Image	Product	Features	Price
	Montblanc Meisterstück 163 Gold Coated Classique Rollerball Pen		Check Price
	LAMY 2000 Black Rollerball Pen		Check Price
	Pilot - Metropolitan		Check Price
	Baron Fig - Squire		Check Price
	Parker Jotter Premium		Check Price

Taking notes is a great way to highlight and keep track of the most important information provided at a meeting or lecture, or draw conclusions while reading a new book. 

Nowadays, note-taking is often done digitally, usually on a laptop or a tablet. However, some still prefer the pen-and-paper method, which also has many advantages over digital note-taking. 

If you’re looking for the best pens for note-taking to start your pen collection, we have some great recommendations. 

We’ve been in this market for years, so we’ve made sure to include only top-rated pens that will elevate your note-taking experience. We’ve included both budget-friendly and more luxurious pens, most of which can be found in the Truphae store.

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Best Pens for Note-Taking

Choosing the right pen that won’t smudge while you take your important notes is crucial. Therefore, the following choices will narrow down the selection of pens you should purchase.

Best Overall - Montblanc Meisterstück Rollerball Pen

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Black
Weight	24 gr
Length	132 mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best price-performance executive pen
• The pen that pen emoji icons are based on
• A luxury item that is both functional and doesn’t cost a fortune to obtain

Cons

• Only uses proprietary refills
• The price is a bit high for a body made of plastic

The most iconic pen in the history of pen design is the one that takes the top spot on our best pens for note-taking list. This pen isn’t only a classic luxury writing tool, but it’s also very convenient for the purpose of note-taking. 

It’s slim, easy to hold, and fits perfectly in your hand, which makes it ideal for writing long letters or taking notes during a meeting. If you’re a fan of the rollerball Meisterstück 163, you can choose between the Gold Coated Classique, Platinum Coated Classique, and Rose Gold Coated Classique, or get a fine liner refill for smudge-free writing on even the smoothest paper.

Best Design - Lamy 2000 Rollerball

Specifications

Manufacturer	Lamy
Color	Black
Weight	24 gr
Length	137 mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exquisite design inspired by Bauhaus
• Perfect for long note-taking sessions
• Eye-catching appearance

Cons

• Doesn’t work the best on cheap paper
• The cap is held in place by metal tabs that are a bit of an eyesore

Even though it looks as if this pen was designed recently, the initial design dates back to 1966, which makes it a classic. It has an unparalleled design that’s sleek and modern, but it’s also super functional and dries quickly. 

The pen’s body is made from fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate, and even though its shape is tapered, it fits perfectly in both small and large hands.

Keep in mind that the refills for this pen are a bit longer than the standard ones, so you may need to use a spacer to keep them in the right place. Apart from the standard black design, the pen is also available in a stainless steel version.

Best Value - Pilot - Metropolitan

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black
Weight	29 gr
Length	138 mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• One of the nicest pens considering its affordable price
• Also available as a ballpoint and fountain pen
• Writes really well

Cons

• Not all ink colors look good
• The body can scratch over time

There’s no better pen on the market at this price point than the Pilot Metropolitan. The balance between the aesthetic, quality, and price doesn’t compare with any other pen, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a new pen for taking notes. 

Firstly, the grip section lays comfortably on your hand, which allows you to spend hours taking notes without straining your hand. Next, the pen is extremely durable, so you can expect it to stay in your arsenal for years to come. 

And lastly, you can use a number of different refills that match the G2 size refill, such as the standard black 0.7mm G2 refill, the Pilot Juice refills, and others.

The body is made of brass which is painted black, it has a glossy mid-section, and it comes in a few different versions such as the Black Crocodile Fountain Pen, Plain Black Fountain Pen,  Bronze Lizard Fountain Pen, White Tiger Fountain Pen, and others.

Best Appearance - Baron Fig - Squire

Specifications

Manufacturer	Baron Fig
Color	Silver
Weight	48.2 g
Length	127 mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sophisticated appearance
• Ergonomic design
• Smooth writing that doesn’t smudge
• Extremely durable due to being made of stainless steel

Cons

• A bit heavier compared to other pens
• It can roll off your desk

If typical pens are too ordinary for you, the Baron Fig Squire will definitely bring something new to the table. 

The pen is designed ergonomically, so it fits perfectly in hands of different sizes, and the length and shape of the pen are ideal for everyday use. Apart from being very functional, the pen will look amazing in your hand each time you take it out to write your notes during your meetings. Moreover, it’s made of stainless steel, which ensures its longevity. 

