10 Best Smart Pens for Note Takings
for June 2023

If you're constantly losing your pens, or you just don't like the idea of carrying around another device, a smart pen might be the solution. A smart pen is like any other pen except that, in addition to writing, it can also capture notes and sync them to your smartphone.

Smart pens differ from traditional pens in that they use Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone or tablet, and they use sensors to digitize your handwriting. Smart pens come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including pen-like models, styluses, and stylus pens. Some smart pens also feature an LCD screen, which displays your notes.

In testing smart pens, we evaluate performance, ease of use, connectivity, and features. We evaluate tech specs, such as battery life, memory, and screen resolution. We also look at cost, which varies depending on the features included. Our top picks for the best smart pens are:

Different Guide editors select recommendations independently. Purchases made through our links may earn us commissions.

1
9.9
SCORE
Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Pen - Designed for Use with Moleskine Notes App for Digitally Storing Notes (Only Compatible with Moleskine Smart Notebooks, Sold Separately), Black, One Size (718889)

Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Pen

by Moleskine
What We like

Moleskine pens are the most frequently recommended pens on Amazon, and for good reason. These pens write beautifully, are built to last, and sync up with Moleskine apps, which our testers loved.

2
9.5
SCORE
GKIDOER All-Screen LCD Writing Tablet with Magnetic Stylus 13.5 Inch (8.5

GKIDOER All-Screen LCD Writing Tablet with Magnetic Stylus 13.5 Inch (8.5"×11")

by GKIDOER
What We like

The GKIDOER 13.5-inch All-screen LCD Writing Tablet is a fully-functional digital notebook used for taking notes or drafting reports, brainstorming ideas, drawing, and doodling. Despite its small size, the 13.5-inch writing tablet is durable enough for daily use.

3
9.4
SCORE
Moleskine Pen+ Smart Writing Set Pen & Dotted Smart Notebook - Use with Moleskine App for Digitally Storing Notes (Only compatible with Moleskine Smart Notebooks)

Moleskine Pen+ Smart Writing Set Pen & Dotted Smart Notebook

by Moleskine
What We like

The Moleskine Pen+ works well on Moleskine smart notebooks, but the pen's design makes it compatible with other brands of paper notebooks as well. The pen+ features automatic ink levels, a removable cap on the tip, and a rechargeable battery.

4
9.1
SCORE
Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set Pen & Smart Notebook - Use with Moleskine Notes App for Digitally Storing Notes (Only Compatible with Moleskine Smart Notebooks) Packaging May Vary

Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set Pen & Smart Notebook

by Moleskine
What We like

The Smart Pen from Moleskin has a streamlined, minimalist design that feels sleek while you’re using it. The stylus easily syncs with the Moleskine app and fills neatly with line width that can be adjusted from the Moleskine app, or with a choice of 10 different screen-capture options.

5
8.9
SCORE
Active Stylus Pens for Touch Screens, Active Pencil Smart Digital Pens Fine Point Stylist Pen Compatible with iPhone iPad,Samsung/Android Smart Phone&Tablet Writing Drawing by maylofi (Blue)

maylofi Active Stylus Pens for Touch Screens

by maylofi
What We like

No Bluetooth pairing, no screen lock, easy to record your brilliant ideas and share them with the world. Wherever you go, you can draw with a pen, as if you are writing on a piece of paper.

6
8.9
SCORE
Scanmarker Digital Highlighter - OCR Pen Scanner and Reader - USB Version (Mac & Win)

Scanmarker Digital Highlighter

by Scanmarker
What We like

This is the best alternative text highlighter for Mac & Windows. Super accurate and fast, the scanner will read text out loud in real-time (OCR) and translate it, name it, and highlight part of it, all at the same time.

7
8.9
SCORE
Stylus Pen for iPad with Tilt Sensitive and Magnetic Design, Digital Pencil Compatible with 2018 and Later Model,Apple iPad Pro 11/12.9 Inch,iPad 6/7/8th Gen,iPad Mini 5th Gen,iPad Air 3rd/4th Gen

JAMJAKE Stylus Pen for iPad with Tilt Sensitive and Magnetic Design

by JAMJAKE
What We like

The tilt-sensitive stylus pen is slim and lightweight, palm rejection rests your hand comfortably on the screen while writing or drawing.

8
8.9
SCORE
Stylus Pen Compatible with Apple iPad (2018 and Later), Palm Rejection, Tilting Detection, Magnetic Adsorption for iPad Pro (11/12.9 Inch), iPad 6/7/8th Gen, iPad Air 3rd/4th Gen, iPad Mini 5th Gen

JAMJAKE Stylus Pen Compatible with Apple iPad (2018 and Later)

by JAMJAKE
What We like

This stylus pen is compatible with iPad models from 2018 to 2019. The magnetic design makes storage easy while the tilt function enables you to write accurately.

9
8.8
SCORE
Mixoo Smart Pen,Disc & Fiber Tip 2 in1 Series,Capacitive Stylus Tip,High Sensitivity & Precision,Stylus Pens for Touch Screens (Space Grey)

Mixoo Smart Pen

by Mixoo
What We like

The Mixoo smart pen is the working end of a set of gloves. The smart pen is for fine writing. The gloves are for scrawling. A stylus for phones, iPads, and other smartphone touchscreens, the Mixoo pen is durable (made from stainless steel and aluminum), and it comes in a stylish aluminum case. It's so easy to write with this stylus, you won't believe how natural it feels.

10
8.6
SCORE
XP-PEN StarG640 6x4 Inch Ultrathin Tablet Drawing Tablet Digital Graphics Tablet with 8192 Levels Battery-Free Stylus Compatible with Chromebook-Rev B (for Drawing and E-Learning/Online Classes)

XP-PEN StarG640 6x4 Inch Ultrathin Tablet Drawing Tablet Digital Graphics Tablet with 8192 Levels Battery-Free Stylus Compatible with Chromebook-Rev B (for Drawing and E-Learning/Online Classes)

by XP-PEN
What We like

This drawing tablet replaces a mouse and works great for artists who need a graphic tablet. It is very thin, lightweight, and ergonomically designed. The buttons are smooth and have a substantial feel. The pen is magnetically connected and retracts when removing the device from the tablet. The pen is excellent quality and it didn't break when we accidentally dropped it. It responds well and glides through the lines. The USB port on the side of the device plugs right into the Chromebook. The stylus is battery-free, which is great. The extra nibs are really great, and it saves having to replace the entire stylus. The tablet is very light and durable.

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