Get the Pentel Energel

The Pentel Energel is the best school gel pen if you need smudge-proof ink and comfort for long writing sessions.

The ink dries almost instantly, which matters more than you think. Regular gel pens like the Pilot G2 smear when your hand drags across the page — and it’s brutal for lefties. The Energel’s liquid gel ink bonds with the paper fast, so you can write fast without smearing your work or your hand.

Comfort-wise, the rubber grip is soft without being a squishy stress ball. The pen is light enough that your hand doesn’t cramp during a two-hour exam or a long set of notes. It also doesn’t bleed through cheap notebook paper, which is a big deal if you’re writing on both sides.

If you can’t find one, the Uni