There are three Apple models to choose from, with prices starting at $79. But there are plenty of cheaper third-party alternatives as well — you definitely don’t have to go with the Apple logo if you don’t want to. No matter which stylus you choose, there’s no reason to overpay. We’ve rounded up all the best bargains so you can get the right product at the right price. Before you buy, just be sure to confirm that your chosen Apple Pencil or third-party stylus is compatible with your particular iPad.
Apple Pencil pricing 2024
Apple
Amazon and Walmart both have the first-gen model priced at $89, which is $10 less than what you’ll find at the Apple Store. We have seen it go lower in the past, so if you aren’t in a hurry to get your hands on one, you may want to try to wait for holiday sales. It comes with the USB-C adapter, which is required to pair it with the newest iPad model.
Apple
You can snag the second-gen Apple Pencil for just $120 right now at Amazon and Walmart, though Best Buy is charging full price.
The Apple Pencil goes USB-C with this new, more affordable option that still attaches to the side of some iPads magnetically but doesn’t charge that way. Instead, a sliding cap reveals a hidden USB-C port for plugging a cable in to charge.
This is Apple’s latest stylus that sits somewhere between the other two options, taking some features from each. It has tilt sensitivity, low latency use, and pressure sensitivity but misses out on things like wireless charging and the iPad Pro’s hover feature. In terms of compatibility, the newest Apple Pencil works with all iPad models that have a USB-C port, including iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini.
Best cheap Apple Pencil alternatives
While the Apple Pencil offers one of the best experiences when paired with the iPad, it may not be the best choice for everyone. There are a number of cheaper alternatives. Here are some of the best ones that are on sale right now.
Apple Pencil vs. Apple Pencil 2: Which should you buy?
The decision here is simple: You have to buy the one that’s compatible with your iPad. Apple doesn’t let you pick which Apple Pencil you want to use with which iPad. Instead, iPads are only compatible with a specific model of the Apple Pencil.
As outlined above, the original Apple Pencil works with the first- and second-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 3 and fifth-gen iPad Mini, and all of the base-model iPads since the sixth-gen model. If you have a newer iPad Pro, fourth- or fifth-gen iPad Air or the sixth-gen iPad Mini, you’ll need to opt for the Apple Pencil 2.
If you want to avoid this confusion, you can select from one of the non-Apple alternatives listed above, which generally have broader compatibility.
