We tested each pen for the following:
Ballpoint pens with gel ink were first invented in Japan in 1984 and have been a staple part of the Japanese stationery pantheon since. What makes gel ink great in comparison to conventional ballpoint pens is that they're less likely to bleed out and feel smoother when writing, as well as offer more intense and vibrant colors.
Japanese stationery is popular around the world for their excellent build quality and fantastic, highly functional designs, and gel pens are no different, undergoing constant improvements to offer the best possible writing experience.
Gel pens are actually ballpoint pens, but with gel ink, combining the best of water-based and oil-based ballpoint pens; they don't bleed onto paper like oil-based pens, dry quickly, and like water-based ink, can be written with light pressure.
Moreover, if a gel ink uses pigments for its colorants, it has excellent water resistance, making them ideal for writing addresses on letters or postcards. However, one of the drawbacks of gel pens compared to conventional ballpoint pens is that they use more ink, running out relatively quickly.
First off, we'll introduce the 10 best Japanese gel pens available online. They were ranked by how well they did on our tests and given an overall score ranging from 1.0 to 5.0.
We tested each pen for the following:
Then, based on how they performed on our tests, we graded and ranked the 10 best Japanese gel pens available online.
※Japanese prices for some of the products are given; they’ve merely been converted into USD for easy viewing.
Image | 1 ![]() Pentel | 2 ![]() Pentel | 3 ![]() Pentel | 4 ![]() Pentel | 5 ![]() Zebra | 6 ![]() Mitsubishi Pencil | 7 ![]() Zebra | 8 ![]() Muji | 9 ![]() Mitsubishi Pencil | 10 ![]() Pilot |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | EnerGel BLN75-A | EnerGel Infree BLN75TL-A | EnerGel-S BLN125-A | Energizer Cap Type BLN55-A | SARASA Clip JJ15-BK | Uni-ball Signo RT1 | Sarasa Dry JJS31-BK | Smooth Writing Gel Pen Knock Type 2794118 | Uni-ball Signo 307UMN-307-05 | Juice LJU-10EF |
Features | A Pen That Has an Addictively Light Feel and Naturally Fits in the Hand | The Smoothest Gel Pen That Writes Easily With Minimal Pressure | A Light and Smooth Feel With Great Visibility | Great for Writing and Scribbling! The One You Should Carry with Your Notebook | Clear Writing With Minimal Pressure Required | Smooth Uniform Shape That Fits Comfortably in the Hand | A Great Pen for Business That Is Resistant to Smudging and Dries Fast | Smooth Writing With a Nicely Designed Grip | Fell of the Grained Grip is Nice and Easy to Move the Pen | Vivid Colors Makes This Pen Great for Illustrations |
Price | $1.45 | $3.34 | $0.65 | $2.92 | $0.61 | $0.93 | $2.25 | $10.57 | $0.93 | $1.92 |
Japanese | ぺんてる エナージェルBLN75-A | ぺんてる エナージェル インフリー BLN75TL-A | ぺんてる エナージェル エスBLN125-A | 141mm | ゼブラ サラサクリップ JJ15-BK | 三菱鉛筆 ユニボール シグノ RT1 | 139.4mm | 無印良品 さらさら描けるゲルインキボールペン ノック式2794118 | 三菱鉛筆 uin ユニボール シグノ 307UMN-307-05 | パイロット ジュースLJU-10EF |
Length | 147mm | 147mm | 147mm | 11mm | 141mm | 141.2mm | 10.9mm | 144.7mm | 142mm | 143mm |
Max diameter | 11mm | 11mm | 11mm | 13g | 11mm | 11mm | 10.9g | 10.3mm | 11.5mm | 10.3mm |
Weight | 13g | 13g | 12g | Rubber | 10.9g | 11.1g | Rubber | 10g | 10.3g | 9.9g |
Grip material | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Plastic | Rubber | Rubber | Plastic | Plastic | Rubber | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Pipe tip | Plastic | Plastic | Cone tip | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip | Pipe tip | Pipe tip | Water-based ink | Cone tip | Cone tip | Water-based ink | Cone chip | Cone tip | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink | Water-based ink | Water-based ink | Cap type | Water-based ink | Water-based ink | Knock type | Water-based ink | Water-based ink | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type | Knock type | Knock type | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | Knock type | Knock type | 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm | Knock type | Knock type | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | - | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | 0.28mm, 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | Comes with a binder clip | 0.5mm | 0.28mm, 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm | 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - | - | - | 3.9 | Comes with a binder clip | - | 3.9 | - | - | - |
Overall score | 4.14 | 4.08 | 3.91 | ぺんてる エナージェル キャップ式 BLN55-A | 3.88 | 3.87 | ゼブラ サラサドライJJS31-BK | 3.76 | 3.75 | 3.74 |
