15 Best Pens for Back-to-School and Beyond, According to Reviewers

If you just need a pen that works and want a lot of them, BIC is a household name for affordable pens that both students and working professionals can rely on. This item is an Amazon best-seller and makes a great affordable option — you receive 60 lightweight, ballpoint medium pens in one box, so it's not the biggest problem if you lose one or two. Additionally, you'll never be surprised when you run out of ink thanks to the translucent barrel that shows the ink level.  

This is the set to buy if your daughter has been talking about bullet journaling all summer. It boasts a bright range of colors that reviewers say dry quickly — which comes in handy for a fast writers or doodlers. Note that while several reviewers agree on the comfortable grip and hold, some disagree on the claims that the pens do not smear. The set includes colors like Pure Blue Joy and Luscious Green, but also features a black pen for more regular use. 

Muji is a Japanese brand that sells high quality, minimalist-style home products and stationary, like this best-selling gel pen. Unlike traditional gel pens, reviewers say the ink of this Muji pen won't smudge. They like that the gel pen dries as you write, plus the fact that it features a finer tip point compared to competing models. The brand carries a few sizes of the pen, but 0.38 millimeters, the size featured here, is most popular. 

Montblanc is a luxury pick for sure, but it's a top-searched brand and known for producing an ultra-clean finish and optimal neatness. The brand holds a lot of history behind its name (its first fountain pens date back to the early 1900s), plus the design features a signature silhouette, real gold trimmings, and diamond accents on some styles. In terms of writing performance, online reviewers have called it "the Rolex" of the pen world, while some users say cheaper pens perform just as well. Still, when it comes to creating clean, pristine script, Montblanc is usually deemed the cream of the crop.

Thanks to this pen's double layer cushy grip, users feel less pressure on their hands while writing. According to Pilot, the Dr. Grip is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation, and according to online reviewers, it's the best "handwriting solution for those with hand problems." One reviewer says though his hands usually experience fatigue while writing, this pen gives him a much easier time. 

It's like Sharpie took the qualities of their classic permanent marker and made a pen. The brand says that the pen's quality ink won't smudge or fade. Several reviewers agree with the brand's main claim that the ink won't bleed through paper. One reviewer explains, "It feels like you're writing with a felt tip pen, but much finer." The results are dark, crisp, and clean.

The Pilot Precise V5 RT is a popular pick across the web, probably because it lives up to its name of making clean marks with its precise, 0.5 millimeter needle point technology. According to the brand, the retractable pen is designed to withstand high air pressures during flight use and writes on an even ink flow. Nearly 2,000 Amazon buyers rated the pen a perfect five-star rating, with reviewers saying they see "little to no smudging" and mark it an excellent choice for lefties.

Amazon reviewers love the "smooth and clean writing," comfortable hold, and the fact that this pen can be used for drawing and writing. The brand says that the G2 is "proven to be the longest writing gel ink pen among top brands," and online reviews agree that this is a pen that can be used for all needs. This pack of 12 comes at about $1 a piece, but note that according to one reviewer, the refills cost just as much as the pens.

Online reviewers love this pen for its clean writing and long ink life. The brand claims that it writes just as crisp and clean as a gel pen, but dries instantly. One reviewer says he carries the Jetstream around as his everyday pen and appreciates the cap to prevent from leaking. Other reviewers agree with the brand claims about the pen being smudge-free and say even left-handed users wouldn't have a problem with smearing. 

This 6-piece set includes a pen of each size, from 0.20 millimeters to .50 millimeters, great for artists and illustrators who wish to perfect every fine detail. The special Pigma ink is apparently waterproof and won't bleed if liquids spill on it. Reviewer say the pens last a long time before they run out of ink and can be used to draw and write on paper or fabrics. Some caution, however, to be gentle with the pens since the tips of the pens are fragile — while this can create cool art effects, too much pressure can cause leaking or damage. 

Parker pens have been been known to deliver quality writing performance for decades, but the brand came out with this special edition ballpoint pen that makes the perfect gift for a pen snob. Though it's constructed with stainless steel, the retractable pen is ultra lightweight and easy to carry around. It features what Parker calls QuinkFlow technology for a smooth and sharp. The ballpoint pen is etched with famous British landmarks, which reviewers say actually helps for a comfortable grip. 

If you need ink that dries in seconds, online reviewers swear by this pack of pens. The set comes with black, red, blue, green, and purple, so it can be used for anything from taking notes to quickly filling out a planner. Keep in mind that some reviewers report slight bleeding when used on thinner notebook paper, but several reviews agree that the pen draws little to no smudging.

Fast writers give this pen a high rating because it dries quickly and won't leak. Plus, the stainless steel provides a nice "unique, luxury feel" — even when you're getting 12 pens for under $20. The pen design also includes a non-slip grip that comes in handy for jotting down notes or speeding through an exam. Reviewers note that the pen doesn't deliver the thickest ink, so keep this in mind if the ink quality is a dealbreaker for you.

Many articles point to Stabilo when it comes to finding the best-performing pens for coloring books, especially adult coloring pages with tighter spaces. Online reviewers say that the 0.4 millimeter point tip offers more control and precision. They also take note that since the marker pens are water-based, overuse in smaller areas can cause the paper to tear. This particular set offers a wide color range of 30 shades, but you can also purchase the pack of 40 for more variation.   

This set is favored by calligraphy artists because it features both a soft and hard tip pen — the flexibility makes for achieving various lettering techniques. Reviewers like that you can create extra fine or medium strokes with just a change of pressure, and that the ink delivers the blackest output. A couple reviewers also pointed out that the ink won't bleed even when met with liquids.