Pilot G2 0.7mm
PilotThe world's best-selling gel pen. Smooth, reliable, and affordable — an excellent budget pick that outperforms most non-Japanese alternatives.
Best for: Everyday writing, office use, budget buyers
- Smooth gel ink writing
- Available in 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 1.0mm
- 18 color options
- Refillable with affordable refills
- Comfortable rubber grip
The Pilot G2 is the best-selling gel pen in America. It’s been the go-to recommendation from office supply guides, Reddit threads, and pen communities for years. Walk into any office in the country and you’ll find G2s in desk drawers. Ask anyone to name “a good pen” and there’s a solid chance they’ll say “Pilot G2.”
But is the G2 actually good — or is it just popular? Having tested it against every major Japanese gel pen on the market, we can give a nuanced answer: the G2 is a genuinely good pen and an exceptional value, but it’s no longer the best gel pen you can buy.
Quick Verdict: The Pilot G2 is a smooth, reliable, affordable gel pen that outperforms most non-Japanese alternatives. At $1.50, nothing touches it for value. But pens like the Pilot Juice Up and Pentel EnerGel have surpassed it in writing quality, dry time, and ink consistency. The G2 remains an excellent budget pick — just not the king it once was. Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Product Overview
Approx. ~$1.50 per pen / ~$12 (12-pack) Brand: Pilot Origin: Japan Ink: Gel, dye-based Tip Sizes: 0.38mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm (most popular), 1.0mm Colors: 18 Refillable: Yes (Pilot G2 refills, ~$1 each)
Writing Quality
The G2 writes smoothly. There’s no argument about this — from the first stroke, the gel ink flows onto the paper with noticeably less resistance than ballpoint pens and most non-Japanese gel pens. Lines are clean, colors are vivid (especially the blue and red), and the writing experience is genuinely pleasant.
The 0.7mm tip — by far the most popular G2 variant — produces a bold, visible line that’s satisfying for everyday writing. If you’re coming from ballpoint pens or cheap office gel pens, the G2 will feel like an upgrade.
However, compared to other Japanese gel pens at similar prices, the G2 shows its age. The Pilot Juice Up (from the same company) is smoother. The Pentel EnerGel is smoother. Even the Zebra Sarasa Clip is arguably smoother at the same tip size. The G2 was revolutionary when it launched, but the competition has caught up and, in some cases, passed it.
Ink Consistency
The G2’s ink consistency is good but not perfect. Over the life of a refill, we’ve noticed occasional variation — a slightly thin patch here, a marginally heavier deposit there. These inconsistencies are minor and won’t bother most people, but in a direct comparison with the EnerGel’s more uniform output, they’re noticeable.
Dry Time
This is the G2’s biggest weakness. The ink takes approximately 5-7 seconds to dry on standard paper — significantly slower than the EnerGel (1-2 seconds) and slower than the Juice Up (3-4 seconds). For right-handed writers at a moderate pace, this is rarely an issue. For left-handed writers, it’s a deal-breaker — smearing is virtually guaranteed.
Paper Performance
How the G2 performs also depends heavily on paper choice. On standard 20 lb copy paper — the kind found in most offices and classrooms — the G2 excels. Lines are clean, colors read true, and there is virtually no feathering or bleed-through. On premium notebook paper like Kokuyo Campus, performance improves further: the slightly coated surface speeds up dry time marginally (to around 4-5 seconds) and keeps edges crisp even at 0.7mm. Where the G2 struggles is on very thin or uncoated paper — Tomoe River paper, used in the Hobonichi Techo, is porous enough that the G2’s slower-drying ink tends to feather slightly at 0.7mm, making the 0.5mm or 0.38mm a better choice for thin-paper notebooks. On coated art paper, the G2 skips occasionally because the ink can’t absorb fast enough. Matching tip size to paper type is the single biggest practical upgrade most G2 users can make without spending a cent.
