These are the two best-selling gel pens in the world — and choosing between the Pentel EnerGel and the Pilot G2 is one of the most debated topics in the pen community. Both are Japanese-made, both are affordable, and both have fiercely loyal fan bases. But they’re engineered for different priorities, and the right choice depends on what you value most in a pen.
We’ve used both pens extensively — going through dozens of refills of each over the past several years. We’ve tested them on every paper type we could find, timed their dry speeds, measured their line consistency, and handed them to left-handed and right-handed writers alike. Here’s our honest, comprehensive comparison.
Quick Answer: The Pentel EnerGel wins overall. Its faster dry time, smoother ink flow, and more refined writing experience make it the better pen for most people — especially left-handed writers and anyone who takes notes quickly. The Pilot G2 remains an excellent budget pick if you want a reliable gel pen at the lowest possible price. Choose the EnerGel for performance; choose the G2 for value.
At a Glance
| Feature | Pentel EnerGel 0.5mm | Pilot G2 0.7mm |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2.75 per pen | ~$1.50 per pen |
| Tip Size | 0.5mm (also 0.3, 0.7, 1.0mm) | 0.7mm (also 0.38, 0.5, 1.0mm) |
| Ink Type | Gel (dye-based) | Gel (dye-based) |
| Dry Time | ~1-2 seconds | ~5-7 seconds |
| Refillable | Yes (EnerGel LR refills) | Yes (G2 refills) |
| Colors | 16 colors | 18 colors |
| Body Style | Needle-tip, slim body | Conical tip, rubber grip |
| Weight | ~12g | ~14g |
| Best For | Left-handers, fast writers, journalers | Everyday writing, budget buyers |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Winner Pentel EnerGel 0.5mm | Pilot G2 0.7mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2.75 | ~$1.50 |
| Rating | ||
| Best For | Left-handers, fast writers, journalers | Everyday writing, budget buyers |
| Tip Size | 0.5mm (also 0.3, 0.7, 1.0mm) | 0.7mm (also 0.38, 0.5, 1.0mm) |
| Ink Type | Gel (dye-based) | Gel (dye-based) |
| Dry Time | ~1-2 seconds | ~5-7 seconds |
| Refillable | Yes (EnerGel LR refills) | Yes (G2 refills) |
| Colors Available | 16 | 18 |
| Weight | ~12g | ~14g |
| Body Style | Needle-tip, slim body | Conical tip, rubber grip |
| Writing Smoothness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dry Time | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Ink Consistency | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Value | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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| Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
*Prices shown are approximate at time of writing. Check retailer for current pricing.
Pentel EnerGel — In-Depth Review
The Pentel EnerGel has been our go-to recommendation for years, and for good reason. Pentel engineered this pen around a single, ambitious goal: eliminate smudging. The result is a gel pen that dries faster than anything else on the market while maintaining the smooth, vibrant writing experience that makes gel pens superior to ballpoints.
Design & Build
The EnerGel comes in several body styles — the standard retractable (BLN105), the metal-body EnerGel Alloy, the slim EnerGel-X, and the budget EnerGel-S. We focus on the standard retractable 0.5mm here, as it’s the most popular and our personal recommendation.
The body is a clean, modern design with a translucent barrel that lets you see the remaining ink level — a practical touch that more pens should adopt. The clip is sturdy and functional. The pen weighs about 12g, which is light enough for extended writing sessions without fatigue.
The needle-tip design is worth mentioning. Unlike the Pilot G2’s conical tip, the EnerGel uses a thin, tapered needle point that gives you better visibility of where the tip meets the paper. This makes it easier to write precisely and is particularly appreciated by people who write small or take detailed notes.
Performance
This is where the EnerGel truly shines. The ink flows onto the paper with effortless smoothness — there’s minimal resistance, no scratching, and no skipping. The writing experience is genuinely enjoyable in a way that makes you want to pick the pen up and write more.
