The best tablets and large-screened smartphones are designed for your fingers to navigate menus and screens, type, select, and more. But you can also use the best stylus for Android phones and tablets to do all of the above. A stylus offers better precision, particularly with tasks like coloring, jotting down digital notes, or selecting items in a detailed document. They're beneficial for those with large hands, fingers, and/or thumbs who find it difficult to manipulate small text on the screen. The absolute best option for a Samsung Galaxy device is an S Pen Pro, but if you're looking for an alternative or have another tablet brand or smartphone, there are alternatives worth considering, too.
Scribble away with these clever and comfy styli
Adonit Dash 4
Fine-point stylus
This universal stylus for Android phones and tablets features a fine-tip point that mimics a paper-like drag. You can replace the nibs and top-up the charge via a unique wireless USB-C dongle. With a 15-hour up time, this will last you through multiple drawing and note-taking sessions.
Samsung Galaxy S Pen Pro
Best S Pen to date
Samsung's latest foray into the world of writing tech for its phones and tablets is a smashing success. The S Pen Pro connects to a wide range of Galaxy devices and tablets and some Samsung laptops. Charging via USB-C, the S Pen Pro touts a generous 16-day battery life. You can even locate it using Samsung's SmartThings app.
MEKO 2-in-1 Stylus Universal Touch Screen Pen
Best value
Available in eight colors, you get two capacitive styli, four replacement disc tips, and two fiber tips. There's no battery in here; instead, the MEKO stylus relies purely on the transfer of electric charges from your body to the tip when interacting with the touch screen.
KECOW Active Stylus Pen
Apple Pencil for Android
Fashioned in the likeness of the iOS-exclusive Apple Pencil, this active stylus is very comfortable to use. Its shape resembles your average graphite pencil, but the overall look is very fancy. If the battery runs out, you can always turn it upside down and use it as a capacitive stylus, which is a fantastic backup.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Replacement S Pen
For your S22 Ultra
Lost or broke your Galaxy S22 Ultra's S Pen? Don't worry because you can get this replacement S Pen from Samsung. With Bluetooth, a fine 0.7mm tip, 4,096 pressure levels, and Air command support, it's the perfect match for your S22 Ultra.
Digiroot Universal Stylus (2-in-1) Disc Stylus Pen
We've got some tips
The two predominant styles for universal stylus pens are fiber or disc tips, and this one offers three fiber and six disc tip options. This Digiroot device provides a more refined finish and a much more accurate nib compared to other capacitive styli.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra S Pen
S Pen for S21 Ultra exclusively
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was the first non-Note Samsung device to work with a stylus, and you can grab the premium S Pen in black with 4,096 pressure points to go perfectly with the smartphone. Unfortunately, this version only works with the S21 Ultra.
Bargains Depot Stylus
Most affordable option
College kids can scrap some change together to snag this 2-pack from Bargains Depot. This set comes with the two styli and 10 extra rubber tips. You get an additional wider nib on the tail-end that's hidden away under a cap.
Samsung Note 20 Replacement S Pen
For Galaxy Note 20 series
This is the replacement pen you should get if you've lost or need an extra S Pen to use with the old Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra models.
Evach Active Stylus Digital Pen
Ergonomic design
At the tip, a buffer unit provides more accuracy and control with this stylus that boasts an eight-hour battery life per charge.
homEdge Stylus Pen Set
Color your world
Why settle for just one stylus when you could get an entire set? This extensive package that comes with 20 of them in 10 colors. These are capacitive options, so they're not known for precision, but you get the advantage of not having to charge it.
Samsung Official Replacement S-Pen for Galaxy Note10 and Note10+
Keep your Note 10 alive
Samsung might not be making Notes anymore, but you can still get an official replacement S Pen for your Note 10 device, which comes in six color options to suit your style.
There's a big difference between a stylus and an S Pen
The best stylus for Android runs the gamut of options and features. If you own a Samsung Galaxy tablet, smartphone, laptop, or even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, you'll want to stick with Samsung's own very excellent S Pen Pro.
Keep in mind that a universal stylus will work for the basic tasks on a Samsung mobile device, too, but you wouldn't get all the smart features that Samsung built into the S Pen Pro. If you're using the Galaxy Tab S8 series, the S Pen that came with your Android tablet is in fact the best one to use. There are no replacements available for the Tab S8 S Pen yet though, so you should be careful with it for now.
If you're looking for a stylus that's a jack-of-all-trades and designed to work with Android tablets and smartphones from other brands, along with any of Apple's offerings, we'd recommend the Adonit Dash 4 or the KECOW Active Stylus Pen if you like the value of getting a bunch of replacement tips. The KECOW option works as an active and a capacitive stylus, so if you run out of charge you can just flip it and continue writing.
When it comes to price, especially if you want to buy a stylus for everyone in the family or to have one handy everywhere you go, the homEdge Stylus Pen Set can't be beaten. You get 20 styli for a super-low price, enough to share. And they are compatible with any device that has a capacitive touch screen. The only trade-off is accuracy, but that's what you get at this price.
Namerah Saud Fatmi is a freelance writer for Android Central. She has a passion for all things tech & gaming and has been an honorary Goodreads librarian since 2011. When she isn't writing, she can be found chasing stray cats and dogs in the streets of Dhaka or slaying dragons in the land of Skyrim. You can reach her on Twitter @NamerahS.
