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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.

When buying a stylus for your device, 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. To help you choose, our list includes an explanation of the best styluses for tablets and their top features. 

Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

Best for iPad artists

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 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 newer models of the iPad Pro and iPad Air. If you own an older Pencil-compatible iPad (including older generations of the 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 still a great product.

Microsoft Surface Pen

Best for Microsoft Surface artists

If you use the Microsoft Surface series, the Microsoft Surface Pen is hands-down the best option for you. It feels like a natural drawing and writing tool, helping you get the job done effortlessly. You’ll get excellent precision with the Surface Pen with 4,096 pressure points. Plus, it offers a great tilt-to-shade function so you can sketch and shade like you would on real paper.

The Surface Pen is compatible with nearly all devices from the Microsoft Surface series, so you can switch up your use if you own more than one device. But it could also be a downside, as you can’t use the Surface Pen with other tablets and touchscreen devices. Overall, it’s an excellent option for Microsoft users who want a fancy but functional and precise stylus.

Renaisser Stylus

Best for Microsoft Surface artists on a budget

If you’re an owner of a Microsoft Surface series tablet but don’t want to spend over $50 on a new stylus, the Renaisser Stylus is an excellent buy for under $35. Using it feels like drawing on real paper, with 4,096 pressure points, a tilt-to-shade function, and MPP 2.0 technology for precise shading and sketching.

The Renaisser Stylus weighs just 40 grams and has an aluminum alloy body and streamlined design, measuring just 9.2mm in diameter. It features erase and right-click hotkeys and attaches magnetically to the left side of your Microsoft Surface tablet. It’s compatible with nearly all Microsoft Surface series devices including the latest Surface Pro 8. It’s the perfect choice for Microsoft users looking for a more affordable alternative to the Surface Pen.

Meko Universal Stylus

Best all-purpose artists’ 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, Kindles, 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

Best for iPad artists on a budget

Digital artists who draw and paint on their iPads have a welcome choice with the Adonit Note Plus. Made specifically for iPad models, including the most recent generation iPad Pro, 6th- to 9th-generation iPads, 3rd- and 4th-generation iPad Airs, and 5th- and 6th-generation iPad Mini, the Note Plus will work pretty much every modern iPad (including the most recent generation), and 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

Best for Adobe Creative Cloud users

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.

Adonit Mark

Best all-purpose drawing stylus

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 also has a triangular shape, so it doesn’t roll, which feels convenient.

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 tipped with mesh. Even when drawing, don’t expect to get accurate strokes while you’re working on the finer details.

Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil

Best Apple Pencil alternative for note-taking

The Logitech Crayon is a versatile digital pencil for 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 four feet of 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

Best budget all-in-one stylus and pen for note-taking

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

Best versatile fine point stylus for note-taking

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

Best budget note-taking stylus for iOS and Android

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.

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