Top 10 Apple Pencil Alternatives in 2022
Looking for a great stylus pen to use instead of an Apple pencil? Then here’s my list of the best Apple Pencil alternatives to buying in 2022.
As a graphic designer, I can say that the Apple Pencil is probably the best stylus choice for creating drawings and designs.
However, I understand that we all have different preferences and some of you might want to have a great alternative to the Apple pen.
What is the best Apple pencil alternative in 2022?
Actually, there are a lot of brands that have tried to imitate the uses and features of Apple pencils to provide artists with a great alternative.
That makes it hard for artists and designers to choose the right digital pen to suit their specific needs.
That’s why in this article, I will provide you with the best Apple pencil alternative options available today with some descriptions of each.
Whether you’re a beginner or consider yourself a professional, I’ve included something that will surely work for you.
I also included a highly recommended stylus pen for drawing, digital arts, sketching, and note-taking.
Additionally, these products are perfect for creatives on a budget since you can buy their Apple pencil alternatives for under $100.
You can also check out my other article where I featured the best iPads for drawing and illustration.
So without further ado, here’s my list of the top 10 Apple pencil alternatives for graphic design in 2022.
Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Best Apple Pencil Alternatives
- Logitech Crayon Pencil — Best overall
- Adonit Note+ Pencil — Best for digital artists
- Wacom Pro Pen Slim — Best for drawing
- Zagg Pro Stylus — Best for Procreate
- Adonit Dash 4 Dual — Best for pros
- JamJake K10 Pen — Best apple pen lookalike
- Zspeed Stylus Pen — Best for older iPads
- Meko Universal Stylus — Best for beginners
- Adonit Mark Stylus Pen — budget-friendly
- DTTO Stylus Pen — Most stylish alternative
How to choose an Apple Pencil Alternative?
When buying a stylus pen to use instead of an Apple pencil, there are some things to consider when choosing one.
That’s why I will also provide you with a buying guide for buying the best Apple pencil alternative.
- Pressure Sensitivity
- Tilt Sensitivity
- Palm Rejection
- Wireless Connectivity
- Compatibility with iPads
And to give you a simple explanation of why these things needed to be considered first, here’s why:
Pressure Sensitivity
One of the best features to look for in a digital pen is its pressure sensitivity level.
An Apple pencil alternative that has pressure sensitivity will allow you to draw just like you’re using an actual pen and paper.
You can actually work with a high level of accuracy since you can control how thin or thick the pencil stroke will be.
To give you an idea, the Adonit Note+ is probably the best stylus pen with pressure sensitivity, so you can consider buying this.
Tilt Sensitivity
A stylus with tilt sensitivity allows the artist to shade just like a real pencil when the stylus is tilted at an angle.
This can be especially important for an artist who does a lot of shading work.
Tilt support on a drawing tablet just means that when the pen is tilted, it will result in different sizes of the brush.
It’s definitely not necessary but can sometimes make drawing with a tablet feel more natural or similar to traditional art tools.
So if you’re an artist that usually does a lot of shading in your drawings, it is much better to look for an Apple pencil alternative with tilt sensitivity.
Palm Rejection
When a display supports pen input and touch, palm rejection allows you to rest your palm comfortably on the iPad screen while using the stylus.
Without this feature, your palm would leave stray marks on the digital paper in an app.
The best example of an Apple pen alternative with palm rejection is the Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil, which is also the best overall.
So, if you want to do your creative work seamlessly and comfortably, you must look for a stylus pen that supports palm rejection technology.
Wireless Connectivity
As a designer, I can say that a stylus pen that allows connectivity via Bluetooth or comparable wireless technology can be a huge benefit.
Apple pencil alternatives with this wireless connectivity are also much more compatible with drawing software and applications.
It is also ideal to have a digital pen that doesn’t need to be connected through wires, so it can be easier to use.
Compatibility with iPads
And lastly, since you’re looking for the best alternative to the Apple Pencil, you must look for a stylus that is compatible with Apple products.
There are some digital pencils available today that only work with newer versions of iPads.
However, it is recommended to look for an Apple pencil alternative that will work on both the new and older versions of the iPad.
In that way, you can easily work with any Apple device, and the money that you will be spending will be worth it.
These are some of the things to consider when buying an Apple pencil alternative.
Now, let’s jump into my list of the 10 best Apple pencil alternatives to buy in 2022.
1. Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil
As the first item on my list, I’d like to introduce you to the Logitech Crayon, which is the best Apple pencil alternative overall.
The best overall Apple pencil alternative.
It is made to be durable, and it has a very good battery life that can last up to 7 hours of continuous usage.
The Logitech Crayon works with most iPad models and is perfect for artists that are looking for the best alternative to the Apple pen.
It has excellent palm rejection technology and it only weighs 20g, which is ideal for creatives-on-the-go.
This Apple stylus alternative is also wireless, so you can move and work comfortably without being bothered by the wires.
The Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil is a great choice for anyone who’s looking for the best Apple pencil alternative with palm rejection.
