For “penthusiasts,” the hunt for the perfect writing instrument is endless. There are hundreds of options out there, and some are better suited for certain needs than others.
Whether it’s for the avid note-taker, the hand-drawn artist, the dedicated student, or simply someone who appreciates the tactile pleasure of penmanship, this guide to the year’s best pens showcases our favorite custom pen options that serve as both great branding opportunities and handy writing implements.
Our Best Pens for Writing
- Best Ballpoint Pen: Geneva Ballpoint
- Best Rollerball Pen: SoHo Roller Ball
- Best Gel Pen: Bamboo Quick-Dry Gel Ballpoint Stylus
- Best Premium Pen: Tuscany Ballpoint
- Best Eco-Friendly Pen: Eco Recycled Paper Gel Pen
- Most Hygienic Pen: Nash Ballpoint Stylus with Antimicrobial Additive
- Best Inkless Pen: Axel Inkless Stylus Pen
- Best Pen for Writing: FUNCTION Erasable Gel Ballpoint
- Best Pen for Taking Notes: Nash Ballpoint Pen-Highlighter
- Best Pen for a Gift: Baronfig Squire Precious Metals Brass Pen
Ballpoint vs. Rollerball vs. Gel Pens
For this list, we’ll break options down by type, which generally reduces to ballpoint, rollerball, and gel pens. Here’s how they compare:
- Ballpoint: These pens use a thicker, oil-based ink that dries quickly and is more resistant to smudging on most surfaces.
- Rollerball: These have water-based ink that flows well over paper, providing a smoother writing experience than ballpoints.
- Gel: These use gel-based ink available in colors that tend to be more vibrant and offer smoother writing on various surfaces, but they can take longer to dry than ballpoint or rollerball pens.
- Combination: Some options below combine gel and ballpoint, bringing together the benefits of each: striking color, a smooth writing experience, and reduced smudging.
Best Ballpoint Pens
1. Geneva Ballpoint
Best Overall
This twist-action ballpoint pen combines a superior writing experience with a sleek, elegant silhouette. With two-tone matte coloring, the Geneva is an excellent choice for ballpoint enthusiasts.
Style: Ballpoint
Mechanism: Twist
Weight: .22oz
Minimum Quantity: 63
2. Cougar Ballpoint Pen
Budget Pick
Looking for a value option that writes like a premium pen? The Cougar Ballpoint features a retractable 1.0mm ballpoint tip and comes in multiple colors and color schemes for a stylish yet dependable writing experience at a low price.
Style: Ballpoint
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Weight: .02oz
Minimum Quantity: 125
3. Recycled Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen
Eco-Friendly Pick
Think a pen can’t be both sustainable and durable? This ballpoint pen is constructed of recycled stainless steel and offers a robust 800m of writing length. This piece will write for the long haul while demonstrating the dependability of your brand with your custom logo.
Style: Ballpoint
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Weight: .03oz
Minimum Quantity: 35
Best Rollerball Pens
4. SoHo Roller Ball
Best Overall
With a luxuriously thin .7mm tip, the SoHo Roller Ball offers a smooth writing experience with a long-lasting reservoir. Its rubber coat finish and large diameter make it exceptionally comfortable in the hand while boasting a robust surface for custom designs of your choosing.
Style: Roller Ball
Mechanism: Cap
Tip Width: .7mm
Weight: .04oz
Minimum Quantity: 36
5. Luxe Redmond Roller Ball
Premium Pick
For a roller ball pen that can make an impression, look to the aptly titled Luxe Redmond. This pen comes with premium blue ink and Luxe gift box. With its laser chrome finish and branded removable cap, it’s the perfect gift pen.
Style: Roller Ball
Mechanism: Cap
Tip Width: .7mm
Weight: .04mm
Minimum Quantity: 30
6. Recycled Stainless Steel Rollerball Pen
Eco-Friendly Pick
Boasting 400m writing length housed in a barrel made from recycled stainless steel, this pen is built to last—and help the planet last. As an EcoSmart® product, one percent of each sale of this pen goes back to environmental nonprofits in cooperation with 1% For The Planet.
Style: Roller Ball
Mechanism: Cap
Tip Width: .7mm
Weight: .06oz
Minimum Quantity: 30
Best Gel Pens
7. Bamboo Quick-Dry Gel Ballpoint Stylus
Best Overall
Not quite sure which kind of pen you’re looking for? How about one that does a little of everything? Made from sustainable bamboo to boot, this model combines the smoothness of sem-gel ink with a ballpoint tip and features a rubber capacitive touch stylus on top for touchscreens.
Style: Gel / Ballpoint
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: 1mm
Weight: .01oz
Minimum Quantity: 144
8. FUNCTION Stone Quick-Dry Gel Pen
Budget Pick
The FUNCTION Stone is a deceptively simple gel pen that dries quickly while supplying a long lifespan of 300m of ink. With a fine .7mm tip and ultra-lightweight construction, it provides a smooth, comfortable writing experience that minimizes smudging while displaying your custom design on the barrel.
Style: Gel
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: .7mm
Weight: .02oz
Minimum Quantity: 250
9. Remark RPET Gel Pen
Eco-Friendly Pick
The Remark RPET gel pen offers the easy handling you’d expect from a quality gel pen, but this model is also made from recycled plastic. Available in a range of colors, it’s also well suited to showing off company logos as a company swag.
Style: Gel
Mechanism: Cap
Weight: .02oz
Minimum Quantity: 125
Best Premium Pen
10. Tuscany Ballpoint
Featuring distinctive cutaways along the shaft affixed with chrome inlays, the Tuscany is a refined pen for those who like a more formal writing instrument. With premium 1.0mm ink and a twist-action retraction, it writes as sharp as it looks and even shows off your custom design with laser finish on the barrel.
Style: Ballpoint
Mechanism: Twist
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Weight: .01oz
Minimum Quantity: 35
Best Eco-Friendly Pen
11. Eco Recycled Paper Gel Pen
When it comes to sustainable writing instruments, this option takes the cake. Both the barrel and the cap are made from 100% recycled paper, meaning it’s both constructed from eco-friendly material and represents less landfill waste. Incorporating your custom graphic on the side shows your brand cares about the environment.
Style: Gel
Mechanism: Cap
Weight: .01oz
Minimum Quantity: 125
Most Hygienic Pen
12. Nash Ballpoint Stylus with Antimicrobial Additive
With an extra-soft grip and antimicrobial additive, the Nash offers a comfortable, safe option for ballpoint lovers. Available in a ton of colors and boasting an additional stylus tip, it’s a perfect companion for the office, campus, or other public places.
Style: Ballpoint
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Minimum Quantity: 125
Best Inkless Pen
13. Axel Inkless Stylus Pen
For a truly unique writing experience, look no further than an inkless pen. With a 1.0mm tip boasting 700-800m of writing distance, it offers hours and hours of writing time with erasable graphite and features a convenient removable eraser top.
Style: Stylus
Mechanism: Graphite Tip
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Weight: .03oz
Minimum Quantity: 80
Best Pen for Writing
14. FUNCTION Erasable Gel Ballpoint
For people who love the feel and writing quality of a gel pen but the impermanence of a pencil, the FUNCTION Erasable Gel Ballpoint is the perfect compromise. With a slim .7mm tip and thermo-sensitive gel ink, it’s a pleasure to write with—and erase.
Style: Gel / Ballpoint
Mechanism: Click
Tip Width: .7mm
Weight: .02oz
Minimum Quantity: 125
Best Pen for Taking Notes
15. Nash Ballpoint Pen-Highlighter
Whether it’s for class or the office, this versatile pen has everything you need to take great notes. With a smooth ballpoint pen on one end and a handy highlighter tip on the other, the Nash Ballpoint Pen-Highlighter packs two essential notation tools into one implement.
Style: Ballpoint / Highlighter
Mechanism: Twist
Tip Width: 1.0mm
Weight: .02oz
Minimum Quantity: 188
Best Pen for a Gift
16. Baronfig Squire Precious Metals Brass Pen
Looking for the perfect pen for a corporate gift? The Baronfig Squire is constructed from industrial-grade brass and features an ultra-fine .06mm tip, combining precise penmanship with long-lasting durability. It comes delivered in a premium two-piece gift box and displays your custom design along the barrel.
Style: Roller Ball
Mechanism: Twist
Tip Width: .06mm
Weight: .11oz
Minimum Quantity: 4
How We Picked the Best Pens
To pick the best pens, we selected the best options from a pool of custom office products and balanced features including:
- Overall value
- Pen style (ballpoint, roller ball, gel, hybrid)
- Opening mechanism (twist, click, cap)
- Weight
- Minimum order quantity
- Customization capability
Customize the Best Pens for Writing
Once you’ve picked the best pens for your, your team’s, your clients’, or your prospects’ writing needs, you’re ready to customize your writing instrument with your company logo or custom artwork.
Just select your pen and add your design in our responsive and intuitive Design Studio. This shows your design in real-time so you can see exactly what your pen (or other promotional products) will look like once it prints. Then, just choose your quantity and make your purchase.
Create your own custom pens right here at RushOrderTees today.
Bryce Emley
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.