While laptops and tablets may dominate the spotlight these days, there’s still something special about going back to basics with a pen and pencil as part of your daily writing routine. And when it comes to standard tools, it’s a good idea to get a best mechanical pencils, especially for jobs that require erasing or fiddling with puzzles like the Sunday crossword.
We went the extra mile to make sure we found the best mechanical pencil for everyday writing. We talked to writers with a combined 45 years of experience and asked nearly 70 careful Wirecutter employees who were paid to test our top choices. After a careful review, the Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide came out as the clear winner. Below we have mentioned the best mechanical pencils.
Best Mechanical Pencils Comparison Table
| Model | Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide | Pentel GraphGear 1000 | rOtring 600 | rOtring 800+ | Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Uni | Pentel | rOtring | rOtring | Pilot |
| Mechanical Pencil | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lead Rotation | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lead Size Options | 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm | 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm |
| Retractable Tip | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Metal Body | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grip Type | Pipe Slide | Metallic | Hexagonal | Hexagonal | Cushioned |
| Lead Advance Mechanism | Shaker | Top Click | Knurled | Twist | Shaker |
| Price Range | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | Moderate |
Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Pencil Type | Lead rotating mechanism |
| Lead Size | 0.5mm or 0.7mm |
| Lead Advancement | Pipe Slide system |
| Grip Type | Knurled metal |
| Eraser | Yes |
| Body Material | Plastic with metal accents |
The Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide is a good choice for people who mostly use pencils to write and draw. It stays sharp. It looks and feels better than most mechanical pencils that cost the same or less, and you can find it easily online and in office supply and stationery shops. Since 2013, our favorite is the Kuru Toga, but the Pipe Slide is a younger version: It has a tip that you can pull back, so it won’t stab you through your pocket, and it turns the lead twice as fast as the old one, so the tip stays sharper.
If you like the idea of the Kuru Toga’s rotating device but prefer a different style of writing tool, we suggest you look at the many other options. If you want the Pipe Slide’s twice-as-fast lead-rotation engine and flexible tip, you can only get them on the Kuru Toga Advance, which has a metal-plated clip and tip that give it more weight and a lower center of gravity. But if you don’t mind a slower spin and don’t need a retractable tip, you have a lot more choices. Overall, it is one of the best mechanical pencils that you can buy.
Pros
- Sleek design with metal accents adds a touch of elegance.
- Convenient eraser for easy corrections.
Cons
- Limited lead size options (0.5mm or 0.7mm).
- Plastic body may feel less premium compared to metal-bodied pencils.
Pentel GraphGear 1000
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Pencil Type | Retractable |
| Lead Size | 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, or 0.9mm |
| Lead Advancement | Dual-action retractor |
| Grip Type | Metallic mesh |
| Eraser | Yes |
| Body Material | Plastic with metallic accents |
If you like pencils, if you draw more than you write, or if you know you like the feel of solid, heavy, cold metal over plastic, the Pentel GraphGear 1000 is a standard mechanical drafting pencil you should consider. Expert reviewers and many Wirecutter testers liked that it had a knurled metal and latex-dotted grip, a strong clip and clicking mechanism, and a better eraser, even if it wasn’t as good as some other erasers. This type is also better if you like to keep a variety of lead styles on hand, since a rotating window inside the GraphGear 1000 lets you keep track of the lead style. Thus, it is one of the best mechanical pencils that you can buy.
Pros
- Metallic mesh grip provides excellent comfort and control.
- Features an eraser for convenient corrections.
Cons
- Some users may find the retractable mechanism less reliable over time.
rOtring 600
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Pencil Type | Fixed lead sleeve |
| Lead Size | 0.5mm or 0.7mm |
| Lead Advancement | Traditional push-button |
| Grip Type | Hexagonal knurled metal |
| Eraser | No |
| Body Material | Full metal construction |
The Rotring 600 has a strong, all-metal body with a matte finish. It writes smoothly on every type of paper we tried. Even though the pencil is smaller in diameter than others we tried for this guide, its knurled grip makes it comfortable and easy to hold.
The 600 is the perfect mechanical pencil because of how well it is balanced. It is easy to use for long amounts of time, and the lead doesn’t seem to get dull as you write. We also liked how smooth and reliable its high-tech system is. From a design point of view, the 600 looks more like a tool for engineers than a stylish pen. Still, it is one of the best mechanical pencils that you can buy.
The 600 doesn’t have a flexible pipe, which is where the pencil lead comes out of the tip of the pencil. This makes it less than perfect for carrying around every day. If you forget to retract the lead before putting this pencil away and don’t have a pocket guard or a makeshift cap (Bic Crystal pen caps should work), the lead will leave marks on your things. It comes in lead sizes of 0.5 and 0.7 mm.
Pros
- Classic push-button mechanism for lead advancement.
- Timeless design appeals to professionals and enthusiasts.
Cons
- Lacks an eraser, requiring a separate eraser or correction tool.
- Limited lead size options (0.5mm or 0.7mm).
rOtring 800+
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Pencil Type | Retractable |
| Lead Size | 0.5mm |
| Lead Advancement | Rotating mechanism |
| Grip Type | Hexagonal knurled metal |
| Eraser | Yes |
| Body Material | Full metal construction |
By turning the top of the pencil, you can push the Rotring 800’s pipe back into its barrel. This sturdy metal pencil is the biggest of the ones we tried. It has a matte finish, a knurled metal grip, and a loading system that is easy to use.
The 800 is one of the more expensive pencils we tried, but if you want to keep your things from getting pencil marks on them, it might be worth it to carry it with you every day. Even though this pencil is well-balanced, it did not work well on the basic Hilroy notepad paper. Currently, it is one of the best mechanical pencils that you can buy.
Pros
- Features a built-in eraser for convenient corrections.
- Sturdy full metal construction guarantees durability.
Cons
- Limited lead size option (0.5mm) may not suit all preferences.
Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker |
| Pen Type | Retractable Ballpoint Pen |
| Grip Type | Dr. Grip Ergonomic Grip |
| Ink Color | Black |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Shaker Mechanism | Yes |
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Clip Material | Metal |
| Ink Type | Oil-based |
| Point Size | 0.7 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 25 grams |
The Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker Mechanical Pencil has a thick rubber grip that makes it much more comfortable to use for long writing sessions. Even though it’s mostly made of plastic, it doesn’t feel weak when you write with it. With a weight of 20 g, it’s still a heavy pencil thanks to the grip. It is more balanced toward the tip, but it is still easy to write with. Overall, it is one of the best mechanical pencils that you can buy.
The Dr. Grip’s system for moving the lead forward is smooth, and it’s great that you can let go of the clutch and push the extra lead back in. Under the cap is a small but effective eraser. During our tests, it worked well with all of the paper types we used. Still, a pencil with a smaller head and grip, like the Rotring 600, gives you more control. This is a good choice, though, if you want to write in an easy way.
Pros
- The 0.7 mm point size creates neat and precise lines.
- Refillable ink cartridge reduces waste and is cost-effective.
Cons
- The pen may not be suitable for those who prefer finer or thicker point sizes.
FAQs
A mechanical pencil, also known as a propelling pencil or automatic pencil, is a writing instrument that uses a replaceable lead instead of a traditional wooden pencil. It features a mechanism that advances the lead as it wears down, eliminating the need for sharpening.
Mechanical pencils come in various lead sizes, typically measured in millimeters (mm). The most common lead sizes are 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. However, you can also find mechanical pencils with larger lead sizes like 0.9 mm or smaller sizes like 0.3 mm. The lead size determines the thickness of the line produced by the pencil.
