The Best Multicolor Pens

How many pens do you use in a day?

If you’re like us, you often switch between pens as you need different colors and writing tools. Searching for the right implement can get tedious, not to mention how quickly pens can take up space. Multicolor and multifunction pens, shortened as “multi pens,” streamline your pen collection by combining two or more components in one pen body so that the right writing tool is always at your fingertips.

Read on to learn how to choose a multi pen, along with multi pen recommendations for specific uses.

Watch the video above to see an overview of our multi pen recommendations.

Table of Contents

Multicolor Pen Considerations

Components

Every multi pen is made of various components, which can be sold separately or as a unit. Usually, “component” refers to the refills, or the parts you use to write with. If an item is called a “body component” or “pen body,” that means it is only the outer shell of the pen—the pen’s body—and that writing components need to be purchased separately.

Type

Think about what kinds of writing implements you use most often.

Multi pen components come in many different types. The most common varieties are ballpoint ink, gel ink, mechanical pencils, and styli. Gel inks are usually more pigmented but ballpoint inks tend to last longer—a helpful trait since multi pen components need to fit into a smaller space than typical pen refills and naturally hold less ink. Before you choose a multi pen, consider what kind of ink you prefer and whether you would use a pencil or stylus component.

Capacity

Pick a multi pen with enough space to meet your needs.

Multi pens can come with as few as two components. There isn’t a maximum number of components a multi pen can have, but most top out at five. Think about how many components it would take to meet your most frequent writing needs and look for a multi pen with at least that many slots.

Customization Potential

Select components to fill a pen body or get started quickly with a pre-filled multi pen.

Multi pens can come pre-filled or as pen bodies only.

Most multi pens come pre-filled with standard colors. If this sounds limiting, look for a customizable multi pen that lets you choose from many colors, tip sizes, and ink types. Some multi pens use a standardized refill size called D1 to allow for cross-brand mixing, while others are part of pen systems that offer many choices within a single brand. To check what components a specific pen can use, visit that pen’s product page and click on “Recommended Refills/Parts.”

Be aware that some multi pens are sold as the pen body only, which means that you need to select refills separately in order to use the pen.

If you’d rather just get started without dithering about colors, or if black, red, blue, and green are just what you want, the wide world of pre-filled multi pens will meet your needs perfectly.

Extension Mechanism

Tabs let you switch refills one-handed, but twist multi pens are more sleek.

Tabs are convenient but twist mechanisms are more sleek.

The two most common ways to switch between multi pen components are to use push tabs or a twist mechanism. Tabs are situated at the back of the pen. They let you change components one-handed by pressing tabs with your thumb but clearly mark the pen as a multi. Twist mechanisms allow you to select components by twisting the pen body. They permit more streamlined, under-the-radar designs but require you to use two hands every time you want to change colors.

You’ll be using your pen’s extension mechanism frequently, so think about whether you’d prefer the convenience of tabs or the stealth of a twist mechanism.

Size

Look for a multi pen that fits your hands and where you plan to carry it.

Look for a multi pen that fits your hands and planned use.

Multi pens these days can be as slim as standard pens. Even so, more components means more girth. If you want four or five components but have small hands, look for skinny designs. If you plan to write for long periods or have large hands, try pens with thicker barrels.

Although most multi pens are about the same length as typical pens, a mini multi pen may be a better fit if you plan to carry it in a pocket or purse.

Appearance

Multi pens come in many different designs and materials.

Even if everything else about your pen is perfect, you won’t enjoy using it if you don’t like how it looks. Multi pens come in a wide range of designs. Bright colors suit bubbly personalities, while people with low-key temperaments may prefer subdued finishes. Likewise, the pen you choose for a conservative office may be different from the one you use at home. Think about where you will use your pen and make sure it fits your personal style!

Multicolor Pen Recommendations

Best Multicolor Pen For Comfort: Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 Multi Pens

Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 Multi Pens have squishy grips.

Pens with slick grip sections and narrow bodies can be hard to hold. This leads to tired hands, cramped wrists, and tense arms. Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 Multi Pens fight hand strain with soft, ergonomic grips and thick bodies that make it easy to write for long periods of time. Their bodies are plastic with metal trim, giving them a substantial feel without too much weight. They come pre-filled with smooth-writing Acro ballpoint ink and a mechanical pencil but can take multiple Pilot refills as well as Style Fit components for a high degree of customization.

Best Multicolor Pen For Everyday Carry: Zebra bLen 3C Multi Pens

Compact Ohto Blooom Multi Pens let you change easily.

