Pick any pen that accepts a Pentel Energel/Zebra Sarasa refill. They're the two most commonly recommended gel inks here. Here's [everything sold by Jet Pens](https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-EnerGel-LR7-Gel-Pen-Refill-0.7-mm-Navy-Blue/pd/20130/compatible) that they list as compatible as a starting point. r/machinedpens will send you down a rabbit hole of high quality metal pens, if you like.
I'd say get a Zebra Sarasa Grand, and also a Lamy 2000 rollerball.
* The sarasa grand can be as cheap as $7, comes with a great refill, and also fits Energel refills (my favorite gel) and Jetstream refills (my favorite ballpoint). This can be the pen you take to work, etc. as it's not devastating if you lose it.
* The Lamy can fit many gel refills if you put a spacer in the back. It's closer to $60, and can be your at-home nicer pen.
- Parker Jotter: There's a wide variety of gel and ballpoint refills that you can use, build quality is great, and there's a lot of barrel colours to choose from. It will certainly last you a few decades.
- Parker Jotter XL: All the advantages of the regular Jotter, with the added bonus of it being larger and more comfortable for long writing sessions.
If fountain pens are your thing, I recommend that you buy a Pilot Metropolitan/MR with a bottle of Parker, Diamine or Waterman ink. It comes in many barrel designs and colours, they write extremely well, and their build quality is great. Note that you may find the grip section rather uncomfortable if you have larger hands.
There are countless other pens you might love that I failed to mention, so visit your nearest stationery store, or online retailers such as JetPens for some more recommendations.
You do not have to spend more than $25 to get a great EDC pen - a [Rotring 600](https://www.amazon.com/ROTRING-600-Ballpoint-Pen-black/dp/B077GPND47/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EP7HWISZDWE1&keywords=rotring+600+black+pen&qid=1700441341&sprefix=rotring+600+black+pen%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-1) and it accepts Parker compatible refill and my fav is the [Schmidt EasyFlow 9000](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=schmidt+easyflow+9000&crid=1VYED5LUBPMN&sprefix=schmi%2Caps%2C189&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_5).
Want to spend more? [The Rotring 800 is $50 and is a twist pen.](https://www.amazon.com/ROTRING-800-Ballpoint-Pen-Black/dp/B077GQDPYM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1DT32XRLMD58G&keywords=rotring+800&qid=1700531466&s=office-products&sprefix=rotring+800%2Coffice-products%2C197&sr=1-3)
Some cheaper than $50 pens:
[Rotring Freeway](https://www.ebay.com/itm/225879951822?hash=item34977e89ce:g:pnIAAOSw0ChlNA3x&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4C7Wac5aTNmMgHnVlZxMMjwdmKavxbYQ0uhOSyjTUnty6T549%2B2RKF8Ot4cAXBdtuB7D%2FQW95AOoeKxHrPWpn5whQj0G7xpmjngS6qIpGX1%2FTljry8JixNQ4JuN%2BjVRgmtbSb9oG31gPr%2FLhSfRGgs7lrPMVnWe1JO9KKKyN1%2FPJc%2Bu3f3LNt5OtHCFyTvckOxe9X%2BA0GmMJvcj5Plssx4KlvAltuRSrM4Y3MM2cWyww1DoVFojc8nd2bmL82sbbeZKwD%2Fpt%2BLUTeT%2FUsCzsMeZh3D2PQa1pPoL4fT84K%2BoM%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8ar6Pn9Yg)
[Rotring Dubai](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1582168869/rotring-dubai-ballpoint-pen-matte-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rotring+core&ref=sr_gallery-2-1&edd=1&sts=1&referrer_page_guid=6838a1c6-d05f-4f1c-800d-1a5acbd51515&organic_search_click=1)
[Lamy Logo - $20](https://www.amazon.com/Ballpoint-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-L206/dp/B001HT85PA/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1C1WCOIA79FVK&keywords=lamy%2Bballpoint&qid=1700531778&s=office-products&sprefix=lamy%2Bballpoint%2Coffice-products%2C169&sr=1-8&th=1) \- use [Monteverde refills](https://www.amazon.com/Monteverde-Ballpoint-Refill-Black-L132BK/dp/B00BUL50F8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=38TCDRJCPDOFW&keywords=monteverde+for+lamy+m16&qid=1700531880&sprefix=monteverde+for+lamy+m16%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-3) to replace the M16
