It’s almost impossible to pick a single best pen for everyone, because not everyone wants the same thing from their pens. Plus, different types of pens use different inks, so you can’t exactly compare a gel pen to a highlighter.
To that end, we’ve organized our best pens guide by category, and linked to more detailed guides so you can learn about competing pens. Take a look and try out our picks—who knows, you might find your personal best pen!
The Uni Jetstream is a versatile pen that can be used in almost…
It’s almost impossible to pick a single best pen for everyone, because not everyone wants the same thing from their pens. Plus, different types of pens use different inks, so you can’t exactly compare a gel pen to a highlighter.
To that end, we’ve organized our best pens guide by category, and linked to more detailed guides so you can learn about competing pens. Take a look and try out our picks—who knows, you might find your personal best pen!
The Uni Jetstream is a versatile pen that can be used in almost any situation. It proves that ballpoint pens aren’t just low-quality writing instruments “borrowed” from restaurants and hotels. The Jetstream uses a low-viscosity ballpoint ink that provides a smooth, vivid, and consistent writing experience. And like other ballpoint pens, the Jetstream can write on receipts and other surfaces that gel pens struggle with.
The Jetstream comes in several body styles, tip sizes, and ink colors. This includes the comfortable Alpha Gel Grip, as well as a shockingly fine 0.28 mm tip size that no other ballpoint pen can match. You can also get the Jetstream in multi pen form, which includes several ink colors. Some even have mechanical pencil components!
The Jetstream is also available with Lite Touch Ink, which glides across the page with less pressure than the original Jetstream. You can learn more about the entire lineup in our guide.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni Jetstream Ballpoint Pens | 0.28 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm | Shop Now | |
| Uni Jetstream Multi Pens | 0.28 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm | Shop Now |
Table of Contents
The Best Pens for Writing
The Best Fountain Pens for Writing
The Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen is the best beginner fountain pen, period. Its durable metal build and smooth stainless steel nib ensure that your first fountain pen is one you can be proud of. The Metropolitan comes in three nib sizes (fine, medium, and medium italic) and several body colors. It can be filled with Pilot’s proprietary cartridges or converters—one is included!—which allows you to use any bottled fountain pen ink.
For those who like how the Metropolitan writes but would prefer a different body, the Kakuno, Penmanship, and Prera all use the same swappable nibs. The Kakuno is especially charming thanks to the smiley face stamped on the nib, which reminds you which side should face up.
Most fountain pens are filled with cartridges or converters, but some have built-in mechanisms that allow you to fill the pen barrel with ink. They’re not as convenient as cartridges, but they can be filled with far more ink. The TWSBI GO is a great place to start if you want to try out this type of filling system. Its spring-loaded piston mechanism is easy to use. Submerge the nib in ink, then press down and release the plunger to fill the pen.
Are you still a little hesitant to try out fountain pens? The Platinum Preppy is another beginner option. It has a budget-friendly price that won’t break the bank if you decide fountain pens aren’t for you.
More Information:
- The Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pens
- The Best Beginner Fountain Pens
- The Best Fountain Pens for Every Budget
- Pilot Metropolitan: A Comprehensive Guide
- Which TWSBI Fountain Pen Should I Buy?
- The Best Pens for Note-Taking
- Video: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pens
- Video: 8 Best Beginner Fountain Pens
While most piston-filling fountain pens cost more than $100, the TWSBI ECO is the best fountain pen under $50. It offers amazing value with its high quality piston-filler, and its sleek, clear body lets you see how much ink is left inside. It’s available in four nib sizes, including a fun 1.1 mm stub.
You might be wondering, “Why should I pick the TWSBI ECO over the GO mentioned in the previous section?” It comes down to price, ink capacity, and style. The GO has a budget-friendly price, smaller ink capacity, and quirky design that might look a little childish to some. The ECO is a little more expensive, though its traditional piston mechanism can hold more ink. Additionally, it has a body design with more general appeal, including limited edition colors (some of which are over $50).
If the idea of a piston-filling pen makes you a bit nervous—or if you would prefer the convenience of cartridges—we wholeheartedly recommend the LAMY safari. This distinctively modern fountain pen has a triangular grip section that guides your hand into an ergonomic tripod grip. The safari is made of durable ABS plastic. The AL-star is a little more expensive, but it’s made from lightweight aluminum.
