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The Best Pen

By Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola is a writer focused on home-office gear. To find the best paper shredder, she has shredded enough junk mail to fill several bathtubs.

If you’ve ever had a pen mysteriously wander away from your desk, and then you had to write with a poor substitute (the kind you might find at a bank or with some company’s phone number on it), you know how important it is to have a quality pen.

Everything we recommend

Uni-ball Jetstream RT

The best everyday ballpoint pen.

With its fast-drying ink, this pen is our go-to for everyday writing on any kind of paper.

Buying Options

Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color

A multicolor pen for enhanced note-taking.

This pen is as slim as a typical ballpoint, and you can switch between writing with black, blue, and red ink—without having to carry multiple pens.

Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity

The most ergonomic pen.

If you experience hand strain or fatigue while writing with slim pens, this pen’s large, soft grip and balanced weight distribution can make writing more comfortable.

Pilot Precise V5 RT

An inexpensive pen for writing with dark, precise lines.

This rollerball pen is great for fine lettering or drawing, and it costs less than similar pens. It doesn’t dry as quickly as our other picks, though, so it’s not the best choice for lefties.

Pentel EnerGel RTX

A smudge-free gel pen with many color and tip-size options.

This pen produces dark, crisp lines, and it’s available in a wide range of colors and tip sizes to suit various writing preferences.

Uni-ball Signo RT1

A minimalist-looking gel pen for fine-tip lovers.

This pen has an understated, single-color barrel design. It writes smoothly, with vivid inks and very thin lines.

Sakura Pigma Micron Blister

The best fineliner.

This pen’s needlepoint tip produces precise, consistent lines with archival-quality ink.

A primer on pen types

These pens are great for writing on all types of surfaces, including slick or cheap paper, which inkier pens tend to bleed through or smudge.

Rollerballs provide the smoothest writing. The free-flowing ink doesn’t require a lot of pressure, so the pen glides across the page.

Gel pens are best for writing precisely, and they come in a rainbow of ink colors. A subset of rollerballs, gel pens write smoothly but typically with thinner lines.

Fineliners’ needlepoint tips make them a great choice for detailed sketches and crisp writing, with some friction against paper.

The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to get a pen that’s worthy of your signature. After researching 62 pens and writing zealously with 37 of them, we have recommendations for ballpoint, rollerball, and fineliner pens that are affordable and satisfying to write with.

Our picks include:

• the Uni-ball Jetstream RT , a ballpoint pen for everyday writing
• the Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color , a 3-in-1 slim, multicolor ballpoint, for switching ink colors
• the Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity , an ergonomic ballpoint, for people who get hand cramps, have arthritis, or just want something with a larger barrel size
• the Pilot Precise V5 RT , a rollerball pen, for writing with a more saturated, darker line than you get from a lower-priced ballpoint
• the Pentel EnerGel RTX and the Uni-ball Signo RT1 , two gel pen picks that offer a variety of pen-tip sizes and vivid ink-refill options
• the Sakura Pigma Micron , a fineliner pen for precise sketching or writing with archival ink

In most situations, the Uni-ball Jetstream RT is the best pen for the job.

It dries quickly, so it’s great for lefties and anyone who’s concerned about smudging (especially when writing on slick paper, labels, or receipts). Thanks to its “ hybrid ” ink, the Jetstream RT produces the darkest lines of any ballpoint pen we tested. And the ink flows out smoothly and evenly without skipping—like a gel pen, but with the quick-drying advantages of a ballpoint. It’s water-resistant, fade-resistant, and formulated to resist check washing , too.

A Wirecutter pick since 2013, the Jetstream RT comes in a variety of tip widths and colors. And our testers found that it felt and looked better than other, more-plasticky ballpoint pens.

Style: ballpoint Tip width tested: 0.7 mm Widths available: 0.7 mm , 1.0 mm Colors: black, blue, red; RT BLX version: blue-black, brown-black, green-black, red-black

If you like to color-code your notes or journal entries, the Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color is a thin, handy alternative to having several pens cluttering your desk or bag.

This pen is the same shape and size as our top pick, the Jetstream RT. But the Jetstream Slim Multi-Color is much slimmer than most multicolor pens, which tend to have chunkier barrels. The knocks (the buttons at the top of the pen that make the pen nibs retract) operate smoothly and with a satisfying click.

The Jetstream Slim Multi-Color has a rubber grip, so it’s pleasant to hold. And this pen comes with the same refillable smooth ink found in other Jetstream pens.

The ink refills are smaller than those in a regular Jetstream pen, though, so they’re a bit less cost-effective. But if you often write in different colors, we think the convenience is worth it.

Style: ballpoint Tip width tested: 0.5 mm Widths available: 0.38 mm , 0.5 mm Colors: black, blue, red, green

Among pens designed to reduce writing stress, the Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity is the best we’ve tested. Our testers—including a retired medical professional with arthritis—found the wide grip easy to hold, and this pen had the best balance of softness and firmness.

What sets this pen apart the most from other ergonomic pens is its weight distribution: It’s balanced closer to the tip, so writing is effortless and requires less pressure.

The Center of Gravity is also just a great pen in general. Its hybrid ink combines the long-lasting elements of a ballpoint pen with the dark, vibrant lines of a gel pen.

Style: ballpoint Tip width tested: 1.0 mm Widths available: 0.7 mm (fine), 1.0 mm (medium) Colors: black, blue

If you like dark lines, prefer a bit of resistance from your paper when writing and drawing, or have handwriting that produces especially small letters, consider the Pilot Precise V5 RT .

Some experts—and most of our testers—preferred this pen’s finer point compared with other rollerballs’ points, which produce wetter, thicker lines.

Although the Precise V5 RT doesn’t dry as quickly as the Jetstream, and therefore can smudge (not ideal for lefties), it performs well on most paper. It’s also the least expensive pen we recommend, on a per-pen basis.

Style: rollerball Tip width tested: 0.5 mm Widths available: 0.5 mm (V5), 0.7 mm (V7) Colors: black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, turquoise, orange, yellow, lime green, navy, burgundy, hunter green, caramel, periwinkle, teal

If you like writing with dark, vivid lines and can’t bear any smudging, the Pentel EnerGel RTX is our gel pen pick.

In our tests, the EnerGel RTX wrote smoothly—never skipping or smudging—and its needle-point tip was as precise as that of the Pilot Precise V5 RT. Available ink colors include options we haven’t seen often with other pens, including gray.

The EnerGel RTX has a slightly thicker barrel and grip than the Jetstream and the Precise V5 RT, so some people might find it more comfortable to hold. But this pen’s bright blue body and colored grip section are pretty flashy-looking. If you prefer a more-incognito pen, consider the similarly performing Uni-ball Signo RT1 .

Style: rollerball with gel ink Tip width tested: 0.5 mm Widths available: 0.3 mm , 0.5 mm , 0.7 mm , 1.0 mm Colors: black, blue, red, brown, orange, sky blue, green, pink, lime green, violet, magenta, gray, lilac, yellow, turquoise

A pen’s aesthetics can contribute to the overall writing experience. And this was confirmed in our testing: Several of our testers preferred the Uni-ball Signo RT1 to the Pentel EnerGel RTX due to the Signo RT1’s understated (albeit all-plastic) design.

In our tests, the Signo RT1’s performance was nearly identical to that of the EnerGel and the Precise V5 RT (with just a bit of smudging when we forced it). The main difference between these pens is how they look, plus their available colors and tip sizes.

Style: rollerball with gel ink Tip width tested: 0.5 mm Widths available: 0.28 mm , 0.38 mm , 0.5 mm Colors: black, blue, blue black, light blue, violet, green, lime green, red, orange, baby pink

The Sakura Pigma Micron writes smoothly and predictably without skipping, feathering, or bleeding. Often used by artists, this technical pen can be used for detailed drawings as well as any archival-quality handwriting projects, such as journaling or scrapbooking. Its pigment-based ink is fade-, water-, and chemical-resistant.

Unlike other fineliners and felt-tipped pens we tested, the Micron offers pleasant feedback when writing on typical paper without being scratchy, and the barrel was the most comfortable to hold. You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure to get satisfying, dark and crisp lines.

Style: fineliner Tip width tested: 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm Widths available: 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm Colors: black

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: uni-ball jetstream rt, also great: uni jetstream slim multi-color, also great: pilot dr. grip center of gravity, also great: pilot precise v5 rt, also great: pentel energel rtx, also great: uni-ball signo rt1, also great: sakura pigma micron, other good pens, the competition, frequently asked questions.

Wirecutter senior staff writer Melanie Pinola has researched and written about all types of home-office gear, including notebooks , since 2011. For years, she has written most things in longhand, including article drafts, journal entries, and short stories. And although she’s not as fanatical about stationery as some people, her favorite type of store is an office-supply store.

Our panel of testers included Wirecutter staffers who are fanatical about stationery—they collect pens as a hobby, and they’re more knowledgeable and opinionated about pens than most people. In testing our ergonomic pen options, our panelists included two medical professionals (one who has had rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years).

Like notebooks , pencils , and other everyday stationery essentials, pens are a utilitarian tool that most people don’t think much about when they’re buying them. Sometimes you can go long stretches without purchasing any pens, relying instead on freebies from hotels, offices, conferences, and other places to stock your home or desk.

But if you spend about $2 to $3 to get a good pen, your handwriting could be more attractive—and possibly more readable—thanks to the darker and better-flowing ink.

And since people have different hand sizes, comfort preferences, and aesthetic sensibilities, it’s worth it to find and invest in a pen with a comfortable grip, a tip size you prefer for your specific handwriting, and a design you like.

The majority of pens we recommend all have refillable ink, too, so you can keep the pen body and replace the ink when the original dries up. By using a refillable pen—and actually remembering to refill it—you will reduce the number of pens you buy (or otherwise acquire) and create less waste for the environment.

For this guide we focused on inexpensive pens—$5 or less for a basic pen and $15 or less for a specialty pen (including ergonomic and multicolor models). We also targeted pens that can be purchased at big-box retailers, office-supply stores, or major online vendors, such as Amazon.

Following feedback from readers and experts (as well as our own conscience), we also focused on pens that are refillable and therefore more eco-friendly than disposable pens.

These pens may seem boring, but they’re meaningful upgrades over giveaway pens and are great for everyday carry (EDC). If you want something a bit fancier, we’ve also included, in our Other good pens section, a few recommendations for nicer-looking or more-distinct (yet still under-$20) pens that you might keep at your desk.

And though we love fountain pens, that’s a whole can of worms we’re saving for another time.

Here’s a quick primer on a few pen terms you’ll see throughout this guide:

• Feathering refers to ink bleeding from the edge of letters, versus crisp lettering.
• Bleeding refers to ink coming through to the other side of the paper or even to the next sheet.
• Skipping refers to ink not consistently connecting lines or letters, particularly when you’re writing in script.
• Smudging is when the ink smears and the letters you write blur. It’s particularly noticeable if you write left-handed or try to highlight something you just wrote. (Slow-drying inks that typically smudge can even transfer to other paper.)
• Blotting refers to the pooling of ink in one spot when you’re writing, because the paper hasn’t yet absorbed the ink.

When completing evaluations, each tester used every pen to write at least four pages in a notebook filled with paper that works well with all types of ink. Testers considered:

• Ink smoothness: How freely did the ink flow, and how much pressure was needed to write clearly?
• Precision and consistency: We looked for pens that create uniform, crisp lines. Was there any smudging, feathering, skipping, or blotting? Did the ink bleed through to another sheet?
• Comfort: For example, how easy was it to grip the pen when writing for an hour at a time?

Finally, we asked testers which pen they would buy for themselves or recommend to others, based on the qualities above and the pen’s design and aesthetics.

Our testing group agreed with our experts: The Uni-ball Jetstream RT is the best pen for most everyday writing tasks. It’s smoother to write with than nearly any other ballpoint, and its ink flows without blobbing, skipping, feathering, or bleeding through pages. And it dries quickly, without smudging.

It’s been a panel favorite for a decade. Our testers unanimously selected the Jetstream RT as the best ballpoint pen, with two testers choosing it as their favorite pen overall. This has been the case since we made our initial pen recommendations, back in 2013.

“The Jetstream just feels like such a solid, trusty pen—the ink is dark, it flows well, it’s sturdy, and feels good in the hand,” said Wirecutter’s Janet Towle. “It’s not an exciting pen, but maybe I’m making my peace with that.”

Other ballpoint pens we tested, such as the Zebra Pen F-301 , were less expensive, but they were also less comfortable to write with, felt cheap, or inked fainter lines.

Its ink dries quickly and almost never smudges. You may have been turned off of ballpoint pens in general because their inks aren’t satisfyingly dark, or because they’re not as smooth to write with as other types of pens. The Jetstream RT could change your mind.

Our testers noted that this pen’s dark ink dried quickly and smudged the least of all the pens we tested. And the Jetstream RT’s ink was the least visible on the other side of a notebook’s page. In our testing, we used the 0.7-mm medium-to-large point size, yet our writing still felt precise.

It comes in a wide range of tip sizes and colors. If you don’t love the feel of the standard Jetstream RT’s barely there grip or the width of its tip, there are a lot of other options, if you’re willing to venture outside your office-supply store or shop online.

The standard 0.7-mm “fine” tip comes in black , blue , and a black/blue/red multipack . Uni-ball sells a 1.0-mm “bold” tip , but it produces only a subtle change in line size. Although 0.5-mm and 0.38-mm tips do exist, they don’t write as smoothly, according to our experts. Still, if your handwriting is extremely small, you may enjoy their precision. Or you could consider our gel pen picks, the Pilot EnerGel RTX and the Uni-ball Signo RT1 , which write smoothly with fine tip sizes.

Uniball ink is forgery-resistant and works well on all kinds of paper. Jetstream pens feature Super Ink , which is resistant to removal with acetone as well as more-mundane threats, like water spills and fading. In addition, this ink writes well on glossy paper, including receipts.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The most consistent complaint among our staff testers was that even though the Jetstream RT produces darker lines than most ballpoint pens, its ink still isn’t as saturated or dark as ink from rollerball and gel pens.
• The Jetstream RT won’t turn heads. If its humble, utilitarian looks aren’t to your liking, some of the Jetstream variants are arguably better looking. And you can find other pen bodies that will take Jetstream refills.

Most multicolor pens—including the nostalgic BIC 4-Color pen from the ’70s and ’80s—have thick bodies that can feel unwieldy. Not so the Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color , an elegant pen that’s the size of a single-ink ballpoint pen, like the Jetstream RT .

It’s a color-changing pen without the bulk. For annotating documents or color-coding your notes, you can switch between black, blue, and red. And the ink is as smooth-flowing and consistent as ink in other Jetstream pens.

We found this pen’s soft rubber grip comfortable to hold, and we thought the subtle pattern on the monochromatic body was aesthetically pleasing. In our tests, switching between colors was seamless. And because of this pen’s size and versatility, we think it’s a great option to carry every day.

It writes better than other multicolor pens. After testing two other multicolor options, we found that the Jetstream Slim Multi-Color offered the best writing experience overall. The 0.5-mm version we tested laid down crisp, smooth lines that never skipped or blobbed.

It’s easy to change colors. This pen’s angled, wide knocks made switching ink colors easier than the tinier knocks on the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto or the Uni Jetstream 4&1 .

The Jetstream Slim Multi-Color’s knocks also operated smoothly, with a satisfying click, and they held their position (unlike the Hi-Tec-C Coleto’s knocks).

It’s comfortable to hold. Thanks to its relatively light weight and soft grip section, the Jetstream Slim Multi-Color doesn’t wear out your hand during extended writing periods.

It looks great, too. We appreciated the subtle, stylish, light colors the pen comes in (including white, pink, mint green, and lavender).

It has one notable flaw. Our main complaint about the design is that the color of each ink is imprinted on the body of the pen, not on the knock. So if you reload the pen with different colors or gel inks , you’ll have to remember which knock belongs to which color.

If you prefer a larger grip than typical pens offer, if you have arthritis, or if you get hand fatigue when writing, the Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity is the pen you should turn to.

Of the pens we tested, it’s the most comfortable to use. Our testers—including a physical therapist who takes a lot of patient notes and a 76-year-old retired physician who’s had rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years—unanimously chose the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity as their favorite pen.

The wide, rubbery grip section is easy and comfortable to grasp, and the unique weight distribution close to the pen nib makes writing less stressful on the hand and wrist, compared with standard pens that have slim grips (including our other picks).

“This is one pen that helps manage the many challenges of rheumatoid and other arthritis,” said the retired physician on our panel.

It writes smoothly, too. The physician noted that the pen wrote well at all angles, including upside down while she was lying in bed. In our tests, the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity’s ink never smudged (as the Dr. Grip Limited ’s did), and it skipped less than the Jetstream Alpha-Gel ’s ink.

The squishy grip does have one downside. The rubber grip collects lint, which is an annoyance. But that is a small price to pay for a pen that writes so well and so comfortably.

The Pilot Precise V5 RT is worth considering if you prefer a darker, richer line than the Jetstream RT provides, if you write smaller letters or draw with fine lines, or if you like a bit of resistance between your pen and the paper.

It delivers on the promise of its name. Experts and Wirecutter testers praised this pen’s needle-point tip, its comfortable grip, its smooth ink flow, and the way some friction made handwriting more, well, precise.

It was a panel favorite. All but one of our seven testers gave the Precise V5 RT either four or five stars (with five being the best), and two chose it as their top pick overall.

“Of the pens we tested, the Pilot Precise V5 RT is my favorite,” senior staff writer Kimber Streams said. “It writes smoothly and evenly and has a crisp, dark ink, but the line isn’t too thick like the Lamy Safari . The grip is comfortable enough, and the body doesn’t feel cheap or rattly like the EnerGel and Signo do. It also has the crispest, most satisfying click of the clicky pens.”

Its ink is wetter than the Jetstream RT’s ink, but it still creates sharp lines. The Precise V5 RT (and its sibling, the V7, with a 0.7-mm pen-tip width) produces a crisp, dark line, one that is wetter or “inkier” than the Jetstream RT’s.

But unlike other rollerball pens that flow very quickly (making you feel like you have to keep up with the pen to control the writing), the V5 RT’s point offers more control.

It can smudge more than the Jetstream RT. Our main concern with the V5 RT is that the ink doesn’t dry as quickly as that of the Jetstream RT or gel pens, including the Pentel EnerGel and Uni-Ball Signo RT1 .

This is an issue for those who write on slick paper, like receipts or labels, or for those who write very quickly and don’t want the ink to transfer to other pieces of paper. Lefties should probably avoid this pen.

The V5 RT’s ink bled through cheap paper, and its ink showed on the other side of paper more than our gel pen picks did.

Its knock’s tactility is extremely satisfying. If clicking the knock on a pen provides you with some stress relief or general satisfaction, the V5 RT is the pen for you. It gives the most clicking feedback of all the pens we tested, except for the Parker Jotter .

It has a compact, attractive design. Our panelists appreciated that this pen is about a quarter of an inch shorter than the Jetstream RT, with a thinner body. They also thought the silver-and-black color scheme was fairly attractive, for a pen that costs just a couple of bucks.

If you’re seeking an especially versatile pen, the Pentel EnerGel RTX has the most refill options of the pens we tested: There are over a dozen ink colors and four tip sizes (from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm) to choose from.

Its gel ink is crisp and smudge-free. This pen writes with crisp, dark lines similar to those of the Pilot Precise V5 RT , but it never smudged in our tests. It was our left-handed tester’s top pick because of how fast the ink dried.

It’s comfortable to use, but its looks are divisive. All testers found this pen’s textured grip section pleasant to hold, but they disagreed on the pen’s looks. It has a very busy design, with a lot of chrome and bright accents reflecting the color of the ink. It also rattles a bit more than our other picks.

Those refills, though. You can get refills in a 0.3-mm size (for small lettering), 0.5-mm and 0.7-mm (medium) sizes, and a 1.0-mm (thicker) size—and all come in a rainbow of colors.

The Uni-ball Signo RT1 is a great option for people who have small handwriting and like to write with dark lines.

It writes well and comes in lots of colors. The RT1 has satisfyingly saturated ink and comes in 0.28-mm, 0.38-mm, and 0.5-mm pen-tip sizes. And in those small pen-tip sizes, the Signo RT1 has more color options than similar pens.

“No smudging. No hard starts. No skips,” Wirecutter’s Erin Moore remarked. Like our other gel and rollerball pen picks, the Signo RT1 writes darker and “inkier” than the Jetstream RT ballpoint.

Its minimalist design won’t be for everyone. Although the ink performs well, the Signo RT1’s short, plastic clip makes the pen feel cheaper than similar pens that have metal clips.

But some testers preferred its monochromatic body to those of more-decorated pens, and they liked its smooth rubber grip. The non-black versions of this pen have a clear window to show the ink level, which is handy.

Like the Pentex EnerGel , the Signo RT1 also rattles more than our other picks.

