The 5 Best Surface Pen Alternatives Reviewed
If you’re reading this, can we assume that you’re also a fan of surface pens? We can all appreciate the surface pen’s technological greatness and the beautiful way they seamlessly glide through while executing all our commands. What’s more, there are various alternatives available to choose from should you lose your original surface pen or destroy it in any way.
But the availability of alternatives also offers another set of potential problems – picking the wrong ones. Not only will this mean you’ve wasted your money, but also you will not be able to enjoy the full benefits of using your alternative surface pen. Therefore, we have taken the time to put together this list of what we consider the best Surface Pen alternatives currently available on the market.
Best Surface Pen Alternatives
1. Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus
First on our list is the Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus. Wacom has gradually become one of the most renowned brands when it comes to making the best Surface pen alternatives. The brand has manufactured excellent Surface pen alternatives and other drawing accessories for a while now, so you know what you’re getting from them.
The Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus easily gives the original Surface pen a run for its money in terms of construction, design, and performance. Whether you are looking for something to use for annotation, sketching, or drawing purposes, this alternative Surface pen will bring the real-life pen-on-paper experience to your screen. Its performance is both crisp and precise, allowing you to work effortlessly on Windows Ink. Plus, you can shift seamlessly to Wacom devices also if you want to.
This Surface pen alternative also comes with a Bluetooth button that enables you to use your pen as an extension of your device – allowing you to execute several tasks easily. You can access all your favorite applications, use them, and even launch your sketch pad on the workspace and let your creative juices flow. Besides, the pen offers three different options in terms of pencil nibs, as you can switch between firm, soft, or blue nibs, depending on what suits your preference. You can also charge your pen with any Type C USB charger available. Oh! And we cannot forget the pen’s natural tilt support feature that offers a more natural feel on the Surface by detecting angles.
For a better look at how the Wacom Bamboo Ink works and some of its capabilities, watch this video:
- The best pen for your device Ink Plus is a smart pen for drawing, sketching, and writing on tablets and smartphones with Microsoft Windows 10 pen-enabled devices.
- Compatible with most 2-in-1 devices Ink Plus is optimized for Windows 10. It is compatible with devices that use the Wacom Use the Active ES protocol and the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) to get you work done. Scroll down for an overview of compatible devices. Alternatively, an overview can be found on the Wacom Website ( wacom .com/comp)
- With natural sensations and an ergonomic design with 4096 pressure levels and extreme responsiveness, the Ink Plus reproduces the fine tip precisely and easily. The ergonomic triangular profile and soft surface offer you balanced and comfortable handling. Its tactile shape, which does not unnoticed that of the pen, gives it a fluid line.
- For drawings, sketches or notes, customize your pen to suit your needs with the different tips. It increases your productivity and efficiency with its two customizable side buttons. Express yourself with Ink Plus and experience a natural feeling. No batteries needed thanks to the USB-C port for charging.
- Box contents: Ink Plus; jump starter; tip set; charging cable; 1 lithium-ion battery
2. Dell Premium Active Pen
Up next, we have the Dell Premium Active Pen. Most users consider this alternative Surface pen as the best option when it comes to drawing. This Active pen offers a top-notch user experience as it is equipped with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Its design comes with a flexible multi-protocol compatibility feature, perfect with both Windows Ink display and selected Dell 2-in-ones. It also features a multi-protocol advanced encryption standard (AES) 2.0, which will allow you to choose various stroke modes for your pen. For example, you can change the lightness, darkness, or boldness of your strokes without worrying about experiencing any lagging effect. You can also shade in your preferred details without bothering about any lag.
Dell Premium Active Pen also features impressive customizable buttons. These allow you to execute all your drawings and sketches quickly. For example, you can use the top button on the pen to sketch or write directly on your locked screen – perfect for taking quick notes. And if you make mistakes, you can use the buttons on the sides to erase your strokes quickly.
Additionally, the pen comes with a palm rejection technology that allows you to rest your wrist anywhere on the screen, just like you would if you were writing on a piece of paper. That means you don’t have to worry about hanging and stressing your wrists if you have a lot of sketching or drawing to do. The technology prevents the screen from picking up’ accidental commands’ from your palm.
