Image	Product	Features	Price
	Diplomat Magnum Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Monteverde Ritma Silver Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Platinum Plaisir		Check Price
	Pilot Metropolitan Black Crocodile Fountain Pen		Check Price
	TWSBI Eco White & Rose Gold Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Kaweco Sport Classic Green Fountain Pen		Check Price
	LAMY Safari 2021 Savannah Green / Terra Cotta Fountain Pen		Check Price

If you’re tired of having a ballpoint pen run out of ink at the most inconvenient moment, it may be time to switch to a fountain pen. 

Purchasing a new fountain pen will give you the smoothest writing experience and even the opportunity to practice calligraphy without breaking the bank if you consider our recommendations.

To help you start your fountain pen collection in a budget-friendly way, we’ve made a list of the best fountain pens under 50 dollars, where we explore each pen’s design, value, and performance.

As pen enthusiasts and avid writers, we all know how important it is to have that go-to pen to use on a daily basis. So, in the following paragraphs, we’ll give you all the essentials so you can choose one for yourself.

Best Fountain Pens Under 50 Dollars

The Truphae store has a wide selection of fountain pens. Some collections contain the most luxurious fountain pens, while others are more budget-friendly, like the ones in the under $100 category. 

Without further ado, let’s start with our first under $50 fountain pen recommendation.

Best EDC Fountain Pen Under $50 - Kaweco Sport

Specifications

Manufacturer	Kaweco
Color	Green, Bordeaux, White, Red, Black, Navy
Weight	9.9 g
Length	105 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Sport

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Small and light design
• Disassembly for maintenance is pretty straightforward
• You can customize it by adding new nibs, a converter, clips, etc.
• Some parts are interchangeable with other Kaweco Sport pens

Cons

• The converter holds a smaller amount of ink
• Might not be suitable for people with larger hands

The Kaweco Classic Sport is a light and compact pen that’s perfect for everyday use, making it a suitable option for a bullet journal pen. It has a minimalist design and comes in a wide variety of colors. The hexagonal cap only adds to the visual interest of the design and it securely screws on top of the barrel, protecting the delicate nib. 

The nib comes in a few sizes, including extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and double broad, so you’re bound to find the size you commonly use. The pen’s made of high-quality resin, it’s very durable, and comes at an affordable price. 

Most Dependable Fountain Pen Under $50 - 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

• Great beginner fountain pen
• Contemporary design
• The triangular grip section enables you to hold the pen the right way
• Ink window for checking the ink level
• Compatible with different nibs

Cons

• The triangular grip may not be ideal for everyone
• Only uses proprietary Lamy brand cartridges

The LAMY Safari is one of the best fountain pens in its price category for many reasons. 

Firstly, the design is very contemporary, which is the initial appeal for a lot of customers. The pen has a minimalistic and sophisticated design with a few unique LAMY features, such as the removable clip with a unique design and the ink window. 

Secondly, the triangular grip, which is another one of LAMY’s unique features, enables you to hold the fountain pen the right way, making it a great option for both fountain pen beginners and experienced users. Last but not least, the LAMY Safari is compatible with nibs of different sizes, which gives you the opportunity to have a versatile writing experience.  

Most Affordable Fountain Pen Under $50 - Diplomat Magnum 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Diplomat
Color	Aegean Blue, Burned Red, Crow Black, Hot Pink, Indigo Blue, Lime Green, Pearl White
Weight	14 g
Length	133.35 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Magnum

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great nibs, especially the broad ones that allow you to get line variations
• Unique colors
• Ergonomic grip

Cons

• The resin feels a bit cheap
• Small ink window
• Very small and might not work for people with smaller hands

The Diplomat Magnum it’s one of Diplomat’s most affordable pens that writes smoothly and feels just right weight-wise if you’re into lighter pens. It has an ergonomic grip section that allows you to write for long hours without straining your hand and comes in many unique colors, so even the pickiest person can find their favorite.

The Magnum has a stainless steel nib that comes in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad sizes. The broad one can even be used for calligraphy since it allows you to get more line variations by applying more or less pressure when writing. So, if you want to dabble in calligraphy or just have more freedom with line variations, this pen is for you.

Best Fountain Pen Under $50 With a Nice Weight - Monteverde Ritma 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Monteverde
Color	Anodized orange, Red, Purple, Black, Blue, Turquoise, Silver
Weight	50 g
Length	137 mm
Material	Anodized aluminum
Series	Ritma

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Magnetic cap that posts and caps securely
• Minimalist design
• Various nib sizes
• An affordable calligraphy tool

Cons

• Posting the cap adds a lot of weight to the pen when writing

Inspired by the minimalist movement, the Ritma’s main features are its clean lines, beautiful colors, and classic minimal design. It’s a fully metal pen, making it a sturdy and durable option that features a magnetic cap that secures the pen to prevent unnecessary ink spills.

This pen comes in various nib sizes, such as extra fine, fine, medium, broad, 1.1 mm stub, and Omniflex, which add to its versatility, making it the perfect bullet journal pen, calligraphy pen, and EDC pen. It comes with a standard international converter and an ink cartridge, so if you’re looking for longevity and versatility, give this pen a try.

