Best stylus for Android phones and tablets 2024
Your fingers aren't the only way of interacting with tablets and smartphones.
Having truly gorgeous displays, today's tablets and smartphones are designed for your fingers to navigate menus, type, select, and do much more. But you can also use the best stylus for Android phones and tablets to do all of that. A stylus offers better precision, particularly with tasks like coloring, jotting down digital notes, or selecting items in detailed digital documents. They're also beneficial for those with large hands, fingers, and/or thumbs who find it difficult to manipulate text and images on the screen(s) of their device(s).
The absolute best option for a Samsung Galaxy device is an S Pen Pro, but if you're looking for an alternative or have a tablet or smartphone from another brand, there are quite a few excellent styli worth considering, too. If your device is compatible with USI 2.0 standard, like a Chromebook or Chrome OS tablet, you can use any of the best USI 2.0 stylus options as well.
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Best overall
The Penoval USI 2.0 Stylus Pen works perfectly with just about any compatible USI 2.0 tablet, 2-in-1, or Chromebook. It gives you complete control over your writing with its ergonomic grip, and comes with replaceable nibs, USB-C charging, and up to 90 hours of battery life. The Penoval Stylus Pen can even attach to the side of your tablet magnetically for effortless ease of use.
Most simple and reliable
Lenovo's USI Pen 2 uses the brand's Finer Tip technology which affords finer control over your doodles. This USI 2.0 stylus can detect up to 4,096 levels of pressure and features an elastomer grip. You also get improved latency and faster pairing times. Its single AAAA battery lasts forever and can be replaced easily when needed.
Best premium stylus
The HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen builds on the previous-gen model, bringing USI 2.0 support in an amazing design for an incredible writing experience. It sports a magnetic barrel along with two customizable buttons and USB-C charging. Weighing only 12.5 grams, the MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen makes writing, doodling, and more a fun experience. It also has a nifty charging indicator.
Scribble away with these clever and comfy styli for Android
Best fine-point stylus
This universal stylus for Android phones and tablets comes with a fine-tip point that mimics a paper-like feel. You can replace its nibs and top-up the battery via USB-C charging. Charging for one hour gives you a usage time of up to 15 hours. You don't get magnetic attachment with this affordable option, but it does have a pen clip for clipping it to a pocket or bag to take with you on the go.
Best Samsung Galaxy S Pen
Samsung's S Pen Pro pairs with a wide range of Galaxy phones and tablets, including a few of the company's laptops. Charging via USB-C, the S Pen Pro touts a generous 16-day battery life. You can even locate it via Samsung's SmartThings app in case you misplace it.
Best value stylus
Available in six colors, MEKO's universal stylus combo pack includes two capacitive styli, four replacement disc tips, and two fiber tips. There's no battery here; instead, MEKO's stylus relies purely on the transfer of electric charges from your body to the tip when interacting with the touch screen. Also, the use of aluminum and stainless steel gives the stylus a much more premium feel than what the affordable price might suggest.
Best Apple Pencil for Android
Fashioned in the likeness of the iOS-exclusive Apple Pencil, this active stylus from KECOW is comfortable to use. Its shape resembles your average graphite pencil, but the overall look is fancy with the all-white finish. If the battery runs out, you can always turn this thing upside down and use it as a capacitive stylus, which is a fantastic backup option. There is a microUSB port once you have time to set it down to recharge.
Most ergonomic stylus
Evach's Active Stylus Pen comes with a buffer unit at the tip for more accuracy and control when you're using it on the screen. It works and feels just like a real pen and the integrated battery can go up to 8 hours on a full charge, which takes about an hour. The 1.5mm fine tip and around 13.3 grams weight make Evach's Active Stylus Pen extremely comfortable to use, though we wish it had a USB-C port for charging instead of microUSB.
Best for Galaxy foldable
Lost or broke your Galaxy Z Fold's S Pen? Or maybe didn't order one with your foldable right out the gate. No need to worry, as you can get this replacement Galaxy S Pen Fold Edition. Usually available for all Z Fold models, it uses Bluetooth and sports a fine 1.5mm tip, up to 4,096 pressure levels, and 'Air command' support. Being a first-party accessory, you can be assured of its compatibility as well.
Most versatile stylus
The two predominant styles for universal stylus pens are fiber or disc tips, and this offering from Digiroot gives you two fiber and four disc tip options. The universal stylus provides a refined finish and is compatible with just about anything that features a capacitive touch screen. Despite being a passive stylus, it's quite responsive and is available in multiple color options.
Most affordable stylus
If you don't want to spend a lot of cash on a stylus, we suggest getting this combo pack from Bargains Depot, which includes two styli and 10 extra rubber tips. The small rubber tip makes it easy to select items such as icons and links and there's also a wider tip at the other end for added convenience. Made from aluminum and stainless steel, the styli are available in several colors.
Best sylus multi-pack
Why settle for just one stylus when you could get an entire set at an extremely exciting price? This combo package gives you a total of 20 (yes, you read that right!) passive styli that are all made from aluminum and rubber, in a wide array of colors. You get soft tips with each stylus for increased sensitivity. Since these are capacitive options, they don't need charging either.
There's a big difference between a stylus and an S Pen
The best stylus for Android runs the full gamut of options and features. If you have a Samsung Galaxy tablet, laptop, or a smartphone like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, you'll want to stick with Samsung's own 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 won't get all the smart features that Samsung has built into the S Pen Pro.
For other tabs like the Google Pixel Tablet, the best pick is a USI 2.0 stylus, as long as your tablet supports the standard. Our favorite USI 2.0 stylus is the Penoval USI 2.0 Stylus Pen as it offers a wide array of features in an attractive design.
If you're looking for a stylus that's a jack-of-all-trades and can work with Android tablets and smartphones from other brands, along with any of Apple's offerings, we'd recommend the Adonit Pro 4 or the KECOW Active Stylus Pen, which even comes with a bunch of replacement tips. The latter works as both an active and a capacitive stylus, so if you run out of charge you can flip it and continue writing.
When it comes to price, especially if you want to buy a stylus for everyone in your 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 with everyone. And they are compatible with any device that has a capacitive touch screen. The biggest trade-off is accuracy, but that's to be expected at such a low price.
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Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.
- Christine PersaudContributor