The best stylus for an iPad

We spent 10 hours testing 11 iPad styluses with a graphic designer and independently arrived at the same conclusion: The best stylus for most people is Adonit’s redesigned Jot Pro ($30). An iPad stylus enables better accuracy when writing or drawing on a glass display, and the Jot Pro’s clear plastic tip allows for precise input; it doesn’t block the iPad’s screen like other rubbertipped styluses, so you can see what you’re drawing as you draw. It’s also comfortable to hold, and several small details, such as a spring-loaded tip that better mimics the feel of pen on paper, make the overall experience a pleasure.

How we decided

You want a stylus with enough weight and glide to move freely, but with enough friction to be predictable. The idea is to replicate the feeling of pen on paper. We tested each stylus by navigating a maze, tracing the alphabet, sketching a variety of items and tapping around a tablet. After our initial assessment, we started all over again, testing the pens in a different order to reduce any chance that becoming acclimated to a

stylus might have skewed the results.

In closing

For most people who are sketching or taking notes, Adonit’s Jot Pro is the best stylus. It’s an elegantly designed writing tool that offers the most precise, pen-and-paper-like experience of any stylus we tested. Professional artists love it, and so do more casual note-takers.

This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendation, go to thewirecutter.com. The Wirecutter’s extensive research and testing are supported by a small commission from the purchases made by its readers.