If you want a technical pen for precise drawing and/or writing, we recommend the Sakura Pigma Micron .

It produces saturated, predictable lines . The Micron’s needlepoint tip produced the most stable, consistent strokes—ones that don’t vary in width—of the fineliners and felt-tip pens we tested. Other fineliners we tested, including the Staedtler Pigment Liner , were streaky at times. The Micron is available in widths from ultrafine (0.15 mm) to broad (0.7 mm).

The permanent ink is archival . The pigment in the Micron resists water, fading, and chemicals, making the pen ideal for writings or drawings that you want to last forever—or checks that you want to secure from check washing. Unlike our other picks, the Micron is labeled as having pH-neutral ink, which means it won’t degrade paper over time.

It’s great for use with a ruler or stencils . Because of the long metal tip, you can use the Micron along the edge of a ruler or template without harming the plastic nib.

It offers feedback without being sticky . The Micron doesn’t glide over paper as smoothly as the Jetstream—there’s some friction or feedback similar to the Pilot Precise V5 RT. That can make for more careful and deliberate writing or sketching. It doesn’t have as much friction as marker-like felt-tip pens such as the Sharpie Felt Tip and Paper Mate Flair pens do.

But it’s not refillable . This high performing pen is the only one we recommend that is disposable. If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a refillable fineliner, consider the Copic Multiliner SP.

The pen labeling can be confusing . These pens are labeled from 003 to 12, but those numbers don’t match up with the pens’ tip sizes. For example, the Micron 02 has a 0.3-mm tip and the 05 has a 0.45-mm tip, according to Sakura. Be aware that the stated tip sizes lay down thicker lines than you might expect; the Micron 08’s 0.5-mm tip is closer to the 1-mm or wider tip of other pens. In clothing terms, these pens can “run large.”

If you sometimes like to write in pencil and want colors other than the standards: The Uni Jetstream 4&1 offers that versatility. It adds a green ink and a mechanical pencil (as well as an eraser) to the barrel. However, the 4&1 can cost a bit more than the Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color , and it has a thicker barrel, which some people may not prefer.

If you want a relatively inexpensive pen that’s attractive enough to give as a gift: Consider the Parker Jotter . With its slim, tapered design, this iconic, all-metal pen has the most satisfyingly clicky knock of any pen we tested. It’s remarkably affordable compared with other aficionado-approved “high-end” pens, such as the Retro 1951 Tornado and the Baron Fig Squire . Because it’s a bit shorter than other pens, the Parker Jotter is great for everyday use, but we wouldn’t want to lose it. We tested the ballpoint and gel ink versions, and we covet both.

If you want a pretty pen with a lower center of gravity: Check out the Pilot Acroball 1000 . It has a slim and tapered design, similar to that of the Parker Jotter, but only its lower grip section is metal. This moves the pen’s weight toward the bottom and makes it more comfortable to hold and write with than most slim pens. However, this pen doesn’t have as many color- or tip-refill options as the Parker Jotter or our other pen picks.

If committing to writing in pen makes you nervous: Consider Pilot’s FriXion Clicker Erasable Retractable Gel Pen . It’s the best erasable pen we’ve tested, with quick-drying ink and an easy-to-hold body. It erased more cleanly than the other erasable pens we tested, too. However, it does leave a trace of writing behind, and its overall performance is just okay, with some skipping.

If you want a refillable fineliner for drawing and writing : The Copic Multiliner SP fits the bill. Not only is the ink refillable, but you can replace the tips as well, whether you need to because the tip has worn down or you need a different size. The Copic wrote smoothly in our tests and it has an attractive metal body, but in one instance the tip bent (be careful with how much pressur you use). It also needs a bit more drying time than the Sakura Pigma Micron.

If you like the feel of a marker on paper but want a fine nib size: Take a look at the Sharpie Felt Tip Pen . It was the only pen in our felt-tip and fineliners tests that didn’t smudge at all. It’s available in a rainbow of colors and writes with that slightly scratchy marker-like feel. We found the black and colored pens to be less vibrant than we were expecting.

There are other pens we tested and loved that exceeded our (admittedly arbitrary) $20 limit, including the Tombow Rollerball , the OHTO Horizon Needle Point Knock Ballpoint , the OHTO Horizon Gel , and the Caran d’Ache 849 . But despite their higher prices, in our tests they didn’t deliver notably better writing performance than our picks. In other words, you’re mainly paying for look and feel—which is not a small thing if you love writing with pens.

This is not a comprehensive list of all pens we’ve tested. We have removed pens that are no longer available or that do not meet our testing criteria.

The Pilot Dr. Grip Limited , for example, has an ergonomic design similar to that of the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity ballpoint, but the Limited version’s gel ink smudged.

The Uni-ball Signo 307 , a former pick, produced inconsistent lines (some thick and some thin) and smudged. And, unlike the Pilot Precise V5 , it isn’t refillable.

The Paper Mate InkJoy wrote with dark gel ink, but it smudged, and it isn’t refillable, unlike the Pentel EnerGel and the Uni-ball Signo RT1 .

The Lamy Safari rollerball was well liked by only one of our seven testers; most preferred our other picks, with their thinner barrels, which are interchangeable with other brands’ refills.

The Zebra Pen F-301 produced fainter lines than other ballpoints, and its ribbed plastic grip was uncomfortable to hold.

Similarly, the Pilot The Better Ballpoint ’s ink was a bit light, the plastic grip uncomfortable to hold, and the pen body too rattly.

The Uni-ball Alpha-Gel and the Pilot Juice Up 04 Knock both skipped and required more pressure when writing than the Jetstream RT .

The Morning Glory Pro Mach rollerball produced thicker, more-inconsistent lines than its 0.38-mm pen tip should have, and its pen cap required some force to remove.

The Stabilo Worker Colorful Rollerball ’s heavy, thick ink blotted and smudged in our tests, and the barrels (which are perhaps too brightly colored) aren’t refillable.

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto multicolor pen has slots for five ink colors and over a dozen color-refill options—more than our multicolor pen pick, the Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color . But it also has a shorter grip section than the Jetstream RT, so it’s less comfortable to hold if you don’t normally hold a pen near the tip. One of its ink slots was impossible to use, and the pen we tested kept getting stuck. This is an issue several owners have reported on Amazon .

The Pilot G2 , though highly popular, didn’t compare well against other pens. It skipped, feathered, and blobbed more than our picks, and it also took a notably long time to dry.

The Sharpie Pen is technically a marker with a very fine tip, so it feels different from nearly any other pen, and that made it divisive for our testers.

Schneider pens, including the Slider Rave XB and Slider Basic , are smoother and faster-drying than a typical cheap office pen. But these German-made pens aren’t as widely available as our picks, and we found the Basic’s thin grip less comfortable to hold than those of other pens we tested.

The Bic Atlantis (available in 0.7-mm and 1.0-mm tips) was recommended to us by commenters as well as by a couple of pen enthusiasts at a coworking space, who called them a good-enough upgrade from traditional Bic sticks and crystal pens. But the Atlantis blobbed and feathered more than any of our picks. It’s better than the cheapest pens at the store, but you can find the far better Precise V5 RT on the same shelf.

Office Depot’s TUL brand is available in a gel pen and a ballpoint . Their exclusivity makes them less interesting as a generally recommended pen (and you can buy all of our other picks at Office Depot). Reviewers ding the gel pen for its long drying time, and they recommend the line more for stocking an office than for getting a nice pen for yourself.

We considered the very wide array of Uni-ball pens for this updated guide, and we tried the Vision Elite with BLX inks . For everyday writing, this pen is very, very wet, and it will likely leave the side of your pinkie or palm shellacked with dark ink. For anyone who wants a bold, colorful pen to do sketches or illustrations, this pen’s color selection and dark, thick ink may appeal.

Of the erasable pens we tested, here’s what we found: The ParKoo Retractable Erasable Gel Pens were a little streakier than the Pilot FriXion pens. The Pilot Erasable FriXion ColorSticks didn’t have a grip that would allow someone to comfortably write for a long time. The R:E Erasable Gel Pen ’s off-black ink was too light for our taste. And Paper Mate’s EraserMate Erasable Pens were drier than the others we tried and didn’t erase as well.

The Zebra Clickart felt-tip pens produced saturated but very thick lines, and they were hard to write precisely with. One of the pens dried out quickly despite marketing claims that the ink is long lasting. (Also, they don’t have a microSD slot with 512 GB of storage, contrary to Amazon’s listing.)

The Paper Mate Flair felt-tip pens felt too sticky against the page—almost like trying to write on the adhesive side of tape. The Amazon Basics Felt Tip Marker Pens and the Mr. Pen Felt Tip Pens likewise were not as smooth as the Micron.

The Stabilo Fineliner ’s thin, hexagonal body was uncomfortable to hold for several of our testers, and its signature orange color was divisive.

What's the difference between a rollerball and a ballpoint pen?

Rollerball pens use a water-based ink that flows smoothly and usually creates a lighter, finer line on the paper. Ballpoint pens use an oil-based ink that’s thicker and usually creates a thicker line. Ballpoint pens also tend to require more pressure when writing than rollerball pens.

What's the best pen for lefties?

Ballpoint pens, like the Uni-ball Jetstream RT , have ink that dries quickly, so they’re ideal for anyone concerned with smudging. Left-handed people should try to avoid rollerball or gel pens since their ink tends to take longer to dry and smudges more during writing.

How do you refill an ink pen?

Every pen has its own unique refill cartridge and process, so start by looking up what kind of refill your pen needs. This guide can help you figure out what to look for .

Ana Reinert, email interview , July 15, 2021

Brad Dowdy, email interview , July 12, 2021

Meet your guide

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola covers home office, remote work, and productivity as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Consumer Reports, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in tech, work, and lifestyle/family topics. She’s thrilled when those topics intersect—and when she gets to write about them in her PJs.

Further reading

The Best Notebooks and Notepads

by Melanie Pinola

These notebook and notepad picks offer a satisfying writing experience with different types of pens and pencils.

This Pen Has Been Our Top Pick for a Decade. And No, You Can't Borrow Mine

by Kaitlyn Wells

Never lend out the Uni-ball Jetstream—it will invariably be “borrowed” permanently.

Why I (Still) Carry a Notebook Everywhere

by Martha McPhee

Novelist Martha McPhee explains why, in this digital age, she finds notebook and pen not only relevant, but necessary.

These Lovely Little Notebooks Help Me Get Ideas Out of My Head (and My Face Out of My Phone)

by Elissa Sanci

The Field Notes Memo Book is my everyday companion.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The Best Pens on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

Finding a pen that truly suits your writing style can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Whether you’re a list-maker or a letter writer, the sheer amount of options — even when you narrow your search to just the 100 pens our editors tested — can be overwhelming. So to make things even easier, we’ve rounded up the best of the best — from fine point to bold point and ballpoint to gel — according to the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon. And if you’re looking for more stationery supplies, we have roundups of the best notebooks and planners and a guide to bullet journaling , too.

Related Articles: 100 Best Pens | 100 Best Notebooks | Drawing for Beginners

Best-rated pen

“In a world of fake news, where you can’t trust an Instagram model who says she really lost weight using the skinny tea, this pen stands out as a beacon of hope,” writes one reviewer of this pen, which really does what it says on the package. “It claims to be an ink pen, and it is! It claims to be erasable, and it is.” ( We tested it and found that it erases “more cleanly and evenly than a pencil.”) Over 55,000 other five-star reviewers are just as impressed with this Pilot pen, and not just because you can erase its ink: “This pen is comfortable to hold, and it writes very smooth. It’s a lifesaver, a time saver, and my new favorite pen,” writes one self-proclaimed pen snob. And a college student who also uses this pen’s waste-saving refill feature likes that the pens “do not smudge and do not bleed through paper” and says they “would be miserable without them.” One reviewer notes, however, that the erasable quality of the ink is heat-activated, meaning there’s a chance that, “if put near high heat/sun/humidity, back pockets, etc., the ink will disappear.” They still give this pen five stars — claiming to be “flat-out addicted to these pens” — so it’s not a deal breaker, but it’s definitely important to keep in mind.

Best-rated (less expensive) pen

More than 80 percent of reviewers give this set of colored ballpoint pens five stars, and many can’t believe their value. “I was honestly shocked at the great quality of these pens,” writes one reviewer, who was fully prepared to throw them away in disappointment, but “was pleasantly surprised when I received these, they are terrific!” They add, “These pens are actually triangular, which very comfortably fits in your hand just perfect. I mean, these are no high end pens, but for everyday writing with cool colors, they hit the mark, greatly exceeded my expectations.” Others praise them for not smudging or skipping. “They’re easy to hold, write smoothly, don’t skip, and are just great pens to have around,” says one repeat buyer. Plus, “These pens write like butter,” raves another reviewer. The one issue you might run into with pens these good is keeping track of them. One reviewer writes “I just wish people in my office would quit stealing them.”

Best no-bleed pen

“When Sharpie launched this pen that doesn’t bleed I did cartwheels,” says one reviewer, and nearly of a quarter of reviewers were just as excited about these no-bleed pens. “They do not smear while writing like so many other pens do,” says another. One says this claim holds up “even when using it to write on dinky recycled paper that I got from the dollar store, it doesn’t bleed out onto the pages below.” One leftie even says that they “don’t have trouble with these smudging.” Others just like the way these write. “Sharpie Pen is my go-to writing instrument for beautiful, permanent, ‘write on virtually anything’ writing needs,” one says. “Every single day. The sturdy, fine tip and smooth tip edges provide a consistently smooth, ‘get out of the way’ delivery of clean, smudge-proof penmanship.”

Best pen for lefties

This pen has a vocal fanbase on Amazon, many of whom are lefties who appreciate its fast-drying ink that “dries almost instantly” and doesn’t smudge when they write. As one lefty says, “Being left-handed, I have always had a problem of ink smearing and making a mess, not just on me but also on the card or letter that I was writing. I also have not been able to find a pen that doesn’t skip, one that writes smoothly and just feels good using it. This pen solved all of my problems! I love using it. It puts the fun back into writing!” Another raves, “Writes really smooth and dries quickly. A must have for left-handed people!”

Best disposable fountain pen

About 45 percent of reviewers love the feeling of writing with a fountain pen. “This style of pen makes it easy to write neatly and quickly with a steady ink flow which does not require too much pressure,” one reports, adding, “This has a feel that is comparable to much more expensive pens.” This disposable fountain pen even made our list of the 100 best pens , and writer Karen Iorio Adelson called it “a gateway drug to the expensive world of fountain pen collecting because it’s so comfortable and downright fun to write with.” Another says, “I love the easy, smooth flow of ink, and the ability to add an artistic touch to my handwriting.” What people like even more is that these are disposable. The same user continues, “With a typical fountain pen, I often have the following problems. (1) The ink cartridges are small and they run out of ink quickly. That means I have to take extra cartridges with me wherever I go. (2) The nibs get clogged with ink and I have to place the nib under running water to get the ink flowing again. What a mess! None of those are problems with the Pilot Varsity pens. Each pen has plenty of ink which lasts a long time. I’ve never had a nib get clogged up. They are maintenance free.”

Best multicolor gel pen set

More than 85 percent of the over 26,000 reviewers gave the InkJoy gel pen five stars, and we thought it was the best of all the gel pens we tested (and came in 23, out of 100 overall, in our ranking ). One purchaser says they first tried these out on a co-worker’s recommendation, and they were “hooked within thirty seconds: First of all the ink dries quickly, so I didn’t smudge it, at all. Ever. Second, they write so smoothly. Third, the colors are vivid and bright and fourth, the pens feel nice in your hands! I have to hide these pens from everyone else because they are always trying to run off with them.” Purchasers tend to love the bright colors, the rubber grip, and the smooth quick-dry ink. “These pens have me finding excuses to write,” says one reviewer. “I generally hate gel pens because I smear them so quickly when I write, but these are amazing.”

Best multicolor pen set for bullet journaling

More than 200 five-star reviewers who bullet journal love this set of multicolor iBayam pens. “These exceeded my expectations,” writes one such reviewer who was looking for fine-tip pens with minimal bleed and likes that the pens also “write fluidly” and the colors are “bright and unique.” Another reviewer who purchased the set to help their daughter start bullet journaling reports that the pens don’t bleed through paper and have minimal ghosting and no smudging. And a third reviewer praises the pens’ “vibrant” colors and how thinly and precisely they write, which makes it “so much easier to design my bullet journal.”

Best multicolor pen set for adult coloring books

Over 200 reviewers mention using this Stabilo pen set for adult coloring books . “I purchased these because my wife was frustrated that colored pencils did not have a fine enough tip for her adult coloring books,” one reviewer writes, explaining, “Most of the new adult coloring books have very small detailed patterns and these fine tip pens are perfect for that. Plus, so far the ink seems to be lasting nicely, and the color on paper is bright and rich. We have since bought several more packs of these for gifts.” Another happy purchaser says they’re great general use pens and work well for all sorts of craft projects: “These pens are way nice than I expected. I purchased them as liner pens for some of my watercolor paintings and discovered that they’re actually water soluble/blendable on watercolor paper. I use them LOTS for scrapbooking, adult coloring books, watercolors. The colors really pop and they write very smoothly on most surfaces.”

Best pens for calligraphy

“I just finished addressing 175 envelopes with one pen and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to try brush calligraphy,” raves one reviewer, and many others agree that this two-pack of Tombow brush pens is an excellent choice for calligraphers. One purchaser even goes as far as saying, “There honestly isn’t any competition when it comes to brush pens. These two Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens are all you need for calligraphy and illustration.” Many amateur and experienced calligraphers chime in to say that this set is often recommended by calligraphy experts and calligraphy-focused websites. “These are GREAT brush pens if you are a calligrapher or hand letterer. They are very popular in the lettering community and they are some of my favorite pens to use! I love that it comes in a dual pack. The hard tip is great for beginners and the soft tip has a bit more flex to it and mimics more of a brush pen.” One reviewer says this makes for a great starter set, and even offers a helpful suggestion for new calligraphers: “Highly recommend them to anyone wanting to try a brush pen. Just remember: light strokes going up and heavy going down.”

Best 4-in-1 pen

This BIC 4-in-1 pen gets a lot of appreciation from purchasers who rely on color-coding for work and organization. As one reviewer writes, “Twenty years ago, my mother used these to highlight interesting things in our print copy of TV Guide. Today, I use them to code documents that require certain things be written in certain colors.” Another adds: “I love these pens especially for nursing work as I can color code labs/notes/to-do’s etc. There is a lot of information I put on a piece of paper and these pens do a great job helping me get everything done.” This one almost broke into the top ten in our list of the best pens , making a strong showing at No. 12. Editor Katy Schneider raved, “I love to use this for checklists — you can make the list with blue or black ink, then put little stars next to the urgent items in red ink. Do I sound crazy?”

Best fine-tip gel pen

“I don’t even know myself anymore. Except that I love these things. Heck I never knew I could have that kind of a relationship with a pen,” one reviewer writers. Another customer says they’re so in love with their pen that they even followed a classmate home who didn’t return their beloved Uni-Ball. It’s this pen’s fine tip that caused this reviewer to act so irrationally. Another reviewer who writes in “a thin loopy style” says, “That’s why I really enjoy the very fine tip of these pens; everything just looks so much neater.” Others love the pen’s “no-skip” smooth glide. One reports, “It writes like an angel gliding across a picturesque frozen lake on the most expensive ice skates.” Dozens also give these pens top marks for being long lasting. “You won’t find yourself scratching circles in scrap-paper trying to get the ink restarted… These things are ready to go when you are, until the last drop is gone.”

Best fine-tip ballpoint pen

“The bane of all fine-point users — finding a fine point that is dark enough to actually see — has finally been solved,” writes one reviewer, who thinks the secret is in the pen’s ink. “Pilot calls the ink ‘Advanced,’ but for me, the better word would be ‘Perfected.’ It is the darkest black ink from a fine point pen that I’ve ever seen.” Many other happy purchasers agree, saluting the Acroball’s combination of a fine tip and a winning ink formula. “The ink is always smooth, never gums up, and very fine, leaving your writing neat, precise, and clean,” says one, while another adds that the fine tip actually makes their handwriting easier to read. “My handwriting, which is cursive/chicken scratch, is more legible thanks to the ultra fine point. The ink also dries super fast with minimal smudging and glides onto the paper as smooth as butter.” And finally, many love the design of these pens, highlighting the “unique white barrel” and the “vibrant and fun” accent colors.

Best extra-fine-tip pen

“For those who prefer their points extra fine, this is the pen for you. Writing with it is like writing with a needlepoint,” said our writer Lauren Ro after testing this for our best-pens list — and nearly 500 five-star reviewers have similar praise. One reviewer in search of a finer, higher-quality pen writes, “I have found it! These pens are incredible! The point is superfine, and the ink comes out smoothly and perfectly. I don’t think I will write with anything else ever again.” Plenty of reviewers with small handwriting also appreciate this Pilot, including one who finds even 0.5mm pens too bold. These, however, are “incredibly smooth and really, really fine. No glops, skips, or anything when writing. Just smooth, thin lines.” And another who says their “note taking is next level” thanks to how neatly this pen can write adds that they’ve “given away several to random people who like a good pen, and everyone was a convert.”

