My "Best Pen" Recommendations (2020 Edition)

This year I overhauled the “Best Pens” recommendation page, swapping out several entries and updating purchase recommendations. Keep in mind that this list shouldn’t be read as a “shopping list.” I’m in no way saying that everyone needs all of these pens in their personal collection - what I’m trying to do here is to provide readers with a starting point to research purchases in various price categories and for different purposes. There's no substitute for your own personal preference and experience! Where possible, I've linked to both my review of the recommended pen and a purchasing option. If I've not reviewed a specific pen, I've linked to someone else's review that I find well-written and reliable. Finally, if you're looking for a recommendation on a "one-pen" carry setup, or a shorter read, check out my post on "Best Pens for When You Only Want One Pen."

Note: This is the updated 2020 version of my "best pens" list. I update the guide each year, but I leave previous versions live, so that everyone can see how the list changes. (See the 2019 List, 2018 List and the 2017 List here.) Please be advised that many of the links to purchasing options here are to paid sponsors and affiliates, and in certain cases TGS Curated Shop. I may be compensated a small percentage of any purchase you make, which is how I support the site and keep things running.

Best Fountain Pens for Beginners

Good fountain pens don't have to be expensive. You can get an excellent first writing experience for just over $10.

TWSBI Eco. I finally got over my squeamishness about including a piston-filling pen on my list of "beginner" fountain pen recommendations, because I absolutely think the TWSBI Eco offer the best total package on the market for less than $30. Go ahead and learn to love the ink bottle, you can't go wrong with the Eco. (Purchase here)
Lamy Safari. The longer I’m in this hobby, the bigger Lamy fan I become. The Safari is the quintessential "beginner pen" from the German powerhouse that features interchangeable nibs and an original design that's become a classic. If the triangular section doesn't bother you, the Safari (or its aluminum cousin, the AL-Star) are both great options. (Purchase here)
Platinum Plaisir. Since Pilot jacked up the price on the Metropolitan, my go-to beginner pen has been the Platinum Plaisir, which comes in an expanded range of colors and, in my opinion, features a better nib and is much more comfortable to hold than the Metropolitan. The one drawback is that the converter needs to be purchased separately, but Platinum’s high-capacity cartridges are excellent and last a very long time. (Purchase here)
Kaweco Sport. Kaweco specializes in pocket pens, and makes some great ones. Kaweco offers the Sport, their flagship pen, in multiple models at various price points, from the inexpensive classic to the pricier aluminum AL-Sport to the Carbon Fiber AC-Sport. You can purchase the Classic Sport (with gold trim) or the Skyline Sport (with chrome trim).
PenBBS 308. I started speculating last year, but 2020 is the year that PenBBS finally makes my list of recommended beginner pens, though I would play it safe by opting for the cartridge/converter model. These pens come in a wide variety of colors and materials, and the cost ranges from $13 to $30, depending on the material you choose.

Honorable Mention: This is where the “Beginners” list has changed the most, as there are many high-quality, inexpensive pens on the market that might break into the top five. As always, you won't go wrong checking out the Kaweco Perkeo, the super-cheap Platinum Preppy, or the Pilot Kakuno. Gaining the newest spot on the “watch list” is the AmazonBasics fountain pen, which has impressed me with its performance so far, with the new Platinum Prefounte also garnering recommendations.

Best Fountain Pens Under $100

The $50-$100 price point is always the most difficult to recommend, mainly because if you’re willing to spend $50 on a pen, you can be better off moving to the $100-$150 price bracket because you will have more options and, in all likelihood, a higher-quality writing experience. That said, if you're willing to shop around, you can find excellent fountain pens for under $100 that aren't for "beginners," but still don't break the bank.

