The best gel pen for most people is the uni-ball Signo UM-151. JetPens names it its top gel pen: fine tips from 0.28 to 0.5 mm, a wide color range, and pigment ink that is waterproof, archival and fade resistant. If you smudge everything you write, get the Pentel EnerGel RTX or the Zebra Sarasa Dry. If you highlight your notes, get the Zebra Sarasa Mark On.
We sort seven pens by the three things that decide whether a gel pen works for you: how fast the ink dries, what happens when it gets wet or highlighted, and whether you can refill the body.
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How we chose
We did not test these pens by hand. We compared the manufacturers’ own product pages (Pilot, uni-ball, Pentel, Zebra, Sakura), JetPens’ gel pen guides, the scored comparison of 19 gel pens published by Your Best Digs, and owner comments on r/pens. Every spec below comes from one of those pages, all read on October 27, 2026; the full list is at the end. Where sources disagree (Zebra sells the Sarasa Dry with different tip sizes and refills in Europe and the US), we say so. We do not quote prices because they change weekly; use the buttons to check the current one.
A quick definition, because retailers mix the terms. JetPens describes gel ink as pigment suspended in a water-based gel. Ballpoints use oil-based ink and rollerballs use thin liquid ink. At the same nominal tip size, a gel pen draws a line wider than a ballpoint and finer than a rollerball. Gel ink flows with little pressure, but it usually dries slower than ballpoint ink and can smudge. That trade-off is the whole reason the picks below differ.
Comparison table
| Pen | Tip sizes | Ink | Refillable | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uni-ball Signo UM-151 | 0.28, 0.38, 0.5 mm | Pigment; waterproof, archival, fade resistant (JetPens) | Not stated in our sources | Fine everyday writing, color-coding |
| Pilot G2 | 4 sizes, ultra fine to bold | Gel; some water resistance once dry (JetPens) | Yes (Pilot) | Easy to find, up to 41 colors |
| Pentel EnerGel RTX | 0.3 to 1.0 mm (Pentel listings) | Fast-drying liquid gel | Yes, any EnerGel refill (Pentel) | Left-handers, fast writers |
| Zebra Sarasa Dry | 0.4, 0.5, 0.7 mm (JetPens); 0.7 mm in EU | Dries 85% faster than conventional gel ink (Zebra) | Yes | Pocket notebooks, smudge-free writing |
| Zebra Sarasa Mark On | 0.4, 0.5 mm | Pigment, water resistant, made to resist highlighter smear | Yes, 0.5 mm refill (Zebra) | Notes you highlight |
| uni-ball 207 | 0.38, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 mm | uni Super Ink, sold as fraud, water and fade resistant | Yes, 0.5/0.7/1.0 mm black and blue | Checks and signatures |
| Sakura Gelly Roll | Several, by ink type | Original gel ink; many finishes | Not stated in our sources (retractable version sold) | Art, crafts, dark paper |
1. uni-ball Signo UM-151: best overall
JetPens calls the Signo UM-151, also sold as the Signo DX, the best gel pen, and it is the pen to start with if you write small. It comes in 0.28, 0.38 and 0.5 mm. JetPens finds the 0.5 mm the smoothest and most reliable for daily writing, the 0.38 mm a balance of smoothness and faster drying, and the 0.28 mm best for precise writing and fine detail in drawings. The pigment ink is described as waterproof, archival and fade resistant, so notes and journal entries should last. The color list on JetPens runs from black and blue to brown, orange, yellow, green and purple, enough for a color-coding system.
Who it’s for: students and note-takers with small handwriting, and anyone who wants fine lines in several colors.
Skip it if: you press hard or write large. The finest tips trade some smoothness for precision, and a bolder pen such as the G2 or 207 will feel easier.
- Pro: three fine tip sizes, down to 0.28 mm
- Pro: pigment ink, waterproof and fade resistant per JetPens
- Pro: wide color range for color-coding
- Con: no tip broader than 0.5 mm in this model
- Con: like most gel ink, the broader sizes dry slower than ballpoint ink
2. Pilot G2: best widely available gel pen
The G2 is the safe default. Pilot says it is the country’s number one selling gel pen brand by dollar sales (Circana data) and the longest-writing, based on independent ISO testing it keeps on file. It comes in four point sizes, from ultra fine to bold, and up to 41 core colors, and the body is refillable. JetPens notes that G2 ink has some water resistance once dry and can be highlighted over with minor smudging.
Point size matters more with the G2 than with most pens. In Your Best Digs’ scored comparison, the 0.38 mm G2 got 8/10 for quick drying, while the 0.7 mm got 2/10. If you smear ink, buy the finer size.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants a dependable pen they can buy at any office supply store, in a lot of colors.
Skip it if: you are left-handed and want the standard 0.7 mm. Your Best Digs scored that size low on drying speed.
