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Wacom pens might be the most popular option on the market when it comes to graphic design tablet pens. Still, they are notorious for their high cost. So why exactly are Wacom pens so darn expensive?
Wacom pens are so expensive because they belong to the most prominent graphic design tablet/pen manufacturers on the market. Additionally, because Wacom serves a niche audience they don’t have as much competition to drive their prices down. Plus, they truly make quality products.
If you’re thinking about getting a Wacom pen but you’re not sure they’re worth the money, this is for you. In our guide below we will dive into how much Wacom pens tend to cost, why they cost that much, and whether or not they’re worth the price. So without further ado let’s jump right into it!
How Much Do Wacom Pens Cost
Before we dive into more details on why Wacom pens are so expensive, let’s take a moment to check out how much they cost on average.
While Wacom certainly has some budget options for their pens, their most sought-after models, like the Bamboo Ink Plus Smart Stylus or its cousin the Ink Plus Active Stylus, go for a little under or a little over $100.
Compare this to many off brands that generally run you around thirty bucks for their best models and you can see why people would say these are a bit pricey.
What Makes Wacom Pens So Expensive
With prices rising into the three digits for what ostensibly looks like a simple stylus, you could be forgiven for wondering what in the world makes them so expensive?
Below we’ve outlined the four most apparent reasons why Wacom pens can be so pricey:
- They are for a niche market: While we all might love to admire beautiful digital artwork, not all of us actually make it. The truth is not everyone is artistically inclined. Even fewer people are artistically inclined toward creating digital art. Therefore, Wacom has a niche audience that will be willing to pay more because they don’t have as much a choice.
- They lack competition: In the same way Google has become synonymous with online search engines and Kleenex has become another word for tissue, Wacom is pretty much a different way of saying “graphic design tablet.” They totally dominate that market and have the preferred products most graphic designers gravitate towards.
- They have a solid reputation: Wacom has a solid reputation in the world of graphic design. Therefore, even those who are new to graphic design and have only heard bits and pieces about them are more welcoming of the idea of buying one of their products and more willing to spend a greater amount of money on them.
- They are genuinely great technology: Wacom tablets and pens are known for being some of the most high-quality options on the market. Not only that, they are notorious for lasting a ridiculously long time in great condition. Many graphic designers have noted that their tablets and pens have lasted a decade or more with little wear to show for it.
Wacom doesn’t just sell overly priced pens, they put their money where their mouth is. In the next section, we will go into more detail on why they are so good.
Are Wacom Pens Good?
Before you spend a lot of money on a Wacom pen, you’ll really want to be certain that they’re actually good. We touched on this in the previous section, however, it would be prudent to go into more detail so you can make an informed purchasing decision. So, are Wacom pens good, and if so why?
Wacom pens are arguably some of the best on the market. So yes, they are good. This is because they are far more responsive to touch, have a greater degree of sensitivity, and are loaded with more features than other models.
Some of those features can include tilt detection, alternative nibs for different drawing styles, and literally thousands of pressure levels for lines that turn out exactly how you want them.
Is Wacom Worth the Price
Just because a product is good doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s worth whatever the manufacturer is charging for it. In the case of Wacom pens we have to ask, are they worth the steep price?
While the answer to this question is subjective, we can pretty reasonably say Wacom pens are well worth the price they cost if you are serious about graphic design and want to do it the way the pros do. If you’re just a hobbyist and you only engage in digital art casually, however, you may be better off going with a brand like Huion, which has more budget options.
The reason we would argue Wacom is worth the price for those serious about professional-grade graphic design is simple. They really are some of the best graphic design pens on the market.
So Really, Why are Wacom Pens So Expensive?
At the end of the day, Wacom pens are expensive for a variety of reasons. For starters, the company that makes them has the market cornered when it comes to graphic design or digital art tablets and pens. Additionally, and most importantly, they are really well-crafted pieces of tech that stand out above their competition, not only in popularity but in quality as well.
While some could argue–convincingly even–that they are still overpriced when you consider how much it costs to manufacture them, they are some of the best digital art pens on the market. So do you think they’re worth it?
