The best pen for note taking for most people is the Pentel EnerGel RTX 0.7mm: its liquid gel ink is built to dry fast, so you can write quickly and flip the page without smearing, and the refill fits a whole family of EnerGel pens. If you take notes on thin paper, the uni-ball Jetstream RT is the safer pick, and if you color-code, a 4-color Jetstream multi pen saves you from juggling four pens.
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Note taking is a different job from signing a card or journaling slowly. You write fast, your hand drags across fresh lines, you often write on both sides of thin notebook paper, and you may need to fix mistakes or highlight structure. This guide matches each pen to one of those problems instead of ranking them on “smoothness” alone.
How we chose
We did not run a lab test. We compared manufacturer specifications (ink type, tip size, refill compatibility, drying claims), the Amazon listings for each pen, and the aggregate Amazon ratings and review summaries as shown in November 2026. We kept only pens with thousands of ratings, a widely available refill or replacement pack, and a clear reason to choose them for notes. Ratings below are quoted with the count we saw, not our own scores.
Quick comparison
| Pen | Ink type | Tip (as labeled) | Best for | Amazon rating (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentel EnerGel RTX | Liquid gel | 0.7mm “Medium” | Fast writers, lefties | 4.7/5, 2,073 ratings (12-pack) |
| uni-ball Jetstream RT | Hybrid (oil-based ballpoint) | 0.7mm “Fine” | Thin paper, long-lasting notes | 4.6/5, 12,493 ratings (12-count) |
| Zebra Sarasa Dry X20 | Rapid-dry gel | 0.7mm “Medium” | Left-handed note takers | 4.6/5, 6,396 ratings (12-pack) |
| Pilot G2 Premium | Gel | 0.7mm “Fine” | Bold, readable lecture notes | 4.8/5, 56,668 ratings (12-pack) |
| Pilot FriXion Clicker | Erasable thermo-sensitive gel | 0.7mm “Fine” | Math, drafts, planners | 4.7/5, 47,836 ratings (7-pack) |
| uni Jetstream 4&1 | Oil-based ballpoint + 0.5mm pencil | 0.7mm | Color-coded notes | 4.6/5, 3,400+ ratings |
One detail the table makes visible: all six write with a 0.7mm tip, but Pilot and uni call it “fine” while Pentel and Zebra call it “medium.” The label is marketing, not a measurement, so compare the millimeter number when you switch brands.
1. Pentel EnerGel RTX 0.7mm: best overall for note taking
EnerGel ink is Pentel’s “liquid gel”: lower viscosity than ordinary gel ink, so it flows more like a rollerball but still dries quickly. Pentel markets it as fast-drying to prevent smears and globs, and specifically names left-handers and “high-speed note taking.” For notes, that drying speed is the feature that matters most, because you rarely wait before your hand moves over the last line.
Who it’s for: students and meeting note takers who write fast and want a dark, smooth line without smudges.
Who should skip it: anyone writing on very thin paper who hates show-through; a ballpoint like the Jetstream puts down less ink.
- Pro: quick-drying liquid gel ink, marketed for fast note taking and left-handers.
- Pro: one refill (LR7) fits many EnerGel bodies, including BL77, BL57, BL107 and BL407, per Pentel.
- Pro: latex-free grip and a retractable metal tip; the RTX barrel uses 54% recycled plastic, according to Pentel.
- Pro: 4.7/5 from 2,073 Amazon ratings for the black 12-box.
- Con: the “medium” 0.7mm line is too bold for tiny handwriting; Pentel sells 0.5mm needle-tip versions if you need finer.
- Con: gel ink is wetter than ballpoint ink, so thin paper may show it on the reverse side.
2. uni-ball Jetstream RT: best for thin paper and notes you keep
The Jetstream is a ballpoint, but uni-ball’s hybrid ink is formulated to feel closer to a gel pen while drying like a ballpoint. Because it is oil-based and less wet than gel, it is the pen to reach for when your notebook paper is thin and you write on both sides. The listing also describes uni Super Ink as bonding with paper to resist water, fading and alteration, which is useful if your notes become records (lab notebooks, field logs, meeting minutes).
Who it’s for: people who write on cheap or thin paper, keep notes for years, or want one pen that also works for forms and checks.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants the very dark, saturated line of gel ink.
- Pro: hybrid ink that the listing describes as quick-drying and smear-resistant.
