universal stylus pen for android

Best stylus for Android phones and tablets Android Central 2021

The best tablets and large-screened smartphones are designed for you to use your fingers to navigate menus and screens, type, select, and more. But you can also use the best stylus for Android phones and tablets to do all of the above. A stylus offers better precision, particularly with specific tasks like coloring, jotting down digital notes, or selecting items in a detailed document or spreadsheet. They're especially useful for those with large hands, fingers, and/or thumbs who find it difficult to manipulate small text on the screen. The absolute best option for a Samsung Galaxy device is an S Pen), but if you're looking for an alternative or have another brand of tablet or smartphone, there are alternatives worth considering, too.

Fine-point stylus: Adonit Dash 3 (Black)
Goes with a Galaxy phone: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra S Pen
For Samsung tablets: Samsung Note20 Replacement S Pen
For your Note 8: Samsung Note 8 S Pen
Keep your Note 10 alive: Samsung Official Replacement S-Pen for Galaxy Note10, and Note10+
Best value: MEKO 2-in-1 Stylus Universal Touch Screen Pen
We've got some tips: Digiroot Universal Stylus (2-in-1) Disc Stylus Pen
Ergonomic design: Evach Active Stylus Digital Pen
Color your world: homEdge Stylus Pen Set

Adonit Dash 3

Fine-point stylus : Adonit Dash 3 (Black)

Staff Pick

This universal stylus for Android phones and tablets features a fine-tip point that mimics a paper-like drag.

$30 at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra S Pen

Goes with a Galaxy phone : Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra S Pen

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first non-Note Samsung device to work with a stylus, and you can grab the premium S Pen in black with 4,096 pressure points to go perfectly with the smartphone.

$33 at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S Pen Note

For Samsung tablets : Samsung Note20 Replacement S Pen

This is the replacement pen you should get for a replacement or extra S Pen to use with the new Note20 and Note20 Ultra.

From $28 at Amazon

Samsung S Pen

For your Note 8 : Samsung Note 8 S Pen

Lost or broke your Galaxy Note 8's S Pen? Don't replace your phone until you've tried this replacement S Pen from Samsung.

From $18 at Amazon

Samsung Note10 S Pen

Keep your Note 10 alive : Samsung Official Replacement S-Pen for Galaxy Note10, and Note10+

Get an official replacement S Pen for this year-old device, which comes in six color options to suit your personal style.

From $14 at Amazon

Meko Universal Stylus

Best value : MEKO 2-in-1 Stylus Universal Touch Screen Pen

Available in eight colors, you get two styluses and four replacement disc tips, and two replacement fiber tips.

Digiroot Universal Stylus

We've got some tips : Digiroot Universal Stylus (2-in-1) Disc Stylus Pen

The two predominant styles for universal stylus pens are fiber or disc tips, and this one offers three fiber and six discs.

Evach Active Stylus Digital Pen

Ergonomic design : Evach Active Stylus Digital Pen

At the tip, a buffer unit provides more accuracy and control with this stylus that boasts an eight-hour battery life per charge.

Homedge Stylus Pen Set

Color your world : homEdge Stylus Pen Set

Why settle for just one stylus when you could get an entire set with this package that comes with 20 of them in 10 colors.

There's a big difference between a stylus and an S Pen

The best stylus for Android runs the gamut. If you own a Samsung Galaxy tablet or Note smartphone, or even the new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — the first non-Note device to work with an S Pen — you'll want to stick with Samsung's own very excellent S Pen. We've rounded up many of the most common S Pens available for purchase if you need an extra or replacement one. Keep in mind that a universal stylus will work for the basic tasks on a Samsung mobile device, too, but you wouldn't get all the smart features that Samsung built into the S Pen. Plus, you wouldn't be able to neatly store the pen within the device when you're not using it.

If you're looking for a stylus that's a jack-of-all-trades and designed to work with Android smartphones and tablets from other brands along with any of Apple's offerings, we'd recommend the Adonit Dash 3 or the Digiroot Universal Stylus if you like the value of getting a bunch of replacement tips.

However, when it comes to price, especially if you want to buy a stylus for everyone in the family, or one to keep at home, at the office, in your briefcase, your travel bag, and your backpack, the homEdge Stylus Pen Set can't be beaten. You get 20 styluses for a super-low price, enough to share with the family, keep one accessible at all times, and maybe even have a few to give out as gifts or to keep as spares. And they are compatible with any device that has a capacitive touch screen.

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Accessorize the S Pen

Here are the best S Pen accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Surprisingly, an S Pen doesn't come in the box with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, but it's definitely worth getting. Once you have one to use with your new premium smartphone, check out some of our favorite handy accessories to enjoy the full experience!

Christine Persaud

Christine Persaud is a freelance writer for Android Central who has been writing about tech since long before the smartphone was even a "thing." When she isn't writing, she's probably working on her latest fitness program, binging a new (or old) TV series, tinkering with tech gadgets, or spending time with her school-aged son. A self-professed TV nerd, lover of red wine, and passionate cook, she's immersed in tech in every facet of her life. Follow her at @christineTechCA.

Marc Lagace

Marc Lagace was an Apps and Games Editor at Android Central between 2016 and 2020. You can reach out to him on Twitter @spacelagace.