The iPad Pro 2021 isn’t quite a laptop replacement yet, but it’s remarkably close. With its potent Apple M1 chip, stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, and refined iPadOS 14, there’s little to gripe about. However, as always, accessories like the Apple Pencil are essential for unlocking the tablet’s full potential. Here are the 8 top alternatives for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021.
Top Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad Pro
What should you expect from these Apple Pencil substitutes? While only a few premium styluses for iPad Pro 2021 match the pixel-perfect precision and low latency of the Apple Pencil, flexibility is where they excel.
Unlike the Apple Pencil, which exclusively pairs with iPads, many third-party digital pens are universal. This means you can use them on any device with a capacitive touchscreen. In addition to universal support, they feature palm-rejection technology and improved tilt control for fluid drawing, writing, and sketching. Moreover, these Apple Pencil alternatives are available at a fraction of the price, which could be a significant advantage for many users. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Table Of Contents
1. Logitech Crayon
With its compact design, Logitech Crayon emerges as a prime Apple Pencil alternative for iPad Pro 2021. The flat shape improves grip and prevents rolling.
Aside from its grippy form, Crayon boasts palm-rejection technology for uninterrupted note-taking and drawing. Its smart tip dynamically adjusts line weight, while zero lag time and precise pixel accuracy rival Apple Pencil.
The stylus supports all apps compatible with Apple Pencil, a significant advantage for compatibility. Regarding battery life, Logitech claims up to 7.5 hours of writing on a single charge.
Noteworthy, it offers 30 minutes of writing with just 2 minutes of charging. Unlike Apple Pencil, it charges using a Lightning cable, which is outdated. Nevertheless, Crayon remains reliable.
- Flat design for anti-slip grip
- Smart tip dynamically adjusts line weight
- Zero perceptible lag time
- Top-notch precision
- Supports all Apple Pencil-compatible apps
Cons:
- Comparatively shorter battery life
- Requires Lightning cable for charging
Buy from Amazon: $60.59
2. Wacom Bamboo Fineline
Wacom excels in crafting premier digital pens. The Bamboo Fineline stylus epitomizes sophistication. Its ergonomic triangular design, coupled with a skid-proof soft-touch finish, ensures a secure grip for precise drawing, writing, or note-taking.
The Bamboo Fineline requires a Bluetooth connection for seamless operation. Unlike cheaper alternatives, it offers hassle-free Bluetooth pairing, enabling swift connectivity to your preferred app for immediate drawing.
For a personalized experience, customize the shortcut buttons alongside the pencil. Features like pressure sensitivity and palm rejection place Bamboo Fineline in the same territory as Apple Pencil. Additionally, it supports a wide range of apps, essential if you rely on a stylus for work.
- Skid-proof soft-touch finish
- Ergonomic triangular design
- Customizable shortcut buttons
- Supports a wide range of apps
Buy from Amazon: $107.80
3. Adonit Dash 3
If ease of use and universal support is your priority, consider the Adonit Dash 3. With its sleek aluminum construction and precision finish, it offers both modern design and enhanced grip.
Adonit touts the Dash 3’s PixelPoint tip for its responsiveness, making it suitable for drawing, sketching, and note-taking on your new iPad Pro 2021. While it may not match the precision of the Apple Pencil, it still provides a satisfying experience.
Dash 3 boasts a built-in battery delivering 14 hours of continuous use and charges fully in just 45 minutes. Priced at $50, it’s compatible with iPad Pro, iPhone, and Android devices, making it a top alternative to the Apple Pencil for those seeking freedom from the Apple ecosystem.
- Sleek modern design
- Precision finish with improved grip
- Features PixelPoint tip
Available on Amazon: $44.99
4. Renaisser
Renaisser is a stylus that aims to deliver both great drawing experience and a competitive price point. To ensure your digital pen meets these criteria, consider purchasing the Renaisser stylus for your iPad Pro in 2021.
This stylus boasts an ergonomic design, akin to the Apple Pencil, providing anti-slip grip. Renaisser features a highly sensitive tip and palm-rejection technology to enhance the writing experience. Additionally, it supports magnetic attachment for secure placement on the iPad Pro.
