The Apple Pencil is a stylus designed by Apple for use with iPads. It provides precise input for writing, drawing, and navigation.
A stylus makes creating art or editing images easier. One can also used to take handwritten notes, sign documents or even enter text in any application with Scribble.
It’s not a requirement for all iPad owners — the touchscreens in Apple tablets are intended to be used with a fingertip. But a stylus comes in handy when the user wants more precision, or when doing something that comes more naturally with a writing implement by, like entering text or drawing.
Apple built in support for palm rejection when using a stylus into the iPad itself. This lets users rest their hand on the tablet screen while they write or draw, and the computer will ignore it.
As another benefit, all Apple styli work with low latency. They offer near-instant responsiveness for smooth writing and drawing.
Plus, the design includes one flat edge intended to made the stylus more comfortable to hold, and less likely to roll off a desk.
The exact feature set depends on the version. There are two current variants: Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), each for a different target market. Plus the older Apple Pencil 2 can still be found online.
Pencil Pro is undoubtedly the premium iPad stylus. It offers everything artists need, including pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, palm rejection, a configurable capacitive button and more. Charging happens on the edge of the latest M4 iPad Pro, M3 iPad Air and M2 iPad Air models, as well as the iPad mini 7.
A highlight is its new squeeze gesture. A quick squeeze opens a tool palette that lets me quickly switch settings for colors, brush shapes, line weights and more. And any iPad user can appreciate being able to easily track down the stylus using Find My if it gets misplaced is wonderful. Don’t miss our review of Apple Pencil Pro.
Buy Apple Pencil Pro from: Amazon or Best Buy
The best stylus for new Apple tablets: the M4 iPad Pro, the M3 iPad Air and M2 iPad Air, plus the iPad mini 7. We gave it the maximum rating in our hands-on review, and found that its pro features are worthy of the price.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) doesn’t have all the features of the Pro model but it costs much less. And it does what non-artists need. The stylus is well suited for taking notes and sketching, signing documents and doing light edits to images. It’s also perfect for the handwriting mode in the new iPad Calculator app.
The only downside is that must occasionally get plugged it in to charge. It comes with a built-in USB-C port for that — hence the name. Read our hands-on review of the stylus for more details.
Buy Apple Pencil (USB-C) from: Amazon or Best Buy
This is the Apple Pencil for the rest of us! In some ways, Apple's new budget stylus is better than the more expensive premium version, which is aimed at serious digital artists. If you need a capable iPad stylus for handwriting and sketching, this is the one for you.
While Apple Pencil (USB-C) works with a broad array of models new and old, many of those with an iPad made before 2024 can choose Apple Pencil 2 instead. The previous premier model, it includes pressure sensitivity, tilt detection and palm rejection.
It charges only on tablets built with an inductive charger specifically for it. And magnetically clings to these, too.
Just note that it has been discontinued by Apple, and doesn’t work with any of the current iPads.
Buy Apple Pencil 2 from: Amazon
With Apple Pencil 2, get pixel-perfect precision and industry-leading low latency, perfect for note-taking, drawing and signing documents. Attaches, charges and pairs magnetically.
When buying an Apple stylus, look closely at the version to make sure it’s compatible with your tablet. Apple Pencil 2 is not the same as the new Pencil Pro, and doesn’t work with any iPads released in 2024. The opposite is also true — Apple’s latest Pro stylus doesn’t work with iPads from 2022 and earlier.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) supports a broader array of tablets. It works with all the 2024 and 2025 models, naturally, but support goes back to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation, every version of the 11-inch iPad Pro, all the iPad Air models back to the fourth generation, the iPad 10, iPad 11, plus the iPad mini 7 and iPad mini 6 models.
Apple Pencil 2 works with a range of older tablets that have been specifically designed to charge it, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad models from before 2024.
In some cases, the best Apple Pencil is the one that’s compatible. For example, the M3 iPad Air doesn’t support Apple’s Pro stylus, so the USB-C version is the best option. The same goes for the iPad 11.
But for tablets that give users multiple options, price is often the deciding factor. As noted in the descriptions above, the Apple Pencil Pro offers many more features than the USB-C version, but also costs $50 more. The cheaper model is still a very capable stylus, so it’s up to the user to ask, “Do the additional features justify the additional expense?”