TWSBI 580. The TWSBI 580 continues to rule this category. TWSBI designed the 580 and its predecessors with input from the larger fountain pen community, and offers a reliable piston filler with interchangeable nibs at a price that can't be beat. TWSBI periodically offers the 580 with anodized aluminum trim. (Purchase here)
Lamy Studio. The "next step" up in Lamy pens after the Safari and the AL-Star. I don't mind the metal section, but some might find it too slippery or uncomfortable if they grip the pen very hard. Over the past couple of years, the Lamy Studio has skyrocketed up my list of recommended pens, and it now sits at No. 2 in the “Best Pens Under $100” category, and reappears later if you opt to add one of Lamy’s excellent 14k nibs. (Purchase here)
TWSBI Mini. TWSBI's smaller piston filler makes for a great pocket pen, but because it posts the TWSBI Mini can also serve as your daily driver.
Platinum Procyon. Last year, Platinum released the Procyon fountain pen at around the $65 price point, and I came away impressed. For those looking for a more substantial pen body to house one of Platinum’s excellent steel nibs, the Procyon makes for a great daily writer. (Purchase here)
Faber-Castell Loom. Faber-Castell nibs are exceptional, and you can find the same nib on their lower-priced offerings as on their $100+ pens. The Loom comes in a broad array of colors and trim, though some may balk at the oversized cap and more modern design. While I enjoy the Loom, Faber-Castell makes a range of relatively inexpensive pens featuring the same nib, including some that might even fall into the “Beginner” category. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: If you’re into machined pens, check out the Karas Kustoms Starliner/Starliner XL, from the “Reaktor” series, as well as the Tactile Turn Gist 2.0 in Delrin. The Tactile Turn is well under the $100 price point, and the Gist is also built like a much more expensive pen. Lamy has a few other options at this price point, including the Lamy LX and the Lamy Aion, though the writing performance of both is nearly identical to the AL-Star, which is less expensive, and the Studio, which I think is a better pen. Finally, if you don’t mind the fussiness inherent in filling a Japanese-style eyedropper pen, Opus 88 makes a range of pens that can fall into the $75-100 price range.

Best First fountain Pen over $100 (Steel Nibs)

Many people have a set expectation that once you go over the $100 price point, a fountain pen should have a gold nib to be “worth the money.” When I was first starting out in this hobby I shared that viewpoint. Over the past few years, my views have evolved, and I now finally believe this is the wrong way to look at things. The German companies (and even Sailor) make extremely high quality steel nibs that can be indistinguishable from gold, in terms of the writing experience they offer.

Faber-Castell Ambition or E-Motion. Faber-Castell pens are some of the best bargains in the fountain pen world, in my opinion. For just over $100, you can get a pen like the Ambition, which is not only an exceptional writer but comes in a wide array of unique designs, including barrels made from exotic woods. (Purchase here) If you find the Ambition too slender, consider the E-Motion, which is a chunky, heftier pen that nonetheless has exceptional balance posted or unposted. I'm also a fan of the "Pure Black" version of the E-Motion, which I recently reviewed. The "Pure Black" is slightly pricier but features a comfortable textured barrel. (Purchase here)
Leonardo Momento Zero and Leonardo Furore. Leonardo Officina Italiana emerged from the ruins of Italian pen company Delta after it shut down a couple of years ago, and has since released two fountain pens, the Momento Zero and the Furore, both of which have received rave reviews. While the Momento Zero is my personal favorite, the Furore is also excellent and has a slightly different aesthetic. Overall functionality remains the same.
Franklin Christoph Model 20 or Model 02. Which one you go with depends on your style preference, and whether you want a slip-on cap (Model 20) or a threaded cap (Model 02). Franklin-Christoph offers a variety of nib choices, including some custom stub and italic grinds. (Purchase here)
Esterbrook “Estie". Kenro’s resurrection of Esterbrook is an example of how to rebuild a brand the right way. Though some initially complained about the price point of these pens, the quality is superb. A new emerald green color was just released, and I expect they will release more in the future as the brand gains traction. An oversize version of the Estie is available at a slightly higher price point. (Purchase here)
Pelikan Tradition 200/M205. I can’t leave the entry-level Pelikan piston-filler off this list. Pelikan nibs are interchangeable, giving you the option to “upgrade” to a gold nib at a later point in time if you so desire. Watch for the special edition M205 demonstrators in various colors.

Honorable Mention: Cleo Skribent is a smaller German brands that makes excellent pens, but for whatever reason tends to be difficult to find outside of Europe. Otto Hutt is another smaller German maker that receives less attention, but I will note that I had an unexpected quality control issue with a pen that I ordered this year. Finally, don’t forget old standby Waterman, which recently revitalized their “Expert” line of pens and appears to be preparing to release some new designs.

Best First Fountain Pen Over $100 (Gold Nibs)

The price of gold is still high, but you can find many affordable options for a fountain pen with a gold nib in the $100-200 range. Crossing the century mark for the first time can be a daunting experience, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of these options.

