Best stylus pens for Chromebooks in 2025
Opting for atouchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebookunlocks significant convenience and productivity advantages that stand out from what non-touch laptops offer. Some of thebest Chrome OS laptopssupport the USI 2.0 standard, and those that don’t often work decently with capacitive pens. A precise, dependable stylus makes it easy to scribble notes, sketch ideas, or even annotate photos or websites in real time, not to mention the obvious artistic applications.
So what makes a great stylus? You want something precise and accurate, comfortable to hold, and reliably supportive of the best active features of the USI 2.0 protocol. That includes a bevy of handy features both upgraded from and entirely new additions to the first-gen standard, most notably NFC wireless charging and expanded tilt functionality. USI 2.0 pens are also backwards compatible with USI 1.0 devices.
One of the most popular choices by a long shot, the Lenovo USI Pen 2 is one of the company’s few models to work with USI Chromebooks. Its precision and build quality are up there with the best. It also leverages the company’s proprietary Finer Tip technology, which allows for more realistic writing and more consistent control than most competitors.
While it’s not cheap, the Penoval USI 2.0 is widely regarded as the best, and the closest match to non-USI industry leaders like the Apple Pencil and Samsung S Pen. Its dependable pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, palm rejection, and connectivity help you make the most of your Chrome OS laptop, whether you’re drawing or taking notes.
A bargain-basement option for beginners, this Meko pen doesn’t feature any of the electronic features you’d expect from a powered pen, but it’s still fully compatible with touchscreen devices. And because it’s not electronic, you never need to worry about charging it. You also get two for a fraction of the price of most of its electronic counterparts.
If touchscreens and a stylus are a big part of your digital life, consider Lenovo’s widely compatible Digital Pen 3. It supports the biggest variety of competing standards, including MPP, AES 1.0 and 2.0, and WGP, which are used by various devices from Microsoft, Wacom, and others. The only drawback is its limitation to USI 1.0, but it still works reliably with most first- and second-gen USI Chromebook displays.
The Penoval Lite USI 2.0 stylus offers a smaller, slightly less expensive alternative to the company’s premium, acclaimed Chromebook pen. Its similar writing experience is differentiated by a bit rougher feel, which simulates writing on paper for those who don’t want to install a paper-feel screen protector. Its single AAAA cell lasts for a whopping 600 hours of use, so you’ll rarely need to replace it.
An upgrade of sorts to the already-great G1, the Metapen G1 Air sports a shorter design as well as second-gen USI support for improved tilt detection and a wider color palette, among other enhancements. It uses a AAAA cell instead of a rechargeable battery, and claims a tip lifespan of 7.5 miles, or twice that of the famous Apple Pencil.
While this pen from Andana is on the cheaper side, it still offers most, if not all, the features you’d expect from a more expensive stylus. Bear in mind that it’s USI 1.0, so it’s not guaranteed to work with all USI 2.0 devices, but is nonetheless an excellent, lightweight, pressure-sensitive alternative to pricier pens.
Made of an aluminum alloy for light weight and durability, the Timovo pen’s hexagonal body means it won’t roll around your desk. It turns on automatically, charges quickly and lasts a long time, and adheres magnetically to tablets that support it. It does a good job at palm rejection and tilt detection, and the nibs are easy to replace once worn down.
Uogic’s USI 2.0 stylus utilizes the second-generation pen technology’s most helpful features, including effective tilt detection and 4,096-level pressure sensitivity. It offers two buttons and a tail eraser, which are nice to have when using apps that support them. It delivers all these worthwhile features at a notably lower cost than most of the more well-known competition.
This incredibly affordable, passive stylus option from Penyeah is like having an artist’s toolbox at your fingertips. It’s got a range of tip options that let you customize your input to a remarkable extent, and is compatible with any capacitive touchscreen device, including Chromebooks.
Another USI 1.0 model, the Metapen features the requisite 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, replaceable tips should you wear yours out from frequent use, anti-roll features, magnetic attachment, and palm rejection so your hand won’t interfere or register as an input while you’re resting it on the Chromebook.
Adonit doesn’t make a USI pen, but the Mini 4 is a worthwhile capacitive choice for non-USI Chromebooks regardless. It’s one of the best looking out there, elegantly designed and colorful with a handy laser cut clip for attaching it to your pocket, notebook, or belt loop. It’s also built to feel smooth and natural when sketching and writing, and compatible with any capacitive touchscreen.
Picking the right pen protocol for your Chromebook
The stylus protocol landscape is a mess, with MPP, WGP, AES 1.0, AES 2.0, and USI offeringsimilarfunctionality, but also varied levels of half-baked precision and feature implementation. And rather than streamline compatibility, manufacturers continue to push the segmented market, with some devices fully supporting a common standard, but being firmware-locked to the brand’s own accessories (like Xiaomi tablets' WGP layer refusing to work with non-Xiaomi pens).
Luckily, USI is the least fraught of the various technologies. With a few rare exceptions (most of them older tablets and Chrome OS laptops), USI 2.0 displays are backward-compatible with USI 1.0 pens, so all you miss out on are improved color palettes, enhanced tilt functionality, and magnetic attachment.
Become a Chromebook power user in no time
Pairing a USI 2.0 stylus with a USI 2.0 Chromebook provides the best experience, but it’s possible to usually mix and match USI versions of pens and displays with appreciable success. If your Chromebook doesn’t support USI technology, you’ll need to settle for a capacitive stylus. They aren’t as responsive or precise as USI pens, but they’re better than nothing.
Finally, Google warns that Chrome OS doesn’t support the Bluetooth-connected functions some pens offer. Note that this doesn’t include most button functions available on USI styluses (stylii?), and Chrome OS does integrate helpful tools like screenshot and laser pointer features.
Write, draw, and design your way with the best Chrome OS stylus
Like all thebest Chromebook accessories, a really great stylus can range from a handy convenience to an absolute game-changer. It all depends on your situation and which pen you land on, though rest assured that all the pens on our list are excellent options.
Our premium pick from Penoval checks all the boxes you want in a great stylus, from 4,096 pressure levels and a lightweight aluminum body to speedy USB-C charging. Lenovo’s USI Pen 2 is neck-and-neck with Penoval’s for the most high-end feel and precise marks. The Lenovo Digital Pen 3 looks and feels every bit as good, and works with more devices than any other, although you’ll have to sacrifice the newer USI 2.0 features.
If you want a simple, inexpensive option or your Chromebook doesn’t support USI pens, go for the Meko Universal Stylus Pen. The Penyeah 4-in-1’s another great capacitive choice, in this case with multiple tip shapes to simulate different kinds of paintbrushes. For the best active stylus at a low cost, check out the Metapen G1 Air, a second-generation, AAAA-powered re-imagining of Metapen’s original USI 1.0 model.
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