Image	Product	Features	Price
	Diplomat Excellence 14k Gold Nib		Check Price
	LAMY Studio		Check Price
	TWSBI Mini AL		Check Price
	LAMY Safari 2021 Savannah Green / Terra Cotta Fountain Pen		Check Price
	LAMY LX Rollerball Pen		Check Price
	TWSBI Eco White & Rose Gold Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Caran D'Ache 849 Black Code Ballpoint Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Custom 823 Smoke Fountain Pen		Check Price

We each have a go-to pen that we always reach for when jotting down notes, signing an important document, or writing in our journals. And there’s nothing quite like having a reliable pen that meets all our needs.

As self-proclaimed pen aficionados, we take the task of recommending high-quality writing tools very seriously. So, to help you find the best pens on the market, we’ve tested out numerous pens and made a list comprised of the crème de la crème in terms of writing utensils, all of which provide a superior writing experience. 

Best Pens for All Your Needs

Finding the right pen for different purposes can be effortless if you know what to look for in a pen. Our recommendations fulfill all of our criteria, so let’s start with our first choice.

Best Pen for Writing - Diplomat Excellence 14k Gold Nib 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Diplomat
Color	Evergreen, Bauhaus, Black & Gold, Skyline Blue, Oxyd Iron, Chrome, Black & Chrome, Marrakesh
Weight	39.69 g
Length	138.7 mm
Material	Metal/ Lacquer
Series	Excellence

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Timeless design
• Large nib that’s well-tuned, has consistent ink flow
• Comfortable grip section
• Great color options

Cons

• High price
  

The Diplomat Excellence features a timeless and sophisticated design and comes in a few main colors, out of which the Evergreen is definitely the most visually appealing. The deep green color looks wonderfully paired with the golden trim, clip, and bottom end. It uses a soft click mechanism to close and open and is equipped with a full metal spring-loaded clip that prevents it from deforming. 

The 14k gold nib features the flower logo and has its name and size engraved. It writes smoothly and doesn’t skip or take too long to start writing, making it perfect for any type of writing. 

The pen comes in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad sizes. You can use it either with a convertor or an international cartridge, depending on your preference. 

Best Pen for Note Taking - LAMY Studio

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Dark brown, Black forest, Glacier Blue, Piano Black, Black, Blue, Palladium, Stainless steel
Weight	19.94 g
Length	139.7 mm
Material	Metal
Series	Studio

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Various nib sizes (extra fine, fine, medium, broad, 1.1 mm calligraphy, 1.5 mm calligraphy, 1.9 mm calligraphy)
• Unique clip
• Smooth nib with good ink flow
• Executive pen

Cons

• Slippery grip section

As our first choice in the best pens for note-taking category, we have the LAMY Studio fountain pen. It provides the best of both worlds in terms of design and the quality of the experience that it produces. This makes it a great note-taking pen for all pen enthusiasts.

The interchangeable nibs are designed to provide a smooth and consistent writing experience, with good ink flow and precision. They are available in various sizes and you can choose the right one for you depending on whether you’ll use it as a note-taking (extra fine, fine, medium, broad) or a calligraphy tool (1.1 mm calligraphy, 1.5 mm calligraphy, 1.9 mm calligraphy).

The most notable features include the smooth barrel and the propeller-shaped clip that gives the pen a distinctive appearance. This pen comes with both an ink cartridge and a converter, so you can use either bottled ink or a cartridge, depending on your preferences.  

Best Pen for Journaling - TWSBI Mini AL

Specifications

Manufacturer	TWSBI
Color	Classic, Clear, Silver, Grape
Weight	22.68 g
Length	118.4 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Mini AL

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Various nib sizes (extra fine, fine, medium, broad, 1.1 mm stub)
• Sturdy and well-made
• Lightweight 

Cons

• Doesn’t accept cartridges or a converter, only uses bottled ink
  

To qualify as the best writing instrument for journaling, a pen should be lightweight, reliable, and functional, and the TWSBI Mini AL checks all the boxes. 

This compact fountain pen features a sleek and modern design provided by the clear acrylic barrel and the chrome and aluminum accents. Since the barrel is clear, it enables you to continuously check the ink levels. 

