It may already be the end of the semester or the start of a new one, but you are never too late to find the perfect pen. Whether in high school or college, pens are one of the most basic materials you will need. Nothing could be worse than finding out it doesn’t work before a test or the ink exploding all over your bag and shirt. You probably stumbled upon this guide to help you prevent these issues. This list contains some of the best pens for school and pointers for choosing the right pen according to your needs. Let’s get started.
Contents
What is the Best Pen for School
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Zebra Pen Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Pen for School Our #1 Pick
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Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
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PILOT G2 Premium Rolling Ball Gel Pen
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Sharpie S-Gel Gel Pens for School
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Favide 6-in-1 Multicolor Ballpoint Pen
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uni-ball Vision Rollerball Pens for School
The Best Pens for School Reviews
1. Zebra Pen Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Pen for School
The first pen on the list is the Zebra Z-Grip. It’s a ballpoint and uses a medium 1.00 mm tip. You can choose between black, blue, or red colors as well as assorted colors in a set, but the most amazing part is that the pack comes with 18 pens.
This pen is perfect for those who find they are running out of pens often. The metal clip attaches securely to your pockets or bags, ensuring you never lose a pen again.
Zebra went all-out for this budget-friendly pen. They have a latex-free grip with a clear barrel that is quite durable. The ink itself is vivid, doesn’t skip, and is versatile enough to be used on almost every surface of the paper.
It’s ideal for students who dedicate a good portion of their day to writing. Notes, essays, and reminders are a breeze to write with this pen.
Pros
- Comes with 18 pens
- Latex free grip
- Metal Clips
Cons
- Problems with ink flow on first use
2. Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
These felt-tip pens come in 24 assorted colors. It has a medium 0.7 mm point with quick-drying ink. Before you get concerned about the felt tip fraying, Papermate added a Point Guard on each pen to avoid this. The ink is designed to not bleed through paper, resist fading, and be smearproof.
These pens are a contender for students looking for coloring materials but hate the mess of colored pencils and crayons. Use them to keep your notes fun and engaging or even double as highlighters.
They write smoothly and bring a bit of fun with their vibrant colors. The pens do not dry out easily, so you won’t have to worry even if you don’t use all colors. Overall, they make writing more exciting and are easy to throw in your bag.
Pros
- The tip doesn’t fray
- Quick drying
- Assorted colors
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as a ballpoint pen
3. PILOT G2 Premium Rolling Ball Gel Pens
Even professionals consider the Pilot G2 to be a reliable pen. It has an extra fine 0.5 mm point and a retractable rolling ball tip. They come in a set of five and are available in black, blue, red, and green. This set that I’m reviewing is the black set.
The extra fine tip is perfect for those who write in smaller font but is offered until the bold size. The ink flow is consistent and doesn’t bleed on even the thinnest papers. This ensures blob-free, buttery smooth writing.
The Pilot G2 body is durable and refillable. The grip and shape of the pen make it easy to write. They are comfortable to use and great options for left-handed users. This is a classic go-to pen for students who prefer to stick to one type of pen for all of their writing.
Pros
- Refillable
- Available in ultra-fine until bold point
- Perfect for Left-handed
Cons
- Issues with receiving dried-out pens
4. Sharpie S-Gel Gel Pens for School
This next pen is as ultra-fine as pens can get. The high-performance gel pen has a 0.38 mm tip and comes in black. One pack comes with 4 pens but is also offered in a 12-count set.
Sharpie describes the S-Gel to be one of their most high-performance gels. It is equipped with no smear and no bleed technology. The ultra-fine tip delivers a silky writing experience and will not tear paper mid-sentence even with the most heavy-handed user.
A personal favorite part of the pen is the contoured rubber grip offering an ergonomic writing position that reduces the pressure and allows for longer writing sessions. These are another great option for those with small handwriting or who like to squeeze in as much as they can on a page.
Pros
- Contoured rubber grip
- Doesn’t tear paper even with heavy pressure
- Vivid Ink
Cons
- Doesn’t write as well on smoother or glossier papers
5. Favide 6-in-1 Multicolor Ballpoint Pen
The Favide 6-in-1 Multicolor-pens are a blast from the past. Most of the pen on this list are marketed more towards older students, but if you’re a parent shopping for younger students or teachers looking for prize gifts, this pen might be it.
It’s a 0.5 mm ballpoint pen that has six interchangeable colors. You can easily switch to the knock-type system. The individual clip and clear barrel allows you to see the color of the ink.
It has vivid gel ink and writes smoothly. They are great for drawing and art as well as for color coding notes or underlining books. One set comes with 22 pens and is very affordable.
Kids will love using them since it offers them more colors without the mess. They could be a way to make activities more exciting.
Pros
- 6 colors in 1 pen
- 22 in a set
- Affordable
Cons
- Some pens may separate while in transit
6. uni-ball Vision Rollerball Pens for School
Our last pen is one of the established classics of Uni-Ball. The vision rollerball pen has a 0.7 mm point and comes with 4 in a pack. This model has the option of going ultra fine to bold.
It comes in black and seven other colors. The pen has vibrant ink equipped with the uni-flow ink system that delivers ink smoothly and concisely with each letter. It is waterproof and fade-resistant, ensuring that any document you use it on is secured.
