Best Apple Pencil Deals: Save on Apple’s Styluses and Third-Party Alternatives – CNET

$40 at Amazon

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an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil

The first-gen Apple Pencil is compatible with all pre-2018 iPad Pro models, the iPad Air 3, the iPad Mini 2019 and all base-model iPads since 2018. It’s also the one to get to use with the 2022 10th-generation iPad. Awkwardly, there are two versions of the first-gen Apple Pencil for sale at most retailers: one with a Lightning adapter and one with a USB-C adapter. Other than the adapter, the Apple Pencil is exactly the same, so the deciding factor between them is purely how you wish to charge the device. The USB-C version hasn’t been on the market as long and tends not to be discounted. Here are the best first-gen Pencil deals you can buy right now.

Best Apple Pencil (2nd gen) deals

The second-gen Apple Pencil launched in October 2018 alongside the third-gen iPad Pro. While they may look similar on the surface, there are quite a few differences between the two models. One big difference is that the Apple Pencil 2 charges magnetically while attached to newer iPads, meaning there’s no Lightning connector. The design is slightly refined as well, with one flat side that’s used to charge and a sensor near the tip that enables double-tap features.

The second-gen Apple Pencil works with all 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros (2018 and later models), as well as newer iPad Air (2020 and 2022) models and the iPad Mini 6. Here are the best Apple Pencil 2 deals you can get right now.

Apple Pencil (USB-C) Apple Pencil (USB-C)

Apple/CNET

The USB-C Apple Pencil is the most affordable yet and is compatible with all USB-C iPads. It comes with its own charging port. but it’s currently so new it’s limited in availability, with no discounts just yet.

02-logitech-crayon 02-logitech-crayon

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Logitech Crayon works with just about every iPad out there — unlike the Apple Pencil, where you have to ensure you buy the right Pencil for your iPad model. It doesn’t have the fancy instant pairing or magnetic charging, but other than that it works very similarly to the Apple Pencil for a fraction of the price. Order now and get three free months of Apple TV Plus and Apple Music from Best Buy.

Zagg Pro Stylus 2 Zagg Pro Stylus 2

Zagg/CNET

Zagg’s Pro Stylus 2 has been upgraded with wireless charging and a bunch of new colors. It has Apple Pencil-like palm rejection and tilt-recognition, plus a round capacitive tip on the back. It lasts for six hours per charge and can be magnetically attached to your iPad.

Zagg Pro Styluse for iPad Zagg Pro Styluse for iPad

Zagg

Zagg’s Pro Stylus also offers an Apple Pencil-like experience for less. It features palm rejection and tilt-recognition tech like Apple’s option, offers automatic pairing, and even attaches magnetically to the side of your iPad Pro or iPad Air (though you’ll need to charge it via USB-C). It’s down to $60 right now.

Jamjake stylus pen for iPad Jamjake stylus pen for iPad

Jamjake

This stylus is a great cheap alternative to the Apple Pencil if you want the overall style of the Pencil without the price tag. It has removable tips, can be turned on and off, and even recharges via USB-C. Be sure to clip the on-screen coupon to get the best price at Amazon.

Adonit Dash 3 Adonit Dash 3

Adonit/CNET

Adonit’s Dash 3 stylus offers a paper-like drag for a more natural writing and drawing experience. It’s capacitive so there’s no need to connect via Bluetooth and it offers up to 14 hours of continuous usage. Save $10 when you pick it up from Adonit directly.

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Adonit

This stylus pen has a nice sleek design and offers a black option that Apple does not currently have for its Pencil models. It offers up to 12 hours of battery per charge, and a 4-minute charge can give you an extra hour of battery life. It uses Micro-USB for charging and can charge and write at the same time. There aren’t any discounts on this stylus at the moment, but it’s still a solid value at less than $50. 

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