More Information:
- The Best Beginner Fountain Pens
- The Best Fountain Pens for Every Budget
- The Best Fountain Pens Under $100
- Which TWSBI Fountain Pen Should I Buy?
- LAMY Safari: A Comprehensive Guide
- Video: All LAMY Pens Explained
- Video: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pens
- Video: 8 Bset Beginner Fountain Pens
The Kaweco AL Sport is the best fountain pen under $100. It’s a stylish option for anyone ready to venture into more interesting fountain pen styles and materials. It’s both vintage and modern thanks to an iconic octagonal body design that was first introduced in 1935. The Kaweco Sport’s slogan—”Small in the pocket, great in the hand”—describes its appeal perfectly. Although the pen is small enough to fit in a pocket for everyday carry, the cap can be posted on the back of the barrel to extend it to a comfortable size.
The Kaweco Sport is available as an inexpensive plastic pen, but we like the AL Sport’s premium feel. The aluminum build gives the pen a good weight and durability without adding too much weight.
The Kaweco Sport is available as an inexpensive plastic pen, but we like the AL Sport’s premium feel. The aluminum build gives the pen a good weight and durability without adding too much weight.
We also want to mention the LAMY studio. It features the same steel nib found on the safari fitted to a sturdy metal body. The studio’s subtle, curving design gives the pen a remarkably sophisticated look. If you like the studio and are willing to spend more than $100, you can pick up the stealthy all-black Lx with a matching steel nib or a fountain pen with a 14k gold nib.
| Product | Nib Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaweco AL Sport Fountain Pens | Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Double Broad | Shop Now | |
| LAMY studio Fountain Pens | Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad | Shop Now |
More Information:
- Kaweco Sport: A Comprehensive Guide
- LAMY Pens and Pencils: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Best Brass Pens
- The Best Fountain Pens for Every Budget
- The Best Fountain Pens Under $100
- Video: Kaweco Sport: The Perfect Pocket Pen
- Video: Every Kaweco Pen & Pencil Explained
- Video: All LAMY Pens Explained
Although there are many sophisticated pens that any professional would be proud to carry, we have to say that the Pilot Vanishing Point is the best luxury fountain pen for writing. This fountain pen’s elegance speaks for itself, but its retraction mechanism takes it to another level. Just press the button on the back of the barrel to extend the nib. When the nib is retracted, a “gate” inside the grip section seals the nib and prevents it from drying out.
The Standard Vanishing Point is best for those with larger hands and comes in a range of finishes, from the stealthy Black Matte to the stunning Raden series inlaid with real abalone shell. The thinner and lighter Decimo is ideal for those with smaller hands, or anyone who intends to write for long periods of time.
Some writers may find that the Vanishing Point’s clip gets in the way of their fingers. For an alternative that’s no less exceptional, you can’t go wrong with the LAMY 2000. This fountain pen balances a striking design with understated style. Because it’s a piston filler, it has a high ink capacity that allows you to write for pages and pages.
Is the LAMY 2000’s design a little too modern for your taste? The Platinum 3776 Century has a vintage appeal thanks to its classic, cigar-shaped design with rounded ends. Or are you searching for an option with plenty of colors to choose from? The Sailor Pro Gear Slim would be right up your alley. Sailor regularly releases new colors based on seasonal themes, Japanese festivals, and more.
More Information:
- The Best Fountain Pens for Every Budget
- The Best Luxury European Fountain Pen
- The Best Luxury Japanese Fountain Pens
- The LAMY 2000: A Comprehensive Guide
- Sailor Fountain Pens: A Comprehensive Guide
- Unique Fountain Pens
- What’s the Difference Between Specialty Nibs?
- Video: Our Favorite Gold Nib Fountain Pens
- Video: All LAMY Pens Explained
This will likely be different for everyone, but at JetPens we confidently recommend the Uni-ball Signo UM-151 as the best gel pen. It glides across the page whether you pick the reliable 0.5 mm tip size for everyday note-taking or the ultra-fine 0.28 mm for precise writing in tiny planner squares. Its ink is wonderfully vibrant and comes in an array of beautiful colors.
There’s more to the Signo’s ink than just appearances, though. Its pigment-based ink is water resistant, archival quality, and resists fading from light exposure. This makes it an excellent choice for writing checks, signing important documents, and anything else you want to stand the test of time.
