Looking for a New Pen for Your Grip? Don’t Miss These Top 10 Best Fountain Pens That You Can Get for Under $50!
Best Fountain Pen Under $50 Photo Yuya Tamai (Flickr)Have you been through your share of writing pens that just don’t add up? Is the grip wrong, the ink poor and the engineering clunky?
If you answered “yes” to these two questions, then you may be on the search for a truly great fountain pen that can deliver what you need while staying within a budget.
It’s difficult to find a great fountain pen that can do both — but this article is designed to help you find it with a quick review of the top 10 best fountain pen under 50 around:
In this section, we’ll take you through 10 brief summaries of the best fountain pen under 50–and give you some key comparison points to help put them on an equal foundation and to give you criteria for differentiating them.
In this section, we’ll be comparing the six key attributes of fountain pens on the market today:
This pen has the performance and feel of more expensive fountain pens in the $100 range. Overall, it is great writing instrument with mostly a smooth flow if used regularly. The converter for the ink well also is a great edition.
Things We Liked
Cartridge included
Converter included
Smooth writing style
Sleek body
Lightweight
Things We Didn't Like
Traditional style may not fit the modern aesthetic
More expensive than some of the other pens
Ink doesn’t always flow well if not used frequently
#2. Erofa Regal Pearl White Fountain Pen
In the $30 range, the Erofa Regal Pearl White Fountain Pen is a comfortable, elegant pen that is the perfect gift for someone who prioritizes the design and aesthetic of the pen. It is sleek with its white body and faux diamond clip.
What customers have said:
This is a gorgeous pen as far as pen body and design go. With an 18-karat-gold plated nib and a pearl white finish, this pen is an elegant choice. In the $30 range it is a good buy for the writer on a budget — but keep in mind that the ink flow needs a little prep by shaking the pen in a downward motion before using.
Things We Liked
18-karat gold plating for the nib
Beautiful design and engineering
Smooth ink flow
Things We Didn't Like
You must replace cartridges to use it over time or screw in a cartridge for drawing bottled ink into the pen.
Sometimes the ink does not flow well and requires the user to shake the pen in a downward motion before getting a consistent ink flow.
#3. Lanxivi Jinhao Deep Sea Bright Pearl Shell Fountain Pen
In the $20 range, the Lanxivi Jinhao Deep Sea Bright Pearl Shell Fountain Pen doesn’t have the luxurious comfort grip and design of some of the more expensive pens but it writes well and has the bonus of a real pearl shell engraving on the body of the pen.
What customers have said:
This pen looks gorgeous with the unique shell engravings in the body of the pen, but what it provides in design aesthetic, it can lack in function. Some users have reported the nib can leak ink. What’s nice about this pen, however, is that it does have a cartridge that can be refilled with bottled ink.
Things We Liked
Includes cartridge and converter
One of the few push-type fountain pens in the guide
Beautiful shell engraving
Things We Didn't Like
Black casing of the pen feels a little inexpensive
This is a beautifully-engineered, natural and vintage-looking pen in the $40 range. For some users the balance felt a little off at times, but it is a lightweight fountain pen that has cartridges the are fairly easy to change so you can get back to writing.
Things We Liked
Handcrafted bamboo pen
Vintage look and style
Smooth writing
100 percent money back guarantee
Things We Didn't Like
Appeals to a certain design aesthetic considering it is made from real bamboo. This is not necessarily a bad attribute, but this pen won’t appeal to everyone.
Balance can feel off in hand
#5. Jinhao Brand New Golden Dragon Red Crystal Eyes Fountain Pen
In the $10 range, the Jinhao Brand New Golden Dragon Red Crystal Eyes Fountain Pen is tempting to purchase. However, it doesn’t come with an ink cartridge, as most of the other pens in this review guide do. On top of that, this pen is made from inexpensive materials, giving the design aesthetic a poor rating.
What customers have said:
This pen is for the fountain pen user who prefers a little extravagance. Ornate with its mix of metals (a brass core and an 18-karat gold plated nib), this fountain pen features a unique dragon head. The headache, however, is the inconvenience of being shipped without an ink cartridge already installed. You’ll have to purchase those separately.