But the headline feature is dry time. Pentel’s gel ink formula dries in approximately 1-2 seconds on standard paper. That’s dramatically faster than the Pilot G2 (5-7 seconds) and faster than almost every other gel pen on the market. For left-handed writers, this is transformative — no more smeared letters, no more ink on the side of your hand, no more having to wait before moving across the page.
The ink is vibrant and consistent. Black is a true, deep black. Blue is a rich, professional blue. The 16 available colors are all vivid and well-saturated. Line consistency is excellent — we rarely see variation in line width or density across a page.
One minor note: because the ink dries quickly, the tip can occasionally dry out slightly if you leave the cap retracted for an extended period without writing. Clicking the pen closed when you’re not actively writing prevents this entirely.
Best Features
- Fastest dry time of any gel pen — 1-2 seconds, making it the best choice for left-handed writers
- Smooth, skip-free writing with excellent ink flow
- Needle-tip design provides precise visibility of the writing point
- Translucent barrel shows remaining ink level
- Affordable refills ($1.50-2.00 each) extend the pen’s life
Drawbacks
- Slightly more expensive than the G2 ($2.75 vs $1.50)
- Fewer color options (16 vs G2’s 18)
- Needle tip may feel fragile to writers who press hard
- Ink can dry at the tip if left uncapped for extended periods
Pentel EnerGel Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Pilot G2 — In-Depth Review
The Pilot G2 is the best-selling gel pen in America and one of the most recognized pens in the world. Since its launch, it has been the default recommendation for anyone looking for “a good pen” — and for good reason. It’s smooth, reliable, widely available, and incredibly affordable. The G2 may not win any single performance category outright, but its combination of quality and value is nearly impossible to beat.
Design & Build
The G2’s design is utilitarian and effective. The contoured rubber grip is comfortable and provides good control, even during long writing sessions. The barrel is slightly wider than the EnerGel, which some people prefer for comfort. The retractable mechanism clicks with a satisfying, solid feel.
The conical tip (as opposed to the EnerGel’s needle tip) is more traditional and feels sturdier. Writers who press hard or who prefer a more substantial tip will appreciate this — there’s no worry about bending or damaging the tip with normal use.
At 14g, the G2 is slightly heavier than the EnerGel, but the difference is negligible in practice. The clip is functional and holds securely in a pocket or notebook.
The G2 is available virtually everywhere — office supply stores, grocery stores, gas stations, Amazon. You will never have trouble finding a G2 refill. This ubiquity is a genuine advantage for people who want a reliable pen without having to order from specialty retailers.
Performance
The G2 writes smoothly and consistently. The gel ink glides across paper with minimal resistance, producing clean, vibrant lines. There’s a reason this pen has dominated the market — the basic writing experience is genuinely good.
However, the G2’s dry time is its most notable weakness. At approximately 5-7 seconds on standard paper, it’s noticeably slower than the EnerGel. For right-handed writers who write at a moderate pace, this is rarely an issue. For left-handed writers or fast note-takers, it can mean smudged text and ink on the side of your hand.
The G2’s 0.7mm tip (the most popular size) produces a bolder line than the EnerGel’s 0.5mm, which some people prefer for everyday writing and signatures. If you want a finer line, the G2 is also available in 0.38mm and 0.5mm, though we find the EnerGel performs better at finer tip sizes.
Ink consistency is good but not perfect. Over the life of a refill, we’ve occasionally noticed very slight variation in flow — sometimes a barely-visible thin patch or a slightly heavier deposit. These inconsistencies are minor and won’t bother most users, but they’re worth noting in a direct comparison with the more consistent EnerGel.
