Looking For The Best E Ink Stylus
With so many devices and E ink styluses out there it can be hard to select the perfect which fits your needs. As most E Ink Tablet Brands do sell their devices with and without a stylus we do have the option to select a different stylus for our device.
The point to remember here is that the writing experience is not only defined by the E Ink device but also the stylus or pen that you use on your E Ink device. The nibs are of various materials so is the pressure sensitivity and so many other variables. A good check list has to answer the following questions:
- What is the weight and center of balance for the E ink Stylus?
- How is the feel of holding it? Is the grip closer or far from the nib?
- What kind of feel does the nib provide? Is it scratchy, soft, hard or flexible?
- What material is the nib made of? Plastic, graphite Pom or ceramic.
- What is its pressure sensitivity, tilt and latency?
Though writing experience is subjective but these standards aren’t and if you ask all these questions before buying you next E ink stylus you can easily find the right one for you.
Understanding Wacom EMR Technology
Wacom EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) technology is based on the emission and deformation of electromagnetic waves. The tablet, equipped with a layer of ink under the display, contains a grid of metal wires that emit electromagnetic waves. The stylus pen, with a small copper coil, generates an electric current when it enters the electromagnetic field. This current, in turn, generates waves that locally deform the electronic field of the tablet. The tablet analyzes and detects these deformations, allowing it to determine the precise position and tilt of the pen. Notably, the stylus pen does not require a battery as it generates the necessary power from the electromagnetic field sent back to the tablet. Some pens also transmit information about nib pressure and side button status, enabling additional functionality.
But remember not every stylus will work with your E Ink device. I suffered from this issue as well and accidently bought a stylus which did not work with my Supernote A5x.
Keeping it simple E Ink Tablets normally supports Wacom EMR styluses. The technology can be Passive EMR (without battery) or active EMR (with battery) and to be honest the performance is not that much different. Personally I prefer a Passive EMR Stylus as I avoid the hassle of charging everything around me.
Here is a list of the best emr stylus which work almost with all E ink Tablets which you can buy right now.
E Ink Tablet Styluses to Look Out for
- Lamy Al-Star (Best Stylus)
- Boox Pen 2 Pro (Runner Up)
- Samsung S6 lite Pen
- Remarkable Marker Plus
- Staedtler Noris Jumbo
- Kindle Scribe Premium Pen
- Supernote Heart of Metal
- Mitsubishi WACOM Hi Uni Digital Stylus
- Staedtler Noris Digital Classic
Comparison Table For The Best Stylus for E Ink
Features | LAMY AL-Star | Onyx Boox Pen 2 Pro | Samsung S6 Lite pen | reMarkable Pemium Pen | Staedtler Noris Digital Jumbo | Kindle Scribe Premium Pen | Supernote HoM2 | Mitsubishi WACOM Hi Uni Digital Stylus | Staedtler Noris Classic |
Length (mm) | 139 | 163 | 144 | 162 | 140 | 162 | 136 | 140 | 175 |
Material | Anodized aluminum | Plastic | Polycarbonate | Plastic | Wood | plastic | Brass | Wooden | Wood |
Weight | 24g | 15g | 7g | 19g | 10g | 15g | 32.5g | 4.8g | 8.7 |
Nib | Pom | Soft Plastic | Matte Plastic | Graphite | Lace | Matte pastic | Ceramic | Plastic | Lace |
Eraser | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Color | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10+ | 1 | 1 |
Magentic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Compatability With Devices | All | All | All | All | All | All | All (May Scratch) | All | All |
1. Lamy Al-Star
Design: The LAMY Al-Star EMS stylus with it full metal body feels like a luxurious pen. The pen comes with a lapel clip which can be helpful if you like to place your pen in the front pocket of your shirt. The size of the pen is quite small with the cap one making it really portable.
Writing: The pen doesn’t come with an eraser but the button near the can be converted to function as an eraser or for selection . Unlike other Supernote Styluses which have ceramic tips this pen has exchangeable nips. This pen has pressure sensitivity of 4096 and it doesn’t require charging.
Its weights around 24g but I feel its really a well-balanced weight though a bit on the lighter end. The stylus comes with replaceable tips (you can add in the remarkable tips as well for a more paper like feel).
I would consider it a great e ink stylus, that has all what we wanted in a premium stylus with one of the best writing experience that we can get from a stylus
Pros
- A very premium branded pen
- Has a button that can be used as an eraser
- Comes in many colors and is customizable
- The safari version can be used as a normal pen with a twist.
