Have your fingertips ever felt numb, the skin overstretched, after a long session navigating your tablet? Perhaps an extension of your finger will make operating your device more efficient and comfortable. Styluses were created for that reason, plus they provide more precision if you need to draw on the screen.
We've picked out some of the best styluses for tablets, with the Apple Pencil taking first place for a seamlessly smooth experience. There are other options for different tablet operating systems, too. We've also included a buying guide to help you choose the right stylus for your tablet use.
Quick List - Top Stylus For Tablets
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Styluses are more complex than meets the eye. We curated the following buying guide to help you differentiate among stylus types and pick the right one for your tablet.
Styluses come in two main types: active or capacitive. They vary greatly in performance, sensitivity, and setup. Getting a stylus type that suits your tablet usage will ensure that your experience is the best possible.
A capacitive stylus has a rubber tip or nib that mimics the touch of a finger. Tapping tiny letters on a keyboard is much easier with a capacitive stylus. It also can assist in accessing small icons or browsing through applications on a tablet in a more focused manner than the broad surface area of a fingertip.
A capacitive stylus is offered in many sizes, such as long pen-like options or something shorter and stubbier like a jumbo crayon. Also, the nibs vary in size; some even include interchangeable ones, giving you more options.
Although most capacitive styluses are compatible with any tablet, finding replacement nibs when the tip wears out after frequent use is more difficult. We recommend checking if replacements are possible to avoid having to buy a new stylus altogether.
Most capacitive styluses don't use a battery or require charging. You only need to apply some pressure on a capacitive touchscreen, and it will respond to the pressure point. Also, they often don't offer pressure and tilt sensitivity, where the amount of force or the angle of the nib will produce a different effect on the screen.
For a more advanced option, consider an active stylus. While a capacitive stylus mimics your finger on the screen, an active one mimics a pen or pencil in your hand, making it a must-have for artists. Their nibs are usually less than two millimeters wide, and they're designed to slide across the screen to give you the precision you need to draw.
Your tablet must be compatible with an active stylus to access its full potential, such as hovering over the screen to create a cursor or flipping the pencil around to access the eraser. The screen needs to have a unique sensor called a digitizer to detect an active stylus.
A digitizer also means your screen can detect how much pressure you apply on the surface, with more pressure creating bolder or darker strokes.
An active stylus also supports palm rejection, a feature that allows you to rest your hand on the screen while drawing. This means that the screen won't create random lines in the area it mistakes it for a pen or stop working due to the multiple pressure points.
On top of working only for devices they're made for, such as an Apple Pencil for Apple devices, an active stylus also requires an app or software to customize it fully. However, the extra steps setting it up means that you get seamless pairing between the tablet and pen.
What good is a stylus if it won't work with your tablet? While most capacitive styluses are compatible with the latest touchscreen tablets, you might need to double-check if you are going for an active stylus or using an older tablet.
Compatibility also means seamless pairing with a particular operating system, such as Android or iOS. Checking if a specific stylus is designed for your tablet's OS minimizes technical difficulties.
Some styluses also don't work seamlessly with all apps. If you need a specific one, such as ProCreate for drawing, ensure that the drawing stylus you're getting is fully compatible. Product descriptions should state which tablet models the stylus is compatible with.
Regardless of the stylus type, checking its parts is crucial to your experience with the device. This will also change depending on how you use your tablet; therefore, take some time to grab the right design.
A small nib is more precise, letting you write and navigate in a focused manner. This style often looks like the tip of a pencil, and it's best for taking notes or drawing.
Meanwhile, a larger tip that is wider, flatter, or rounder like a disc, gives you more grasp of the screen, thus minimizing slipping or sliding during navigation.
Certain styluses need batteries to function, especially capacitive ones with Bluetooth. If the battery runs out, its buttons will stop working; however, you can still use the pointer of the stylus.
The weight of a battery also means the pen will become heavier. A heavier stylus over 40 grams can cause hand cramping when used for extended periods.
People often use a tablet for three different purposes: all-around navigating, writing, or drawing. For general navigating through apps, scrolling through websites, and playing games, a stylus should be comfortable to hold. Whether it's thick or thin depends on your preference. As for the nib, we recommend a wider one to mimic your finger.
Meanwhile, a stylus for writing purposes should feel like a pen or pencil with a grip that lets you better control each stroke. Lastly, drawing with a stylus requires optimal precision, so it's all about pressure and tilt sensitivity, high-precision nibs, and tablet-to-stylus compatibility.
If you like to paint but don't always want to clean your brushes, you can also consider nibs that mimic a paintbrush. These styluses look like a real paintbrush but come with soft, flexible, synthetic bristles that respond to a digital canvas.
While a stylus may look like a straightforward device, some higher-end models come with extra features that lengthen battery life and make your experience more convenient.
Some styluses also have a built-in automatic shut-off feature that detects when the device is idle to preserve battery life. Another noteworthy feature is customizable buttons. You can set them to whatever action you use the most, such as right-clicking, erasing, or exiting an app.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Apple Apple Pencil, 2nd Generation | ![]() | Achieve Seamless Pairing With an Apple Device | |
2 | Microsoft Microsoft Surface Pen Platinum Model|EYU-00009 | ![]() | An Intuitive Stylus With an Eraser | |
3 | adonit Note | ![]() | A Versatile Stylus With Natural Palm Rejection | |
4 | Cosmonaut Wide-Grip Stylus for Capacitive Touch Screen Tablets | ![]() | A Marker-Style, Battery-Free Stylus | |
5 | Staedtler Noris Digital EMR Stylus|180 22-1 ST | ![]() | Note-Taking and Sketching Made Easy | |
6 | Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil | ![]() | Tilt-Sensitive Stylus for Artists | |
7 | Meko Disc Stylus Pen |2 pack | ![]() | A Versatile Universal Stylus | |
8 | Ciscle Youth Series Kids Stylus Pen|2 pack | ![]() | A Pair of Styluses for Small Hands | |
9 | The Friendly Swede Capacitive 4-in-1 Stylus Pen | ![]() | Capacitive Stylus Set With Multiple Nibs | |
10 | Digiroot Universal Stylus | ![]() | A Stylus Ideal for Heavy Use |
If you are an Apple user in need of a pencil for note-taking, sketching, or painting, the Apple pencil provides a seamless connection between the two devices. It's compatible with some of the latest tablets and gives you pressure-sensitive and precise navigation.
