Yahoo Lifestyle17 Pens Pro Writers Swear By
- 1/18
17 Pens Pro Writers Swear By
My life changed in the bottom floor of Japanese book store in New York. That's when I met my soul mate—in pen form, at least. Once I tried out the Zebra Sarasa .4, I never looked back. Now, my favorite pens are rattling around in desk drawers, purse bottoms, and beyond.
I'm far from the only person irrevocably bonded to their favorite pen. Writer Jeanna Kadlec exclusively uses Pilot G2s; Victoria Barrett doesn't need anything fancier than blue PaperMate ballpoints. For writer and longtime journaler Anika Fajardo, the pen is even more important than the notebook (though those are crucial, too). "Pens are the conduit from your thoughts to the page," she tells OprahMag.com. While PaperMate and Pilot pens count among the most popular brands, some people's favorites are unexpected. Entertainment writer Tamara Fuentes has used the same generic pen for note-taking and writing since finding one in her college's office of Alumni Affairs. Now, she plans to order a box set customized with her name from Pens.Com.
The below pens are some of the best for writing, but they'll also come in handy (literally) for beautifying bullet journals, taking notes in planners fast, manifesting your dreams, or looking like an executive. The vibrant (and comfortable) ones can be used for coloring books and drawing, too. We've also noted which fast-drying pens are particularly good for lefties, and included some luxurious gel picks that glide smoothly.
- 2/18
PILOT G2 Pens
Pilot
amazon.com
$6.79
The Pilot G2 pen has a devoted following–or, as some stationary blogs put it, a "cult" following. Enthusiastic Amazon reviewers back this up: "Why would you write with anything else?" one reviewer, who has used the pen for 10 years, wrote. The refillable pens come in Fine, Extra Fine, Bold, or Ultra Fine versions and multiple colors.
- 3/18
Fisher Space Pen Bullet Pen - 400 Series - Matte Black w/ Clip - Gift Boxed
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 4/18
Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens
Paper Mate
amazon.com
$14.98
Upon writing your first word with Ink Joy pens, you may be looking for a word to describe your experience. That word is smooth. If you're looking for a pen that writes as quickly as your brain works, these colorful pens are for you. These pens make developing a journaling habit as effortless as possible.
- 5/18
Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Pens
Stabio
amazon.com
$18.23
Whether you're taking meticulous notes or writing a vibrant diary entry, the Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner pens are for you. Available in 47 colors, the Fineliner pens also work for sketching. According to Amazon reviewers, the pens do not smudge or bleed. Reviewers praise their affordability, too: They're considered a cheaper alternative to the Staedler Triplus Fineliner pen within the stationary community.
- 6/18
Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens
Staedtler
amazon.com
Wedding planner Jordan Maney swears by the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens—a pricier alternative to the Stabilo pens, with a slightly finer tip—for her goal-setting journal. She pairs the pens with double-sided Zebra Midiliner highlighters.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 7/18
Sharpie S-Gel
Sharpie
amazon.com
$4.74
The Sharpie S-Gel is accompanied by high praise. "I first tried the Sharpie S-gel after hearing that it glides on paper as Kristy Yamaguchi glides on ice," Farrah Alexander tells OprahMag.com. Now, she buys the medium-point pens regularly, praising their reasonable price and comfortable grip. The sturdy, fast-drying pen is a good alternative to Pilot G2s, whose ink occasionally smears.
- 8/18
MUJI Aluminum Fountain Pen
- 9/18
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
Lamy
amazon.com
$19.95
Calligraphy aficionados, take note: Similar to the Muji model, the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen is a reasonable option for a fountain pen. The ink cartridges are sold separately. If you've yet to venture into the world of fountain pens, this is another good entry point.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 10/18
Pilot Bottle to Pen Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pen
Pilot
amazon.com
$14.99
Writer Angela Lashbrook raves about this sustainably sourced pen, made from recycled bottle . "The ink is super smooth. It lasts a long time and doesn’t dry up easily," she says. Another plus? Since they're reasonably priced, "it isn't sad if you lose it."
- 11/18
Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, Black Ink
- 12/18
Uni-Ball Deluxe Rollerball Pens
Uni-Ball
amazon.com
$7.29
For a flow that looks as if it were written with a fountain pen (but wasn't), turn to Uni-Ball's rollerball pens. The substantial line of ink dries quickly—but the pen itself doesn't out. Reviewers say you can leave the cap off without fearing the pen will be ruined.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 13/18
Uni-Ball Sign Pen MYT7 N Felt-Tip Pen
Uni-Ball
amazon.com
Imagine a thinner Sharpie marker that doesn't bleed through the page, and you'll arrive at this hidden gem. The felt-tip pen's extra bold line is great for marking the most important item in your to-do list. To create a set, this model also comes in blue and red.
- 14/18
Uni-Ball UB-187S Vision Needle Rollerball Pen
Uni-Ball
amazon.com
$8.99
The Uni-Ball Vision Needle Rollerball Pen makes a strong impression without much requiring much pressure—you can practically see the ink seeping into the paper. "It allows you to write lightly so you get less 'ghosting' when you bullet journal," Dorian Gittleman says, referring to ink imprints that appear on the opposite side of a written page. She also recommends the waterproof pen for people with small handwriting.
- 15/18
Pilot FriXion Ball 3 Metal - Blue Body
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 16/18
Pentel EnerGel RTX Retractable Liquid Gel Pen
Pentel
amazon.com
$13.80
If your hand often gets tired while writing, consider this liquid gel ink pen. According to Geissler, the rubberized grip helps with hand fatigue. In addition to the .7 width, it comes in a .5 mm extra fine line for detailed work.
- 17/18
Cross Edge Pen
Cross
amazon.com
$24.99
Geissler calls this a "pen with purpose." The capless rollerball pen is also ideal for on-the-go use, as its spring-loaded, built-in clip makes it easy to attach the pen to a pocket, organizer, or shirt. Or, if you're in search of a gift, the impressive-looking pen would be a great addition to any present.
- 18/18
Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5
Zebra
amazon.com
$12.49
Zebra Sarasa (in .4mm, not .5) are this author's particular favorite. For a slightly bolder line, the .5 is ideal. The pens are known for their delightfully crisp writing experience. Expect no smudging or bleeding from the ink, just sharp color. The colors are bold, too—even the yellow. With a built-in alligator clip, the pen can be attached to notebooks or that coloring book. For more variety, try a 20-pack.
Including one that "glides on paper as Kristy Yamaguchi glides on ice."