Things We Liked
Ornate design with dragon head and eyes
Eye-catching
18-karat gold plated, medium nib
Things We Didn't Like
Heavy pen in comparison to others
Pen doesn’t come with ink
Sturdy pen that can feel bulky in some hands
#6. Pilot MR Animal Collection Fountain Pen
With a variety of designs to choose from for the pen body, a medium nib and a converter for using an ink well, the Pilot MR Animal Collection foundation pen from Pilot is a fan favorite in the $10-15 range.
What customers have said:
Overall, this is a great pen in the $15 range. The pen writes smoothly and the ink flows well. It also includes a refillable cartridge so you can refill it with bottled ink over time.
Things We Liked
Comes in a variety of colors and styles to fit a diverse design aesthetic, including matte white with a “tiger accent” and “plum leopard.”
Brass pen barrel and stainless steel nib
Refillable cartridge for using bottled ink
Things We Didn't Like
Cleaning the nib can be challenging
The design of this pen doesn’t appeal to everyone, as it has more of a modern feel.
#7. EastVita 8812 Fountain Pen Rose Wood Barrel Vintage Style
This stylish fountain pen from EastVita is not only inexpensive in the $10 range, but it is the only fountain pen in the mix that has a push function for retracting the nib.
What customers have said:
Users commented that this pen is beautiful in person because of its wood-engineered barrel but sometimes it was difficult to put on and take off the cap. In addition, it is slightly inconvenient that the pen does not come with a pre-filled, international ink cartridge.
Things We Liked
Modern, beautiful design
Ready to be used with bottled ink
Smooth writing
Things We Didn't Like
Includes a converter to be used with bottled ink but not a pre-filled, international ink cartridge
Bulk in construction
Modern, handsome design will not appeal to everyone
#8. Lamy Safari Fountain Pen in Charcoal
If you’re looking for a fountain pen in the $30 range with a fine-tip nib, then the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen may be of interest to you. In addition, its black-coated steel casing gives it an elegant look and feel.
What customers have said:
This is an unpretentious pen that is made from durable plastic. In the $25 range, it doesn’t beat cheaper pens in the performance range while being made from cheaper materials. But it is lightweight, sleek and durable.
Things We Liked
One of the only fountain pens in the list that has a fine-point nib
Smooth ink flow
Blue ink cartridge included
Comfortable grip
Things We Didn't Like
Plastic body looks inexpensive
Converter not included
#9. MUJI Aluminum Fountain Pen
Compact and efficient in the $20 range, the MUJI Aluminum Fountain Pen has a lightweight body, an easy grip and a stylish, streamlined design.
What customers have said:
In the $20 range, this pen is lightweight, modern and makes an excellent travel pen for using the elegant functioning of a fountain pen while on the road.
Things We Liked
One of the few fountain pens with a fine tip
Modern look and feel
Comfortable in the grip
Things We Didn't Like
Takes a little pressure pressing the nib down to get the ink to flow at first
Almost too lightweight at times
Less aesthetically pleasing than other pens
#10. Parker Urban Black and Gold Fountain Pen Kit with 4 Ink – Editors’ Choice Winner!
In the $45-50 range, the Urban Black Fountain Pen by Parker is a customer favorite because it has a bullet pen shape to balance grip and hand weight as well as a sleek look for the design and the bonus of four ink cartridges and one ink well.
What customers have said:
Reliable and affordable with a smooth ink flow. This pen is super comfortable and feels balanced in a variety of hands because of the curved engineering of the pen barrel.
Things We Liked
Curved barrel of the pen provides a custom grip that helps to balance weight in your hand
Modern, black design
Includes both four ink cartridges and a 2-ounce bottle of ink
Things We Didn't Like
Black finish can wear off over time
Ink flow can be intermittent for some users
Pen barrel has a tendency to peel
There is a great deal of value added by using a fountain pen versus another kind of pen. Read on to learn where you’ll find the most value:
How do I choose the right pen for me?
