Best Technical Pens of 2025

"I find Staedtler pens to be such a great value. They’re always well-made and last a long time if stored properly in a horizontal position. I’ve noticed that keeping fine liners upright in a cup can shorten their viability. I use black and sepia ink pigment liners, and Staedtler is simply the best. Plus, I enjoy quick delivery from Amazon!"

"I absolutely love these pens! Since getting into art and sketching, I purchased these and I can’t get enough. I appreciate the variety of sizes available; I mainly use the 0.05 and 0.2 for my ink drawings, and I feel really proud of what I’ve created. They’ve lasted me about 6 months, and none show any signs of drying out!"

"Having used Staedtler pens since I was a teenager, I can confidently say they are fantastic! Now at 57, I still appreciate the consistent black ink and the overall quality of these products. They truly are wonderful!"

“I believe these are the best pens available. The quality of the output, the strength of the ink, and their professional grade performance are unmatched. I wish I could bathe in a pool of these Rotring pens!”

“As an artist who loves to draw in absurd detail, I find the ink flow fantastic. Just be careful, as the nibs can bend if you're heavy-handed, and they can clog if not cleaned regularly. Despite these minor issues, I consider this a five-star product.”

“I opted for these pens instead of disposable micron pens for my watercolor line work. The ink is waterproof, but I struggled a bit with the disposable ink cartridges since there were no clear instructions. While they don’t glide as smoothly on watercolor paper as micron pens, I appreciate that I can refill them instead of throwing them away.”

"For two years, I longed for these pens, and they have completely exceeded my expectations. Despite some reviews mentioning roughness, I've found that they flow beautifully with just a light touch. The price is worth it for something that lasts for years. I recommend getting a grip for comfort during long use. 10/10 recommend!"

"I purchased these pens to fuel my zentangle passion after going through several micron pens quickly. They are fantastic! I love that I can refill the ink instead of tossing pens when they run out. My dad has always used these for his architecture work, and now I see why!"

"I've had these pens for almost a year, and they still write cleanly and precisely. However, I do have some issues with them. The nibs have spikes that can be uncomfortable during long sessions, and the plastic threads on the body are quite fragile. Despite this, they are great pens that just need a bit of tweaking in design."

"Initially, I had a negative experience because I thought I hadn't received my order. However, it turns out my pen was delivered and placed inside by my hired help. I've had much older pens from this brand that have served me well for years. The finer nibs do need to be replaced more often, but with careful cleaning, they can last for decades. These pens were primarily used for technical drafting before the digital era, but artists and designers have found them quite capable in various genres."

"I honestly don't understand how this pen gets so many rave reviews from artists. I purchased it based on a recommendation in an art book for ink drawing. I also watched some YouTube reviews praising it. But when I used it on card stock paper, it just stopped working after a short time. I tried cleaning it, thinking it might be clogged, but I don't believe it should stop working just 30 minutes out of the package. I even used the manufacturer's ink!"

"I've had my original set of Koh-I-Noor pens for over 25 years, and I've only had to replace the 25mm pen due to my own carelessness while cleaning. They are fantastic pens! The range of diameters is generous, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality."

"I am not a pen expert, but this pen performs really well. The ink flows very smoothly. After a few days of not using it, I sometimes need to suck on the tip or dunk it in water, but it never stops mid-use. Just a note, it doesn't write at many angles due to the nib style."

"I love this pen! It gives nice, fine lines for my watercolor doodling, but I’ve noticed it has broken where the ink barrel screws in. These are pricey, so I wish they were more durable."

"These pens are incredible! However, I want to advise new buyers that proper maintenance is essential. Without it, the tip might get clogged or dry out, disrupting the ink flow permanently. I recommend an ultrasonic cleaner for the best results."

"I enjoy sketching before painting with acrylic. The pen sticks well to the canvas and is perfect for fine lines. My painting turned out fantastic, but unfortunately, it ran out of ink quickly. Delivered on September 21, and by October 10, it was out of ink. What a waste of money!"

"Initially, the pen worked great until it dried up. I notified customer service, but instead of replacing it, they offered a 50% discount. Seems like they were more concerned about costs rather than customer satisfaction. I think they need to improve their customer service!"

"These pens are exactly what I needed for detailing my artwork. I appreciate that they are archival quality and feel comfortable in my hands. They provide fair value, and I look forward to sticking with this brand."

"My daughter loves these pens; they create very smooth lines."

"These are awesome for drawing so far, and I’ll keep using them until the ink runs out. Thank you!"

"I find these pens to be great quality, comparable to Pigma Microns but much more affordable. They don’t bleed through Bible paper, which was my main reason for buying them."

"This is my second .18 tech pen. Staedtler is the best out of the three brands I own. I've tried .1mm, .13mm, and .2mm sizes, and I wish I had discovered Staedtler Mars Matic pens earlier."

"I've been using this pen for over forty hours for ink sketches, and the nib has held up remarkably well. I'm so impressed that I've just ordered more."

"I really enjoy how this pen writes. Unfortunately, it leaks during travel, so I prefer to keep it in the office. I had higher hopes for its portability."

"I first discovered the Tikky Graphic during a trip to Europe and ended up buying them in bulk. I love how smooth they write and draw on various surfaces, plus the pigment ink doesn't smear like other brands. I now use these pens for client sketches due to their consistent line and excellent application."

"This pen has truly impressed me over time. Fast strokes don’t fade like with other pens, and I believe it has significantly improved my handwriting. It's definitely worth every penny!"

"I do a lot of technical drawing in my spare time and have found this pen to be exceptional for producing precise line work. The price is quite reasonable, and I would certainly buy it again."

"I decided to try this pen set after years of using Sakura Micron pens. While their quality is excellent, I found they run out quickly. After searching for alternatives, I gave these off-brand pens a shot. These pens have proven to be fantastic for drawing! The ink quality is very similar to Sakura's, but I’d say the black is deeper. They outlast any doodle pen I've used before. The pen case and body resemble Sakura's, and the nib sizes printed on the caps don't wear off easily. They produce bold lines with minimal feathering and the sizes are accurate. Plus, the caps click nicely, so I won’t leave them partially open. The ink dries quickly and doesn't smear. I’m truly impressed with these pens!"

"I've had these pens for five years now. Two ran dry from heavy use, but the rest still work beautifully. Even after all this time, the ink remains fresh and holds up well, unlike pricier versions that dry out within a month. They are definitely worth the investment!"

"I really love how these pens write, especially the tiniest nib. However, the caps don't stay in place when I’m writing. The slightest bump sends the cap flying off, which is quite annoying. Yet, despite that issue, they’re still great pens!"