The Best Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are fun to write with and oh-so-fancy. On the less whimsical side of things, hobbyists and calligraphers utilize them for their everyday tasks. If you're on the hunt for a new fountain pen, however, you'll want to find one that perfectly fits your needs. Our team has put in the time and effort to find the best fountain pens available today so that you don't have to. Simply read on to discover the fountain pens on the market.

Asvine Brushed Black Fountain Pen

Smooth Operator

This fountain pen provides a smooth feel and its price won't break the bank.
Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Let’s be real: when you’re writing with a fountain pen, you want to feel fancy. This pen by Asvine is sure to give you that experience. It’s extremely smooth as it runs across the page, and its bent nib makes it perfect for calligraphy, regular writing, and everything in between.

This fountain pen is able to create strokes from fine to broad when used at different pressures and angles. It can easily be refilled via the converter that comes with it, as well.

Pros:

  • The fountain pen and converter will arrive in an elegant metal box, making this product perfect for giving as a gift or keeping for yourself
  • The pen itself is made from durable metal and has a comfortable grip to hold onto
  • You can choose between black, silver, blue, green, and purple for your pen color

Cons:

  • Some may find the converter more difficult than ink cartridges when it comes time to refill the pen

Wordsworth and Black Fountain Pen Set

Sleek and Chic

This pen is a classic, just like the ones you watched your relatives use when you were a kid.
Best Classic

Find on Amazon

There’s something beyond special about finding a product that’s extremely similar to the one you remember from your childhood. This fountain pen is sure to bring back memories with its classic style and its elegant, pointed nib.

This pen is great for creating medium lines. It can be used for both regular writing and calligraphy alike, it writes smoothly, and its ink can easily be changed out via cartridges. Not bad, huh?

Pros:

  • This pen comes with 6 extra ink cartridges, so you can keep writing without additional cost for a long period of time
  • Your product will arrive in premium packages as well as with a beautiful leather case
  • You can choose from a wide variety of colors to suit your personal style

Cons:

  • The medium nib may make fine or thick lines more difficult to create, though the medium size is still great for writing of all kinds
  • This fountain pen has a slightly higher price point when compared to others available today

Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pens

Fancy As A Fountain Pen, Simple As A Disposable

These disposable fountain pens truly are the best of both worlds.
Best Disposables

Find on Amazon

Fountain pens are great, but they do require a bit of upkeep – especially when they run out of ink. If you want the writing experience that comes with these high-end products as well as the convenience of a normal pen, these Pilot disposables are perfect for you.

These feel just like fountain pens, but they can simply be thrown away when they run out of ink. They’re also somewhat affordable, so tossing old pens shouldn’t hurt your wallet all that much.

Pros:

  • Your purchase will get your disposable fountain pens in seven different colors, so you can cycle between them as you like
  • The medium nib is perfect for general writing
  • The pens each have a visible ink supply, so you can see when you’re running low

Cons:

  • These do come at a slightly higher price point than other fountain pens (though getting seven pens with your purchase does bring value to that cost)

Pilot MR Retro Pop Fountain Pen

Color Me Impressed

This fountain pen has a fun and unique style so that you can have the best writing experience and a quirky-looking writing utensil at the same time.
Best Design

Find on Amazon

Gone are the days of boring fountain pens; this Pilot product is here to save your day in color-drenched style. This one comes in a variety of fun and bright colors, and each color has a unique pattern on it as well. Choose between flowers, stripes, polka dots, and more. The one that makes you happy is the one for you.

This fountain pen is refillable and has a fine nib that’s perfect for even the smallest writing tasks. It can be refilled with either a converter or ink cartridges, though two cartridges do come with the purchase.

Pros:

  • Your purchase will come in a keepsake gift box
  • The barrel of the pen is made with premium brass and the accents are made from durable and elegant stainless steel
  • You can purchase more than one to create a fun and bright fountain pen collection

Cons:

  • This fountain pen has a slightly higher price point
  • The fun and bright colors and patterns may not be right for every user

AmazonBasics Refillable Fountain Pen

The Price is Right

Fountain pens are known to be expensive, but this affordable product is here to change that.
Best on a Budget

Find on Amazon

If you’re on the search for a simple and affordable fountain pen, this is the product for you. It’s made by AmazonBasics and sold at a low price point, but it’s got all the great features you’re searching for as well.

This fountain pen comes with either fine or medium nibs and smooth, black ink. It comes in a gift box with two extremely easy-to-use ink cartridges as well.

Pros:

  • The pen itself is made from durable and elegant black brass
  • It has a metal clip for attaching to pockets or notebooks
  • You’ll receive a limited one-year warranty with your purchase

Cons:

  • This fountain pen cannot be refilled with a converter, though its extra ink cartridges are the perfect alternative

Frequently Asked Question

How are fountain pens different than other writing utensils?

Fountain pens write much smoothly than other pens and writing utensils because the ink literally flows out of them (slowly). Instead of having to apply pressure to your paper, you’ll simply need to lightly drag the fountain pen across the surface to leave marks behind. This creates a smooth, beautiful writing process that many people enjoy.

Are fountain pens messy since the ink flows from them?

Fountain pens can be messy at first, but they’re also something that people tend to get the hang of fairly quickly. The ink takes a bit longer to dry on the page, so you’ll want to avoid touching your fresh writing for a bit longer than you would with normal pens.

Which fountain pen is the best for a beginner?

All of the fountain pens on the list above are great for beginners and experts alike. However, if you are someone who is new to the world of fountain pens, you may want to choose a pen with ink cartridges for refilling rather than a converter, as cartridges can be simpler to use.