--- source_url: "https://www.ign.com/articles/best-smart-pen" title: Best Smart Pen 2025 - IGN mirrored_at: 2026-08-15T13:03:01.989Z host: www.ign.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.ign.com/articles/best-smart-pen" --- > **Original source:** https://www.ign.com/articles/best-smart-pen Smart pens combine traditional writing implements with modern digital technology, capturing what you’ve written in a digital form. Our favorite is the [Livescribe Symphony Smartpen](https://zdcs.link/OK58O?object_uuid=8610222f-eb63-40f3-9055-ecf131ac70fb&t=article), but there are a variety of smart pens ready to take your notes and sketches to the next level. ## TL;DR – These are the Best Smart Pens: What’s traditionally a messy analog medium can be transformed with smart pens and styli, delivering organized, structured data that you can keep forever. Some options record what you’re writing using tech in the pen itself, while others rely on special paper, your [tablet](https://www.ign.com/articles/best-tablet), or your [smartphone](https://www.ign.com/articles/best-smartphone) to capture the information. Because there are so many options that work differently, we’re here to guide you in your purchase. ## 1\. Livescribe Symphony ### Best Smart Pen Our Top Pick ### Livescribe Symphony Using special paper, this pen records your handwriting, saving up to 1,200 pages of notes on internal storage to sync to the Livescribe+ app later. Product Specifications Compatibility Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Battery life 90 days (standby) Max pages 1,200 Paper Livescribe Dot Paper Audio recording Yes (through app) PROS Internal storage saves up to 1,200 pages Traditional ink pen experience CONS Requires special notebook paper If you want to go about your note-taking on paper like normal while still enjoying the digital backups you get from a smart pen, then the Livescribe Symphony is for you. This premium smartpen offers up that traditional ink pen experience when you write in [Livescribe’s notebook](https://zdcs.link/LyE5R?_ga=480341026.1635262939&object_uuid=8610222f-eb63-40f3-9055-ecf131ac70fb&t=article) or special dot paper thanks to a camera facing the nib that records your handwriting and transfers it to the Livescribe+ app on your devices. You can even take notes away from your device since the pen itself saves up to 1,200 pages of notes on internal storage to sync later. Once your notes are in a digital format, it’s simple to convert them to PDFs, images, or even searchable text documents with recognition for up to 28 languages. The Livescribe Symphony can even detect notebooks, so if you use different notebooks for various subjects in school or projects at work, this can come in handy for organizing. And when you pair the pen with the Livescribe+ app, it goes beyond just writing and drawing, as you can create audio recordings that sync with your handwritten notes, giving you more detail or context to what you’ve written. ## 2\. Rocketbook Core ### Best Erasable Smart Pen ### Rocketbook Core Rather than an actual smart pen, this reusable notebook scans your notes into an app to digitize them, and you can erase the Frixion pen’s ink with a microfiber towel afterward. Product Specifications Compatibility iOS, Android Battery life N/A Max pages 32 (reusable) Paper Rocketbook Paper Audio recording No PROS Converts handwriting to text Can erase pages with a damp cloth CONS Must scan notes to digitize Like the idea of saving paper by going digital but love the feel of traditional notetaking? For around $30, the Rocketbook Core lets you continue using paper and pen thanks to the Rocketbook Core’s special notebook, which you can write on with a wide variety of Frixion pens. After you’ve written all you want, you scan your notes into an app to digitize them, and when you’re all done, you just wipe the pages off with a damp cloth—they even include a microfiber towel to get you started. The Rocketbook app does more than just save your notes, as AI technology allows you to convert handwriting to text, smart search, or add smart titles, making it easier to go back and find what you’re looking for. Overall, it’s a pretty flexible system and incredibly affordable, costing around $30 for the set and a couple of bucks for replacement pens. ## 3\. Wacom Bamboo Ink 2nd Gen ### Best Smart Pen for Windows ### Wacom Bamboo Ink 2nd Gen With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, two side buttons to change settings or tools, and a sturdy frame, this pen is perfect for those looking to use Wacom Active ES tech or the Microsoft Pen Protocol. Product Specifications Compatibility Windows, LG Velvet, LG V60 Battery life About 5 months Max pages N/A Paper Touchscreen devices Audio recording No PROS 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity Sturdy aluminum frame CONS Not rechargeable With so many [2-in-1 laptops](https://www.ign.com/articles/best-2-in-1-detachable-laptops) offering active stylus input, it makes sense to take advantage of this handy bit of technology. Many computer manufacturers offer their own styluses to go with their machines, but they’re often