Be sure to check out the entire Signo lineup, which includes retractable pens, metallic inks, and more.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni-ball Signo UM-151 Gel Pens | 0.28 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm | Shop Now |
More Information:
- The Best Gel Pens
- Uni-ball Signo: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Best Gel Pens for Planners
- The Best Pens for Writing Checks
- The Best Japanese Gel Pens
- Gel Pen Basics
- The Difference Between Ballpoint, Gel, and Rollerball Pens
- Ballpoint and Gel Pens: Best Practices
The Pilot Acroball is an excellent ballpoint pen for writing. Like our top choice, it uses low-viscosity ink that flows smoothly. In our tests, we found that the Acroball felt a little more “textured” on paper than the Jetstream, which meant it was easier to control.
The Acroball’s body is made from recycled plastic, and it has a firm rubber grip that’s comfortable to hold. Other pens that use Acro ink have metal or plastic grips. We found them pleasant to hold, but writers with sweaty hands might notice their grasps slipping easily on the smooth surfaces.
The Acroball also comes in multi pen form, and some versions include mechanical pencil components.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Acro & Acroball Ballpoint Pens | 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm | Shop Now | |
| Pilot Acroball Multi Pens | 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm | Shop Now |
More Information:
- The Best Ballpoint Pens
- The Best Low-Viscosity Ballpoint Pens
- The Difference Between Ballpoint, Gel, and Rollerball Pens
- Ballpoint and Gel Pens: Best Practices
- The Best Pens for Every Handwriting Style
- How the Ballpoint Pen Changed the Way We Write
- The Best Multicolor Pens
The humble Uni-ball Vision Elite is the best rollerball pen for writing. It creates a smooth, skip free, and satisfyingly dark line that makes it a pleasure to write with. As an added bonus, its fraud-resistant ink is ideal for signing checks and legal documents. The 0.8 mm tip size is silky smooth, while the 0.5 mm tip size has some feedback (the sensation of the tip on the writing surface) without feeling scratchy.
For a heftier, more durable pick, consider the Tombow Zoom 505 Standard. Its aluminum body is well balanced, and it has a thick rubber grip for ergonomic comfort.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni-ball Vision Elite Rollerball Pens | 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm | Shop Now | |
| Tombow Zoom 505 Standard Rollerball Pens | 0.5 mm | Shop Now |
The unique tip of the Pentel Pulaman JM20 Pen makes it especially well-suited for writing. Its plastic nib is expressive and creates different line widths depending on the angle and pressure that you write with. Over time, the tip wears down according to how you use it, creating an experience that’s entirely unique to you and your writing style. Its conventional body style also makes it comfortable to hold for long writing sessions.
For more color options, check out the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pen. It has as 0.3 mm felt tip that’s reinforced with a metal sleeve. Its dry-safe feature keeps the pen from drying out if you leave it uncapped for a few days (but we still recommend keeping your pen capped!).
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentel Pulaman JM20 Pens | N/A | Shop Now | |
| Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens | 0.3 mm | Shop Now |
If you want your writing instrument to have the finest tip possible, the Pilot Hi-Tec-C is the best gel pen for you.
If you want your writing instrument to have the finest tip possible, the Pilot Hi-Tec-C is the best gel pen for you. Its 0.25 mm tip can write neatly in the tiniest spaces, from book margins to planner squares. The Hi-Tec-C is remarkably smooth considering the fineness of the tip, and it comes in a handful of bright colors.
However, we must warn that such fine tip sizes will feel more “scratchy” than those found on 0.38 mm or 0.5 mm pens. A smaller tip size has a smaller surface area that comes in contact with the paper, and it puts down less ink that would otherwise lubricate the tip. Additionally, the 0.25 mm Hi-Tec-C may need to be primed with a scribble on a piece of scratch paper to get the ink flowing.
We find these minor flaws a reasonable exchange for such fine lines, but the slightly broader 0.3 mm tip tends to perform more reliably.
Those who prefer ballpoint inks should reach for the Uni Jetstream Edge. As with the Hi-Tec-C, its ultra fine tip doesn’t perform as consistently as the 0.38 mm Jetstream, but we’re still impressed by how well the pen writes. A 0.28 mm tip size is almost unheard of in ballpoint pens, and Uni managed to make a precise pen that still offers a smooth writing experience. You can even get it as a multi pen!
