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  3. 10 Best Gel Ink Pens UK 2023 | Pilot, Zebra and More
  • 10 Best Gel Ink Pens UK 2023 | Pilot, Zebra and More 1
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  • 10 Best Gel Ink Pens UK 2023 | Pilot, Zebra and More 3
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10 Best Gel Ink Pens UK 2023 | Pilot, Zebra and More

In 1984, Sakura manufactured the first-ever line of gel ink pens. Unlike the water or oil-based ink used in fountain and ballpoint pens, gel ink is smooth and non-clumping without being too runny. Versatile, easy to write with and available in almost endless colour and style variations, it’s no surprise gel ink pens have become incredibly popular worldwide.

These days, consumers are spoilt for choice with numerous gel pens available from the likes of Pilot, Zebra, Muji, and uni-ball. Whether you are looking for a set of black or white gel ink pens for art and crafting or coloured ones for taking notes in class, in this article we'll run down the best gel ink pens to buy online from Amazon, eBay and Argos. 

Last updated 14/07/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose Gel Ink Pens in the UK ― Buying Guide

Gel ink pens have some of the most varied options when it comes to pens. Before you buy, consider your purpose for buying a pen, the weight of the line you wish to draw and the length of time you plan to write for.
1

Compare What Ink Colours and Effects Are Available to Inspire Creativity

Compare What Ink Colours and Effects Are Available to Inspire Creativity
Source:amazon.co.uk
Colourful gel pens with scents and other gimmicks are indeed very popular among school-age children and make great gifts. However, they are of course suitable for creatives of all ages and ideal for scrapbooking, journalling, and craft projects.


Sticking to blue or black ink is perhaps more appropriate for the workplace. Gel ink pens are a good choice for business professionals as they allow allow you to write quickly and deliver a steady, consistent line that won’t fade.

2

Check the Size of the Tip for the Weight and Thickness of the Line

Check the Size of the Tip for the Weight and Thickness of the Line
Gel ink requires reasonably consistent pressure to flow. Because of this, gel ink pens don’t provide much variation in line weight, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your purpose. Consider the thickness of the line you want to create before choosing the right pen for your needs.


The thickness of the line will be dependent on the size of the tip. Here's a quick rundown of some of the sizes available to you:


0.38 or 0.4 mm: Extra small tip made for more technical drawings and fine detailing.

0.5 to 0.7 mm: Gives you a medium stroke that's best suited for day to day writing.

1 mm and over: Creates bolder lines for stronger detailing

3

Choose a Pen With a Grip Made for Comfort When Writing

Choose a Pen With a Grip Made for Comfort When Writing
Having a good ergonomic pen will alleviate discomfort when writing for long periods of time. Choosing a pen with a soft rubber grip prevents fingers slipping for more relaxed writing. Pens with a good grip will be especially valuable to students sitting examinations, or those who require a comfortable pen to facilitate lengthy note-taking in class.


Pen grips are available in a wide range of variations from soft and malleable to a firm or dotted grip. The type you opt for will depend on the strength of your grip and personal preference. We recommend those with a strong grasp to pick pens with squishier, rubberised grips to avoid hand strain.


A pen grip can also be used to teach children to hold and use pens correctly and re-train adults who may have fallen into bad habits. Strong finger and hand muscles are required to hold a pen properly, and pen grips guide your fingers into the correct placement, improving dexterity and preventing cramping.

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Top 10 Best Gel Ink Pens in the UK

Now you hopefully have an idea of what qualities you should look for when shopping for gel ink pens. In ranking order, we will now present our favourite top 10 gel ink pens to buy online in the UK!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Paper Mate

1. Pilot Juice Gel Ink Pens

Paper Mate 1. Pilot Juice Gel Ink Pens 1枚目

Vibrant Gel Ink Pens That Tick All of the Boxes

2

SAKURA

4. Sakura Soufflé 3-D Opaque Gel Pens

SAKURA 4. Sakura Soufflé 3-D Opaque Gel Pens 1枚目

Perfect for Detailed Drawing, Lettering and Journaling

3

Pilot

5. Pilot G-Tec-C Maica Ultra Fine Techpoint Gel Pen

Pilot  5. Pilot G-Tec-C Maica Ultra Fine Techpoint Gel Pen 1枚目

Best Fine Tip Pen for Technical Drawing

4

Zebra

3. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Pens – Milk Colour

Zebra 3. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Pens – Milk Colour 1枚目