- A very balanced weight and feel
Cons
- The Eraser button might not work on every surface
- Not too great for sketching
2. BOOX Pen 2 Pro
The BOOX Pen 2 Pro has a great feel. Whether you’re sketching, drawing, or jotting down notes, the BOOX Pen 2 Pro delivers a satisfying and responsive writing experience. If it wasn’t for the design and premium feel of LAMY, Boox Pen 2 Pro would be my number one choice.
Design: In terms of design, the pen features a sleek and round shape, which not only looks stylish but also contributes to its ergonomic design. The comfortable shaft ensures a pleasant grip and reduces hand fatigue during extended writing sessions. The pen’s 9.6mm diameter strikes a balance between being slim enough for precise control and substantial enough for a comfortable hold.
One standout feature of the BOOX Pen 2 Pro is its built-in eraser, which mimics the feel of a real eraser. This eraser adds to the overall writing experience, ensuring that your notes are clean and organized. With a quick and precise touch, it effectively cleans strokes, allowing for seamless corrections and adjustments.
Writing: The pen’s nib is relatively soft, measuring 1.6mm in thickness. This softness provides a close-to-paper writing feel, allowing for smooth and natural strokes.
Weighing in at 19 grams, the BOOX Pen 2 Pro strikes a good balance between being lightweight and substantial enough for a comfortable writing experience. The pen’s weight contributes to its overall stability and control, allowing for precise movements and accurate input.
Pros
- The eraser is really responsive and gives a traditional feel
The writing feel is really great with highly precise nib
Cons
- A bit over priced e ink stylus
- Doesn’t give a premium pen like feel
3. Samsung S6 Lite pen
Though I was a bit skeptic about The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite at first but surprising it has one of the best writing and drawing experience. With its high build quality and compatibility with various devices, it proves to be a valuable tool for digital note-taking for all E Ink Tablets.
Design: Despite being primarily made of plastic, the pen’s materials are of high quality, ensuring durability and a pleasant feel in hand. The pen’s design, although flat, doesn’t compromise its overall performance. It feels comfortable to hold. But for me it feels small and a bit underweight.
One notable feature is the button on the pen, located at a very convenient place it offers a satisfying and tactile experience when pressed. Though its cant be used an a eraser so its practically useless.
Writing: The pen comes with soft black nibs that may feel strange initially, but users gradually adapt to them and they are readily available in the market. During use I found out that these soft nibs tend to bend during use, resulting in a slight swishing sensation. However, the pen includes a gray, harder nib that offers excellent precision and a pleasant writing experience, catering to users who prefer a firmer nib.
The pen’s nibs can be interchanged with compatible alternatives, allowing users to customize their writing experience to suit their preferences. This flexibility adds a layer of personalization and convenience for users who want to experiment with different nib options.
With a pressure sensitivity of 4,096 points, the Samsung Tab S6 Light Pen rivals the performance of the Lamy Star, ensuring accurate and responsive input. Whether you’re taking notes, sketching, or editing documents, the pen delivers precise and smooth lines, capturing even the most delicate details.
In terms of pricing, the Samsung Tab S6 Light Pen offers exceptional value at around $50. When compared to other digital pen options in the market, it stands out as a compelling choice, especially considering its compatibility and performance.
With its affordable price point and exceptional performance, it becomes a recommended choice for people looking for a a cheaper yet fully capable e ink stylus
Pros
- A great value for money E Ink Stylus
- The writing precision is exception
Cons
- Feels kind of small while holding
- Has a button but no eraser
4. Remarkable Marker Plus
Design: It’s housed in a sleek aluminum body with a handy eraser right on top. And let me tell you, this marker is slim and feels fantastic in your hand. It’s got the perfect weight balance too. The Marker Plus has this seriously strong magnet inside that automatically attaches itself to the Remarkable 2. It’s like magic!
Writing: Now, let’s talk about the real deal—the incredible feeling of writing on paper with a pencil. This e ink stylus delivers that sensation like nothing else, especially with its replaceable cardboard nibs. And let me tell you, it’s super responsive and precise and has a 50 degrees of tilt sensitivity making it ideal for sketching.
This amazing Stylus offers an insanely low lag and mind-blowing accuracy, giving you a writing experience that’s as close to pen and paper as it gets.
The Marker Plus seamlessly combines the classic and the cutting-edge, bringing you a writing experience that’s simply out of this world and if you have the money go for this Replacement e ink stylus.
Pros
- Gives a very realistic paper like writing feeling.
- The tilt function makes it great for drawing and sketching.
Cons
- Its very expensive.
- The nibs require frequent replacements and are expensive as well.
