Despite Steve Jobs’ dislike of the idea of adding a pencil to an iPad (he allegedly said “punch” at a press conference when asked), the accessory has caught on in a major way. Apple Pencil is a fantastic tool for iPad users of all types, allowing them to take advantage of numerous coloring book and other entertainment apps.
However, the Apple Pencil really shines when used by graphic artists and publishers. The ability to create stunning works of art thanks to precise levels of control and apps like Procreate makes the Apple Pencil one of the most impressive accessories in the tech world.
The downside, of course, is the price. The original Apple Pencil costs $ 100, while version two costs $ 130. If you use the iPad for commercial purposes, the price may not be an issue, but for many casual users, the idea of shelling out a third of the cost of a new iPad will seriously stop them.
The good news is that there are numerous Apple Pencil alternatives that work almost like the original. Here are our picks for the best Apple Pencil alternatives.
With a list price of $ 70, the Logitech Crayon isn’t That much cheaper than the Apple Pencil, but the good news is that the device is often on sale. At the time of writing, it’s available on Amazon for $ 53. Logitech Crayon works with 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro, 6th and 7th generation iPad, 3rd generation iPad Air, and iPad Mini 5, provided they run iOS 12.2 or later.
The Crayon takes advantage of palm rejection technology so your iPad only detects the tip of the Crayon, not your fingers resting on the screen. There is hardly any lag when using the device, and the battery lasts around eight to ten hours on a single charger.
The bright orange tip makes it easy to find, and while it’s not as thin as the Apple Pencil, the Logitech Crayon’s wider body gives the user better control. You can tilt the tip to adjust the line width.
The Crayon pairs easily too – you can practically turn on the iPad and start drawing.
Wacom is one of the go-to companies for everything related to graphic design. Wacom tablets are popular tools for creating digital art, and their stylus is no different. Although Wacom makes a wide range of stylus that work with the iPad, their Fineline Bamboo Stylus is one of the best.
Priced at just $ 60, it’s much cheaper than the Apple Pencil but packs a host of features and a 15-hour battery life that makes it appealing to both casual and professional users.
The Wacom Fineline Bamboo stylus connects via Bluetooth and has a programmable button on the side that allows you to easily switch between modes. When not in use, the tip can be rotated to retract it and protect it from damage.
With its longer battery life and tip accuracy, the Wacom Fineline Bamboo Stylus is a great choice for a professional.
Adonit Pixel Pro is a commonly recommended Apple Pencil alternative for several reasons. The first is its price: at $ 60, it’s much cheaper than the first or second generation Apple Pencil. The second reason is that it has a narrow 9mm tip for better precision and a more natural feel.
According to Adonit, this tip creates a more natural resistance that mimics the feel of writing on paper. Pixel Pro also uses palm rejection technology with 2,048 different levels of pressure sensitivity, making it one of the more precise styles on this list.
The Pixel Pro has a grip sensor that turns on the stylus when you pick it up, plus a hotkey button that can be programmed with common commands like Undo, Erase, or Redo.
Designed to work with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the Adonit Pixel Pro is a budget-level stylus that can handle professional-grade work. It comes with a magnetic charging dock that adds a touch of style to your desk by keeping the stylus ready for use when you need it.
The Milemont Stylus comes in at just $ 22 and is the most affordable option on this list. If you’re looking to get into graphic design and need a stylus, or just want to be able to scribble with a stylus, then this is one of the best options out there.
With an ergonomic design reminiscent of the Apple Pencil, the Milemont stylus looks like a real pen. Thanks to its narrow tip, you will be able to select even the smallest icons and color in the smallest pixels.
The Milemont Stylus is designed for widespread compatibility, which means it will work just as well with a regular touchscreen device as it does with an Apple device. It claims 10 hours of battery life with only 1 or 2 hours of charging and automatically shuts off after half an hour of inactivity to conserve battery life.
Perhaps best of all, the Milemont Stylus should come out of the box fully charged. It doesn’t need Bluetooth to work, so you can open it up and start scribbling without delay.