For most users, Apple Pencil (USB-C) gets the job done. Photo: Apple
Apple Pencil Pro may have all the bells and whistles, but a lot of average users don’t really need those. For a solid premium iPad stylus that does all the basic tasks like signing documents, note-taking and sketching, Apple Pencil (USB-C) gets the job done just fine. And right now you can get the stylus on sale with a Apple Pencil (USB-C) deal at Amazon, making it even more affordable. It’s just $69.
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Grab a Apple Pencil (USB-C) deal on Amazon
Our pick for most users
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
4.5
This is the Apple Pencil for the rest of us! In some ways, Apple’s new budget stylus is better than the more expensive premium version, which is aimed at serious digital artists. If you need a capable iPad stylus for handwriting and sketching, this is the one for you.
Pros:
Pairs and charges via USB-CAttaches magneticallyPixel-perfect precision with low latencyWorks with most newer iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
Cons:
Can’t get power directly from iPad
Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs about half as much as Apple Pencil Pro, which makes sense. The USB-C model doesn’t have all the Pro model’s features. But average users, as in non-artists, don’t really need many of those high-end features, anyway. As it is, the stylus works well for tasks like taking notes, sketching, signing documents and editing images. So you might as well grab it at $10 off.
As Cult of Mac‘s iPad expert, Ed Hardy, notes in his hands-on review of the Apple Pencil (USB-C) stylus, it has only one slight downside. It needs plugging in to charge. So it sports a built-in USB-C port to take its juice, which gives the stylus its name. It also pairs with your device via USB-C.
And by the way, Apple Pencil (USB-C) boasts a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, off more than 4,100 reviews. So people seems to like it.
Key features
With tilt sensitivity and low latency, Apple Pencil (USB-C) makes note-taking, signing documents and drawing easy at an affordable price. It pairs and charges via USB-C and can magnetically attach to your iPad.
You can write, sketch, draw, color, take notes and mark up documents with precision.
Use built-in apps like Notes and Freeform, or choose from over a million more apps available on the App Store.
According to Apple, Apple Pencil (USB-C) works with iPad Pro 13-inch (M4); iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation); iPad Pro 11-inch (M4); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); iPad Air 13-inch (M2); iPad Air 11-inch (M2); iPad Air (4th and 5th generation); iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (6th generation); and iPad (10th generation).
So if you need a premium stylus for your iPad, you might want to grab an Apple Pencil (USB-C) while it’s on sale. Right now you can buy one for $79 $69 (13% off).
Our pick for most users
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
4.5
This is the Apple Pencil for the rest of us! In some ways, Apple’s new budget stylus is better than the more expensive premium version, which is aimed at serious digital artists. If you need a capable iPad stylus for handwriting and sketching, this is the one for you.
Pros:
Pairs and charges via USB-CAttaches magneticallyPixel-perfect precision with low latencyWorks with most newer iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
Cons:
Can’t get power directly from iPad
Buy from: Amazon