Touchscreens have changed the way we interact with devices. While you can accomplish a lot by tapping or swiping with your fingertips, a stylus will give you more control over how you interact with a touchscreen, and it’s a must-have accessory if you need to write or draw on a tablet. Styluses are appealing because they allow you to use digital tools in an analog way, experience increased efficiency with a traditional operation, and come in handy for signing documents.
We recommend paying attention to the nib and grip of a stylus to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs. You should also pick a stylus designed for digital art or taking notes, depending on how you will use your touchscreen device. Before you invest in a stylus, it is a good idea to learn about them so you can make the best choice. Our list includes an explanation of their features and what the popular choices include.
Further reading
What to look for
Stylus nibs — the part that touches the glass — come in a number of materials, including rubber, mesh, or even plastic discs. They can be retractable or covered by a cap, with or without an attached clasp, or not protected at all. Some are powered by batteries or Bluetooth, sometimes offering additional pressure sensitivity and palm rejection features. Apps can be used in conjunction with some styluses if your device does not support all of its features.
A stylus case must feel comfortable in the hand for as long as you need to use it — smooth and grippy but not so slick, stubby, or long that you lose control. Watch out for styluses that quickly cramp your fingers or tire out your hand or arm. The implement should be of medium height so that it is easy to handle and doesn’t wobble, with evenly distributed weight.
You should be able to draw and write easily, without lag, ghosting, or overlap. Look for moderate friction between the nib and the glass so that your stylus moves naturally, like a pencil or pen on paper; it should not drag or move too quickly. You don’t want to press down too much. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best styluses available.
The best styluses for artists
No artist is exactly the same, and depending on your chosen medium and style of drawing or painting, you may want a specific kind of stylus. Some artistic styluses come with interchangeable tips, so you can vary the quality of input, while others are a one-size-fits-all option or are specifically designed to mimic a certain medium.
Apple Pencil (2nd-generation)
The original Apple Pencil debuted toward the end of 2015, and it set a new stylus standard. Not content to rest on its laurels, Apple launched a new generation of the Pencil in 2018, alongside an updated iPad Pro. The most recent incarnation of the Apple Pencil is similar to the previous generation, using the iPad Pro’s pressure-sensitive screen to produce incredibly fine lines with pressure-based variations. The side of the tip creates wider strokes, which is great for shading, and the tip can also offer a fine point when you need it. The stylus now clips magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro and new iPad Air to charge wirelessly, eschewing the awkward charging method of the original Pencil.
Before you jump in to buy it, make sure you have the correct iPad to use with the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil 2 only works with certain iPads — which includes only newer models of the iPad Pro and iPad Air. If you own any other Pencil-compatible iPad (including the 9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the sixth-generation iPad, the iPad Mini 5, or the Apple iPad 10.2-inch 2019), then you’ll have to stick with the original Apple Pencil — which is also a great product.
Meko Universal Stylus
The Meko Universal Stylus is an all-purpose tool made of stainless steel and aluminum that has a genuine pen-like feeling. It is compatible with a wide range of touchscreen devices, including Apple iPhones and iPads, Kindle, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and more. At 5.5 inches long, the tube is about 9mm across for a comfortable in-hand grip. A clear disc lets you see exactly where your markings go and also gives you the precise point tip that’s perfect for taking notes and drawing. The disc diameter is about 6.8mm, which includes a 2mm rubber point, while the fiber tip diameter is 6mm. Tips are replaceable, and the package includes replacements for both the tip and the disc. It comes in various color combinations of black, blue, purple, pink, and gold.
Adonit Note Plus
Digital artists who draw and paint on their iPads have a welcome choice with the Adonit Note Plus. Made specifically for newer iPad models, including the 3rd-generation iPad Pro, 6th- and 7th-generation iPads, 3rd and 4th-generation iPad Airs, and 5th-generation iPad Mini, the Note Plus has critical features such as palm rejection and 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity to facilitate art creation with apps like Concepts, Zen Brush 2, Noteledge, and ProCreate. You can program shortcut buttons for your individual painting habits, like an eraser, and tilt your stylus against the screen to create a shaded effect in a drawing with specific brushes. Charge it up with a USB-C connector.