costly. Meanwhile, for under $50, Wacom offers the very-capable Bamboo Ink stylus that lets you tap into Wacom Active ES tech or the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), so you can get support on a wide range of devices ([see compatibility here](https://www.wacom.com/en-us/comp)). The Bamboo Ink stylus is chock full of functionality. For starters, it can automatically launch the Windows Ink Workspace on your machine without even needing to be paired and provides 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, letting you really express yourself. Two side buttons also allow you quickly change settings or tools on the fly, while a sturdy yet comfortable aluminum frame ensures this pen can hold up through everyday use. ## 4\. Neo Smartpen M1+ ### Best Smart Pen for Microdot Paper ### Neo Smartpen M1+ When writing on N-code micro dotted paper, this lightweight and durable pen uses a powerful processor and camera to record your notes to sync to your devices. Product Specifications Compatibility Windows, iOS, Android Battery life 17 hours Max pages 1,000 Paper N-coded paper Audio recording Yes (through smartphone app) PROS Can replace the ink with any standard refill 100MB of storage CONS Not the best battery life With the Neo Smartpen M1+, the pen itself holds all the brains thanks to its powerful processor and camera. Designed with a lightweight, durable fiberglass frame and a battery that’ll last 17 hours on a single charge, this pen is ready for all you throw at it. It even uses standard D-1 type pen tips, meaning you can replace the ink with any standard refill. Using it is simple, as the pen’s camera captures your handwritten text on N-code micro dotted paper—and that paper selection includes memo books, pocket-sized mini books, planners, spiral-ring notebooks, and more. The Neo Smartpen M1+ can connect with your device via Bluetooth, transferring the notes in real time. Otherwise, the pen offers 100MB of storage to take extensive notes, synchronizing it to your device later. After you’ve downloaded your notes, you can edit and organize them to make easy references to them using the Neo app. ## 5\. Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) ### Best Smart Pen for iPad ### Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) Write and draw on your compatible iPad with this pen that delivers insane pressure sensitivity, preciseness, and the ability to easily switch tools. Product Specifications Compatibility iOS Battery life 12 hours Max pages N/A Paper iPad Audio recording No PROS Precise Comfortable in hand CONS Expensive The 2nd generation Apple Pencil isn’t your ordinary smart pen; it’s a device made to make writing and drawing on your compatible [iPad model](https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-ipad-models) a breeze—and double check it’s going to work on your device as Apple made things a bit confusing. This smartpen comes in a classy matte finish and is comfortable to hold with one flat side that prevents it from rolling. There’s no Lightning port for charging; rather, its battery conveniently charges when it’s magnetically attached to the iPad. The Apple Pencil is pricey, so you may want to look at the [best Apple Pencil alternatives](https://www.ign.com/articles/best-apple-pencil-alternatives) if you're on a budget. However, you aren’t going to find a more capable smart pen for your iPad. If you’re a designer or artist, this pen is a life changer thanks to its insane pressure sensitivity, preciseness, and ability to easily switch tools with a double tap. There are even a wide variety of apps it’s compatible with to take handwritten notes, mark up documents, draw, and even edit photos. If you have an iPad but don't love the price of the 2nd generation Pencil, [Apple has a more affodable Pencil](https://zdcs.link/92brAl?object_uuid=8610222f-eb63-40f3-9055-ecf131ac70fb&t=article) that retails for $79 and charges via USB-C. Just be prepared to lose support for pressure sensitivity and wireless charging. ## 6\. Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse ### Best Smart Pen for Sketching ### Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Write or sketch in your Moleskin Smart Notebook using the Pen+ Ellipse and watch as everything transfers to your device in realtime, or you can sync it later. Product Specifications Compatibility Android, iOS, Windows Battery life Up to 5 hours Max pages Not listed Paper Moleskine Smart Notebooks Audio recording Yes PROS Capable of audio recording Saves work to sync up to device later CONS Poor battery life Who says you have to use a smartpen just for notes? The Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse works just as well for doodles as it does for notes. You can sketch away in your Moleskin Smart Notebook with N-coded technology while using the Pen+ Ellipse, transferring everything in real time to your Android, iOS, or Windows device. If you want to draw while the Pen+ Ellipse isn’t connected to the app, you can even save your work on the pen to sync up later, and it’s also capable of audio recordings in case you want to make some mental notes while you're sketching. After