At Dayspring Pens, we're here to help you decide which pen is the best cheap go-to, or the best ballpoint luxury pen money can buy. My name is Sam Di Nardo, and I have been researching and investigating pens for years.

I am going to break this down into three sections. Feel free to jump to the one best for you. 

• Section 1: The Best Ballpoint Brands You Need to Know
• Section 2: Best Cheap Ballpoint Pens
• Section 3: Best Luxury Ballpoint Pens

Winner for 2024: Waterman Expert Black Gold Trim Ballpoint

A stunning writing instrument that combines the brilliance of high gloss black lacquer with 23k gold-plated accents. It's well-balanced, comfortable, and striking, making it a perfect gift for the wordsmith in your life.

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What to Look for When Buying Ballpoint Pens?

When looking for a ballpoint pen, the ideal ballpoint writes instantly. Additionally, it does not skip or leave ink blots, and is comfortable to use.

Really, you want to avoid classic ballpoint pen problems...leaking ink...the pen drying out and having to draw circles on the back of your receipt for forever to get it going again...the writing line skipping...leaving little clots on the page.

A great ballpoint will avoid all of these standard ballpoint problems.

But to find the perfect pen for you, you will want to ask yourself a few questions:

• What level of comfort do I want? Ergonomic rubber grip for long periods of use? Something well-balanced but not catered to grip?
• How will I use the ballpoint pen? Do I need a durable pen that can survive the bottom of a backpack? Is the pen sitting on a desk making a statement when not in use?
• How much do I want to pay for my perfect ballpoint pen? Am I looking for the best pens to buy in bulk? Am I looking for my favorite pens to give as gifts?

With those in mind, I have a list of the best ballpoint pens by brand in all the categories you need to find your perfect pen.

 

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6 Ballpoint Brands You Need to Know

Parker

One of the first manufacturers of the ballpoint, Parker hit it big in the movies with the Jotter and has made it ever since.

People are brand loyal to Parker ballpoints for the sturdy design of the pens themselves (which are "luxury" with all-metal builds and precious metal materials), and the Parker Quink that is durable and paste-y.

Parker Pens are all refillable so no tossing the pen when the ink runs out, just get some refills.

Waterman

Luxury, Parisian, and smooth, if you have never touched a luxury ballpoint pen before, a Waterman will make it hard to go back to anything else.

BIC

This brand is the reason the ballpoint is the most used writing utensil in history. BIC took the original patent for the ballpoint and created the most recognizable ballpoint in the world: the BIC Cristal.

If you haven't used a BIC in your life (whether the Cristal, Round Stic, 4-Color, etc.), you either grew up in a hippie commune that makes their own quills or you are from a wealthy Russian oligarch's family that only touches things made of 23k gold.

Indeed, BIC is the bread and butter of ballpoints, and not surprisingly, they are incredibly good at making a decent ballpoint.

Pilot

Most known for their rollerballs like the G-2 and their fountain pens (which are incredible), Pilot rocks a real solid ballpoint in the cheap category. Their ink tends towards a low viscosity, which makes it silky smooth for a more rollerball ink feel.

Uni Ball

Ultimately, you can't think of Uni Ball as a brand without thinking of the Uni Ball Jetstream Ballpoint.

We will talk about it more later, but as a whole, Uni Ball delivers low viscosity ballpoint ink that dries almost instantly and bonds to the paper so it won't smear.

Caran D'Ache

Swiss craftsmanship that is a tier below Montblanc. Their designs range from fresh and modern to artistic and subtle.

Caran D'Ache tops lists of ballpoints for their seamless designs (the 849 literally has no seams) and the ink is dark, dependable, and smooth.

 

Cheap Pens Under $35

Cheap Best Ballpoint Pens

The best cheap brand for a ballpoint pen is the Uni Ball Pens.

In particular, the Uni Ball Jetstream is the best of the ballpoint pens. Pen enthusiasts and casual users all agree, and it really is impossible to compare ballpoint pens with this one.

It's not just a good pen. Its fluid ink flow is entirely dedicated to the jetstream ink which has a low viscosity for a really fluid flow, yet somehow manages to still dry almost instantly and has a special patent that bonds the ink to the paper.

They have to remain the best of the cheap ballpoints since there is nothing luxury about this pen except the smooth lines.

Except! The Uni Jetstream Prime. All the joy of the Jetstream in a durable, refillable, metal body that honestly looks great. It is my absolute favorite ballpoint of all time.

Consider this little hack: 

Uni Ball makes the Jetstream ink refill in a special size: SXR-600-07.

The SXR-600-07 Uni Ball Jetstream refill is comparable in size to the Parker-style G2 refill which fits in anything from Parker, Caran d'Ache 849 Ballograf, Zebra, etc...it is actually what is installed in the Jetstream Prime.