Some reviewers said it might be best to purchase from the Apple store to secure an authentic brand-new item. Still, many others said it's easy to hold and works great. Reviewers also said it had a natural pencil-like feel.
Love to draw or jot down notes? This stylus has an intuitive rubber eraser and is tilt-sensitive so that you can draw as if you're using a real pencil. It works seamlessly with most Surface tablets and is also compatible with other apps like OneNote, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Suite.
A few reviewers complained that getting help from customer support regarding technical difficulties might be challenging. On a positive note, many users shared that this is the best pen to pair with Surface tablets. They liked how easy it is to use on the screen, saying it responds accurately.
This stylus features one-tap pairing, so you won't need to manually connect Bluetooth every time. It supports palm rejection for better accuracy while resting your hand on the screen. The device also looks like a real pen and even has a clip for convenient hanging on a pocket or tablet case.
A few reviewers complained that the tip tends to unscrew while writing. They also felt like the power button should be placed farther to avoid accidental presses. Meanwhile, many others said that the pen has enough battery life for their activities. They liked that it writes smoothly and is easy to hold. Users also noted that it has good accuracy and looks elegant.
This stylus is designed like a marker that feels like you are drawing on a whiteboard. Whether it's for doodling or writing on any capacitive touchscreen, this fat stylus will give you a comfortable grip. It's also great for children or seniors. Plus, it pairs easily and doesn't require a designated software.
A few reviewers noted that this might not be the stylus for fine writing. They also complained about the stylus requiring a bit more pressure to use than other options. Meanwhile, many loved the rubber grip. They also said it's durable, making it great for younger users or heavy use. Users also shared that the stylus glides well on touchscreens too.
This stylus has a traditional hexagon pencil shape to mimic natural writing. It uses electromagnetic resonance technology that communicates with your tablet for better accuracy and sensitivity. This stylus features palm rejection and high-pressure sensitivity levels for more efficient use, too.
A few reviewers said the intuitive eraser was not precise in its job. Still, many others said that the pencil-like shape makes it easy and comfortable to use. Many strongly recommended it for note-taking, too.
Thanks to this stylus' tilt sensitivity, you simply have to tilt the nib for thicker or thinner lines. It features palm rejection for better accuracy while writing or navigating. The pen syncs automatically with a compatible Apple tablet, and you can use it on many apps for increased functionality.
A few reviewers complained that the stylus' battery life could be better. Some also recommended buying straight from Logitech to ensure a brand new unit. On a positive note, many reviewers loved that it's very easy to use straight out of the box. They were pleasantly surprised at how seamless the stylus works on Apple tablets.
If you're looking for a more generic yet reliable stylus for a tablet, this one from Meko is a great choice. It comes with a flat disc nib for writing, a thinner nib for precision work, and a rounded fiber nib for convenient navigating. You also get six replacement tips for extended use.
A few users warned that the pen might scratch the screen. Using it on touchscreens with a protector is advised. Some also found writing with the fine point tip challenging. Still, many commented on the pen's reliable performance. Users loved that it comes with a protective cap and rubber grip for better control. They used it for different tablet purposes and said it worked well
Why not reduce the strain on your young learner's fingertips by getting them this stylus? It comes with a rounded tip and edges for safe use. The stylus helps navigate tablets, do digital coloring, and more. The nibs are also easily replaceable when they become dull.
A few parents noted that the tip tears or wears out easily, forcing them to quickly use up the replacement tips. Meanwhile, many reviewers loved how this stylus makes operating a tablet so much easier. They said that the crayon shape is a perfect fit for small hands.
If you need a versatile stylus for everything from writing to painting, this one gives you more options through interchangeable tips. You get a flat disc, rounded fiber tip, fine nib, and a paintbrush, allowing you to get the desired output on the screen. This helps you achieve optimal productivity with the least number of writing utensils.
According to a few users, the pen unscrews easily. Some also had some issues with how responsive the tips were on their devices. Meanwhile, many others liked that it's simple and easy to use. They complimented the overall feel and weight of the pen, and the paintbrush tip was also a hit.
If you are a heavy tablet user and go through nibs quickly, perhaps this one can keep up with your needs. It comes with nine nibs! It also has a rubber grip for increased control, a protective cap for safety, and a pen clip. It has good compatibility across capacitive screens, too.
A few reviewers complained that their particular device did not respond well to the pen, and the manufacturer doesn't provide a specific compatibility list. Still, this was a highly rated stylus by many for its good size and comfortable use. Reviewers shared that it's great for writing and drawing.
Looking to make your tablet even more functional and easy to use? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
No. 1: Apple|Apple Pencil, 2nd Generation
No. 2: Microsoft|Microsoft Surface Pen Platinum Model|EYU-00009
No. 3: adonit|Note
No. 4: Cosmonaut|Wide-Grip Stylus for Capacitive Touch Screen Tablets
No. 5: Staedtler|Noris Digital EMR Stylus|180 22-1 ST
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