Best extra-fine-tip pen for drawing

Nearly 3,000 reviewers give this pen five stars, and many say it’s the tip that makes it so nice. “I like the extra fine version because it’s easier to write small with them which lends to writing much more quickly for me,” one explains. That extra-fine tip is also great for artists: “I even used them to create 24 illustrations for my book Mortuary Arts ,” writes one reviewer, adding, “These work as well for art as they do for writing, such a great flowing experience.” Even writers find it good for doodling, including Strategist writer Dominique Pariso , who said, “If you want to feel like a disaffected art student during your morning meeting, this one’s for you.” And though one reviewer points out they are a little pricey for a disposable pen, they are long-lasting, even with heavy use: “A single pen lasts for weeks, sometimes even months, at a time.”

Best felt-tip pen

The Paper Mate Flair has a lot of friends in high places. Writer Lesley Arfin , Saucony creative director Chris Mahoney , and New York ’s own Jerry Saltz all told us they’re fans. We ranked them at No. 58 in our list of the best pens , and it’s a big hit with Amazon reviewers, too. As one purchaser puts it, “Who doesn’t love a rainbow of felt tip pens?” Many contrast the Paper Mate Flairs with Sharpies and say they prefer the Flairs because there’s less bleed-through and odor. “I love felt tip markers/pens, and am a big fan of using Sharpies for EVERYTHING. However, those tend to bleed through,” one writes, continuing, “Luckily, these fantastic markers have the great felt tip writing feel without the smell or bleed; they’re PERFECT for my new planner.” Another writes, “I really had zero purpose for felt tip pens except when it came to needing to draw on top of full color designs that had been printed off. And my new job just suddenly had me needing to do this constantly. Regular pens don’t show up well and Sharpies bleed through horribly. These are the perfect alternative and the color assortment made them even better.”

Best bold gel pen

“I don’t care if this product goes through the roof on pricing, I will never, ever, not once not ever, EVER, buy any other pen if it’s not a PILOT G2 Premium Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens, Bold Point, Blue Ink, 12 Count (31257),” says one reviewer. And lots of other satisfied reviewers appreciate how boldly this pen writes. “The thicker ball point creates a much broader stroke (as expected), but also makes it easier to write on hard surfaces,” one says. Others just like the way it looks: “What I love about them is that they make a real ‘mark’ on the page. A bold one. One need not squint to see what’s there or what’s said, they can simply look with their normal eyes.” It’s also a smooth writing experience according to many. “The pen glides across the paper with less resistance, and the ink seems to dry more quickly,” one says, while another reviewer writes, “the soft grip and the smoothness of the ink on paper brought a tear to my eye.” If there is any drawback to these pens, “It writes so boldly, it may take an extra second or two before the ink dries,” but many are perfectly fine with that. Besides, according to one reviewer, “I have never experienced any of these Pilot G2s drying out.”

Best bold ballpoint pen

Reviewers who prefer a bold ballpoint pen praise this BIC one highly. “I have used this pen all the way up to multi-hundred dollar Mont Blanc pens and I prefer this one over those any day,” writes one reviewer with a pretty powerful testament for these plastic pens. It’s a nice option if you like “Thick, solid lines,” according to another reviewer. That’s because “these pens have 1.6 mm and are the boldest — thicker line of any pens I have bought.” And even with that extra girth, about a third of reviewers also describe the pen as smooth. “You don’t have any trouble getting ink onto the paper,” one reviewer reports. “It just kind of slides onto the page effortlessly.” Not only does the bold point make it easier to write, but “I think I write prettier with it,” according to one reviewer. Another reviewer even says their handwriting looked bubblier and rounder with this pen, while another thinks they’re so nice to use, they wrote their wedding thank-you cards with it. “Even paying bills by check is better.”

Best stick ballpoint pen

At under $6 for a pack of 12, the Pentel R.S.V.P. ballpoint pen is a great value. It’s also, as nearly 300 reviewers highlight, distinctly “smooth.” One writes, “These have been my favorite pens for years. Smooth writing with excellent control and no trailing.” Another adds, “The only thing I can say is that this is like the Cadillac of clear, smooth writing stick pens!” And while many like the more readily available medium-point 1.0mm model, the fine-point 0.7mm earns the most enthusiastic endorsements. “I’ve had other fine point pens that were hard to read due to skips and thinness in the printing, but none of that with these. Just sharp and strong, and the fine lines look tidier when writing small.”

Best gel pen with metal tip

This set of gel pens is popular with reviewers looking for a smooth-writing gel pen in assorted color options. One teacher says, “These are my go-to teacher pens. I use them for grading papers, writing notes, and pretty much everything I do in the classroom on a daily basis. I love these pens and I’m so grateful they come in so many great colors.” Another reviewer writes that they’re great for note-taking or for organizing categories in a planner: “I LOVE these pens so much. They write very smoothly and do not smear. I like to use them for note-taking (and document-filling, with the more ‘professional’ colors) at work and school.” They add, “Love, love, love, and I’ll be using all of these until the very last drop of ink — then I’ll buy more!”

Best compact pen

Over 100 five-star reviewers praise the Fischer Bullet Space Pen’s “compact” build. One purchaser says, “I was amazed by how small this pen is when it’s closed. I mean, it’s quite literally something you can stuff in your pocket and for that it’s there.” And while many mention buying this because they wanted a small “pocket-sized” pen, they also appreciate that they can attach the cap to the opposite end, “extending the length of the pen to make it comfortable [to hold] while signing a document.” One particular review seems to sum up what so many appreciate about this pen: “The real reason to this pen is durability and portability. If you just want a pen for your office, get a box of Precise V5’s. If you want a pen to carry around, get this.”

Best pen with pocket clip

“It truly is a quality writing instrument,” says one reviewer, who thinks very highly of this pen. “The ink flow is smooth it is comfortable to hold and feels well balanced in the hand. The unique design and operating function make this a one of a kind.” The design is something several reviewers call out as a main selling point. “Whoever engineered this thing should have won some kind of prize,” writes one reviewer. “I can’t stop opening and closing this thing. It does so with such a satisfying ‘plunk.’ Takes two hands to open, one to close.” Others love the spring-loaded pocket clip, because, as one reviewer explains, “The end of the clip has a little roller wheel so it won’t wear down your clothes as you clip and unclip it multiple times per day.” And one reviewer concludes, “It writes smooth as silk with great action (friction of tip against paper) and provides an even deployment of ink on all paper surfaces I’ve tried it on, a true pleasure to write with.”

Best astronaut pen

“The fact that this wonderful writing instrument is a standard-issue Astronaut pen is just a really cool bonus,” says one satisfied reviewer. Another appreciates that, “When you hold it you feel a connection to project Apollo and even the now-ended STS.” And while many are fans of real astronauts some just remember this pen from Seinfeld : “We are extreme Seinfeld fans and I got this for my husband from the episode about the Astronaut Pen. He knew immediately, of course, and it’s a great novelty item. Plus it’s a great PEN.” But really, this pen is more than just a novelty. The ink in this all-metal, ballpoint pen “flows well, drys quickly and writes cleanly,” according to one reviewer.

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18 Best Writing Pens: A Buyer’s Guide (2024)

Are you looking to buy the best writing pens ? Whether you love fountain pens or ballpoint pens, we’ve compiled a list of the best of each to help you decide.

If you’re the kind of person who prefers to jot your thoughts down in a notebook, you know finding the best writing pens is what makes the writing experience so satisfying. Even in this age of tablets and phones, pens are irreplaceable.

There is something more organic about writing things down by hand. It sets a relaxed pace, giving you time to consider your thoughts and ideas, and for me is a reminder of the power of the written word.

Research presented by Daniel Oppenheimer from the University of California in 2013 revealed that handwritten notes aid memory and information recall , improving the learning process. It is also a form of art and becomes an aspect of your creative output.

“ Calligraphy — the dance, on a tiny stage, of the living, speaking hand. ” Robert Bringhurst

With thousands of pens to choose from, most writers lack the time or budget to try them all. Generally, people prefer to buy cheaper pens in bulk, whereas the best pens for writing can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

For this guide, I’ve selected some affordable and more expensive options based on the different types of pens on sale today. If the pen is mightier than the keyboard for you, check out our list below, and you may also enjoy our roundup of the smoothest pens to write with .

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you use one.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Pen

How do you hold your pen, 1. notebook paper, 2. legal pad, 3. printer paper, 4. stationery or index cards, maintenance, 1. wordsworth & black fountain pen, 2. pilot metropolitan fountain pen, 3. twsbi eco fountain pen, 4. parker vector fountain pen, 5. lamy safari fountain pen, 6. uni-ball signo gel pen, 7. uni-ball vision elite rollerball pen, 8. uni-ball jetstream ballpoint pen, 9. parker jotter ballpoint pen, 10. bastion ballpoint pen, 11. zebra sarasa dry gel pen, 12. uni-ball signo premier gel pen, 13. pilot frixon gel pen, 14. sakura pigma micron pen, 15. zebra sarasa mark on gel pen, 16. papermate inkjoy, 17. pentel energel xm bl77, 18. pilot g2 premium refillable & retractable rolling ball gel pens, what pens are best for lefties, selection criteria, why you can trust me, what is the best pen for exams, what are the best pens for note-taking, pen buyer’s guide resources.

For the average person, there isn’t much to consider when you buy a pen; you just need something that works well enough for you to jot down a note here and there. For professional writers or students looking for school supplies, choosing a writing instrument is a bigger deal and requires some thought.

How you hold your pen matters quite a lot when choosing a pen. For example, if you’re heavy-handed, holding the pen perpendicular to the paper results in a dragged and scratchy experience, and the tip of the pen expires faster.

People who hold their pens delicately might prefer ballpoints because all they need is gentle pressure to write. 

Left-handed writers and those who hold their pens between their pointer and middle fingers should avoid a rollerball pen, as their writing hand can become messy from the ink. 

(An aside for writers on a budget: if you want to save money on writing apps and tools, check out my Grammarly coupon )

Consider The Paper

When searching for the right pen, you also need to know the kind of paper you will be writing on. Take your journal or notebook with you if you’re buying a pen from a shop so you can test the performance and flow of the pen. 

The paper’s thickness, texture, color, and what is under the paper will affect your pen’s performance. Here is a list of the most common paper media and the best pens for them:

This thin paper has a matte surface. A ballpoint or gel pen is perfect for this type of paper. You can also use a felt tip pen if you write with a light hand.

This padded paper is thin, but not as thin as notebook paper, with a sheen on the surface. It is usually yellow but is available in other colors.

The cardboard backing can range from flexible to rigid. The best pen to use on this paper is a rollerball or ballpoint pen. Heavier ink and fountain pens tend to bleed through paper on a legal pad.

This paper is much thicker than the first two and has a sheen like the legal pad. The best pen to write on this paper is a felt-tip or ballpoint pen. Fountain pens smudge easily on this paper.

Stationery cards, or note cards, are thick and absorb ink really well. The best pens for stationery cards are felt tips, fountain pens, and markers.

Some pens require care.

Fountain pens are pleasing to use, but you will have to refill them regularly or purchase replacement ink cartridges.

Also, consider how your pen will age. If you get scented gel pens, they might smell great when you first open them, but this quickly fades, especially if you don’t close the cap after use.

Best Writing Pens

Wordsworth & Black is one of the more expensive luxury pen brands in this guide and comes in a faux leather box. Billed as an executive pen, it’s heavier than other fountain pens. It feels solid, looks expensive, and writes smoothly. 

The pen comes with six free ink cartridges and a lifetime warranty. Writers can use it with a converter, which allows any bottled fountain pen ink for fountain pens.

• Feels natural when writing
• Wide range of colors & nib sizes
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Comes with ink cartridges

Check out our guide on fancy pens you’ll love writing with. You might also be wondering why is the Montblanc ballpoint pen expensive .

The Pilot Metropolitan pen is a good fountain pen for beginners. It has a superior metal build for a comfortable grip. It also has an exceptionally smooth nib, which is perfect for novices.

This pen is available in a variety of color options. It has three nib sizes—fine, medium, and medium italic—and can be easily filled with ink using cartridges.

Most people prefer the medium nib version. It glides smoothly when writing and doesn’t make a mess on the paper or your hand. You can easily draw a fine line with it.

If you’ve wondered how to use a fountain pen, start with this model, as it’s affordable and comes with a travel case.

• Ideal for beginners
• The cap tends to fall off the barrel
• Black Barrel
• Classic Design

The TWSBI ECO is a cool pen that looks futuristic and comes in a clear plastic case.

Besides a high- quality piston filler, this fountain pen has a sleek, clear body that reveals how much ink remains in the pen. It writes exceptionally well and comes in different nib sizes ranging from extra fine to 1.1mm italic. 

The TWSBI ECO fountain pen requires more time to master than other pens. I had to watch a 10-minute YouTube video to figure out how to fill and clean it. Refills require an ink bottle, so the pen is more suited for home use than on the go.

This luxury pen would make a nice present for a writer.

• Fine tip pen
• Easy to use
• Unique design
• Some customers noted ink fluidity issues
• Learning curve for maintenance

Parker makes nice, elegant pens that most people can afford. This no-nonsense fountain pen is suitable for an office and is refillable. 

It’s not quite as pleasing to write with as the other fountain pens mentioned above, and the plastic barrel doesn’t feel as satisfying. Still, the “quick ink technology” produces a pleasant effect on the page.

• Good ink flow
• Some components are plastic
• Less enjoyable to write with

Given that the Lamy Safari fountain pen was recommended by acclaimed authors such as Neil Gaiman, you would be right in assuming it’s a quality writing instrument. It’s comparable to the Wordsworth & Black luxury pen, although it’s lighter and has a matte rather than a glossy coating.

It’s light and durable but by no means flimsy. The ink cartridges last a long time and don’t dry out. Since there’s a window on the pen that allows you to see it, you can order a new cartridge before the ink runs out.

• Easy to hold
• Doesn’t smudge
• Doesn’t come with extras
• 5 Black Ink Cartridges
• Z28 Converter and Wipe

There are lots of affordable gel pens to choose from, but the Uni-ball Signo gel pen is a good choice. 

It glides on all types of paper, has a large 0.7mm nib size, and offers a variety of color options, including metallic, sparkling, and pastel. Nib sizes vary from 0.7mm to 0.28mm.

If you prefer bold colors, go for the metallic option, but if you want something light, try pastel colors. Both ink types are vibrant. Its pigment-based formula is waterproof and unaffected by too much exposure to light.

• Easy to write with
• Has a finger grip
• Ink smudges
• Can be scratchy
• 0.38 mm tip

You might also be interested in our guide on how to GTD a Moleskine notebook .

The Uni-ball Vision Elite is a best-selling rollerball pen. It glides smoothly on the paper and feels sturdy. Unlike fountain pens, you don’t need to worry about an inconsistent ink flow.

This retractable pen comes with two tip options, 0.8mm and 0.5mm. The 0.8mm tip is silky smooth, and the 0.5mm option makes sure your pen never scratches the paper. 

The Uni-ball Vision Elite’s pen’s Super Ink is resistant to fading and water. Since this can prevent fraud, it’s often used to write checks and sign legal documents. 

It comes in different color variations such as blue, black, brown-black, and purple-black.

This pen doesn’t include a finger grip and is heavier than other Uni-ball pens in this guide.

• Smooth ink flow
• No finger grip
• 0.5mm Fine Point Micro Tip

With the Uni-ball Jetstream ballpoint pen, you side-step the rollerball vs. ballpoint debate because of Uni’s proprietary ink. It uses Uni-ball’s famous Super Ink, which is resistant to fading due to exposure to light or water. 

This pen provides all the benefits of writing with a ballpoint pen. Besides giving the user a smooth glide on all kinds of paper—whether a legal pad or stationery cards—the Uni-ball Jetstream ballpoint pen is available in several colors and tip sizes, so you can easily choose your favorite pen.  

It also has a fine point at just 0.38mm.

This is a good, lightweight pen to keep in your bag or use on the go. It’s also not so expensive that losing it will annoy you.

• Ink doesn’t drip
• Ink may run out quicker than expected
• 1.0mm bold point
• Medium Black Pens
• Quick drying Super Ink

Parker is known for making luxury pens. The Jotter ballpoint balances appearance with affordability. It looks smart and isn’t too big or heavy. You can insert your ink cartridge of choice into the pen.

This clickable stainless steel pen allows you to write fast and easily. It doesn’t come with a cap, which some writers prefer. Pressing the thrust device on the top before you start writing is satisfying. 

• Sleek design
• Lightweight
• Stainless Steel with Chrome Trim
• Medium Point Blue Ink
•  Made of 77% recycled materials (excluding refill)
• Signature Retractable Design
• Fitted with Quinkflow Ballpoint Refill

Bastion sells a collection of ballpoint and fountain pens. The ballpoint pens are particularly impressive. They come in a range of colors with a keep-safe box. Some even have a rough grip along the body if you need the support.

These pens are pleasing to write with. Since it’s a premium pen, it is a little heavy but not to the extent of being difficult to write with. 

Given the high price point, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re durable enough to last a long time as they’re made from titanium.

• Comes in a range of ink colors
• Retractable

The Zebra Sarasa dry gel pen dries pretty quickly as compared to other gel pens. It has a large tip and is great for thick papers like stationery cards. The ink has a consistency similar to gel, which is why writes smoothly. It comes in 0.4mm, 0.5mm, and 0.7mm tip sizes. 

The Zebra Sarasa also comes with a clip that lets you easily attach it to your notebooks or even your pocket, so it’s a great pen for students and writers on the go. It’s a cheap, cheerful, and affordable writing pen.

• Fast-drying ink
• Smooth-writing experience
• Not durable
• Low viscosity gel-like ink

The Uni-ball Signo 207 Premier gel pen bills itself as the best ergonomic pen on the market. It has free-flowing ink, meaning you can hold the pen lightly or heavily, and it will still glide over your paper. Even if you have a light hand, you’re writing will be bold and legible.

This pen is heavier than other models in this guide, but the large gel strip on the side means you won’t hurt your fingers. It’s ideal for writers who take notes in class or write a lot on paper in the office.

Like other Uni models, it also uses the brand’s reliable Super Ink.

• Finger grip can be sticky
• 0.5mm Micro Point
• Textured Grip
• Uni Super ink

The Pilot FriXion gel pen is a fun erasable pen. It has a special thermo-sensitive ink, which disappears easily when you rub it with the eraser on top of the pen. 

Don’t let the cheap packaging fool you; the pen works great. The Pilot FriXion gel pen comes in different colors, tip sizes, and styles.

• May run dry quicker than expected
• Colours Blue/Black/Pink/Light Blue/Purple
• Erasable Refillable Gel Rollerball Pen
• Retractable Mechanism
• Thermosensitive Ink

The Sakura Pigma felt tip pen is suitable for writing letters. The tip of the pen is gentle and allows the user to make precise markings. It is a good option if you want to experiment with drawing fonts. 

The ink is pigment-based, which means the color is very strong. It uses water-proof archival ink. This ink is resistant to fading with age, meaning you should be able to revisit your writing in an old journal years later and find it as legible as the day you wrote it.

The Sakura Pigma felt tip pen comes in 15 colors and different sizes, ranging from 0.15mm to 0.5mm.

• Comfortable to hold
• Smudge-free
• More suited for drawing than writing
• Point sizes 0.20mm, 0.25mm, 0.30mm, 0.35mm, 0.45mm & 0.50mm

If you use pens to write or highlight notes, consider the Zebra Sarasa gel pen. This cheap and cheerful pen is water-resistant and rarely smears, unlike other gel pens.

It comes with a clip, so you can easily attach it to your notebook or pocket. The ink dries quickly on both card and paper. You’ll notice the ink is heavier and more solid than other pens. 

The clickable pen is lightweight and features a finger rest near the nib, so you’re unlikely to get finger pain while writing quickly.

• Quick drying ink
• Clip may break without care
• 5 Black,1 Blue,1 Red
• Water-resistant ink
• Quick drying

Papermate is one of the best-known gel pen brands for good reason. Despite the low price point, these pens are quick drying to prevent smearing. The ink flows well, making for a smooth writing experience.

Keep in mind that if you’re writing on thin paper, it won’t bleed through, but you will be able to see the writing on the other side. You can choose from standard black pens or go for colored ones. Either way, the pigment is vivid.

• Vivid pigment
• Shows through the back of thin paper
• Medium Point
• Ergonomic comfort grip

Pentel is best known for its special EnerGel ink, which offers a smooth writing experience with a quick drying time to prevent smudges. The ink flow is consistent enough that you can write clearly without having to use much pressure. To make it even more seamless, the pens have a finger grip to help with comfort and control.

