Best Typewriters of 2026

"I've been using this typewriter for my novel and grad school work, and it's exactly what I needed for distraction-free writing. My second unit works flawlessly after a minor ribbon issue with the first. Don't be discouraged by negative reviews—it's a fantastic choice for writers."

"After years of searching, I finally gifted this typewriter to my father. The classic mechanical feel and beautiful design exceeded our expectations. He was absolutely delighted, and it brought back so many memories for him."

"I was nervous because of the mixed reviews, but I'm so happy I took a chance. The machine looks stunning and types well. I did have to make a small adjustment to the spacebar for comfort, and you need to be careful with the shipping pieces, but overall, I'm thrilled with how it performs and feels."

"I was overwhelmed by conflicting reviews, but after giving the Freewrite Traveler a try, I found setting it up to be incredibly simple and intuitive. The device delivers exactly what I needed: distraction-free writing that keeps me on task. Cloud syncing via Postbox and Google Docs is seamless, and I’ve never lost a draft. While some people mention the plastic build, to me, it feels well-made and sufficiently sturdy for travel. The only drawback is the slight delay in typing, but it hardly bothers me unless I’m staring at the screen the whole time. For serious writers, it’s a game-changer—even if the price is a bit steep."

"The Traveler is my go-to for writing when I’m out and about. The keyboard feels fantastic, and the device is so light I can just slip it into my bag. Battery life is outstanding—I only need to charge once a week, even with heavy use. Transferring documents to the cloud is a breeze. My favorite part is being able to write anywhere, from coffee shops to theater intermissions, without distractions. The non-glare screen makes it perfect for use outside, too."

"I love to write, but I used to get distracted on my laptop. The Traveler changed that for me—it’s a dedicated drafting machine that makes it easy to focus and be productive. Setup was effortless, and it’s so light and portable. While it doesn’t replace my computer for editing, it excels at what it’s designed for: drafting without interruptions. Even when there were occasional syncing hiccups due to my internet, troubleshooting was straightforward. I’m already considering getting another model for my desk."

"I really appreciate how lightweight and simple this typewriter is to use. Compared to the old, heavy models from years ago, this one is my first choice whenever I need a typewriter!"

"I'm pleased that this typewriter works exactly as expected. It does its job well and meets my needs."

"I found it difficult to use since there are many settings to adjust before typing. Based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend this model."

"I had my doubts after reading several reviews, but decided to give this typewriter a try. To my surprise, it worked really well, especially for my creative writing projects. The setup instructions were clear and everything functioned as expected. I did notice some leftover ink on the letters out of the box, but that didn’t affect its performance. It’s definitely cheaper than other brands, and the packaging kept it safe during shipping. I also invested in a 3-year protection plan, just to be safe."

"This typewriter was a birthday gift from my mom and I absolutely love using it. It’s visually stunning and performs well, helping me write poems and other pieces. There are occasional small malfunctions, but nothing I can’t fix. The only thing is, it’s a bit louder than I expected—so loud, it made my desk shake and my dad could hear it downstairs! Still, it’s heavy, but easy enough to move, and takes up a good amount of desk space. For the price, I feel like it’s worth it."

"I bought this typewriter hoping it would be a cool, functional addition to my workspace, but it ended up being more of a display piece. The quality didn’t meet my expectations—paper feeding and ribbon advancing were problematic, and it kept inserting random spaces in words. The customer support was polite but didn’t resolve my issues. Honestly, if you want a typewriter that works, I’d suggest looking for a vintage model instead."

"I’ve never written so much, so quickly—the buttery soft typing and focused setup help me hit my 10,000-word daily goal. It's genuinely fun to use and boosts my productivity, far beyond a regular laptop. Despite the price, it’s unmatched for first-draft writing and keeps me in a creative flow."

"I switched from the Traveler to the Alpha and was surprised by how well it serves its purpose. Its barebones, retro design lets me focus purely on drafting—in just four days, I produced over 12,000 words. The keyboard is comfortable, the display works in any light, and WiFi backup is handy. If you want a dedicated drafting tool, this is it."

"I love how simple and portable the device is. Typing feels great, and the adjustable backlight is essential for my low-light writing sessions. I take it everywhere—from the park to cafés. The interface makes managing files easy, even without folders."

"I'm really happy with this typewriter—it's lightweight, easy to carry, and works flawlessly. Everything operates as expected, and I'm glad I went with Royal for its dependability."

"After using computers for so long, I found it takes a little adjustment, but this machine does the job well for small documents that my printer can't handle. Works well once you get used to it."

"I bought this typewriter because writing by hand is hard for me due to Essential Tremors, and I needed to fill out forms and address envelopes. The electric function and easy corrections are a game changer for me. It’s exactly what I needed!"

"As a filmmaker and aspiring writer, I've found the Freewrite has significantly boosted my daily word count and reignited my passion for writing. The keyboard feels great, the backlit screen is a joy, and the battery lasts forever. Setup was a breeze, and it's helped me work on everything from investor outlines to my first collection of short stories. I do wish it were more affordable, as the price could hold some people back, but I'm genuinely glad I made the investment."

"Having used the Traveler, Freewrite Gen 2, and now the Gen 3, I can say this latest version is by far the best in terms of hardware and overall experience. While I had issues with the Traveler and didn't love the Gen 2, the Gen 3's improvements and usability make it my go-to for long drafts. The price is steep, and the software could use refining, but I don't regret my purchase at all."

"The Freewrite's hardware is impressive and the e-ink aesthetic is unique, but the display is distractingly slow and the device is overly restrictive. I was frustrated by the file management system and the deliberate design choices that limit customization, like the non-standard keyboard layout. Ultimately, I felt the product is too locked down and could be much more user-friendly."

"I got this typewriter for my daughter and she is absolutely thrilled with it. The color is just what she wanted, and it’s a fun, unique gift in today’s tech-heavy world."

"I purchased this for my 9-year-old to help her learn typing. I appreciated the extra ink included, but I did find that the keys are a bit hard to press and spaced a bit too far apart."

"When I received the typewriter, it was well-packaged and ready to use. All moving parts were secure, and the ribbon was already in place for immediate typing."

"I was surprised by how lightweight and compact this typewriter is. The typeface looks great and the instructions are clear and helpful. Using it has genuinely made writing fun for me again!"

"I needed a typewriter for filling out forms that couldn’t be computer-generated. This one was perfect for the job—I managed about 50 pages without needing to change the ribbon."

"Since I only have a tablet, I wanted something reliable for typing tasks. I paid a bit before Christmas, but the machine arrived in perfect condition, and once I followed the manual and removed the plastic from the ink cartridge, it worked great. It’s light, easy to use, and a solid recommendation from me."