5. Staedtler Noris Jumbo
Design: A made in Germany stylus that looks and feels like a real pencil in hand. The body is made of wood in triangular shape and has a plastic nib and an integrated soft eraser at the other end. The stylus gives a classic pencil vibe and is quite light weighting just around 10 g.
Writing: Noris Jumbo works on passive EMR Technology, so there is no need to charge it. It lacks a magnet so it wont attach to the E ink Tablets with a magnetic styluses. The pressure sensitive nib (level of 4096) is only o.7mm thick and is replaceable, which I think makes it feel it more like a pencil. Noris Jumbo also has palm rejection feature and an eraser.
Keeping the price bracket in mind personally I think the Noris Jumbo is a great alternative for any high priced e ink stylus like the Lamy Pen or Remarkable Marker Plus. The look at least for me is a great reason to go for this e ink stylus.
Pros
- A very classy pencil like look
- Has an eraser and a decent writing experience
Cons
- Has no magnetic attachment
6. Kindle Scribe Premium Pen
Design: Another great pick that has recently hit the market is the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen. Has all the essential features. A plastic body which feels premium. The weight is less so feels quite light while holding it. For me weight makes a hue component of the writing experience so it’s a turndown for me. The magnetic attachment isn’t strong and the magnets on the Remarkable. And yes It comes with a eraser but only the premium version has a button.
Writing: The nib is made of matte plastic giving a pleasant feel while writing. The latency and response is quite nice as well compounded with the eraser it gives a decent writing experience.
Given the price, I think it’s a bit over priced when compared to third party styluses but still with the eraser and the feel, it’s better than the reMarkable Stylus.
Pros
- Fairly decent writing experience
- The weight is not well balanced
- Has an eraser that works great
Cons
- Only the premium version has these features, which is a bit pricy
7. Supernote Heart of Metal
The Heart of Metal Series is limited for supernote line up (You can use it if your E ink device has a glass screen or screen protector) but the feel is quite different yet interesting when we write with stylus.
Design: The body of the stylus is made of aluminum and comes in 10 different colors. The cap has a lapel clips. The magnetic strength is quite good. It doesn’t come with an eraser. But the weight and feel of the pen is on point.
Writing: The stylus has a hard ceramic nib. Which in my opinion feels as if you are writing with a gel pen over a premium glossy paper and to be honest I really like it. The good part being the nib doesn’t require replacing. At the same it doesn’t give a realistic feel if you are into sketching or drawing. Though it works on all E Ink Tablets but its not recommended to be used on other devices other than Supernote as it might scratch the surface.
Pros
- Great writing experience
- I find the weight perfectly balanced for long term use
Cons
- Cant be used on E Ink tablets except Supernote (Only reason for falling so low in this sequence)
- Not great for sketching
8. Mitsubishi WACOM Hi Uni Digital Stylus
I must say it’s a remarkable Stylus that combines the best of traditional and digital writing experiences. This pen is compatible with reMarkable 2 and other E INK displays, making it a versatile choice for artists, designers, and anyone who appreciates the art of writing with something classy.
Design: It has a classy and luxurious build quality. It features the same wood as a Staedtler pencil, with a hexagonal axis that provides a comfortable grip and a subtle, pleasant wood scent. The attention to detail is evident with the combination of traditional Japanese colors, such as maroon and wine red, along with a gold ring placed on the monochrome axis. The pen’s design is reminiscent of lacquerware, boasting a shiny and smooth housing that is a treat for the eyes.
Writing: This pen does provides a satisfying range of expression. This high level of pen pressure recognition allows for precise and natural drawing and writing experiences. I found the Hi-uni DIGITAL pen to be incredibly responsive on most E Ink Tablets. It seamlessly translates the subtle movements of your hand into digital strokes on the screen, offering a truly immersive and intuitive experience.
Pros
- A very classy pencil like design
- Unlike Noris It comes with a cap to protect the nib
Cons
- Hard to find
9. Staedtler Noris Digital Classic
Staedtler Noris Digital Classic is a budget pick from Staedtler. Its one of the cheapest stylus to buy around the only drawback is it doenst have a eraser. It has an hexagonal shape and is as thin as pencil. Like the Jumbo, it is also made from wood but doesn’t have a magnet. Personally I really liked the Jumbos eraser so that is a better option.
This pressure sensitivity of the tip is 4096, 0.7mm thick and is replaceable. The stylus doesn’t require charging, is non slip and has parl rejection feature. And weights just 8.7 g.
Before you leave….
Checkout some more styluses for reMarkable
Check out Free reMarkable Journal Templates
Design Your Own Custom Template for reMakable ( also includes free templates)
Learn more tips and tricks about reMarkbale 2 in our section of Guides and how to