If you have ever searched online for “best writing utensils” or the “best pens for note taking” you know how hard it can be to choose. There are so many options, and it can be hard to find reviews on many of them.
In this review, we shall see which pen are the best for note taking.
Best for Sketching: Copic Marker Gasenfude Nylon Brush Pen
The Gasenfude Nylon Brush Pen has a narrow and flexible synthetic brush that you can use to sketch. The nib features a super fine point for creating thin lines and details. Or, if you press down on the brush, you can create the broad strong strokes that make up dramatic lettering. The brush pen is perfect for creating page and section headers and other dramatic effects in your journal. The rich, solid black ink is also perfect for creating shading effects and bold lines on your pages. The ink is bleed- and smear-resistant and can be used with other Copic markers to bring life and creativity to your journal entries.
Related: The Best Drawing Pens
Best for Brush Lettering: Tombow Dual Brush Pen Set
Brush pens are great for brush letters, faux calligraphy, illustrations, watercolor illustrations, and journaling. The Tombow Dual Brush Pen Set in Grayscale includes 10 pens in varying shades of gray for a monotone look. The brushes are made from smooth and resilient fibers, can take on pressure, and maintain their original shape even after use. The ink is water-based and blendable. No worries if you like to mix colors–the tips are self-cleaning, so the markers won’t be permanently stained when you mix colors. You can clean the tips by simply brushing them across a piece of scrap paper. The pens can be used on regular paper with normal writing, but drawing or painting on cardstock is ideal to avoid bleed-through.
Related: The Best Calligraphy Pens
Advanced Supplies
If you’ve been using your bullet journal for a while and you feel like you have a solid grasp on the basics, then you are probably ready to step up your game. There are a ton of handy bullet journal supplies that might overwhelm a beginner but are perfect for someone more advanced in the bullet journal world. As you use your bullet journal more and begin to understand your ideal use of the system, you will have a better idea of which of the supplies listed below are right for you.
Pens and Markers
There are a ton of incredible pens and markers out there that are begging to be used in a bullet journal. Each of the materials listed here is tried and true, but it’s up to you to figure out which ones are right for your style.
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen
Ever been curious about using a fountain pen? The Pilot Metropolitan is an excellent jump into the world of fountain pens, and it’s quite affordable, too. This pen is a joy to write with and will make you excited to pick up your pen and use your bullet journal.
Read my full Pilot Metropolitan review.
759 Reviews PILOT MR Retro Pop Collection Fountain Pen in Gift Box, Turquoise Barrel with Dots Accent, Fine…
- PILOT MR: This refillable modern fountain pen delivers refined style & an exceptionally smooth writing experience. Premium brass barrel with stainless accents, packaged in an elegant gift box. Fine or…
- USE WITH CONVERTER OR CARTRIDGE: The versatile Pilot MR Fountain Pen is compatible with the Pilot Con-70 converter (included)& it can also be used with convenient Pilot IC-100 ink cartridges.
- PILOT MR COLLECTION: The expressive MR Fountain, Ball Point, & Gel Roller pens are available in a variety of options, including the refined Metropolitan, eclectic Retro Pop, & exotic Animal…
- TRUSTED QUALITY: We’ve been making pens for over 100 years. Whether you’re taking notes, stocking up on school or office supplies, or writing in a bullet journal, Pilot has the perfect pen for you!
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
When it comes to fountain pens, I have found the Lami Safari to jump to the top of my list every time. It is affordable, easy to use, comfortable in the hand, and classy looking to boot.
Read my full Lamy Safari review.
363 Reviews Lamy Safari White Fountain Pen – Fine Nib L19-WE-F
- Sturdy ABS blastic plastic, With flexible shiny chrome clip
- Can be modified for use with converter Z 24)
- Use T10 Ink Cartridge
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Markers
Like I said earlier, bullet journaling was the catalyst I needed to start my love of brush lettering. If you want to incorporate lettering into your notebook, then these Dual Brush Pens are a must-have. You can also use them for highlighting and adding all kinds of decoration to your bullet journal!