This pen has an ink window to make sure you don’t unexpectedly run out of ink and a sturdy metal clip. It has a sleek finish and durable body, ready to take on the world of academics with you.
The vision line has been around for ages, and the quality of the pen you are getting reflects that experience. I recommend these for students looking to invest in long-lasting pens that can withhold copious amounts of writing.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Long Lasting
Cons
- Bleeds on thinner paper
Pens for School Buying Guide
Here are a few things to consider before buying your pen. Check them out.
Point Size
The first agenda is finding the pen size that fits your handwriting and style. Check your notes or tests to check the size of your writing.
For those with smaller handwriting style, finer tips (0.38 mm – 0.5 mm) might be a better choice. It will give you more space and not make the letters clumpy or hard to read. Medium points (0.7 mm – 0.8 mm) are a good place to start for those with bigger font writings. Bold points (1.00 mm up) can be quite thick but are great for corrections on paper.
Colors
Black remains the most important color and will be what you use most often, so check for its quality and vividness. Most school lists will have black, blue, and red-pens. If you like a specific brand or type, remember to check whether they offer them in these colors. However, some schools have begun preferring purple/violet over red, so check for that!
If you like to take notes or make corrections in different colors, having the pen available in a variety might save you the trouble of looking for another brand.
Long Lasting
Only time will tell for this reminder, but finding pen that last you a long time can save you from those embarrassing moments of having to borrow a pen mid-test. It also applies to the overall build of the pen. Check for leaks or breaks to prevent them from ruining clothes and books.
Quantity
Although this point differs from your budget and ability to keep pen, quantity is something to consider last. All of the pens listed today come in at least 4 in a pack, so it’s a great start. Having a spare in your bag and one at home is great for emergencies
What is a Pen for School?
Students use a school pen for writing notes, essays, assignments, and more. They come in a variety of colors and can withstand long hours of writing. The ink of these pens is usually quick-drying and bleed-proof. They have vivid colors and are comfortable to write with.
Types of Pens for School
Rollerballs/Ballpoint
Rollerballs and Ball point might be the most commonly used pen in schools today. Both use the mechanism of a tiny ball dispersing ink through the pressure applied. The only difference they have is the ink they use.
Ballpoint-pens use thick oil-based ink that dries fast and uses less ink. These tend to last longer and are reliable for everyday writing. Rollerballs, on the other hand, can have water-based ink. It requires less pressure and is more comfortable to use in long writing sessions.
Gel pens
Gel pens are a hybrid of ballpoint and rollerballs. It has thick water-based ink that provides a similar writing experience to a rollerball but the ink dispersion of a ballpoint. These pens have begun gaining popularity, and since they come in a wider variety of colors, they would be a great choice for any student.
Marker pens
These pens are water or pigment-based ink. They are great for art projects and add a spark of creativity to your notes. The ink of these kinds of pens may not be compatible with thinner papers, but markers like highlighters and the felt tip are versatile. A great feature of this type of pen is that they come in different tip shapes and sizes.
Why do you need a school pen?
Many schools have begun to discourage using pencils at higher levels and require pen for writing. School pens ensure that a student has a reliable pen that can write smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do schools use purple pens?
Purple in education means wisdom, and teachers use them for feedback. Several studies also accounted for the visual stress in using black colors, so many schools have begun using highly pigmented colors like purple.
What pen did Albert Einstein use?
Albert Einstein was known to have used a Waterman Taper cap fountain pen and Pelikan 100 N pen. Using fountain pens were more common in his time. The Waterman can be viewed in Boerhaave Museum (Leiden).
Why do schools ban red pens?
Red pens have been used for decades by a teacher in marking a student’s grade. The phenomenon of banning red pen began in England in the 2000s. Reports of students terrified by the color urged the banning.
Recent studies have begun researching the correlation of red ink to stress and negative feelings. Some parents and researchers have urged schools to use other colors like green or purple because of this.
Which color pen is best for a student?
Similar to the previous questions, some researchers have come out that say blue is the best color to be used for studying. Using it for challenging problems or memorizing items is encouraged. It is lighter and reduces strain, making writing notes better. However, black is still more widely accepted in terms of handing in assignments and papers.
Do teachers like pens as gifts?
A pen is a great gift for teachers. Not only are they practical, but many brands or stores also having pens specially made to be a gift. It can be personalized and become a great souvenir.
Where to buy?
I already included the links for the pen I introduced to you today. Most of the pens come from established brands, so you will probably find them in local bookstores. They are also available on the brands’ website.
Also See:
- The Best Teacher’s-Pens
- Top 10 Rocketbook-Pen
- Best Doctor’s-Pens
- Great Ballpoint-Pens for Writing
- The Best Fountain-Pens for Drawing
- Best Epoxy-Pen
Conclusion
Pens are probably the first few things we buy when school is approaching. Many might prefer a specific kind or brand of pen, and some buy any kind as long as they write, but finding a pen that speaks to you can be life changing.
As dramatic as that may have sounded, engineering the best pens for school has that idea in mind. It can increase your efficiency and even help you study better. No matter if you write small or have big hands, there is a pen out there for you and this list has hopefully helped you find it.
