20 Best Gel Pen Options For Writers

Discover the top 20 smudge-proof gel pens that are sold on Amazon and will level up your writing experience. Check out the best gel pens in this article

A gel pen provides a smooth-flowing writing experience. If you spend a lot of time signing documents, taking notes, or handwriting in general, a gel pen will be a helpful writing instrument.

One of the perks of writing with gel pens is that most of them are refillable. So when you find one you love, you don’t have to throw it out when it runs out of ink. In addition, they usually feature a rollerball tip that allows the ink to flow smoothly out of the nib, and some are even erasable.

Some gel pens are great for bulk purchases in offices and classrooms, while others offer high-quality features that make writing a more pleasurable experience.

In this post, you’ll find the 20 best gel pens available on Amazon with details about what specific niche the pen is good for, its pros and cons, and why it might become one of your favorite pens.

1. Pentel Energel Ballpoint Pen

The Pentel Energel Ballpoint Pen is a low-budget pen that comes in a variety of colors at a reasonable price on Amazon. The pen comes with Pentel’s quick-drying ink that reduces smudging and bleed-through. 

This combination of good features, including a rollerball tip and a low price point, makes it one of the best gel pens. The barrel is clear plastic and has a rubber grip for writing comfortably. A plastic clicker allows the user to retract the pen when not in use. You might also be wondering, why write with a fountain pen?

2. Uni-Ball Signo 207 Retractable Gel Pen

The Uni-Ball Signo 207 Retractable Gel Pen comes filled with archival-quality ink that has water-resistant properties. The 0.5mm nib offers a level of precision that is often lacking with gel pens, especially at this price point. 

The rubber grip is made from sneaker-style rubber and is quite comfortable and durable in your hand. In addition, the pen comes in nine colors and has a plastic barrel and colored grip. However, the plastic clip appears to be fairly flimsy, so don’t expect it to hold tight in your pocket if you are very active while working. 

3. Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen

The Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen’s main selling point is its fast-drying ink which reportedly dries 85% faster than the traditional ink used by most gel pens. The great thing about 

The style also looks better than most office pens at this price point, with a thick design that combines grip and barrel seamlessly, which makes it one of my top picks.

This pen is a rollerball pen design. The 0.4 and 0.5 mm sizes are best if you are looking for quick dry times to reduce smudging, but it also comes in 0.7 and 1.0 mm sizes. This pen also features a rubber grip, a top button retractable design, and a spring-loaded clip. 

4. Pilot Hi-Tec-C 04 Gel Ink Pen

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C 04 Gel Ink Pen has an ultra-fine 0.4mm point, perfect for writers looking for precision. The capped gel pen is not retractable but does come with a sturdy plastic cap. 

Unlike many other fine-point pens, it is a needlepoint tip that comes as small as 0.25 mm and has a smooth writing mechanism with good ink flow. The smooth writing ink is achieved by sacrificing quick-drying ink, which could be an issue if you’re prone to smudging like me. 

Like most affordable needle-tip pens, this one does sometimes experience skips. However, if you want something that writes well for fine lines, it is a high-quality pen.

5. Pilot Juice Up Retractable Gel Ink Pen

The Pilot Juice Up Retractable Gel Ink Pens have great ink and a sleek modern design that sets them apart from the competition. The pen comes in both pastel and metallic options in several colors that all maintain the same overall design. 

It is available in 0.4 mm fine tip and 0.3 mm hyper fine tip, making it a top pick for precision writers and those looking for slightly thicker lines. In addition, the pen features a retractable design and click top. It can be a little scratchy to write with, but overall it is a high-quality pen in interesting colors for bullet journaling and more.

6. Pilot G2 Gel Ink Premium Refillable & Retractable Pen

The Pilot G2 Gel Ink Premium Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens is a reliable pen from a well-respected pen company that comes with blue, black, or red quick-dry ink. The simple translucent plastic design and rubber grip have proven very popular, with over 30k 5-star reviews on Amazon. The pen is sold with 0.5mm or 0.7mm nib and has become so popular that if you’ve ever worked in an office or school, you’re likely to have come across it. 

