Multi-pens are one of those love-them-or-hate-them products. You either need multiple colors, and possibly a pencil, and want them in a single instrument, or the idea has zero appeal to you. After all, is it that much of a challenge to carry three pens? Or a pen and a pencil?
Let’s assume you are in Camp “Love Multi-pens” and are in the market for a new pen. Time to find the best multi-pen sold today!
Note: This article will include multi-pens, but not multi-pencils (an instrument with two or more mechanical pencils in it). Here can read about some of the best multi-pencils.
Identifying the best multi-pen is a challenge because there are just so many options! Do you want a pen that’s $3 or one that’s $40? Do you want two colors? How about five? Or maybe four and a pencil? Does it need to be erasable? We could go on, but the point is that there are lots of options and thus lots of things to take issue with.
Best Multi-pens of 2019
Here are the winners from the video:
- Jetstream 3 Color Slim Compact
- Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto 2
- Uni Mitsubishi Jetstream Prime 3+1
These are the best of the best. The Jetstream 3 Color Slim Compact is a new version of the Jetstream 3, which has been an excellent, easy-to-find, and affordable option for some time now. The Hi-Tec-C Coleto is the classic customizable multi-pen — it’s cheap, fun, and cool looking. Most people really like the Hi-Tec-C needle tip refills, but they are easy to swap out as well. And then the Jetstream Prime 3+1 isn’t cheap, but it’s incredibly slim, very well-built, and looks superb.
The Honorable Mentions:
- Pentel Energel 3
- Pilot Acroball 3
- Pilot Acroball 4
- Uniball Jetstream 3
- Uni Mitsubishi Jetstream Prime 3
- Vintage Rotring Quattro 3 Executive
These are multi-pens that could have been winners except for some minor flaw in design or the availability of a better version from their same line. The Acroball’s are the real standouts here, but everything in this category is worth considering.
The Runners-Up:
- Uniball Jetstream F Series
- Zebra Sarasa Select
- Uniball Jetstream 4+1
- Papermate InkJoy Quattro
- Zebra Clip-On Multi 4+1
- Uniball RE:3 Erasable
- Hi-Tec-C Coleto N
- Hi-Tec-C Coleto 500
- Hi-Tec-C Coleto 1000
- Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1
Save your money. None of these are bad pens, but better options exist (and they are listed above).
Notable, Yet Absent Pens
Not every multi-pen was included in the shootout. This is simply a reality of logistics and resources. Some excellent pens that didn’t make the testing include: