The Best Styluses for Tablets
As the digital age marches on, the demand for paper has been dwindling. However, many people still prefer handwriting over typing for notes, letters, and forms. The best way to keep handwriting in your life without the need for paper is a tablet stylus. Tablet styluses are pen-shaped devices that allow users to draw and write on tablets just as they would on paper. Whether you're a digital artist looking for something that can increase the realism of your work or a student trying to take quicker notes in class, a tablet stylus is a perfect solution for you.
What to Look For
We wanted to recommend only the best styluses, so we scoured the market with three questions to guide us: Is it precise and accurate in its interaction with tablets? Does it feel strong and balanced in the hand for making confident strokes? Is the price fair for the quality? We found several awesome options, each with its own strengths. For example, if you’re an iPad owner, the Apple Pencil is a no-brainer. It’s incredibly responsive and precise, so it’s ideal for just about every purpose you can think of. But if you just want some regular styluses to keep around the house, consider the 10-pack from Liberrway, which offers inexpensive and comfortable designs. For more of our in-depth reviews, read on.
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
The tool of the future, now
As far as state-of-the-art styluses with world-beating responsiveness and accuracy go, the Apple Pencil is at the top of the heap. The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil provides a handwriting experience more realistic than just about any stylus on the market. The Apple Pencil’s responsiveness and precision are so superior that you might even forget you’re not using a real pen. The fine tip on the Apple Pencil makes it an excellent choice for digital art, academics, and office meetings alike. It should be noted that the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil is only compatible with certain iPads and no non-Apple products. Unfortunately, the asking price on this pick is fairly steep, but we still think its exquisite features and performance make it more than worth the price of admission.
Pros:
- The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil has excellent responsiveness, which we found makes it perfect for those who place a premium on precise touch in either their drawing or writing.
- Unlike other styluses, this one easily and quickly pairs to compatible Apple iPads, enabling immediate use without any inconvenient setup.
Cons:
- This stylus is only compatible with a handful of Apple devices.
Jamjake iPad Stylus
Perfect precision
Digital art has come a long way in the past few years, thanks to intuitive tablet styluses like this one from Jamjake. Jamjake’s iPad stylus features an optimized fine tip that makes precise pen movements easier and cleaner than ever. Many styluses don’t allow you to write while resting your palm on the screen, but this problem is a thing of the past with Jamjake’s advanced palm-rejection technology. The 1.5-millimeter fine tip offers heightened sensitivity without any lag issues. Unfortunately, this tablet stylus is only compatible with a handful of iPads. But, for those with compatible tablets in need of an affordable stylus, this is your pick.
Pros:
- Because of its ultra-responsive fine tip and palm-rejection technology, this stylus offers comfortable precision for all users.
- Unlike other styluses, we found this one to be incredibly budget-friendly for its features.
Cons:
- This stylus is compatible with only certain models of iPads.
Liberrway Tablet Stylus 10-Pack
A couple of extras never hurt
If you’re looking for a high-quality tablet stylus for the whole family, Liberrway’s 10-pack is the pick for you. Liberrway’s tablet styluses are affordable, colorful, and very user-friendly. Most of the pricier tablet styluses on the market have limited compatibility with only a select number of devices, but Liberrway’s tablet styluses are entirely universal. Not to mention, Liberrway’s tablet styluses are even compatible with smartphone screens. These tablet styluses don’t have a fine tip, making them a poor choice for digital artists looking for precision. Still, if you’re looking for some durable, affordable, and fun-looking tablet styluses, you can’t go wrong with Liberrway.
Pros:
- For a pack of ten styluses in assorted, vibrant colors, the price point is unbeatable.
- We found the styluses in this set to be surprisingly durable. They are solid enough to last through months of even regular, daily use.
Cons:
- The styluses in this pack all lack fine points.
NTHJOYS Universal Fine Tip Tablet Stylus
For the note taker
Whether you’re a slow typer who keeps getting lost in lectures and meetings or a digital artist looking for more precision in your digital brushstrokes, NTHJOYS’ universal fine-point tablet stylus is the pick for you. The vast majority of universally compatible tablet styluses lack the fine-point precision of more specialized products, but this pick from NTHJOYS truly breaks the mold. With a precision fine point tip made out of fiber mesh, Nthjoys’ tablet stylus boasts the high sensitivity and optimized responsiveness necessary for hyper-realistic pen strokes. We highly recommend this excellent tablet stylus to anyone looking for a budget alternative to pricer big-name brands.
Pros:
- Since the functionality of a stylus depends on the condition of its tip, we greatly appreciated that NTHJOYS included a magnetic pen cap for tip protection.
- Unlike other styluses, this one doesn’t require Bluetooth connectivity to function with devices. This is surprisingly convenient and allows for universal compatibility across devices.
Cons:
- For some users, the stylus shaft might feel a bit too thin due to its lack of grip.
Mixoo Capacitive Tablet Stylus
Sleek and stylish
We always love to see innovative products that raise the bar for the whole industry, and that’s precisely what we have here with this pick from Mixoo. Mixoo’s universally compatible tablet stylus features a small, transparent silicone disk that allows you to see exactly where your stylus stroke begins, providing you with more precision than ever before. What’s more, this innovative silicone disk offers increased accuracy and smooth drawing motions, making it an ideal choice for digital artists. Not to mention, Mixoo even includes a couple of spare silicone disks and fine point tips in case they get worn down over time. If you’re looking to take your digital artistry to the next level with an affordable and intuitive universal tablet stylus, Mixoo has you covered.
Pros:
- We found that the stylus’ innovative silicone disk tip enables users to achieve more precise strokes, especially when using the stylus for drawing.
- If you want a stylus that will connect to all of your devices, this one’s for you. The universal compatibility of this stylus is a feature that distinguishes it from other, more expensive models.
Cons:
- For some users, this stylus might be too short.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an active stylus and a passive stylus?
When selecting a stylus for your tablet or smartphone, it’s important to remember that there are different types of styluses that will affect their overall cost and functionality. The first type of stylus is the passive, or capacitive, stylus. This type of stylus merely conducts an electrical charge from your finger to your device’s screen and can be used on any screen that works with your finger. The second type of stylus is the active stylus. This type of stylus features internal electrical components that transmit information — such as the stylus’ angle, position, and pressure — to your device. This allows for greater functionality and precision when drawing or writing. This also increases the stylus’ cost.
A passive stylus is only as functional as the device you use it on, while an active stylus expands on a device’s functionality. We recommend selecting a stylus based on the device you want to use it with and the kind of functionality you want from that device. For example, the Apple Pencil is an excellent addition to the iPad because it enables the user to maximize the potential of the tablet and its drawing apps.
Are tablet styluses universal?
Some tablet styluses are universal, and some aren’t. Certain products, like the Apple Pencil, are only compatible with certain Apple tablets. However, other tablet styluses boast universal compatibility with all touchscreen devices. Generally, universally compatible tablet styluses are cheaper products that lack the fine point precision of their more specialized counterparts.
Can I use my tablet stylus on my phone?
Most universally compatible tablet styluses will also work on other touchscreen devices. However, some tablet styluses are only compatible with a select number of tablets. Be sure to find a tablet stylus with universal compatibility if you also intend to use it on your smartphone.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.