The Apple Pencil is popular, but it’s not the only precision stylus pen for iPad. The Tinymoose Pencil Pro Plus is a high-quality, aluminum stylus that works with all iPad models from 2018 and later that support magnetic wireless charging.
If you own one of those recent models of the iPad Pro, iPad Air or iPad mini, and you want a compatible stylus for less, grab one of these while it’s on sale for only $29.99 (regularly $39.95).
Apple Pencil Pro is the best iPad stylus on the market, and a new deal knocks 23% off the regular cost. For a limited time, you can get an Apple Pencil Pro from Amazon for $99. That’s 23% off.
There’s also a deal on the Apple Pencil (USB-C), the iPad stylus for the rest of us.
Apple engineers exploring ways to improve the Apple Pencil got a patent for a stylus tip that can change its shape or stiffness. The goal might be to make a paintbrush for an iPad so digital painting feels more like the real thing.
It’s a concept the company has looked into for years.
Apple Pencil Pro is the best iPad stylus on the market, and a deal knocks a whopping $30 off the regular cost. For a limited time, you can get an Apple Pencil Pro from Amazon for just $99. That’s over 20% off.
Or consider a Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or Apple Pencil (USB-C), both with deals making them cost even less than the premium model than they usually do.
The best stylus for new Apple tablets: the M4 iPad Pro, the M3 iPad Air and M2 iPad Air, plus the iPad mini 7. We gave it the maximum rating in our hands-on review, and found that its pro features are worthy of the price.
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November 11, 2015: Apple’s first iPad Pro goes on sale after months of speculation about the giant-size tablet. With its much larger screen, professional-oriented targeting and dreaded (optional) stylus, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro represents Apple CEO Tim Cook’s cleanest break yet from Steve Jobs’ vision for iOS devices.
And it turned out all the better for it!
Apple Pencil Pro boasts just about every feature an iPad user could want, and during Amazon Prime Day that includes a more affordable price. A discount knocks 25% off the cost, bringing it below $100 for the first time.
Alternatively, you can get a 15% off deal on the Apple Pencil (USB-C), or save 30% on the older Apple Pencil 2.
UPDATE: While Prime Day is over, these deals are not. Amazon actually improved them so these styli cost even less. Read on for the latest prices.
Amazon Prime Day officially ran July 16 and 17, but it’s not over yet, as Amazon extended many big bargains on Apple products. Tons of goods from Apple and others are discounted. See our selection of the best deals on AirPods (and Apple subsidiary Beats), AirTags, Apple Watch, iPads, MacBooks, Mac mini and more below. Return to this page for updates (and beware that deals can change suddenly with supply fluctuations, so you may click through to find updated pricing or sold-out items in some cases).
UPDATE: Amazon extended a host of Prime Day deals on Apple products into Thursday and Friday and even into Saturday, so you can still shop many of the items below! Items with full strikethroughs represent deals no longer available.
Apple began offering refurbished Apple Pencil (USB-C) units Thursday. The stylus, which works with all recent iPads, is available at 12% below the regular cost as a refurb.
Alternatively, you can buy a new one at the same discount price from major retailers. Or even better, get a new, open-box Apple Pencil (USB-C) from Cult of Mac Deals for just $59.99.
iPad styluses are common enough that you can find one that (mostly) works for a super-low price. But opting for a third-party stylus instead of an Apple Pencil means missing out on innovation. It might work, but what if you could get something a whole lot nicer for basically the same price? Like, for instance, this open-box deal on an Apple Pencil that drops the price to just $59.99?
M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air users that have been waffling on Apple Pencil Pro, Amazon has a deal that might convince you that now is the time to get the powerful stylus. The third generation model from Apple adds a new “squeeze” gesture and Find My support, and you can grab one now for just $119.
Alternatively you can pick up Apple Pencil (USB-C) for just $69.
Amazon is running some deals on Apple accessories right now, with discounts on AirTag trackers and Apple Pencil models. In addition to some lesser savings, you can actually get $50 off Apple Pencil 2, a solid deal on a great iPad stylus.
Apple Pencil Pro is the latest and greatest iPad stylus coming out of Cupertino. It adds a new “squeeze” gesture, an internal gyroscope, haptic feedback and Find My support. I’m not a digital artist, so for this iPad Pencil review, I tested the stylus by writing notes, entering text with Scribble and doing moderate editing of photographs.
