Writing—it’s what moves the world forward. And while an increasing amount of it happens on the keyboard, there will always be applications for good ol’ fashioned handwriting.
So in this article, I’m listing the best writing utensils available. I’m talking pencils, pens, markers, desks to write on, and more.
I’ve picked out the best after tons of research and testing. This article contains no affiliate links either, so you know there’s no bias involved.
Pencils
The pencil has been the starting point of countless awesome ideas over the years. They’ve changed the course of history in the hands of innovators and creatives.
Now it’s your turn to wield the pencil. Here are the best brands to get started with:
1. Palomino Golden Bear Blue
Best Overall Value
Despite its affordable pricing, these Golden Bear Blue’s are made of genuine California wood. They write cleanly and erase like it never even happened.
Highlights
- Pack of 12
- Graphite-based
- Incense-cedar wood
- Hexagonal barrel shape for best grip
2. Palomino Blackwing 602
The Ferrari of Pencils
The Palomino Blackwing is the pencil to end all pencils.
If you’re serious about getting your point across (pun intended), you’re rocking its incense-cedar barrel like Steinbeck and the original Looney Toons creators (yes, they used Blackwings).
They’re expensive, but you get your money’s worth.
Highlights
- Replaceable eraser
- Pack of 12
- Comes in several different colors
- Palomino redistributes a portion of profits to arts education
3. Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils
The Classic #2 With Great Performance for Price
Ticonderoga’s consistent quality has made its yellow-green-pink color scheme a mainstay of classrooms for decades. If your know your ABCs, this trusty pencil likely played a role.
Highlights
- 72-count pack lets you buy them for cents each
- Proven reliability (you’ve probably used one yourself)
- All-around decent pencil. It’s not a Blackwing, but it’s good for the price
4. Faber-Castell Grip Graphite EcoPencils with Eraser
Best Grip Overall
This pencil’s triangular shape and soft grip make it one of the most precise writing tools available. This design also helps to it be more ergonomic, reducing fatigue for heavy writers.
Highlights
- Best-in-class grip
- Triangular shape for better control
- Glued the entire length of the barrel for maximum break resistance
Pens
If you’ve ever lost your main pen and had to use a cheapie, you’ve realized how important a good pen is. A quality pen is an investment whether for business or pleasure.
Here are my favorites:
1. Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity
Best Value for Grip and Ink Quality
If you’re facing writing fatigue thanks to poorly-designed pens, call in Dr. Grip. It has a perfect weight distribution with a two-layer comfort grip to stop fatigue before it starts.
And with an impressive 5/5 star review on Amazon, I’m not the only one who’s impressed with this pen.
Highlights
- Refillable ink
- Ballpoint-gel-hybrid for best quality
- Retractable
- World-class ergonomics
They also have a six-pack available in black.
2. Uni-ball Jetstream RT
Terrific Value for Price
The Uni-ball Jetstream: it’s ergonomic, quick-drying, and inexpensive. The ink is some of the best on the market in terms of quality and smoothness.
Highlights
- Ultra-fast drying ink makes this a top choice for left-handed people
- Water and fade-resistant ink
- Comes in a wide variety of colors and widths
3. Pilot Precise V5 RT
A Top Choice for Precise Writers
If you write in small letters—or just prefer precision overall—the Precise V5’s accuracy will be your topic choice. This pen retains its smoothness across nuanced strokes in contrast to wetter, looser competitors.
Highlights
- High precision while still writing smoothly
- Backed by the confidence of the Pilot brand
- Great price for what you get
- Available in several different colors
4. Pentel EnerGel RTX
Easy-Refills With No Smudging
This Pentel model offers swappable tip sizes for writers looking for a range of precision. It’s comfortable, well-balanced, and offers a smooth stroke at any size.
The only thing you might dislike is its blue coloring, for which they have no alternatives.
Highlights
- Thick barrel for more comfort
- Swap tip-sizes for customizable precision
- Easy ink refills
Whiteboard Markers
Writing on whiteboards is an excellent way to brainstorm and visualize concepts you’re discussing. Next, I’m featuring the best markers to help you do that.
1. Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker Set
Best Marker for Value
When you think of markers, an iconic Expo is probably the first thing coming to your mind. It’s for good reason—Expo’s been producing quality products longer than most can remember.
The dry-erase set gives you four different colors, plus cleaning spray and an eraser.
Highlights
- Rich colors with decent longevity
- Easy to erase (especially with the cleaner)
- Comes in four different colors
2. Arteza Dry Erase Markers
Great Value and Variety in a Huge Package
Arteza markers are vivid, low-odor, and have a chisel tip for high precision. This pack gives you 52 dry-erase markers in various colors, making the perfect starter pack for anyone looking to get the most out of their whiteboard.
