From Mini EDC pens and Kickstarter pens, to Tactical Pens and Space Pens, the pen has evolved to become more than a simple instrument capable of recording your thoughts. The packaging might have changed, but that same primary purpose of putting ideas to paper remains the same. Availability is going to depend on the quality of the stores in your neighborhood, but these are the best pens that are probably most widely available at stores around you.
Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX Gel Ink Pens
Pentel’s EnerGel Deluxe RTX Gel Ink Pens come in an assorted color multi-pack with more options than you probably care to admit you like, but the end result is the same–a quality pen with a 0.7mm stainless tip that creates perfect medium lines. What else separates the latex-free grip, retractable and refillable Pentel EnerGel from other options on the market? How about a liquid and gel ink combo for a super-smooth writing experience and a quick dry time that makes smears, smudges and globs a thing of the past? $9
Zebra Sarasa JJS15 Push Clip Gel Ink Pen
The Sebra Sarasa JJS15 Push Clip Gel Ink Pen is billed by the manufacturer as “good for student,” “good for children,” and “good for teen,” which are all true, but they missed the very important part of them also being good for business and good for notes. It’s a comfortable, medium-weight pen that lays down a fine point line with a durable cone tip, fluid writing experience and a highly-functional pocket clip. Whatever this pen lacks in fluidity compared to a rollerball it more than makes up for in ease of operation, line quality and the fact that it doesn’t leak. It’s a fantastic pen for closing tabs at the end of the night. $9
Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ball Point
It bears the Uni-Ball name. It’s available in multi-packs. It comes in multiple different colors and both Bold Point and Fine Point styles. Most importantly, it’s a refill that—while being available as a refill option in much fancier pens—can be purchased with a barebones setup that’s far more affordable than comparable options. The Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ball Point drops a respectable 0.7mm fine point line in whatever color you want while still being water, fade, fraud and smudge proof. What more could you ask for in a cheap pen? $9
Pilot Razor Point Marker Stick Pens
All things considered, the Pilot Razor Point Marker Stick Pens are more marker than they are pen, but any list of great, affordable pens would be incomplete without them. The gray body paired with the iconic yellow top and the basic pocket clip is something that’s immediately recognizable by anyone that’s ever used one as a sign of quality. Whether you’re sketching, signing important documents or just autographing your latest credit card for future use, this might just be the best affordable pen on the market. $11
Sharpie Pen Fine Point
Like Kleenex, Sharpie is a brand so iconic that their product has come to be associated with every other similar product on the market. In this case, it’s the permanent marker. When you want to write on something permanently with an archival-quality, acid-free ink that won’t bleed through paper and will last forever you reach for a Sharpie. If the fine or medium points aren’t quite detailed enough than you want a fine point Sharpie Pen to lay down all the important details. The Sharpie Pen is everything you love about the Sharpie marker with a tip shrunk to a fine or ultra-fine point for daily writing tasks. $12
Pilot Juice Gel Ink 0.38
0.38mm tip. More than ten different color options in one package. Bold ink application on everything from printer paper and coloring books to college notebooks and graph paper. Like everything else that Pilo produces, the Pilot Juice Gel Ink pen is a writing powerhouse that will lay down whatever color ink you want wherever you want it without having to worry about smears, smudges or hand-prints. This set just so happens to include quite a few bright colors in addition to the traditional red, blue and black (which are all refillable, btw) that you’re used to. $13
Uni-ball Signo Dx 0.38
Pen and pencil junkies alike agree, the Uni-ball Signo Dx Gel Ink Pen is one of the best affordable options out there. The smooth writing experience and superior ink application alone are reasons enough to leave a positive review, but it’s the finer point of the 0.38mm Uni-ball Signo that separates it from similar options on the list. Even though you’re detailing thoughts in a finer point than other affordable pens you get a buttery experience with a thinner line that will keep you coming back to this fine point marvel for as many pages as you have to complete. $14
Pilot Hi-Tec-C
If there was any single, affordable pen that blew all others out of the water in terms of functionality and cult-like following it would be the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. It comes in multiple sizes. It lays down a point so razor fine it can tear paper. It’s available in multiple colors. It fits in almost every Kickstarter pen ever. Why is it so special? Because this pen works for notes, high-end drafting, signing checks, microscopic art projects and anything else you could ever think to use it for. If you want a slim, fine point writing pen good for just about everything then you want a Pilot Hi-Tec-C. $64
