Whether you have tiny handwriting
or you need help cramming your notes
onto an index card,
a fine-tip gel pen should be in your pen case.
In this video,
we’ll discuss the benefits of a fine-tip gel pen
and show you eight of our favorite gel pens
with tip sizes that are 0.4 mm or smaller.
Why should I use a fine-tip gel pen?
There are a couple of reasons
why you should use a fine-tip gel pen.
First, a finer tip puts down less ink on the page,
so your writing will dry faster.
Additionally,
a fine-tip gel pen will last longer
because it doesn’t use as much ink
as a broader tip.
Finally, a fine tip keeps your letters crisp and neat.
If you naturally have small handwriting,
a broader tip size
could turn your letters into messy blobs.
Plus you can cram words more onto a page!
With that in mind,
let’s check out some fine-tip gel pens!
Top Choice
If you could only get one fine-tip gel pen,
make it the Uni-ball Signo.
It’s the perfect blend of performance and reliability,
with delightfully smooth ink
that comes in dozens of colors.
The Signo uses pigment-based ink
that is water resistant,
protecting your notes from accidental spills.
The ink is even resistant to sunlight
and chemical solvents,
so you can be sure that your writing or doodles
will stand the test of time.
The Signo comes in several different versions,
like the svelte UM-151
or the retractable RT1,
so you can pick one that fits your personal style.
The Best Retractable Fine-Tip Gel Pen
Although most of the pens in this video
offer retractable models,
we have to give a special shout out
to the Zebra Sarasa Clip.
Its sturdy binder clip, comfortable rubber grip,
and vivid, pigment-based ink
all combine to make this
one of our favorite student pens.
It comes in even more colors than the Uni-ball Signo,
including the popular Vintage shades
and fun Marble hues.
The Sarasa lineup
has more to offer than just the Clip, too—
click the card above to learn more
about all of the different Sarasa gel pens.
The Best Fast-Drying Fine-Tip Gel Pen
The Pentel EnerGel’s ink
is smooth flowing and richly saturated,
but its best characteristic
has to be its amazingly fast dry time.
On Kokuyo Sarasara paper,
the ink was dry to the touch
immediately after we finished writing.
Because of this,
we always recommend the EnerGel
to left-handed writers—
or anyone else who struggles with smudged ink.
This gel pen comes in a variety of body designs,
like the stylish Infree and adorable Clena.
The Best Ultra Fine-Tip Gel Pen
Few gel pens have come close
to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C’s title of finest gel pen.
Its precise needle point tip
comes in sizes as small as 0.25 millimeters!
Despite this tiny tip size,
the Hi-Tec-C writes surprisingly smoothly.
Its specially designed tip
minimizes contact between the ball
and surrounding tip material,
which reduces friction.
However, the 0.25 millimeter Hi-Tec-C
does have a reputation for being a little finicky.
If you need a pen that writes without fail
every single time you reach for it,
we recommend grabbing the slightly broader
0.3 millimeter tip size.
If you wish the 0.25 millimeter Hi-Tec-C
came in more colors,
try the Pentel Slicci instead!
You can choose from eight fun colors,
including pink, baby blue, and violet.
The Best Erasable Fine-Tip Gel Pen
For an erasable pen
that actually writes and erases well,
you have to pick up the Pilot FriXion.
Its special thermosensitive ink
turns invisible when exposed to heat,
so any mistakes magically “erase”
with the included rubber eraser.
Two fine-tip FriXions are available,
both of which are retractable.
The 0.38 millimeter Ball Slim
has a narrow body,
so you can cram all twenty colors
into a pen case with room to spare.
The 0.4 millimeter Point Knock
features Pilot’s synergy tip,
which combines the precision of a needle point
with the durability of a conical point.
The Best Off-Black Fine-Tip Gel Pen
Add a subtle hint of color to your writing
with the sleek Sakura Ballsign iD.
It comes in six colors:
five off-black shades and a jet black ink.
The metal clip and clicker
are tinted to match the ink inside,
so it’s easier to tell which color
you’re reaching for.
The pen’s minimalist design lacks a rubber grip,
but it’s still comfortable to hold
for long writing sessions.
We appreciate the barrel’s rounded hexagonal shape.
It gently guides your fingers into a tripod grip,
but it’s easy to ignore if you write a little differently.
The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pen for Coloring
The Uni-ball One is sure to bring bold colors
to the pages of your sketchbook or coloring book.
The One’s ink is specially formulated
with large pigment particles
that stay on the surface of the paper.
Dark inks look darker,
while bright inks are even more vibrant.
As an added bonus,
the ink resists soaking into the paper’s fibers,
so you can layer colors
without worrying about bleedthrough.
The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pen for Art
The Pilot Juice Up
is one of the few fine-tip gel pens
that comes in pastel hues
and metallic shades.
If your art involves plenty of black or colored paper,
the 0.4 millimeter Juice Up
is impressively opaque and shows up well.
However, we should note
that broader is typically better when it comes
to these specialty ink colors.
You may need to go over your writing a few times
to get the most opaque results possible.
Which of these fine-tip gel pens is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below.
You can find all of these precise pens
and more at JetPens.com.
Thanks for watching!