So you can always find a more luxury bodied pen that the refill fits in and turn them into the best ballpoint pens.

Best Everyday Ballpoint Pen Brand

The best everyday carry ballpoint pen is the Parker Jotter.

I guarantee you will not come across any pen aficionados who do not have at least one Parker Jotter in their collection. It has been a staple in writing households since Parker released it in the 1950s and revolutionized the ballpoint world.

What makes it such a good everyday pen?

The slim-barrel pen body is portable and constructed of stainless steel, making it an incredibly durable pen.

The click is snappy and efficient. The ink inside (Parker's patented Quink) dries fast and is ready to write.

(The Parker IM Ballpoint isn't too shabby either...)

There are no everyday writing tasks the Jotter can't handle. It's why it's a staple of pen lovers.

Most Ergonomic Ballpoint Pen Brand

The best ergonomic ballpoint pen is the Pilot Dr. Grip Ballpoint pen.

Ergonomic pens are focused on alleviating stress and pain in the hand while writing and gripping a pen.

That pain can be from a medical condition such as carpal tunnel or arthritis, or it can be from a bad grip.

And how ergonomic pens alleviate that stress is through altering how you grip the pen. That can be by making sure the weight, grip, and ink are adaptable to different hand holds, or by changing the shape of the pen entirely.

The Pilot Dr. Grip Ballpoint falls into the first category resulting in a ballpoint that is not only a great pen for anyone with a medical condition, but also for anyone who happens to use one.

The grip has a special double layer of a firmer overcoat with a soft rubber underneath that allows for an easy hold without tension.

The pen is weighted towards the tip so less pressure is required to write.

The ink is low viscosity, which means it will flow more like a liquid ink than an oily one. It also is the ink inside the ballpoint versions of the Pilot Metropolitan.

The Pilot Dr. Grip is also the recommended pen for ease of use by the Arthritis Foundation.

TRY A PILOT BALLPOINT TODAY

Best Ballpoint Pen to Draw With

The best ballpoint pen to draw with is the Bic 4-Color.

Ballpoint artists have long favored Bic as their writing utensil of choice due to its accessibility, the fineness of the point, and the oiliness of the ink.

The Bic 4-Color delivers not only the pasty, oily ink of BIC, it also has four refills of different colors (black, blue, red, and green) perfect for any ballpoint artwork.

Pen Brand that Lasts the Longest

The brands of pen that last the longest are Uni Ball, Pilot, and BIC.

Really, this one is a hard one to gauge since how much you write is the major factor.

Ultimately, how long a pen lasts will vary.

Best Luxury Brand Ballpoint Pens

The best all around luxury brand of ballpoint pen is Waterman. 

One of the perks of the job is that I have tried Waterman pens on every level from their most basic to their most expense (I swoon over the Exception).

With that I can say, I have yet to encounter a luxury pen brand that delivers as beautifully on all levels for ballpoints. 

The intentionality behind the internal mechanism, the quality of the finishes, the durability of the barrels, and, lastly, the tacky, oily consistency of the ink all add together to take the cake on best luxury brand. 

Try Your Own Waterman Ballpoint

 

Best Ballpoint Pen for Gifts

The best ballpoint brands to give as gifts are Dayspring Pens, Waterman, and AT Cross.

Dayspring Pens

Dayspring Pens kicks off my list of best giftable ballpoint brands because it is truly the intersection of everything you want in gifting: beautiful writing, intentional design, personalized touch.

 

 

As a company that started in the business custom engraving luxury pens, Dayspring Pens took their time translating everything they learned customizing, writing with, and selling top brands into designing their own products. 

This means that every pen designed by Dayspring is meant to highlight the customization as well as be a pen they user is actually happy to write with first and foremost. (We have all been in the awful situation of having a pen that looks really cool and writes like a contestant on the Amazing Race who didn't learn to drive a stick shift before they went on the show.)

Each pen comes with a three year warranty and the customer service to answer any questions and help through any part of the pen user's needs.

With a variety of finishes and ballpoint styles, Dayspring Pens offers an ample selection that all come down to pleasant, easy writing.

For an addictive click button and a budget conscious pen, go with the Monroe. 

To showcase a larger engraving, try the Abingdon.

Explore Dayspring Pens Here

 Waterman

Waterman pens are just downright excellent. Often compared to Montblanc, Waterman highlights Parisian excellence and design where Montblanc hallmarks Swiss.

The Waterman Hemisphere in particular is the best gift pen for its attention to detail and refinement. It also engraves beautifully, making it ideal for personalization.

With the trademark Mysterious Blue ink, the Hemisphere is one of the best pens for any writer.

See All Waterman Pens Offers

AT Cross

Synonymous with American pen design, Cross pens offer the perfect range of price point for gifting a luxury ballpoint pen.

