Whether you’re in a lecture hall quickly scribbling away information from a PowerPoint or taking minutes in a meeting, your note-taking will be elevated with the right pen.

With the vast array of pens, it can be difficult to decide which one will be best for you while taking notes.

You want a pen that will be comfortable to hold, allows you to write quickly, and will not smudge on the page as you write.

Luckily, this article can help! I will go over my top choices of the best pens for note-taking. So make sure you stick around to find out how these pens can help you and your note-taking skills.

Ai-Natebok Fine Point Markers

First on this list is the AI-Natebok Fine Point Markers. Have you ever looked back over your notes and felt the reams and reams of blue or black ink feel a little…dull?

Trust me, I’ve been there, too. It is hard to remember or re-learn notes that bore you, but luckily, these pens will fix this problem!

There are 36 colored pens in a pack with various colors, meaning your notes will be bright and beautiful, and you are far more likely to go over them and remember them! You can choose between 36 single or 36 dual pens with this company.

Not only that, but these pens have water-based ink, which means they won’t bleed through your paper or onto any surfaces and will dry quickly, so you can write your notes smudge-free.

One of the greatest things about investing in this fine point marker set is that you are investing in a company with a Climate Pledge Friendly Certification.

So, you know that you are doing your part for your own note-taking skills and the environment, too!

Pros And Cons Of The AI-Natebok Fine Point Markers

Pros:

• These pens are non-toxic, and ASTM approved
• You will find no skipping with these pens! They write smoothly
• Manufacturer money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Reports that some of the colors are not as vibrant as they appear
• Reports of the tips breaking off some of the markers

Cambond Luxury Wood Ballpoint Pens

Next on this list are these gorgeous luxury wood ballpoint pens from Cambond!

These ballpoint pens come in three colors: walnut, whitewood, and rosewood, so you can choose the one that suits you the best.

Not only that, but these stunning pens come with a gift box so that they would make a wonderful gift for a friend or family member!

When you are note-taking, you know that you must write quickly or else you might miss something important.

Well, these pens ensure quick note-taking thanks to their consistent ink flow, 500 meters of writing length, and because they are so easy to hold thanks to the comfortable round barrel.

Best of all, these pens will come with a refill, so you can keep the pen once you run out of ink! And why wouldn’t you want to keep this handcrafted, antique, corrosion-resistant beauty?

Pros And Cons Of The Cambond Luxury Wood Ballpoint Pens

Pros:

• Easy to replace the refill
• Professional look and feel
• These pens allow for smooth writing thanks to their comfortable feel

Cons:

• Reports that the pen closes as you are writing
• This pen runs out of ink quickly

Zebra Pen Z-Grip Ballpoint Pen

It may look simple on the outside, but this Z-Grip ballpoint pen from Zebra Pen is the hidden treasure of note-taking pens.

You can get this pen in either blue, black, red, or as a pack of three. Not only that, but they come in various counts, from a two-count to a 48-count.

The ink in this ballpoint pen has low viscosity, meaning there will be no skips in the writing, allowing for smooth, quick note-taking.

Also, you will be able to write for a prolonged period thanks to the latex-free, soft rubber grip.

And, when you are running low on ink, you will be able to notice well in advance and ensure you are never without a pen!

Best of all, this pen comes with a clip, so you can attach it to your pocket, notebook, or anything else to ensure you never lose it.

Pros And Cons Of The Zebra Pen Z-Grip Ballpoint Pen

Pros:

• The ballpoint design of the pen allows for additional control
• Medium point pens that still allow for small writing so you can fit lots of notes on one page
• Smooth flow of ink

Cons:

• Reports that the pens run out of ink quickly
• The black ink pen comes out slightly faded

Arteza Roller Ball Pens 

If you are a frequent note-taker, chances are you need to stock up on many pens, and we cannot think of a better pen set than these Artezo Roller Ball Pens!

This pen set is 50 count and comes in blue ink.

Not only that, but these pens are all fine point, which means you are almost guaranteed smooth, flowing writing that’ll leave you with pages and pages of notes without you realizing it!

Not only that, but the lines will be clean and precise because the ink is gel-based, meaning there will be no blotting or smudging on your page – your notes will thank you for it!

The great thing about these roller ball pens is that they have been created and designed by artists, so you know that they will have been created with quality in mind.

Pros And Cons Of The Arteza Roller Ball Pens

Pros:

• Writing is smooth
• These pens are comfortable to use
• Ink flows to the paper in a precise way, perfect for note-taking!

Cons:

• Reports that the pens leak
• Reports that the pens lose ink quickly

Maped Helix USA Visio Left-Handed Pen

All lefties will know the struggle of using a pen only to have all of their work smudge as they write, no matter how quick-drying the ink is or how little the pen skips.

That’s why I have included a note-taking pen suitable for left-handed writers on this list. Namely.

The Maped Helix USA Visio Left-Handed Pens! These pens are specifically designed with left-handed writers in mind.

There are specific markers on the pen to place your fingers to allow for smudge-free writing.

Additionally, this pen comes in three colors — blue, black, and red — with ink that dries quickly to ensure your note-taking is smudge-free.

Not only that, but a rubber grip section ensures the pen is comfortable to hold so you can write notes for a prolonged period.

This left-handed pen has a steel tip that provides medium lines, meaning your writing will be clear and legible once you read over your notes.

