Styluses

Styluses for laptops, tablets, smartphones and interactive displays, from active pens made for specific 2-in-1 models to universal styluses. Anyone who sketches, annotates documents or takes handwritten notes will find pens from Lenovo, ASUS, Acer and Samsung here, with options from HP, Dell, Microsoft and Apple as well.

How to choose a stylus

Device compatibility. Check the exact device first, because many pens only work with the brand they were made for. Our range includes pens listed for ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Samsung, Dell and Apple devices, and some universal styluses for general touchscreens.

Active or passive. An active pen contains electronics and talks to a compatible screen, which gives thin, accurate lines and palm rejection. A passive stylus simply acts like a fingertip, so it suits tapping and basic navigation but not detailed drawing.

Pressure sensitivity and buttons. Line thickness that changes with pressure matters for drawing, sketching and photo editing. For note-taking and marking up PDFs, a barrel button that acts as an eraser or right-click is often more useful than a high pressure rating.

Power source. Some active pens run on a replaceable AAAA or AAA battery, while others recharge through USB or by attaching magnetically to the device. A replaceable battery means no waiting, whereas a rechargeable pen saves buying cells.

Device type. Pens in our range are mostly listed for laptops and tablets, with a smaller number for smartphones and interactive displays. Pick a model that names your device type, since a pen made for a laptop screen may not be recognised by a phone.

Stylus brands we carry

• Lenovo: the largest group in our range, with pens made for its Yoga and ThinkPad 2-in-1 laptops and tablets.
• ASUS: offers active pens that match its convertible Zenbook and Vivobook laptops.
• Acer: supplies active styluses designed for its convertible and touchscreen laptops.
• Samsung: known for the S Pen, which is built around the Galaxy Tab range and some Galaxy smartphones.
• HP and Dell: both make active pens that pair with their own 2-in-1 business and consumer laptops.
• Microsoft: makes the Surface Pen for Surface tablets and laptops.
• Apple: makes the Apple Pencil, which works with supported iPad models.
• Wacom: a long-standing name in pen input, known for pressure-sensitive pens and drawing tablets used by illustrators and designers.

Also in our range: ZAGG, Tucano and Targus.

Stylus FAQ

What is the difference between an active and a passive stylus?

An active stylus has built-in electronics and communicates with a compatible screen, while a passive stylus works like a finger. Active pens offer pressure sensitivity, palm rejection and thinner lines. Passive styluses are simpler and work on most touchscreens but are less precise.

Can I use any stylus with any laptop or tablet?

No, active pens usually only work with devices that support the same pen technology. A pen made for a Lenovo, HP or Samsung device may not be recognised by another brand. Universal passive styluses work on most capacitive touchscreens, but with fewer features.

Do I need a stylus with pressure sensitivity?

You need pressure sensitivity mainly for drawing, painting and photo retouching, where line weight should change with how hard you press. For handwritten notes, signing documents and marking up files, a pen without it is usually enough. Check that your device and apps support pressure input as well.

Do styluses need batteries?

Passive styluses need no power, but many active pens do. Some use a replaceable AAAA or AAA battery, and others recharge over USB or magnetically on the device. The product specification will state which type a pen uses.