Write in Style – Best EDC Pens in 2024
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If you've ever found yourself having to search for a pen or ask someone around you for one, you know how important having a pen in your EDC is. And if you've ended up having to resort to the cheap throwaways they give you at a restaurant, you know how important having a good pen is.
A crucial part of being in the EDC hobby is self-reliance. Instead of being that person asking to borrow someone’s Parker Jotter next time you're waiting to put your name down at a restaurant or filling out paperwork at the post office, consider adding a quality pen to your set of daily gear. It's quick and convenient, especially compared to fumbling through your phone for a specific note-taking app.
The best pen for everyday carry is the one you have, which usually means it's durable, reliable, and pocket-friendly. This updated guide highlights our top 10 picks for today's best EDC pens.
Our Top Picks
The Best Overall EDC Pen: Tactile Turn Side Click [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Most Premium EDC Pen: The Ridge Bolt Action Pen 24 Karat Gold [Buy]
The Best EDC Pen on a Budget: Zebra F-701 2018 Version [Buy]
The Most Compact EDC Pen: Olight Open Mini [Buy]
The Best EDC Pen for Writing Anywhere: Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pocket Pen [Buy]
The Best EDC Pen for Multiple Refills: BigIDesign Ti Pocket Pro [Buy] / [Full Review]
Tactile Turn Side Click | The Ridge Bolt Action Pen 24 Karat Gold | Zebra F-701 2018 Version | Olight Open Mini | Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pocket Pen |
$$ | $$ | $ | $ | $ |
Length: Multiple | Length: 5.03" | Length: 5.24" | Length: 3.66" | Length: 5.05" |
Materials: Multiple | Materials: 24 karat gold | Materials: Stainless steel | Materials: Stainless steel | Materials: Plastic |
Key Features: Also comes in a slim version | Key Features: Manganese spring steel clip | Key Features: All-metal construction | Key Features: Skeletonized body | Key Features: Fisher pressurized refill |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Best EDC Pens Today
The Best Overall EDC Pen: Tactile Turn Side Click
PurchaseThe Most Premium EDC Pen: The Ridge Bolt Action Pen 24 Karat Gold
PurchaseThe Best EDC Pen on a Budget: Zebra F-701 2018 Version
PurchaseThe Most Compact EDC Pen: Olight Open Mini
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The Best EDC Pen for Writing Anywhere: Rite in the Rain All-Weather
PurchaseThe Best EDC Pen for Multiple Refills: BigIDesign Ti Pocket Pro
PurchaseTWSBI Diamond Mini Clear EDC Fountain Pen
PurchaseLAMY 2000 4-Color EDC Ballpoint Pen
PurchaseStudio Neat Mark One EDC Pen
PurchaseEveryman Grafton Mini Click EDC Pen
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PurchaseBest EDC Pen FAQs
What makes a good EDC pen?
It's a bit cliche, but the best EDC pen is the one you carry with you. That means it should be the right size and look for your everyday carry pen. That also means it should write how you want it, so you actually want to use it daily.
Should you EDC a pen?
It can be easy to say no to this question until you find yourself in a desperate situation where you really need one, and everyone else has also decided not to carry one. Having a pen is part of EDC: you're always ready. And it also lets you be a lifesaver when someone near you needs as well.
What does EDC mean in pens?
EDC stands for everyday carry, and in terms of pens, it refers to the pens you decide to bring along with you on life's journey. That can be a single pen, but for others, it can be a small (or large) collection of pens that get you through the day.
What is the smoothest pen ever?
For standard pens, gel ink pens like the Pilot G2 and rollerball pens like those by The James Brand, Grafton Pen, or Karas Customs make for the smoothest writing experience. You can also opt to pick a pen that’s compatible with Fisher Space Pen refills. Fountain pens tend to be smooth, depending on the nib material and size chosen, as well as the viscosity of the ink loaded into the pen's reservoir or cartridge.
How We Picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what's new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men's essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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