The Surface Pen and Surface Slim Pen 2 are the best options for modern Surface PCs; I've been using the former for years without issue, and the latter adds wireless charging, haptic feedback, and a more compact design. However, you might not want to pay the premium price for official hardware, or you might want something that supports more inking protocols for use with other devices.
There are plenty of alternative styli out there that are compatible with Surface PCs, and I've rounded up the very best here to help you make the right choice.
Now that Black Friday is here, I know that many people are taking advantage of deals of Surface PCs. This guide should help you land the right pen for your new Surface PC.
Recent updates
November 27, 2024: Following a thorough update earlier this month, I've checked prices to ensure you're still getting the best options for your Surface PC. I also added some extra Black Friday buying advice below my top picks. — Cale Hunt
The very best
The reality is that nothing really beats the official Surface Pen. It was designed specifically for Surface devices and comes in four different colors. It connects via Bluetooth, provides 4,096 pressure points for more depth, and offers tilt functionality for varied strokes. There isn't any lag or latency so you can get writing or drawing without delay. It's the best stylus for Surface devices.
Slimmed down
After the base Surface Pen, the slim version is the best stylus you can use with Microsoft's touchscreen computers. The slim shape feels great to grasp and the stylus's built-in charging with certain Surface devices keeps it ready to go. Whether you use it to write or to draw, the 4,096 points of pressure sensitivity help make each stroke look perfect. It even offers haptic feedback in compatible apps.
Best alternative
The Metapen M2 often costs less than $30 thanks to frequent discounts, but it delivers tilt support, USB-C charging with long battery life, 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, eraser and side buttons, and a magnetic attachment. It's basically all you need for modern Surface devices thanks to MPP 2.0 support, and it costs a lot less than the official hardware.
Also great
The Metapen M3 Pro levels up the M2 version with extra "Strain Gauge" tech and a soft pen tip that both contribute to one of the most natural inking experience you'll find. The pen supports MPP 2.0, 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and tilt, plus it has an invisible touch button on the barrel for easier control. It charges via USB-C and has up to 20 hours of battery life. It's usually available for about $80 but frequently goes on sale.
Editor's choice
I received the HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen with a Spectre laptop, and I've been using it across compatible devices — including Surface PCs — ever since. The hidden USB-C charging point is elegant, the pen is comfortable to hold, and the two buttons on the side are customizable. It offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support. Pick it up for about $77, less than official Surface hardware.
Hybrid inking
Wacom's Bamboo Ink is a great option for older Surface devices, and its MPP/AES compatibility allows it to work on other devices as well. It's relatively affordable at about $45 and offers up to 4,096 pressure levels, though it doesn't support tilting. Surface devices are known for their lasting power, and anything up to the Pro 7 or older should be a great match.
I've been testing and reviewing laptops at Windows Central since 2016, and plenty of active pens have come my way. While I still believe the official Surface hardware is the best to pair with a Surface PC, I realize that the alternatives are better than ever in 2024.
Choosing the best Surface Pen alternative
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Microsoft usually doesn't bundle a Surface Pen or Surface Slim Pen with its PCs, and the elevated cost pushes a lot of people to seek out an alternative. While I'm still confident that the official hardware will deliver the best experience — especially with the Slim Pen 2's wireless charging and haptic feedback abilities — the alternatives keep improving.
Metapen is gaining a positive reputation as a leading alternative, with the M2 and M3 Pro styli offering high-end features at a lower cost. Even the M3 Pro, which delivers the same strain gauge technology as found in Apple and Huawei pens, is cheaper than the official Surface Pen at about $80 even when not on sale. The Metapen M2 is even cheaper, often coming in at less than $30 with frequent discounts.
I've personally spent a lot of time with HP's Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen. I love the way it feels, the USB-C charging port is hidden with a neat slide function, and it remains comfortable in my hand. You can usually find it for about $77.
What pen is best for older Surface devices?
Because the Microsoft Pen Procotol (MPP) is backward compatible, you can essentially use any of the newest pens with older Surface devices. Microsoft has now arrived at MPP version 2.6 with the Surface Slim Pen 2, while the standard Slim Pen hits MPP 2.0.
You won't get all of the latest features if the Surface PC doesn't also support the latest standard — you'll notably miss out on as many levels of pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, and tilt support — but it'll still handle the basics.
Microsoft's Surface Pen support page provides a ton of information regarding pen/device feature compatibility, but in general, you shouldn't pay the premium for the latest pen if you're using, say a Surface Pro 4. Something like Wacom's Bamboo Ink can get the job done for around $45, and it comes with the added benefit of hybrid AES compatibility for many other devices.
Which active pens are on sale for Black Friday?
Black Friday is here, and with it comes a bunch of discounts on our favorite Surface Pen alternatives. In fact, even the Surface Slim Pen 2 is discounted from $130 to $109.99 at Amazon.
Both the Metapen M2 and M3 Pro are discounted at Amazon for Black Friday, keeping them in the running for most affordable options. Although the Metapen M2's current $33 "discounted" price matches the price that's usually available, the superior Metapen M3 Pro is enjoying a 30% discount that drops it to $55.99.
That's just a bit cheaper than the HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen, which usually costs $77 but is down to $59.99 at HP. The Wacom Bamboo Ink sits somewhere in the middle, discounted only by $5 at Best Buy.
