The Best Pen

If you’ve ever had a pen mysteriously wander away from your desk and then had to write with a poor substitute (the kind you might find at a bank or with some company’s phone number on it), you know how important a quality pen is. Whether you’re signing a check, taking notes, or writing a love letter, a great pen can make your handwriting look its clearest and nicest (and it can also provide some joy along the way). The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to get a pen that’s worthy of your signature. After researching 45 pens and writing zealously with 26 of them, we have recommendations for ballpoint, rollerball, and gel pens that are affordable and satisfying to write with.