It’s a pen that won’t break the bank, but despite its lower price, it still offers a smooth and consistent writing experience in various nib sizes. Its only downside is that it can only be used with bottled ink, so it’s not suitable for fountain pen aficionados who prefer using cartridges. It comes packaged with a wrench and silicone grease so you can maintain your pen for years to come.

Best Pen for Lefties - LAMY Safari

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Aquamarine, Mango, Violet, Savannah Green, Terra Cotta, and more
Weight	10 g
Length	140 mm
Material	ABS plastic
Series	Safari

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Left-handed nib attachment
• Triangular grip section suitable for beginner fountain pen users
• Ink window
• Ideal fountain pen for lefties

Cons

• Only uses proprietary Lamy brand cartridges

The LAMY Safari is the ultimate fountain pen for left-handed pen aficionados thanks to the special left-handed nib attachment. The pen features a lightweight, triangular-shaped barrel that’s easy to grip and comfortable to hold for extended periods of writing, useful for experienced fountain pen users and beginners alike. The ink window is another useful feature that allows you to check your ink levels at all times.

Another benefit for lefties is the ink’s fast drying time which prevents smudging and smearing. This pen is available in a variety of different colors so you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect match.

Best Pen for Gift - LAMY LX

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Marron (Brown), Palladium (Silver), Rose Gold, Ruthenium (Grey)
Weight	28.9 g
Length	139 mm
Material	Aluminum
Series	LX

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique color variety
• Ergonomic grip section
• Timeless design

Cons

• Only works with proprietary LAMY refills

For those looking for the perfect gift idea, the LAMY LX checks all the boxes. It has a timeless design, a luxurious feel, and it’s lightweight, so you can get the benefit of owning a luxury pen at a fraction of the cost.

The LAMY LX (pronounced “Luxe”) has a contemporary look and a lightweight aluminum body that stands out from other pens. Its design is inspired by the AL-Star, while the color palette is inspired by precious metals. It features a signature wire clip and a translucent grip section that enables you to see the inner mechanisms of the pen, which only adds to its modern look. 

While the pen only works with proprietary LAMY refills, it’s also compatible with the LAMY M63 rollerball refill. 

Best Pen for Bullet Journaling - TWSBI Eco 

Specifications

Manufacturer	TWSBI
Color	White & Rose Gold, Transparent Yellow, T Saffron, Royal Jade Rose Gold Pen Set
Weight	21 g
Length	139 mm
Material	Clear acrylic
Series	Eco

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable pen that provides a smooth writing experience
• Various nib sizes available
• Contemporary design

Cons

• Inadequate use can result in ink stains on the clear barrel, so proper maintenance is essential

The TWSBI Eco pen is an affordable fountain pen that’s essential for every bullet journal owner. The stainless steel nib comes in various sizes, such as extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and 1.1 mm stub, giving you line variety that’s essential for drawing and writing alike.

Its most unique feature is the transparent barrel made from clear acrylic that enables you to continuously check your ink levels. On top of that, the pen has an excellent piston-filling system that enables you to easily refill it with ink. The cap comes in various colors which only enhances the pen’s unique design and gives you a variety of options.

Best Pen for Nurses - Caran d’Ache 849

Specifications

Manufacturer	Caran d’Ache
Color	Black, other colors
Weight	15 g
Length	128 mm
Material	Aluminum
Series	849

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Hexagonal barrel made of aluminum 
• Large cartridge
• Great grip

Cons

• It’s most suitable for people with smaller hands 

The 849 is one of Caran D’Ache’s most well-known pens due to its recognizable design, lightweight aluminum barrel, and the large cartridge it holds. It’s a pen that lays comfortably in your hand due to its hexagonal barrel that holds the unusually large cartridge.

The pen is extremely durable as a result of the lightweight materials it’s made of, and paired with the fast-drying ink, it’s the ideal writing tool for anyone in need of jotting down quick notes. This hugely popular pen is available in a palette of different colors, so you’ll definitely find one that you like.

Feel free to check out our list of the best pens for nurses if you want to see other good options.