For those concerned about the environmental impact of their writing utensils, these pens are made from more than 50% recycled materials.

• Classic retro-look
• Smudge-resistant
• Retractable Liquid Gel Ink Pen
• 54% Recycled

The Pilot G2 pens are another great choice for eco-conscious writers as they are refillable. With more than 100 years in the business, the brand is one of the most recognizable when it comes to gathering office supplies or preparing to go back to school.

You can choose from ultra-fine, extra fine, fine, and bold point pens, depending on your needs and writing style. The G2 pens write smoothly and dry quickly. Despite the cheap price point, they’re excellent value for money as the ink lasts a long time. 

• Long-lasting
• Isn’t smooth on all kinds of paper
• Can smudge a little
• Fine Point, Black

Check out our guide on the best roller ball pens for more options.

Left-handed writers need quick-drying ink to prevent smudges on their paper and fingers. The best choices are pigment liners and ballpoint pens. Keep in mind that oil-based inks tend to dry quicker but don’t write as smoothly as water-based inks. Lefties are better off using oil-based ink.

I chose a wide range of pens for this list so there would be something for everyone. Only pens with good reviews were considered, and they had to be durable and comfortable to hold for long periods of time. They also needed to be able to write on more than one type of paper.

I bought almost every pen in this guide and spent a few minutes writing with each one on index cards and paper. I also looked at what other writers thought to determine if there was anything I missed.

Best Writing Pens: FAQs

A Uni-Ball 0.8mm pen is ideal for students who need to write quickly during an exam, as it’s comfortable to hold and doesn’t smudge. It also comes in a variety of colors.

If you like to read and review your notes often, use a fountain pen. It’s fun to use and looks great on paper. The Pilot Metropolitan Fountain pen is a good choice.

Rollerball Vs Ballpoint Pens

Fancy Pens You’ll Love Writing With

Why Is The Montblanc Ballpoint Pen So Expensive?

Best Gel Roller Pens

What Is The Smoothest Pen to Write With?

Aisling is an Irish journalist and content creator with a BA in Journalism & New Media. She has bylines in OK! Magazine, Metro, The Inquistr, and the Irish Examiner. She loves to read horror and YA. Find Aisling on LinkedIn .

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The Best Pens for Any Writing Purpose, Tested

Here’s everything you need to make your mark.

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Writing with a pen that feels like it was made just for you is a small pleasure unlike any other. However, finding that elusive best pen can take a little trial and error. In fact, there's a lot to take into consideration: Variables like ink type, pen width, writing purpose, and paper type all subtly affect the writing experience differently for every person.

In this guide, we're thoroughly breaking down everything you need to know about the best pens and how to differentiate among types, so you can make the best choice for you.

What to Consider

Ballpoint, rollerball, and gel pens typically all have a rolling ball mechanism at their tips, which distributes ink from their internal cartridge onto the page. However, the ink type differs slightly among them.

• Ballpoint pens contain ink that is oil-based and is the most viscous of all pen-ink types. This means that the ink dries quickly, but you may find yourself pressing down hard on the page in order to write with it.
• Rollerball pens contain water-based ink, which allows them to glide far more smoothly over the page. However, this type of pen can be troublesome for left-handed people to use since the ink is slower to dry and has the tendency to smudge.
• Gel pens also contain water-based ink, but this ink is pigment-based rather than dye-based, so the consistency is slightly thicker than rollerball-pen ink. These pens are a little more user-friendly than rollerballs, and they can also be found in a rainbow spectrum of colors. Cheap gel pens are prone to clumping and drying out, so this pen category is worth spending a little more on.
• Felt-tip pens are also known as marker pens or porous-point pens due to the porous material of their tips. These pens actually encompass a wide group of marker-type utensils — both permanent and nonpermanent – but the ones that are used for writing on paper contain water- or pigment-based dye .
• Fountain pens are sophisticated writing utensils that require a little more know-how to fill and use. They are typically used with dye-based inks, which are contained in disposable cartridges or refillable converters. The tip of a fountain pen is called a nib, and the size of the nib affects the flow of ink from it. The fountain pens in this guide are equipped with medium nibs, which produce a line width of about .8 mm . Though fountain pens can be used on regular paper, a thicker paper is recommended because the pen's higher output of watery ink is likely to bleed through a thin page.

The price of your pens can also be a major factor as you’re looking since the price per pen can range anywhere from less than a dollar to well into the thousands for a designer or rare piece. Some of the most highly regarded pens are incredibly expensive, so we narrowed our focus to pens around $25 each — though the top-rated pens from our test are even more affordable than that!

How We Tested

We researched pens within each of the above categories individually. Due to each pen category's unique ink type and design characteristics, we decided that the pens within them should be judged against each other, not across categories.

Once we honed in on 22 reviewer-favorite pens, we then drew up the criteria for the testing phase. These criteria were based on the most common features found in our research, along with our own gut-check instincts of whether or not this was a pen that we'd recommend to others:

• Comfort in hand
• Writing smoothness
• Level of ink smearing (also when highlighted)
• Level of ink bleeding through paper
• Ease of left-handed use

To test, we asked 15 of our site editors and staffers to write with pens on regular office paper and rate them. The fountain pens were tested on thicker notebook paper and were judged mainly on comfort in hand and ease of use. Based on the responses from our test, we were able to narrow our candidates down and rank the best pens in each category.

The results of our testing are below. Find out which of the best pens earned top marks!

Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ballpoint Pen (3-Pack)

What may seem like a no-nonsense retractable pen at first glance is actually a total delight to use. The majority of our testers gave a perfect rating to the Uni-Ball Jetstream’s comfortable grip and bleedproof ink quality.

While the smoothness of this ballpoint pen is not as slick as other types, testers still found that it wrote easily and effortlessly; as one editor said, “It writes without a hiccup, making it a great everyday pen. Smooth to the touch and steady on the paper.”

This particular Uni-Ball Jetstream pen has a fine .7-millimeter tip (for comparison, the standard BIC ballpoint pen has a 1-millimeter tip), and three out of four of our left-handed testers gave it top marks for its smearproof quality.

We also tested the Skilcraft U.S. Government Ballpoint Pen , the Zebra F-402 , and the Fisher Bullet Space Pen in the ballpoint pen category.

More: The Best Organization Products to Keep Your Whole Life in Order

Zebra F-402 Ballpoint Stainless Steel Retractable Pens (2-Pack)

We wanted to make sure that we included a highlighting component in our testing criteria since some pen inks, even when dry, can smear from the added layer of wet ink. We tested this with all pen categories except for fountain pens.

Unsurprisingly, the viscous-ink ballpoint pens performed the best, and the Zebra F-402 was the top pen in this test. Almost instantly, after writing with it, we found that the text could be highlighted without any smearing whatsoever.

This 0.7-millimeter fine-point retractable pen has a stainless steel build and velvety grip, and it struck most of our testers as being a substantial writing utensil. One tester said, “This one felt sturdy and comfortable; not too fussy.”

A few testers did critique the weightiness of the pen, though, and felt that the ink flow was too thin for it to be their top choice.

Pilot G2 Retractable Gel-Ink Pen (12-Pack)

Gel pens were a popular category with our testing group, thanks to the gel ink's smooth writing flow and quick-drying properties. The fine-point 0.7-millimeter tip of this particular Pilot G2 model was highly rated for its comfort in hand, smooth writing, and bleedproof qualities.

Our left-handed testers were split on whether the ink’s smear factor was a problem for them. One noted, “It’s fairly trusty with a smooth tip and solid ink flow, but if you aren't cautious, it does smear."

This retractable pen is equipped with a comfortable, contoured grip, making it an ideal choice for longhand writing. It's also available in 0.38-, 0.5-, and 1-millimeter tip sizes.

We tested this gel ink pen alongside the Uni-Ball Gel Grip , Pilot G-Tec-C , the TUL Gel Pens , the Zebra Sarasa , and the Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX .

Uni-Ball Vision Elite Rollerball Pen (3-Pack)

As far as writing smoothness goes, the Uni-Ball Vision Elite may be the best of the bunch. Our testers found its fluid ink flow quite exceptional, with one person saying, “I thought it wrote very smoothly. I also love how dark and rich the ink appears.”

As is expected with rollerball pens, this pen’s ink takes slightly longer to dry and is unfortunately prone to smearing. One of our left-handed testers said, “I want to like this pen because I love how thick the ink comes out, but it is just not meant for left-handed people.”

The design of this rollerball pen can also be a point of contention with users. A few of our testers loved the substantial flow of ink from its slim 0.8-millimeter tip, but they found that the pen's crosshatched grip was uncomfortable to hold for longer periods of time. Others found this design to be a major plus and actually conducive to the writing experience.

In any case, you may want to reserve these pens for thicker, non-glossy paper to enjoy them to their fullest.

In the rollerball pen category, we also tested the Pilot Precise V5RT and Uni-Ball ONYX rollerball pens.

Marvy Uchida Le Pen (12-Pack)

Our testers were split on the felt-tip category overall because personal preferences on pen barrel size varied widely. The fine-point 0.3-millimeter Marvy Uchida Le Pen won out for its smearproof ink.

This pen writes incredibly smoothly, requiring virtually no force to make a vivid, bold mark on the page. As one tester put it, “It may be a little slimmer than the average writing utensil, but it makes writing by hand really fun.”

We also tested the Pilot Razor Point II Marker Stick Pen , the Prismacolor Premier Illustration Marker , the Paper Mate Flair Felt-Tip Pen , and the Sharpie Pen in this category.

Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen

When it comes to buying a luxury pen, the sky is truly the (price) limit. We found the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen to be one of the most affordable yet high-quality and reviewer-beloved pens out there, clocking in at just around $25 from most retailers.

Our testers voted that this model was the easiest and most intuitive of the fountain pens to use. One person noted, “This is a great pen. It’s on the slim side but still elegant, and it writes very well. Very smooth.”

This particular pen comes with a medium nib but is also available to buy in a fine-nib size. It comes equipped with an ink cartridge, as well as a squeeze converter that can be used to fill it from an inkwell. For our purposes, we tested it using the provided ink cartridge.

We tested this fountain pen alongside the JinHao X750 Fountain Pen , the Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen , and the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen .

Pilot Razor Point II Marker Stick Pen (12-Pack)

Of the 15 testers in our group, four are left-handed, and each type of pen category seemed to present its own set of challenges for them. The fountain pens and gel pens were tough categories in terms of ink smudging. Intriguingly, their only unanimous vote went to a pen in the felt-tip category.

The Pilot Razor Point II is technically a porous-point pen with a super-fine 0.2-millimeter tip that writes like a very slim marker without looking as dark or unwieldy. One tester even said, “It doesn’t feel like a felt-tip! More like a ballpoint.”

This pen also got high marks on its bleedproof quality and comfort in the hand. While it definitely doesn't write as smoothly as the Le Pen, it may be more versatile in terms of the paper thickness you're able to use.

Our lefties also liked the Uni-Ball Jetstream Ballpoint Pen , Pilot Precise V5RT Rollerball Pen , and the Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Rollerball Pen .

Gullor JinHao X750 Medium-Nib Fountain Pen

Every one of our testers actually said “whoa” upon picking up the JinHao X750 fountain pen — and that was before they found out how inexpensive it is! This pen was undoubtedly the thickest and weightiest pen of the group, but its surprisingly comfortable grip made it easy and enjoyable for beginner fountain-pen writers to use.

One tester said, “The heft makes it feel expensive and substantial. Aesthetically, it’s very pleasing, and the writing is easy and smooth.”

While this is not a pen for extended longhand writing, its included medium-size nib gives a nice flourish to handwritten notes, calligraphy, and of course, your signature on important documents. If the provided medium nib doesn’t work for you, you can always swap it out for a compatible model in your preferred size.

It’s worth noting that the JinHao X750 comes equipped with a piston converter, so users will need to have their own inkwell on hand to be able to refill it. We used ink from a Parker Quink inkwell . The pen’s converter mechanism worked without any issue, and we found this video tutorial from JetPens to be a fantastic guide for first-time users.

Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful , and Elle Decor . A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.

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The Best Pens in 2023

Whether it's fountain or felt tip you fancy, here are the best pens money can buy.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

In a digital heavy world, pen and paper have never been more important. Perhaps only a decade ago, writing handwritten notes, be it thank you cards or invitations, was the norm. Now, it's a rarity. If there's one way to make a lasting impression on someone in today's world, it's taking the time to write out your sentiments to the receiver.

But, aside from being polite, being equipped with the best set of stationary, journal, and/or pen is a game changer. Like most things, not all pens are built the same and some pens are more appropriate than others depending what they're being used for. Do you like the sheen of ink? Opt in for a gel pen. Are you someone who prefers that the pen leaves thinner marks? A fountain pen will do (this writer's favorite). Regardless of your style, a sophisticated pen is worth the investment.

And, lest we forget gifting. A beautiful writing utensil hits the trifecta of good gifting: practical, thoughtful, and aesthetically pleasing.

Below, we've rounded up some of the best pens in 2023.

Pineider Arco Fountain Pen Oak Limited Edition

Dating back to 1774, Pineider continues to be a purveyor of fine leather goods, stationary, and pens. This fountain pen is made in resin for a smooth touch, equipped with a quill shaped clips, and finished a 14-k gold nib. Luxury in a writing utensil.

Kaweco AL Sport Anthracite Gel Rollerball

German pen company Kaweco has been making these luxe writing utensils since the 1880s and they've been dubbed the Mercedes-Benz of pens.

This is Queen Elizabeth's pen of choice, need I say more?

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.5 mm

For crisp lines and a smooth writing experience, look no further than this pen from Staedtler.

Skilcraft Retractable Ball Point Pen, Fine Point

Skilcraft's pens are known to be reliable and built to last.

Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen, Black Barrel, Classic Design, Medium Nib, Black Ink (91107)

Fountain pens aren't for everyone, but this one from Pilot could be. It's smooth and the ink dries faster than most fountain pens, with minimal smudging.

Pilot G2 07 Black Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen Rollerball 0.7mm

You're probably familiar with these gel rollerballs, but their ubiquity is indicative of how good they are. Consistent ink flow, next to no smudging, and smooth lines. As a bonus, they're refillable.

Uni-ball Jetstream Retractable Ball Point Pens,0.7mm

The Uni-ball Jetstream has some of the fastest-drying ink on the market.

Uni-ball Signo RT1 Retractable Gel Ink Pen, Micro Point 0.38mm

For those of us who love a good color coordination, an arsenal of colored pens is a necessity. This multi-pack contains a great selection and the pens are high quality. Win-win!

Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner

For a super fine point tip—and therefore super crisp lettering—these pens from Stabilo are the way to go.

Santos de Cartier rollerball pen

Plenty of people have a Cartier bracelet, but a Cartier pen? Now that's a rarity.

Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens 0.7mm

Gel pens can be finicky with unreliable ink flow, but these ballpoints from Muji are very trustworthy and beloved by Amazon reviewers.

Parker Classic Stainless Steel Ballpoint

From the same brand as the Queen's favorite pen, this is a more accessible, everyday option.

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens, Medium Point

If a felt tip suits your fancy, Paper Mate does this style especially well. Try the colorful selection or stick with a basic blue and black pack.

Fisher Space Space AG7 Original Astronaut Space Pen

What could be cooler than writing with the same pen as astronauts?

Bic Velocity Bold Retractable Ball Pen, Bold Point (1.6mm)

Perhaps you don't prefer the thin fineliners. If so, Bic's bold pens are a great option.

Cross Edge Pen, 0.7 mm

This option from Cross is an all-around solid pen and has a sturdy feel in hand.

Viceroy Grand Rollerball Pen

For a touch of elegance that is no less functional, Smythson's luxurious solid silver Viceroy pen is one that you will wield proudly.

John F. Kennedy Special Edition Rollerball

Channel our 35th president with a dark blue resin pen with a platinum clip. It's so stunning, you'll be sure to sign everything with it—not jut official and privileged documents.

Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different . Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country . Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.

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Authors and editors alike say their best work comes with these 17 pens

I've always loved stationery. From color-coordinated sticky notes to file desktop storage and folders for every subject, it made sense why back-to-school season was my favorite time of year growing up (and it wasn't because of school). Naturally, it came as no surprise when I started becoming increasingly passionate about pens over the past few years.

It's no secret to me that different pens impact how neat or messy my handwriting is, but while I was able to grin and bear it in the past, I've found that now I can't even do that. I've spent the better part of the past two years buying and trying pens of every tip size, ballpoint and gel style, color and brand. While I've come to a conclusion about which ones have made it into my top three favorites, I'm always on the hunt for a new one (despite the hundreds that are currently in my house...but we don't have to talk about that).

This time, instead of scouring the internet and trying my luck at finding ones with good reviews, I decided to consult the experts: writers, editors and authors! Below, find 16 different pens that are approved by the pros.

Shop TODAY Snapshot

Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker

Fine Point Permanent Marker

While this isn’t a traditional sort of pen that probably comes to mind, it’s a favorite of author Stephanie Garber. Before her first book was released, the “Caraval” writer was gifted a hot pink Sharpie on her birthday by her sister. She still has the same one and even says it still works.

“It might not seem like a practical pen, but I always like to have a hot pink sharpie nearby because I think it makes anything it touches a little more fun.”

Muji Smooth Gel Ink Knock Type Ballpoint Pen

Smooth Gel Ink Knock Type Ballpoint Pen

"A good pen often stands between me and my next great idea," says Dhonielle Clayton, bestselling author of "The Marvellers." Clayton is still fond of handwriting the first draft of her novels, so using the right pen is important to her process. She says these pens help her find her creative rhythm.

"I love the thin 0.5 mm ballpoint, allowing for smooth lines, no smudging and no bleeding through the page. The grip is sleek and comfortable for long writing sessions and the color saturation is gorgeous and rich," she raves. "These pens are magic!"

Shop TODAY SEO writer Jannely Espinal is also a fan of these pens. "I love the Muji pen for its smooth touch and ability to ink words with precision," she shares. "As someone who writes cursive, this pen is excellent to craft quick notes on your agenda. It writes elegantly and the fine print won't make your letters look all cluttered."

Marvy Uchida Le Pen

Leigh Bardugo , New York Times-bestselling author of popular book-to-Netflix adapted series “Shadow and Bone,” loves the Le Pen from Marvy Uchida.

“I think I picked up my first Le Pen at Muji during a trip to New York City — and I still have it because they are somehow enchanted to never run out of ink. This is the pen I reach for when I’m taking notes at a meeting or on a call, or when I’m revising a new manuscript and need to map things out away from my keyboard,” she tells us. “It’s compact, writes smoothly and it has never betrayed me by exploding on an airplane.”

PaperMate InkJoy Ballpoint 300RT

InkJoy Ballpoint 300RT (Set of 8)

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times-bestselling author of young adult thriller "Ace of Spades," is another fan of PaperMate pens, but prefers this thicker ballpoint style.

"As a writer with dysgraphia , I struggle a lot with pens that have comfortable grips," she shares. "My favorite pen to use is the PaperMate InkJoy Ballpoint Stylo-Billie [now known as just Ballpoint] because they are bigger than the average pen and are therefore easy to hold/makes writing on paper feel really fluid."

BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen

Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens (Set of 60)

These affordable pens ring in at less than $5 for a 60-count, and they’re a favorite of Shop TODAY production associate Jillian Ortiz who says she prefers them over any other pen she’s used before.

“It doesn’t bleed and makes it easy to write clearly and concisely. I hate pens that leak ink and then it smudges all over your hands as you write on the page. They’re so cheap and the best, in my opinion!” she raves.

Sharpie S-Gel Retractable Gel Pens

S-Gel Retractable Gel Pens (Set of 4)

A favorite of Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach, she calls the Sharpie S-Gel with a 0.7mm point her everyday pen. "It glides seamlessly while I am taking tons of notes in meetings and gives off that bold, inky look without the bleeding."

Pilot Dr. Grip Limited Pen

Dr. Grip Limited Pen

This has been a personal favorite of mine for the past year. It's designed with comfort in mind and was even recognized by the Arthritis Foundation . I've found that I can write with this pen for hours without experiencing any dreaded hand cramping. While it's only available in black ink, it comes in four fun shell colors.

uni-ball Vision Elite Rollerball Pen

Vision Elite Rollerball Pen (Set of 3)

Shop TODAY senior SEO editor Jess Bender takes after her dad and his affinity for pens. Growing up, she says she only had two types of pens in the house: pens her dad brought home from his office and these specific rollerball pens from uni-ball.

"They glide onto the page so easily, their ink lasts forever and they make my terrible handwriting look slightly more readable," she says. "I just bought a new eight-pack for the office so I can continue my pen snobbery at work!"

Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Pens

FriXion Clicker Erasable Pens (Set of 3)

Brach isn’t a fan of pencils, so she decided to give this erasable gel pen a try and was pleasantly surprised with the results. “It really impressed me. I love being able to erase ink because I absolutely loathe pencils,” she says.

