Electronic pens and styli can improve your workflow and productivity for any activity, whether you work on a touchscreen tablet, a laptop, or a desktop computer. There are a number of styles, features, and generations of electronic pens, so choosing the right one for you can take a little research.

What are the Benefits of Electronic Pens and Stylus Pens?

Even if you’re an efficient worker with your traditional keyboard and mouse setup, a digital pen offers many advantages you may not have considered.

More Dexterity Than a Mouse

If you’re performing fine detail work in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate, you can get even more dexterity when you use an electronic pen. With the right digital pen, you can create realistic brush strokes, highlight objects, and perform minute adjustments to any photograph.

Take Notes and Sign Documents in Your Own Handwriting

Do you prefer taking handwritten notes in class or meetings? A stylus makes it easy to use your tablet or computer as a digital notebook. Take notes in your own handwriting for reference, or e-sign documents with your actual signature. You can even mark up PDFs, the same way you would a physical document.

Compatibility in Digital Pens

Because touchscreen technology varies from device to device, not all digital pens are compatible with all devices. Some brands offer proprietary pens designed for specific laptops or tablets, while others take advantage of certain types of screen technology found across many devices.

Active Stylus

An active stylus contains internal batteries and features a refined tip for detailed work. Their built-in electronics offer sensitivity adjustments and multiple functions, accessed through buttons on the stylus.

Active styli also feature palm rejection, which means your screen or tablet will only register pen strokes rather than accidental taps or swipes on the screen.

Capacitive or Passive Stylus

A passive or capacitive stylus simply serves as a stand-in for your finger on a touchscreen. Rubber or microfiber tips can tap, swipe, and write on the screen, but they don’t have electronic components for customization.

Reliable Electronic Pens for Improved Workflow

If you’re in the market for a capacitive stylus, then just about any brand will work with equal effectiveness. If an active stylus is more your speed, you may want to invest in a model by one of the leading tech brands like Microsoft, Wacom, IOGEAR, or Lenovo.