Keep this guide by your side as you try out different fountain pens. You’ll want to keep in mind the attributes that are most important to you — such as the comfort of the grip and how the pen feels in your hand or the smoothness of the pen.
At the end of the day, you’ll choose the right pen for you because it fits your unique personal needs. But you won’t really know if the pen is right for you until you try it out.
What are the benefits of using a fountain pen vs. other types of pens?
There are many benefits of using a fountain pen versus another type of pen, such as a ballpoint pen. Some of the strongest are as follows:
The writing process is much smoother.
The ink flow is consistent and smooth.
The pen is not disposable. It lasts for a lifetime if cared for properly.
The pen is elegant and timeless — which will make you feel that way, too.
What should I be looking for that makes a fountain pen really stand out?Should I be considering fountain pens that include bonuses -- such as extra cartridges or ink bottles?What about push-type fountain pens? Are they worth it?Should I purchase a fountain pen with a converter?Don't only older people use fountain pens?
The body style of fountain pens vary — from wood styluses to metal ones with diamonds or faux gems. Often if you find a pen you like that has attributes fitting your need for comfort and writing flow — you often can find it in different styles. This means you usually can find the best fountain pen under 50 that also meets your personal taste in design of the pen.
The answer to this question really comes down to the performance of the pen. If the fountain pen has the function and performance that you are looking for — such as a durable body and a smooth ink flow — then any other bonus that the pen adds is value to you. But be on the lookout for pens that are trying to make up for a lack of performance or function by throwing in the extras.
Push-type fountain pens certainly add an ease to using them and protecting the pen when its not being used. You can throw these fountain pens into your purse or in your desk without worrying too much that they’ll get damaged and then just retract them with you are ready to use them.
The good news is that most fountain pens come with a converter so that you can use them with bottled ink. It’s certainly a nice attribute to have when your are making the investment in a fountain pen, as you can move easily from using a cartridge to using a higher-quality ink for those special hand-lettering projects.
Traditionally, the fountain pen is a harkening back to an older, more sophisticated time — and to that end, older demographics may use them. But with more modern styles being implemented in fountain pens — such as big companies like Pilot — a fountain pen really is becoming a pen for everyone. Plus, fountain pens also come equipped with pre-filled cartridges, so essentially they act like rollerball-type pens. When they come with a converter, they simply give you the opportunity as a writer — adventurous or not — to get a little fancy with your lettering and to use a bottled ink that is of a much higher quality that pre-filled cartridges often contain. That’s why they make great gifts for people of all ages. You can find a design that appeals to literally every person in your life. It’s just about finding the right pen for the person.
Are You Ready to Buy Your New Fountain Pen?
If you’ve been on a search for the best fountain pen under 50, then this guide will help you determine which pen is right for you. It takes time to find the perfect pen — but the research will pay off in the end.
After our testing of these top 10 pens under $50, we think there are many attributes of all these pens that make them worthy to consider — and every one on the list has something to offer someone.
And that’s why it’s important for you to determine what your top needs are in a writing utensil before you commit to purchasing one of these elegant pens.
It’s also important to remember that depending on your hand size, some fountain pens will feel more or less comfortable and the unfortunate part of that side of the selection process is that sometimes you won’t know if you have an ill-fitting fountain pen until after you get it in your hand.
Editors' Choice Winner!
Through our extensive testing, we think the Parker Urban Black and Gold Fountain Pen Kit with 4 Ink really rises to the top of the fountain pen pile. With it’s comfortable grip for a variety of hand sizes, it’s elegant and effective nib for smooth writing and it’s stylus designs to fit your personal aesthetic for a pen — this fountain pen provides the perfect amount of versatility, elegance and performance.
If you have friends who live by fountain pens, then try out some of theirs first to see how the pen feels in your personal grip.
As a bonus, you receive a bottle of ink and four ink cartridges. For that reason combined with its high performance and modern design rate it as one of the best values for fountain pens under $50.
