Which stylus is the best for any iPad currently available?

Question

Honestly so frustrated with Apple right now. Ive been using iPads for my freelance illustration work for like 6 years now and I thought I had the ecosystem figured out but this new lineup is a total disaster. My logic was that a stylus should just work if its the same brand but now Ive got an M4 iPad Pro for my studio in London and an older Mini for travel and I cant for the life of me figure out which pen is actually the best overall anymore. Do I go with the Pro and lose compatibility with my older gear or just get the USB-C one and lose pressure sensitivity? It feels like a massive step back. Is there any third party option that actually feels professional? Or am I just stuck buying two different ones...

pdnfxstkpe · Accepted Answer

The compatibility situation is a mess right now. For your M4, you pretty much have to get the Apple Pencil Pro with Haptic Feedback and Squeeze Gesture if you want to keep drawing professionally. Ngl, losing pressure sensitivity with the cheaper ones would drive me crazy for freelance work. You might want to consider just using two different pencils instead of compromising on your main rig. Be careful with third-party stuff because most of them dont have the tech for pressure or tilt. I would suggest checking out the Logitech Crayon with USB-C Charging for the Mini if youre just doing light sketches on the road, since its cheaper and more durable. Just make sure to double check the pairing before you buy anything else. Let me know if you get stuck on the specific model support, I can find a compatibility chart for you.

ddnuqxitdl · Answer

Honestly, i feel your pain. the way apple split the charging and pairing tech is such a money grab... it really sucks because you used to be able to just throw one pencil in your bag and go. if you're trying to save some cash and dont mind losing the pressure sensitivity on the mini for just quick sketches, Zagg Pro Stylus 2 with Wireless Charging is a decent shout. its way cheaper than the official ones and actually works across different models. unfortunately, the third party market is honestly not as good as expected when you need those specific pro features... it feels like they purposely keep us trapped. tbh, just look for a used Apple Pencil 2nd Generation MU8F2AM/A on ebay or refurb sites for the mini. dont pay full retail for older tech if you're already dropping a fortune on the m4 setup. really disappointing how messy this got tho...

pxngfxromr · Answer

I totally get that frustration! I remember when I first upgraded my setup before a big trip to London last year and honestly it was such a rollercoaster of excitement and stress because i just need my gear to work every single time without fail!

First i spent like three days just obsessing over my bag setup to make sure everything was protected from the rain.

Then i found this incredible little bakery near the studio that had the most amazing sourdough I have ever tasted in my entire life!

Seriously the vibe there was just perfect and I ended up spending way more time eating pastries than actually drawing because it was so cozy. Anyway lol i just realized i am totally rambling about bakeries now. Sorry kinda went off topic there!