Best Pen for Drawing - Pilot Custom 823

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black
Weight	28.8 g
Length	148.3 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Custom 823

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Vacuum filling system
• Safe to carry loaded while flying
• Large ink capacity
• A great drawing tool that comes in fine, medium, and broad nib sizes

Cons

• Hard to clean
• Not suitable for people with really small hands

What makes the Pilot Custom 823 the best drawing pen is its large ink capacity paired with one of the smoothest nibs on the market. The nib comes in three sizes, fine, medium, and broad, all of which write clean and consistent lines.

It lays comfortably when you draw or write, and the only downside to this pen is that it’s best suited for pen aficionados with larger hands due to its length. Apart from that, it has an elegant design that only adds to its appeal. Last but not least, it’s one of the safest pens to take on a plane due to its vacuum-filling system that prevents leaks.

Pen Types and Sizes

To make an informed decision and choose the best pen for your needs, let’s go over the main features of the most popular types of pen.

Ballpoint Pens

Ballpoint pens are one of the most used types of pens. They use oil-based ink that’s thick, therefore it needs more time to dry. So if you aren’t careful and don’t wait for the ink to dry properly, smearing can happen.

These pens come with a twist or click mechanism that enables the tip to come out so you can start using the pen. To prevent the ink from drying out, keep the tip inside the pen when it’s not in use. 

These pens come in three main categories:

• Fine ballpoint pens - write lines that are 0.8 mm thick or less.
• Medium ballpoint pens - write lines that are between 0.9 and 1.2 mm thick.
• Broad ballpoint pens - write lines that are thicker than 1.3 mm.

If you want to make the most out of your ballpoint pen, store it away from direct sunlight in a cool and dark place, with the tip pointing downwards.

Rollerball Pens

Rollerball pens run on a water-based type of ink which is much more fluid than ballpoint ink and dries out faster.

Rollerballs often come with a cap that either clips or screws on, and if you want to prevent them from drying out, you need to add the cap on as soon as you finish using the pen. These pens should also be kept away from direct sunlight and stored in a cool dark place in a horizontal position to prevent the tip from drying out.

Rollerball pens come in a few different sizes:

• Extra fine rollerball pens - write lines that are less than 0.5 mm in thickness.
• Fine rollerball pens - write lines that are between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm in thickness.
• Medium rollerball pens - write lines that are between 0.8 mm and 1 mm in thickness.
• Broad rollerball pens - write thicker lines that are between 1 mm and 1.5 mm.

Keep in mind that the sizes of rollerball pens can vary from brand to brand.

Fineliner Pens

Fineliner pens have plastic fiber or felt nibs and are commonly used for drawing or sketching as a result of the thin, elegant lines they produce. However, people also like them for handwriting and bullet journaling because they don’t skip and don’t require you to apply too much pressure when writing.

Fineliners generally use water-based ink, however, some use oil-based ink. Since most of them use water-based ink, the ink dries out a lot quicker when transferred onto paper, which makes them equally useful for righthanded and lefthanded pen enthusiasts.

The tips of fineliner pens come in various sizes that range from 0.03 mm to 1 mm, hence their name - fineliners. To make the most of your fineliner pen and prevent it from drying out prematurely, store it vertically in a cool and dark place with the tip facing down.

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are the go-to pens for most pen aficionados because they offer a superior writing experience, are made from quality materials, and are eco-friendly. If used and stored properly, away from direct sunlight and in a cool and dark place, you can expect them to last you a lifetime.

Fountain pens use water-based ink that either comes in a replaceable cartridge or as bottled ink that you refill once in a while. The ink produces fine lines that dry in a few seconds after being transferred onto the page and doesn’t expire; if stored in the right conditions, it can last up to 60 years in an unopened bottle.

Where other pens have tips, fountain pens have metal nibs that are made from stainless steel or solid gold. The nibs come in various sizes that vary depending on the brand, but they generally come in the following sizes:

• EF (extra-fine) - nibs with a line width of around 0.4 mm, perfect for people with extremely small handwriting.  
• F (fine) - nibs with a line width of around 0.6 mm, suitable for those with small handwriting.
• M (medium) - nibs that produce line widths of around 0.8 mm, which work best for people with average-size handwriting.  
• B (broad) - nibs that produce a line width of around 1.0 mm, which work best for people with large handwriting or for signing documents.
• A ("Anfänger" = beginner) - nibs with a rounded point are most suitable for young writers and beginners and they produce fine and medium line widths. 

