We can’t escape our screens. And while the handheld design of many of our favorite devices makes it easy to use our fingers and thumbs, sometimes they aren’t the right tool. When you need to take clear notes, draw or sketch, or just don’t want finger smudges on your device, a stylus comes in handy.
Also: The best iPad accessories
And when you think of a stylus for your iPad, you probably immediately think of the Apple Pencil (2nd gen)Although ZDNET notes it as the best iPad stylus based on our testing, we understand that not everyone wants or needs to spend $129 on a stylus. There are plenty of stylus models that are compatible with iPads, and many even have some of the same technologies as the Apple Pencil, like palm rejection and tilt recognition.
See how our other picks stack up to the classic Apple Pencil below.
Pros
- Magnetically clips to the iPad Pro and iPad Air to charge wirelessly
- Intuitive touch surface that supports double-tapping and pressure sensitivity
- Palm-rejection technology
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Only works with specific iPad models (and not even some of the brand-new ones)
Apple Pencil 2nd generation specs: Weight: 0.73 ounces | Battery life: 12 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: Yes
The best stylus for iPads is the Apple Pencil 2nd generation since it was built to work for iPads. This Apple Pencil builds on the first-generation model with a double-tap function that you can customize to switch between pencil and eraser, show the color palettes, as well as attach to the side of the iPad Pro and charge wirelessly.
In our various testing with the Apple Pencil, it is super responsive and has pixel-perfect precision with industry-leading low latency to write, markup, or draw. It also has tilt sensitivity and palm-rejection technology, so the screen only recognizes the Apple Pencil, not your hand or finger.
Also: How to pair and charge your Apple pencil
By using the Apple Pencil with your iPad (specifically, the iPad Pro 2022 model), you’ll get exclusive features like the new hover feature that makes part of the iPad’s interface come to life when the tip of the Apple Pencil gets within 12mm of the iPad’s display.
Pros
- Exceptional alternative to the Apple Pencil
- Pressure sensitivity and palm recognition
- Customizable shortcuts
Cons
- Pressure sensitivity only works in certain apps
Adonit Note+2 tech specs: Weight: 0.49 ounces | Battery life: 8 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: Yes
Aside from the Apple Pencil, the Adonit Note+2 stylus is the only other stylus with pressure sensitivity, making it an excellent runner-up option in case you don’t want to shell out $129 on the Apple Pencil.
I went hands-on with the Adonit Note+2 and it impressed me in various ways. First, the accuracy and responsiveness when writing is exceptional. When I was writing notes in the notes app, it was seamless and scratched my itch for writing pen to paper.
The Adonit Note+2 also comes with three interchangeable tips depending if you are someone who draws, writes, or sketches. As a writer, I preferred the medium tip, but changing out the tips were super easy.
The customizable shortcuts also make it easy to access the functions you use the most in certain apps.
You can even seamlessly adhere it to the side of your iPad since, like the Apple Pencil, it also magnetically attaches.
Pros
- Tilt technology for thicker lines when drawing
- Comfortable form factor
- Apple Pencil technology without the Apple Pencil price tag
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- No pressure sensitivity
Logitech Crayon specs: Weight: 0.70 ounces | Battery life: 7.5 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: Yes
Even though this stylus is from Logitech, the Logitech Crayon is built using Apple Pencil technology and can be used with hundreds of Apple Pencil-supported apps. In fact, it’s the only non-Apple stylus with Apple’s stamp of approval (and even sold on Apple’s website).
Like the Apple Pencil, the Logitech Crayon has tip-tilt technology, a smart tip that dynamically adjusts line weight depending on the angle you place it down — just like a regular pencil.
Review: My favorite iPad keyboard and stylus are not made by Apple
ZDNET’s June Wan tested out the Logitech Crayon, and thought the flat form factor was much more comfortable than the Apple Pencil, offering a reassuring grip.
“The Crayon is great for jotting down notes and serving as a more accurate touchpoint than your finger,” he writes.
Keep in mind that since it doesn’t have pressure sensitivity, it’s not going to be ideal for drawing or sketching.
Pros
- Cheaper option than the Apple Pencil
- Charges quickly and holds a charge for long
Cons
- No pressure sensitivity
- Works best with a tempered glass screen protector rather than a naked screen
Jamjake Stylus Pen specs: Weight: 2.08 ounces | Battery life: 20 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: No
A more budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Pencil is this stylus from Jamjake, which costs $100 less. Its 1.5mm pen tip makes it easy to draw accurately on your iPad without lags or slips. In addition, the palm rejection technology allows for a more natural handwriting feel, so your screen doesn’t pick up your hand.
The stylus pen has a great battery life of up to 20 hours on a full charge, and to conserve battery, it automatically goes into Sleep Mode after five minutes of idle time.