Zebra bLen 3C Multi Pens let you change easily.

Created in collaboration with Sato Oki, an internationally celebrated Japanese Canadian designer, the sleek Zebra bLen 3C Multi Pen was sculpted for a stress-free writing experience. It’s designed to eliminate disruptions from your writing flow; its tip is cushioned and its sections fit together seamlessly to prevent rattling.

The bLen feels like a perfectly complete object, comfortable to hold and free of any risk of snagging in a pocket or pencil case. It comes with black, red, and blue ink in 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm tip sizes. It doesn’t include a mechanical pencil—if you prefer pencil, read on to the next recommendation.

Also Consider: Pilot Birdy Switch Multi Pen

The Pilot Birdy Switch Multi Pen takes up almost no space.

If you need something truly tiny, the Pilot Birdy Switch Multi Pen is slim enough to fit almost anywhere. It features a ballpoint pen on one end and a mechanical pencil on the other. Simply turn the pen around to switch between components. Its small size makes it seem delicate, but it has a sturdy metal body that can handle a lot of abuse. The Birdy’s body is too skinny for long writing sessions, but that’s exactly what lets it tuck into your wallet so that it’s always there when you need it.

Best Multicolor Pen For Lefties: Uni Jetstream Multi Pens

Uni Jetstream Multi Pens use smooth, fast-drying ink.

Uni Jetstream Multi Pens use smooth, fast-drying ballpoint ink.

These multi pens banish smudges with Uni’s famously fast drying Jetstream ink. They come in several sizes, ranging from 3-5 components and in professional to laid-back styles. All but the slim F*Series and Prime 3&1 use tabs to extend the pen components. We especially recommend the Uni Jetstream 4&1 4 Color Multi Pen for its comfortably large body, soft grip section, and extra-smooth tip sizes—all traits that help combat the hand strain that lefties often suffer from.

If you prefer a more svelte option, the Uni Jetstream Slim Compact’s name says it all. It packs three ballpoint refills into a pen that is slightly larger than a standard pen.

Also Consider: Zebra Sarasa Multi Pens

Zebra Sarasa Multi Pens have quick-drying ink and strong binder clips.

Zebra Sarasa Multi Pens have quick-drying gel ink.

If you prefer gel ink, give Zebra Sarasa Multi Pens a try. Although Sarasas don’t dry quite as fast as Jetstreams, they dry faster than most gel pens and feature super-smooth, vibrant ink. They have comfortable rubber grips and are fairly wide, so they are good for long writing sessions. Sarasa multi pens can also take Surari ballpoint refills and feature Zebra’s well-known binder clip, which makes it easier to clip the pen to large stacks of paper.

Best Multicolor Pen For The Office: Zebra Sharbo X Multi Pens

Premium Zebra Sharbo X Multi Pens have classic, quality builds.

Zebra Sharbo X multi pens are some of the most professional-looking, yet customizable multi pens out there. They are remarkably slim and are styled to look like standard pens, with an understated twist mechanism. Far from being ordinary, however, their premium construction radiates quality and durability. The pen bodies come in several finishes and price points to suit your style, with brass and carbon builds available. They take D1 gel and ballpoint refills as well as mechanical pencil components. If you like the Sharbo X but would rather have a multi pen that comes with pre-installed components, try the Zebra SK-Sharbo+1 or Zebra Surari Sharbo 1000.

Also Consider: LAMY Tri Multi Pens

LAMY Tri Multi Pens are durable and sophisticated.

The elegant Lamy Tri Multi Pen is available in matte black or brushed stainless steel body. Like the Sharbo X, the Tri pens masquerade as standard pens with their slim build and twist mechanisms. The ST Tri comes with ballpoint ink in blue and red, while the CP1 opts for a standard black ballpoint and fluorescently orange refill. The smooth-writing ballpoint and mechanical pencil components can be switched out with D1 refills for extensive customization.

Best Multicolor Pen For Teachers: Uni Style Fit Multi Pens

Uni Style Fit Multi Pens come in fun and professional styles.

Uni Style Fit Multi Pens come in a wide range of body styles that span professional and kid-friendly looks, allowing you to choose a model that fits both your school’s culture and your personal preference. They can hold anywhere from three to five refills in any combination of ballpoint, gel, and pencil components in 16 colors, both bright and subdued. This lets you have the right ink and color for every situation, from marking homework to filling out forms. Read our Guide to the Uni Style Fit to learn more about this versatile pen system.

Also Consider: Pilot FriXion Multi Pens

The Pilot FriXion Multi Pen is a conveniently erasable gel pen.