Design & Build
The G2’s design is functional and unpretentious. The contoured rubber grip is comfortable and provides good control. The barrel is slightly wider than most Japanese gel pens, which some people prefer for extended writing. The retractable mechanism clicks with a solid, satisfying action.
The clear barrel window shows remaining ink level — a practical detail. The clip is sturdy enough for pocket carry. The overall construction is solid for a pen at this price.
At 14g, the G2 is slightly heavier than slimmer Japanese pens, which can be an advantage (more substantial feel) or a disadvantage (more fatigue during long sessions) depending on your preference.
Value
This is where the G2 shines brightest. At $1.50 per pen — or about ~$1 per pen in a 12-pack — the G2 is half the price of the Pentel EnerGel and one-third the price of the Pilot Juice Up. Refills cost about ~$1 each.
For people buying pens for an office, equipping a classroom, or simply wanting a good pen without thinking about it, the G2’s price-to-quality ratio is nearly impossible to beat. It’s a genuinely good pen at an absurdly low price.
Availability
The G2 is available everywhere. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Staples, Office Depot, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores. You will never be unable to find a G2 or a G2 refill. This ubiquity is a genuine practical advantage — it’s the pen you can always get more of, anywhere, anytime.
Pros & Cons
What We Love:
- Unbeatable value at $1.50 per pen
- Smooth, pleasant gel ink writing
- Available literally everywhere
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Refillable with affordable refills
- 18 color options
- Multiple tip sizes (0.38mm to 1.0mm)
Room for Improvement:
- Slow dry time (5-7 seconds) — bad for left-handers
- Not as smooth as Juice Up or EnerGel at comparable tip sizes
- Occasional minor ink flow inconsistencies
- Design feels dated compared to newer Japanese pens
- 0.7mm default is too bold for fine-detail work
Who Should Buy the Pilot G2?
- Budget buyers — Nothing matches the G2’s quality at $1.50
- Office/bulk purchases — The 12-pack at ~$1/pen is ideal for workplaces
- People who want zero hassle — Available everywhere, no specialty ordering
- 0.7mm writers — The bold line is satisfying for everyday writing and signatures
- Skip if: You’re left-handed (get the EnerGel), you want the smoothest writing (get the Juice Up), or you need a fine tip for journaling (get the Signo DX 0.38mm)
Where to Buy
Available at literally every retailer that sells pens.
For a detailed comparison with its main competitor, see our Pentel EnerGel vs Pilot G2 article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pilot G2 the best gel pen?
It was for many years. Today, the Pilot Juice Up and Pentel EnerGel have surpassed it in writing quality, dry time, and ink consistency. The G2 remains the best value gel pen and is still a good pen — just no longer the best performing one.
Which G2 tip size should I buy?
The 0.7mm is the most popular and best for everyday writing. The 0.5mm is more versatile — fine enough for detailed work, bold enough for general use. The 0.38mm is for people who want fine lines for journaling in a Hobonichi Techo or small handwriting. Start with 0.5mm if you’re unsure.
Is the G2 good for left-handed writers?
No. The 5-7 second dry time causes smearing for left-handed writers. The Pentel EnerGel (1-2 second dry time) is the best gel pen for lefties.
Can I use G2 refills in other pen bodies?
G2 refills fit many third-party pen bodies designed for the “Parker-style” form factor, though not all are perfect fits. The G2 refill format has become a de facto standard, with many premium pen bodies designed specifically to accept G2 refills.
Final Verdict
The Pilot G2 is a good pen — genuinely good, not just popular. The smooth gel ink, comfortable grip, and absurdly low price make it a reliable everyday writer. But in a market now filled with Japanese gel pens that write smoother, dry faster, and perform more consistently, the G2 is no longer the undisputed champion.
Our honest recommendation: if you’ve been using the G2 and love it, keep using it — it’s a great pen. If you’re open to spending an extra dollar or two, try the Pentel EnerGel or Pilot Juice Up. You’ll likely notice the difference.
Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
For our full gel pen rankings, see 7 Best Japanese Gel Pens.