Lamy 2000. A classic minimalist design in a sturdy, reliable package. Everybody needs a Lamy 2000 in their arsenal. As noted below, the Lamy 2000 pulls double duty as my favorite overall fountain pen. (Purchase here)
Lamy Studio (14k Nib Option). Lamy's bouncy 14k gold nib is a joy to write with, and has finally convinced me that the "upgraded" version of the Lamy Studio is an excellent option. These pens can be harder to come by, and the color option (currently “Piano Black”) changes periodically, but they're worth the money. You can also purchase gold nibs separately and upgrade a Lamy Studio that ships with a steel nib.
Platinum 3776. Platinum’s answer to the Pilot Custom 74, though Platinum has expanded this line in recent years to include more colors and limited and special editions, which has bumped the pen up the list over the two Pilots listed below. The Platinum 3776 also offers more nib options, including “soft” nibs and a music nib. (Purchase here)
Pilot Custom 74. It upsets me that the Custom 74 often goes overlooked at pen shows. Pilot pens represent the peak of reliability, even if their design typically doesn’t change much over the years because Pilot rarely chases trends. The Custom 74 features an excellent 14k nib and utilizes Pilot’s higher-capacity CON-70 pump converter. (Purchase here)
Pilot Custom Heritage 92. This pen sits at the bottom of the “Top 5” only because it pushes the upper limit of the price point in this category, but you can work that down with a coupon code or by waiting for a periodic sale. Still, around $200 for a Pilot piston filler with a gold nib? If I were forced to choose, this could easily become my daily workhorse. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: The Pilot Vanishing Point is one of the few options for a retractable-nib fountain pen, and it's a good one. Due to the position of the clip on the "nib end" of the pen, it can be hard for some people to write with. I personally prefer the slimmer Pilot Decimo as I find the design to be more portable and conducive to short notes. The price point on both is very reasonable, and I still recommend both the Vanishing Point and the smaller Pilot Decimo (collectively referred to as Pilot's "Capless" pens) on a "try before you buy" basis.

My Favorite Fountain Pens

There's no price limitation here, just my pure, unadorned opinion.

Lamy 2000. You can't go wrong with a classic, which is why I own two of these pens: one in an extra-fine nib and another with a medium nib. (Purchase here)
Leonardo Momento Zero. Since purchasing my first Momento Zero pens in early January, this pen has shot to the top of my daily carry. I consider the Momento Zero to be the “spiritual successor” to the Delta Fusion 82, a favorite pen of mine that unfortunately has long since been discontinued when Delta went under.
Montblanc 146. Ignore the haters, and also ignore Montblanc's sometimes over-the-top marketing. The 146 is a solid piston-filler fountain pen that has become my go-to daily workhorse, and I love the look of the platinum-trim versions. In recent years, Montblanc has introduced new special editions of the 146 with minimal mark-ups, including the UNICEF special edition and the new "Le Petit Prince" edition. (Purchase here)
Lamy Studio (14k Gold Nib). The first major change of the “Best Pens” list, 2020 Edition, is that the Lamy Studio has dethroned Sailor on my list of personal favorites. The 14k extra fine nib writes like a micro-architect nib, without having to pay extra for the grind. Your mileage may vary on this, but all three nibs that I have tried show some line variation, with narrow downstrokes and broader cross-strokes. Pro tip: the Lamy Studio LX All Black - which this entry links to - looks great paired with the blacked-out Z57 14k nib.
Aurora 88 Sigaro-Blu. The first Aurora to make my list is my dark blue lacquered Aurora 88 Sigaro Blu, which has turned into a workhorse for me. The relatively wet fine nib makes an excellent choice for most of my everyday writing, and the metal section front weights this pen for exceptional balance. While this pen was a limited edition, for the moment Dan Smith still has some pens in stock. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: While I still enjoy my Sailor Professional Gear Imperial Black Edition and my Sailor 1911 Black Luster, I’m honestly a little bored with Sailor lately. It’s not that I dislike the brand, or that the quality control on the pens has dipped, it’s just that I don’t think they’ve shown a lot of creativity, and instead have churned out an endless array of “special” and “limited” editions, which are basically the same pens they’ve made for a decade or more in different acrylics. Still deserving an honorable mention is the Pelikan M600/M400, especially since Pelikan has decided to focus more on the mid-size M600 model. Finally, my Conway Stewart Model 100 sees a lot of use, and the modern version of the venerable British company still continues to use many of the same gorgeous materials that made Conway Stewart famous.

Best Pocket Pens and Pencils

The majority of the writing I do on a day-to-day basis is note-taking, so I use a lot of pocket pens and pencils. Here are my favorites.

