I Tried 5 Affordable Alternatives to the Apple Pencil for My iPad Pro and I'll Never Buy an 'Original' One Again.

For a year and a half, I used my Apple Pencil for various tasks on my iPad Pro, such as annotating PDF documents, drawing, and sketching. However, during a flight, the tip broke while the pencil was stored in my backpack. When I had to replace it, I encountered the high cost of the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is around $129 / £129 / AU$219. The idea of spending that amount on a pencil seemed unappealing, so I decided to look for a more affordable alternative.

As I explored the market for cheaper options, I realized that I didn't have many reliable recommendations. Many well-priced products on Amazon turned out to be disappointing in my past experiences, so I decided to do some research on my own. I purchased five different models of low-cost digital pencils on Amazon, each on sale, to test if any of them could serve as a good replacement.

I started with the Yunju Stylus Pen, which has a simple design without Bluetooth, buttons, or a need for charging. It works like a finger on the screen, allowing for easy interactions. Although it lacks advanced features like angle detection or palm rejection, it worked well for annotating and taking notes.

Next, I tried the TQQ Pencil, which comes in a wide variety of colors and feels very similar to the original Apple Pencil. It offers features like palm rejection and angle detection, although it doesn’t adhere as strongly to the iPad Pro as the Apple Pencil, raising some doubts about its durability.

The Meko Stylus Pen, another one of my findings, had a physical button to turn it on and a more convenient battery indicator, as well as offering tilt detection and palm rejection. Although its battery life is slightly shorter, its functionality compares favorably to that of the Apple Pencil.

The AUZOSL 2-in-1 is a different pencil that can convert into a disc-tipped tool. However, I found its practical use a bit confusing and was not entirely convinced of its added value.

Finally, the Metapen Pencil A8 stood out for its powerful magnet, which securely attaches it to the iPad. It feels solid in hand and provides functionalities similar to those of the original Apple Pencil, although it is the most expensive of the models I tested.

After conducting my tests, I decided to keep three of the pencils for future use, with the Metapen being my favorite choice due to its reliability and grip. Overall, I found that these alternative models offer features that make them competitive against the Apple Pencil, and I would be happy to use them instead of the Apple Pencil.