10 Best Mechanical Pencils UK 2024 | Rotring, Pentel and More
Whether you want a durable metal or a cute plastic design, these ultra-convenient writing instruments will last forever as long as you refill them. For something that you'll use for such a long time, it's important to carefully select the right one. We're here to teach you which features to consider, and to introduce our favourite products from Amazon and eBay.
Quick List - Top Mechanical Pencils
Pentel
Automatic Mechanical Pencil Suitable for Both Students and Professionals
Uni
Self-Sharpening Lead and a Lightweight Design to Avoid Hand Fatigue
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose a Mechanical Pencil in the UK
- Match the Lead to Your Needs: 0.5 MM Lead Is Best for Writing, 0.7 MM Works Great When Sketching1
- The Type of Advance Mechanism You Choose Will Allow You to Control How Much Lead Is Extended2
- Select a Fixed Lead Sleeve for Stability When Drawing and Writing, or a Sliding Sleeve to Avoid Applying Too Much Pressure3
- If You Require Additional Comfort While Using Your Mechanical Pencil, Look For One With a Rubberised Grip4
How to Choose a Mechanical Pencil in the UK
- Whether Writing or Drawing, Choose the Right Sized Lead
- Control How Much Lead Is Used by Picking the Right Advance Mechanism
- Choose Between a Fixed Lead Sleeve or a Sliding Sleeve
- Look For a Rubberised Grip for Extra Comfort
Match the Lead to Your Needs: 0.5 MM Lead Is Best for Writing, 0.7 MM Works Great When Sketching
Choose 0.5 mm – 0.7 mm Lead Size to Prevent Snapping When Writing
The standard thickness for mechanical pencil lead is 0.5 mm, which will be fine for most people when writing. Anything thinner than this will be too thin, thus prone to snapping. If you write with particular vigour you may want to go for a slightly thicker 0.7 mm lead.
Bear in mind that the majority of mechanical pencils are designed for 0.5 mm lead, so you may need to choose a different pencil if you prefer 0.7 mm or thicker. It doesn't take too long to get used to 0.5mm when writing, however, and can help you learn not to put too much pressure on the pencil when writing.
If you're looking for something to write or draw in, why not take a look at our favourite notebooks and bullet journals?
Artists and Architects Should Buy a Selection of Fine and Thick Mechanical Pencils for Sketching and Technical Drawing
If you are an artist who is thinking about using mechanical pencils, it might be worth getting a range of different pencils with various lead compatibility to give you more options when drawing. In addition, if you want to use a range of hard and soft lead for drawing, you may want to look for pencils with lead grade indicators on them in order to differentiate which kind of lead is in which pencil.
Take a look at our drawing pencils while you are here.
The Type of Advance Mechanism You Choose Will Allow You to Control How Much Lead Is Extended
A Push Mechanism Provides the Most Control for Beginners
There are also pencils with push mechanisms on the side which allow you to extend the lead easily with your thumb while writing. This tool is ideal for those who need to write a lot in a short amount of time without an annoying break in the action.
Twist Pencils Hold Can Hold Thicker Leads of 0.9 mm or Above for Rough Work and Shading
While extending lead with this method will disrupt the flow of your writing, it allows you to completely control the amount of lead you put out or inside the pencil. However, some twist pencils can only carry one piece of lead at a time, and they usually only hold thicker lead (0.9 mm and above).
Shake Pencils Are Best for Students Who Need Efficiency While Jotting Down Notes
On top of this, mechanical pencils with shake mechanisms always have a push-button attached, so you have the freedom to extend the lead whichever way you choose. These make them perfect for those who want to take notes quickly.
Automatic Pencils Will Allow You to Write Uninterrupted
While this is convenient, some people may not like the feeling of writing with the tip constantly touching the paper. Nevertheless, this mechanism is perfect for those who don’t want to bother with extending the lead themselves, and just want to write their thoughts on paper without delay.
Select a Fixed Lead Sleeve for Stability When Drawing and Writing, or a Sliding Sleeve to Avoid Applying Too Much Pressure
Sliding sleeves, for example, retract back into the tip of the pencil along with the lead when they feel pressure. Dynamic sleeves extend to cover the lead when the lead feels significant force, and spring cushions pull the lead back into the body of the pencil when it is strongly pushed.
If You Require Additional Comfort While Using Your Mechanical Pencil, Look For One With a Rubberised Grip
Many mechanical pencils have rubber grips which make it more comfortable to write or draw with them for hours at a time. Others may simply have indentations in the plastic or knurled metal grips to prevent your fingers from slipping and sliding, and some pencils are completely smooth.