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Pens | 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm | Shop Now | |
| Uni Jetstream Edge Ballpoint Pens | 0.28 mm, 0.38 mm | Shop Now | |
| Uni Jetstream Edge 3 Color Ballpoint Multi Pens | 0.28 mm | Shop Now |
More Information:
- The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pens
- Hi-Tec-C: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Best Japanese Gel Pens
- The Best Pens for Every Handwriting Style
- The Best Multicolor Pens
- Video: The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pens
The Zebra Sarasa Dry is the fastest-drying gel pen. Even the largest and wettest 0.7 mm tip size dried in less than five seconds on Rhodia paper, a paper that inks tend to dry slowly on. The Sarasa Dry puts down a wonderfully saturated line, writes smoothly, and comes in three tip sizes. Like many other Sarasa pens, this gel pen has a hinged clip that opens wide so it slides easily over notebooks and pockets.
As with many water-based gel inks, the Sarasa Dry smears readily beneath highlighters. Color-coders should consider using ballpoint pens like the Pilot Acro and Acroball instead. Oil-based ballpoint inks won’t react to water-based highlighter inks, so you can go over your notes without worrying about smudges.
Additionally, Pilot’s Acro ink is a low-viscosity ballpoint ink, so it writes smoothly without blobbing.
More Information:
- The Best Quick-Drying Gel Pens
- Zebra Sarasa: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Best Japanese Gel Pens
- The Best Low-Viscosity Ballpoint Pens
- The Best Pens for Note-Taking
- The Best Pens for Every Handwriting Style
- The Best Multicolor Pens
The most comfortable ergonomic pen will differ from person to person, with the best options depending on factors like hand size. Even so, we think the Uni-ball Signo 207 Premier is the best ergonomic pen for most writers. It uses the same ink as other Signo Gel Pens, so it flows freely and glides across the page with little pressure. The pigmented ink is satisfyingly dark regardless of how lightly you write. If you hold your pens tightly, its squishy grip will relieve your achy fingers. In addition, the 207 Premier has a lightweight body with a low center of gravity that won’t tire your hand as you write.
If you prefer ballpoint ink, the Pilot Dr. Grip is another excellent ergonomic pen. It has a carefully balanced barrel, and its double layer grip design is moderately soft without being too squishy or too hard.
The Dr. Grip, which is also available as a multi pen, has even earned an “Ease-of-Use” Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni-ball Signo 207 Premier Gel Pen | 0.7 mm | Shop Now | |
| Pilot Dr. Grip Ballpoint Pens | 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm | Shop Now | |
| Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 Multi Pens | 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm | Shop Now |
More Information:
- The Best Ergonomic Pens
- Uni-ball Signo: A Comprehensive Guide
- Pilot Dr. Grip: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Best Pens for Heavy-Handed Writers
- The Best Pen for Your Hand Grip
- The Best Japanese Gel Pens
- The Best Multicolor Pens
Since ergonomics are specific to each person, it makes sense to try a variety of pens before committing to one. Our JetPens Ergonomic Pen Sampler includes some of our favorite ergonomic pens for you to test in the comfort of your home, including our recommended Uni-ball Signo 207 Premier. If you prefer gel or ballpoint inks, we have more targeted samplers, too.
The Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Grip Ballpoint Pen provides the most comfortable writing experience. It combines the squishy Alpha Gel grip with low-viscosity Jetstream ink. These characteristics make for a pen that not only supports and cushions your fingers but also writes without requiring much pressure.
The JetPens team also finds the Alpha Gel grip especially useful for writers who hold their pens with a lateral or death grip. The soft silicone will help prevent calluses from forming or worsening and encourages better ergonomics to alleviate hand cramps.
We also like the Pentel Calme and its grip section. Because it covers almost the entirety of the lower barrel, your fingers have something to grip no matter where you hold your pen. Plus, its clicker makes almost no sound so it won’t distract others around you.
The Calme is available in multi pen versions, including some with mechanical pencil components.
| Product | Tip Sizes | Shop Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni Jetstream Alpha Gel Grip Ballpoint Pens | 0.7 mm | Shop Now | |
| Pentel Calme Ballpoint Pens | 0.35 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm | [Shop Now](https://www.je |