Everyone should have at least one good quality pen. Finding a pen that is comfortable to hold, smooth to write with and suits your style can make putting pen to paper an absolute pleasure.

There is such a stark difference between pens that you only realise what you’ve been missing once you get your hands on a great pen. Whether you’re looking for one or two pens for your desk or a bulk pack that will satisfy the office, the reviews and buyers guide below will help you narrow down the selection.

Here are the best pens in Australia:

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1. Best Fountain Pen: Lamy Studio Fountain Pen

Our pick for the best fountain pen is the Lamy Studio. This professional metal pen is an elegant option that is comfortable to hold, looks smart and is ideal for everyday use. The Studio has a modern-looking design that is a pleasure to write with and produces classic results.

The Lamy Studio is high-quality, well-weighted and perfectly balanced. This is the kind of pen that is built to last so you know you can rely on it time and time again. It has a polished steel nib and the flow of ink is smooth making writing effortless. The design also includes a practical clip that not only looks great but also helps you keep your pen close by.

The chrome grip is sleek and positioned right down to the tip so you can hold it as close as is comfortable for you. These pens come with an ink cartridge as well as an ink converter.

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2. Runner Up Fountain Pen: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

The Lamy Safari is a high-quality, affordable fountain pen that is very smooth and comfortable to use. This model is well-known for being a beginner-friendly option so is ideal if this is your first fountain pen.

The Safari is made of sturdy ABS plastic with a polished stainless steel nib and a chrome plated metal clip. The clip is a practical feature that will help you keep your pen close and prevent misplacing it.

The body of the Lamy Safari is a smart glossy black colour that looks professional. The set is well priced and comes with 5 black ink cartridges and 1 blue ink cartridge so should it should last a fair amount of time before new ink is needed.

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3. Best Ballpoint Pen: Uni-Ball Jetstream Standard Ballpoint Pen

The Uni-Ball Jetstream Standard pens have taken the top spot as the best ballpoint pens as they are perfectly balanced and offer a smooth writing experience which is often difficult to find in this type of pen. This model is a classic that combines people’s favourite features and capabilities into one package.

These pens flow effortlessly, produce vibrant results and the ink dries quickly making them left-hand friendly too. Although made primarily from plastic, these pens feel hardy and look stylish. The Uni-Ball Jetstream feels good in your hand and does not feel fragile or low quality in any way. This model features a rubber grip for additional comfort when writing for long periods of time.

The Jetstream is a great choice for general use with its combination of easy ink flow, fast-drying ink and crisp lines. This pack includes 6 pens offering great value for money.

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4. Runner Up Ballpoint Pen: Pilot Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen

The Pilot Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen is a great option for daily writing tasks. This sleek ballpoint can handle large volumes of writing without smearing or causing you discomfort.

This model has a stainless steel point, a clear barrel and a metal clip. The ribbed grip is non-slip and adds comfort and control. The barrel allows you to keep an eye on the ink level and you can refill the ink when it runs out which is very convenient.

The lines produced are crisp and consistent. As the tip is retractable, you don’t have to worry about misplacing the cap. This is a convenient option that you can rely on to get the job done with style and comfort.

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5. Best Space Pen: Fisher Matte Black Space Pen

If you’re looking for a pen that can write anywhere and at any angle, this Fisher Bullet Space Pen is for you. This is an extremely versatile option that ideal for travel or use on the go. It’s a pen you can truly rely on in any situation.

The Fisher Space Pens use a pressurised ink cartridge which means they can be used in zero gravity, upside down or even underwater. It can also be used in extreme temperatures from -30F to 250F. The length of the pen is small but when you remove the cap and place it on the back of the pen it becomes full size.

The compact size makes it easy to carry with you in a purse or pocket. These space pens are high-quality, hand-tested and come with a lifetime guarantee.

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6. Runner Up Space Pen: Fisher Original Astronaut Space Pen

If you like the idea of the Bullet Space Pen above but are looking for something sleeker (or you simply want a pen the same as the one that was used on the moon) then choose the Original Astronaut Space Pen from Fisher.

This pen can write at any angle, can write in zero gravity and can be used in extreme temperatures from -30F to 250F. The design and construction of the original have not been changed in over 30 years, this impressive pen is made from solid brass and has chrome plating.

This beautiful pen is heavy and feels weighted against your hand. It has a special design to assure you always retract the point before placing the pen into your pocket or purse too.

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7. Best Gel Pen: Muji Gel Pen – Black

The simplistic design of Muji pens is sleek and clean. This is a lightweight, reliable and well-designed option that can handle all writing requirements.

The translucent barrels allow you to see the ink level and the screw off plug makes refills quick and easy. These gel pens offer great value for money as they are available at low prices but do not feel cheap or temporary.

The slim size of the barrel makes it comfortable to hold and use. The gel ink flows smoothly and does not need pressure to produce consistent, flowing results.