When considering pencils with different grips, ask yourself: How often do I plan on using this? From my experience using pens and pencils in the past, do I prefer those with bulky grips, or do I prefer holding something slim and smooth?
10 Best Mechanical Pencils in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pentel Orenz Nero Mechanical Pencil | | Automatic Mechanical Pencil Suitable for Both Students and Professionals | |
2 | Uni Kuru Toga Roulette Mechanical Pencil, Silver Body | | Self-Sharpening Lead and a Lightweight Design to Avoid Hand Fatigue | |
3 | Rotring 600 Drafting Pencil, Silver Body | | The Perfect Mechanical Pencil for Technical Drawing | |
4 | Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil | | A Durable Mechanical Pencil for Everyday Use and Journalling | |
5 | MozArt Supplies Essential Mechanical Pencil Set | | Great Value and Ideal for Artists and Professionals | |
6 | Zebra DelGuard Mechanical Pencil | | Protective Mechanism to Prevent Your Lead Snapping | |
7 | Tombow Mono Graph Shaker Mechanical Pencil | | Affordable and Easy-To-Use Shaker Pencil for Students | |
8 | Koh-I-Noor Diamond Drawing Pencils ｜Set of 6 | | A Beautiful Set of Long-Lasting Mechanical Colouring Pencils | |
9 | Cross Classic Century Pencil | | Luxury Mechanical Pencil for a Special Gift | |
10 | Retro 51 Vintage Metalsmith Tornado Pencil | | Compatible With Extra Thick 1.15 mm Lead |
Automatic Mechanical Pencil Suitable for Both Students and Professionals
As for the design, this pencil has a sleek, timeless design that will suit both academic and professional settings as well as the home. This mechanical pencil is sure to get you excited to write.
Self-Sharpening Lead and a Lightweight Design to Avoid Hand Fatigue
Despite the metal body, this pencil manages to stay light, so it will not make your hand tired even after hours of use. If you want a professional-looking Kuru Toga mechanical pencil that will last for ages, give this one a try.
Rotring 600 Drafting Pencil, Silver Body
The Perfect Mechanical Pencil for Technical Drawing
The knurled metal grip helps the hand to hold and control this pencil for long periods of time, making it great for work. The fact that it does not have a rotation or sliding sleeve mechanism means that the lead might be prone to snapping while writing, so this pencil is recommended more for art and drawing.
A Durable Mechanical Pencil for Everyday Use and Journalling
If you don’t mind too much about the extra functions of the pencil but want an elegant, durable, everyday pencil that you can rely on for years to come, this is the pencil for you.
Great Value and Ideal for Artists and Professionals
The HB lead widths range from a detailed 0.3 mm to a more chunky, sketch-suitable 0.9 mm and advance with a simple click, making this a good pick for mechanical pencil beginners. Though they are made of plastic, the build quality is higher than most.
Protective Mechanism to Prevent Your Lead Snapping
While the plastic material means that it might not be that durable, this pencil has a cool, aesthetically-pleasing design, and the grip makes it easy to hold. The unique mechanism makes it the perfect pencil for rushing through exams or taking notes.
Tombow Mono Graph Shaker Mechanical Pencil
Affordable and Easy-To-Use Shaker Pencil for Students
This particular design comes in a cool metallic black, though there are plenty of colour options to match any stationery collection. However, with the material being plastic, this pen might not be as durable in the long term as metal options.
A Beautiful Set of Long-Lasting Mechanical Colouring Pencils
These pencils use a clutch mechanism which may be hard to get used to at first. The pencil “clutches” the lead to keep it inside, and by pushing the end you can release the lead to whatever length you want, using the paper/table below to stop too much coming out.
Luxury Mechanical Pencil for a Special Gift
Again, the twist mechanism might slow you down when you are trying to take notes quickly, and this pencil lacks some of the high-tech features that newer mechanical pencils offer. It is also quite pricey, though in its presentation box, it could be a meaningful gift for a new student, graduate, or working adult.
Compatible With Extra Thick 1.15 mm Lead
This pencil does not have any grip, so it might not be comfortable for prolonged everyday use, and the twist mechanism means that extending the lead will disrupt your flow of writing. Nevertheless, it is a perfect addition to any retro-looking stationery collection.
Written and Researched by Brigid Bernard
Top 5 Mechanical Pencils
No. 1: Pentel｜Orenz Nero Mechanical Pencil
No. 2: Uni｜Kuru Toga Roulette Mechanical Pencil, Silver Body
No. 3: Rotring ｜600 Drafting Pencil, Silver Body
No. 4: Pentel｜Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil
No. 5: MozArt Supplies｜Essential Mechanical Pencil Set
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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