Best Honorable Mention Fountain Pen Under $50 - Platinum Plaisir 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Platinum
Color	Green, Red, Black, Pink, Violet, Nova orange, Frosty blue, Black mist, Teal green, Blue
Weight	19 g
Length	143 mm
Material	Aluminum
Series	Plaisir

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Scratch-resistant finish
• “Slip seal” cap mechanism
• You can use a cartridge adapter to use standard international ink cartridges

Cons

• A little dry on some paper

The Platinum Plaisir is another affordable fountain pen that’s made of metal and falls in the under $50 category. It has a scratch-resistant body that’s a result of the anodized coating finish and has a “slip seal” cap mechanism, making it the perfect EDC pen.

According to Pilot, this pen won’t dry out even after a year of using it, making it a good value for people who don’t like to clean their fountain pens often. The sturdy steel nib comes in fine and medium, which is perfect for everyday writing. 

When the pen’s paired with the ink cartridge adapter, it can work with standard international ink cartridges, making the swap easy once the pen runs out of ink.

Best Fountain Pen Under $50 Overall - Pilot Metropolitan

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black Crocodile, Plain Black,  Bronze Lizard, White Tiger
Weight	29 g
Length	138 mm
Material	Brass
Series	Metropolitan

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable price
• Writes really well
• The fine nib is perfectly suitable for lefties
• Doesn’t just use proprietary refills

Cons

• The barrel can scratch over time

The Pilot Metropolitan is a fountain pen that’s a great option in the under $50 category since it writes thin and elegant lines that aren’t easily smudged. Users will enjoy the lightness of the pen, which enables them to write for long hours without their hand cramping. 

The barrel is made of brass, silver trim, and a steel nib, while the midsection features crocodile, lizard, or tiger prints, which differentiates this pen from the plain black version. Last but not least, it works with a number of other Pilot refills, giving you the opportunity to use different types of inks.

Best Fountain Pen Under $50 With Highest Ink Capacity - 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

• Amazing value
• Piston filler
• Great steel nib in various sizes
• Sophisticated design

Cons

• Needs some maintenance to keep the pen clean at all times

The TWSBI Eco pen is the best of both worlds because it offers a great writing experience at an affordable price. The nib is made from stainless steel and comes in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and 1.1 mm stub, which give you enough versatility to be more creative or simply choose your preferred thickness.

Its most obvious features are the clear acrylic barrel that allows you to check the ink levels at all times and the great piston filling system. The pen’s cap ensures a perfect seal when you aren’t using it, and you can choose your preferred color from the few different choices. 

This pen also comes in a Royal Jade Rose Gold Pen Set and its best feature is the Eco-T triangular grip section that enables you to hold it with ease. The triangular-shaped cap is another unique feature that is added instead of the hexagon one that’s found on the regular Eco. 

Fountain Pen History

Fountain pens have a long history that dates back to 1827 when the first fountain pen was invented by Petrache Poenaru. In 1884, Lewis Waterman upgraded the design by making the pens less prone to spills and leaks, which revolutionized the fountain pen world.

These pens became even more popular during the 20th century as more and more writers and prominent historical figures started using them. This was around the time that renowned pen brands, such as Parker, Montblanc, and other premium brands that are still producing fountain pens emerged.

In recent years, people have again shown interest in fountain pens and they now come in different styles, design, and price points.

Fountain Pen Parts

Fountain pens are made from feeds, nibs, cartridges, and a filling method. Each part of the fountain pen is integral for making it work smoothly, so let’s see why they’re important.

Feed

The feed is the mechanism that “feeds” the ink from the top of the cartridge to the tip of the nib.

Nib

The nib is the main feature of the fountain pen and its purpose is to dispense the ink on top of the paper. Nibs are either made from stainless steel or gold and they can either be plated or tipped in gold. They come in different sizes that produce different lines when writing.

Filling Method

Fountain pens get their ink as a result of the modern capillary filling system that uses a cartridge or a piston filler.

Cartridge

Cartridges are replaceable containers that contain ink and are either refillable or replaceable.

Benefits of Fountain Pens

Fountain pens have a lot of benefits and advantages compared to other pens, such as being ergonomic, customizable, and elegant, whether in your hand or on top of your desk.

Ergonomic

They give you a better grip compared to other pens and enable a good writing experience. The pen’s weight is adequately balanced, which only improves your writing process.

Customizable

You can order the perfect fountain pen based on your needs. There are different nib sizes, types of nibs, ink, designs, and much more. So, you’re bound to find one that works for you.

Professional

Fountain pens look polished and professional more than any other pen on the market today. They’re a great alternative to ballpoint pens not only because of their sleek look but because they can even improve your handwriting due to the free-flowing ink that requires less pressure when writing.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reviewed the best fountain pens under $50 dollars, you have the necessary info that’ll help you choose a durable pen that’ll provide you with a high-quality writing experience at an affordable price.

Our favorite pen overall is the Pilot Metropolitan due to its classic design, the quality of the materials it's made of, and the number of colors that you can order it in. 

We hope that reading this review has gotten you one step closer to choosing an affordable fountain pen. Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the pens we’ve reviewed and give us your top recommendations.