Read my full Tombow Dual Brush Pen review. SALE
8,736 Reviews Tombow 56185 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Bright, 10-Pack. Blendable, Brush and Fine Tip Markers
- Ideal for fine art, brush lettering, faux calligraphy, illustrations, water color illustrations, journaling and more!
- Set of 9 colors and 1 blender pen, with flexible brush tip and fine tip in one marker
- BRUSH TIP: Durable and flexible nylon fiber brush tip, creates medium or bold strokes by changing brush pressure
- FINE TIP: gives consistent lines
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens
This is one of those pens that I will likely never, ever stop buying. I love these pens. They are very fine brush pens, making them perfect for the narrow corridors of a bullet journal. I love using them for drawing, lettering, creating spreads and boxes, and so much more. They are beloved to me.
Read my full Tombow Fudenosuke review.
28,718 Reviews Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pen, 2-Pack. Soft and Hard Tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens for Calligraphy…
- Contains both the soft and hard tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens
- Features a flexible brush tip for different lettering and drawing techniques
- Create extra fine, fine or medium strokes by a change in brush pressure
- Great for calligraphy and art drawings
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
Whether you like brush lettering or not, I’d still recommend this brush pen. It packs a huge punch with its bold, black color and flexible brush tip. I have used it for years in setting up my spreads because I love the variation in line width and texture that it produces.SALE
2,648 Reviews Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen, Includes 2 Black Ink Refills (GFKP3BPA)
- Portable, neat and easy-to-use versus traditional paint and brushes: Ideal for painting on Location
- Permanent pigment ink is both fade- and water-resistant
- Durable, Premium bristles help create fine to broad lines in a single Brush stroke
- Refill cartridges make for an easy, no mess ink Replacement
Prismacolor Illustration Brush Tip Markers
I’ve had these for a long time, and I still use them after all these years. When I got the Staedtler set I fully expected to stop using these, but I just keep coming back. I can’t really quantify what I like about these markers, but I just love the way they write. Prismacolor is just really good at what they do.
455 Reviews Prismacolor 1736674 Premier Illustration Brush Tip Art Markers, Assorted Colors, 8-Count
- Ideal for creating thick, thin or varied lines with one stroke
- Richly saturated colors with a silky smooth flow and ink with unmatched color consistency
- Experience the smooth flow of a paint brush with the convenience of a marker
- Vivid ink is acid free, lightfast, permanent, water resistant, smear resistant when dry and doesn’t bleed through paper
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens
This pack of pens has a huge level of variety that I just love. There are drawing pens, different brush pens, and even a fat bullet tip pen. If you want to try out brush pens without committing to a whole set, this is the option for you.SALE
6,845 Reviews Faber-Castell FC167137 Wallet Pitt Pen Nibs Art Set, Assorted
- PITT artist pens contain pigmented India ink that is both archival and acid free
- Perfect for drawing on the go!
- Convenient wallet keeps all your drawing tools together
- Pigmented India ink that is both acid free and pH Neutral
Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight Pens
Gel pens just create nostalgia for those middle school days where I took all my notes in sparkly gel ink. The Gelly Roll pens are more than a trip down memory lane, though — they’re quality. These bright, bold, and beautiful colors glide on the page and stand out like nothing else.SALE
5,131 Reviews Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight Pen Set, 1 mm Bold Tip, Assorted Colors, Pack of 10
- CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL: Unlimited possibilities for creative fun with innovative ink styles and colors
- CREAMY, OPAQUE GEL INK: The opaque ink flows brightly and smoothly on both dark and light papers
- NO BLEED THROUGH: No bleeding through most papers; ideal for writing or drawing in journals
- THE ORIGINAL GEL INK: From Sakura, the inventor of gel ink
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best writing utensils to use for taking notes, you’ve come to the right place. Some of us learn better by listening; others by reading. While some of us don’t like lectures, love reading textbooks, and prefer hands-on education like lab experiments. But whether you prefer listening to professors, honing your reading skills via textbooks, or experimenting with tangible items until you master them, there’s one thing we can all easily agree with: note-taking is an integral part of educational success.