Pastel Gel Ink Pens With Fast Drying Ink

5

Smiggle

6. Dong-A Miffy Scented Gel Pens

Smiggle 6. Dong-A Miffy Scented Gel Pens 1枚目

A Bumper Selection of Scented, Glitter, Neon and Pastel Gel Pens

6

uni-ball

2. Uni-ball UM-120 Signo Metallic Gel Pens

uni-ball 2. Uni-ball UM-120 Signo Metallic Gel Pens 1枚目

Sparkling Gel Ink Pens That Won’t Pool or Bleed

7

Zebra

7. Zebra Sarasa Clip Marble Colour Gel Pens

Zebra 7. Zebra Sarasa Clip Marble Colour Gel Pens 1枚目

A Set of Nostalgic Colour-Changing Gel Ink Pens

8

Sakura

8. Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens

Sakura 8. Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens 1枚目

The Best White Gel Ink Pens Available

9

Muji

9. Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens

Muji  9. Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens   1枚目

A Good Choice for Student Note-Taking

10

Pilot

10. Pilot FriXion Point Erasable Rollerball Pens

Pilot 10. Pilot FriXion Point Erasable Rollerball Pens 1枚目

Heat-Sensitive Gel Ink Pens With Erasable Ink

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Paper Mate1. Pilot Juice Gel Ink Pens

1. Pilot Juice Gel Ink Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£28.75
Reference price
£28.75

Vibrant Gel Ink Pens That Tick All of the Boxes

This range of Paper Mate gel ink pens are called InkJoy, and we can confirm they will certainly bring you joy! Coming in a set of 14 rainbow coloured pens, they are wonderfully bold, vibrant and smudge-free. In fact, InkJoy pens dry three times faster than other gel pens, so you can say goodbye to smudging and smearing.

Each pen's tinted barrel matches the colour of ink inside making them easily identifiable and a translucent window displays the remaining ink supply, so you can see when you’re running low. With textured, rubberized grips these gel ink pens are designed for comfortable, enjoyable use and the durable clip lets you fasten your pen to a notebook, binder or pocket. Brilliant!

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No.2

SAKURA4. Sakura Soufflé 3-D Opaque Gel Pens

4. Sakura Soufflé 3-D Opaque Gel Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.14
Reference price
£15.14

Perfect for Detailed Drawing, Lettering and Journaling

Sakura’s Gelly Roll series gel ink pens are highly recommended for detailed drawing, lettering, journaling and much more. These Moonlight Cosmos Pens provide a range of natural and pastel colours that can be combined to create stunning artworks.

Gelly Roll pens contain water-based pigmented gel ink that is lightfast and resistant to water and chemicals, for intense and non-fading colours. The small 06 ball size creates a 0.35 mm line, in a consistent, smooth ink flow. Combine this set with the Urban set of three grey-toned pens to complete the whole range!
No.3

Pilot 5. Pilot G-Tec-C Maica Ultra Fine Techpoint Gel Pen

5. Pilot G-Tec-C Maica Ultra Fine Techpoint Gel Pen Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.29
Reference price
£7.29

Best Fine Tip Pen for Technical Drawing

The G-Tec-C Macia is a more stylish edition of Pilot’s cult favourite HI-TEC-C gel ink pen. The needle thin 0.4mm tip delivers a line width of only 0.2mm making it the most suitable choice for technical drawing and anything which requires ultra-thin lines.

The body of the pen is beautifully stylised with a classic, vintage feel and a cut jewel embellishment on the top of the cap. It’s a lot more solid and rounded than the HI-TEC-C with the added weight making it more comfortable and balanced when writing.
No.4

Zebra3. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Pens – Milk Colour

3. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Pens – Milk Colour Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.98
Reference price
£4.98

Pastel Gel Ink Pens With Fast Drying Ink

The Zebra Sarasa series is a top choice among pen enthusiasts, and for good reason! These pens are designed with both comfort and functionality at the forefront. The body of the pen boasts a comfortable grip and wide barrel that fit snuggly in your hand allowing you to write in a relaxed position.

Zebra Sarasa Clip gel ink pens use a water-based gel ink formula with rapid dry ink technology. This allows for dry times of less than one second, making them a great choice for left-handed individuals for whom smudging can be a concern when writing quickly. This set of pastel ‘Milk Colour’ pens are light and cheerful, shining most brightly on dark surfaces!
No.5

Smiggle6. Dong-A Miffy Scented Gel Pens

6. Dong-A Miffy Scented Gel Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.66
Reference price
£15.66

A Bumper Selection of Scented, Glitter, Neon and Pastel Gel Pens

This set of 30 scented gel ink pens from Smiggle don't only smell delicious but they also include regular colour, neon, pastel and glitter pens within the pack. These pens make a delightful gift for children, or for just about anyone who adores cute things!

Each pen is scented with a unique sweet and fruity fragrance, which provides added charm when writing cards and letters to family or friends. Kids will love playing and experimenting with Smiggle's Scented Gel Pens when colouring, drawing and writing!
No.6

uni-ball2. Uni-ball UM-120 Signo Metallic Gel Pens

2. Uni-ball UM-120 Signo Metallic Gel Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.27
Reference price
£11.27

Sparkling Gel Ink Pens That Won’t Pool or Bleed

Uni-ball Signo is an acclaimed line of gel ink pens referred to as the ‘Holy Grail’ for their high-quality ink. Unlike most pens where the ink in the barrel is solid, the ink in Uni-ball Signo pens is extremely viscous. The rotating ball at the tip of the pen instead slows and reduces its viscosity of the ink as it passes through for astonishingly smooth writing.