The Pilot G2 is refillable and has a retractable design. This pen writes smoother than a traditional ballpoint pen and is available in bulk. Its low price and quality features make it perfect for everyday uses and as a bulk purchase for office supplies. 

7. Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pen

The Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pen is a low-cost pen that has received over 10k reviews on Amazon and has proven very popular with students and writers alike. The Paper Mate Gel Pens come with quick dry ink that reduces the chances of smudging and results in minimal bleed-through. 

It comes in a 0.7 mm tip design and is a retractable pen. The design is very basic, but this has allowed Paper Mate to keep production costs low, making this one of the cheapest pens on this list. This is a great pick if you’re looking to stock up on pens for note-taking and short writing stints. 

8. Pentel EnerGel Ultra Fine Retractable Liquid Gel Pen RTX

The Pentel EnerGel Retractable Liquid Gel Pen RTX has a 0.3mm fine tip making it a great writing instrument for anyone prioritizing precision. The Pentel EnerGel design is relatively basic, featuring a standard rubber grip and a metal clip.

These pens have fast-drying ink that will not smear or smudge. They also suffer from minimal bleed-through, meaning it’s a compatible choice if you use thin or low-quality paper. The pen is available in blue or black and is made primarily out of metal, meaning it will last longer than some of the plastic gel pens sold at this price point.

9. Sharpie S-Gel Pens Medium Point

The Sharpie S-Gel Pens Medium Point is arguably the most affordable and best-quality note-taking pen on Amazon. Available in a range of tip sizes from 0.38mm up to 1.0mm, there’s a range for most needs.

The matte-black design is basic but effective, giving the pens a sleek look. The 12-pack comes with black, red, and blue pens identifiable by the neat metal circle above the rubberized grip.

The quick dry ink means that even with the thicker pens in the collection, you’ll experience minimal smudging. The comfortable grip allows for long note-taking stints making this a preferred pen among students or office workers who attend long meetings. Furthermore, they work great for left-handed and right-handed.

10. Sakura Gelly Roll Pen

The Sakura Gelly Roll pen is designed specifically for journaling, drawing, and art. These gel pens will write on just about any surface making them ideal for arts & crafts. The Sakura Gelly Roll is available in dozens of colors, so if you’re an artist or enjoy creating colorful notes, then they could be a good addition to your collection of writing instruments.

However, the lack of a rubberized grip and a thin-plastic body does limit the amount of time you’ll be able to comfortably use this pen without taking breaks. The pen also has no clicker to retract the tip. You can pick up six of these pens for $9 on Amazon, which offers three different tip sizes.

11. Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Gel Ink Pen

The Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Gel Ink Pen is an erasable gel pen that boats a surprisingly fine point. The thermo-sensitive ink means that there’s less smudging and bleed-through than you would expect from an erasable pen.

The FriXion comes with a standard rubberized grip, refillable ink, and a solid metal clip. These are available in a range of colors, making them appealing to note-takers or handwriting beginners. If you’re like me and are prone to smudging and little mistakes, then an erasable pen is a great choice, especially.

12. Pentel Arts Slicci 0.25mm Extra Fine Gel Pen

The Pentel Arts Slicci 0.25mm Extra Fine Gel Pen is a precision pen with an extra fine pen tip that will please artists looking to draw accurate lines. The Slicci Extra Fine pack uses acid-free gel ink in eight different colors.

The ink used by these pens is very bright, making them ideal for creating bold designs. Furthermore, the ink dries well on most surfaces but suffers some bleed-through. The tungsten pen tip makes for a smooth writing experience, and the fact that the company has been producing pens since it was founded in Japan in 1946 adds a layer of confidence.

