After seeing several posts comparing EMR pens, I wanted to share some of my own experiences. I’ve now used five different pens and have a better sense of which features really matter and which don’t. Hopefully, this helps anyone trying to decide which pen to buy—or which one to get next.
Among these pens, all use plastic nibs except for the Supernote Push-Up Standard Pen, which features a ceramic nib.
✨ Strengths of the Pens
Supernote Push-Up Standard Pen (Pen #2 in the image)
Let’s start with this one: yes, the Supernote pens are pricey, but paired with the FeelWrite 2 screen, that ceramic nib gives an absolutely unmatched writing feel—miles ahead of the Apple Pencil on any matte screen protector I’ve ever used.
I added a grip to mine because I prefer a textured hold. Even though the body is entirely plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap at all. The only minor issue is that the click-to-retract mechanism can occasionally be a bit finicky. Still, I love that the tip is retractable—it makes the pen feel like a real pen rather than just a stylus. And as expected, it fits perfectly in the standard pen loop that comes with the Supernote Manta.
LAMY AL-Star (PC/EL Nib) (Pen #3 in the image)
There’s a lot to like about this one. At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a capped EMR pen, but I actually ended up really liking it. The cap protects the nib and gives the pen a more authentic “real pen” feel—which I value a lot.
However, there’s a bit of a balance issue when posting the cap on the back: the metal clip and plastic cap make it slightly back-heavy. Without the cap, the pen feels a bit lighter than expected due to its larger circumference.
I tried adding a small screw inside the barrel to shift the weight more toward the center—it helped slightly but didn’t solve the back-weight problem. Still, it’s a great pen overall, and my first EMR pen with a side button. The button is super convenient for erasing directly, even though gesture-based erasing is already easy.
The plastic nib works well (though not as nice as the Supernote’s ceramic one). One note: because of the pen’s thicker barrel, it fits best in the Manta’s pen loop if you insert it tip-first, then attach the cap afterward.
The only real drawback here is balance.
(Pro tip: check eBay—sometimes you can find brand-new ones for much less than retail.)
Pilot Dr. Grip Digital Pen (for Wacom) (Pen #4 in the image)
This is probably the most well-rounded and comfortable of the bunch—and the one I reach for most often. The soft rubber grip covers nearly half the pen, making it ideal for long writing sessions. The retractable mechanism feels sturdy and reliable, and the overall design is pleasing, even if the color scheme isn’t for everyone.
My only gripe is that instead of a clip, it has a molded plastic loop meant for a lanyard—which feels like an odd choice for an otherwise A+ pen. It fits nicely in the Manta’s pen loop, though. I’ve seen modders successfully swap in a Supernote ceramic nib for this body; if that works, it’d honestly be the dream combo.
🛠 Areas for Improvement
Ciscle EMR Stylus (Pen #5 in the image)
Although I’m calling it the Ciscle stylus, this same pen appears under many generic brand names on Amazon. It’s a very plastic-y, lightweight EMR pen with cheap-feeling materials. I added a rubber pencil grip to make it feel less hollow. The clip is shiny plastic, the body is matte plastic, and the nib isn’t retractable.
It does have one unique feature: an “eraser” end on the back, like a traditional pencil. In theory, that sounds great—but in practice, it’s quite inefficient because the erasing area is tiny and the plastic “eraser” feels unpleasant to use.
This is the kind of pen you’d only use if every other pen you own broke. It’s too thin for the standard Manta loop, and while the clip helps it stay in place, it’s not secure enough for daily use. Maybe if you’d never tried a better EMR pen, it might seem okay—but once you have, this one feels very forgettable.
“Pen for Wacom One” (Model CP91300B2Z) (Pen #1 in the image)
It’s important to be specific here, because Wacom confusingly has two “Wacom One” pens.
This one—the CP91300B2Z—is sold as “Pen for Wacom One” (or just “One Pen” on Amazon).
The other model, CP92303B2Z, is the “Wacom One Standard Pen.”
They look totally different, even though the names and prices are nearly identical.
As for this pen—it’s fine, but it just feels too much like a stylus. It’s light, slim, and lacks a clip, so it tends to roll off the table. It does write smoothly, and the side button works well for shortcuts or erasing, but it just doesn’t have that “pen feel.” It’s also too narrow for the Manta’s pen loop, so it’ll likely end up at the bottom of your bag.
That said, if you’re on a budget, it’s still miles better than the Ciscle—it’s only a few dollars more but performs much better and has the useful side button.
🧭 Conclusion
If you want the best writing feel, the Supernote Push-Up Pen is unbeatable.
For comfort and ergonomics, the Pilot Dr. Grip stands out as the top choice.
The LAMY AL-Star combines style and function, though its balance may take getting used to.
Meanwhile, the Ciscle and Wacom One Pen are more suitable for budget-conscious users or as backups.