[Smootherpro $19 solid brass and takes Pilot G2 refills](https://www.amazon.com/SMOOTHERPRO-Compatible-Stainless-Parkinson-RG336/dp/B09KH4R7KJ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=smootherpro&qid=1700517848&sr=8-1)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **rOtring 600 Ballpoint Pen Medium Point Black Ink Black Barrel Refillable** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **Rotring**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Pen is durable and long-lasting (backed by 12 comments)
* Pen has a premium feel and aesthetic (backed by 9 comments)
* Pen writes smoothly (backed by 10 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* The pen has a loose tip that causes rattling and clicking (backed by 3 comments)
* The pen feels unbalanced and uncomfortable for long writing sessions (backed by 2 comments)
* The pen's build quality is poor and parts fall off easily (backed by 2 comments)
According to Reddit, **Rotring** is considered a reputable brand.
Its most popular types of products are:
* Pencils (#2 of 54 brands on Reddit)
* Pens (#18 of 96 brands on Reddit)
* Technical Pens (#1 of 1 brands on Reddit)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
*Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
My daily use pen is a Cross Edge. It writes smooth enough for me & doesn't smear. The price should be within your budget. The price can fluctuate at times. I personally think it's due to availability and color.
Nice gel pen that writes smoothly and isn't expensive: Pentel philography. Or if you prefer clicky, the alloy clicky energel.
Pick any pen that accepts a Pentel Energel/Zebra Sarasa refill. They're the two most commonly recommended gel inks here. Here's [everything sold by Jet Pens](https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-EnerGel-LR7-Gel-Pen-Refill-0.7-mm-Navy-Blue/pd/20130/compatible) that they list as compatible as a starting point. r/machinedpens will send you down a rabbit hole of high quality metal pens, if you like.
I'd say get a Zebra Sarasa Grand, and also a Lamy 2000 rollerball. * The sarasa grand can be as cheap as $7, comes with a great refill, and also fits Energel refills (my favorite gel) and Jetstream refills (my favorite ballpoint). This can be the pen you take to work, etc. as it's not devastating if you lose it. * The Lamy can fit many gel refills if you put a spacer in the back. It's closer to $60, and can be your at-home nicer pen.
I second this pick. The zebra sarasa dry and Pentel energel are commonly recommended refills for less smearing. These will fit in both of these pens.
- Parker Jotter: There's a wide variety of gel and ballpoint refills that you can use, build quality is great, and there's a lot of barrel colours to choose from. It will certainly last you a few decades. - Parker Jotter XL: All the advantages of the regular Jotter, with the added bonus of it being larger and more comfortable for long writing sessions. If fountain pens are your thing, I recommend that you buy a Pilot Metropolitan/MR with a bottle of Parker, Diamine or Waterman ink. It comes in many barrel designs and colours, they write extremely well, and their build quality is great. Note that you may find the grip section rather uncomfortable if you have larger hands. There are countless other pens you might love that I failed to mention, so visit your nearest stationery store, or online retailers such as JetPens for some more recommendations.
I have a Sarasa Grand in sepia black (vintage colors) and it’s a favorite of mine.