13. BIC Gel-Ocity Quick Dry Black Gel Pen

The BIC Gel-Ocity Quick Dry Black Gel Pen packs a lot of features for a low price. They’re sold in packs of 12 for under $13 on Amazon and have a solid 5-star rating from well over 10k reviews.

The pens offer a quick dry ink that reduces smudging and bleed-through, along with a comfortable rubber grip ideal for longer writing stints. The pen has been designed to be as comfortable for right-handed users as lefties and comes in over a dozen different color options.

14. Cross Edge Capless Slide Open Gel Ink Pen

The Cross Edge Capless Slide Open Gel Ink Pen is a high-end gel pen that you might consider splashing out on if you take handwriting very seriously or want to give someone a great writing instrument as a gift that isn’t an expensive fountain pen.

The Cross Edge ergonomic design makes the pen sit comfortably in the user’s hand. The metal body adds a weighted feel that elevates the writing experience above plastic competitors. The pen uses a novel slide-open system as opposed to the typical clicker, and it’s available in several colors.

15. Amazon Basics Retractable Gel Pen

The Amazon Basics Retractable Gel Pens aren’t anything special, but that’s what makes them a great option for bulk buying. A pack contains 12 of the pens that are sold in blue, black, and red.

These budget pens offer the user a solid rubberized grip, a plastic clip, and a 0.7mm pen tip. The ink is fast drying and keeps smudging to a minimum. If you’re looking to stock up on writing instruments for your office or classroom, the Amazon basic range is an affordable option.

16. 360 Pack Gel Pens Set, Shuttle Art 180 Colors Gel Pen Set Plus 180 Color Refills

The 360 Pack Gel Pens Set, Shuttle Art 180 Colors Gel Pen Set Plus 180 Color Refills is a bulk gel pen purchase that will fill a classroom or office with enough pens for an extended period of time.

Despite the low price point, this pack contains 180 pens of different colors and another 180 ink refills. So it’s a solid option if you require a lot of colored pens for drawing and art projects.

The pens themselves, as you might imagine, are relatively basic. They are not retractable, feature a plastic clip attached to the cap, and don’t have a clicker or rubber grip.

17. PILOT Dr. Grip Limited Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen

The PILOT Dr. Grip Limited Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen is sold in individual packs. It combines an ergonomic design with several welcome features, such as a chunky rubberized grip and a thick metal clip.

The refillable pen comes in three different colors, pink, blue, and black. The pen has been designed to be comfortable for long writing sessions and, despite the plastic body, has received several Amazon reviews praising its longevity. This pen could be a good choice if you’re looking for a comfortable pen with a decent design and refillable link.

18. Sunacme Erasable Gel Pens

The sunacme Erasable Gel Pens are a budget erasable gel pen sold in packs of 8. The pens come with red or black ink and have a basic rubberized grip and retractable clicker.

The 0.7mm tip offers a relatively smooth writing experience with the advantage of being able to erase your mistakes. The ink dries relatively quickly on most surfaces. There is some bleed-through, and the plastic design feels a little low-quality, but that’s expected at the price point.

20. Pentel Libretto Roller Gel Pen

The Pentel Libretto Roller Gel Pen is a high-end gel pen that comes in a neat jet-black box that makes for a great gift. The design features a metal body with a Rose Gold clip and clicker.

The pen is loaded with high-quality black ink that dries quickly and leads to minimal bleed-through. The weighted barrel adds a level of comfort to the writing experience that you won’t get with cheap plastic gel pens. The pen can be refiled with EnerGel ink refills of any color, and the 0.7mm tip releases ink consistently without globs.

Selection Criteria

Choosing the best gel pens was not easy with so many types of pens. As ever, your choice will be determined by your own needs. You’ll find gel pens in this list that works well for everyday writing, professional writing, and offices.

Cheap bulk pens are great if you’re looking to fill your office supplies or classroom, while more expensive gel pens can be a great gift for people that love handwriting. So whether you are looking to do some art or need a smooth-writing pen that can accompany you to work, one of the pens on this list will meet your needs.