Best Apple Pencil: Find out which Apple Pencil works with your iPad

In May 2024, Apple unveiled the latest generation of its Pencil stylus for iPad: the Apple Pencil Pro. It is actually a replacement for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, designed to support only the latest iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4) models, and with a similar design but several new features.

This means that Apple now has four All products are named “Apple Pencil”, but two of them are basically only for products that are no longer sold as new, but only for older models.

If you want to save money, consider other styluses for your iPad. Read our picks for the best styluses for iPad, iPad Air, Pro, and mini.

Which Apple Pencil: Features

Before we look at the differences between the three Apple Pencil models, here’s a quick breakdown of their technical specifications:

Which Apple Pencil: Price

Prices for each Apple Pencil vary based on features and compatibility. The most expensive options are the Apple Pencil Pro and the second-generation Apple Pencil, both costing $129/£129. The cheapest is the Apple Pencil with USB-C at $79/£79.

The first Apple Pencil was released in September 2015. Apple sells it for $99/£99/$119. It works with the current 10th-generation iPad as well as a number of older iPad models. To charge it, you plug it into your iPad’s Lightning port, so you can’t use it while it’s charging. It’s pressure-sensitive, which is good if you’re an artist. We suspect Apple will retire this Pencil from the lineup soon.

This is the best Apple Pencil for those who don’t have the latest iPad Air or Pro. It launched in 2018 and Apple sells it for $129/£129. It works with the latest iPad Air, mini, and Pro, but not the 10th-generation iPad, iPad Air M2, or iPad Pro M4. This Apple Pencil charges wirelessly. We suspect Apple will retire this Pencil from the lineup soon.

Launching in 2023, this Apple Pencil is compatible with iPads that have USB-C charging ports instead of the older Lightning port. It doesn’t have many of the features of the 2nd-gen model, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking that newer means better. But it is cheaper at $79/£79. It’s essentially a pencil with a USB-C port. It lacks pressure sensitivity, which even the 1st-gen model has. It doesn’t work with the 9th-gen iPad or early iPad Pros.

This is the best Apple Pencil, provided you have a compatible iPad. Apple sells it for $129/£129. It works with the latest iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4). This Apple Pencil charges wirelessly and has all the features of the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil and several more, such as haptic feedback, Find My support, and support for rotation and squeeze gestures.

Which Apple Pencil: Design

There’s not much room for extravagant designs or new aesthetics when it comes to something as form-dependent as a stylus. But Apple’s engineers have been busy, incorporating a few elements that make the Pencils recognizable from each other.

In all cases, you’re looking at a cylindrical white plastic case, with no buttons or markings, except for the Apple Pencil’s name. The first-gen Pencil is the only one that’s completely round (and has a glossy finish), while the Pro, 2nd-gen, and USB-C versions have a flattened side so they can magnetically attach to the edge of a compatible iPad.

Apple has been constantly refining the balance and handling of its Pencil line, as you can see by the fact that with each generation, the length of the stylus has been progressively shorter. Here’s how they compare:

• Apple Pencil (1st generation): 6.92 inch/176 mm (length); 0.35 inch/8.9 mm (diameter)
• Apple Pencil (2nd generation): 6.53 inch/166 mm (length); 0.35 inch/8.9 mm (diameter)
• Apple Pencil (USB-C): 6.10 inch/155 mm (length); 0.29 inch/7.4 mm (diameter)
• Apple Pencil Pro: 6.53 inch/166 mm (length); 0.35 inch/8.9 mm (diameter)

Both the 1st-gen and USB-C Pencil models have a cover on the top end that can be removed to charge the device. On the 1st-gen model, removing the cap reveals a Lightning connector, while the USB-C slides up to reveal a USB-C port. The 2nd-gen and Pro models charge wirelessly and don’t have a port or connector.

At the business end of the pencil, you’ll find the replaceable rubber tips that make the Apple Pencil so comfortable. Some models have more features built into their slim frames, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Which Apple Pencil: Features

While all Pencil models let you write notes and draw on your iPad, they offer different features depending on the model you choose. The 1st-generation Pencil offers a precise writing experience, with low latency and pressure sensitivity to enable thinner and wider pen/brush strokes, as well as the ability to detect when you tilt the stylus for shading and similar techniques.

Pairing and charging is done via the Lightning port, as there’s no wireless charging on this model, and you can’t magnetically attach it to an iPad. You also don’t get the hover feature on the iPad Pro models, which lets you preview where your mark will be made without having to touch the screen. You’ll also have to rely on the double-tap action to switch between different pens, brushes, and other tools.

The Gen 2 Pencil offers all the features of its predecessor, except charging and pairing via the Lightning port are done wirelessly instead. It introduces double-tap functionality via a touch-sensitive area near the tip, and it’s also possible to have it engraved with a personal message.

The Apple Pencil USB-C connects via a USB-C to USB-C cable from your iPad’s charging port to the Pencil. You can magnetically attach it to an iPad to keep it safe, but it doesn’t charge. It has almost all the same features as the 1st-gen Pencil, though oddly enough without pressure sensitivity, which feels like a step backwards. As a minor trade-off, you get the 2nd-gen’s hover feature if you own an iPad Pro.

The latest is the Apple Pencil Pro, which only supports the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4), and likely future iPad Air and Pro models. It has all the features of the 2nd-gen model with the addition of roll and pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, and Find My support.

Which Apple Pencil: Compatibility

Each stylus supports different iPads, so you’ll need to check which model you have before purchasing one of the three stylus models offered by Apple:

Which Apple Pencil: Verdict

Some of the main factors to consider when buying an Apple Pencil are how you want to use it and which iPad you own. If you want to create artwork or more decorative writing, you’ll no doubt find the pressure sensitivity of the Gen 1, Gen 2, and Pro models to be an essential feature. Then, you’ll just need to select the one that’s compatible with your device. The Gen 2 Pencil has the added benefits of wireless charging, as well as double-tap and hover capabilities, although the latter only works on the iPad Pro.

If you have a newer iPad with a USB-C connector and simply want to take notes, the USB-C model could serve those purposes admirably, with the added benefit of being the most affordable model available from Apple.

If you buy a brand new iPad Air with M2 or an iPad Pro with M4, you can choose between the USB-C model with its very basic features or the Apple Pencil Pro, which has by far the most features of any Apple Pencil.

The Edge case is if you have an iPad mini or 10th-generation iPad but really need pressure sensitivity. While you’d normally choose the USB-C stylus for those models, the only stylus that supports pressure sensitivity is the first-generation Apple Pencil, which comes with a small USB-C to Lightning charging adapter that you’ll need to use to charge it.