Planning is so much more fun when you’re writing with the perfect pen. I’m breaking down my list of the best pens you can buy, and why they make small wins like list writing, journaling, and goal setting even greater. Check out which one tops my list of favorites!


I can talk about pens any day of the week, I don’t care how nerdy my husband says that is! I know I’m not the only one. Opening a new pack of pens makes me giddy – it’s like opening a new planner, or a fresh bar of soap.
Not only do these pens write beautifully, but they are also bright and fun, and make my desk drawer look like a dream. Did you see those fun colors up there!?
If you’re looking for the best pens for planning, journaling, and note-taking, you’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favorites!
Check out these blog posts for more planning and organizing ideas:
- The 7 Planning Tools & Systems I Use To Organize My Whole Life
- Full Focus Planner Review & A Look Inside My Quarterly Undated Planner
- Powersheets 101: How To Cultivate Intentional Goals This Year
- 6 Tips For Planning Your Day And A Free Daily To-Do List Printable
<<PIN THE IMAGE BELOW FOR LATER!>>


My Favorite Planner Pens
It’s so hard to narrow down my favorite pens for planning, but I recently sorted through my pencil pouches and desk drawers to find my all-time favorites. These are the pens I reach to again and again for all things planning!
Instagram Stories Pen Tour
I love planning and pens so much and am constantly asked what my favorite pens are. You can watch my Instagram stories for the full pen tour to nerd out with me on all of my favorite pens. Who knew I had so much to say about pens?!
>> Click here to watch my pen tour on Instagram <<
Criteria For A Great Planner Pen
Before I get into the best planner pens out there, I’ve got three criteria for what makes me melt over the perfect pen:
- Color – Pens must be available in a wide array of colors, and have very vivid, saturated color.
- Ink – The ink must flow smoothly so the page catches everything I write, no exceptions.
- No smudging – They must dry fast so there are no smears in my notes.
Easy enough, right? Having the right pen makes writing fun.


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10 Best Pens For Planning
Planning is so much more fun with the perfect pen. Check out these top picks for the best pens for planning, journaling, and note-taking.


Pilot FriXion Erasable ColorSticks
If you have tried an erasable pen in the past, you don't know the beginning of it! These are gel pens and write super smoothly, have removable caps, gorgeous colors, and don't smudge. They get first place in my book because the eraser really works - enough said!


PaperMate InkJoy Pens
These gel pens come in the prettiest color options and are truly a crowd favorite for planners. They're retractable and write really smoothly and have nice comfortable rubber grips. You can find them everywhere in the prettiest rainbows of colors! These rank right up there as one of my very favorites for planning.


Poppin Ballpoint Pens
Less well-known, but SO good. These are super pretty aesthetically, have a medium-tip ballpoint that glides perfectly, and they don't smear. They mostly come in black ink, but their modern, dreamy design has me hooked! Just look at how well designed they are.


Staedler Triplus Broadliners
These are a long-time favorite of mine, and come in really vibrant colors. They've got a variety of tip sizes to choose from, and have a felt-tip that writes super smoothly. You can get these in almost any color imaginable, so that's also a plus!


PILOT G2 Gel Pens
These retractable gel pens have a classic rubber grip and come in a huge variety of ink colors. They write nicely and don't smear, and are a great everyday pen. Perfect for having around home or at the office!


PaperMate Flair Felt Tip Pens
The most popular pens in the planning community! Flairs are a felt-tip pen that comes in different tip sizes and tons of colors. They catch a little bit and don't write as smoothly as a gel pen, but they are gorgeous for color-coding planners or doodling. Another crowd favorite among planning addicts (and I notice teachers are obsessed with them, too)!


Pilot FriXion Erasable Markers
These are erasable markers, how amazing is that!? The colors are not as saturated as some permanent markers but I'll let that slide - the eraser is too cool. I like using these to doodle in my planner and color-code things. I'm just so blown away that Pilot made a line of erasable pens, markers, and even highlighters that actually erases really well.


Sharpie Pocket Highlighters
These come in so many vivid colors and work great. Highly recommend gifting these to your friends who love planning and color-coding everything from goal sheets to grocery lists and calendars! I'm not big on doodling in my planner, but love color-coding to-do list items with these highlighters to add some color to my planner.


Bic Permanent Markers
These permanent markers work so well and have rich colors that don't smear, and come in many different tip sizes. They are right up there with Sharpies when it comes to the best permanent markers!


Sharpie Permanent Markers
Everyone loves a good Sharpie, especially when you get a package full of countless colors! These work amazing and have a good variety of options for tip sizes and color assortments.
Looking for more planning inspiration? Take a look at these blog posts:
- The 7 Planning Tools & Systems I Use To Organize My Whole Life
- 6 Tips For Planning Your Day And A Free Daily To Do List Printable
- Full Focus Planner Review & A Look Inside My Quarterly Undated Planner
- Powersheets 101: How To Cultivate Intentional Goals This Year
- My 10 Step Formula For Goal Setting Success (Plus Free Goal Setting Worksheet)
- Theme Your Days To Add Structure To Your Week (Even If You’re Not The Planning Type)


Have a fantastic day!


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