A 15-minute charge can provide 70 hours of continuous use, ideal for those who prioritize long battery life. Overall, Renaisser stands out as one of the top Apple Pencil alternatives.
Pros:
- Neat design with anti-slip grip
- Pen-on-paper experience
- Magnetic attachment
- 15-minute charge offers 70 hours of battery life
Buy from Amazon: $29.99
5. ZAGG Pro Stylus
There are multiple reasons not to miss out on ZAGG Pro Stylus. First, the digital pen features a dual-tip for drawing, writing, and sketching with better control. You can use the universal capacitive backend tip to navigate, scroll, and take advantage of the active tip for writing or drawing.
Second, the Pro Stylus comes with tilt recognition technology, enabling you to vary stroke width for improved precision. Additionally, it supports palm rejection technology, allowing you to rest your palm on the screen while taking notes.
ZAGG Pro Stylus is compatible with nearly all Apple Pencil-supported apps, minimizing potential incompatibility issues. It boasts up to 9 hours of battery life, ample for extended drawing and writing sessions. Considering these features, it emerges as a formidable alternative to the Apple Pencil.
- Potential inconsistency in achieving 9 hours of battery life
Available on Amazon: $69.99
6. ESR Stylus for iPad Pro
ESR, renowned for its affordable yet high-quality covers, now offers a sleek stylus pen that easily fits into most wallets. Its design resembles that of the Apple Pencil, with flat sides providing a secure grip for sketching or note-taking.
Featuring palm-rejection technology, ESR ensures worry-free writing. Tilt sensitivity, a standout feature, allows for effortless line thickness adjustment while sketching.
The digital pen features a power button for easy on/off operation without needing to deal with pairing. Additionally, it offers magnetic attachment to the iPad Pro. Charging is not required for this stylus, which is priced at $30, making it a compelling alternative to the Apple Pencil.
- Similarity to Apple Pencil 2
- Reliable palm-rejection technology
- Magnetic attachment
- Power button
- The power button is slightly stiff
Buy from Amazon: $27.99
7. Jamjake
Receiving 4.6 stars out of 5 from nearly 52K ratings, Jamjake stands out as a top Apple Pencil alternative on Amazon. What contributes to its popularity? The stylus closely resembles Apple Pencil 2 and boasts a 1.5mm pen tip ideal for sketching and note-taking.
Furthermore, Jamjake excels in sensitivity. Utilizing palm-rejection technology, it delivers a natural writing experience. Its operation doesn’t necessitate a Bluetooth connection, enabling immediate engagement with your creative pursuits.
With up to 20 hours of battery life, Jamjake can last multiple drawing and writing sessions. Additionally, there’s a convenient sleep mode that activates after 5 minutes to save battery.
- 1.5mm pen tip
- Natural writing feel
- 20 hours of battery life
- No need for Bluetooth connection
Buy from Amazon: $25.49
8. Homder Fun Stylus
If all you need is a decent stylus for drawing, sketching, and writing effortlessly at a low price, consider this offering from Homder Fun. The stylus is well-built with flat sides for an anti-slip grip and is made of high-grade aluminum alloy, making it durable against impacts and drops. Equipped with a 1.2mm carbon fiber tip, it performs comparably to the Apple Pencil.
Additionally, the Homder Fun stylus supports palm rejection technology, allowing you to rest your palm on the screen while drawing or taking notes. Like other affordable alternatives to the Apple Pencil, it doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection or the installation of any app.
To activate the stylus, tap on the cap button. The Homder Fun stylus offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge. Additionally, it features a sleep mode that activates after 5 minutes of inactivity to prolong battery life. Considering these features, the $27 price seems like a steal compared to the $129 Apple Pencil.
- Palm rejection technology
- Well-built design with flat sides
- 1.2mm carbon fiber tip
- 20 hours of battery life
Buy from Amazon: $26.99
Top Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad Pro 2021
These are the best Apple Pencil substitutes for your 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2021. With several capable digital styluses listed here, I trust you’ll find one that suits your needs. Let us know in the comments which stylus you prefer, whether it’s the premium Logitech or the universal Adonit Dash 3. Share your thoughts on how well the iPad Pro 2021 compares to its alternatives.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
