You’ve probably stumbled across ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens before.
They all look similar, so what exactly are the differences between them?
In this video, we’ll explain exactly what distinguishes these pen types,
and show you some of our favorite pens in each category.
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Let’s get started!
What’s the difference between a ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pen?
Ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens all have one feature in common:
they use a small, revolving ball in the tip to dispense ink.
Where they differ is how the ink is formulated.
Ballpoint pens use viscous, oil-based ink.
Because the ink is so thick, they require more pressure to write.
While this can be tiring over long periods of time, some people find them easier to control.
Ballpoint pens dry almost instantly,
are also waterproof.
However, they do have a limited selection of tip sizes and colors.
Gel pens use inks that have pigments suspended in a water-based gel.
This particular formulation makes gel pens vibrant and precise--
very few other pens come in tip sizes as small as 0.28 mm.
They can skip on occasion
and take longer to dry.
They can also be finicky when it comes to paper.
Rollerball pens use liquid inks.
They require even less pressure to write, so a rollerball pen can help reduce hand strain.
Using a liquid ink does mean that paper choice is important.
The thin ink will bleed through lower-quality papers
and cause some rollerballs to feel “scratchy” when you write.
What is hybrid ink?
Hybrid or low-viscosity ink refers to an enhanced ink formulation found in some ballpoint pens.
This ballpoint ink is quick-drying and waterproof.
But it flows smoothly and is vibrant, almost like a gel pen.
When should I use a ballpoint, gel, or rollerball pen?
Ballpoints can write on slick papers and last for a long time,
so we like keeping one in our everyday carry.
It’s especially useful for filling out receipts.
Our favorite is the Uni Jetstream thanks to its low-viscosity ink.
It writes smoothly and even comes in a 0.38 mm tip size, which is pretty small!
If you need your ballpoint to write anywhere, the Fisher Space Pen fits the bill.
It uses a pressurized refill that can write upside down!
We prefer gel pens for everyday note-taking.
The smooth flow makes it easy to write for long periods of time,
and the vast variety of colors are great for color-coding.
The tried and true Uni-ball Signo UM-151 writes smoothly in any tip size.
Its vibrant ink comes in a wide array of colors and is waterproof.
If your plans change often, the "erasable" Pilot FriXion helps keep your calendar neat.
The thermosensitive ink turns invisible when exposed to heat,
like heat generated from friction.
A rollerball is a faithful pen for those who suffer from hand cramps.
The free-flowing ink prevents you from pressing down on your pen too hard.
The humble Uni-ball Vision Elite has velvety-smooth ink for an excellent writing experience.
As a bonus, the ink is fraud-resistant and archival.
For those who love fine tips, the Morning Glory Pro Mach boasts a 0.38 mm tip
that’s almost unheard of in rollerballs.
This pen makes satisfyingly smooth lines with a hint of feedback.
Which do you prefer to use: a ballpoint, gel, or rollerball pen?
Let us know in the comments below.
For more recommendations, check out our guide.
You can shop all these pens at JetPens.com.
Thanks for watching!