Are you searching for the perfect mechanical pencil? With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start looking. In this guide, we’ll share some tips on how to pick the one that’s right for you, then share our top mechanical pencil recommendations.
When capped, the Kerry is just under five inches long. Posting the cap on the back of the barrel extends the pencil to a nice length that feels comfortable to hold, even during long writing sessions. Buttons on the back of the barrel and cap let you extend the lead even if the cap is posted. Removing the cap button reveals a small eraser, and removing the barrel button provides access to the lead storage tube.
The Pentel Sharp Kerry is a sleek pencil with a smart design. You can learn more about it in our dedicated guide.
Mechanical pencils can use a variety of different methods to advance the lead. This is something you’ll have to do a lot when using a mechanical pencil, so it’s worth considering which mechanism you prefer.
Most mechanical pencils use 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm leads, which offer great balances of precision and break resistance. These lead sizes are very common and also offer the widest selection of lead grades to choose from. Some pencils use leads as fine as 0.2 mm or as broad as 1.3 mm.
Leads that are 2.0 mm or broader are compatible with lead holders, which are especially good for art. You can learn more about them in our guide.
Lead Size | Recommended Uses |
---|---|
0.2 mm to 0.4 mm | Extra-fine writing, detailed drawings, compact math equations |
0.5 mm | Everyday writing, math equations, applications that need a variety of lead grades |
0.7 mm | Everyday writing and drawing, heavy-handed writers, applications that need a variety of lead grades |
0.9 mm and up | Bold writing and sketching, very heavy-handed writers |
A comfortable grip section is essential to a good writing experience. Mechanical pencil grips come in a range of diameters and materials. Your individual preferences will determine what kind of grip will work best for you.
If you don’t want to carry an eraser around with you, choose a mechanical pencil with a generously-sized, replaceable eraser. The Kokuyo FitCurve and Pentel Twist-Erase III are both good options.
Mechanical pencil designers continue to develop innovative new features to make them even better. Here are some useful features to be aware of.
Retractable tips come in a variety of styles, but the most common type works by holding down the pencil’s push button, pressing your finger against the end of the lead sleeve, then releasing the push button once the lead sleeve is fully seated in the nose cone. The lead sleeve will pop out the next time you extend the lead.
The most common form of lead protection is a sliding lead sleeve. Typical fixed lead sleeves do a great job of protecting leads, but they can only protect what they cover. A sliding lead sleeve retracts as the lead wears down, so only the very tip of the lead is exposed. This means that the rest of the lead is protected by the sleeve.
Some mechanical pencils offer other forms of lead protection:
The Kuru Toga mechanism uses a ratchet to rotate the lead every time it’s pressed against the paper. That way, the lead is evenly worn on all sides, creating a subtle, conical lead shape that stays consistent.
One potential downside to the Kuru Toga is that it feels “squishy” when the lead first touches the paper. Our JetPens team members didn’t notice this sensation after a short period of time. However, if you need a mechanical pencil with a perfectly rigid tip, the Kuru Toga might not be for you.
To learn more about the Kuru Toga, check out our guide.
This pencil also uses the Kuru Toga mechanism, which rotates the lead as you write. That way, the lead wears down evenly on all sides, and your writing stays consistent.
If the Alpha Gel Kuru Toga’s grip is a little too squishy for your taste, try the Pilot Dr. Grip Mechanical Pencil. Its rubber grip section is made with a firm outer layer and a soft inner layer that’s perfectly balanced in feel.
If 1.3 mm lead is too chunky for everyday writing, consider trying the 0.5 mm Uni Alpha Gel Shaka Shaker. It’s similar to our pick for the most comfortable mechanical pencil and is very ergonomic, but it doesn’t have the lead-rotating Kuru Toga mechanism.
The edge of the lead sleeve is rounded, so it doesn’t feel like it’s scratching or catching on the paper as you write. However, some writers may find the sensation of the lead sleeve on the paper bothersome.
Read our guide to learn more about fine-tip mechanical pencils.
The Kaweco Sport Mechanical Pencil is only about half an inch longer than the Techo TS-3, but its larger diameter means it’s much easier to use for everyday writing.
You can always build your own multi mechanical pencil, too! Check out our guide to see which customizable multi pens can be filled with mechanical pencil components.
All Kuru Toga mechanical pencils have this mechanism, but we want to shine a spotlight on the Advance Upgrade. Its “W Speed Engine” rotates the lead twice as fast, so it’s better suited for scripts that use fewer and longer strokes (such as the Latin alphabet).
Its sleek, high quality body features a metal grip section that gives the pencil a low center of gravity, which makes it more comfortable to hold. The Advance Upgrade also has a sliding lead sleeve that protects the lead while you write.
If the Advance Upgrade’s looks are a little too modern for your taste, read our comprehensive guide to learn more about other Kuru Toga models.
Speaking of erasers, the Mono Graph Shaker has a generous twist eraser that can be replaced once it’s used up.
The DelGuard is available in a variety of different body styles. The JetPens team likes the Type GR for its ergonomic grip section, while the Type-Lx has a sleek body with a metal grip.
Be sure to check out our guide for other lead guard mechanical pencils. The list includes the Pilot Mogulair, which has a cushioning spring that protects the lead from vertical pressure, similar to that of the Zebra DelGuard.
The Fure Fure Me is a shaker pencil that has a surprisingly quiet mechanism, though we still recommend using the clicker to extend lead when you’re in a library so you don’t bother those around you.
If the Tactile Turn’s price tag is a little too high for you, don’t worry: you don’t have to spend a lot to get something durable. The Zebra M-701 is a budget-friendly mechanical pencil that’s made from stainless steel.
Be aware that the Special can only hold one or two pieces of lead at a time, so those who write a lot may have to refill the pencil often.
The Staedtler 925 Series uses 2 mm leads that can create detailed strokes or fill in large areas of shadow quickly. Leads of this size are much longer than 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm mechanical pencil leads, and they last longer, too. Be sure to pick up a compatible lead pointer to sharpen the lead so it can create fine marks.
If your art style demands finer lines, you may want to look into the Pentel Graph Gear 1000. In our guide on The Best Pencils, we recommend this drafting pencil for designers, drafters, and architects, all of whom require precise tools.
We like that the Color Eno matches the body to the lead color, but you can pick up Color Eno Neox Lead and put it in any 0.7 mm mechanical pencil of your choice. One warning: the leads aren’t lightfast, so they’re best for temporary applications like underdrawings or sketchbooks that you’ll keep out of the sun.
Want even more colored leads at your disposal? Check out Uni EMOTT Color Mechanical Pencil sets. Their 0.9 mm leads work best for less precise applications of color (like quick, loose sketches or filling in blank areas), but we appreciate that they come in some unique colors.
Students who are constantly taking multiple choice tests should pick up the Morning Glory Sketch 1000. Its rectangular lead makes it easy to fill in answer bubbles quickly.
With so many mechanical pencils to choose from, there’s sure to be one out there that suits your tastes. Do you have a favorite mechanical pencil? Let us know about it in the comments below.