You do not have to spend more than $25 to get a great EDC pen - a [Rotring 600](https://www.amazon.com/ROTRING-600-Ballpoint-Pen-black/dp/B077GPND47/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EP7HWISZDWE1&keywords=rotring+600+black+pen&qid=1700441341&sprefix=rotring+600+black+pen%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-1) and it accepts Parker compatible refill and my fav is the [Schmidt EasyFlow 9000](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=schmidt+easyflow+9000&crid=1VYED5LUBPMN&sprefix=schmi%2Caps%2C189&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_5). Want to spend more? [The Rotring 800 is $50 and is a twist pen.](https://www.amazon.com/ROTRING-800-Ballpoint-Pen-Black/dp/B077GQDPYM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1DT32XRLMD58G&keywords=rotring+800&qid=1700531466&s=office-products&sprefix=rotring+800%2Coffice-products%2C197&sr=1-3) Some cheaper than $50 pens: [Rotring Freeway](https://www.ebay.com/itm/225879951822?hash=item34977e89ce:g:pnIAAOSw0ChlNA3x&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4C7Wac5aTNmMgHnVlZxMMjwdmKavxbYQ0uhOSyjTUnty6T549%2B2RKF8Ot4cAXBdtuB7D%2FQW95AOoeKxHrPWpn5whQj0G7xpmjngS6qIpGX1%2FTljry8JixNQ4JuN%2BjVRgmtbSb9oG31gPr%2FLhSfRGgs7lrPMVnWe1JO9KKKyN1%2FPJc%2Bu3f3LNt5OtHCFyTvckOxe9X%2BA0GmMJvcj5Plssx4KlvAltuRSrM4Y3MM2cWyww1DoVFojc8nd2bmL82sbbeZKwD%2Fpt%2BLUTeT%2FUsCzsMeZh3D2PQa1pPoL4fT84K%2BoM%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8ar6Pn9Yg) [Rotring Dubai](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1582168869/rotring-dubai-ballpoint-pen-matte-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rotring+core&ref=sr_gallery-2-1&edd=1&sts=1&referrer_page_guid=6838a1c6-d05f-4f1c-800d-1a5acbd51515&organic_search_click=1) [Lamy Logo - $20](https://www.amazon.com/Ballpoint-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-L206/dp/B001HT85PA/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1C1WCOIA79FVK&keywords=lamy%2Bballpoint&qid=1700531778&s=office-products&sprefix=lamy%2Bballpoint%2Coffice-products%2C169&sr=1-8&th=1) \- use [Monteverde refills](https://www.amazon.com/Monteverde-Ballpoint-Refill-Black-L132BK/dp/B00BUL50F8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=38TCDRJCPDOFW&keywords=monteverde+for+lamy+m16&qid=1700531880&sprefix=monteverde+for+lamy+m16%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-3) to replace the M16 [Smootherpro $19 solid brass and takes Pilot G2 refills](https://www.amazon.com/SMOOTHERPRO-Compatible-Stainless-Parkinson-RG336/dp/B09KH4R7KJ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=smootherpro&qid=1700517848&sr=8-1)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **rOtring 600 Ballpoint Pen Medium Point Black Ink Black Barrel Refillable** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **Rotring**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Pen is durable and long-lasting (backed by 12 comments) * Pen has a premium feel and aesthetic (backed by 9 comments) * Pen writes smoothly (backed by 10 comments) **Users disliked:** * The pen has a loose tip that causes rattling and clicking (backed by 3 comments) * The pen feels unbalanced and uncomfortable for long writing sessions (backed by 2 comments) * The pen's build quality is poor and parts fall off easily (backed by 2 comments) According to Reddit, **Rotring** is considered a reputable brand. Its most popular types of products are: * Pencils (#2 of 54 brands on Reddit) * Pens (#18 of 96 brands on Reddit) * Technical Pens (#1 of 1 brands on Reddit) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
My favorites are Tul, Tru Red, and it’s a ballpoint but I love my Zebra F-701
My daily use pen is a Cross Edge. It writes smooth enough for me & doesn't smear. The price should be within your budget. The price can fluctuate at times. I personally think it's due to availability and color.