No matter what they say, good old-fashioned writing will never go out of style. We may rely on technology and gadgets more these days, but you probably still write more than you realize. We may be sending text messages to our friends instead of letters, but we still use pens to jot down notes, write checks, write numbers on the back of our hands, and doodle aimlessly in class or meetings.
We use pens so often, yet still, forget to keep them on us. I mean, can you remember the last time you needed a pen and didn’t have to scramble to find one? Probably not. That’s why EDC pens, or everyday carry pens, are all the absolute best right now. They’re pens that are worth keeping on you all day. However, as simple as they seem, the world of pens is vast and can be overwhelming. Whether you’re new and searching for your first EDC pen, or a pen enthusiast just looking for another great find, below you will find 25 of the best EDC pens on the market right now.
Fisher 400B Bullet Space Pen
With one of the first anti-gravity pen to hit the market, Fisher has been in the game of making great pens for decades. The Space Pen makes a perfect EDC pen because it is compact, easy to use, and can be used under any conditions – literally. The cartridge of the Space Pen is pressurized, meaning it doesn’t rely on gravity to move the ink down to the tip of the pen. This freedom from gravity means you can write at any angle, even upside down. You can finally say goodbye to the days of leaky, exploding pens or pens with frozen, dried up ink, the Fisher 400B seems to solve all of our most common pen problems, making it the perfect pen to carry with you all day.
Pilot Petit1 Fountain Pen
If you’re a fan of fountain pens, this is one you’ll want to keep on you at all times. Not only does it look sleek, but it also gives you super smooth results, so you’re not stuck with really heavy ink spots in some places and barely any ink in other places. It’s easy to slip this super small pen into any purse, wallet, clutch, pocket, or clip it onto any notebook or portfolio. And with the Petit1 costing just a fraction of what a normal fountain pen costs you can splurge a little bit and get a couple of different colors, there are eight of them, after all.
Zebra F-701 Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen
Coming from a brand that’s a favorite among pen enthusiasts, you never have to question if what you’re getting is worth the money, especially when it comes to the Zebra F-701. The durable stainless steel exterior prevents it from bending or getting punctured. What really matters is how it compares to other ballpoint pens, though. The Zebra F-701 glides over paper easily, leaving smooth black ink that isn’t going to smudge or smear, like a lot of fountain pens would.
Tactile Turn Stainless Steel Slider & Glider
The Slider and its companion, the Glider, are both pretty impressive finds, but the Slider is slightly smaller, making it easier to take with you on the go. The Slider is the perfect length to slip into your shirt pocket, so it’s nearby whenever you need it during the day. Obviously, construction is also very important, you don’t want a pen that’s going to get rusted or give out after a couple months of use. The stainless steel construction of the Slider and Glider make them very durable and resistant to rusting. The stainless steel body also gives this pen a very sleek, polished look, just like it does for some of the most popular kitchen appliances.
Pilot G2 Limited Retractable Gel Ink Pen
The Pilot G2 Limited is the complete package, right down to the ergonomic rubber grip. The Pilot G2 is a mid-range pen, it’s nothing too fancy or expensive, but it never fails to please. This pen from Pilot allows you to quickly scribble notes on the go without having to worry about smearing or smudging. And since this pen has been shown to write longer than some of the leading gel pens, you can write until your heart’s content and you still spend less money on refills, making the price point that much more impressive.
LAMY Pico Ballpoint Pen
The LAMY Pico Ballpoint Pen is perfect for people who crave a pen that’s a little bit “funky”. At first glance, this pen looks more like a marker or highlighter that you had as a kid, but not keeping one on you would be a mistake. This pen has a unique lift mechanism, so you don’t have to keep up with any caps or worry about driving your co-workers insane clicking your pen up and down all day. Lastly, this pen comes in a wide variety of colors and the cartridges can easily be swapped out. Refilling or swapping out cartridges is everyone’s least favorite part, so it’s nice to have a simple, streamlined process to make easy to do when the time comes.
Ti Arto Everyday Carry Pen
The Ti Arto EDC carries a story of innovation and success with it everywhere it goes. Starting as a small Kickstarter campaign, the creators of this pen blew their original goal of $5,000 out of the water, raising over 20 times that amount and quickly became a fan favorite. The original Ti Arto was compatible with over 200 different refills, this pen goes leaps and bounds beyond that, accepting over 750 different refills. It is compatible with refills from big name brands, like Fisher, Bic, Pilot, and Lamy. This, combined with the fact that you can actually adjust the length of this pen, makes it any pen lover’s dream come true.
Fisher Telescoping Space Pen
This cap-free telescoping pen has all the features we know and love about Fisher pens. This space pen can write in any condition, including extreme hot and cold temperatures, and at any angle. But what sets this pen apart from, the Bullet, perhaps, is that it uses a telescoping mechanism instead of a cap. This means you can easily expose or conceal the tip of this pen by pulling or pushing it. Its sturdy aluminum construction and a lifetime guarantee against all manufacturing defects seal the whole deal on this EDC pen.
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Many people’s favorite EDC pen is some sort of tactical pen. Which makes sense, since they work just as great as a pen as they do a self defense or survival tool. The Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen features a machined steel body and a glass breaking tip, which can be used to break the windows or windshield and escape from a car or fend off an attacker. Keeping this pen on you will ensure that you are never defenseless and never without a great writing tool.
Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen
This classic fountain pen doesn’t necessarily add anything new and noteworthy that we haven’t seen before, but it so perfectly nails everything that a fountain pen should be, so there was no chance it wouldn’t make the list. Its medium nib writes with just the right thickness and requires barely any pressure. For all you fine point nib fans, this pen is also available with a fine tip, so you can double up and get the best of both worlds. But if it’s style you’re looking for, you’re in luck, the matte black finish on the sleek brass barrel gives this pen the finishing touch it needs.
Tombow AirPress Ballpoint Pen
A good EDC pen can be used by professionals in many fields. If you work in usual locations, it may be hard to find a pen that can keep up; that’s where the Tombow AirPress comes in. This durable ballpoint pen is designed to go with you anywhere and can write on anything, even wet paper, at any angle. It easily clips onto any notebook or folder, making it great for field work.
Zebra Sharbo X LT3 Multi Pen Body Component
The Zebra Sharbo X LT3 Multi Pen is perfect for people who like to switch things up and those who like their pens a particular way. You have full control over practically every aspect of this pen, from the body color to the ink color, ink type, and tip size. The pen tip is available in sizes varying from 0.3mm to 0.7 mm, so pick your favorite or stock up on them all. You also have your choice between a gel and ballpoint tip, this retractable pen allows you to build your personal perfect pen.
TEC Accessories Pico Pen
This tiny Pico Pen is best for people with smaller, but there’s certainly no limits on who can use it. Measuring just over 3 inches long and weighing less than 15 grams, this pen adds absolutely no weight to your bag, wallet, or pocket. You can slip it away and forget about it and still pull it out whenever you need it. This pen is the exact opposite of those big clunky EDC pens that just take up space and it still performs fantastically.
Karas Kustoms Retrakt Pen
Once you’re able to look beyond the Retrakt Pen’s modern, sleek design, you can see just how versatile and reliable this pen is. It’s made from heavy-duty metal, so you never have to worry about the clip or clicker or other parts snapping off and rendering the pen obsolete. It’s also very versatile, and if you’re already using a Pilot G2 or Parker ballpoint pen, making the switch to the Retrakt Pen is as easy as pie, considering this pen is compatible with both Pilot G2 and Parker refills.
Inkless Metal Beta Pen
The Inkless Metal Beta Pen is an ultra cool EDC pen that gets rid of the need for refills. This pen could quite easily be the only pen you’ll ever need, since it will never run out and is durable enough to last a lifetime. At the end of the metal constructed barrel, is a special metal alloy tip that writes just like a pen, maybe even better. Since there is no traditional ink, there is also no smudging, leaking, or uneven coverage while writing. Pick up this inkless pen in your favorite color and never worry about running out of ink again.
Tombow Zoom L105 Ballpoint Pen
Although Tombow produces some great pens, they can all move aside once the Zoom L105 arrives. This luxurious pen allows you to get the feel for a high-end pen without having to break the bank. It’s made from durable materials, including a tungsten carbide ball cartridge, which can seemingly write forever. The Zoom L105 comes with a beautiful chrome finished cap, but also operate with a twist mechanism, so no annoying clicking here.