Highlights
- 12 different colors (five pens each)
- Low-odor, yet still rich in color
- Dries quick but erases easily
3. U Brands Low Odor Mini Dry Erase Markers
Cheap, Compact, and High-Quality
They may look like sharpies, but they’re actually small-tip dry-erase markers. These lil’ buddies are great for jotting down ideas on a white or glass board, easily fitting in a small bag.
Highlights
- Low-odor and non-toxic
- Contours stop them from rolling off flat surfaces
- Six vivid colors
Permanent Markers
1. Sharpie Color Burst Markers, Fine Point
If it’s a permanent marker you need, it’s hard to beat the time-tested Sharpie. This pack offers Sharpie’s distinctive rich hues in 24 different colors.
Highlights
- Precise tip for accuracy
- Huge variety of colors
- Dries quickly
- Water and fade-resistant
2. Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point
This pack’s similar to the one above but only comes in Sharpie’s cornerstone jet-black color. It’s ideal for professional settings.
Highlights
- Bold black color that contrasts with the darkest backgrounds
- Includes five long-lasting markers
Desks
You need somewhere to write, don’t you?
1. Engriy Computer Desk
It’s cheap, wide, and easy to assemble—it’s the Engriy Computer Desk. This little wonder’s many shelves offer huge versatility at a blowout price.
Highlights
- Main desk has 47 inches of space
- Four bookshelves which you can move to either side
- Height-adjustable
- Easy to assemble
2. Outfine Office Desk
The Outfine is great for writing while working at the computer. You can set your monitor up on the top shelf with plenty of space to write on the lower.
Highlights
- Separate monitor stand leaves you plenty of room to write
- Fantastic price with no compromise on material quality
- Shelves to store pencils, pens, journals, and more
3. CubiCubi Study Desk
The CubiCubi offers tons of room to leave notebooks, papers, and writing utensils sprawled out as you deep-dive into creativity. It comes in several different sizes ranging from 32 to 63 inches.
Highlights
- Storage bag on side of the desk
- Sturdy, so no shaking when you write
- Easy setup
Organizers
You’ll also need somewhere to keep your writing tools. It needs to be organized, so you can quickly pick out the utensil you’re looking for.
1. Poeland Desktop Organizer
It’s stylish and stores everything in its own neat little compartment. This Poeland organizer makes it easy to keep your writing utensils organized and ready to grab whenever an idea pops into your head.
Highlights
- Fits a ton of stuff without taking up much space
- Bamboo wood
- Fixes easily on any tabletop
2. Marbrasse Mesh Desk Organizer, 360-Degree Rotating
The Marbrasse is a basic organizer that rotates 360 degrees. It’s not as pretty as the Poeland organizer, but it stores tons of writing utensils without stress.
Highlights
- Large capacity despite its small size
- 360-degree rotation without shaking
- High-quality mesh metal
3. iDesign Forma Metal Pen and Pencil Holder
Is it the fanciest organizer in the world? No, but the iDesign Forma will hold your pencils and pens as well as any other.
It does come in some pretty other colors, though, like mint blue and blush pink.
Highlight
- Magnetized to stop it from falling off your shelf
- Compact size stores tons of writing tools without taking up space
- Not too fancy, but stylish enough to complement a well-organized office
Crayons
You’re never too old to write with solid wax. Just don’t leave them out in the sun!
1. Mr. Pen Gel Crayons, Non-Toxic
Mr. Pen gel crayons glide smooth-as-butter on paper of any kind. Each crayon comes with a twistable top to protect from damage (to or from the crayon).
They aren’t the cheapest crayons ever (coming in at about $0.50/each), but you get what you pay for.
Highlights
- Non-toxic and acid-free
- Sharpenable
- Great for both kids and adults
2. Filana Organic Beeswax Block Crayons
Filana’s beeswax crayons aren’t for everyone. They serve a specific target market looking for safe, high-quality crayons with no oil-based waxes.
They glide easily across all papers, smell wonderful, and produce vibrant colors. They’re extremely hard to break, too.
Highlights
- Safest crayons available (fully organic with no petroleum-based wax or lead)
- Sustainably sourced
- Rich colors
3. Sargent Art Premium Watercolor Crayons
These Sargent Art beauties are precise, rich in color, and water-soluble. Their craftsmanship makes them about as close to professional as a crayon could be.
Highlights
- Includes 24 different colors
- Vibrant watercolors
Put These Utensils to Good Use
So you’ve completed my list of the best writing tools available—congrats! It wasn’t easy to find, research, and test ‘em, so I hope you’ve found them useful.
With that said, it’s now up to you to make the most of them. Create, innovate, and change the world by writing out your unique ideas.