Sakura Pigma Micron Pen

Pigma Micron Pens (Set of 3)

These Amazon bestselling fine point pens are a favorite of Elena Armas, author of "The Spanish Love Deception." Often used by artists for drawing, they come in several different colors but Armas is partial to the rose hue that matches her book cover.

"They write smoothly, never smudge and feel fancy even when writing a to-do list," she raves.

Pilot Frixion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Pens

Frixion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Pens (Set of 10)

This colorful bunch is a go-to for former Shop TODAY commerce writer Hannah Baker . Described by the brand as "the first erasable fine point marker pen," with these, you no longer have to worry about carrying around a bottle of correction fluid for your ink errors.

G2 (Set of 12)

Shop TODAY production associate Audrey Ekman is a fan of these pens from Pilot. “The classic Pilot G2 wins my proverbial pen bracket every time. I love how lusciously bold, inky and satisfying a G2 is to write with,” she says. “Thinner pens tend to yield illegible chicken scratch from me, but something about the smooth and broad strokes of a G2 actually improves my handwriting... magic!”

Brach is also a fan of the pens, but prefers the fine 0.7mm point over the thicker 1.0mm point.

uni-ball Jetstream RT Ballpoint Pens

Jetstream RT Ballpoint Pens (Set of 3)

Tracy Deonn, author of New York Times bestseller “Legendborn,” is a fan of uni-ball pens but specifically calls out this version. “When I’m crafting new worlds and new stories, I always have a uni-ball Jetstream nearby. I love how smooth it writes and how quickly it dries–when the ideas are coming fast, I don’t have time for smears or splotches!” she says.

PaperMate InkJoy Retractable Gel Pen

InkJoy Retractable Gel Pen (Set of 8)

Kai Harris , author of "What the Fireflies Knew," is a fan of these PaperMate medium-point pens. "This has been my go-to pen for years because it's fast-drying and inexpensive (which works well for everyday use), but also writes smoothly with thin, crisp lines that are perfect for professional writing (including signing books)," she adds. "I typically use the black pen, but it's also available in a variety of colors if you want to have fun!"

Pilot Precise V5 Deco Collection Pens

Precise V5 Deco Collection Pens (Set of 9)

These pens are a staple for Shop TODAY SEO editorial assistant Sierra Hoeger who says she's bought them every year since her first year of college. "They're simple, no frills, yet come in fun colors that make note taking even more so!"

Swarovski White Crystal Star Light Pen

White Crystal Star Light Pen

Associate editor Allie Wise is a fan of Swarovski pens. "These Swarovski pens are totally worth the splurge! Not only do they make great gifts, but they write super smooth, and the ink lasts for a long time. Everyone needs a little sparkle in their lives, right?"

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Safari Fountain Pen

After receiving a bright pink version of this pen as a birthday gift from her dad, Chloe Gong made it her go-to writing utensil when she "wants to feel fancy." The bestselling author of "These Violent Delights" and its sequel "Our Violent Ends" admits that even though typing is easy, "there's something especially satisfying about a smooth ink nib pulling my words out.”

Kamari Stewart is an Associate SEO Editor for Shop TODAY.

To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more

• Home & garden

The nine best pens for writing in 2023

• Martha Alexander

Scribe, sign and scrawl in style with our pick of the best pens for writing

“You want to be a writer, but you don’t know how or when? Find a quiet place, use a humble pen.” So go the lyrics of Paul Simon’s Hurricane Eye and, despite the fact that we live in an increasingly digital world, his advice still rings true.

Even if you don’t have ambitions to be a writer, a pen is both an everyday essential and an instrument of power. Yes, we all know there’s an “an app for that”. We all have the tools to tap out lengthy emails on our laptops and create endless lists on our smartphones. Electronic communication is lightning fast and undeniably cheap.

But there remains something deeply intuitive and visceral about the physical act of putting pen to paper, whether it be to write an essay, assemble a shopping list or create a memorable two-line postcard. Writing by hand, with a pen that you love using, remains a simple and hugely underrated pleasure.

What qualities make for a great pen, however, depend largely on personal preference. Some of us take pleasure in creating slim, reedy, lines with ballpoints or gel pens. Others like the generous, full flourishes that you can only get from an elegant fountain pen.

While pens certainly can be used for drawing, our focus in this roundup is very much on those designed for writing. We’re looking for models that offer a near complete absence of smudging, as well as inspiringly smooth scribing.

Best pen for writing: At a glance

• Best overall pen for writing: Pilot Hi-Tecpoint Rollerball Pen
• Best fountain pen: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
• Best-designed pen for writing: Classic Cap Roller Pen Plus

How to choose the best pen for you

What do you want it for.

Is it for letter writing? Note taking? List making? Journalling? A pen for letter writing will need to be comfortable and non-fatiguing to use over a period of time, while a vibrant ink colour or smaller nib size might be a higher priority, especially if note-taking or list creation are your priority.

Does it write smoothly and release ink evenly?

Using a pen that doesn’t appear to want to do your bidding can be a little stressful. You shouldn’t have to push hard on a nib or drag a pen aggressively across the page to get it to write. Ink should be released evenly, without you having to exert undue pressure, and shouldn’t bleed through the paper you use.

READ NEXT:  The best colouring oencils to buy

How does it feel to hold?

Anyone who had to go through the misery of writing essays in the days before laptops became a classroom staple will absolutely testify that some pens feel more comfortable than others. Of course, “feel” is completely subjective, but pens that feature an ergonomic grip or finger pads tend to make writing that little bit easier. That said, some people value the lightness of a slimline pen over all other considerations.

Do you need a disposable, refillable or cartridge-based type?

While there are countless varieties of disposable pens, there really is something special about owning a pen that requires a degree of effort to maintain, even if relatively minor.

What should you spend?

Pens can cost less than a pound or, at the other end of the scale, hundreds, perhaps even thousands of pounds.

How we test writing pens

At Expert Reviews, we know that hands-on testing gives us the best and most complete information about a product. So we personally test all the writing pens we review. In order to standardise the testing, all of the pens are evaluated by the same person, writing on the same type of paper – in this instance we used high quality, 80gsm, lined paper from a Pukka pad.

We write for about a page, paying close attention to the comfort of the grip and the smoothness of the pen nib on paper, with a specific focus on the consistency of the ink flow. We noted drying times for the ink and any inherent smudge risk.

Finally, we considered specific details, such as the nib design and whether the pen requires cartridges, and, if so, what type.

READ NEXT: The best fountain pens to buy

The best writing pens you can buy in 2023

1. pilot hi-tecpoint rollerball pen: best overall pen for writing.

Available with black, red or blue inks, the Hi-Tecpoint has long been a beloved staple of teachers and students who might need different colours for marking or notation.

But it also boasts endurance: it’s beautifully made – something of a design classic – and offers a consistent ink flow, with no danger of smudging, so is therefore the perfect choice for long handwritten letters or tackling exams.

With a precision-engineered 0.5mm tip, the pen creates notably slim 0.3mm wide lines, which help keep your writing both even and tidy.

The best news of all? It’s incredibly affordable. An out and out classic.

Key features – Nib type: Rollerball fountain; Tip width: 0.5mm Refillable: No

Pilot BX V5 Hi-Tecpoint Rollerball Pen - Extra Fine 0.5mm Tip 0.3mm Line - Blue (Pack of 6)

2. lamy safari fountain pen: best fountain pen.

Who said fountain pens had to be expensive? Of course, there are some that require a huge investment, but this beautiful example – with a polished steel nib and vivid red casing – is inexpensive but still boasts the quality you’d expect from one of the names in premium pens.

The ergonomically shaped grip makes this model a pleasure to grasp, even before you’ve put nib to paper. Once you get writing the ink flow proves smoothly and evenly (you’ll need to get cartridge refills), requiring only the gentlest of pressure.

The ink flow is consistent, too. You won’t find it leaving random spots on your paper, and you certainly won’t have ink-stained fingertips when you’ve finished writing. Pleasing touches include a transparent window that signals when your ink is running low, plus the ability to fit an optional adapter that allows you to use bottled ink.

Key features – Nib type: Fountain; Refillable: Yes

Buy now from Ryman

3. Manuscript Handwriting Pen: Best writing pen for grip

Granted, few people write complete manuscripts with pen and ink any more but if they did, they’d probably use this one. That’s because a triangular-shaped grip above the nib makes holding it supremely comfortable, even over long periods of time.

The 0.5mm tip is fine without being scratchy and the ink distribution is completely uniform: you don’t need to push down hard. The act of writing becomes a physical pleasure with this pen and you can’t help but want to make your sentences a joy to look at, as well as read.

Key features – Nib type: Ballpoint; Refillable: No

Buy now from Hobbycraft

4. Classic Cap Roller Pen Plus: Best-designed pen for writing

Given Moleskine’s track record in creating beautifully designed notebooks and diaries, it should come as no surprise that it’s nailed it with pens, too. Specifically, this is a gel rollerball with a square profile, matte ABS barrel and an ingenious patented clip, designed to attach the pen onto a notebook and stop it rolling off.

Ergonomically, it feels a bit strange at first to grip a square pen but you get used to it after a few seconds. Once you’ve acclimatised to the pen’s unusual shape, the only thing you’ll notice are the beautifully slim lines you’re creating when you write, as well the rich, matte ink you’re laying down.

Available in black, yellow and red finishes, this unique pen has a retractable 0.5mm roller tip and is refillable.

Key features – Nib type: Ballpoint; Refillable: Yes

Buy now from Moleskine

5. Pilot V-Pen: Best single-use fountain pen

If you love writing with fountain pens but are the type of person who loses everything sooner or later, or can never remember when you need cartridges, then this affordable single-use fountain pen is the one for you.

The blue ink flows smoothly and, as you might expect, more freely than from a biro or ballpoint. Despite that, thanks to its quick-drying formulation and a nib designed with precision in mind, there’s no evident smudging or bleeding. A great option if you’re particularly prone to misplacing your pens.

Key features – Nib type: Fountain; Refillable: No

Buy now from Paperchase

6. Stabilo point 88 Colorparade 20 Assorted: Best pens for colour choice

Just the sight of this rainbow-coloured range of pens is enough to lift anyone’s spirits. Even better is the fact that they are a joy to use when you get down to scribbling.

The slim hexagonal barrel affords a good grip while the slim fibre tip lays down a well-defined 0.4mm wide line, perfect for showcasing small, neat handwriting. This is definitely a precision writing instrument, one that’s uncommonly durable, thanks to its metal-encased tip.

That durability is evident in other areas, too. We can confirm, for instance, that the maker’s claim of a long ‘cap-off’ time is true, the pen working faultlessly even after the fibre nib has been exposed to the air for several hours. An ideal choice if precision matters.

Key features – Nib type: Fibre; Refillable: No

Buy now from Stabilo

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Choosing from the sheer variety of pens is one of the great joys of stationery, but it can be daunting to navigate all the options. Factors like tip size, ink formulation, and even tip type can influence what the best pen for your handwriting style will be. To help you narrow down the choices, read on or watch this video to see our pen recommendations for cursive writing, left-handed writers, fast writers, and more.

• Considerations
• Best Pen for Print Writing
• Best Pen for Cursive Writing
• Best Pen for Small Handwriting
• Best Pen for Large Handwriting
• Best Pen for Left-Handers
• Best Pen for Heavy-Handed Writers
• Best Pen for Slow Writing
• Best Pen for Fast Writing
• More Resources
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• Ballpoint inks are oil-based. They dry quickly but can have inconsistent ink flow.
• Gel inks are solid when at rest and become liquid when the ball in the tip of the pen rotates and exerts force on the water-based ink. They have a smooth flow and come in dozens of colors, but the ink can take longer to dry than ballpoint ink.
• Rollerball inks are a liquid ink that is water based. They take almost no pressure to write, but they take the longest to dry and can bleed through low quality papers.

Fountain pens are great for some writing styles, but they require upkeep that may be troublesome for the average writer. If you are interested in using a fountain pen, start your journey by reading our Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pens .

If you usually write on print-outs or other papers that you cannot control the quality of, the 0.7 mm Uni-ball Signo is a good alternative. Its ink is less likely to bleed through the page while maintaining a smooth flow.

• The Best Pens
• Ballpoint and Gel Pens: Best Practices
• Types of Pens: How to Pick a Pen with the Right Ink
• The Best Ballpoint Pens
• The Best Low-Viscosity Ballpoint Pens
• The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pens
• The Best Quick-Drying Gel Pens
• The Best Rollerball Pens
• The Best Bold Point Pens
• The Best Lefty-Friendly Pens and Writing Supplies
• The Best Ergonomic Pens
• The Best Pens for Heavy-Handed Writers

No matter which pen you choose, be sure to pair it with high quality paper for the best writing experience. Read our guide on The Best Notebooks for Every Use to find picks for students, professionals, artists, and more. What handwriting style do you have, and what pen do you use? Let us know in the comments below.

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The 17 Best Pens for Writing, According to Pros

These are the tools pro writers swear by.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

I'm far from the only person irrevocably bonded to their favorite pen. Writer Jeanna Kadlec exclusively uses Pilot G2s; Victoria Barrett doesn't need anything fancier than blue PaperMate ballpoints . For writer and longtime journaler Anika Fajardo , the pen is even more important than the notebook (though those are crucial , too). "Pens are the conduit from your thoughts to the page," she tells OprahMag.com. While PaperMate and Pilot pens count among the most popular brands, some people's favorites are unexpected. Entertainment writer Tamara Fuentes has used the same generic pen for note-taking and writing since finding one in her college's office of Alumni Affairs. Now, she plans to order a box set customized with her name from Pens.Com .

The below pens are some of the best for writing, but they'll also come in handy (literally) for beautifying bullet journals , taking notes in planners fast, manifesting your dreams , or looking like an executive. The vibrant (and comfortable) ones can be used for coloring books and drawing , too. We've also noted which fast-drying pens are particularly good for lefties, and included some luxurious gel picks that glide smoothly.

Pilot PILOT G2 Pens

The Pilot G2 pen has a devoted following–or, as some stationery blogs put it, a "cult" following. Enthusiastic Amazon reviewers back this up: "Why would you write with anything else?" one person wrote. The refillable pens come in Fine, Extra Fine, Bold, or Ultra Fine versions and multiple colors. 

Fisher Space Pen Fisher Space Bullet Pen

If you ever get a chance to send a postcard from the Moon, be sure to have the Fisher Space Pen on hand. First used on the  Apollo 7 mission in 1968 , the seemingly simple pen was designed to perform in extreme temperatures, underwater,  and  zero gravity. These qualities also make the Fisher Space Bullet Pen a favorite among left-handed people , who frequently contend with ink smudging. 

Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens

If you're looking for a pen that writes as quickly as your brain works, these colorful, super smooth pens, are for you. 

Stabio Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Pens

Whether you're taking meticulous notes or writing a fast diary entry, the Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner pens, which are available in 47 colors, are a good bet. They're also great for sketching. According to Amazon reviewers , the pens don't smudge or bleed, and are more affordable than the  Staedler Triplus Fineliner pen  which is popular in the stationery community. 

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens

Wedding planner Jordan Maney swears by the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens—a pricier alternative to the Stabilo pens, with a slightly finer tip—for her goal-setting journal. She pairs the pens with double-sided Zebra Midiliner highlighters . 

Sharpie S-Gel

The Sharpie S-Gel is accompanied by high praise. "I first tried the Sharpie S-gel after hearing that it glides on paper as Kristy Yamaguchi glides on ice," writer Farrah Alexander tells OprahMag.com. Now, she buys the medium-point, fast-drying pens regularly, praising their reasonable price and comfortable grip. 

MUJI Aluminum Fountain Pen

Muji's sleek aluminum fountain pen comes with one ink cartridge—and a whole lot of style. "I gift them a lot to start friends on their fountain pen addictions," writer Gawain Kripke says. "I love fountain pens because they're old-timey and the ink flows wonderfully."

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

If you've yet to venture into the world of fountain pens, this is another good entry point. The ink cartridges are sold separately.

Pilot Bottle to Pen Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pen

Writer Angela Lashbrook raves about this sustainably sourced pen, made from recycled bottles. "The ink is super smooth. It lasts a long time and doesn’t dry up easily," she says. 

Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen

For a classic option, turn to the Parker Jotter, a pen with over 60 years of history (and all the special editions to prove it) . The Parker Jotter combines the sturdy reliability of a ballpoint pen with a stainless steel get-up. Unsurprisingly, it's  James Bond's pen of choice , too. And since the ink cartridge is refillable, you can use your Parker Jotter for a lifetime—so long as you keep track of it. 

Uni-Ball Deluxe Rollerball Pens

For a flow that  looks  as if it were written with a fountain pen (but  wasn't ), turn to Uni-Ball 's rollerball pens. The substantial line of ink dries quickly—but the pen itself doesn't dry out. Reviewers say you can leave the cap off without fearing the pen will be ruined. 

Uni-Ball Sign Pen MYT7 N Felt-Tip Pen

Imagine a thinner Sharpie marker that doesn't bleed through the page, and you'll arrive at this hidden gem. The felt-tip pen's extra bold line is great for marking the  most important item in your to-do list. To create a set, this model also comes in blue and red. 

Uni-Ball UB-187S Vision Needle Rollerball Pen

This pen makes a strong impression without requiring much pressure—you can practically  see  the ink seeping into the paper. "It allows you to write lightly so you get less 'ghosting' when you bullet journal," writer Dorian Gittleman says, referring to ink imprints that appear on the opposite side of a written page. She also recommends the waterproof pen for people with small handwriting. 

Pilot FriXion Ball 3 Metal Pen

Thanks to this pen, your mistakes are no longer permanent: The Pilot FriXion Pen's gel ink is erasable . This particular model comes with three colors in one pen, allowing you to switch easily. Another plus? "It doesn't sink through the thinner pages on journals like normal gel or rollerball inks," writer Susie Geissler says. 

Pentel EnerGel RTX Retractable Liquid Gel Pen

If your hand often gets tired while writing, consider this liquid gel ink pen. According to Geissler, the comfortable rubberized grip helps with hand fatigue. In addition to the .7 width, it comes in a .5 mm extra fine line for detailed work.

Cross Edge Pen

Geissler calls this a "pen with purpose." The capless rollerball pen is also ideal for on-the-go use, as its spring-loaded, built-in clip makes it easy to attach the pen to a pocket, organizer, or shirt. Or, if you're in search of a gift , the impressive-looking pen would be a great addition to any present. 

Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5

Zebra Sarasa (in .4mm, not .5) are this author's particular favorite. For a slightly bolder line, the .5 is ideal. The pens are known for their delightfully crisp writing experience. Expect no smudging or bleeding from the ink. The colors are bold, too—even the yellow. With a built-in alligator clip, the pen can be attached to notebooks or that coloring book. For more variety, try a 20-pack.  

Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. 

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9 best pens to write with, from ballpoints to fountain pens

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There are two types of people in the world – those who think a pen is just a pen and those who know that a pen is an instrument of such power that they are fanatically particular about what they write with. The enjoyment of writing with a pen you find brilliant is one of life’s simple pleasures, particularly in a world dominated by digital life.

There is of course a certain amount of subjectivity when it comes to what makes a great pen – some people love those that create thin lines, others like the impact of a chunky felt tip or the elegance of a fountain pen.

We know that pens can be used for other things besides writing, including illustration , architecture and technical drawing. but here we are focusing on pens for handwriting .

In this round-up we’ve asked the same things of each pen: does it write smoothly, gliding across the page and releasing ink evenly? How does it feel to hold? Does the ink dry quickly? Does it bleed into the other side of the paper? What does it look like? Is it expensive? How long does it last?

How we tested

We used the same paper (85gsm) and wrote up to an A5 sheet’s worth with each pen. This, we felt, gave us ample opportunity to get to grips, literally, with what each pen offered. The tester was right-handed.

Related stories

The best pens for 2023 are:.

• Best overall pen – Pilot hi-tecpoint: £9.59, Amazon.co.uk
• Best fountain pen – Lamy safari fountain pen: £23.99, Ryman.co.uk
• Best value pen – Manuscript handwriting pen: £3.80, Hobbycraft.co.uk
• Best fountain pen for beginners – Pilot v-pen: £4.75, Cultpens.com
• Best-looking pen – Poketo prism rollerball: £5.00, Leavesstationerystore.co.uk

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Pilot hi-tecpoint

• Best : Overall
• Point type : Extra fine
• Ink colour : Blue (available in black and red, too)

With the consistent flow of a fountain pen, but the cheapness of a biro – the Hi-Tecpoint is an absolute design classic, allowing users to write evenly and neatly with no smudge to speak of. At 0.5mm the tip results in fine lines, brilliant for small, neat handwriting: ideal for thank you notes or invitations.

Available in a handful of colours including green and red, we found this so easy to write with it became almost meditative – a smooth, relaxing process with beautiful, even results, even for those of us not blessed with a perfect hand.

