Best stylus for iPad: Turn your iPad into a sketchbook
Description
The iPad is a capable device for both art and productivity, but it becomes a stronger proposition in both areas if you have a good stylus to hand.
Whether you’re sketching a new building design, taking notes during a work meeting or designing graphics, a stylus is a game-changer. But with so many to choose from in just about every shape and size, which is the best for your needs? Everyone has heard of the Apple Pencil, but there are plenty of great alternatives that cost a fraction of the price.
If you want an Apple Pencil and need more information to help you choose, take a look at our Best Apple Pencil guide, which should help you determine which one works with your iPad.
The best iPad stylus
If you’d prefer to consider all the options alongside Apple’s, here’s what we consider to be the best iPad styluses available right now.
Apple Pencil Pro – Best stylus for artists
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Works with: M2 & M3 iPad Air; M4 iPad Pro, iPad mini A17 Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro replaced the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil (featured below). Both support pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, features appreciated by artists. The Apple Pencil Pro adds the following features:
- A gyroscope that lets you “roll” the pencil to change the orientation of shaped brushes and tools.
- A taptic engine for haptic feedback.
- Find My support.
- Squeeze sensitivity, to open palettes or change tool options like weights or colors.
These features make the Apple Pencil Pro ideal for artists and illustrators, but the Apple Pencil 1 and 2 are still available and cheaper options for artists who don;’t need the additional features.
Also, you can’t buy an Apple Pencil Pro and use it with any iPad made before May 2024.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) – Good for artists with older iPads
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