Although they don’t deliver the vibrancy of the Uni Style Fit’s refills, Pilot FriXion Multi Pens offer one distinct advantage: erasable ink. In addition to color-coding your edits with two tip sizes and 20 available colors, you can erase mistakes, reschedule events, and remove irrelevant notes without messy eraser shavings. Be careful about using FriXion ink on tests and homework that need to be returned to students—the writing will disappear if it gets too hot.

Best Multicolor Pen For Students: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens deliver super-fine and colorful gel ink.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto multi pens present the wonderfully fine, yet colorful world of Hi-Tec-C ink in multi-pen form. Pick from 15 colors in three tip sizes and a pencil component to put together your ultimate study pen. The tiny tip sizes are great for writing in book margins and the larger sizes make note-taking a breeze. Each component has a built-in tab that indicates its color and tip size for easy selection. To prevent hand cramps from long study sessions, look for a rubber grip.

Best Multicolor Pen For Kids: Pentel i+ Multi Pens

Pentel i+ Multi Pens feature bright colors and a simply body design.

Pentel i+ Multi Pens feature bright colors and simple bodies.

Stylishly simple Pentel i+ Multi Pens come in nine bright colors and are fully customizable with multi pen refills made with Pentel Slicci, Vicuna, or Energel ink, which gives them 21 gel ink colors and three tip sizes, three ballpoint options, and 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm pencil components. Be sure to choose refills when you order them, since these pen bodies do not come pre-filled. As a kid-friendly touch, the top of the pen has a space for adding a charm to personalize the pen.

Also Consider: Zebra Clip-On Slim 3/4 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pens

Zebra Clip-On Slim 3/4 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pens are easy to hold.

Zebra Clip-On Slim 3/4 Color Multi Pens are easy to hold.

The slight diameter of the Zebra Clip-On Slim is perfect for smaller hands. We were impressed by the strength of its binder-style clip and the reliability of its tabs, which never sprung back on us when we selected a color—kids should find it easy to use and manipulate. It takes proprietary refills in only the colors it ships with, with the addition of 0.4 mm sizes for black and red. The pen body is available in charming pastels.

Other Resources

Conclusion

Multi pens are a great way to streamline your pen collection and keep your favorite ink colors at hand. Do you use a multi pen? Let us know in the comments below!

Multicolor Pen for Comfort
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1	Ballpoint & Pencil	Ballpoint, Gel	5	12.5 mm	14.2 mm	Yes	Tabs
Multicolor Pen for Everyday Carry
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Zebra bLen	Ballpoint	Ballpoint	3	11.5 mm	11.9 mm	Partially	Tabs
Pilot Birdy Switch	Ballpoint & Pencil	Ballpoint	2	5.6 mm	5.6 mm	No	Switch
Multicolor Pen for Lefties
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Uni Jetstream	Ballpoint & Pencil, Ballpoint	Ballpoint, Eraser,	3, 4, 5	Varies	Varies	Partially	Tabs, Twist
Zebra Sarasa	Gel & Pencil, Gel	Gel, Ballpoint, Pencil, Eraser	3, 5	Varies	Varies	Yes	Tabs
Multicolor Pen for Office Professionals
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Zebra Sharbo X	Pen Body Only	Ballpoint, Gel, Pencil, Eraser	3, 4	Varies	Varies	Yes	Twist
LAMY Tri	Ballpoint & Pencil	Ballpoint, Gel, Eraser	3	10.0 mm	10.1 mm	Partially	Twist
Multicolor Pen for Teachers
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Uni Style Fit	Pen Body Only, Pen Body and Eraser	Ballpoint, Gel, Pencil, Eraser	1, 3, 4, 5	Varies	Varies	Yes	Tabs, Twist
Pilot FriXion	Gel	Gel, Eraser	2, 3, 4	Varies	Varies	Yes	Tabs, Twist
Multicolor Pen for Students
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto	Pen Body Only	Gel, Pencil, Eraser	2, 3, 4, 5	Varies	Varies	Yes	Tabs
Multicolor Pen for Kids
Name	Ships With	Refills	Capacity	Grip Width	Max Width	Customizable	Mechanism
Pentel i+	Pen Body Only	Ballpoint, Gel, Pencil	3	10.9 mm	11.8 mm	Yes	Tabs
Zebra Clip-On Slim 3/4 Color	Ballpoint	Ballpoint	4	11.4 mm	14.0 mm	Partially	Tabs

The Best Multicolor Pens

The Best Multicolor Pens

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