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8. Runner Up Gel Pen: Pilot G2 Blue Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen

The Pilot G2 is a classic pen that the majority of people will recognise. The G2 is a clean, simple and good looking pen.

This retractable pen has a satisfying clicker, a solid clip and a smooth plastic body. The weight and shape of this pen feels good in your hand and provides a positive writing experience. You can easily see the gel ink level and the pen writes smoothly without any skipping.

The cushioned ergonomic grip is well positioned and comfortable to hold.

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Pen Buyer’s Guide

Finding a pen that suits you and your writing style can make all the difference in your writing experience. Once you find the best pen that compliments your writing you will be wishing you’d found it earlier. This buyers guide will help you find the type, size and style of pen that suits you.

Considerations

Your Writing Style

A low cost, quick-drying pen is great for writing fast notes but if you are looking for a pen that can help enhance your handwriting, give style to your work or make rereading notes easier then you will have a more enjoyable experience if you take the time to choose a pen that is designed to suit your needs and style. There are many types of pens to choose from and each has its own advantages and disadvantages, this is something we’ll take a closer look at below.

Design & Materials

Pens differ in style, quality and finish. Look at the barrel material, the nib material and whether the pen has been built to last. Possible finish material seen on high-quality pens includes natural lacquer, coloured resin or paint-based lacquer.

Weight & Grip

The pen should feel weighted but well balanced when you hold it. They should also have an ergonomically designed grip to make controlling the pen and writing for long periods more comfortable.

Size Options

There are various sizes of different types of pen. A fine point can help you write smaller, create more detailed drawings and produce fine lines while a broad point pen is able to produce bold lines that are smooth and prominent. Below are the most common options for each:

Fountain pens

• Fine – 1mm
• Medium – 1.5mm
• Broad – 2mm

Gel pens

• Micro – 0.5mm or less
• Medium – 0.7mm
• Bold – 1mm

Ballpoint

• Fine – 0.8mm or less
• Medium – 1mm
• Bold 1.4mm +

Rollerball

• Micro – 0.5mm
• Fine- 0.7mm
• Bold- 0.8mm +

Refillable or Disposable

Refillable pens may cost more initially but they can save you money in the long term whereas disposable pens are cheaper at first but are often less reliable, lower quality and are usually not recyclable. A common refillable pen is a fountain pen and they usually accept ink cartridges or use a cartridge converter.

Best Pens for Writing

A great pen for enhancing handwriting and giving written work a classic look is the fountain pen. Fountain pens use water-based ink, they are smooth to write with and they give you the ability to add flair and character to your handwriting. The downside to fountain pens is that the ink can easily smudge so they are better suited to when you can take your time with what you are writing. The ink cartridges can also leak sometimes which is not ideal as the ink can stain clothes, documents and desks.

Rollerball pens are a good option as they allow writing to flow easily and they usually can help you write neatly with a rich looking result. The downside to roller ball pens is that the ink tends to run out quickly.

If you are writing a lot and you like to write quickly a ballpoint may be the answer as you won’t have to worry about ink smudges. Ballpoints are low maintenance and have a long ink life making them a reliable option, however, you won’t be able to be as expressive and creative with your handwriting.

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Best Pens for School

Ballpoint pens are the best pen type for school as they are reliable, the ink dries fast and they do not smudge. This is ideal when taking lots of notes and writing quickly. They are also low cost and usually come in multipacks so it won’t be too much of a problem if you misplace one or forget one at your desk. The ballpoint is the best for day to day tasks.

Best pens for left-handers

When it comes to buying pens for left-handers the biggest issue is usually the ink smudging and the comfort of the grip. For day to day writing a ballpoint is a choice of writing instrument as the ink won’t smudge. If you are looking for something with a bit more character a fast-drying gel pen may be worth a try. Gel pens produce bold, rich lines and feel smooth and flowing to write with.

Best pens for drawing

Felt tip pens are a great option for art and drawing. They produce rich lines and plenty of definition to artwork but they can sometimes bleed through the page. Gel pens are also great for drawing as the tip glides effortlessly across paper giving a free flowing feeling that creates bold, precise lines.

If you are looking for a pen that you can sketch with then the better options tend to be those with a precise, ultra fine tip, as they offer more control and detail.

Brands of Pens

The number of different brands on the pens on the market can seem daunting. Here are a few tried and true pen manufacturers that are a good place to start:

• Lamy Pens – A German pen manufacturing company that make some of the finest pens in the world.
• Pilot Pens – Pilot makes a wide range of good quality pens from budget to high-end. Check out the Pilot Precise
• Sakura Pigma Pens – Check out the Sakura Pigma Micron Pen pen which is a favourite amongst drawers and archivists. The Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens are also popular.
• Parker Pens – Probably the most well-known brand of fountain pens.
• Stabilo Pens – Affordable, widely available option. Check out the Stabilo Point 88 fineliner.
• Pentel – Create a wide range of ballpoint pens and gel pens. The Pentel Energel is a popular option.