8 Best Apple Pencil Alternatives for 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro
Though I still won’t calliPad Pro 2021a full-fledged replacement for a laptop, I must say that the tablet has gotten a lot closer to being perfect. Be it the powerful Apple M1 chip, the beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display, or the much-improved iPadOS 14, the new iPad Pro models leave little room for complaint. But, as has always been the case, you need to invest in accessories like Apple Pencil to unlock the full potential of Apple’s high-end tablet. And this is where these 8 best Apple Pencil alternatives for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 come into play.
Best Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad Pro
What should you expect from these Apple Pencil substitutes? While only a handful of premium styluses for iPad Pro 2021 come on par with the pixel-perfect precision and low latency of the Apple Pencil, flexibility is the one department where they have an edge.
Unlike Apple Pencil, which works only with iPads, many third-party digital pens are universal. That means you can use them on any device with a capacitive touchscreen. Beyond universal support, they also come with palm-rejection technology and a better tilt control feature to let you draw, write and sketch with the desired fluidity. Plus, the Apple Pencil alternatives are available at a fraction of the price, which could be a huge deal for many folks. So without any further ado, let’s dive in.
1. Logitech Crayon
Sporting a pretty compact design, Logitech Crayon has got all the bases covered to be one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives for iPad Pro 2021. Theflat designnot only enhances grip but also prevents the digital pen from rolling off desks.
Beyond the grippy form-factor, Crayon features palm-rejection technology so that you can fully concentrate ontaking notesand drawing without worrying about your hands. Plus, there is also asmart tip that adjusts line weight dynamicallybased on the angle you place it down. Add to that the zero perceptible lag time coupled with the impressive precision down to the pixel, and Crayon seems fully equipped to take on Apple Pencil’s repertoire.
The stylussupports all the apps that work with Apple Pencil, which is a big plus from a compatibility perspective. As for the battery life, Logitech claims that the stylus delivers up to 7.5 hours of writing time on a single charge.
Notably, it provides up to 30 minutes of writing time with just 2 minutes of charging. Unlike the Apple Pencil, it requires a Lightning cable for charging, which is old-fashioned. Despite this shortcoming, Crayon remains a safe bet.
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Buy from Amazon:$60.59
2. Wacom Bamboo Fineline
Wacom is well-known for producing top-of-the-line digital pens. And well, its Bamboo Fineline styluslooks premiumfrom every aspect. The stylus has a profile that can easily appeal to pros. The ergonomic triangular design coupled with theskid-proof soft-touch finishprovides enhanced grip. Therefore, you will feel comfortable holding the digital pen while drawing, writing, or note-taking.
Wacom Bamboo Finelinerequires a Bluetooth connectionto work seamlessly. Unlike other cheap Bluetooth digital pens, the stylus provides a hassle-free Bluetooth paring so that you can connect it to a preferred app and start drawing.
For a personalized experience, you can alsocustomize the shortcut buttonsat the side of the pencil. Features like the pressure sensitivity and palm rejection put Bamboo Fineline in the same territory as Apple Pencil. Plus, it alsosupports a wide range of appswhich is a must if you rely on a stylus to get your work done.
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Buy from Amazon:$107.80
3. Adonit Dash 3
If ease of use and universal support is what you after, Adonit Dash 3 could be a more suitable answer to your needs. The stylus features amodern-looking designthanks to the aluminum construction with a precision finish that also plays a vital role in enhancing grip.
Adonit claims that the digital penfeatures a PixelPoint tipthat is pretty responsive. Hence, you can use it to draw, sketch, and take notes with the needed responsiveness on your new iPad Pro 2021. While Dash 3 can’t go head-to-head against the precision that Apple Pencil delivers, it won’t disappoint you either.
Dash 3 features a built-in battery thatprovides up to 14 hours of continuous use. Besides, it takes just 45 minutes to get fully charged. Priced at $50, it supports not only iPad Pro but also iPhone and Android devices. That makes it one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives for folks who don’t want to be forever tied with the Apple ecosystem.
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Buy from Amazon:$44.99
4. Renaisser
Renaisser is the sort of stylus that aims to deliver the best of both worlds –a great drawing experience and a competitive price point. If you want your digital pen to check off this important point, it would be apt to give seriously consider buying the Renaisser stylus for your iPad Pro in 2021.
The stylus features an ergonomic design, much similar to the Apple Pencil, that willprovide you an anti-slip grip.Renaisser hasa highly sensitive tipand features palm-rejection technology to boost the writing experience. What’s more, Renaisser also supports magnetic attachment so you can attach the stylus to the iPad Pro and keep it secure. The
Even better, a 15-minute charge can add up to70 hours of continuous use, which could be a notable pick for the folks who always prefer a long battery life. Overall, Renaisser is one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives on this list.
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Buy from Amazon:$29.99
5. ZAGG Pro Stylus
There are multiple reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on ZAGG Pro Stylus. First and foremost, the digital pen featuresa dual-tipto let you draw, write, and sketch with better control. To be more precise, you can use the universal capacitive backend tip to navigate and scroll and take advantage of theactive tipto write or draw.
And second, the Pro Stylus comes withtilt recognition technologythat enables you to vary the width of your stroke to draw with improved precision. Additionally, the digital pen also supports palm rejection technology to let you rest your palm on the screen while you take notes.
In terms of compatibility, ZAGG Pro Stylus works with almost all the apps that support Apple Pencil. So, I don’t you will have to deal with incompatibility issues in most cases. Besides, itdelivers up to 9 hours of battery lifewhich could be more than enough to last multiple drawing and writing sessions. Keeping these features in mind, the ZAGG Pro Stylus seems to be a strong contender for the Apple Pencil.
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Buy from Amazon:$69.99
6. ESR Stylus for iPad Pro
Though ESR is better known as a case maker thatproduces affordable yet high-quality covers, the company has introduced a pretty neat stylus pen that can comfortably fit most wallets. Design-wise, itlooks similar to Apple Pencil. The flat sides ensure you have the needed hold to sketch pictures or write notes.
ESR makes sure you can write with complete peace of mind due mainly to the palm-rejection technology. Another feature that makes it a viable Apple Pencil substitute is thetilt sensitivitywhich comes in super handy while sketching. You can adjust the thickness of your lines by just tilting the stylus.
The digital penfeatures a power buttonto let you turn it on/off with ease without having to muddle with the pairing process. What’s more, the stylus also offers a magnetic attachment so that you can attach it to the iPad Pro. Oh yes, you also don’t have to worry about charging the digital pen. The $30 price point is silver-lining and makes the ESR stylus one of the most worthy alternatives to Apple Pencil.
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Buy from Amazon:$27.99
7. Jamjake
Having received4.6 stars out of 5 from almost 52K ratings, Jamjake is probably the most popular Apple Pencil alternative on Amazon. So, what makes it such as big hit? Well, the stylus has a striking similarity to Apple Pencil 2 and features a1.5mm pen tipthat is more than good enough to let you sketch and take note.
Moreover, Jamjake is also up to the mark when it comes to sensitivity. Thanks to palm-rejection technology, it offersa natural writing feeling. As it doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection to work, you can turn on the digital pen and get started with your creative endeavors,
With up to 20 hours of battery life, Jamjake can easily last several length drawing and writing sessions. Plus, there is also a handysleep modethat automatically kicks in after 5 minutes to prevent unnecessary battery consumption.
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Buy from Amazon:$25.49
8. Homder Fun Stylus
If all you need is a decent stylus that enables you to draw, sketch, and write with ease at a relatively low price point, this offering from Homder Fun would be a worthy pick. The stylus is well-built and features flat sides for ananti-slip grip. Made of high-grade aluminum alloy, this digital pen can also endure impacts and drops. With the1.2mm carbon fiber tip, it is equally capable as the Apple Pencil.
Furthermore, the Homder Fun stylus also supports palm rejection technology, ensuring you can rest your palm on the screen while drawing or taking notes. Just like other affordably-priced Apple Pencil alternatives, it alsodoesn’t require a Bluetooth connectionor the installation of any app.
All you need to activate the stylus is to tap on the cap button. The Homder Fun stylus provides up to20 hours of battery lifeafter a single charge. Plus, there is also a sleep mode that is automatically activated after being idle for 5 minutes to boost the battery life. Keeping all these features in mind, the $27 price tag seems to be quite a steal in comparison to the $129 price tag of the Apple Pencil.
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Buy from Amazon:$26.99
Top Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad Pro 2021 Lined Up for You
So, these are the best Apple Pencil substitutes you can try out with your new 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2021. With a handful of capable digital styluses on this list, I hope you find a suitable pick for your needs. Do let us know which one of these styluses will empower your creativity in the comments below. Is it the premium Logitech one or the universal Adonit Dash 3? Also, share your thoughts onhow well iPad Pro 2021 stacks up against its alternatives.
Rajesh Mishra
An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.
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