw on the tablet like you would a sketchbook. The design program will register the pen strokes, and your drawing will appear on your computer screen. If you don’t have a design program, you can use the software that comes with the tablet.

The pen responds to pressure. If you want to draw thin lines, press down lightly as you create. Conversely, you can make thick lines by pressing down harder. You can alter the pen’s sensitivity in the Wacom software's settings menu. Similarly, you can adjust the pen’s response time if you notice a delay. 

You can also use it for taking notes, making it a terrific choice for students who prefer writing over typing. 

One by Wacom benefits

This tablet is easy to set up and use. The included pen is lightweight and feels like a traditional pencil, providing a sense of familiarity for those who typically draw in a sketchbook. It’s also more portable than many of its competitors. You can easily pack the One in your bag and take it to school, work or on vacation.

The One is versatile — the testing team was able to use it with every design software on their computer, including Photoshop. It has fewer features than the Wacom Cintiq but is also more affordable.

One by Wacom drawbacks

The pen feels cheap compared to an Apple Pencil. The light weight is good for portability, and it’s easier to get used to, but it feels fragile. The pen is also less accurate than the one included with the Wacom Cintiq. However, you can edit the settings in the Wacom software to improve its accuracy.

It only connects to your computer via USB. A Bluetooth option would be preferable since it would reduce cord clutter. 

Should you get the One by Wacom?

The One by Wacom drawing tablet is solid for anyone looking for an affordable way to create digital art. It works with most design software and doesn’t require much technical knowledge to set up. Students and work-from-home warriors will love the included educational and collaborative features, and artists will appreciate its paper-like feel.

It’s important to note, the One by Wacom doesn’t have a screen, so you must have a laptop or computer to use it.