Lamy safari fountain pen

• Best : Fountain pen
• Point type : Fountain
• Ink colour : Blue

With a polished steel nib and beautiful red casing, this is a gorgeous fountain pen that won’t break the bank.

Offering a smooth flow of ink (cartridges must be changed) and an ergonomic grip for fingers this is a pleasure to use. You just need the softest of pressure and the nib and ink takes care of themselves – gliding across the page effortlessly.

If looked after carefully, there’s no reason this pen couldn’t last years, making it a sustainable investment piece.

Manuscript handwriting pen

• Best : Value
• Point type : Fine
• Ink colour : Black

With a triangular circumference for your fingers to grip as you write, these pens are really comfortable to hold. There’s also something lovely and tactile about the matt exterior of the pen, too. The 0.5mm tip is fine without being scratchy and the ink distribution is smooth and regular – you don’t need to push down hard. This all contributes to neat writing for any occasion.

Pilot v-pen

• Best : Fountain pen for beginners

This is a single-use fountain pen – ideal for beginners to get their practice in or people who don’t want to think about cartridges. It’s just so lush to write with. The ink flows so smoothly – and yet takes almost no time to dry, it’s also absorbed easily without a heavy bleed.

Poketo prism rollerball

• Best : Appearance
• Ink colour : Metallic colours

Available in five different colours, these pens are so beautiful to look at – they will absolutely be a talking point at meetings and an aesthetic boon for your desk.

We loved how slim and lightweight they felt in our hands – the fine rollerball tip produces really delicate, neat handwriting in a slightly shimmery, chrome finish which will certainly jazz up any journals, letters or cards.

Papermate flair felt tips

• Best : Felt tip
• Ink colour : Bright colours

Purists will probably be furious about the inclusion of felt tips in a story focused on handwriting, but there is definitely a case for this type of pen being a joy to write with. Especially these, which have thinner tips than most – these are 0.7mm which create bold but not chunky lines. Best of all, unlike most felt tips, these don’t bleed into the other side of the paper.

We loved the easy flow of these pens – a range of bright colours for those who really like to express themselves – not least because they made a satisfying squeaky sound as we wrote.

Stabilo OHP fineliner

• Best : Projectors

We didn’t realise that this fineliner is actually designed for use on glass, film and metal to work with projectors, but are happy to report that it works beautifully on paper too. Smooth, even, dense without bleeding either to the other side or outwards onto the page – we wrote neatly and easily with this. And there was no smudging to speak of, either.

Bic 4 colours shine ballpoint pen

• Best : Students
• Point type : Medium

This pen has been a pen lover’s staple since 1970 – and Bic still find ways of updating it while staying true to the elements that make it a design favourite. This still boasts four colours in one pen, each retractable, but the main body of the pen has a shimmering shiny sheen that rings the changes.

We think this is the perfect pen for note-taking, particularly for students who might need to colour code points or themes. In terms of writing, the nibs are each 1mm and write evenly with no smudging, but they are essentially simply biros so those hunting for the satisfaction of a deliciously smooth flow might be disappointed.

The verdict: Pens

We don’t think you can beat the Pilot hi-tecpoint when it comes to precision, ink flow, price, neatness and just general satisfaction when it comes to both the act of writing and the end result. But we have to say the Poketo prisms are a gorgeous revelation and the Lamy fountain pen is something lovely to keep forever.

Stay in touch with loved ones with the best letter writing sets for adults

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Writerly Sage

Good Writing Pens: The Definitive Guide

There is a certain elegance to a fine pen. A good pen should be a pleasure to pick up. And dare we say, a fine pen might also impress? Pens from Scriveiner make a great gift to the writer in your life—or to yourself.

Best Pens for Long Writing Sessions

There are many different ways and places to write, and many different ways to put words on the page, but using one of these best writing pens may be the most enjoyable method of all for writing and journali ng. 

Why write by hand when you can type ?

Perhaps it is hard to define, but writing with a pen appeals to the tactile senses. Using the smoothest pen, thoughts flow from our minds, through the ink in the pen, and onto the page of your writing notebook . 

Want to know the best part?

Seeing a handwritten page filled with our own words makes our thoughts and emotions real. A good pen won’t write the words for you, but it can inspire you to write in the first place.

In our hurried world, writing with a pen also offers an opportunity to slow down and actually think. We can compose our deepest ideas at an unhurried pace. 

Writing by hand prompts a kind of craftsmanship that we may not feel when dashing off emails on our keyboard.

Don’t take just my word for it:

“Paper absorbs our emotions,” notes pen maven Vivien Schubert. “Those of the writer and those of the recipient.”

Fortunately, there is no need to rely on a quick and ink pot, or on whittling pencils with a pocketknife like Ernest Hemingway used to do as part of his morning writing ritual. 

Read on to explore different pens from ball point to roller ball and how they may best suit your writing style. 

Consider that a good pen is also a thing of beauty that makes writing a pleasure. A good pen is like an old friend. In some of these best pens for writing, there is even a craftsmanship to the pen itself. 

Several years ago at a craft festival, I had the luck to buy a pen handmade out of wood salvaged from a shipping pallet made from scraps of sapele, a kind of mahogany from the Congo. 

The pen is quite lovely and a joy to admire because of the way that the light catches the deeply oiled wood, but it’s not very well-balanced for the actual task of writing.

Everyday writing is about comfort. 

Here are some choices:

For daily writing, I am very fond of the Pilot Dr. Grip pen. I have tried many pens through the years but have found this one to be the most comfortable. In fact, it’s one of the best ballpoint pens or best gel pens that you can find on the market. I once wrote an entire novel by hand on legal pads using one of these pens. 

What is the smoothest pen?

To answer this question, keep in mind:

For me, it is the somewhat large, squishy grip of the pen and the natural balance that is so appealing. I’ve bought several and have them stashed in various writing locations throughout the house and in my laptop bag so that I never have to go hunting far for a pen when inspiration strikes. 

The writing muse can be fleeting, after all, and she won’t wait around for you to locate a pen and notebook.

The lesson here may be to keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer, and keep your pen within reach.

My ugly, hirsute, bald muse reminds me that it’s work, gritty, demanding work, not the pretty, poetic images of writing that must drive me.” Faith Hunter

A quick history of the ballpoint pen

This is quite a story:

Before WWII, writers really only had the choice of using a pencil or a fountain pen. According to Smithsonian magazine , it was Jewish-Hungarian journalist László Bíro who invented the humble ballpoint pen.

As a journalist who took a lot of notes, he found that neither a pencil nor a fountain pen was ideal.

What was the solution?

Bíro noticed that printer’s ink used to churn out newspapers on printing presses dried much faster than the ink from fountain pens. He managed to develop a system that delivered the ink to the page using a tiny ball in the tip of the pen, allowing just the right amount of ink to coat the ball, and thus, the page.

Which is better ballpoint or gel pen?

There are several considerations when choosing your favorite writing pen.

• First of all, what are the actual differences between, say, a gel pen or ball point pen? It really comes down to the ink and how it flows out of the pen. Again, the choice of ink is a personal preference.

By using a high-quality pen, today’s technology means that you will get a good result no matter what kind of pen you choose. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between a gel pen, ball point , roller ball, and fountain pen. 

If you are interested in writing with a feather quill and ink well just like Miguel de Cervantes composing Don Quixote , then good luck to you! 

German engineering shows in this brushed stainless steel ballpoint pen from Lamy.

What are these differences, you might ask?

Isn’t a pen a pen, and isn’t ink just ink?

The answer is a bit more complex.

Gel pens use what is actually a pigment that is suspended in a water-based or polymer-based gel. Thus, gel pens can create words on the page that are both rich and crisp. Also, the way that the pigment is suspended allows for the use of vivid colors. 

A rollerball pen uses a more liquid form of ink that is a close cousin to the ink found in a fountain pen, but the pen’s mechanism allows for a smooth and even flow of ink.

Ballpoint pens have been in use much longer and use a kind of paste ink that flows around the tiny ball in the nib of the pen. Ballpoint pens can really seem to flow over the paper, which is a bonus if you are a fast writer or when the ideas are coming quickly. 

Wait, what’s that smell?

Ballpoint pen inks often use  a bit of alcohol as a solvent in the ink, and you may have noticed the slight smell of alcohol after dashing off a few sentences. This is further proof that words can be intoxicating!

Fountain pens either use a cartridge filled with liquid ink or the pen itself is refilled with ink. These pens are for the true writing aficionado in that it takes some skill to write fluidly with a fountain pen. For those who enjoy writing with real flourish, but not necessarily with speed, the fountain pen may be for you.

And one more to consider …

It’s not a pen, but a mechanical pencil . This writing implement uses a replaceable pencil lead. The pencil is a great choice for anyone who prefers the option of being able to erase what they have written. A pencil also remains a favorite for jotting notes in margins and underlining passages in books. 

Pen vs. pencil:

An ink pen tends to be the writer’s choice. By and large, a pencil is the editor’s writing implement of choice. 

A pencil can be enormously enjoyable to use for writing on quality notebook paper.  You can buy a cheap mechanical pencil suitable for junior’s algebra problems or a beautiful mechanical pencil that can become a family heirloom.

Choosing the right pen for you

There’s a simple acronym I developed to help you choose the right pen. It’s called the PEN method .

What is it?

P —Personal taste. Fancy, plain, metal, wood. What strikes your fancy?

E —Evaluate your needs. How will this pen be used?

N —Nib. How the ink is delivered to the page in many ways is the number one factor in choosing your best writing pen.

Now explore your options. (Everyone’s favorite part of choosing a new pen.)

Let’s break this down:

An important question is to know how and where you will use this pen. Is the pen for everyday use or for a special occasion? We all have our everyday pens like that trusty Dr. Grip, but consider purchasing a unique pen that suits a special occasion such as a book signing. 

Using a really nice pen to sign a book also makes a statement that this book is special and that you appreciate the fact that this reader bought your book. Somehow, a really special pen gives a signature—or any writing, really—extra value and meaning.

• What materials do you prefer in a pen? Again, this choice of pen comes down to personal preference. There are those who prefer the reassuring feel of metal in their hands and those who prefer a softer material. I’m a big fan of pens that use a wood veneer, making them light but quite beautiful.

• Thick or thin? There are pens thin as a dart and pens stubby as a cigar. Smaller hands may appreciate smaller pens, naturally. Older hands may appreciate the solid grasp of a hefty pen.

• Click, twist or two-piece pen? Having a pen that clicks requires just one hand, but let’s face it, there is nothing quite so elegant as a two-piece pen or a twist pen. More expensive writing pens generally fall into this category of twist-open or two-piece pens with a cap that fits over the end. 

Will the pen be a gift?

• Don’t forget that a pen is the perfect gift for the writer in your life who has just achieved some milestone in his or her life. 

These milestones could include: 

• A new graduate.

• A new retiree who going to spend more time writing.

• An old friend starting a new career or business.

• The person who already seems to have everything. There is always room for the perfect pen! 

You may also be interested in this list of pens costing thousands of dollars … perhaps for that really special gift after you win the lottery or write that mega-bestseller!

What’s the most important thing to remember about giving a pen as a gift?

When giving a pen as a gift, you generally want to make a statement and the pen should have some wow factor such as a presentation box. 

The best gifted pens are those that the person would not necessarily buy for themselves. It is a splurge, and a memorable one at that. A pen given out of fondness for a person creates a positive energy whenever they put words to paper.

Don’t forget Numero Uno:

Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong at all about giving yourself the gift of a new pen! Your new pen can be a wonderful motivator to get busy writing. A pen can also mark a special occasion, such as the release of a new book or publication of an article or essay. Make a new pen your reward!

Finally, a good pen for writing is also a very individualized choice. Here, I have shared a few of my current favorites, ranging from the affordable Dr. Grip to some very special pens that may be more appropriate for giving as gifts or for special occasions. 

There are also those who swear by fountain pens, which are truly beautiful writing pens, particularly if you are writing a Samurai novel set in 19th century Japan or perhaps a Regency romance.

A few more thoughts:

It’s been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. In the literal sense, no one ever took on a sword-wielding Samurai when armed with only a fountain pen and lived to tell the tale. But rest assured that when using one of these fine writing implements, your words on the page will be mighty indeed!

Let’s take a look at some of the Writerly Sage’s top picks for writing pens.

Who says comfort needs to be stodgy? Like a Cadillac, this pen offers a smooth ride with style.

In ballpoint or paired with gel ink, the Dr. Grip pen is one of the most ergonomically pleasing writing implements on the market (in the opinion of the Writerly Sage). Several colors are available. The Sage keeps one in his office, one next to his bullet journal, one in his laptop bag … well, you get the idea.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

This wooden-sheathed gem offers both style and comfort, plus something unique in a sea of plastic pens. Bonus points for the case, which makes this a nice gift.

Highly rated by Wirecutter magazine for its value and smooth writing. This may make a great pen in an office setting where you need to share and pens have a way of disappearing. No worries—you have a drawer full.

Why be cold when writing? Invoke your inner Bob Cratchit and stay warm with these fingerless gloves.

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Communication is a powerful weapon. Wield it properly with these pens for writing.

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It’s no secret that a proper writing utensil is critical to the success of any op, no matter how small. Now, while penning a letter home may not carry the same weight as a messenger dashing through the battlefield to relay a note, having a quality pen for writing is still essential. The truth is that you never know when you’ll need to relay a message. From covert intelligence to remembering to buy milk on your next run to the market, a pen is a versatile instrument with endless uses (without even calling on your inner MacGyver). But, to get this value, the pen has to work properly, which means the ink can’t freeze behind the ball but it also shouldn’t flow onto the page in a fountain of ink. You’d be surprised how often a shoddy pen can hinder an op, and it’s easier to plan ahead than be caught off guard by a sudden mess.

Finding the best pens for writing takes a surprising amount of research; so, to cut through the noise, we tracked down the top options. This way, next time you need to relay a message, finding a pen won’t be an issue.

BIC Quick-Dry Gel Pens  

Versatile by nature, the BIC Quick-Dry Gel Pens enable you to write quickly without the risk of smudging the ink. If you are leaving a note in a hurry, penmanship often goes by the wayside, meaning you need a pen that can keep up. Bic, a well-reputed brand in the world of writing instruments, has pens designed to resist damage and perform in high-stakes situations. These particular gel pens feature a spring-controlled retractable tip that rings in at 0.7 millimeters. Each of the pens has a clip at the back, letting you easily attach it to whatever you need. The pens feature a relatively wide shaft for a comfortable grip, and they’re also ridged to maximize your control regardless of the angle from which you’re writing. Easy-flow blue ink lets you leave your mark prominently, whether you’re writing a shopping list or coordinates. [ Buy ] 

PILOT G2 Premium Refillable Pens

Want a pen that can keep up with you over the long term? Check out the PILOT G2 Premium Refillable Pens for their strong design and quality performance. The set comes with five pens, each featuring black ink. Refillable for added longevity, these gel pens let ink flow smoothly over the page. This set features a medium tip, helping to avoid the risk of tearing through the page when writing in a hurry, and with an ergonomic design, the rubber grip makes handling them a breeze. Preventing strain in your hand and arms, these pens can keep up during long writing projects without catches in the ink flow. The retractable mechanism uses a spring control system, preserving the function of the tip by encasing it in the body of the pen when it isn’t in use. Durable and effective, these pens are an affordable, functional choice. [ Buy ]

Obacle Ballpoint Pens  

If you want a pen that you can use for everything from calligraphy to jotting down a message, Obacle Ballpoint Pens are worth a look. The set comes with two refillable pens and includes two refills for each unit. The pens themselves are reasonably sleek with the design focused on ergonomic comfort. Though there is no grip near to the tip, the angle of the body works to mitigate cramping when taking notes. The black ink dries quickly, preventing issues with smudging when you’re in a hurry. Flowing smoothly, the one-millimetre point of the pen won’t tear through thinner paper. Lightweight and retractable, when you’re finished with a task, you can simply twist the back of the pen to return the tip to inside the body. Compact and relatively thin, these pens fit easily in a pocket so you always have a writing tool on your person. [ Buy ]

Tanmit Black Ink Gel Pens 

Best efforts aside, pens just get lost sometimes. If you struggle with finding a pen when you need one, buying in bulk might be a good way to go. The set of Tanmit Black Ink Gel Pens comes in a set of 18, giving you enough of a supply to last quite some time. The pens themselves function well, writing smoothly with a relatively broad tip. With black ink that is meant to flow well yet dry quickly, the pens don’t result in smearing. Near to the tip is a rubber grip, making it easy to write clearly even if you’re dealing with unstable surroundings. Retracting with a spring, the plastic casing is reasonably tough, protecting the ink inside from temperature and impact. Ideal for those who are always losing a pen, this bulk set of writing instruments is a good way to go. [ Buy ]

Zebra Pens Retractable Pen Set

Different situations call for different ink colors. The 24-pack of Zebra Pens Retractable Pens is a solid choice for those who want to be prepared for anything. Each of these pens features a tough body of medium width. The rubber at the tip makes for an easy grip while the retractable feature protects the ball of the pen from damage. In terms of ink, high-viscosity fluid prevents air bubbles and ensures a smooth, uninterrupted flow of your words onto the paper. A key benefit is that the pens don’t require any scribbling to get the ink going, making this set both practical and user-friendly. [ Buy ]

Types of pens for writing

• Ballpoint pen: Originally created to eliminate issues with smudging, ballpoint pens feature the namesake ball at the tip of the pen. It catches the ink and rolls it onto the page. As a result, the writing comes out smoothly and with fewer interruptions. This type of pen relies on oil-based ink to function. Requiring little maintenance, the only downside of these pens is that the ink may clump from time to time.  
• Fountain pen : While the novelty of fountain pens is noteworthy, there is a reason that they are less prevalent in modern times. These pens have an ink cartridge that flows directly to the tip, providing a constant source of ink. Benefits include the ability to write smoothly over long periods and the ability to do calligraphy and personalize your notes. However, the drawbacks of smudging and frequently running out of ink often outweigh the positive aspects of this pen type. 
• Gel pen: This type of pen for writing relies on water-based ink, growing in popularity due to the smooth writing they enable. Often, you can find gel pens that use ballpoint technology to control the flow of the ink onto the page. Typically, gel pen ink is fairly thick and can be found in a whole host of colors. The only downfall of this pen type is that, if left uncapped (or not retracted) the ink is liable to run dry fairly quickly. 

Key features

• Ink: For the pen to actually write, it relies entirely on an ink supply. Depending on the type of pen you’re using, the ink will be encased differently. Naturally, the most common ink colors include black, blue, and red. The ink itself will either be oil or water-based and will vary in viscosity. Quick-drying ink is essential to functionality since it prevents smudges. The ink needs to be chemically-engineered to avoid clumps and prevent the build-up of air bubbles inside the cartridge. 
• Tip: The tip (or the point) of the pen is the part that actually makes contact with the page, with the most common mechanism being a ballpoint. The width of the tip, measured in millimeters, will have a large impact on both the flow of the ink and the type of paper you can work with. Thicker tips flow more quickly and often require longer drying times. However, thinner tips are more prone to tearing paper and can make it harder to get the ink flowing. 
• Casing: The body of the pen is the part that you hold when writing. It should be thick enough to make writing comfortable without getting too bulky. Often, the casing will feature a rubber grip close to the tip to improve your control. This feature can also help to prevent muscle soreness when writing for long periods. Refillable pens have casings that open to allow you to refill the cartridge, though most other pens also open to let you troubleshoot issues with the springs. 
• Retraction: Not only is this feature necessary to stop you from staining your uniform with ink, but it is also there to help prevent the ink from drying out. There are two main mechanisms used: twist and spring retraction. The spring method uses a clicker at the base of the pen to let you control the tip’s placement. A twist mechanism has you swivel the base of the pen to return the tip of the pen to within the casing. 

Benefits of pens for writing

The key advantage of pens for writing is the ability to communicate your intentions. Pens are versatile tools that you can use to do everything from sending a letter home to making a to-do list to relaying the coordinates of a muster point. Especially during stressful situations, it can be easy to forget a passing thought — no matter how important it is. Instead of risking losing essential data, jotting it down with a pen and paper is a good way to preserve the moment without compromising your focus. 

Beyond outright utility, pens also have benefits for both privacy and mental health. For privacy, the written word has long been used to relay encrypted information within a military context. Despite the popularity of email, writing with pen and paper offers a different type of privacy. You control the message; and, once the paper is destroyed, the message goes with it (unlike retrievable data managed digitally). For mental health, journalling is a popular method of introspection: With an estimated 11-20 percent of veterans from OIF and OEF experiencing PTSD , writing with pen and paper has the potential to offer a lot of advantages in terms of wellbeing. 

Pen pricing

The vast majority of solid and reliable pens for writing fall under $10. You can find pens of all types, in a range of quantities for this price point. If you are buying pens in bulk (over 20), you can expect to pay upwards of $10. That said, the set can equip you for some time, so it’s still worth the investment.