 

 

From the art deco Calais to the Presidential Townsend, each Cross pen comes with a Lifetime Guarantee and free custom engraving, which means security in your gifting.

Find Your Next Cross Pen Today

Best Affordable Ballpoint Pens

The best affordable ballpoint pens are the Caran D'Ache, Ohto Horizon Needlepoint Ballpoint pen and the LAMY Safari.

Caran D'Ache 849 Ballpoint Pen

Caran D’Ache is the great for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the quality of the refill inside offers smooth lines and consistent ink flow that will always win out.

The other reason is that Caran D’Ache offers a luxury ballpoint from as entry level and affordable as the 849 at under $25 to something as refined as Varius.

You always feel like you get your money's worth...or better.

Ohto Horizon Needlepoint Ballpoint Pen

Credited as inventing the "rollerball", Ohto's Horizon Ballpoint writes deceptively like a gel pen.

The hexagonal body makes it easy to grip, and the click feels cool and modern.

It's a unique ballpoint with a very fine point (hence the needlepoint title) so if you prefer a fine-point pen, it's hard to beat.

LAMY Safari Ballpoint Pen

LAMY, like Caran D’Ache, pops up across the board as an excellent high end ballpoint at its entry level and most expensive.

The Safari is sleek with the signature LAMY clip and tripod grip. The accordion style click is interactive and fun to use and the plastic body feels surprisingly substantial.

It also has a wide variety of finishes and clip colors with limited editions always being released for a unique take on this new classic.

Best Gold Ballpoint Pen

The best gold ballpoint pen is the Cartier's Santos de Cartier Ballpoint Pen.

Masters of fine jewelry and watches, it shouldn't be a surprise that Cartier also puts its time and attention into making a sublime, Swiss-crafted gold ballpoint.

Best Luxury Ballpoint Pen

Montegrappa has been handcrafting pens since 1912 in a small mountain town in Italy. All the romance you can conjure up in your imagination in that small story pretty much captures the beauty and excellence of these pens.

A Montegrappa ballpoint pen is an heirloom piece that writes exquisitely. My recommendation is the Elmo.

The table below compares some common ballpoint pen brands:

Brand	Price Range	Budget-Friendly Options	Premium Collections
Parker	$20-$320	Jotter, IM	Sonnet, Duofold
Pilot	$2.24-$10	EasyTouch, Acroball	Dr. Grip
Caran D'Ache	$20-$1,000	849	Varius
Cross	$19.99-$135	Bailey, Calais	ATX, Century II
LAMY	$20-$125	Safari	Accent
Montegrappa	$180-$867.64	Armonia, Elmo	Fifa Classics, Barbie

Are Montblanc Pens Worth It?

When I originally wrote this article, I had every intention of using Montblanc in my list of high end luxury ballpoints.

All my research told me they are one of the greatest luxury brands in the world. Montblanc pens have long been heralded as a status symbol of prestige and professionalism.

I purchased a Montblanc Meisterstuck for the article, and I have to say I was really disappointed in what I received.

I'll start with what I liked about the pen first.

It does write well. The ink glides smoothly with a moderate amount of pressure and leaves a fine, but very dark line on the page.

The design is classic. I will always be a sucker for black glossy lacquer against a soft yellow gold.

Sadly, that is where my likes end.

I want to be fair, and I am very open to a new experience with Montblanc and changing my opinion. However, I would like to point out a few details that I found unpleasant in a pen with this pedigree.

I also should comment that I know Montblanc is one of the most knocked off brands in the world and I did my best to verify that my pen was not a fake.

The pen itself was much lighter than expected and the mechanism for the twist-action did not glide smoothly open and closed.

Montblanc's signature resin barrel seemed to be brittle, and I do have a concern about the durability of the pen and how much usage it will be able to withstand.

For these reasons, I have left Montblanc off my list of best brands, opting for brands like Montegrappa and Waterman as alternatives.

How do I know which style of pen is best for me?

The best style of ballpoint pen for you will be the one that:

• Feels the most comfortable when you hold it
• Writes easily with your grip
• You enjoy writing with the most

Start by trying the cheap brands of ballpoint pens.

Which one has smooth writing? Could you use it for everyday writing tasks? Does it feel like a durable pen?

Once you have a favorite cheap ballpoint, try some of the more affordable, entry-level luxury pens.

I would gravitate towards whichever brand best fits your personal style.

And remember, many ballpoint pens have interchangeable refills. Therefore, if you find a fluid ink flow you love, match it with the barrel of your favorite pens.

Conclusion

That's all for the best brands of ballpoint pens. From the cheap easy users to the high end luxury ballpoint pens.

What are your favorite ballpoint pens to use? Leave a comment below!

Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.