Plenty of artists have reviewed the new accessory, so my goal was to answer the question, “Does a typical iPad user need Apple Pencil Pro?” Or would a cheaper alternative suffice?
With Apple’s release of new iPads, an updated Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and the brand-new Apple Pencil Pro, many people are looking to upgrade all three. (Because of course all your old iPad accessories won’t work with the new tablets.) However, apart from going the DIY route on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, it can be difficult to find a trade-in site where you can sell an old Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard.
Even Apple’s own trade-in program won’t buy back these iPad accessories. However, there are several other options for selling a used Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard — and we’re here to help!
Apple touts the beautiful OLED screen and speedy M4 processor in the latest iPad Pro, but some other features quietly disappeared.
And more that had been rumored or just hoped for simply never appeared.
When Apple unveiled the Apple Pencil Pro during Tuesday’s “Let Loose” event, the company seemingly bid adieu to the second-generation Apple Pencil. An Apple tool reveals that unspecified Apple Pencil 2 compatibility issues mean the older stylus won’t work with 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
So, if you’re an artist buying a new iPad, or someone who takes lots of handwritten notes, you probably need to budget an extra $129 for a new Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple introduced a new third-generation “pro” Apple Pencil at its “Let Loose” iPad event Tuesday alongside new iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The first Apple Pencil Pro brings a new “squeeze” gesture, an internal gyroscope, haptic feedback and Find My support, making it the most capable iPad stylus yet.
Available to order today for $129 — the same price as the second-generation Apple Pencil — the Apple Pencil Pro gains features normally found on styluses for dedicated drawing tablets, like a new “squeeze” gesture and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope for precise tool controls.
“The new features in Apple Pencil Pro are simply revolutionary,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, in the introductory “Let Loose” video. “And we’re also excited that Apple Pencil Pro works with the new iPad Air as well, giving air users yet another pro feature to push their creativity.”
Gorgeous new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s “Let Loose” product event on May 7. Tablet accessories are on the agenda, too.
But there also could be big news for those who don’t use an iPad. Apple might surprise us with the M4 processor, a first glimpse at upcoming AI features, and maybe even a Mac Studio upgrade. Plus more.
Add Apple Pencil Pro to the list of products expected at Apple’s May 7 “Let Loose” event. A reference to the stylus turned up on the Japanese version of Apple’s website.
It’s for iPad but might also work with Vision Pro.
Apple’s upcoming OLED iPad Pro reportedly will begin the company’s shift into AI hardware. The new tablets could sport the next-gen M4 chip to power all the AI features.
If this report proves accurate, Apple will skip bringing its existing M3 SoC to its flagship tablet lineup.
Apple Pencil 3 is apparently right around the corner, and leaks indicate the next iPad stylus will offer several features not in the previous one. That includes a new “squeeze” gesture, haptic feedback and Find My support.
Plus, it might also work as a Vision Pro stylus.
Two concurrent Apple sales at Amazon bargain site Woot! run for the next week or so — one on iMacs and Accessories and one for a selection of Apple Accessories. It’s a good chance to stock up on big and small stuff alike.
“An Apple a Day… is really expensive!” the site quips. Both sales run through May 1 at 10 p.m. PT.
A version of Apple Pencil stylus that can be used with the Vision Pro AR headset is in testing, according to an unconfirmed report.
And there’s proof that Apple is at least considering the idea — it filed for a patent on methods of using a stylus to create virtual objects while wearing a headset.
If you take notes or draw on your iPad, consider investing in an Apple Pencil. It will greatly enhance your note-taking and doodling experience. To know more about the latest deals and why the Apple Pencil 2 is a must-have accessory, check out this detailed breakdown.
While the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) is expensive at $129, Amazon is discounting it by 11% to $115. This makes the useful iPad stylus a bit more affordable.
Apple Pencil is one piece of Cupertino kit for which there are plenty of cheaper third-party alternatives. But why shop around for those often not-as-good choices when you can get the lowest price on Apple Pencil 2?
Right now you can nab one on Amazon for $79. That’s down from the regular price of $129 — $50 off! And the still-capable Apple Pencil (1st generation) is on sale for even less. See below.