Apple’s second-generation Pencil pen is back on sale for $79, matching its lowest price to date. We’ve seen this bargain a couple times during 2024, but it’s still approximately $35 off the device’s regular street price on Amazon outside of those promotions. Meanwhile, Apple generally charges $129 for the stylus. This promotion is valid at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
However, Apple’s next product showcase is set for May 7, and a new Pencil is largely expected to be unveiled at the event. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, this next-generation device will contain some form of haptic feedback, while 9to5Mac suggests it may include a new “squeeze” gesture with Find My tracking capability. If you want the newest Pencil imaginable, you should wait another week.
However, considering the MSRP of this second-generation device, it appears reasonable to expect any new Pencil to cost more than $79 out of the gate. If you’re on a tighter budget and want to buy your first iPad stylus for sketching or taking notes, the current Pencil should be a fine choice at this price.
For the time being, our guide to the best iPad accessories recommends the second-generation Pencil as the best stylus. It’s still one of the few styluses that supports pressure sensitivity across iPadOS, meaning the more you press down, the thicker your lines get. (Last year’s USB-C-based Pencil lacked this.) Tilt recognition and palm rejection support make it more natural to draw beyond that.
The pen is easy to hold, and it charges and connects to a compatible iPad by magnetically snapping to the tablet’s side, eliminating the need for wires. You can also enjoy the double-tap feature, which makes switching between drawing tools and erasers faster in some apps. Simply make sure you have (and will continue to use) a compatible iPad Air, mini, or Pro first.