everything is in sync with your phone, tablet, or computer, it’s easy to share, search, organize, and edit your vision. And if you’re running low on ink, the Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse features a replaceable tip. It even has a rechargeable battery, so you won’t need to worry about purchasing additional batteries, though you only get 4 or 5 hours of juice with each charge. The pen also may feel a bit awkward and chunky in your hand at first, but you should get used to it. ## 7\. NEWYES SyncPen3 ### Best Hybrid Smart Pen ### NEWYES SyncPen3 The SyncPen3 works with an erasable 10-inch LCD pad featuring an easy-to-navigate toolbar or microdot paper for more versatility, letting you upload notes via Bluetooth. Product Specifications Compatibility iOS, Android Battery life Not listed Max pages Not listed Paper None Audio recording Yes (through app) PROS Easy-to-navigate toolbar for adjusting color or pen thickness Convert written notes to editable digital text CONS Not the quickest syncing The SyncPen3 differs from the other smartpens on this list, as it comes with a 10-inch LCD pad. In effect, you take notes like normal but never use any paper, as the LCD pad displays what you're writing or drawing and features the microdots required for the pen to track. However, you can erase your notes instantly to start fresh, and there’s also an easy-to-navigate toolbar for adjusting color or pen thickness. Some prefer the traditional pen-to-paper feel of notetaking, and if that’s you, the SyncPen3 also supports microdot paper—which you can print yourself after you use up the paper in the included notebook. You also can record audio with your notes, and the pen will save what you’re writing—and saying—when you’re offline. And when you’re ready to upload your notes to your devices, the pen pairs with them over a Bluetooth 5.0 connection. You can even convert your written notes into editable digital text and export them in various file formats. ## What is a Smart Pen? A smart pen is a writing implement that uses modern digital technology to capture what you’ve written (or even spoken) and turn it into a digital format, which you can edit and organize for easy access later. There are different types of smart pens, including ones that look and work like a traditional pen but have small cameras and processors to capture what you’ve written, either immediately transferring it to a digital format or saving it on the pen to sync later. These options usually require a special microdot paper for use. There are also smart notebooks, like the Rocketbook Core, that let you use a cheaper, more traditional pen, capturing the notes using your device’s camera and digitizing them. Though not a pen in the traditional sense, a stylus has a similar feel, letting you write and sketch on your phone, tablet, or laptop’s touchscreen like you would on pen and paper. The best styli have a long-lasting tip, good pressure sensitivity, and special features to ensure you have the best possible experience while using them. But be sure to pay attention to their compatibility with your devices before purchasing. ## What to Look for in a Smart Pen Smart pens and styluses are fairly niche products – and probably always will be. For many people, a stylus like the Apple Pencil is just one more thing to lose, which is why a lot of people don’t want to carry it around. And when it comes to the other smart pens, the thought of using technology to write notes that’ll sync with a PC can seem needlessly complicated – even if it’s not. The real trick, then, is finding a solution that’s as straightforward and uncomplicated as possible, while at the same time solving the most problems along the way. To that end, it’s helpful to understand what problems you’re solving. Presumably, you need to capture text and images to a phone or PC. But how easy does the device make it to get your notes to the cloud, or to share it with others? Does it sync automatically, or do you need to do it manually? And if so, is there sufficient memory, or will you need to worry about syncing the pen too often? If you don’t want to sync often, look for a pen that has a lot of memory; the Livescribe models have generally large amounts of storage. And if you’re comfortable syncing pages manually, consider the Rocketbook. Most smart pens have special features that distinguish them from similar models. Some can record audio, for example, and store it on the pen itself. That’s convenient, but it can also exhaust the pen’s memory, so other pens do the same thing by connecting to your phone, relying on both the phone’s microphone and storage. Lastly, think about how you like to work, and what kind of smart pen suits your workflow. Are you okay with the danger of running out of specialized paper, which many smart pens rely on? If not, consider a pen that can use plain paper or reusable, erasable paper, like Rocketbook. _Dave Johnson has been writing about gaming and tech since the days of the Palm Pilot. See him shout into the Twitter void_ [_@davejoh_](https://twitter.com/davejoh). _Danielle Abraham_ is a freelance writer and unpaid music _historian._