To ensure that your fountain pen is operational for years to come, you need to store it properly, and the best way to store it depends on the storage time. For example, when storing your pen as you’re using it or for short-term storage, you should immediately cap it as soon as you stop writing and leave it lying horizontally to prevent spills or leaks. Storing your pen long-term requires you to completely empty it and then store it either horizontally or vertically.

Document Markers

Document markers are writing tools that have a wide tip and are commonly used for marking and labeling. They come in two main types, washable - used by children, and permanent - used by adults. Marker tips come in different shapes, but also in different sizes ranging from 0.03 to 50 mm, but they’re generally divided into the following categories:

• Extra fine tip (thinnest markers ideal for detailed work, such as sketching, illustrating, writing, and they’re used interchangeably with fineliners)
• Fine tip (fine tip markers are great for coloring, but they can also be used on whiteboards)
• Medium tip (the most commonly used markers when it comes to coloring and crafts)
• Broad tip (ideal for projects that have large areas that need to be covered, or writing large-scale letters)
• Jumbo tip (great for large-scale art products, creating thick outlines, or filling in massive blocks of color when creating a large sign)

Similar to other types of pens, document markers should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out prematurely.

Gel Pens

Gel pens come in a retractable or capped version and use water-based gel ink in which a pigment is suspended that creates the color. These pens are quite versatile because they come in unusual textures and colors, such as glittery, shimmery, fluorescent, etc. They have a wide range of use and are used for illustration, writing, coloring, bullet journalling, and crafts.

Similar to other pen types, gel pens come in a few different tip sizes which define how they’re used. Ultra fine tip sizes give you the opportunity to do detailed work and are generally sized about 0.3 mm and below. Pens with tip sizes that range from 0.35 to 0.4 mm are considered fine tipped and are great for people with smaller handwriting. Medium and broad tips are above 0.5 mm and can be used for calligraphy or by people with larger handwriting.

Stylus Pens

Most stylus pens are a combination of a traditional pen and a stylus. They stylus pen is often made of rubber and can be used to navigate touchscreen devices. It’s used as an alternative to a mouse, but you use it directly on the screen. It can be used to scroll, highlight, and select on your screen without scratching it. These pens come in different sizes that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Important Features to Consider When Buying a Pen

Each pen has its unique features even though many of them can be used for similar purposes, and it all depends on the user’s personal preference. So let’s give you a bit more information on the features you need to look out for when choosing your new pen.

Budget

Before you do anything else, you need to decide on a budget. This enables you to get a pen of the highest quality that matches the price. 

Nib Size

One of the most important criteria when buying a pen is deciding on the nib size. This will depend on the size of your handwriting and how you plan on using your pen. For example, smaller nib sizes are perfect if you want to have more control of the lines that you’re writing, which makes them suitable for people with messier and smaller handwriting. Larger nib sizes allow you to write bold lines, which is perfect for pen enthusiasts with larger handwriting, or those who enjoy doing calligraphy.

Pen and Ink Colour

Color and design are important factors when deciding which pen to buy. Choose the color that works with your stationary and you won’t make a mistake. If you go with a refillable pen, you won’t be limited to the ink color you can choose, however, for disposable pens, it’s best to go with a classic color, such as blue or black.

Conclusion

Choosing a pen that you plan on using for years to come is no easy task. So, to choose the best one, you first need to set a budget, assess your needs, and think about the ways in which you plan on using your pen. 

If you want to dive deeper into budget-friendly pens, check out the best fountain pens under $50, and if you’re looking for a statement pen that offers an unparalleled writing experience, you’ll find it in our best luxury pens piece. Regardless of whether you prefer affordable pens or pens of high-quality that are more of an investment, we’re likely to have the perfect pen for you in the Truphae store.

Let us know which pen you liked the most and why. Do you agree with our top choices in each category, or do you have a favorite pen that should have made it on our list? Let us know in the comments below.