So if you’re looking for a perfect digital pen aside from the Apple Pencil, then the Logitech Crayon is a must-buy for you.
Specifications
Size: 16.3 x 1.5 x 1.2cm
Connectivity: Wireless Frequency
Pressure Sensitivity: None
Power: Rechargeable
Weight: 20g
Pros
- Tilt Supported
- With palm rejection technology
- Great Battery
Cons
- Not sensitive as Apple pencil
Buy Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil on Amazon
2. Adonit Note+ Digital Pencil
Since creatives are the most popular users of stylus pens, I included the Adonit Note+, which is the best Apple pencil alternative for digital arts.
The best Apple pen alternative for digital artists.
Actually, this stylus pen is the best competitor to the Logitech Crayon since they provide almost the same features.
One of the advantages of the Adonit Note+ over the Logitech Crayon is that it boasts an excellent pressure sensitivity of 2,048 levels.
It also has a longer battery life that can last up to 24 hours, which makes it ideal for any creative work, especially digital arts.
This digital pen from Adonit works with literally all models of iPad (old and new), and it is also lightweight, which makes it perfect for travel.
The Adonit Note+ Digital Pencil is an excellent choice for artists who are looking for the best Apple alternative with pressure sensitivity.
So, if you’re looking for a great stylus to replace your Apple pencil, the Adonit Note+ is the way to go.
Specifications
Size: 153 mm x 10.5mm
Connectivity: Wireless
Pressure Sensitivity: 2,048 levels
Power: USB-C
Weight: 15g
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Great for all iPad models
- Perfect pressure sensitivity
Cons
- No recording function
Buy Adonit Note+ Digital Pencil on Amazon
3. Wacom Pro Pen Slim
Although the traditional way of drawing is still a great idea, it is more convenient for creatives nowadays to use a digital pen.
The best Apple pencil alternative for drawing.
That’s why I also included the Wacom Pro Pen, which is definitely the best Apple pencil alternative for drawing.
Wacom is one of the best brands in terms of manufacturing high-quality graphic design devices like tablets.
By the way, you can also check out my other article where I featured the best Wacom tablets for creatives.
Aside from that, they also released their own version of a stylus that can meet the needs of both beginners and professionals.
Wacom Pro Pen Slim is definitely a great choice for creatives who are looking for the best Apple alternative to use for drawing and art.
So if you’re a creative, especially a drawing artist, the Wacom Pro Pen is one of the best alternatives to Apple pencils.
Specifications
Size: 6.18 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches
Connectivity: Wireless
Pressure Sensitivity: 8192 levels
Power: Rechargeable
Weight: 0.03 Pounds
Pros
- Great level of sensitivity
- Slimmer with 4mm diameter
- Customize side switches
Cons
- Lagging issue
Buy Wacom Pro Pen Slim on Amazon
4. Zagg Pro Stylus
The Zagg Pro Stylus is one of the best Apple pen alternatives that has palm rejection and tilt sensitivity features.
The best Apple pencil alternative for Procreate.
Although this digital pen has no pressure sensitivity, it can be used for a long period of time because of its amazing battery life.
It also has a wide range of compatibility, especially with the latest iPad versions available today.
This alternative to the Apple pencil from Zagg is an ideal choice for those creatives who love to travel since it is wireless and rechargeable.
The Zagg Pro Stylus is a great choice if you’re looking for the best Apple pencil to use for creative software like Procreate and Adobe.
By using this digital pen, you can easily scroll and navigate pages with ease, or make notes, sketches, mark up documents, and more.
So if you’re looking for an Apple pencil alternative that can give you a professional-feeling experience with its features, the Zagg Pro Stylus is a must-buy.
Specifications
Size: 8.5 x 2.19 x 1 inches
Connectivity: Wireless
Pressure Sensitivity: None
Power: Battery
Weight: 0.56 Ounces
Pros
- Palm rejection technology
- Dual tip stylus
- Great battery life
Cons
- Have an issue with iPad Pro 2017
5. Adonit Dash 4 Dual Stylus
This next stylus pen on my list is not only for iPads but also for iPhones and Android devices.
The best Apple pencil alternative for professionals.
It is one of the best drawing digital pens for professional creatives, especially illustrators and designers.
One of its best features is that it is fast charging and has an amazing battery life that can last up to 15 hours of usage.
Adonit Dash 4 is a dual stylus that combines two different tech-applied digital pens into one.
It breaks the limitations of using it across old and new iPhone or iPad devices.
This digital pen also has a native palm rejection feature, so you can rest your hand naturally on the screen while drawing.
The Adonit Dash 4 Dual Stylus is an excellent choice for beginners and professionals that want the best Apple pencil alternative available.
Specifications
Size: 7.56 x 2.22 x 2.22 inches
Connectivity: Wireless
Power: Battery
Weight: 0.5 Ounces
Pros
- Native palm rejection
- Magnetic charging
- Extra long standby time
Cons
- Poor build
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