Not only that, but this pen has an impeccable minimalistic design, and the rollerball doesn’t need to be capped. Instead, you just turn the top part of the pen with the help of the twist-action mechanism, the rollerball top is revealed, and you’re ready to start writing. 

If you like the rollerball style, check out our list of the best rollerball pens!

And if you’re a fan of more colorful pens, the Squire is also available in the colors Blackout, Magenta, Charcoal, Fig Wine, Blue Slate, and Rose Quartz.

Best Affordable Classic Pen - Parker Jotter Premium

Specifications

Manufacturer	Parker
Color	Silver
Weight	19 g
Length	138 mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Quickflow technology provides a smooth and effortless writing experience
• Classic and practical design
• Extremely durable
• Sold in a variety of colors

Cons

• The barrel is pretty smooth so it may start slipping after you’ve been writing for a while
• It goes through ink very fast

To round up this review on the best note-taking pens, we have an affordable and classic pen, the Parker Jotter, which is renowned for its reliability and length of use. This standard ballpoint pen is a reliable tool for all your writing activities and is the perfect fit if you’re a fan of slimmer pens. 

Made from stainless steel, this pen is likely to stay in your writing arsenal for years to come. Its barrel is made of metal, which makes it extremely durable, and it will survive for years inside a purse or a bag without sustaining damage.

The best part about it is that it isn’t as heavy as other pens, so if you like a lightweight pen that’s on the shorter side and has a satisfying click action, the Jotter is the perfect choice. 

Buyer’s Guide on the Best Pens for Note-Taking

After looking through our pen recommendations, you may be wondering how we ended up choosing the pens on our list. We have to say that this wasn’t an easy task, but what helped us the most was filtering each pen through the following criteria.

Ink Flow Quality

The most important aspect of choosing the best pen for note-taking is the ink flow quality. Since you don’t want to have to press the pen hard to have a smooth writing experience, it’s best to choose a pen that will be able to provide that.

The best pens for that are rollerballs and fountain pens, the former being more on the budget-friendly side.

Drying Time

There’s nothing worse than having smeared notes when taking notes for a long time during a meeting or a lecture, especially if you’re a lefty who constantly has a hand over the words you write. 

Quick-drying pens prevent these unwanted scenarios, and the pens on this list are all excellent in this regard.

Ink Intensity

The intensity of the ink you’re using is extremely important because the darker and clearer the ink is, the better you’ll be able to read your notes while reviewing them. 

For that reason, it’s best to go with darker colors, such as black, off-black, and dark blues, although it’s a good idea to have a few other ink colors when you want to emphasize some important paragraph.

Tip Type and Size

Another key feature that you should consider when choosing your pen is the type of the pen and its size. 

Regarding the pen type, we’ve already mentioned that it’s best to go with rollerball pens or fountain pens for note-taking, and the former is even better than the latter when we consider the smudging factor on top of this. 

But if you like fountain pens better than rollerballs, who are we to make this choice for you? And when it comes to selecting the tip size, this is a matter of personal preference. So, some people will prefer finer tips which tend to dry faster, while others like how bolder tips write. 

Choose the one that works best with the writing aesthetic you’re trying to achieve in your notebook.

Highlighter Compatibility

Most people tend to highlight certain paragraphs or words as they go over their notes. So, another factor worth considering when choosing the best pen for note-taking is how compatible your ink is to the highlighter you’re using, which brings us back to the smudging problem. 

Generally, fountain pens, gel pens, or rollerballs aren’t very compatible with highlighters, while ballpoint pens work best. Another key factor is the quality of the highlighter - we recommend investing in a good highlighter that works best with the pen you choose.

Pen Grip and Weight

A good pen should fit perfectly in your hand, especially if you’re planning to use it for a longer period of time. Opt for lighter pens with good ergonomic support for the best writing experience.

Conclusion

The quest to find the perfect note-taking pen doesn’t have to be long and hard if you only try pens that have been vetted by experts in the field of writing tools, such as the Truphae team. Our shop contains a wide variety of pens and writing equipment that can fit any budget, and the best pens for note-taking that we’ve reviewed are no exception.

In this case, your best choice would be the classic Montblanc Meisterstück, which is a pen that has stood the test of time, and people have loved using it for decades. 

Let us know your thoughts about the pens we’ve mentioned in the comment section below. Have you tried some of these pens? What was your experience when using them? And if you haven’t, which one would you try first?