Best Features
- Unbeatable value at $1.50 per pen — half the price of the EnerGel
- Available everywhere — no specialty ordering required
- Comfortable rubber grip with wider barrel
- Sturdy conical tip that handles heavy writing pressure
- 18 color options including bold and fine versions
Drawbacks
- Slow dry time (5-7 seconds) — problematic for left-handed writers
- Slightly less smooth than the EnerGel at comparable tip sizes
- Occasional minor ink flow inconsistencies
- Conical tip provides less precise visibility than needle-tip designs
Pilot G2 Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Head-to-Head Comparison
Writing Smoothness
Both pens are smooth, but the EnerGel has a noticeable edge. The ink flows with less resistance, and the needle-tip design creates a slightly more refined contact point with the paper. The G2 is smooth — genuinely smooth — but the EnerGel is smoother. The difference is subtle enough that some writers won’t care, but in a side-by-side comparison on the same paper, the EnerGel wins consistently.
Winner: Pentel EnerGel
Dry Time
This category isn’t close. The EnerGel dries in 1-2 seconds. The G2 takes 5-7 seconds. For right-handed writers at a leisurely pace, the G2’s dry time is acceptable. For anyone else — left-handers, fast note-takers, students writing during lectures — the EnerGel’s quick-dry ink is a significant practical advantage. We’ve tested both on Rhodia, Kokuyo Campus, standard copy paper, and Leuchtturm1917 paper, and the EnerGel consistently dried 3-5 seconds faster across all surfaces.
Winner: Pentel EnerGel — by a wide margin
Comfort & Ergonomics
This one comes down to personal preference. The G2’s wider barrel and rubber grip feel more substantial and provide a more cushioned hold. The EnerGel’s slimmer body and lighter weight produce less hand fatigue over long sessions. Writers who grip tightly tend to prefer the G2. Writers who use a lighter grip tend to prefer the EnerGel.
We’ll call this one a tie with a slight lean toward the G2 for writers who prioritize grip comfort, and toward the EnerGel for those who prioritize light weight and extended writing sessions.
Winner: Tie — depends on grip preference
Ink Vibrancy & Consistency
Both pens produce vivid colors, but the EnerGel’s ink appears slightly more saturated on paper, particularly in black and blue. More importantly, the EnerGel maintains more consistent ink density throughout the life of a refill. The G2 occasionally produces barely-visible thin patches or slightly heavier deposits — minor issues, but they exist.
Winner: Pentel EnerGel — slightly
Value for Money
The G2 costs $1.50 per pen. The EnerGel costs $2.75. Both are refillable, with refills costing ~$1–1.50 (G2) and ~$1.50–2 (EnerGel). Over a year of regular use, the cost difference is meaningful but not dramatic — perhaps $5-10 total for most users.
The G2 is the clear winner on pure price. But the EnerGel offers enough performance improvements to justify the $1.25 premium for most people. That said, if you’re buying pens for an office of 50 people, the G2’s lower cost adds up.
Winner: Pilot G2 — on pure price, the G2 is hard to beat
Check Current Price on Amazon — Pentel EnerGel | Check Current Price on Amazon — Pilot G2
Availability
The Pilot G2 is the most widely available gel pen in the world. You can buy it at literally any store that sells pens — office supply chains, supermarkets, gas stations, dollar stores, Amazon. The EnerGel is widely available online and at office supply stores but less likely to be found at a random convenience store. For most people ordering online, this distinction is irrelevant. For people who need to grab a pen at a gas station, the G2 wins.
Winner: Pilot G2
Choose the Pentel EnerGel If…
- You’re left-handed — the fast-drying ink eliminates smudging
- You write fast and can’t wait for ink to dry between lines
- You prefer a finer tip (0.3mm or 0.5mm) for detailed writing
- You want the smoothest possible writing experience
- You value ink consistency and precision
- You’re willing to pay a slight premium for better performance
Choose the Pilot G2 If…
- Budget is your top priority — the G2 is half the price
- You need pens that are available everywhere — stores, gas stations, anywhere
- You prefer a wider barrel with a cushioned rubber grip
- You primarily use 0.7mm or thicker tip sizes
- You’re buying for an office or team where cost per pen matters
- You write at a moderate pace and dry time isn’t a concern
Where to Buy
Pentel EnerGel 0.5mm
Also available at JetPens (best selection of tip sizes and colors), office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot), and most online retailers.