Rotring Tikky Ballpoint Pen
The Rotring Tikky looks like an unsuspecting pen, but it’s actually quite memorable, which is why lots of people keep it on them during the day. Whether you are jotting down notes all day long, or just signing a check at the bank, the Rotring Tikky pen provides you with an extremely comfortable, nonslip grip and its triangular shape is much more ergonomic than the standard round pen. The Tikky line of pens is available in a wide variety of colors, so you can add the perfect splash of color for your taste.
The Shaker by Tactile Turn
This raw machined aluminum pen by Tactile Turn is super versatile but still minimalistic. The Shaker doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but its perfectly distributed weight feels great in your hand and makes for an enjoyable writing experience. The Shaker is compatible with a long list of refills and is designed to be hassle-free when it’s time to replace the cartridge. This is super handy because several of the best pens on the market have only a couple refills they are compatible with, and they always seem to be impossible to track down.
Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ballpoint Pen
The Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ballpoint Pen is not the most luxurious pen, but it is definitely a reliable one, which goes a long way when you’re talking about EDC pens. Left-handers will love this pen because of its quick drying, non-smudging ink. Any leftie knows how frustrating it can be writing down something important only to live your pen up and see your hand has drug across the entire page, smearing all the ink. This pen goes even further, though, with ink resistant to water and fading, aka, pen kryptonite.
Montblanc StarWalker Ballpoint Pen
The Montblanc Starwalker may not be the most budget-friendly pen, but if you have the money to splurge, it’s worth it. The barrel of this pen is made from black resin, which is very uncommon and part of what runs the price up. Fans of resin know how beautiful it can be, especially when it’s done right, and of course, Montblanc does it right. Although the StarWalker is not compatible with a wide variety of refill brands, the refills do come in a variety of stunning colors, including Fortune Green and Nightfire Red.
Benchmade Titanium Pen
The Benchmade Titanium Pen is perfect for people who like a “weighty” pen. It’s made from super heavy duty materials, so it isn’t the lightest pen. But, it still feels great in your hand and doesn’t seem to add any drag. The unique pattern on this pen is meant to make it more comfortable to hold, but what’s most impressive is the huge choice of colors you have when you choose this pen. It’s hard to find a line of pens with this many barrel color options, so it’s exciting to find such a large line of pens.
LAMY Multi System Titanium Ballpoint Pen
Lamy challenges everything you thought you knew about pens, because all of a sudden, it’s a pencil, too! That’s right, this multi-system pen doubles as a pencil, making it ideal for pretty much any writing situation. Some situations are better suited for pencils, like solving a math problem or writing rough drafts, but if all you have on you is a pen, you’re out of luck. This multi-system pen allows you to be totally prepared at all times eliminates the need to carry multiple writing utensils.
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen
This tactical pen from Columbia River Knife and Tool has you covered in all types of situations, whether you need to write yourself a note or protect yourself, this aluminum pen has got your back. Tactical pens are known for being heavy duty, and this one is no different, with a lifetime warranty backing it up. This pen was developed by James Williams, who is a long time martial arts instructor and military operations specialist, so you can trust he knows a good deal about self-defense.
Pilot Better Ballpoint Pen
Pilot is a brand that’s been around for a while, so when they release a “better” ballpoint pen, it’s definitely at least worth trying. These simplistic pens are good for everyone, from students to professionals, since everyone can agree on one thing, a pen needs to be comfortable. The ribbed grip makes it more comfortable to hold and, frankly, is just easy to kill time playing with. And with just a quick glance at the tinted transparent barrel will tell you how much ink you have left or if it’s time for a refill. Best of all though, these pens are extremely economical and easy to stock up on, coming in packs of 12.
Rite In The Rain Trekker Pen
Last, but certainly not least, is the Trekker Pen, which is ideal for scientists who work in the field, hikers, bird watchers, or any nature lover who spends a lot of time outside. Taking notes or sketching outside can present unique challenges, like what to do when it rains. With a typical pen, you’d be forced to call it a day or risk having all your work getting destroyed. However, the Trekker Pen can write in any condition, including in water and at every angle. On your next journey outside, attach this pen to your keychain or slip it in your pocket and get ready to write like you never have before.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of great everyday carry pen choices on the market, but ultimately, only you know what is best for you. You know your budget and most importantly, you know your preferences. Some people love fountain pens and know they don’t want a ballpoint pen, that’s fine, just ignore the ballpoint ones we recommended. This list is a great place to start when shopping for EDC pens but is by no means an exhaustive list. Still, it can help you narrow down your options and find the best EDC pen for your needs.