Ballpoint, gel, rollerball or erasable: how to choose a pen

The ink inside a pen matters more than the barrel. It decides how smoothly the pen writes, how quickly the ink dries and whether it smudges. Here's how the main types compare.

Ballpoint

Ballpoints use thick, oil-based ink that dries almost instantly. They're dependable, last a long time and work on most paper, including forms and carbonless copies. The trade-off is that you press a little harder. Good examples are the Faber-Castell 1423 and Pilot BP-S.

Low-viscosity ballpoint

Newer ballpoints such as the uni Jetstream and Pilot Acroball use a thinner oil-based ink. They write almost as smoothly as a gel pen but still dry fast, which makes them a good choice for left-handed writers.

Gel

Gel pens use water-based ink thickened into a gel. Colours are bold and the pen glides with very little pressure. Gel ink takes a moment longer to dry, so it can smudge if your hand rests on it straight away. Popular choices include the Pilot G-2, the quick-drying Pentel EnerGel and the Maxi Super Gel.

Rollerball

Rollerballs use free-flowing liquid ink for a smooth, wet line that feels close to a fountain pen. Needle-tip models such as the Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5 draw crisp, precise lines. Liquid ink can show through thin paper, so pair these pens with 80gsm paper or heavier.

Erasable

Pilot FriXion pens use heat-sensitive ink. Rubbing with the eraser on the end warms the ink until it turns clear. They're great for planners, puzzles and study notes. Two cautions: don't use them for cheques, contracts or anything that must be permanent, and don't leave FriXion notes in a hot car, because heat can make the writing disappear.

Fineliners and fibre tips

Fineliners have a fibre tip that draws an even line without pressure. They're ideal for notes, diagrams, drawing and colour-coding. The Faber-Castell Broadpen 1554 is a good everyday choice.

Which line width

• 0.5 mm or finer: small handwriting, planners and forms with small boxes
• 0.7 mm: the everyday standard for most people
• 1.0 mm: bold lines and signatures

Which pen for which job

Browse all pens.