Fisher Space Pen. While I once preferred the "bullet" version, my current favorite is the "Astronaut" or "Shuttle" model of the Fisher Space Pen, which is still small enough to stick in a pocket. This pressurized ballpoint refill will write anywhere (even underwater, supposedly). Unfortunately the black-grid Shuttle Pen is getting hard to find.
Lamy Pico. Lamy's entry in the pocket pen market expands from a tiny capsule capable of being concealed in your palm, into as full-size pen - the essence of "pocket carry."
Pokka Pen. The Pokka Pen has landed a key role in my writing setup not only as an excellent disposable pen option (see below) but as a great piece of pocket/EDC carry gear. You can now purchase Pokka Pens directly from the TGS Curated Shop. (Purchase here)
Kaweco Sport. The grandaddy of pocket fountain pens, available in fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint and clutch pencil. (Purchase here)
Franklin-Christoph Model 45. More expensive than a Kaweco Sport, but well-made and customizable with different nib grinds. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: The Inventery Pocket Fountain Pen is a high-quality machined metal fountain pen that you can also fit with a rollerball tip. In the past, I’ve also enjoyed using the Kaweco Supra, which features a larger No. 6 nib. Both of these pens ship with extenders, so you can adjust the length depending on your preference.

Best Disposable Pens for Everyday Use

I can't use fountain pens all the time at work. These are the gel pens, ballpoints, and fineliners that you will find me using on a day-to-day basis. I may break this list into different categories of pens in the future, but here's what's currently on my desk.

Pokka Pen. The pocketable Pokka Pen (pun intended) has become my go-to ballpoint, not just a great pocket pen. They're inexpensive, come in a range of fun colors, and you don't need to worry about losing them. (Purchase here)
Pilot G2. People love to hate this pen because it's a more conventional choice, but I've always found the Pilot G2 to be smooth, reliable, and cheap. Though the .7mm writes a very clean line, the .5mm and the .38mm tips are my favorite.
Morning Glory Mach 3. This ultra fine liquid ink rollerball unseated the Pentel Energel. You can't beat a good needle point, and it comes in .38mm. [Update: Apparently these pens are now called the “Pro Mach” and have been slightly redesigned.]
Pilot Razor Point II Ultra Fine. I love porous point / felt-tipped pens, and the Razor Point II is my favorite. It works great in pocket notebooks, even Field Notes and Moleskines.
Uniball Vision Elite. Not to be confused with the Uniball Vision. The "micro" tip version of this excellent liquid ink pen has become a staple.

Honorable Mention: You can't go wrong with a good all-purpose hybrid ballpoint like the Uniball Jetstream or the Pilot Acroball (though I do find them a bit boring). I typically order the .5mm versions online, though the .7mm pens are easily found in most office supply stores. After the Pilot G2, the Pentel Energel in .5mm needle-tip is my go-to gel pen.

Best Refillable Ballpoints and Rollerballs

Sometimes you don't want to use a disposable pen, but a fountain pen just won't work for whatever situation you find yourself in. All of these pens will acquit themselves admirably.

Baron Fig Squire. Baron Fig's first pen is a winner. I like the form factor better than the Retro 51 Tornado, which uses the same refill. Since I last published this list, Baron Fig has released the squire in an array of new colors, and also recently released a Squire "click" version, if you prefer a clicky knock. (Purchase here)
Lamy 2000 Ballpoint/4-Color Ballpoint. The Lamy 2000 isn't just one of my favorite fountain pens, it's one of my favorite overall pen concepts. Lamy's ballpoint and 4-Color multifunction versions of its flagship are reasonably priced workhorses that will be with you for the long haul.
Sailor Imperial Black Multifunction Pen. I'm a huge fan of multifunction pens, and I find myself using them more than stand-alone ballpoints and rollerballs because they allow me to switch colors on the fly. If you need a multi pen with a mechanical pencil option, this Sailor is excellent.
Fisher Space Pen. I like the slightly larger "Shuttle" version of the Fisher Space Pen because it can pull double duty as a pocket pen and as a decent sized ballpoint.
Ti Arto Universal Refill Pen. The Ti Arto has become my universal go-to recommendation for a versatile pen body that accepts nearly every refill in existence. There is also a portable "EDC" version. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention: This will likely be the last year I can feature the Retro 51 Tornado, since the company has indicated that it will discontinue operations at the end of the year. The Baron Fig Squire is positioned as the natural successor, and in any event I prefer the Squire in terms of balance and overall functionality. Both pens accept either the Schmidt p8126 rollerball refill or the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 ballpoint refill, both of which are outstanding.

These lists were last updated on March 22, 2020. If you'd like to see how my personal tastes and preferences have evolved over time, check out my original blog posts: