The all-new iPad 8 is a full entry-level iPad for most consumers for a number of reasons. The tablet excels where it counts, whether it’s because to the reliable 10.2 Retina display, sturdy A12 Bionic CPU, or the much upgraded cameras. And all of that at a price ($329) that easily fits into most wallets. Of course, you’ll need to spend money on an accessory like an Apple Pencil or keyboard case if you want to increase the capabilities of your iPad. Here are the 10 best Apple Pencil alternatives for the iPad 8 in case the $99 price tag of the Apple Pencil 1st generation is a little out of your financial range.
Best Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad 8 in 2020
No one can dispute the original Apple Pencil’s superb sensitivity and precision, but the digital pen lacks an ergonomic design. Additionally, it only supports the iPad and is available in white.
What if you want a stylus that looks good, is compatible with both iPad and iPhone (why not large-screen devices like the iPhone 11 Pro Max)? The use of third-party styluses is now taken into consideration.
Many of them have nicer designs and cost far less than the Apple Pencil. Not to add, the most of them function rather well on iPhones. Let’s get started with the roundup now that you are aware of what these best Apple Pencil replacements for the 8th generation iPad have to offer.
1. Adonit Pixel
Look no further than Adonit Pixel if adaptability and high efficiency are at the top of your list of priorities. The stylus has a contemporary appearance that not only meets expectations but also improves your drawing and note-taking experiences. And sure, on most fronts, it can even compete with Apple’s original Apple Pencil.
The upgraded 1.9mm Pixel point tip of the Adonit Pixel, which provides superior accuracy, is arguably its strongest feature. Additionally, the point tip offers a drag similar to that of paper to make writing and sketching feel more natural. The Adonit Pixel is comparable to the Apple Pencil in terms of smoothness.
Even better, the Adonit Pixel has palm rejection technology and improved pressure sensitivity. You will enjoy taking notes, sketching, or drawing thanks to the 2048 levels of pressure and the dependable palm rejection. As for connectivity, it uses Bluetooth to connect to the iPad fast.
On top of all, it s alsocompatible with a ton of appsincluding Goodnotes, Photoshop sketch, Procreate, Concepts, Note plus, Illustrator draw, Autodesk sketchbook, and more. So, you can use it to carry out various tasks. Taking everything into account, Adonit Pixel is a complete alternative to Apple Pencil.
Key Features:
- A modern-looking design
- Improved 1.9mm Pixel point tip
- Enhanced pressure sensitivity
- Compatible with a ton of apps
Buy from Amazon:$74.28
2. Logitech Crayon
Another digital pen that can take on Apple Pencil head-on is none other than Logitech Crayon. It featuresa good-looking profilethat offers the needed grip so that you can hold the stylus comfortably. In terms of gripping, I find it better than the 1st-gen Apple Pencil.
When it comes topalm rejection, Crayon is top-notch, allowing you to rest your palm on the screen with the desired convenience while writing, drawing, or editing photos. One of my favorite features of Crayon is thesmoothness with which it handles different tasks. For instance, you can quickly tilt the smart tip to get a thicker or thinner line while drawing amazing pictures.
Another feature that s worth mentioning is the quick connection. To get going, all you need to do is just turn on the stylus. Furthermore, Logitech Crayonsupports hundreds ofApple Pencil supported apps, ensuring you can use the digital pencil to go about your business without having to face compatibility issues.
Key Features:
- Apple approved
- Good-looking design
- Better grip
- Instantly connects to the iPad
- Supports hundreds of Apple Pencil supported apps
Buy from Amazon:$69.95
3. ESR
Sporting apretty lightweight and sleek design, ESR stylus has got all the bases covered to be a fairly good alternative to Apple Pencil (1st generation). For starters, the digital pen offers amuch-improved gripwhich plays a vital role in enhancing your experience. Thanks to palm-rejection technology, you will feel comfortable while using the stylus.
Moreover, ESR stylus alsooffers pixel-perfect precisionso that you can draw and take notes with the desired flow. Though it can t make a match with Apple Pencil in terms of precision, you will find it up to the task.
Another feature that makes ESR s offering a notable substitute for Apple Pencil is the ability towork instantly without needing to be paired via Bluetooth. So, you can just turn on the stylus and start sketching your imagination.
What s more, it comes with a fully capable battery that can last up to 12 hours after just one hour of charging. Oh yes, it can run for up to 1 hour after just 5 minutes of charging, which is yet another plus.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and sleek design
- Much-improved grip
- Last up to 12 hours after just one hour of charging
- Work up to 1 hour after just 5 minutes of charging
- No pairing required
Buy from Amazon:$38.99
4. Ankace
While Ankace may not be a popular name like some of its counterparts, it s got the quality to be a handy replacement for Apple Pencil. The stylus has anincredibly lightweight designand looks quite similar to Apple s digital pen Thanks to the useful tilt function, it allows you to draw and sketch with the desired precision.
Notably, it features a replaceable nib and comes with the essential palm-rejection technology. Besides, the1.2mm POM tipis able to carry out sketching and drawing tasks without any lag.
Furthermore, Ankace doesn t require a Bluetooth connection. That means you can just turn it on and start working. As for battery life, the company says that itcan last up to 20 hours on a single charge, which is a big plus. In a nutshell, it s an affordable substitute for Apple Pencil which you can buy to use with your iPad 8.
Key Features:
- Impressive lightweight design
- Useful tilt function
- 1.2mm POM tip
- Can last up to 20 hours on a single charge
Buy from Amazon:$39.99
5. JAMJAKE
Going by the sheer numbers (4.6 stars out of more than 10.5K ratings), this offering from JAMJAKE appears to be one of the most popular styluses on Amazon. The digital pencil featuresa better-looking designthat can offer the essential grip so that you can hold it perfectly while carrying out your task.
Design-wise, JAMJAKE looks slightly better than the 1st-gen Apple Pencil. Besides, it has a1.5mm pen tipthat s quite efficient for drawing or sketching. You can also use it to jot down your thoughts.
As for the natural writing feeling, it shouldn t disappoint you courtesy the inclusion of the palm-rejection technology. Furthermore, it doesn t require Bluetooth to connect with your iPad andoffers up to 20 hours of battery lifeon a single charge. Priced at $34, it s also among the cheapest Apple Pencil alternatives for iPad 8.
Key Features:
- Grippy design
- Doesn t require Bluetooth to connect to the iPad
- 1.5mm pen tip
- Delivers up to 20 hours on a single charge
Buy from Amazon:$33.99
6. Blooding Stylus Pen
Another stylus that packs a solid punch way above its weight is Blooding. Unlike the original Apple Pencil, it featuresa modern-looking form-factor. Plus, the exterior also offers much better ergonomics that make it easier for your fingers to grip.
Like most of its counterparts, Blooding also comes with thepalm rejection technologyto provide a natural writing feeling. So, whether you are drawing pictures, writing stories, orediting images, it can live up to the task.
The1.2mm nibmay not be as sensitive and precise as that of Apple Pencil, but it shouldn t disappoint you. As it doesn t need Bluetooth or any app to pair with your iPad, you can simply turn it on and start using it. Keeping in mind these notable specs, Blooding seems to be a great pick at $30.
Key Features:
- Trendy form-factor
- 1.2mm nib
- Works efficiently
- Doesn t require an app or Bluetooth to pair with the iPad
Buy from Amazon:$29.99
7. Milemont
For the folks who are looking for a decent Apple Pencil substitute at a cheap price point, Milemont is worth checking out. For all being in the cheap category, it has got a neat design that hasa lot of similarities with Apple s offering.
Being slim and lightweight, it s convenient to hold. One of my favorite features of this digital pencil isthe integration of an additional fine pen pointwhich comes in handy for selecting tiny icons.
Furthermore, the nib is quite sensitive, allowing you to write thoughts and draw without any pain. As for the connection, all you need to do to get started is to activate it, which is more helpful than using an app or Bluetooth. Lastly, Milemontdelivers up to 10 hours of battery lifeand is priced at $26.
Key Features:
- Slim and lightweight
- Convenient to hold
- The integration of an additional fine pen point
- Delivers up to 10 hours of battery life
Buy from Amazon:$25.99
8. MPIO
For drawing fascinating pictures or sketching images, you can t go wrong with MPIO. The stylus features an ergonomic design thatgraces your fingers with much-improved gripping. So, just in case you find the original Apple Pencil a bit slippery, MPIO would be a fine substitute.
Beyond design, MPIO has a1.0mm fine tipthat can t deliver the same level of sensitivity that Apple Pencil is known for. However, you can count on it to get through the usual tasks like drawing and writing without any noticeable lag.
That s not all, MPIO also has the trustedpalm rejection featurethat ensures you don t need to use a glove while writing. From a user s perspective, it s a must-have feature. So, I m glad that the accessory has included it.
Additionally, it delivers up to 20 hours of battery life which should be more than enough to last multiple stints. Overall, MPIO is among the best Apple Pencil alternatives for the 8th-gen iPad.
Key Features:
- Ergonomic design
- Decent sensitivity
- Can run up to 20 hours after being charged
- Auto turn off
Buy from Amazon:$29.99
9. KSW KINGDO
Whether you find Apple Pencil s white color boring for your taste or you are hunting for an attractive digital pen, KSW KINGDO is the one I would recommend you to check out. For starters, it showcasesa sleek profilethat looks way better than that of the original Apple Pencil.
Plus, KSW KINGDO comes inmultiple color variants including the eye-popping pink, ever-green silver, and the stylish navy blue. Beyond design, it s also up to the mark when it comes to drawing and writing. With the 1.4mm fine tip, it offers the required control while drawing.
In terms of battery life, KSW KINGDO canlast up to 10 hours. As compared to many other Apple Pencil substitutes, the battery life does seem below par. However, you can count on it to easily last 2-3 normal sessions of writing. Being available for $30, it deserves a shot on your iPad 8 as a reliable digital pen.
Key Features:
- Attractive design
- Comes in multiple color variants
- 1.4mm fine tip
- 10 hours of decent battery life
Buy from Amazon:$29.99
10. Domiy
Well, I have specifically picked out Domiy for the folks who just need a simple stylus that can do all the basic stuff. If that s you, you should give a close look at it.
The stylus has a1.4mm tipwhich is fully capable to deliver desired control while sketching or taking notes. And with the palm rejection feature at the disposal, you can rest your hand on the screen to write or draw with the desired peace of mind.
On the battery life front, Domiycan run continuously for up to 10-12 hoursafter being fully charged. Thanks to the 30-minute automatic power-off functionality, it also cuts down unnecessary power consumption. Priced at $16, it can certainly claim to be a cheap yet quite efficient Apple Pencil competitor.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and grippy
- 1.5mm tip
- Can run continuously for up to 10-12 hours
- 30-minute automatic power-off functionality
Buy from Amazon:$29.99
Top Apple Pencil Alternatives for iPad 8
There you go! So, these are the highly-rated Apple Pencil substitutes for the 8th-generation iPad. Despite being priced less than Apple s offering, they are quite efficient. Whether you enjoy drawing or like to jot down your thoughts, they have got the qualities to live up to the expectation.
What s more, many of them offer better gripping and also come in some good-looking color variants. Thus, you can pick the stylus that can get along nicely with your iPad and your profile.
It s worth noting that we have also rounded up the bestApple Pencil 2 alternatives for iPad Air 4. Also, check out thehighly protective casesandscreen guards for iPad 8if you want to safeguard the beautiful Retina display against scratches.
By the way, which one of these digital pens has caught your eyes? Do let us know your top pick in the comments below.