Grip | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
Feel on paper | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.4 |
Smoothness | 3.9 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 3.3 |
Firmness | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.3 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
Link |
$1.45
Japanese | ぺんてる エナージェルBLN75-A |
---|---|
Length | 147mm |
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 13g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 4.14 |
Grip | 3.7 |
Feel on paper | 4.1 |
Smoothness | 3.9 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 4.3 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.3 |
$3.34
Japanese | ぺんてる エナージェル インフリー BLN75TL-A |
---|---|
Length | 147mm |
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 13g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Pipe tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 4.08 |
Grip | 3.5 |
Feel on paper | 3.8 |
Smoothness | 4.4 |
Firmness | 3.1 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 5.0 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.3 |
$0.65
Japanese | ぺんてる エナージェル エスBLN125-A |
---|---|
Length | 147mm |
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 12g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Pipe tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.91 |
Grip | 3.4 |
Feel on paper | 3.8 |
Smoothness | 3.5 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 4.3 |
How well the ink transfers | 3.9 |
$2.92
Length | 141mm |
---|---|
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 13g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Pipe tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Cap type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.9 |
Japanese | ぺんてる エナージェル キャップ式 BLN55-A |
Grip | 3.4 |
Feel on paper | 3.5 |
Smoothness | 3.8 |
Firmness | 3.1 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 5.0 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.1 |
$0.61
Japanese | ゼブラ サラサクリップ JJ15-BK |
---|---|
Length | 141mm |
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 10.9g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | Comes with a binder clip |
Overall score | 3.88 |
Grip | 3.5 |
Feel on paper | 3.8 |
Smoothness | 4.0 |
Firmness | 3.1 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 3.8 |
How well the ink transfers | 3.9 |
$0.93
Japanese | 三菱鉛筆 ユニボール シグノ RT1 |
---|---|
Length | 141.2mm |
Max diameter | 11mm |
Weight | 11.1g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.28mm, 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.87 |
Grip | 3.5 |
Feel on paper | 3.5 |
Smoothness | 3.3 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 5.0 |
How well the ink transfers | 3.4 |
$2.25
Length | 139.4mm |
---|---|
Max diameter | 10.9mm |
Weight | 10.9g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm |
Other features | Comes with a binder clip |
Overall score | 3.9 |
Japanese | ゼブラ サラサドライJJS31-BK |
Grip | 3.5 |
Feel on paper | 3.8 |
Smoothness | 3.4 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 3.8 |
Drying speed | 5.0 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.1 |
$10.57
Japanese | 無印良品 さらさら描けるゲルインキボールペン ノック式2794118 |
---|---|
Length | 144.7mm |
Max diameter | 10.3mm |
Weight | 10g |
Grip material | Plastic |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone chip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.5mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.76 |
Grip | 3.3 |
Feel on paper | 3.5 |
Smoothness | 3.1 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 4.3 |
How well the ink transfers | 4.0 |
$0.93
Japanese | 三菱鉛筆 uin ユニボール シグノ 307UMN-307-05 |
---|---|
Length | 142mm |
Max diameter | 11.5mm |
Weight | 10.3g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.28mm, 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.75 |
Grip | 3.3 |
Feel on paper | 3.8 |
Smoothness | 4.0 |
Firmness | 3.2 |
Smudgeproof | 4.3 |
Drying speed | 5.0 |
How well the ink transfers | 3.9 |
$1.92
Japanese | パイロット ジュースLJU-10EF |
---|---|
Length | 143mm |
Max diameter | 10.3mm |
Weight | 9.9g |
Grip material | Rubber |
Barrel material | Plastic |
Nib shape | Cone tip |
Ink type | Water-based ink |
How to remove the ink cartridge | Knock type |
Ink cartridge lineups | 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm |
Other features | - |
Overall score | 3.74 |
Grip | 3.4 |
Feel on paper | 3.4 |
Smoothness | 3.3 |
Firmness | 3.4 |
Smudgeproof | 5.0 |
Drying speed | 4.3 |
How well the ink transfers | 3.8 |
Now to introduce the 10 most popular Japanese gel pens that we ordered and the process by which we tested them.