Pilot G2 0.7mm
Available virtually everywhere — Amazon, office supply stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and JetPens.
Buying Tips:
- Both pens are cheapest in multi-packs. A 12-pack of G2s runs about
$12 ($1/pen). A 12-pack of EnerGels is about$20 ($1.67/pen). - If you’re trying one for the first time, buy a single pen before committing to a multi-pack.
- Buy refills in bulk once you’ve chosen your pen — it’s cheaper and more sustainable than buying new pens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pentel EnerGel really worth $1.25 more than the Pilot G2?
For most people, yes. The faster dry time, smoother writing, and better ink consistency are meaningful improvements in daily use. The $1.25 difference is negligible over the life of the pen, especially since you’ll be buying $1.50-2.00 refills rather than new pens. That said, if you’re buying pens in bulk for an office and don’t have specific performance requirements, the G2’s lower price makes it the practical choice.
Which pen is better for left-handed writers?
The Pentel EnerGel, without question. Its 1-2 second dry time virtually eliminates the smudging that plagues left-handed gel pen users. The Pilot G2’s 5-7 second dry time is slow enough to cause consistent smudging for left-handed writers. If you’re left-handed and currently using a G2, switching to an EnerGel will be a revelation.
Can I use EnerGel refills in a G2 body (or vice versa)?
No, the refills are not cross-compatible. The EnerGel uses Pentel LR (needle-tip) or LRN (retractable) refills, while the G2 uses Pilot G2 refills. However, both refill types are widely available and affordable, so this isn’t a practical limitation.
Which pen is better for journaling?
The EnerGel, particularly in the 0.3mm or 0.5mm tip sizes. The faster dry time means less smearing when writing across the page, the finer tips work beautifully for detailed journaling, and the more consistent ink flow produces cleaner pages. The G2 0.38mm is also a solid journaling pen, but the EnerGel’s combination of fine tip and fast-dry ink gives it the edge. Both pens perform well on Tomoe River paper — see our Best Pens for Hobonichi guide for detailed testing on thin paper.
Do both pens work well on Japanese paper (Tomoe River, Kokuyo Campus)?
Yes, both perform well on Japanese papers. The EnerGel produces slightly cleaner lines on thin papers like Tomoe River (52gsm), with less bleed-through. The G2 is fine on Kokuyo Campus (70gsm) and heavier papers. On very thin paper, we’d give the slight edge to the EnerGel due to its faster-drying ink, which means less opportunity for the ink to soak through.
How long does each pen last?
With average daily use (filling about a page per day), a G2 refill lasts approximately 2-3 months. An EnerGel refill lasts about the same — 2-3 months. Longevity is comparable between the two, so this isn’t a differentiating factor.
Final Verdict
The Pentel EnerGel is the better gel pen for most people. Its faster dry time, smoother ink flow, and more consistent performance justify the modest price premium over the Pilot G2. The difference isn’t dramatic — both are good pens — but the EnerGel delivers a more refined, more reliable writing experience across every category except price and availability.
That said, the Pilot G2 remains an excellent pen and an unbeatable value. At $1.50, it’s arguably the best deal in writing instruments. If you don’t have specific performance requirements and just want a smooth, reliable gel pen at the lowest possible price, the G2 will serve you well. There’s a reason it’s the best-selling gel pen in America.
Our recommendation: try both. Buy one of each and use them for a week. You’ll quickly discover which pen suits your hand, your writing style, and your priorities. Both are Japanese-engineered, both are affordable enough to experiment with, and both represent the quality and precision that make Japanese stationery the best in the world.
For more Japanese pen recommendations, check out our 7 Best Japanese Gel Pens and our Complete Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Stationery.
Overall Winner: Pentel EnerGel — the faster dry time and smoother writing experience make it the better pen for the vast majority of writers.