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Back To School: The Best Pens for Every Job

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While it’s easier than ever to digitally take notes and send messages on your smartphone, the art of physically writing is still very much alive. The best pens can be a great tool for everyday use, whether for signing a receipt, making a grocery list, studying for an exam or leaving a note for a loved one. And, since we still often find ourselves using them on a daily basis, it makes sense to have a pen which you’re comfortable and confident writing with. 

When deciding on the right pen for your needs, it’s worth considering the following features:

• Grip – A comfortable grip encourages a better user-experience by relieving stress in your hand. Finding a grip which suits your hand’s posture and writing style can make hours of writing a far more enjoyable task. Unlike the wrong one, which will make it a torturous experience.
• Ink Transfer – Having a pen which offers smooth ink transfer will avoid unwanted blobs on the page as you write, as well as helping to prevent smudges, too. 
• Construction – Some pens are designed to be reused and refilled, but others are made to be thrown away once the ink has run out. Unsurprisingly, you’ll find that reusable models are more durable, although there are plenty of throw-away options which will comfortably withstand day-to-day use. 
• Tip – Most of our favorite pens have a 0.5 millimeter to one millimeter tip, which is small enough for precision writing but large enough to comfortably read. 

You might already find writing by hand to be a soothing activity, but it also has benefits that you may not have noticed. Writing your notes by hand instead of typing them can help with memory retention and recall, which is why it’s great to write in a notebook if you’re studying. Plus, having to focus on handwriting helps eliminate distractions. If you’re in a meeting, writing in a notebook prevents you from being able to play a game on your phone.

Additionally, writing with a pen is more reliable and legible than writing with a pencil, which tends to be fainter and less consistent. You also can’t sign any documents with a pencil. But there’s a lot of elements to consider when it comes to this seemingly simple writing utensil. Of course, a lot of it comes down to your personal preferences. 

We’ve rounded up the best pens available to order online. There are options to suit everyone, whether you prefer a gel or swear by ballpoint. Whichever pen you choose, it should write smoothly, be comfortable in your hand and suit your handwriting style.

1. Sharpie S-Gel Medium Point Gel Pen

The Sharpie S-Gel Medium Point Gel Pen utilizes the brand’s famous no-smudge technology to provide a smooth and secure writing experience. It’s designed to prevent unwanted bleeding and smudging, which is often experienced with other gel pens. The lower section of the pen, close to the 0.7 millimeter tip, is surrounded with a contoured rubber grip which is designed to improve comfort when writing.

Pros: If there’s a brand you can trust when it comes to avoiding unwanted smudges and smears, it’s Sharpie.

Cons: The closing mechanism is a little tough, and when not fully closed, may lead to accidental marks.

Sharpie S-Gel Medium Point Gel Pen

$14.36 $16.99 15% off, 2. arteza rollerball pens.

Arteza makes the best pens for journaling, sketching and drawing, and this product includes 20 of the brand’s fine tip pens in blue or black. The fine 0.5mm pen tip is ideal for artists and anyone with small handwriting. The premium ink and pen design will last a long time, and you can trust these pens to transfer ink smoothly and with precision. The acid-free ink is resistant to fading.

Pros: Premium pens with fade-resistant ink. Fine 0.5mm tip.

Cons: Ink takes several seconds to dry, which can result in smudging. Ink will soak through thin paper. More expensive than our other picks for the best pens.

Arteza Rollerball Pens

3. bic round stic xtra life ballpoint pens.

Do you need to buy a large number of cheap pens for work, school or the home? Then you can’t go wrong with these Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens from BIC. Sixty pens come with each order, and each individual pen will last for days, weeks or months depending on how often you use them. The one millimeter medium point creates smooth and clear lines on the page, and we haven’t had any issues with reliability. The translucent sides let you see at a glance how much ink is left.

Pros: Affordable, bulk pens. Long-lasting ink cartridges. Creates smooth medium-sized lines. Little to no smudging on the page.

Cons: Pen caps can easily be misplaced. May present a minor choking hazard for very small children.

BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens

4. bic atlantis retractable ballpoint pen.

No list of pens would be complete without the Notorious BIC. And while BIC has a huge selection of pens, the BIC Atlantis is our absolute favorite by a country mile. The Atlantis is a smooth-writing, retractable pen that improves on some of the features of the Round Stic by adding a comfortable textured grip. The pen smoothly retracts using the satisfying clicker. It’s a ballpoint pen which is designed to write as smoothly as a gel pen. It’s also a great value as four pens are included in this pack. The medium-thickness, one-millimeter tip is ideal for everyday use but too thick for journaling or sketching.

Pros : Super comfortable textured grip. Writes as smoothly as a gel pen. Reliable ink transfer and spring.

Cons : Metal clip isn’t especially functional. If you’re prone to fidgeting with your pens, the body can break with strong pressure.

BIC Atlantis Retractable Ballpoint Pen

$3.67 $4.99 26% off, 5. paper mate inkjoy 550rt ballpoint pens.

Paper Mate InkJoy 550RT Ballpoint Pens have a one-millimeter point, which is thicker than most average writing pens. However, the ball bearing in the nib, which releases the ink, ensures a smooth flow of ink, ideal for taking meeting notes and enduring hours of revision. Additionally, the pen is surrounded by a full-length grip for greater user comfort, especially when it’s being used over longer periods.

Pros: These pens are surrounded with a full-length grip which offer increased support and comfort during use..

Cons: If the clicking sound of a retractable tip annoys you, this isn’t the pen for you.

Paper Mate InkJoy 550RT Ballpoint Pens

6. ibayam journal planner pens.

There are 18 iBayam Journal Planner Pens included in this pack. Each pen is a different color, making this set an ideal choice for journaling, color coding things or creative doodling. The tips are 0.38 millimeters thick, which is less than your average writing pen and better suited to neat writing and fine detailing.

Pros: This colorful set comes presented in a reusable, transparent case which makes selecting the right pen especially easy.

Cons: You may find that some of the pens don’t show up very well on certain colors of paper.

iBayam Journal Planner Pens

$8.99 $10.99 18% off, 7. pilot dr. grip refillable ballpoint pen.

The chunky latex grip on the PILOT Dr. Grip Refillable Ballpoint Pen makes it surprisingly comfortable to write with. This in-hand comfort means it can help to relieve stress on your hand when you are writing for longer periods of time. Although this pen comes with blue ink, red and black refills are available to order.

Pros: The ergonomic design of this pen’s latex grip makes it more comfortable to write with than many other styles of pen.

Cons: Some users may find this pen is too chunky if they’re used to thinner models without a grip.

PILOT Dr. Grip Refillable Ballpoint Pen

$7.40 $8.42 12% off, 8. zebra pen z-grip retractable ballpoint pen.

Zebra’s ballpoint pens have a comfortable textured grip, a clicker and a convenient metal pocket clip. The transparent plastic case lets you see how much ink is left in the pen, and the ink itself is low viscosity and designed to resist skipping. Various package sizes are available.

Pros : Good value, 24 pens included. Transparent casing to see ink level. Comfortable rubberized grip.

Cons : Non-refillable.

Zebra Pen Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Pen

$8.89 $10.99 19% off, 9. uni-ball roller pens.

If you prefer pens with caps to clickers, Uni-Ball makes some of the best options. These pens have a stylish matte black outer and a cap with a metal clip. Uni-Ball pens can have a reputation for being smudgy, but these 0.5 millimeter, micro point roller balls write smoothly and finely. The ink is resistant to water and fading, making it a good option for legal documents to prevent fraud. This box includes 12 pens.

Pros : Value 12-pack. Writes finely. Ink resists water and fading. Pens are made from recycled electronics.

Cons : Rollerball can occasionally skip.

uni-ball Roller Pens

10. paper mate profile retractable ballpoint pens.

The best pens for everyday use tend to have tips in the 0.5mm to 1.0mm range. However, this can be too small for people with larger handwriting, which is why we like these retractable ballpoint pens from Paper Mate. The vivid black ink transfers smoothly to the page, and the 1.4mm tip creates thick and smooth lines that are easy to read. The large cushioned grip prevents your hand from tiring out with long-term use.

Pros: Comfortable grip pens with retractable tip. Produces thick, legible lines.

Cons:  Tip and grip may be too large. Not ideal for fine lines.

Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens

$9.69 $20.84 54% off, 11. asvine matte black forest fountain pen.

For a professional-looking pen worthy of the boardroom, consider the Asvine Matte Black Forest Fountain Pen. Its sleek, matte-black design flows across the whole pen and down into the finely detailed nib which is also black. An ink converter comes included, but a bottle of ink must be purchased separately. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-filled Hongdian cartridges which are also compatible.

Pros: There are few pens which have as much style and class as this all-black fountain pen.

Cons: You must order a bottle of ink or pre-filled cartridges for this fountain pen as no ink comes included.

Asvine Matte Black Forest Fountain Pen

12. paper mate flair pen.

Writing with a Paper Mate Flair Pen is a smooth and comfortable experience. The 0.7-millimeter, nylon tip is large enough to offer a flow similar to a felt-tip pen, yet small enough to use for long periods of writing. These pens are available in a range of colors, making them well suited to creative journaling and doodling. But, they can also be purchased as a multi-pack of black alone if you’d prefer to stick with the original.

Pros: The 0.7-millimeter, nylon tip offers a consistent flow of ink, making this pen extremely comfortable to write and draw with.

Cons: You might find the line thickness of this pen is too large for certain font styles and intricate drawings.

Paper Mate Flair Pen

13. parker jotter ballpoint pen.

If you wanted a pen that you could actually give someone as a gift, the Parker Jotter is a stylish and sleek option with a legendary pedigree. The Jotter, in production since 1954, is made from stainless steel. Of course, it’s not all looks. It writes smoothly and precisely. This option has a click top that clicks up and down with a satisfying sound. This option is a ballpoint, but since these pens are refillable, you can replace it with a gel if desired.

Pros : Sleek steel design, refillable. Writes smoothly.

Cons : Pen is thin and may be somewhat hard to grip for some. A premium pen that may not be ideal for everyday office or school use.

Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen

$12.44 $19.99 38% off, 14. pilot g2 rolling ball gel pens.

If you prefer gel pens, then this pack from Pilot is a great option. Twelve blue gel pens are included in this pack. The pens write finely, smoothly and last a long time. These pens also have a comfortable, ergonomic grip. Plus, unlike some other options, these pens are refillable. Most pen tips come in either 0.5mm or 1.0mm, but these gel pens come in a mid-range 0.7mm.

Pros : Smooth and fine gel pen. Comfortable ergonomic grip. Refillable. Value pack of 12.

Cons : Ink sometimes dries slowly on the page, which can result in smearing.

15. Scriveiner Black Lacquer Rollerball Pen

The Scriveiner Black Lacquer Rollerball Pen has a truly unique appearance. Its black lacquer body is highlighted with 24-karat trims which add to the overall luxuriousness of the writing utensil. This pen makes a fantastic gift and comes presented in a box which is ready to be gifted to the lucky receiver.

Pros: This luxury rollerball pen comes presented in a beautiful gift box, making it an ideal present for budding authors.

Cons: The top-quality materials used to make this pen are heavier than many alternatives, so it may take some time to adapt.

Scriveiner Black Lacquer Rollerball Pen

16. rite in the rain weatherproof durable pen.

Being able to write anywhere, and in any weather conditions, is easy with the Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Durable Pen. This pen can, as the name suggests, write in the rain, as well as underwater and at any angle, too. Although it has the appearance of a standard writing pen, it’s actually much more durable than most. You can also trust that the ink inside this high-quality writing utensil won’t leak, evaporate or blow up in your pocket.

Pros: Come shine or rain, writing is always possible with this weatherproof pen.

Cons: This pen is only available with black ink.

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Durable Pen

Jonathan Zavaleta

Jonathan Zavaleta is a native Angeleno with a passion for writing about politics, music, film and fashion. He has worked as a writer for an art gallery, an activist for a political organization, and…

Allison Bowsher

Allison spent four years as the Editor and head writer for Much.com, aka the Canadian MTV. During her time at Much, Allison conducted more than 100 on-camera interviews with some of the biggest names…

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The 4 best pens for writing quickly

While writing fast may not be considered a useful skill in the age of laptops and smartphones, some situations still require speedy lettering.

Learning how to write quickly and neatly is easily achievable once you master a few tricks and have the right tools.

Why do you need to write faster?

Despite a growing reliance on typing skills, there are still plenty of instances where writing quickly is required.

Many journalists still use pen and paper for interviews and events, especially in places where electronic devices are prohibited, such as courtrooms or prisons.

If you’re taking a written exam on pen and paper, fast writing is crucial. It’s also important your words are clear and neat for the marker to understand – we’ll go through tips for achieving this later on.

Teaching is another profession where writing fast is useful. Annotating student work and giving feedback is a cumbersome task, which can be aided with a quick pen. The same goes for any job where physical editing or notetaking is a large part of the role – publishers, authors, and therapists included.

Tips for writing quickly

If you’re facing the challenge of slow writing or simply want to save time when working on your next written project, these strategies can help you achieve fast penmanship.

1.      Good posture

Look at your posture – are you slouching when you write? Do your arms, back or shoulders cramp? Adjusting the way you sit can go a long way in putting pen to paper more quickly. Sit with a straight back and your elbows at right angles to the table. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground and your back is well supported by your chair. Some writers also use standing desks, which have been shown to increase blood flow and energy.

2.      Try the Pomodoro Technique

If you find yourself getting easily distracted or fatigued when writing, try the Pomodoro Technique. This popular time-management method is linked to increased productivity. The rules are straightforward: write for 25 minutes, then take a break for 5-10 minutes. After four sessions, take a longer break of 20 to 30 minutes, before starting the whole process again.

3.      Write smaller

Writing smaller is a quick technique to adopt to faster lettering. The smaller your text, the less your pen or pencil has to travel. Don’t go overboard, however – too small writing can be more time consuming, as well as difficult for others to read. A small decrease (around 10-15%) makes a difference.

4.      Write tall and skinny

Altering the shape of your letters can lead to quick handwriting . Because of the way our fingers bend, we often have difficulty writing side to side. However, writing up and down (i.e. forming the letters themselves) is easy. Writing tall and skinny letters reduces the amount of horizontal movement and means our hands move in a more natural and comfortable motion.

5.      Use your arm

Many writers make the mistake of overly relying on their wrists when using a pen. Instead, engage your forearm and use it to guide your hand across the paper. This will reduce wrist strain, allowing you to write for longer and more comfortably.

6.      Loose grip

Thin pens force your fingers to squeeze the barrel tighter, causing pain in your fingers and wrist. Use a pen grip or invest in a thicker, higher-quality pen to alleviate this pressure. Less muscle strain equals a better writing experience, the key to writing quickly.

The best pens for writing fast

The easiest way to improve your writing speed is to change your pen. Rollerball , ballpoint , gel pens , or fountain pens are considered the best tools for writing quickly, for a number of reasons:

• Less drag on the paper, which reduces the amount of pressure you need to apply.
• Better quality ink requires less effort to put pen to paper, meaning decreased strain on your fingers and wrist.
• Thinner tips allow you to write with less downward pressure, making it easier to form smaller and thinner letters, another tip for fast writing.
• Good quality rollerball, ballpoint, and fountain pens have a comfortable grip, which promotes good form and a speedier technique.

Rollerball pens

Rollerball pens use water-based ink. They’re smooth to write with, and the needle-like tip writes a fine line that is perfect for forming small and thin letters.

Ballpoint pens

For fast writing, choose a ballpoint pen that uses a hybrid ink. This means the ink has added lubricant that makes the ball roll smoother. Ballpoint pen ink also dries quicker than its counterparts, making them great for lefthanded writers.

Gel pens use water-based pigmented ink that’s combined with other chemicals, resulting in a gel-like paste. This ink is smooth to write with and dries incredibly quickly.

Fountain pens

The water-based ink and the fine quality nibs of fountain pens make them ideal for writing quickly if you know how to correctly use them. Practice makes perfect when it comes to fountain pens. Pair your tool with high-quality paper for the best writing experience.

Mariah enjoys typing articles for our blog on her laptop but she'd much rather be writing them by hand with a luxury fountain pen!

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pen for Exams

Did you know that the type of pen you use can significantly impact your exam performance?

In this guide, we’ll help you find the perfect pen for your upcoming exams by discussing various types of pens and the features you should consider when selecting one.

Say goodbye to smudges, discomfort, and ink shortages. Let’s dive in.

We understand the hard work you’ve put into preparing for your exams – the late nights studying, missed social opportunities, and the stress that comes with it all.

That’s why the last thing you need is for anything to go wrong on exam day, including issues with your stationery.

Have you ever wondered which color ink you can use on an exam or if it matters what type of pen you use?

Our guide will provide you with the answers to these questions and more, ensuring you are fully prepared for your exams. We’ll even give you our top 10 recommendations for the best exam pens.

Table of Contents

1. Types of Exam Pens

2. features to consider when choosing an exam pen, 3. what are the best pens for exams, 4. top-rated brands for exam pens, 5. ergonomic pens for exams, 6. the 10 best exam pens, 7. frequently asked questions, 8. conclusion.

There are three main types of pens to consider for exams: ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens. Each comes with its pros and cons and suitability for exams:

• Ballpoint Pens
• Pros: Smooth ink flow, less smudging, and longer-lasting ink
• Cons: May require more pressure to write, can leave occasional ink blobs
• Suitability: Great for exams due to their reliability and minimal smudging
• Rollerball Pens
• Pros: Produce darker lines, require less pressure to write
• Cons: More prone to smudging, ink runs out faster
• Suitability: Suitable for exams if you can avoid smudging and have a backup pen
• Fountain Pens
• Pros: Elegant writing experience, less pressure needed for writing
• Cons: Higher learning curve, more expensive, ink may smudge or bleed through paper
• Suitability: Not ideal for exams due to potential smudging and higher maintenance

When choosing an exam pen, consider the following features:

• Ink Color Requirements:  Be sure to follow your exam’s guidelines on ink color (usually black or blue).
• Pen Tip Size and Shape: Choose a tip size (fine, medium, or broad) that suits your writing style and produces clear legible text.
• Grip Type and Comfort: Look for a pen with a comfortable grip to avoid hand fatigue during lengthy exams.
• Durability and Longevity: Opt for a durable pen with a generous ink supply to ensure it lasts through your entire exam.

After all your hard work, you don’t want to ruin your exam papers with smearing, blotching, and spraying as you write.

On this day of all days, you need a reliable, good-quality pen that won’t let you down. And finally, it needs to be comfortable.

You’ll be in that high-pressure environment for a few hours, so an ergonomic pen is a real consideration.

The good news is that all you need from an exam pen is perfectly within your reach.

We recommend good quality ballpoint pens, preferably with a tip size of 0.7mm or 1.0mm.

Check out our guide, The Benefits of Using Ballpoint Pens in Exams , for more information.

If you’ve been put off by cheap multipacks of ballpoint pens from the corner shop, we hope we can change your mind by showing you the difference a crafted ballpoint makes – and the price isn’t half as high as you think.

Some top brands for exam pens include:

• Pilot: Known for their smooth-writing and reliable pens, perfect for exam settings
• Paper Mate: Offers comfortable and affordable pens with various tip sizes
• Uni-ball: Provides pens with consistent ink flow and minimal smudging
• Stabilo: Features ergonomic designs and long-lasting ink supplies
• Parker: Delivers high-quality, elegant pens that write effortlessly

Ergonomic pens are an absolute game-changer for students tackling exams, as they help eliminate the discomfort and tiredness of writing for hours.

These pens are all about giving you a comfy grip, taking the strain off your hand, and making sure the ink flows smoothly, so you can stay focused on what matters – acing that exam!

By opting for an ergonomic pen, you’re setting yourself up for a better writing experience and maybe even a better exam result.

 Regarding top-notch ergonomic pens for exams, you’ve got the Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity with its perfectly balanced design; the Uni-Ball Jetstream, famous for its silky-smooth ink flow; and the Lamy Safari, rocking a contoured grip and lightweight build for those marathon writing sessions.

Using ergonomic pens during exams can reduce hand fatigue and improve comfort. For more inspiration, please review our Ergonomic Pens and Pencils Guide .

• 1 Fisher Cap-o-matic Space Pen
• 2 Uni–Ball Power Tank Ballpoint Pen
• 3 Pilot Acroball Ballpoint Pen
• 4 Stabilo Exam Grade Ballpoint Pen
• 5 Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen/a>
• 6 Pilot RexGrip Ballpoint Pen
• 7 Pilot Super Grip G Retractable Ballpoint Pen
• 8 Paper Mate Inkjoy 100M Ballpoint Pen
• 9 Paper Mate FlexGrip Ultra Retractable Ballpoint Pen
• 10 Parker IM Ballpoint Pen

1. Fisher Cap-o-matic Space Pen

The Fisher Space Pen gets its name because it was used in the space program from 1968, thanks to its pressurized refill, designed for zero gravity.

The Cap-o-Matic range gets its name because you push the metal end down to expose and retract the ballpoint nib.