- Pro: four point sizes and up to 41 colors (Pilot)
- Pro: refillable body
- Pro: some water resistance once dry (JetPens)
- Con: the 0.7 mm scored 2/10 for drying speed in Your Best Digs’ comparison
- Con: minor smudging when highlighted
3. Pentel EnerGel RTX: best for left-handers
JetPens picks the EnerGel as its gel pen for left-handers because the quick-drying ink cuts smudging without making the pen less smooth. Pentel says the same on its own listing: the ink dries fast enough that left-handed writers get smear-free notes. The RTX has a latex-free grip and a retractable metal tip. Pentel says the barrel takes any size or color of EnerGel refill, and its listings run from an extra fine 0.3 mm to a bold 1.0 mm. The black 12-pack is made of 54% recycled plastic.
Your Best Digs, which did write with its 19 pens, made a sibling model, the EnerGel Pearl in 0.7 mm, its top pick for comfort and smoothness. On r/pens, one owner who praised the EnerGel’s ink said they disliked the feel of the body, and another pointed out that EnerGel refills fit many other pen bodies.
Who it’s for: left-handed writers, fast note-takers, and anyone who closes a notebook right after writing.
Skip it if: you need waterproof ink. JetPens recommends the separate EnerGel Permanent for that, which implies the standard ink is not.
- Pro: fast-drying ink, recommended for left-handers by JetPens and Pentel
- Pro: refillable with any EnerGel refill, 0.3 to 1.0 mm
- Pro: latex-free grip
- Con: standard ink is not the waterproof version
- Con: some owners dislike the RTX body and move the refill to another pen
4. Zebra Sarasa Dry: fastest-drying gel pen
Zebra says the Sarasa Dry’s ink dries 85% faster than conventional inks and will not smear if you run your hand over it right after writing. Zebra pitches it at left-handers and at anyone writing in a pocket notebook, where wet ink can transfer to the facing page. JetPens rates it its best quick-drying gel pen. Like other Sarasa pens it has a rubber grip and a strong binder clip that holds on pockets and notebook covers.
The details depend on where you buy. Zebra’s European page lists a 0.7 mm pen with dye-based ink and the JLV refill. JetPens sells 0.4, 0.5 and 0.7 mm versions, and Zebra’s US store sells JK refills under the Sarasa line. Check the tip size on the listing before you order.
Who it’s for: left-handers, fast writers, and anyone who journals in small notebooks.
Skip it if: your notes might get wet. JetPens says the ink has very little water resistance.
- Pro: dries 85% faster than conventional gel ink (Zebra)
- Pro: binder clip grips thick covers
- Pro: refillable
- Con: very little water resistance (JetPens)
- Con: tip sizes and refill names differ by region
5. Zebra Sarasa Mark On: best for notes you highlight
Most gel ink smears when a water-based highlighter passes over it. The Mark On is built to stop that. JetPens calls it its best gel pen for note-taking and says the ink barely budges under the smear-prone Zebra Mildliner. Zebra describes the refill as acid-free, archival pigment ink that is water resistant and dries in five seconds. The pen comes in 0.4 and 0.5 mm, in black, red and blue, and uses the same body as the Sarasa Clip.
Who it’s for: students who highlight lecture notes and anyone who annotates with highlighters.
Skip it if: you want colors for a color-coded system. The ink comes in only three.
- Pro: made to resist highlighter smear
- Pro: pigment ink, water resistant and archival (Zebra)
- Pro: refills sold by Zebra
- Con: only black, red and blue
- Con: only two tip sizes
6. uni-ball 207: best for checks and signatures
The 207 uses uni Super Ink, which uni-ball says bonds with paper fibers to resist check washing, water, fading and document alteration. It is retractable with a textured rubber grip, and comes in 0.38, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm. uni-ball sells refills for the 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm sizes in black and blue. The Staples listing for the black 0.7 mm dozen shows 2,429 reviews, so plenty of owners have weighed in.
One caveat. A reviewer on uni-ball’s own product page reports that dried 207 ink smeared when wetted or highlighted, and uni-ball’s customer service replied with an apology and an offer to help by email. Your Best Digs gave the 0.7 mm 207 a 4/10 for comfort and 6/10 for drying speed.
Who it’s for: anyone signing checks, contracts and forms who wants tamper-resistant ink.
Skip it if: comfort over long writing sessions matters more than ink security. The EnerGel or G2 scored higher there.
- Pro: uni Super Ink, sold as fraud, water and fade resistant
- Pro: four tip sizes and refills for three of them
- Con: at least one owner reports smearing under a highlighter
- Con: comfort scored 4/10 by Your Best Digs
7. Sakura Gelly Roll: best for art and dark paper
Sakura invented gel ink in the 1980s, and the Gelly Roll was the first gel pen on the market. JetPens recommends it for arts and crafts because the inks come in many finishes, show up on dark and colored paper, and in some versions write on photos. Sakura now sells a retractable Gelly Roll as well, so there is no cap to lose.
Who it’s for: crafters, coloring-book fans and journalers who decorate pages.
Skip it if: you want a pen for everyday notes. Your Best Digs scored the 0.6 mm Gelly Roll 2/10 for drying speed.
- Pro: shows up on dark and colored paper (JetPens)
- Pro: many ink finishes
- Pro: retractable version available
- Con: slow drying for everyday writing
- Con: choosing the right version takes effort because the range is so large
How to choose: four questions
1. Do you smudge your writing?
If your hand drags across fresh ink, drying speed matters more than anything else. Pick the Zebra Sarasa Dry or Pentel EnerGel RTX, or drop to a finer tip, which puts down less ink. Our guide to pens for left-handers covers ballpoint and hybrid options too.
