Choosing a stylus for your tablet: how to avoid a bad buy

A stylus for a tablet might seem simple at first: choose a pen, connect it to your screen and start writing. In practice, the wrong choice could leave you with a pen that doesn’t work, runs out of power quickly or lacks the features you need for drawing and writing.

These three common pitfalls are worth watching out for:

• Compatibility claims can be too broad. A pen for a capacitive touchscreen won’t automatically work with an iPad, Samsung tablet or Microsoft Surface. Active pens use specific technologies, such as Apple Pencil, AES, USI or MPP.
• “No lag” doesn’t tell you much without further details. Response speed also depends on the tablet, app and connection. A budget touchscreen pen may be suitable for navigation, but less suited to precise drawing.
• Pressure sensitivity is confused with ordinary touch. A pressure-sensitive digital pen detects different pressure levels. A basic capacitive pen usually only registers touch, without precise variation in line thickness.

So always check your device’s exact model before buying a tablet stylus.

The key features to check

1. Compatibility: check the model, not just the brand

A pen for iPad won’t necessarily work with every iPad. According to the product information, the Apple Pencil 2nd generation is compatible with specific iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini models. The Apple Pencil USB-C supports a different selection of iPads.

The same applies to other systems:

• A Samsung S Pen is often designed for specific Galaxy Tab models.
• A Microsoft Surface Pen or Surface Slim Pen 2 is intended for selected Surface devices.
• A Dell Active Pen requires a compatible Dell 2-in-1 with the right active pen technology.
• An HP stylus pen with MPP support only works if your laptop or tablet supports this protocol.
• A Wacom stylus is usually designed for specific drawing tablets or displays.

Can’t find your device listed by its exact model? Check your tablet or laptop’s manual and compare the supported technology. With a capacitive pen, “universal” often just means it can tap on a compatible touchscreen; features such as palm rejection or pressure sensitivity aren’t guaranteed.

2. Pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition and palm rejection

A basic pen may be enough for notes and simple tasks. For drawing and writing, extra features are more important.

• Pressure sensitivity: for example, 4096 pressure levels. According to the product specifications, this can help vary line thickness or shading, provided your tablet and app support the feature.
• Tilt recognition: the line or shading can respond to the angle at which you hold the pen.
• Palm rejection: the tablet ignores your palm while you write. This is especially useful for taking long notes.
• Tip shape: a fine, tapered tip often gives you more control than a wide rubber tip.

Bear in mind that figures quoted by different brands aren’t always directly comparable. A pen with 4096 pressure levels won’t necessarily work with every drawing app. According to the product information, the Dell PN5122W, Dell PN7522W, Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 and Acer ASA410 all have 4096 pressure levels.

3. Battery, charging and connection

An active stylus needs power. Check whether the pen uses an AAAA battery, has a built-in rechargeable battery or charges magnetically.

A battery-powered pen can be handy for extended use without a charging cable. According to the product information, the Dell Pro Plus Active Pen PN5122W comes with an AAAA battery and has a stated battery life of up to 12 months. The HP MPP 1.51 has a stated battery life of up to 18 months. These are product specifications; actual battery life depends on use and settings.

Rechargeable models are more convenient if you don’t want to replace a separate battery. The Logitech Crayon uses USB-C and has a stated battery life of up to 6.5 hours. According to the product information, the Dell PN7522W can charge up to 80% in 20 minutes and has a stated battery life of up to 40 days per charge.

Also check whether pairing is required. Some pens work straight away with a compatible screen, while others need to be set up via Bluetooth or a companion app.

Our recommendations for different users

The recommendations below are based on the stated compatibility, power source, pressure sensitivity and features. Always check your exact device model before buying.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

VoxorAI HL-U05 White Stylus Pen, Active Stylus for Tablets

Why it suits this user: This pen is designed for capacitive screens and, according to the product information, supports iOS and Android. That makes it an interesting option for simple note-taking, navigation and occasional use.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information specifically mentions capacitive screens and a built-in 140 mAh battery. Still, check in advance that your device and the features you want are supported.

Key benefits

Aluminium and plastic casing, a built-in lithium battery, and support for iOS and Android according to the product specifications.

Suitable for: Buyers looking for premium quality

Apple Pencil 2nd Generation Stylus

Why it suits this user: A great choice for iPad users who want to write, sketch, annotate PDFs and switch between tools with a double tap.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Compatible iPad models are listed specifically, making it less likely you’ll buy a pen based on the word “iPad” alone.

Key benefits

Magnetic pairing and charging, palm rejection, tilt sensitivity and a touch function for switching tools, according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specialist use and frequent users

DELL Pro Plus Active Pen - PN5122W

Why it suits this user: This model is aimed at users of compatible Dell 2-in-1 laptops who write, draw and use shortcuts in their day-to-day work.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The list of supported Inspiron, Latitude and XPS models is specific. The product information also states that Bluetooth pairing isn’t required.

Key benefits

4096 pressure levels, tilt function, side buttons and an AAAA battery with a stated life of up to 12 months.

Suitable for: Samsung tablet users

Samsung EJ-PX510 Stylus Pen 8.7g Beige

Why it suits this user: According to the product information, this pen is designed for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ and works with Samsung Notes and PENUP.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Compatibility is clearly defined and limited, helping you avoid buying a Samsung pen for an unsupported Galaxy Tab.

Key benefits

Weighs 8.7 grams, attaches magnetically and has an IP68 rating, according to the product information. Don’t charge the pen when it or the tablet is wet.

Frequently asked questions about tablet styluses

Does every stylus work with every tablet?

No. A basic capacitive touchscreen pen can often tap on different screens, but active features only work when the technology matches your device. So check the exact model and whether it supports Apple Pencil, AES, USI, MPP or another standard.

How long does an active stylus last?

That depends on the power source and how you use it. An AAAA battery can last for many months according to product specifications, while a built-in battery needs regular charging. Bluetooth, shortcut buttons and intensive drawing can also affect battery life.

Do you need pressure sensitivity for taking notes?

Not always. A basic pen may be enough for typing, scrolling and jotting down short notes. Pressure sensitivity is more useful for sketching, shading and handwriting, provided your tablet and the app you use support the feature.