Once the input device of the analog era, the pen is making a comeback. You can use it to write, doodle and navigate comfortably on tablets and convertibles. We introduce you to the best touchscreen pens.
Active or passive pen input?
Pens for Apple iPad
The entry-level model for iPad: ESR Digital Pencil
Logitech Crayon: The budget compromise
Pens on Android and Chrome OS: USI matters
Lenovo USI Pen: Inexpensive, universal, but with a battery
HP USI Pen: Sustainable touch pen
Asus SA300: The golden mean
Active or passive pen input?
A look at the dealer portals shows that you can find pens for touchscreen input for a few euros. The cheap items are passive styluses, the tip of which imitates normal finger pressure on the display.
Use this to navigate through menus and apps. Passive pens are not precise enough for drawing or writing. The counterpart to this are active pens. They receive their position data via a Bluetooth signal and, depending on the model, also transmit the inclination and pressure level detection. This is ideal for drawing when you want to hatch neatly or draw bold outlines naturally.
If your smart device supports active pens, they are clearly preferable to their passive counterparts. For Android and iOS, such models are available from 30 euros in stores. Below are some examples.
The original pens for Apple iPad
Apple aggressively advertises the pen input for its own iPads. The tablets with the apple also integrate their own pens relatively seamlessly into the ecosystem. From which iPad generation active pens are compatible with the Apple flat computers cannot be said in general. Apple Pencil 1 works with iPad 6th generation (2018) and newer, iPad Pro from 2015 and 2017 or iPad mini 5th generation (2019) and newer.
The second iteration of Pencil is compatible with iPad Pro 3rd generation (2019) or later or Air model 4th generation or later. Both types, which are easy to hold, pass on pressure levels and inclinations to apps, provided they support it. The Apple Pencil 2 also comes with a double-tap gesture, with which you can switch between tools or undo or redo work steps, depending on the application. Only the prices are a drawback at 109 euros for the debut pen and 119 euros for its successor.
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Apple Pencil
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Apple Pencil 2nd generation
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The entry-level model for the iPad: ESR Digital Pencil
ESR proves that there is a much cheaper way with the Digital Pencil. The input device weighs 23 grams and is compatible with a wide range of iPads.
The low price of just under 30 euros is also due to the manufacturer making cutbacks. There is no pressure level detection, but the ESR Digital Pencil forwards the inclination. However, the low-cost home pen is ideal for quick notes and short scribbles and is also close to the classic pen due to its higher weight.
Be careful when buying: You can change the pen tip and a spare part is included in the scope of delivery. However, the replacement caps are not available separately.
Logitech Crayon: The budget compromise
In terms of price, the Logitech Crayon sits somewhere between the original and the extremely economical version. The gadget is the result of a collaboration between Logitech and Apple and is one of the few accessories that is officially 100% certified. It works with all pen-enabled iPads from iOS 12.2 and, thanks to its slim housing, fits particularly well in the hand. Instead of a round or square shape, the engineers gave this input device the contour of a carpenter's pencil.
Input is quick and precise and also reports the tilt angle. The Logitech Crayon does not have a pressure level detection. If you can do without it, it is a real alternative to Apple's pens.
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Logitech Crayon stylus intense sorbet
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Pens on Android and Chrome OS: USI matters
The iPad compatible pens do not work on Android and Chrome OS. For Google's ecosystem, you should pay attention to USI. The abbreviation stands for Universal Stylus Initiative and guarantees the interoperability of active touch pens from the associated manufacturers. You can also use a Lenovo USI Pen on HP or Google tablets and Chromebooks. Conversely, the competing products work on USI-certified Lenovo devices.
That sounds good in theory. In practice, however, it turns out that depending on the hardware app configuration, certain pins don't work completely lag-free. Among the pre-installed note apps, almost all USI pens are recommended. This can look different again in drawing programs. Unfortunately, only trying out helps here.
And hope. To a successor standard that describes the pen specifications even more precisely and provides functions such as tilt detection.
Lenovo USI Pen: Inexpensive, universal, but with a battery
Admittedly, without a corresponding test offer from Lenovo, I would never have "stumbled across" this stylus. In my review of the IdeaPad Flex 3 and 5, I mentioned the input device rather casually. It felt too normal to write notes by hand or to scrawl a sketch on the screen.
My attitude has changed somewhat in this regard. Because this "digital normal" is what I appreciate about the Lenovo USI Pen in combination with the IdeaPad Duet Chromebook. It feels good in the hand, has an incredible battery life of up to 150 days with 2 hours of use per day. I also appreciate the pressure level detection in most apps more now. The only drawback: instead of a rechargeable battery, this pen uses a battery that you have to replace. Other pens can do that better.
The Lenovo USI Pen is available in stores from around 45 euros.
HP USI Pen: Sustainable touch pen
The USI pen from Hewlett-Packard is rechargeable thanks to the built-in battery. Once bought, you don't have to worry about replacing the battery. With one battery charge you can get around 20 days. Then you have to reload the digital pen via USB-C.
The tip is pressure sensitive in 4,096 levels, but does not pass on tilt. The HP USI Pen goes into your creative inventory for a good 80 euros.
Asus SA300: The golden mean
The USI pen from Asus is priced between Lenovo and HP. The manufacturer advertises one of the most precise pressure level detection, provided that the respective application can handle it properly. For everyday creative work, this ideally means that your sketches and drawings are transferred precisely to the screen and the pen can emulate different painting materials such as pencils, pens and brushes.
The design of the pen is reminiscent of the early 2000s with its aluminum body and black cap. Leaving aside the retro charm, the ASUS pen is a little too light at 16 grams, but technically up to date. Not so great: Asus installs a battery instead of a rechargeable battery.
The ASUS SA300 is available from specialist retailers for just under 60 euros.
So there are active touch pens for the two largest mobile systems. The prices range from cheap to expensive, which is reflected in the quality of workmanship and features. Nevertheless, there is a lot of room for improvement. The choice could be larger for Apple users, but the USI standard is not yet widespread enough for Chromebook users. Nevertheless: If you have the right device, an active pen is a useful addition.
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