2. Will the page get wet or highlighted?
Pigment inks (Signo UM-151, Sarasa Mark On, uni-ball 207) are sold as water resistant. Fast-drying dye inks such as the Sarasa Dry give up most of that. If you use a highlighter, the Mark On is the only pen here built for it; see our highlighters for bullet journals for the other half of the pairing.
3. How small do you write?
Gel pens draw wider than ballpoints at the same size. Small handwriting and narrow-ruled notebooks call for 0.38 mm or less (Signo UM-151, or the 0.38 mm G2). Signatures and large handwriting look better at 0.7 to 1.0 mm. If your paper is thin and gel ink shows through, our no-bleed pens for journaling list goes further.
4. Gel, rollerball or erasable?
If you want a wetter, darker line and your paper can take it, a liquid-ink pen may suit you better; our rollerball pen guide compares six. If you need to fix mistakes, thermosensitive gel pens such as the Pilot FriXion erase cleanly. JetPens warns that the ink can disappear in heat, such as a hot car. We cover those in best erasable pens.
FAQ
What is the difference between a gel pen and a ballpoint?
Gel ink is pigment in a water-based gel; ballpoint ink is oil-based. Gel ink flows with less pressure and comes in far more colors. Ballpoint ink dries faster and smudges less, based on JetPens’ side-by-side smudge test.
Which gel pen dries the fastest?
Of the pens here, the Zebra Sarasa Dry has the most specific claim: ink that dries 85% faster than conventional inks, per Zebra. The Pentel EnerGel is the other common recommendation for fast drying.
Are gel pens waterproof?
Some are. Pigment-based gel inks such as the uni-ball Signo UM-151 are described as waterproof or water resistant. Dye-based fast-drying inks usually are not; JetPens says the Sarasa Dry has very little water resistance.
Can you refill gel pens?
Many retractable gel pens take refills: the Pilot G2, Pentel EnerGel RTX, Zebra Sarasa pens and the uni-ball 207 all have refills sold by their makers. Refills are usually brand-specific, so match the model and tip size.
What is the best white gel pen?
JetPens names the uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153 (sold as the Impact in some markets) as the best white gel pen it has tried. Our guide to white pens for black paper compares more options.
Sources
All checked October 27, 2026.
- JetPens, The Best Gel Pens (Signo UM-151, G2 ink, EnerGel, Sarasa Dry, Sarasa Mark On, Gelly Roll, FriXion, Signo Broad, gel ink definition): https://www.jetpens.com/blog/The-Best-Gel-Pens/pt/459
- JetPens, Gel Pen Basics (gel vs ballpoint vs rollerball, smudge comparison): https://www.jetpens.com/blog/Gel-Pen-Basics/pt/1025
- Pilot, G2 product page (4 point sizes, up to 41 colors, refillable, #1 selling claim with Circana footnote): https://powertothepen.com/pens/g2/
- Pentel, EnerGel RTX 0.7 mm 12-pack (fast-drying for left-handers, latex-free grip, any EnerGel refill, 54% recycled plastic): https://www.pentel.com/products/energel-rtx-retractable-liquid-gel-pen-0-7mm-metal-tip-medium-line-0-7mm-black-ink-12-pk-hanging-window-box
- Pentel, EnerGel RTX 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm 3-packs: https://www.pentel.com/products/energel-rtx-retractable-liquid-gel-pens-0-3mm-to-0-7mm-assorted-ink-3-packs
- Pentel, EnerGel RTX 1.0 mm bold: https://www.pentel.com/products/energel-rtx-liquid-gel-pen-bold-line
- Zebra Pen EU, Sarasa Dry (85% faster drying, dye-based ink, 0.7 mm, JLV refill): https://zebrapeneu.com/products/sarasa-dry
- Zebra Pen US, Sarasa refills (JK refill, Mark On refill): https://zebrapen.com/collections/refills/sarasa
- Zebra Pen US, Sarasa Mark On 0.5 mm refill (pigment, acid-free, archival, water resistant, dries in five seconds): https://zebrapen.com/collections/refills/products/sarasa-mark-on-black-ink-refill-0-5mm-2pk
- uni-ball, 207 Gel Pen (uni Super Ink, tip sizes, refills, customer review): https://www.unibrands.co/products/207-gel-pens
- Staples, uni-ball 207 0.7 mm black dozen (review count): https://www.staples.com/uniball-207-retractable-gel-pens-medium-point-0-7mm-black-ink-12-pack-33950/product_559215
- Sakura of America (gel ink invented by Sakura in the 1980s, Gelly Roll): https://www.sakuraofamerica.com/
- Your Best Digs, The 19 Best Gel Pens (scored comparison, Dec 2022): https://www.yourbestdigs.com/reviews/gel-pens/
- r/pens thread on EnerGel ink and bodies: https://www.reddit.com/r/pens/comments/lszb6i/i_went_on_a_journey_to_find_the_best_gel_pen_for/