Adobe Ink & Slide
If you’re invested in Adobe’s Creative Cloud, the company’s Ink & Slide stylus and ruler combo may make the perfect tool for you. The Ink & Slide connects to any iPad 4 or later, iPad Air, or iPad Mini via Bluetooth LE. It’s also synced with Creative Cloud, so every drawing or preference gets stored in the cloud for you to access on your computer or other devices later. The Ink & Slide also works with Adobe’s Photoshop Sketch apps.
The Adobe Ink & Slide stylus has a fine-tip, pressure-sensitive point and feels like a normal pen in your hand. The Ink uses Pixelpoint technology from Adonit for enhanced accuracy. A status LED on the stylus even shows you what color you chose, so you don’t make any mistakes. The Slide ruler can be used to make perfectly straight lines, circles, and other shapes. The Ink & Slide comes with a USB charger and carrying case.
Friendly Swede 4-in-1 Stylus
The Friendly Swede offers a stylus that’s adaptable and useful for any digital artist and comes with four different tips: A paintbrush, a micro-knit fiber tip, a precision disc, and a regular ballpoint pen. The brush tip acts just like a real paintbrush, which makes it perfect for painting, but it won’t work if you want to execute a fine-line drawing. Luckily, you can switch over to the precision disc if pinpoint accuracy is needed. For more regular stylus use, you can use the micro-knit fiber end. Finally, having a ballpoint pen in hand is just useful.
The Friendly Swede Stylus comes in an aluminum finish, looks just like a normal pen, and can be added to any pencil case or just slipped into a pocket. Each of the tips is replaceable, and the stylus comes with several replacement tips. Unfortunately, despite its versatility, you’re unlikely to get the same level of pressure sensitivity you’d get from more expensive styluses. However, at this price, you can’t go wrong.
Studio Neat Cosmonaut
The Cosmonaut stylus may look stubby and bulky, but it’s actually the ultimate stylus for whiteboard and marker artists. This stylus won’t give you the thinnest line you’ve ever seen, but it will give you a nice, solid line. The Cosmonaut is easy to grip, and it isn’t delicate, so it can take a knock in your bag without any ill effects. It’s a short, squat, round rubber stylus that looks like a fat, black crayon. The Studio Neat Cosmonaut is the perfect stylus for those who like to diagram lectures and take notes in a visual style. It works with both Android and iOS. The company says it should also work on any touchscreen.
Adonit Mark
Adonit has been offering affordable and well-built styluses for quite a while, and the Mark is no different. It lets anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or touchscreen laptop have access to a solid, all-purpose stylus. The best thing about the Mark is how the stylus feels in the hand — it’s made of anodized aluminum and is smooth but has a good grip. It’s also has a triangular shape, so it doesn’t roll, which feels natural.
The Adonit Mark is a decent, cheaper alternative for drawing, but we wouldn’t recommend it for note-taking, as it’s not precise, being that it is tipped with mesh. Even when drawing, don’t expect to get accurate strokes while you’re working on the finer details.
Best styluses for notetakers
There are almost as many styluses for note-taking as there are for drawing. Although there are scads of fine-tipped styluses for taking notes, these are the best we’ve found for precise writing on tablets.
Wacom Bamboo Tip
Whatever mobile device you possess — iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire HD 8, as well as various mobile phones — it will work just great with the Wacom Bamboo Tip. The stylus has a fine tip, letting you quickly jot down your notes. It’s easy to use because, like a pen, you can see exactly where the stylus tip lands on the screen, and it’s ready for use when you turn it on — no pairing needed. The Bamboo Tip works with your favorite apps on iOS and Android devices, with 20 hours of continuous use before having to recharge. The long-lasting tip is easy to replace. A free companion app, Bamboo Paper, transforms your device into a paper notebook, letting you sync your Bamboo paper and smart pad content across devices.
Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil
The Logitech Crayon is a versatile digital pencil for late-model iPads from 2018 and later, designed for users who want a great stylus but prefer something less expensive than the Apple Pencil. This stylus uses Apple Pencil tech to make the experience precise and responsive, with a natural pen and paper feel. Just turn it on and start using it — no pairing needed. A smart tip adjusts line weight automatically so you can tilt for thicker or thinner lines. Built-in palm rejection lets you rest your hand on the screen while you write. The Crayon can withstand travel and commutes with 4-foot drop protection, a tethered cap, and a flat shape that feels comfortable in the hand and prevents rolling off your desk. It can run for 7.5 hours of active writing time on a full charge, while a quick two-minute charge gives you 30 minutes of active writing time.
Adonit Switch
While the Adonit Switch may have a low price tag, that certainly doesn’t mean it lacks style or usefulness. That’s right, the Switch doubles as a stylus and an actual pen. Roll the striped grip-end, and a ballpoint pen slips out. Rotate to take off the cap on the other side, and voilà, you have a precision stylus, complete with a disk at the end, allowing for more precise marks on your tablet. It feels and weighs about the same as a normal pen and can easily be mistaken for one. It can be used to draw, but you’re better off sticking with writing notes with the Adonit Switch. The ballpoint pen writes fairly well and adds an immensely useful function if you happen to always carry a stylus around.
Adonit Pro 4
Adonit offers the most precise and fine stylus tips of any manufacturer. Although the Jot Script is well-liked for its extra-fine tip, it only works with iOS devices. The benefit of the Adonit Pro 4 is that it works on most touchscreen devices, including iPads, Android tablets, and Windows tablets. The Adonit Pro 4 has a very fine point, which makes it perfect for taking notes. It has a solid, well-built 9.25mm aluminum body and feels smooth and sleek. It offers a pen-like experience, with equal distribution of weight throughout the device’s body. The Pro 4 looks and feels like a regular ballpoint pen, with the addition of the PET Precision Disc, a polycarbonate disc tip to protect the screen. The stylus comes in three color schemes: Black, silver, or gold.
Elzo 3-in-1 Stylus
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to some of the premium offerings, then look no further than the Elzo 3-in-1 Stylus. It’s the perfect low-cost option, as it provides three tips in one slim body. There’s a soft nanofiber tip for general stylus use, but there’s also a precision disc tip for more accurate work and a gel pen tip for writing on real paper. It has a solid aluminum body and comes with a soft grip for writing comfort. One of its best features is its compatibility. It works with a multitude of iOS and Android devices, including iPads, iPhones, Samsung devices, HTC devices, Motorola devices, and pretty much anything with a capacitive touchscreen.
Best tablets for styluses
As the numbers for both the iPad Pro and Microsoft’s Surface lineup attest, laptop-tablet hybrids are growing increasingly popular, as are styluses as accessories. Samsung’s latest tablet-laptop is the Galaxy Tab S7, which boasts powerful performance, the versatility of Android, and a 2,560 x 1,600 (WQXGA) TFT display. The big, clear screen provides an exceptional portable canvas — especially if you have a stylus to work with. Samsung’s S Pen isn’t revolutionary, but it does provide outstanding performance for taking notes or even some sketching.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 is another hybrid example that supports an official stylus. The Surface Pro 7 uses Windows, so it can use the same programs as your desktop PC, though the applications might look a little different on the tablet. It also comes with support for Microsoft’s Type Cover. The Surface Pen is powerful, too, with excellent pressure sensitivity and a built-in eraser. The Surface Pen is something you’ll want to get, but it doesn’t come with the Surface Pro 7, so you’ll have to buy it separately.
Our last recommendation, the most recent iPad Pro range, needs little introduction. The massive display gives you some expansive space to draw on. The iPad Pro is a favorite of many artists since it’s compatible with the famed Procreate app. Apple also updated the Pencil to use it for note-taking with your natural handwriting or use the art studio tool for drawing. Budding artists who can’t afford the iPad Pro still have options. The iPad 10.2-inch 2019, as well as the most recent iPad Mini and the iPad Air models, offer that Apple experience with a more affordable price tag. Though some older iPads support only the first-generation Apple Pencil, they’ll still give you various applications you can use for productivity and creativity.
Editors’ Recommendations