You might not need zero-G capabilities, but down here on earth, the pressure keeps the flow of ink smooth and consistent.

Meaning that it won’t let you down during your exam.  It’ll even write on greasy paper.

Available in a range of barrel colors, there’s one available that’ll be perfect for you – and you can have it engraved if it’s a special gift.

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

2. Uni-Ball Power Tank Ballpoint Pen

At the budget end of the spectrum, consider the Uni-Ball Power Tank .

Again, it’s pressurized for optimum flow, but it’s a disposable version. We think it’s probably the best ballpoint in the price range.

It is definitely one we recommend taking along with you, even if it’s a backup in case your main pen lets you down in the exam.

3. Pilot Acroball Ballpoint Pen

We also love the Pilot Acroball . This budget pen will give you great handwriting, partly thanks to its ergonomic grip suitable for left-handed and right-handed people.

Available in fine (0.7mm) and medium (1.0mm) nibs, they’re great for popping your exam bag.

4. Stabilo Exam Grade Ballpoint Pen

For the ultimate reassurance, try the Stabilo Exam Grade Ballpoint Pen .

It is a fantastic 0.4mm writer, ideal for lengthy stints at the exam table – it also has a handy gauge on the side that will show you how many pages worth of ink you have left. Genius!

5. Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen:

You already know the name, and if you’ve ever written with a Parker, you’ll also know it’s a great quality writing instrument.

So do we need to go into details about the smooth, clean writing experience when you click to open the Parker Jotter ballpoint pen ?

Probably not, but just know that this one comes with a choice of tip sizes and is completely refillable – you know the rest.

6. Pilot RexGrip Ballpoint Pen

Ergonomics is supremely important when sitting in an exam for several hours and then repeating the process perhaps ten times over a few weeks.

With the retractable Pilot Rexgrip , you’re in safe hands – it’s designed with an integrated grip that means you can hold the pen relatively lightly and won’t slip when writing.

It’s made from more than 77% recycled material, and the barrel is reusable thanks to the availability of refills.

7. Pilot Super Grip G Retractable Ballpoint Pen

One of the most popular retractable pens on the market, the Super Grip G has a great rubberized grip section that makes it a joy to hold over long periods.

Its smooth and fast-drying ink makes it perfect for the stationery bag during exam season.

It gives a satisfyingly fine line, and best of all, you can get refills that prolong the lifetime of the pen.

8. Paper Mate Inkjoy 100M Ballpoint Pen

Decent ball-point pens don’t come much cheaper than the 1.0mm Paper Mate Inkjoy.

There are no bells or whistles; just pop off the cap and get writing. Perfect for everyday use and a nice smooth writer, making a great backup pen for your exam.

9. Paper Mate FlexGrip Ultra Retractable Ballpoint Pen

If a pen was ever designed to look the part, this is it. Paper Mate is a master of combining the three basic needs of a pen – comfort, line quality, and durability – and putting it all in a smart package that comes straight from the designer’s studio.

Chrome effect finishes on the tip encasement, architectural build, and handy retractor button finish the look of the Papermate FlexGrip, a pen you’ll be proud to pop open.

10. Parker IM Ballpoint Pen

If you want to push the boat out a little or buy a pen as a good luck gift for the student in your life, how about the exquisite Parker IM range of ballpoint pens.

Yes, they cost more than disposable ones, but here you have a pen for life that will be refilled and refilled again, forever reminding the user of the time they first wrote with it.

Many of them are laser engravable, too, for ultimate personalization. Carefully look through the collection – there’s the perfect Parker pen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Color Pen is Best for Exams?

A: The first thing that you must remember is that black ink is  mandatory in secondary school level exams  (GCSEs and similar), so don’t fall at the first hurdle and show up with your favorite  green ink , blue or rainbow-colored pens – the examiners won’t be impressed with your color coordination, and you’ll be putting your qualification at risk. Q: Are there specific pens I should use for essay exams?

A: Regarding essay exams, you want a pen that is comfortable to hold and produces a consistent line.

Consider using a pen with a larger grip and a smooth flow of ink to make writing more comfortable for extended periods. A pen with a fine tip may also help you write neatly and legibly.

Q: What about pens for standardized tests?

A: Standardized tests often have specific requirements for the type of pen you can use.

Check with the testing organization to see if there are any rules or recommendations regarding pens.

For example, a ballpoint pen with black or blue ink is a safe choice for most standardized tests.

Q: What is the best pen for writing quickly on an exam?

A: When taking an exam, you want a pen that can keep up with your thoughts and writing speed.

A ballpoint pen with smooth link flows is often a good choice for quick writing. Gel pens can also be a good option for quick and smooth writing.

For more information, please review our Best Pens For Fast Handwriting guide .

Q: Are there any pens I should avoid for exams?

A: It’s best to avoid using pens with ink that smudges easily or takes a long time to dry.

It can make your writing messy and challenging to read, which can be problematic when taking exams.

Avoid using fountain pens or pens that leak or bleed through the paper.

It’s also worth pointing out that gel pens are not allowed in exams in the UK because many gel pens are unreadable by the scanners used by the invigilators, and being scanned is an essential part of the marking process.

Q: Can I use a pencil for exams instead of a pen?

A: It depends on the requirements of the exam. For example, some exams may allow using pencils, while others require pens.

Check with the institution or organization administering the exam to see if pencils are allowed.

Q: How do I choose the right exam pen for me?

A: When choosing the right pen for your exams, you must consider your preferences and the exam requirements.

Consider factors like ink color, pen tip size and shape, grip type and comfort, durability, and longevity.

The best way to find the perfect pen is to try out a few different options and see which one feels the most comfortable and natural for you to use.

It’s easy to assume that all pens are the same, but our guide has shown you the many options available.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, and once you find a pen you like, you may use it for years to come.

So why not try a few options and find the perfect one for your writing style, hand angle, and pressure?

In conclusion, choosing the right pen for exams can significantly affect your writing experience and overall performance.

This decision becomes even more critical for left-handed writers, as they often face unique challenges such as smudging and discomfort.

Remember to consider the type of pen, its features, and the top-rated brands to find the perfect pen for your needs.

To help you search, don’t miss our comprehensive guide, “ Top-Exam Pens for Left-Handed Students | Ultimate Guide .”

Although one day you may not need a pen as exams become more digital, this is discussed in Handwritten vs. Digital Exams: Revisiting the Debate in 2023 .

Good luck with your exams, and may your pen glide effortlessly across the page!

Peter Warrior: Pen & Pencil Expert

4 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pen for Exams”

Such a Helpful information about ink pens !

i have already tried all the pens….. all the pens are just amazing especially ‘Uni–Ball Power Tank Ballpoint Pen’….i strongly suggest other students to buy this…but the problem is that these pens are not available so easily at every store……these are very rare….only available in big and established stores……try to buy it…..

all the best

Everyone chooses a lot of different pens for the parameters that are important for this person in this situation and will be able to solve all the tasks.

I am really happy to read this article as a student, thank you sir.

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Best Fountain Pens For Long Writing Sessions

At times, you may end up using your fountain pen for more than just a few minutes. You might actually end up writing for more than an hour if you’re engrossed in an activity such as journaling or sketching. This can make writing uncomfortable, especially for long sessions. This is especially true for heavy-handed writers, who may feel discomfort after even just a few lines of writing if their pen is not designed to write for an extended period.

Here, we’ve picked out some of our favorite pens for long writing sessions. They’re balanced, excellent writers, and most importantly, comfortable. 

1. Pelikan M205

The Pelikan M205 rarely disappoints, and for long writing sessions, it’s a great option. Pelikan nibs are some of the smoothest and most consistent that fountain pen writers can use. There is a noticeable flex to an M205 nibs compared to standard steel nibs that makes the writing experience easier on the hands and more enjoyable overall. 

2. Sailor 1911S  

The 1911 Standard model from Sailor is a dependable workhorse of a pen that simply inspires confidence. It comes with a beautiful nib that has just a touch of feedback while maintaining a smooth, easy sensation when writing. It also feels really nice in the hand, with the resin body giving just enough weight while still remaining light in the hand. 

3. Pilot Vanishing Point

The Pilot Vanishing Point may seem like it’s much more suitable for jotting down quick small notes rather than longer writing sessions. However, it is actually more uncomfortable for situations where writers pick up and put down pens often (as is the case with quick note-taking). The cartridge and converter filling system also makes this pen a great go-to option. If the original vanishing point is too large for you, then try out the Decimo model, which is thinner and better for smaller hands.

4. LAMY Safari

Sometimes you just want a great pen at a lower price point that just works . In our experience, this has to be (once again) from LAMY . The Safari has shown time and time again that it is a great performer, even for long writing sessions. These pens are consistently good, lightweight in the hand, and ergonomically designed to let you write to your heart’s content. 

5. Parker 51

The original Parker 51 was designed with daily use in mind. The newer releases of the same model have maintained the original proportions of this design, making the pen a comfortable, balanced writer, even with the cap posted on the barrel. Writers will enjoy the gold-plated stainless steel nib, which writes well immediately out of the box with no skipping or hard starts. If you like a reliably wet nib with a well-proportioned pen body, then this is the one for you. 

Long writing sessions can be an enjoyable way to pass your time. Besides, there are many benefits of writing by hand that can make those long, quiet hours even more special. Having the right pen is essential to make sure you can write without fatigue. Take any of these pens, prepare your favorite tea or coffee, and get ready to settle down for a few longer moments of uninterrupted writing joy. 

Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting

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The 6 best tablets for handwritten notes in 2024

Finding a good tablet for handwritten notes can be a frustrating task. Tablets are a dime a dozen nowadays, but only a select few are designed specifically for taking notes. Most opt for vibrant screens for streaming movies or try to serve as laptop replacements. That means if you're looking for a spiral notebook replacement, you've got your work cut out for you.

Thankfully, once you know where to look, you'll find plenty of incredible tablets for notetaking. Many of these are custom-built for the task, offering displays that simulate paper as best as possible while also cutting out glare. Most also come with their own pen, allowing you to get as close to "real" notetaking as possible on their digital screen.

Need help sifting through your options? Here's a look at the best tablets for handwritten notes, which includes products from Amazon, Remarkable, Boox, and other traditional tablets that work well for this task. If you're looking for something a bit different than a tablet, be sure to check out the best smart notebooks of 2024 for more great options.

Kindle Scribe

The best tablet for handwritten notes.

• Slim and lightweight design
• E-ink screen looks fantastic
• Tried-and-true Kindle reading
• Superb writing experience
• Weeks of battery life
• Very competitive pricing
• Few formatting tools for writing
• Limited Kindle app integration

The Kindle lineup is primarily seen as a premium class of eReaders, but you might consider the Kindle Scribe to be an "eWriter." While it still functions as an eReader, the big draw of the Kindle Scribe is the ability to take notes on the screen with the included Basic Pen, making it easy to jot down your ideas without any fuss.

Not only do you have the option to take down notes on a screen styled after traditional, physical notebooks, but you can even take handwritten notes directly in books or on blank pages. That gives you impressive versatility to write the way you like. Your notes can then be converted to text and shared with contacts via email. If you need to edit your notes, the Scribe lets you use a Lasso tool to cut, copy, paste, or move them.

Other highlights include a variety of brush types (including a fountain pen for calligraphy or a pencil for sketching), the ability to import documents from Microsoft Word, a two-column layout so you can see multiple pages, and a useful Folders and Subfolders feature to help keep everything organized. The device doesn't support cellular networks, is not waterproof, and doesn't support color images, but if you need a tablet that excels at taking notes, the Scribe is hard to beat.

ReMarkable 2

The best premium tablet for handwritten notes.

• Thin design
• Realistic writing experience
• Responsive screen and software
• Limited storage
• Doesn't support color images

The ReMarkable 2 is one of the main competitors of the Kindle Scribe, offering a paper-thin display and premium Marker Plus pen that makes taking digital notes feel shockingly natural. Part of what makes the ReMarkable 2 so compelling is its luxurious design, which is just 0.19-inches thick and comes extremely close to simulating a "real" writing experience on paper.

Aside from its cool design, the ReMarkable 2 gets nearly everything else right. This includes a distraction-free design that uses no pop-ups or pesky notifications, a UI that lets you quickly organize all your files, and a pen that comes with a built-in eraser. You can even convert your handwritten notes into typed text. And since the tablet integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, you should never have a problem accessing all your files.

As you'd expect, the ReMarkable 2 includes standard features such as the ability to undo your last action, resize objects, or set up layers to better manage your note taking. But one notable drawback is its built-in storage, which caps out at just 8GB. That means you'll want to make use of cloud storage options if you're an avid notetaker. But beyond that caveat, there's little to knock about this remarkable tablet.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

The best galaxy tablet for handwritten notes.

• Vibrant AMOLED display
• Premium hardware
• Water and dust resistant
• Doesn't use an e-ink display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 isn't built specifically for taking notes. But with an included S Pen and large 11-inch display, it’s a versatile machine that does much more than let you jot down your thoughts. It's also shockingly thin despite all the tech packed inside, clocking in at 0.23-inches thick.

For a full-fledged tablet, that's a pretty tiny footprint. Samsung equipped the Tab S9 with an 11-inch AMOLED display – which is a big departure from the displays on the ReMarkable 2 and Kindle Scribe. That makes this tablet not just great for taking notes, but also watching movies, playing games, or surfing the web. It also means that it's not quite as fun to write on as the other tablets, but for users who want their tablet to pull double duty as an entertainment center, it's nice to have all those other options.

Rounding out the Tab S9 is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for blistering fast performance, and option for up to 512GB SSD, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. That last feature could make this mighty compelling if you plan to bring it with on vacation, as trying to take notes by the pool with a device lacking waterproofing could be a disaster.

If you want something bigger, you'll find the Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra available with larger displays.

Boox Tab Ultra C Pro

The best android tablet for handwritten notes.

• Lightweight design
• Built-in camera
• Supports black and white and color images
• Expensive for what it offers

It may not be as popular as the Scribe or ReMarkable 2, but the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro is a great Android tablet for handwritten notes. Part of its allure is support for both black and white and color images, while its Android operating system makes it great for diving into third-party apps.

Clocking in at just 450 grams, the Tab Ultra C Pro is light and portable. It boasts a striking exterior chassis, which is largely a matte black and looks both refined and professional. The only object breaking up its smooth exterior is a camera block, which can function as a scanner. And while the touchscreen should be fine for most folks, you'll find an optional keyboard attachment available that turns the tablet into a bonafide laptop replacement.

Taking notes on the Tab Ultra C Pro is similar to most other tablets on this list, as it offers an anti-glare display, a split-screen mode for multitasking, and supports multiple document formats. There's even a microSD card slot if you need extra storage for all your files.

The Android operating system isn't quite as exciting as Windows, but it works well with the Tab Ultra C Pro and turns the device into a multifaceted tablet. Be sure to give it a look if you want something off the beaten path that excels at taking notes but doesn't forgo other conveniences.

Apple iPad Pro

The best mac tablet for handwritten notes.

• Sleek and modern design
• Bright, vivid, gorgeous display
• Wild performance from the M2 chip
• Apple Pencil hover feature
• iPadOS 16 is super robust
• Stage Manager needs more work
• Lackluster, awkward front camera
• Prohibitively expensive

Apple is known for making expensive, yet premium, products, and the iPad Pro is no exception. A variety of models are up for grabs, but the 12.9-inch model with support for Wi-Fi and cellular is one of the best available, making it a well-rounded tablet for almost every task.

Unfortunately, the Apple Pencil is not included with the iPad Pro. But if you do pick it up, you'll get a powerful note-taking tool that offers low latency, tilt sensitivity, and a cool feature that lets you double tap to quickly change the writing utensil you're using. And while the iPad Pro doesn't have an e-ink display, its Liquid Retina display is so vibrant and responsive that taking handwritten notes shouldn't be an issue.

This tablet is powered by the M2 chip, resulting in short load times and applications that are quick to respond to your input. You'll also be able to save your files to iCloud for easy access and download various other apps through the popular App Store. It's not cheap, but the iPad Pro is a luxurious tablet that does a bit of everything – so if you don’t need the unique e-ink display of a dedicated writing tablet, this one is worth a closer look.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The best windows tablet for handwritten notes.

• New colors look great
• Design and build quality are top notch
• SQ3 is a solid alternative
• Type Cover keyboard is excellent
• High resolution webcam
• No headphone jack
• Upgrades still too expensive
• Limited performance improvements

The Surface Pro 9 is a nice all-around tablet that works well for handwritten notes. It's primarily designed as a laptop replacement, equipped with high-end hardware that's ideal for businesses, schoolwork, or even some light gaming, but if you add on a Slim Pen (sold separately, unfortunately), you'll have a smooth way to take digital notes.

Inside this model of the Surface Pro 9 you'll find an Intel Core i7 processor, 256GB SSD, and 16GB RAM, making it one of the most powerful tablets on the market. The tablet is built with a 13-inch touchscreen that offers a 2880 x 1920 resolution, along with a slim profile so you can easily lug it around with you to meetings or lectures.

If you plan on taking notes, you'll need to tack on the Slim Pen 2. The unique stylus includes a haptic motor for tactile feedback, registers over 4,000 pressure levels, and gets up to 15 hours of use before needing a recharge. It's unfortunate that it's not bundled with the tablet, but at least it gets you plenty of cool features if you do decide to pick one up.

How we chose the best tablet for handwritten notes

There are a ton of tablets floating around in the market, but not all of them offer a great writing experience. Some are designed to be alternatives to laptops, while others are designed primarily for reading or consuming content. That means you'll need to pay close attention to the product you pick out, as each tablet comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. With that in mind, here's how we chose the best tablets for handwritten notes.

Smooth writing experience

Above all else, a tablet for taking notes needs to work as a suitable replacement for pen and paper. Whether you're drawing diagrams, writing out a journal entry, or anything in between, writing on the tablet's screen needs to be an enjoyable experience. Ideally, a pen is included with your purchase – but if it's not, the company should at least offer one as a standalone product. Along with writing, going back and reviewing your notes should be simple, as should erasing sections of your work or deleting entire pages.

In short, taking notes on the tablet should be just as intuitive and second nature as taking notes in a traditional spiral notebook. If not, then you'll want to keep searching.

Easy to read display

A display can make or break a tablet. After all, a tablet is essentially just one big touchscreen display. For this list, we looked for products that offered high-quality resolutions and provided users with a great viewing experience. The list is primairily composed of two types of products – ones that use some sort of "e-ink" display and ones that use a traditional, high-resolution display. For example, the Kindle Scribe uses a black and white display with excellent anti-glare properties, making it great for taking notes. However, the iPad Pro is also solid as a note-taking machine, though it uses a Liquid Retina display that works well for movies or gaming.

Products like the Kindle Scribe are typically better for taking handwritten notes, but users who prefer versatility might enjoy the vibrant display offered by the iPad Pro. Be sure to consider how you're going to use your tablet, and if you're using it for more than just notes, screen quality needs to be a consideration.

Portability

Whether you're bringing your tablet to a conference call, lecture, or the library, a good tablet is lightweight and easy to toss into your backpack. We made sure that all the products on this list are streamlined and won't weigh you down with extra baggage. They're also durable and built to last a long time before needing to be upgraded or replaced. Some also offer additional products such as covers or carrying cases, allowing you to personalize their appearance and make them better withstand demanding travel schedules.

Design quality and additional features

Tablets aren't just for taking notes. And if you're spending hundreds of dollars on one, there's a good chance you'll want it to do more than just serve as a digital pen and paper. While the most important factor we considered on this list was the handwritten note experience, we also looked at what other features were available on the device. This includes things like access to the internet, the ability to download apps, or even the option to use it as a traditional PC.

Overall design quality was also considered, as there's no point shelling out cash for a tablet that'll break down within the year. Every tablet on this list is manufactured by a trusted brand like Microsoft, Amazon, or Apple, ensuring that you're all but guaranteed to get a premium device free of defects.

Operating system

Tablets run on all sorts of operating systems, from custom-built Linux systems to Windows or Android. All of these are perfectly suitable choices for a note-taking tablet, but each works different from the next. Products built with custom operating systems are typically the best for note taking, as they've been optimized for this feature. However, products running Android or Windows might offer better access to other applications, allowing you to branch out beyond taking notes.

Pricing and performance

There are some remarkably expensive tablets available in 2024, and not all of them have earned their price tags. We made sure that all our picks have enough firepower and the performance to back up their price. Of course, that doesn't mean this list is loaded with budget picks. Some products earn their hefty price tags by packing in robust processors, incredible displays, and a smooth writing experience. But the items on this list all give you a good bang for your buck, whether they cost $200 or $2,000.

This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.

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Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites beyond Digital Trends, including The Wall Street Journal , Metacritic , GameSpot , and Slickdeals . He holds a degree in Biology and previously worked as a Medical Editor.

When not playing video games, he can be found running, reading, or checking out the latest series on Netflix.

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