Also: The top stylus pens (and if they work for all devices)
Check the compatibility before you buy, but this pen should work with all iPads from 2018 and later.
Pros
- Palm rejection and tilt recognition technologies
- Dual tips for different functions
Cons
- No pressure sensitivity
- Replacement tips are hard to find
Zagg Pro Stylus specs: Weight: 0.56 ounces | Battery life: 8 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: Yes
The Zagg Pro stylus stands out in our list because it’s a dual-tip stylus. The end tip is excellent for scrolling, while the active tip is built for drawing and writing (with tilt recognition to boot). It also has palm-rejection technology and can attach magnetically to iPad Pro models.
The Pro Stylus can last up to eight hours on a single charge, but a handy LED indicator towards the end of the pen lets you know how much battery life you have left.
Also: The best note-taking apps for iPad
This stylus is great for taking notes, journaling, or marking up documents.
Pros
- Amazing battery life
- Lightweight feel
- Instant connectivity
- Made of recycled materials
Adonit Log specs: Weight: 0.45 ounces | Battery life: 24 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: No
Adonit’s latest addition to its stylus lineup is the Adonit Log, which is made entirely out of recycled material, making it super lightweight in your hand. Its ultra-fine 1mm tip ensures exact lines and precision when drawing or sketching. You can activate Apple’s Notes App by tapping the screen with your Adonit Log.
Also: The best iPad keyboard cases
While it doesn’t support pressure or tilt sensitivity, this stylus does have palm recognition technology. And what’s most impressive about this stylus is its battery life: You get up to 24 hours on a single 1-hour charge (translation: You’ll rarely have to charge it).
The best iPad stylus is the Apple Pencil, which was made to work specifically with iPad models and the iOS system. With features like pressure sensitivity and hovering abilities, the Apple Pencil is built for just about anything on the iPad.
iPad stylus | Price | Battery life | Tilt recognition? |
Apple Pencil 2nd generation | $129 | 12 hours | Yes |
Adonit Note+2 | $70 | 8 hours | Yes |
Jamjake Stylus Pen | $50 | 20 hours | No |
Logitech Crayon | $57 | 7.5 hours | Yes |
Zagg Pro Stylus | $55 | 8 hours | Yes |
Adonit Log | $40 | 24 hours | no |
*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.
While any of these iPad styluses we listed are great picks, it ultimately comes down to if tilt recognition is important to you, what kind of battery life you need, and what price you’re willing to spend.
Choose this iPad stylus… | If you want… |
Apple Pencil 2nd generation | The best overall option. The Apple Pencil was made for the iPad, and has unique features like the hover function. |
Adonit Note+ 2 | A runner-up alternative to the best iPad stylus. Like the Apple Pencil, it has pressure sensitivity, but it costs $59 less. |
Jamjake Stylus Pen | A basic stylus that’s cheaper than the Apple Pencil. In addition, it has palm rejection technology. |
Logitech Crayon | A great stylus for drawing on iPad apps. It has a smart tip that dynamically adjusts line weight depending on the angle you place it down. |
Zagg Pro Stylus | An iPad stylus with dual tips for different uses. The end tip is excellent for scrolling, while the active tip is built for drawing and writing |
Adonit Log | An iPad stylus made of recycled material with excellent battery life. You can get up to a day’s worth of battery life in one single charge. |
We chose these styluses after extensive research into the product category and by going hands-on with some of these products. We looked at renowned brands and reviews (both good and bad) and noted the top-rated styluses for different needs.
Ultimately, the following factors determined our top picks:
Features: Special features like palm-rejection technology and tilt-sensing are important to have in a stylus to make the writing experience feel more natural.
Compatibility: Not all stylus pens are compatible with all iPad models, so we considered options that would work with a variety of iPad generations.
Price: Stylus pens greatly range in price from $20 all the way to $130, so we included different price points depending on your specific needs.
An iPad stylus is worth it if you do a lot of notetaking or marking up documents, writing lists, drawing, or sketching with your iPad.
Also: The best iPad Pro cases you can buy under $150
A stylus pen is much more precise than your fingers, so any type of precision work is better.
No. Before buying any stylus, read the list of compatible devices. And yes, you must ensure your iPad is compatible with different Apple Pencil models since compatibility varies between generations.
Outside of these six styluses, there are also a handful of others that caught our attention. Adonit’s lineup of styluses is extensive and has a lot of options that are compatible with iPads. In addition, the Apple Pencil 1st generation is a great Apple-made pick that’s a bit cheaper than the current model.
Best Apple Pencil alternative
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
This Apple Pencil is compatible with older iPad versions and boasts incredible sensitivity.
Best battery life alternative
Targus Antimicrobial Active Stylus for iPad
The Targus stylus is compatible with iPad models from 2018 or newer. You can charge it for 90 minutes for 10 hours of nonstop work and ninety days of standby time.