Also coming in metallic or pastel ink, we especially loved this sparkling ink option as it shines and glimmers like fairy dust! Offering a semi-translucent layer, they are best used on a base of the same colour for optimum results. The viscosity of the ink stops pooling by delivering a steady even stream, but the ink dries quickly preventing feathering and bleeding too.

No.7

Zebra7. Zebra Sarasa Clip Marble Colour Gel Pens

7. Zebra Sarasa Clip Marble Colour Gel Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.29
Reference price
£11.29

A Set of Nostalgic Colour-Changing Gel Ink Pens

A cool throwback for '90s kids, Zebra’s Sarasa Clip Marble gel ink pens combine three pigments in one pen! Rather than packing the inks on top of one another in solid colour blocks, they are mixed together in the barrel to create a fluid marbled line that changes colours as you write.

Zebra gel ink pens are extremely vibrant, utilising acid-free ink to keep colours looking bright for many years to come. Their opaque pigment is suitable for all types of paper, making the Sarasa Clip Marble Color gel ink pens a good choice for journaling, hobbies, and crafting.
No.8

Sakura8. Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens

8. Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.99
Reference price
£13.99

The Best White Gel Ink Pens Available

Sakura’s Gelly Roll gel ink pens were the ones that started it all, suspending pigment in xanthan gum to create the perfect viscosity for smooth flowing ink. This set offers brilliant white gel ink pens in three sizes, ideal for highlighting and writing on dark paper.

Artists will know that finding a white gel ink pen that works is like searching for a needle in a haystack! Too often they are not pigmented enough or come out too runny and streaky. With decades’ worth of experience engineering excellent gel ink pens, you will find none of these issues present in Sakura’s Gelly Roll series.
No.9

Muji 9. Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens

9. Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens   Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.00
Reference price
£13.00

A Good Choice for Student Note-Taking

A well-loved Japanese stationery and homeware company, Muji are known for simple yet eye-catching designs. Muji’s gel ink pens provide a reliable, consistent flow of ink for fluid writing and a 0.38mm tip for some of the finest lines when writing and drawing.

Popular among university students, these pens are an excellent choice for colour-coded note-taking. However, be aware that these pens are slower drying than other gel ink pens on the market and tend to smudge when used with a highlighter even once the ink has dried.
No.10

Pilot10. Pilot FriXion Point Erasable Rollerball Pens

10. Pilot FriXion Point Erasable Rollerball Pens Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£12.76
Reference price
£12.76

Heat-Sensitive Gel Ink Pens With Erasable Ink

Pilot’s FriXion series of gel ink pens use heat-sensitive ink which disappears when rubbed with their eraser. Regardless of how hard you press down when you write, as long as heat can reach the ink, it will fade. With these pens, you can write confidently knowing if you make a mistake you can just rub it out!

However, the same feature that makes FriXion pens stand out is also a potential downside. If the ink is left in warm conditions over a certain temperature, in a sunny spot or subject to vigorous friction it will disappear. In contrast, if exposed to temperatures under -10°C erased ink may suddenly re-appear.

Why You Should Consider Choosing a Gel Ink Pen

Why You Should Consider Choosing a Gel Ink Pen
Fans of gel ink pens prefer them over others as they glide effortlessly across the page, making them the most comfortable pen type to write with. But, have you ever wondered what makes writing with gel ink smoother than other ink pens?


The ink in gel pens comprises of colour pigment suspended in a water-based gel. When not in use, the gel is fairly solid which stops it from clumping or leaking. As you write, the movement of the ball in the tip of the pen exerts force which turns the ink into a liquid allowing it to flow out easily.


Gel ink pens are relatively fast drying with the ink returning to a solid state upon contact with paper. Once gel ink has dried it’s not going anywhere; most gel inks are resistant to fading, water and chemicals making them an excellent choice when it comes to permanency.

Looking for More Fun Artsy Things to Do in Your Spare Time?

Looking for More Fun Artsy Things to Do in Your Spare Time?

It's never not a good time to start dabbling in a new arts and crafts project. If you're looking for some inspiration, check out our related articles for lots of ideas sure to keep you occupied!

Summary

Gel ink pens have become a cult stationary product loved by people of all ages. Not just an exceptional medium for writing, the vast range of designs makes these pens highly collectible and a fantastic gift for those who want a little creativity in their life!


Author: Wren Mann

Top 5 Gel Ink Pens

No. 1: Paper Mate1. Pilot Juice Gel Ink Pens

No. 2: SAKURA4. Sakura Soufflé 3-D Opaque Gel Pens

No. 3: Pilot 5. Pilot G-Tec-C Maica Ultra Fine Techpoint Gel Pen

No. 4: Zebra3. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Pens – Milk Colour

No. 5: Smiggle6. Dong-A Miffy Scented Gel Pens

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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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