Plus, the pen makes for very effective storage, as you can conveniently secure it at the side hook on your Dell 2-in-one notebook or any other 2-in-one notebook supported by Dell. and what’s more, the Dell Premium Active Pen is very affordable, as it is available for just under a $100.
- dell-pn579x
- the dell premium active pen offers flexible multi-protocol compatibility with selected dell 2-in-1 devices with a windows ink compatible display.
- the pen's multimode controller can be used on all protocol platforms - mpp 1.51 (microsoft pen protocol), wacom aes 1.0 and the latest wacom aes 2.0 technology.
- model number: pn579x
- Compatible devices: Notebook Connectivity technology: Bluetooth
3. HP Digital Pen
Moving on, we have the HP Digital Pen. If you’re looking for the best alternative Surface pen for select HP touchscreen computers, then your best bet should be the HP Digital Pen.
HP is already well-known for delivering on functionality, and this pen is yet another perfect example. Although this digital pen has all the sleek looks you might want in your Surface pen (complemented by a luxuriously silver finish), its design is for the sole purpose of enhancing its usefulness.
The HP Digital Pen works naturally on Windows Ink, offering precision and accuracy when it comes to all your drawing or sketching needs. One main reason behind the pen’s impressive precision is the N-trig technology it comes with. You can enable this feature from a couple of buttons located on the side of the pen. Besides being compatible with Windows Ink, you also pair HP’s digital pen with all your HP touchscreen laptops and tablets. It also works pretty well with HP hybrid laptops, although there is still some more work to be done there.
But that’s not all; this alternative surface pen also offers another pretty impressive feature, which is the ink-to-text feature. This useful feature allows you to convert your writings into text format. Moreover, this feature has gone through several improvements to provide improved accuracy in reading and converting handwritten texts. Like our previous entry, you can also undo or erase your strokes or sketches simply by accessing the pen’s customizable buttons. Also, the pen comes with a powerful battery that can easily handle the heavy duties of daily use. And, it’s priced perfectly to fit almost any budget size, as it is available for around $60.
- Compatible with Windows Ink: Improved N-trig technology allows you to write, draw and navigate with precision
- PLEASE NOTE: For use only with HP Envy 17 17-aexxxx, Envy x360 15-bpxxxx, 15-bqxxxx, Pavilion x360 11m-adxxxx, 14m-Baxxxx, 15-br0xxx
- PLEASE NOTE: For use only with HP Spectre x360 15-bl0xxx, 13-ac0xxx, Spectre 13 13-aexxxx, Spectre x2 12-c0xxx
- Precision tip and pressure sensitivity: Gives you complete control, as if it’s pen to paper.. Minimum system requirements is pen enabled device with Windows 10.3
- Ink to text: Write naturally while your PC instantly converts your handwriting to text.. Customizable buttons: Seamlessly switch between functions and easily access the eraser
4. Adonit Note+
Adonit Note+ is the fourth entry onto our list of the best Surface pen alternatives currently available on the market. If you’re more interested in style and presentation and not just functionality, then you might want to check out this Surface pen alternative. But its aesthetic appeal takes nothing away from how effective it is for drawing, sketching, or writing. Its pin pint tip ensures that you work on your screen in crisp and fine detail. The Adonit Note+ supports 2048 pressure sensitivity levels, ensuring that each line you draw is either light or dark, depending on the amount of pressure you apply. The pen is also designed to be compatible with a range of touchscreen devices, including iPad Pro (3rd/ 4th Generation, iPad Air (3rd / 4th Generation), iPad (6th / 7th / 8th Generation), and the iPad mini (5th Generation), among others.
Like the Dell Premium Active Pen, Adonit Note+ also comes with a Palm Rejection Technology, allowing you to rest your wrist on the screen while you write or sketch. The technology is designed to reject any accidental command your palm may execute while it rests on the screen. And to quickly erase your mistakes, all you need to do is press the button on the side of the pen, and you’re good to go. That helps to save a lot of time.
