When you think of an iPad stylus, you probably immediately think of the Apple Pencil, and while this is a great iPad stylus (arguably, the best), we know not everyone wants to spend $129 on a stylus. There are plenty of stylus models that are compatible with iPads, and even have many of the same technologies as the Apple Pencil, like palm rejection and tilt recognition.
We’ve rounded up the best iPad stylus models with unique features at various price points.
Also:
The best stylusThe best iPad accessoriesThe best iPad drawing appsThe best note-taking apps for iPad
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, and more, as well as attach to the side of the iPad Pro and charge wirelessly. The Apple Pencil 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. 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. 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. Check the compatibility before you buy, but this pen should work with all iPads from 2018 and later. 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. The Logitech Crayon instantly connects to your iPad and is comfortable in your hand since it is flat-shaped rather than a cylinder. When drawing, the pen feels like a carpenter’s pencil or crayon (hence, the name), making it the perfect companion for creatives. 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. This stylus is great for taking notes, journaling, or marking up documents. 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. 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 one-hour charge (translation: you’ll rarely have to charge it). Another option from Adonit is the Adonit Note-M, the only stylus in the brand’s vast lineup with the functionality of a mouse. With full mouse functionality, it has left and right click buttons, a touch panel, a sensitive scrolling wheel, and a unique multi-angled sensor that detects your iPad’s surface up to 5mm away. Its stylus features include a 1mm tip with palm rejection technology for precision notetaking and a magnetic body that can attach to the side of your iPad Pro.