- Pro: fraud-resistant uni Super Ink, which also helps with water and fading.
- Pro: 4.6/5 from 12,493 Amazon ratings for the black 12-count.
- Con: ballpoint ink looks lighter than gel ink on the page.
- Con: the listing calls 0.7mm “fine,” but it is the same tip size as the “medium” gel pens here.
If check washing is the main reason you care about this ink, see our best pen for check writing guide.
3. Zebra Sarasa Dry X20: best for left-handed note takers
Zebra’s Rapid Dry Ink (RDI) is the most specific drying claim on this list: the manufacturer says it dries in less than a second on most surfaces, and the Amazon description says a third-party lab found dry times equal to or faster than leading competitors on nine common writing surfaces. If you are left-handed and push your hand through the line you just wrote, that is the claim to care about.
Who it’s for: left-handed students and anyone who writes in a notebook propped on their lap or a slanted desk.
Who should skip it: right-handed writers who already get on with a regular gel pen; the drying speed is the main reason to buy it.
- Pro: Rapid Dry Ink, rated by Zebra at under one second on most surfaces.
- Pro: transparent barrel shows how much ink is left, so a refill never runs out mid-lecture by surprise.
- Pro: soft latex-free grip and pocket clip.
- Pro: 4.6/5 from 6,396 Amazon ratings for the black 12-pack.
- Con: “most surfaces” is a manufacturer claim; coated and glossy handouts are where any gel ink is slowest.
- Con: 0.7mm is labeled “medium” and writes a bold line; Zebra also offers 0.5mm.
More picks for lefties, including fountain and ballpoint options, are in best pens for left handers.
4. Pilot G2 Premium 0.7mm: best for bold, readable notes
The G2 is the pen with the largest rating pool here by a wide margin: 4.8/5 from 56,668 Amazon ratings for the black 12-pack. It is refillable and retractable with a contoured rubber grip, according to Pilot’s listing. Its strength for notes is legibility: the gel line is dark and consistent, which helps when you scan a page of lecture notes before an exam.
Who it’s for: right-handed note takers who want a dark line that photocopies and photographs well.
Who should skip it: left-handers who smear easily; choose the Sarasa Dry or EnerGel for faster drying claims.
- Pro: very large owner-rating base (56,668 ratings, 4.8/5).
- Pro: refillable and retractable, with a contoured grip for long sessions.
- Pro: sold in 0.5mm, 0.7mm and 1.0mm, so you can match line width to your handwriting.
- Con: Pilot does not make the same sub-second drying claim that Zebra makes for the Sarasa Dry.
- Con: “fine” label on a 0.7mm tip; small handwriting may need the 0.5mm version.
For more gel options sorted by drying speed, see our best gel pens roundup.
5. Pilot FriXion Clicker 0.7mm: best erasable pen for notes
FriXion ink is thermo-sensitive: the friction of the built-in eraser heats it until it turns colorless. That makes it useful for math and science notes, planners and drafts where you correct often. The same mechanism is its weakness, and the listing states it plainly: the ink turns colorless above 140°F and can be restored by cooling it to at least 14°F in a freezer. A notebook left in a hot car can go blank.
Who it’s for: students working problems step by step, planner users, and anyone who hates crossed-out lines.
Who should skip it: anyone taking notes that must last or serve as a record. Pilot says FriXion is not recommended for legal or official documents, and the listing marks it as not water resistant.
- Pro: erases cleanly with no eraser crumbs and can be rewritten repeatedly.
- Pro: refillable and retractable; the 7-pack covers black plus six colors for color coding.
- Pro: 4.7/5 from 47,836 Amazon ratings for the assorted 7-pack.
- Con: heat above 140°F makes the ink disappear.
- Con: not water resistant and not for official documents.
We compare FriXion with other erasable inks in best erasable pens.
6. uni Jetstream 4&1: best for color-coded notes
This multi pen puts black, blue, red and green 0.7mm Jetstream ballpoint refills and a 0.5mm mechanical pencil into one barrel. For notes, that means headings in one color, definitions in another and diagrams in pencil, without stopping to swap pens. Amazon’s review summary says customers find the color coding effective for taking notes, and praise smooth writing and rich ink colors.
Who it’s for: students who color-code by topic or priority and want one pen in the pocket.
Who should skip it: anyone who dislikes a thick barrel; four refills plus a pencil make a wider pen than a single-ink one.