We tested each gel pen for the following:
First, we tested the most important factor of how a pen feels in your hand: grip.
We gathered five members from mybest's Japanese editorial team and asked them to evaluate each pen comprehensively on the design of the grip, as well as the thickness and weight of the pen. We then graded the pens on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.
Next, we tested how each pen felt to actually write with.
We asked our Japanese testers to write with the pens to give an overall grade on how each pen felt by checking for how easy it was to handle the pen, how stable it was, and how it felt writing on paper.
Third, we tested how smooth the pens were.
We evaluated the pens by quickly drawing circles in a 5 x 15 cm area and checked to see if the pens skipped or felt scratchy when writing.
Next, we tested how quickly the ink dried on paper.
We had our testers write on a piece of paper, then after three seconds, had them rub their handwriting to see how well the ink dried.
Finally, we tested how well we could actually read our handwriting, in terms of how well the ink transferred onto the paper.
We had our five Japanese testers write with all the pens we gathered, then had them evaluate each pen for how intense the ink was.
What people consider a gel pen that's easy to hold can vary from person to person, and is dependent on variables how much pressure they apply when writing, as well as the size of their hands. To find a gel pen you can write comfortably with for hours, it’s important you pay attention to the shape and material of the grip and the overall thickness of the pen.
Pens with grips that have indentations or grooves, or even a bumpy design makes it easier for your fingers to grip the pen, and makes it less likely for the pen to slip while writing. Having a good grip on your pen can help you write neater.
Pens that lack any sort of grip, or the grip section is smooth, the pen will start moving as you hold it, forcing you to readjust your grip frequently. This can break your concentration, as well as be irritating. Additionally, you'll have to hold your pen with a firmer grip, placing additional stress on your fingers. When choosing a gel pen, be sure to check whether or not it has a good grip.
Are there guides for my thumb, pointer, and middle fingers? Are there grooves, bumps, and indents that make the pen easy to hold? Is the material resistant to sweat? Is the grip firm or soft enough?
While how comfortable a pen's thickness is in relation to the size of your hand is ultimately subjective, we recommend the following as a guide:
Using a pen that doesn't match the size of your hand means that you'll find it more difficult to hold the pen, making it more likely that your hands will cramp up.
The type of tip can greatly affect how a pen feels to use. Tips of gel pens can be separated into three types: cone, pipe, and synergy.
Cone tips are best for those who write with a lot of pressure, since they are tips that are durable tips that can withstand lots of pressure and used commonly in ballpoint pens. Moreover, the tip doesn't result in blurry lines when first touching the pen to paper.
On the other hand, cone tips generate a lot of friction between the tip and paper, making them feel less smooth as other tips.
Major pens that use cone tips:
Pipe tips use a pipe with an indentation to support the ball point. Since they produce less friction, pipe tip pens often feel incredibly smooth when writing, making them best for those who prioritize smoothness.
On the other hand, pipe tips aren't as durable cone tips and are prone to bending if too much pressure is applied.
Major pens that use pipe tips:
Synergy tips are tips developed by Pilot, balancing both durability and smoothness. The base of the tip is conical, similar to cone tips, while the tip itself is narrow like pipe tips. However, these tips are limited to products manufactured by Pilot, and therefore options are limited.
Major pens that use pipe tips:
The vibrancy of the ink in Japanese gel pens depends on the manufacturer and brand. Additionally, gel pens aren't just available in basic colors like black, red, or blue, but many other colors as well. In order to make sure your writing can be read, be sure to check how vibrant the ink is.
After testing all the products, we didn't find any pens with ink that made it difficult to read. We think that it's safe to choose any pen for its ink, so long as you like the color and vibrancy of it!
Author: Nao Kondo/Translation: Jasmine Li, Mitsuki Nagasawa, Izumi Taneda/Photos: Nao Kondo
Household goods
Home electronics, PC, camera
Cosmetics and skincare
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications