There is no substitute for a high-quality mechanical pencil. Anyone who has bought a cheap pack of pencils only to have the lead break time and time again can attest to how important it is to find a good brand. The best mechanical pencil is one with a thick rubber eraser, sturdy lead, and (preferably) a refillable pencil body. Some writers prefer to use pencils with a rubber grip, as well, to cushion their writing fingers. Students may look for a value pack so they don't have to worry about running out in the middle of an intensive class. The working professional may want a sleek metal pencil that resembles a pen to look more appropriate. Whatever your situation, we've gathered a few of the best mechanical pencil models on the market today. Read on to compare these different pencil options and find the right one for you. BIC Extra Smooth Medium Point Mechanical Pencils The People's FavoriteYou can't go wrong with a classic BIC starter pack.Best OverallFind on Amazon This pack of 40 BIC pencils is the perfect purchase at the start of a school year. Because each pencil contains three lead pieces, you don’t have to worry about running out of steam in the middle of an intense note-taking session. The pencils are sleek and easy to grip, and they come with a durable clip so you can tuck them into your notebook or binder. Pros: A clickable eraser allows you to easily push more lead out the tip The click mechanism does not stick or push out too much lead Lead itself is thick and does not break easily The pack comes in both a 40-count and 320-count option, so you always have plenty of pencils on hand Cons: The pack doesn’t come with extra erasers; will need to buy these separately BIC Thick Point 24-Count Colorful Pencils Get a GripWith their colorful plastic bodies and extra thick lead, these pencils are perfect for anyone who likes to write with a strong grip. Best Thick PointFind on Amazon If you have trouble with the lead in your pencils breaking too often, try these thick point pencils by BIC. They come with thicker-than-usual lead (there are 3 pieces in each pencil) that will hold up even if you accidentally push too much lead out or if you tend to be a heavy writer. With colorful pencil bodies that will make these suckers stand out, these mechanical pencils are ideal for the student or the professional working in a creative field. Pros: Pencils can be refilled with lead when they run out A strong rubber eraser will erase the pencil lead cleanly and swiftly Each bright-colored pencil has a durable clip to attach to your binder or notepad Cons: The pencils are referred to as “colorful pencils”, but this only refers to the pencil body; the lead itself is black Pentel Twist Pencil with Lead and Eraser Refills Erase the Thought of Weak ErasersTired of wearing down the erasers on your pencils? This Pentel product will last for ages.Best QualityFind on Amazon This pencil is specifically designed with comfort in mind. The pencil is surrounded by a soft, latex-free writing grip that pads your fingers and keeps them from developing that writing dent. The lead draws a line that is almost as dark as a pen, but it is still fully erasable with the rubber eraser. If you are in a profession that requires a lot of handwriting, the Pentel twist pencil will be a worthwhile investment. Pros: The eraser is twist-up which allows it to last much longer than regular erasers Ergonomic grip alleviates writing cramps in your hand The pencil body comes in black, blue, or violet purple Cons: The color of the pencil body is assigned randomly, so you can’t decide which one to get. Again, this color only refers to the plastic body and not the lead itself, which is black Paper Mate Clearpoint Color Lead Mechanical Pencils Bop-Sh-Bop, Little Pop of ColorsBrighten up your day (and your page) with these differently colored pencils. Best ColorsFind on Amazon Bored with your notetaking? These colorful Papermate pencils will add a vibrant pop to your page. The pencils come in six bright colors — purple, red, orange, pink, green, and blue — so you can doodle, draw, and write stories in style. Even though the pencils have colored lead, they still come with sturdy rubber erasers that can completely wipe off the lead if you make a mistake. Pros: Variety of different colored leads is great for drawing and coloring Each pencil features an ergonomic ribbed grip to protect your writing fingers The pack is available in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-counts Cons: Colored leads may not be ideal for school or professional situations, such as standardized testing Zebra Stainless Steel Mechanical Pencil (2-Count) Sleek as SteelYou can take the Zebra pencil anywhere – though be careful you aren't mistaken for a spy, you cool, slick thing.Most LightweightFind on Amazon The lightweight, well-designed Zebra pencil combines the smoothness of a pen with the stability of a pencil. The pencil features a shorter body length than other models, so it will fit into your breast pocket like a pen would. It is also made from stainless steel, and it sports a sleek, black and white color scheme. The eraser is black, too, but it looks like the top of a pen to help it blend in. This makes it great to use at work or during meetings – basically, in situations where a pen is typically more professional. Pros: Lead writes smoothly and is easily erasable Stainless steel body is high-quality and will protect the lead from breaking if you drop the pen Eraser can be removed, allowing the pencil to be refilled with lead Cons: Eraser is smaller than other versions, so it runs out more quickly Frequently Asked Questions How does a mechanical pencil work? Mechanical pencils differ from ordinary pencils in that they don’t have to be sharpened. Instead, they are built with a plastic or steel mechanism that holds the lead inside. Typically, the pencils have a push eraser, so when you press down on the top of the pencil, more lead is fed out through the tip. Some pencils are built with a twist mechanism, so you have to rotate the pencil’s body to push the lead through the tip. What’s the difference between the different lead sizes for mechanical pencils? You may have noticed that your mechanical pencil pack comes with a certain size of the lead, measured in millimeters. The most common lead sizes for mechanical pencils are 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, though lead may be as small as 0.2 mm or as large as 5.6 mm. For regular writing and notetaking, 0.5-0.7 mm will be sufficient. If you’re an artist or architect, you may need a thinner lead (around 0.2-0.4 mm) to make fine lines. Artists may also need thicker leads, up to 5.6 mm, for certain types of shading. How do I refill my mechanical pencil? Refilling a mechanical pencil with lead is easy. Simply remove the eraser from the top of the pencil and slide the new lead inside. You may need to click the pencil a few times for the lead to make its way to the tip. Make sure to check the box to see what lead size your pencil requires, because if your lead is too big or too small, it may not fit. Most mechanical pencil lead is either 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm.