Though I still won’t call iPad Pro 2021 a 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. The flat design not 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 on taking notes and drawing without worrying about your hands. Plus, there is also a smart tip that adjusts line weight dynamically based 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 stylus supports 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.
Pros:
- Flat design for anti-slip grip
- The smart tip adjusts line weight dynamically
- Zero perceptible lag time
- Top-notch precision
- Supports all the apps that work with Apple Pencil
Cons:
- Comparatively less battery life
- Requires Lightning cable for charging
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 stylus looks premium from every aspect. The stylus has a profile that can easily appeal to pros. The ergonomic triangular design coupled with the skid-proof soft-touch finish provides enhanced grip. Therefore, you will feel comfortable holding the digital pen while drawing, writing, or note-taking.
Wacom Bamboo Fineline requires a Bluetooth connection to 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 also customize the shortcut buttons at 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 also supports a wide range of apps which is a must if you rely on a stylus to get your work done.
Pros:
- Skid-proof soft-touch finish
- Ergonomic triangular design
- Customizable shortcut buttons
- Supports a wide range of apps
Cons:
- Lacks magnetic attachment
- Comparatively expensive
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 a modern-looking design thanks to the aluminum construction with a precision finish that also plays a vital role in enhancing grip.
Adonit claims that the digital pen features a PixelPoint tip that 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 that provides 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.
Pros:
- Modern-looking design
- Precision finish with much-improved grip grip
- Features PixelPoint tip
- Provides up to 14 hours of continuous use
Cons:
- Might drain battery
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 will provide you an anti-slip grip. Renaisser has a highly sensitive tip and 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 to 70 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.
Pros:
- Neat design with anti-slip grip
- Provides pen-on-paper experience
- Magnetic attachment
- 15 minute of charge offers 70 hours of battery life
Cons:
- Apple pen mode doesn’t offer pressure and tilt
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 features a dual-tip to 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 the active tip to write or draw.
And second, the Pro Stylus comes with tilt recognition technology that 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, it delivers up to 9 hours of battery life which 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.
Pros:
- Dual-lip
- Pro look and feel
- Much-improved grip
- Impressive palm rejection
Cons:
- May not deliver 9 hours of battery life consistently
Buy from Amazon: $69.99
6. ESR Stylus for iPad Pro
Though ESR is better known as a case maker that produces affordable yet high-quality covers, the company has introduced a pretty neat stylus pen that can comfortably fit most wallets. Design-wise, it looks 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 the tilt sensitivity which comes in super handy while sketching. You can adjust the thickness of your lines by just tilting the stylus.
The digital pen features a power button to 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.
Pros:
- The striking similarity with Apple Pencil 2
- Reliable palm-rejection technology
- Magnetic attachment
- Power button
Cons:
- The power button feels a bit stiff
Buy from Amazon: $27.99
7. Jamjake
Having received 4.6 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 a 1.5mm pen tip that 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 offers a 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 handy sleep mode that automatically kicks in after 5 minutes to prevent unnecessary battery consumption.
Pros:
- 1.5mm pen tip
- A natural writing feeling
- 20 hours of battery life
- Doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection to work
Cons:
- The stylus lags a bit
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 an anti-slip grip. Made of high-grade aluminum alloy, this digital pen can also endure impacts and drops. With the 1.2mm 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 also doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection or 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 to 20 hours of battery life after 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.
Pros:
- Palm rejection technology
- Well-built design with flat sides
- 1.2mm carbon fiber tip
- 20 hours of battery life
Cons:
- Lacks precision in terms of sketching
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 on how well iPad Pro 2021 stacks up against its alternatives.
