The Apple Pencil 2 is developing on 5 years because it was launched alongside the redesigned 2018 iPad Professional. It’s nonetheless the very best model of a digital pencil that Apple sells. Since its launch, it has remained comparatively unchanged. It’s bodily equivalent to when it got here out, it has obtained two tiny software program updates since iPadOS 13, and Apple nonetheless sells it for $119 ($10 lower than the unique $129 value). This has allowed third social gathering competitors to get superb and catch as much as the performance of the Apple Pencil at a fraction of the price. In order that begs the query, are cheaper Apple Pencil alternate options value it?
I’ve examined numerous Apple Pencil alternate options over time. Some are nice, and others not as a lot. They vary drastically from value to product providing, performance, really feel, and all the things in between. With each I examined, I felt like I used to be giving one thing up or sacrificing some kind of characteristic to spend much less cash. However I lastly discovered a couple of choices that actually get you 95-99% of the Apple Pencil expertise for a 3rd of the value (or much less)!
I’ve had the Penoval A4 pencil for over a 12 months now, and for the value, I feel it’s one of the unbeatable choices. For underneath $30, you get:
- 15 hours of battery
- 30-minute cost time
- Cost by way of USB-C
- Contact-sensitive prime
- Magnetically attaches to iPad
- Palm rejection
- Light-weight
- Tilt sensitivity
- Completely different colours
- Interchangeable suggestions
From a construct high quality standpoint, it additionally feels nice. It’s made from plastic with a matte end. It additionally has that one flat edge so it doesn’t roll off your desk and may magnetically connect to your iPad. It’s a bit lighter than the Apple Pencil 2, however from a quantity and measurement standpoint, it’s equivalent. It has an influence button towards the underside of the pencil to toggle it on and off. In relation to compatibility, it really works with a plethora of iPad fashions. See under.
Be sure you watch the video to see this pencil in motion. It really works with all Apple Notes shortcuts, Scribble works nice, and far more.
What’s lacking?
When it comes to what you’re sacrificing, it actually isn’t a lot. There isn’t a double-tap shortcut with this pencil. So in case you completely want that, you then may have to look elsewhere. One other characteristic that isn’t obtainable is the Hover characteristic. Hover is simply current within the M2 iPad Professional as of proper now. The final characteristic lacking is the magnetic wi-fi charging on the iPad itself. Should you can reside with out these options, you then might need a winner for underneath $30.
Now let’s transfer on to this second tier. Now I do know this has two cash indicators, but it surely nonetheless falls underneath $40! The one factor for me that was lacking from the Penoval Pen was wi-fi charging. The EIP Pencil Professional solves that concern and solves it splendidly. See the specs under:
- 12 hours of battery life
- Fast charging
- Actual-time energy show with battery widget
- Magnetic wi-fi charging
- Palm rejection
- Tilt sensitivity
- iPadOS gesture help like screenshots and fast notes
- Replaceable nibs
- Idle shut off to avoid wasting battery
This pencil has been the go-to suggestion for me. For somebody that isn’t a designer, I might advocate this over the Apple Pencil 2. The construct high quality is nice, and it has the appear and feel of the Apple Pencil 2. Because it costs magnetically, there isn’t any want for a USB-C port, so it matches the Apple look completely. Because it’s a Bluetooth-enabled pencil, it really works with iPads that don’t even help magnetic wi-fi charging. For these conditions, it brings a charging cradle to cost the pencil. See the compatibility listing under.
So you’ll be able to see that you could magnetically cost and fasten it to the iPad that helps it and nonetheless use it with different older iPads as properly.
What’s lacking?
This EIP Pencil Professional checks all the key bins for me, personally. The 2 options lacking are the double faucet shortcut and the M2 iPad Professional Hover characteristic. Now these are options that I don’t miss in any respect. However somebody individuals may need these and use them frequently. If you wish to see how this pencil works, you’ll want to try the video!
Final however not least, we’ve got to carry up the Apple Pencil 2. Sure, it lacks innovation. Sure, it’s previous. Sure, it’s a bit overpriced for somebody who simply must take notes. However it’s nonetheless a first-party Apple product that was constructed by Apple for Apple merchandise. There’s a silver lining, although. Despite the fact that Apple retails this for $119 (which I feel is wild), Amazon presently has it on sale for $89. So it’s nonetheless costly, however at the least it’s about $30 cheaper than regular.
However the Apple Pencil 2 offers you each characteristic. You have got the double-tap shortcut, the magnetic wi-fi charging, the replaceable nibs, and all the things else that comes with the Apple Pencil expertise. The compatibility listing is definitely smaller because it received’t work with the iPad tenth gen, which solely helps the Apple Pencil 1 for some cause. I might advocate this pencil to somebody who wants essentially the most exact expertise, like for a designer that makes use of their iPad as a digital canvas and simply can’t reside with any latency. It’s nonetheless well-built and works nice, however for $90-$120, I might spend the cash elsewhere.
Wrap-up
Let me know what you consider these Apple Pencil alternate options. I need to understand how you employ your iPad and Apple Pencil. Are you the informal notice taker, or are you somebody that actually pushes the capabilities of the Apple Pencil 2? Do you even personal an Apple Pencil? Let’s focus on within the feedback under! As I acknowledged, I might advocate the Eip pencil purely for the price-to-performance ratio and the truth that you’ll be able to wirelessly cost it in your iPad and examine the battery degree.
