Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil is best for your iPad

Macworld

Apple sells four products all named “Apple Pencil,” but two of them are essentially only for products no longer sold as new, but rather only for legacy models. However, in some cases the older Apple Pencil models are a better choice than the Apple Pencil USB-C, as we will explain in this buying guide.

Apple Pencil compatibility at a glance

Apple Pencil Pro costs $129/£129 and is compatible with recent iPad Pro (M4/M5) and iPad Air (M2/M3) models, and iPad mini (A17 Pro).

Apple Pencil USB-C costs $79/£79 and is compatible with most iPad Pro and iPad Air models going back a few years, the iPad (10th gen and A16) and iPad mini (A17 Pro and 6th gen).

Apple Pencil (2nd gen) costs $129/£129 and is compatible with older iPad Pro and iPad Air and iPad mini models.

Apple Pencil (1st gen) costs $99/£99 and is compatible with the iPad (6th-10th gen and A16 models) It also works with some very old iPad Pro and iPad Air and iPad mini models.

In this article we will help you decide which Apple Pencil to buy to use with your iPad. If you want to save money, consider alternative styluses for your iPad. Read our round-up of the best stylus for iPad, iPad Air, Pro, and mini.

Best Apple Pencil Deals Available Now!

Right now is a great time to buy an Apple Pencil because Black Friday week is here and we are already seeing lots of deals including:

Amazon, Apple Pencil Pro: $99 ($30 off, MSRP $129)

Amazon, Apple Pencil USB-C: $70 ($9 off, MSRP $79)

Amazon UK, Apple Pencil Pro: £119 (£10 off, RRP £129)

For more deals see our Best Black Friday 2025 Apple deals round up.

Which Apple Pencil: Differences explained






1. Apple Pencil Pro
























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Who is the Apple Pencil Pro for? This is the best Apple Pencil for artists, as long as you have a compatible iPad.

This Apple Pencil Pro supports pressure and tilt sensitivity and has low latency, so it’s good for drawing and painting.

You can squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro allow you to open a tool pallet for quick access to line weight, different colors, or to switch to a different brush. Lots of artistic apps that take advantage of Apple Pencil Pro gestures.

Support for rolling means you can use the pencil like a paintbrush, rotating it to create effects like calligraphy.

You get a hover preview before the pencil touches the iPad so you know where the pen will make it’s impact, allowing for precision.

The Pencil Pro charges wirelessly and will attach to an iPad magnetically so is less likely to get lost.

The Apple Pencil Pro It works with the most recent iPad Air (M2/M3) and iPad Pro (M4/