I received the wireless tattoo machine CNC-WE  in early December of 2020. I was scrolling one night on Instagram and I had come across a video of the wireless tattoo pen CNC-WE and what drew my attention immediately was that this machine is truly wireless! The reason I say it is truly wireless is that there is no actual place to plug in any cords of any type. 

Wireless Tattoo Machine WE Review: The Outlook

Which to me would be truly wireless for that alone, and is 1 of the reasons why this machine along with the CNC-Q2 are my GO TO’s. If you want to know more about the details of Q2, check my review of the short rotary tattoo machine CNC-Q2 to see my detailed review of the Q2. Not to mention the powerful power bolts the WE tattoo machine comes with. More on the power bolts here shortly but allow me to show you some up-close images of the wireless tattoo pen CNC-WE.

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As you can see this wireless machine looks very nice, super sleek, and runs smoothly! Obviously, you can’t feel or hold the machine but that is what I am here for! Allow me to relay some information that’ll help you better envision this tattoo machine. 

Working Performance Wireless tattoo machine CNC-WE

Upon holding the machine in my hand it doesn’t have a heavy feel at all. When I tattooed for a long session with the CNC-WE, the vibration from the motor wasn’t overwhelming, and the freedom from the wireless approach makes this machine ideal! Upon using the wireless pen for my first session which went on for about 4-5 hours, my hand didn’t hurt and the machine ran just fine. It didn’t get hot, it did not overheat, and the batteries did their job.

I had picked up the CNC-WE in a bundle kit from CNC. Upon doing so I got different sized needle strokes, Quelle Cartridge Needles, Plastic Pen Wraps, and a few other tools for maintenance! (I could be missing something)

Wireless Tattoo Machine CNC-WE Powerbolt Review

The CNC-WE ships with not 1 but 2 power bolts that allows me to have a very cyclic approach to our workflow. So I would be on a tattoo while 1 power bolt is charging, and when the power bolt in use dies, I would switch it out for the one charging, put the dead power bolt back on the charger and simply carry on. This process literally happens in a matter of seconds. I put a power bolt on the CNC-WE and I carry on. It always feels like forever goes by before I have to change it out. There is also a charging cable included. Each power bolt takes about 1-2 hours to charge as well so the cyclic approach works out well.

The power bolt voltage output is displayed using a color system and the voltage ranges from 5-11V, with each voltage setting having its own desired color to indicate what voltage you are using. Personally, I do not find the color coated voltage system hard to work with as I use the sound of the machine a lot upon tattooing. Although I enjoy the lights and colors I am also not a personal fan of the color-coated system because I enjoy digital interfaces that display a number, but let’s not take away from the power bolts because that is all subjective and personal preference. 

What I do like about the power bolts is that there are 2 but not only that they are attached to the tattoo body by super strong magnetic plates. The magnets from the power bolt attach the PCB board to the magnetic strip on the body connecting the conductive probe to the PCB board, as shown in the image below. I know this sounds like a lot but it's literally putting magnets together to power this machine. I also truly like that when the battery is on the body of the tattoo machine, the tattoo machine with the battery all feels like 1 full and complete unit as you can see in the images below. It is a well-built machine, everything lines up perfectly and works smoothly!

My Score to CNC-WE

The CNC-WE machine in my opinion performs wonderfully and I give it 4.5 stars. I'll talk about some little issues later. I am not giving it 4.5 stars because of the wireless capabilities, or the workhorse ethic it possesses. I got it because of all of these reasons: It excelled in pulling lines, it excelled on packing black, it excelled when packing color, I loved the way it pushed super fine needles. I drop the voltage all the way down the lowest setting and I am able to do really nice pepper shading. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel @DanielYuck for more updates on this machine. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv4iwLxndAs&t=24s

I would consider the WE another workhorse that CNC has provided to the market. I have pulled super fine lines with bug pin 3 round liners, I have pulled super bold lines with 18 round shaders, I have used 23 round mags. I was able to achieve soft shading, pepper shading, I was able to pack black, I was able to pack color. I was able to do everything that I needed it to do, all while remaining fully wireless!

There was an issue that I had experienced with my grip. I went ahead and reached out to CNC and their customer service was great! I simply provided my order number, and I am currently awaiting my new grip. I am truly excited to get my new grip in so I can do more tattoos and create more YouTube videos.  Even after the grip mishap, and not being able to use my WE for a bit of time, I still fully recommend the CNC-WE tattoo machine to any and every tattoo artist! I would actually recommend the entire CNC catalog to any tattoo artist. I myself have had my eye on the T4 Red Snake, that machine looks like another great tool.