Best iPad stylus

Martyn Casserly looks at your best options

Apple Pencil

Price: £89 from fave.co/2q8oD1A

If you have an iPad Pro or the new 2018 edition of the 9.7in iPad, then there’s one obvious choice, and that’s the Apple Pencil (pictured above), by Apple itself.

It’s a solid hunk of white plastic that fits neatly in the hand and oozes quality. Apple built it, so it offers features other stylus makers can’t match, such as a screen response rate that doubles when you bring the stylus close to the display (making the ink appear to flow from the nib).

Another unique feature is the nib, which you can use on its side to shade, like you would with a pencil.

It’s also easier to set up than other styluses: plug the Lightning connector into your iPad and the wireless connection will be established automatically and instantly. It’s not cheap, but this is an essential accessory for iPad Pro owners.

The Apple Pencil doesn’t work with any other model of iPad (or iPhone), so if you own a pre-2018 iPad, iPad Air or iPad mini you’ll need to read on for your stylus needs.

Adonit Jot Pro

Price: £9.95 from fave.co/2qaCV1v

The Apple Pencil can only be used with the iPad Pro, so if you have a different iPad, Adonit Jot Pro is a great alternative. The build quality is great, and it has a nice textured grip making it feel solid in the hand.

The cushioned tip is interesting, and it has a seethrough plastic circle on the nib, which enables you to see exactly where you’re drawing. It’s great for graphic designers, although those looking for a handwriting tool may prefer something chunkier. The fact you can use it on most iPads, as well as iPhone 4s and later with the free app makes it good value for money.

Bamboo Fineline 3

Price: £59 from fave.co/2q9w7Bn

If you’re looking for a great iPad stylus for writing notes or general handwriting purposes, the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Fineline 3 is the one to get. It connects via Bluetooth and is supported by a range of apps, but the key advantage of the Stylus Fineline is its superior palm rejection. While it’s not as easy to set up as the Apple Pencil, it’s a great alternative if you’re looking to sketch, and take notes, on an iPad Air or iPad mini.

Ciscle Disc Stylus

Price: £6.99 from fave.co/2uQsAfV

The Ciscle Disc Stylus is similar to the Adonit Jot Pro, but at a fraction of the cost. Like the Adonit, the Ciscle Disc has a clear, circular nib which is also replaceable. The body of the stylus is made of anodized aluminium, making it corrosionresistant and strong, but not weighty. A useful feature of the pivoting tip is that the nib’s barrel slides well into and locks within the pen, protecting the nib from falling out. This stylus is compatible with any touchscreen device, and even comes with a storage bag.

CADA Drawing Stylus for iPad

Price: £13.50 from fave.co/2uRo7tj

CADA’s drawing stylus is another effective option if you’re on a budget. This lightweight, disc nib stylus has a spring-loaded tip that pivots to wide angles. Plus, it’s compatible with all touch screens, which means you can use it across non-Apple devices too. It works with a range of drawing apps too, such as a Procreate, Paper, Sketchbook X, and many others. This stylus is also available in red.

Hahakee iPad Stylus

Price: £59 from fave.co/2q9ksSR

HAHAKEE’s rechargeable iPad stylus promises precision, smoothness, and 40 hours of use with a four-hour charge. A removable cap at the back of the pen neatly covers the USB port and keeps it free from dust and grime. Conveniently, the stylus turns off on its own within two minutes when not in use, saving battery life.

With an aluminium body and pointed tip, we like that this stylus looks like a real pen (though perhaps more like a pencil), which only adds to the impression you’re using a traditional pen. It even has the clip. This stylus comes with four replaceable rubber tips.