- Pro: four ink colors and a mechanical pencil in one body.
- Pro: Jetstream oil-based ink, the same family as pick #2, suits thin paper.
- Pro: 4.6/5 from 3,400+ Amazon ratings.
- Con: Amazon’s review summary lists ink consumption as a mixed point; some owners say refills run out quickly.
- Con: the same summary notes some owners get spotty ink flow.
Not sure which colors to assign? Our guide to what color pen is best for studying covers a simple system.
How to choose a pen for note taking
Start with your paper
Thin notebook paper and both-sides writing favor oil-based ballpoint ink (Jetstream RT, Jetstream 4&1), because it is less wet than gel and stays closer to the surface. Heavier notebook paper handles gel ink well, so the EnerGel, Sarasa Dry and G2 open up.
Then your hand
If you are left-handed or rest your palm on the page, drying speed beats everything else. Choose a pen whose maker makes a specific drying claim: Zebra’s Sarasa Dry (under a second on most surfaces) or Pentel’s EnerGel (marketed for left-handers and high-speed note taking).
Then how long the notes must last
Notes you will keep for years, or that might get wet, are a job for Jetstream’s uni Super Ink. Notes you will revise constantly suit FriXion, as long as they never sit somewhere hot. Gel pens sit between the two.
Then your handwriting size
All six picks are 0.7mm. If your letters are small or you write in narrow ruled lines, buy the 0.5mm version of the same pen rather than switching brands. Ignore the “fine” and “medium” labels; compare millimeters.
Decision rule
- Fast writer, normal paper: Pentel EnerGel RTX.
- Thin paper or notes that must last: uni-ball Jetstream RT.
- Left-handed: Zebra Sarasa Dry X20.
- Wants the boldest, most readable line: Pilot G2.
- Corrects a lot: Pilot FriXion Clicker.
- Color-codes: uni Jetstream 4&1.
FAQ
Is gel or ballpoint better for taking notes?
Gel writes darker with less pressure, which helps on long sessions. Ballpoint (especially hybrid ink like Jetstream) is less wet and shows through thin paper less. If your notebook paper is thin, pick ballpoint; otherwise a quick-drying gel like the EnerGel is the more comfortable choice.
What tip size is best for notes?
0.7mm suits average handwriting on college-ruled paper. Go to 0.5mm for small handwriting or narrow lines, and 1.0mm only if you write large and want a bold line. Compare the millimeter number, not the “fine” or “medium” label, because brands use those words differently.
Can I use erasable pens for class notes?
Yes, for working notes. Pilot’s own listing says FriXion ink turns colorless above 140°F and is not recommended for legal or official documents, so don’t use it for anything you need to keep as a record or might leave in a hot car.
Which pen is best for left-handed note taking?
The Zebra Sarasa Dry X20, because Zebra rates its Rapid Dry Ink at under a second on most surfaces. The Pentel EnerGel RTX is the runner-up.
Sources
Checked 2026-11-04.
- Pentel EnerGel RTX product page: pentel.com (fast-drying claim, latex-free grip, 54% recycled plastic)
- Pentel EnerGel 0.7mm refill page: pentel.com (refill compatibility)
- Pentel UK LR7 refill FAQ: pentel.co.uk (liquid gel ink explanation)
- Zebra Sarasa Dry X20 page: zebrapen.com (Rapid Dry Ink claim, point sizes)
- Amazon listing ASIN B001S2RDRM (Pentel EnerGel RTX 12-box): 4.7/5, 2,073 ratings
- Amazon listing ASIN B001HA59VC (uni-ball Jetstream RT 12-count): features, 4.6/5, 12,493 ratings
- Amazon listing ASIN B001BZ4ROI (Zebra Sarasa Dry X20 12-pack): 4.6/5, 6,396 ratings; third-party lab claim from ASIN B0047EPFDC description
- Amazon listing ASIN B001GAOTSW (Pilot G2 0.7mm 12-pack): 4.8/5, 56,668 ratings
- Amazon listing ASIN B009QYH644 (Pilot FriXion Clicker 7-pack): 4.7/5, 47,836 ratings; heat and document notes
- Amazon listing ASIN B002CKJ4VC (uni Jetstream 4&1): 4.6/5, 3.4K ratings; “Customers say” review summary
- Owner notes / photos: none