When it comes to battery life, you can enjoy 10 hours of constant use from this pen. Plus, any type C USB connector should be able to get it charging.
The Adonit Note+ also comes with a natural tilt support feature. That means you can tilt your pen against your screen to create a virtual shade effect when drawing. Also, you can select specific brushes for precise drawing and writing needs.
- 【Tilt & Pressure Sensitivity】- 2048 levels pressure sensitivity ensures every line, dash, swoosh and letter appears exactly how the user pictured it. *Please note that pressure function requires pairing with compatible Apps.
- 【2 Shortcut Buttons】- Adonit Note+ features two programmable shortcut buttons provide users with quick access to erase, redo, as well as a scroll to zoom features. *Please note that shortcut buttons requires pairing with compatible Apps.
- 【Palm Rejection】- Don't let yor palm smudge your project! Allows you to write on your iPad as if it's an actual notebook. Rest your palm comfortably on the screen while using Adonit Note+ without leaving any stray lines on the page.
- 【Perfect For Creative iPad Users】- Let your creativity run free! Adonit Note+ is compatible with a variety of top creative apps, including Concepts, Zen Brush 2, Noteledge, and more. Designed for iPad Air 4/3, iPad Mini 6/5, iPad 9/8/7/6, iPad Pro 11/12.9" (2018-2021) with iOS 12.2 and above.
- 【What You Get】- Package includes Adonit Note+, USB-C Cable, User Manual, 12 months warranty. *Please search B07Z651G2X for Note+ replacement tips
5. Tesha Stylus Pen
And last but not least, we have the Tesha Stylus Pen. This Surface pen alternative is probably the cheapest on our list, usually hovering between $30 to $40. But don’t let its low price fool you, as this pen comes packed with all the basics you will need in an alternative Surface pen. Let’s start with its appearance. This aluminum pen throws off a platinum vibe, although you can also choose from black and grey options. The design is sleek while offering all the functionality you need.
Speaking of functionality, the Tesha Stylus Pen packs 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity at its precision tip. Although this may be slightly lower than others we have already reviewed, you can write, sketch, draw or erase comfortably without worrying about lags. It offers a natural feel much closer to what you get from writing on a piece of paper. The pen also features an N-trig technology, which ensures that your lines are precise and clear. You can also rely on its Palm Rejection Technology to rest your hand comfortably on your screen while you handle your writing or drawing task.
The Tesha Stylus Pen is compatible with the following devices; Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro 6, Surface Pro 5, Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro 3, Surface Book 2 and 1, and the Surface Laptop 3 2 1, and Surface Go 2 1. However, it is pretty compatible with other OEM devices, although it offers no Bluetooth connection – only plug and play. It also comes with a battery that supports 2500 hours of working time, with two extra pen tips for longer use.
- 【A Must-have Accessory for Surface Owner】tesha Surface Pen is adopted Microsoft Pen Protocol technology, as well as better compatibility for newest Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7+/7, Surface Pro 6, Surface Pro 5th Gen, Surface Laptop 4/3/2/1, Surface Studio, Surface Book, Surface Go 4/3/2/1, Surface Duo all models
- 【More Affordable】The Surface Pen works on AAAA battery, but the power consumption is lower, so it can be used for over 2500 hours. You don’t need to recharge it all the time. If you plan on doing a lot of note-taking or doodling, it may be a perfect choice with a considerable saving
- 【Fully Features Available】Support 1024 pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, replaceable pen tip, eraser and right click functionality. This Pen is for anyone who care for the features above and wishes to have a great performance pen as likes as Microsoft official Surface Pen and save some money
- 【Excellent Potential for Creative Work】With this new Surface Pen, you'll turn your Surface device into a powerful creative tool, allowing you to sketch and interact with various parts of Windows and it won’t scratch and damage your screen
- 【What You Get】1 x Active Pen, 2 x Pen Tips, 1 x AAAA Battery. 24-Month after-sales service and 30 days free return & replacement. If you have any questions, our customer service will be there for you and we will get you back within 12 hours