Pros And Cons Of The Maped Helix USA Visio Left-Handed Pen

Pros:

• Perfect for lefties – no cramping or pain in hands or wrist!
• Makes handwriting more legible (see also ‘How To Change Your Handwriting‘)
• No ink left over on hands

Cons:

• Reports of slight skipping with these pens
• This pen does not have a clip to pin it to a notebook or paper

Best Pens For Note Taking: Buyer’s Guide

So, now you have a list of the best pens out there for note-taking, it will be useful to have a guide on what to look out for when looking into a note-taking pen.

So, I have put together this useful guide! Let’s check it out in more detail.

Ink

The most important factor when choosing a pen for note-taking is the kind of ink that the pen uses.

When taking notes, chances are you are writing very quickly and turning the page constantly just to get the words down.

So, you will need ink that does not skip or smudge and dries very quickly to ensure your notes are neat, clean, and legible.

The best pens for quick-drying ink are gel pens, rollerball pens, and ballpoint pens. Let’s check these pens out in more detail and see what kinds of ink they offer!

• Gel Pens: Gel pens use a water-based gel with a pigment suspended inside, so they are easy to use and will come in a vast array of bold and pretty colors. However, it is important to note that while they are fast-drying, gel pen ink will take longer to dry than the other pens on this list. So, they are not the greatest choice if you are a leftie or write your notes exceptionally fast.
• Rollerball Pens: If you experience cramps and fatigue in your hand while you write, then rollerball pens would be perfect for you when it comes to note-taking. This is because they have water-based ink, which flows much more easily than the other pen and ink types on this list. However, this type of ink is unsuitable if you have thin paper because it is more likely to bleed through it.
• Ballpoint Pens: Ballpoint pens will use an oil-based ink, which is excellent for note-taking because it is waterproof and quick to dry. However, this ink is the thickest of the three mentioned in this list, so an individual will need to apply a lot more pressure to be able to write with it (see also ‘How To Write A Lot‘). However, if you are an individual who likes to have a lot more control over the pen when you write, then this will not be an issue for you; it will be an advantage!

Another point about ink you need to consider is what these pens offer when the ink runs out.

For example, some pens will come with refillable ink cartridges, and some must be discarded once the ink runs out.

Investing in pens with long-term use or a pack of pens that ensures you will never be without one is a good idea.

Also, the smoothness of the pen when it comes to writing will all depend on the type of ink you use.

So, if you like a pen that allows you to write smoothly, make sure you choose the correct ink to make this possible.

Finally, the last point about ink that needs to be made is the color. You may be a person who enjoys writing in black or blue ink, so a pen with these ink colors will be best for you.

However, you may be bored of the same old pages looking the same way, and as a result, you may find your notes difficult or boring to review.

If this is the case, you need to invest in more interesting colors that will catch your eye, such as red ink or multi-colored pens.

Comfort

An important factor in choosing a pen is checking how comfortable the pen actually is to write with.

Some pens will come with rubber grips or latex-free soft grips that allow you to write for hours without hurting your wrist or hand. This is very useful when it comes to note-taking.

It is important to note that the left-handed pen may be more comfortable for lefties because of how you hold the pen and how it moves across the page.

So, if you are a leftie with comfort in mind, then it may be a good idea to invest in a left-handed pen!

Warranty

Warranty is an often-overlooked factor in deciding things, but it is very important!

By checking the warranty of the note-taking pen you are investing in, you know that you are covered for any issues you may experience with the pen, whether it breaks or leaks within the warranty time or there is an issue with the package when it arrives.

So, make sure you know the warranty of the pen you want to invest in or invest in one with a money-back guarantee.

Tip Size

Last but not least, the tip size of the pen is an important feature to consider when trying to find one appropriate for note-taking.

There are many tip sizes, including broad, medium, fine, and super-fine.

In the case of note-taking, you may find that board tip sizes provide thicker lines that are comfortable and smooth.

Meanwhile, small or fine tip sizes are great for intricate, accurate writing. Find out which style you prefer, then find the appropriate tip size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Felt Pens Good For Note-Taking?

Generally, no. Felt pens are not suitable for note-taking.

This is because they typically bleed through paper, meaning your writing will blend into itself on different pages and become illegible and difficult to follow.

Not only that, but felt pens dry out very quickly, and as a result, may stop working while you are note-taking, which may cause you to miss crucial information.

Do Gel Pens Expire?

Yes, gel pens have an expiration date, and they will expire after this date has passed! This is especially true if the gel pens have water-based ink.

When the expiration date of the gel pen has passed, it is likely to dry out, and you will not be able to use it.

Is It Better To Handwrite Or Type Notes?

Typing your notes instead of handwriting them can be great because it is often faster, and provided you have brought your charger and can connect to WiFi, you will not have many obstacles stopping you from getting the notes down.

However, if you do not have either of these things, you are presented with more of a problem.

However, as a general rule, handwriting your notes is better because you will be more likely to remember what you have written down (see also ‘How To Write Neater And Faster‘).

Plus, handwriting your notes allows you access to these amazing note-taking pens, something that typing does not!

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! Note-taking requires you to write quickly and for long periods, meaning that the pen you use needs to have fast-drying ink and something comfortable on the outside.

Ink is arguably the most important thing to consider when it comes to finding a note-taking pen, and this is because three different kinds of ink are great for note-taking pens with their own advantages and disadvantages.

For example, ballpoint pens have oil-based ink that is quick-drying but requires much pressure.

Gel pens allow for various colors and pretty notes but do not dry the quickest, and rollerball pens have water-based ink, which flows easily and prevents hand cramping but will bleed through the paper if it is thin.

This list provides five of the best pens for note-taking, and I hope you find one suitable for you!