But not every stylus offers the same performance—or even the same iPad compatibility—which makes shopping tricky. Apple, for example, sells four different Apple Pencil devices, each with its own set of features. And there are dozens of inexpensive third-party options available at Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers, some great and some not worth your money.
To help you choose, we’ve reviewed all four Apple Pencils and four popular third-party styluses, checking for accuracy, latency, comfort, and ease of charging and pairing. Seidl put each to the test while sketching an original piece of art to compare the results and the experience of using them.
Below, you’ll find our top picks—including the $25 third-party stylus Seidl now swears by—and answers to common questions about Apple Pencil compatibility, charging, and pairing.
