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The 7 Best Ergonomic Writing Tools That Promote Efficient and Pain-Free Writing

These pens, pencils, and markers ensure a fatigue-free and stable writing experience

Best Ergonomic Writing Tools That Promote Efficient and Pain-Free Writing

Verywell Health / Kristin Kempa

Even though much of today’s written communication occurs electronically through texting, emails, and online documents, you will still encounter times when you need to write something down. Whether it involves taking notes in a class, creating design plans, signing important documents, or simply journaling your thoughts, the need for efficient writing tools will never go out of style. 

But putting pen to paper can be a painful and challenging experience—especially if you have a medical condition that makes writing difficult. Traditional pens and pencils require a firm grasp between your index finger and your thumb, which places stress on your muscles and joints. And, if you are already prone to hand weakness, joint pain, or muscle fatigue this can cause discomfort and pain. 

You can eliminate some of this irritation and cramping—and improve your handwriting experience—with an appropriately designed ergonomic writing tool. The best ergonomic writing tools go above and beyond what a standard pen can provide and can make writing by hand significantly more comfortable. These tools also can assist with a more functional grasp and promote a healthy hand posture that prevents tendon and muscle strain and joint irritation, says Rose Heacock-Smith, MOT, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and lead hand therapist at Athletico Physical Therapy.

To assist you in this quest to find the best ergonomic writing tools, we talked to a variety of experts—including two occupational therapists, an orthopedic surgeon, and a rheumatologist—for suggestions on the best ergonomic writing tools. Then an occupational therapist certified in hand and upper limb rehabilitation from our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical accuracy. Based on our interviews and independent research, we put together a list of the best ergonomic writing tools for a variety of needs, including conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel, Parkinson’s, and essential tremors.

Best Overall

Dr. Grip Limited Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen

Dr. Grip Limited Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen

Amazon

Pros
  • Recommended by the Arthritis Foundation

  • Ergonomic, latex-free grip

  • Comfortable, balanced writing experience

Cons
  • Gel ink may require slightly more pressure

There are so many reasons why this Dr. Grip Limited Refillable and Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen is our top pick, it’s hard to know where to start. Aside from the fact that it is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation, this pen features Pilot’s smear-resistant advanced gel ink available in blue, black, or red. Plus, you can choose from a medium or fine point.

Designed with a wide barrel that boasts an ergonomic, latex-free cushioned grip, this pen reduces writing stress. In fact, Meredith Warner, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Well Theory indicates that she opts for this pen when she gets writer’s cramp and finds it extremely helpful.

As if that’s not enough, this Dr. Grip pen offers the ideal weight distribution, which leads to a comfortable, balanced writing experience. You can count on this retractable rollerball pen to deliver an ultra-smooth writing experience. Not only does the gel ink dry quickly and last longer, but it also is less likely to bleed through the paper. Plus, because this is a rolling ball pen, it takes less pressure to write—which is an important feature if you have hand weakness or painful joints.

That said, gel ink does require slightly more pressure to extract from the pen—even with a rolling ball. So, if you have extremely painful fingers or wrists you may want to opt for the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity pen, which is a more traditional ballpoint pen.

Price at time of publication: $10

Key Specs: 
Weight:
0.28 ounces | Use: Alleviate writing stress | Notable Features: Advanced, smudge-proof gel ink

Best for Parkinson’s

Thixotropic Weighted Pen

Thixotropic Weighted Pen

Amazon

Pros
  • Large barrel for easy gripping

  • Weighted to increase brain communication

  • Wrist strap to help prevent dropping

Cons
  • Not as durable as other pens on this list

When a person has Parkinson’s or another similar condition, it is usually best to opt for some type of weighted writing utensil because weighted input is needed to increase brain communication to the hand, says Heacock-Smith. For this reason, we really appreciate the Thixotropic Heavy Weighted Pen. 

Not only does this unique writing tool offer a big barrel that measures one inch making it easy to grip, but it also weighs in at 3.5 ounces, which is about the weight of a C battery. For people with Parkinson's or those who struggle with pen control due to tremors, shakiness, or declining fine motor skills, this weight will make writing easier for them. Plus, there is a wrist cord that can be used to keep the pen from dropping all the way to the floor, should they lose their hold on the pen.

The only downside is this pen may not be as durable as other pens on our list. But because it comes in a twin pack with a wrist cord to reduce dropping, you may find that it serves its purpose just fine.

Price at time of publication: $18 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
3.5 ounces | Use: Assists people with Parkinson’s, reduces hand tremors | Notable Features: Twin pack of pens and wrist cord

Best for Arthritic Hands

PILOT Dr. Grip Center of Gravity Ballpoint Pen

PILOT Dr. Grip Center of Gravity Refillable & Retractable Ballpoint Pen

Amazon

Pro
  • Recommended by the Arthritis Foundation

  • Reinforced metal point

  • Comfortable writing experience

Cons
  • Ink can bleed through

We love Dr. Grip pens so much that we included two different versions on our list of recommendations. Nothing beats their ergonomic design, easy grip, and perfect weight distribution. and the Dr. Grip Center of Gravity Pen by Pilot is no exception.

This lightweight, ergonomic writing tool has a reinforced metal point to prevent tip damage and a large ink supply to provide longer life. Plus, the medium point ballpoint design allows you to make thicker lines without requiring a lot of extra pressure—a real plus for people with achy joints. 

Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, this retractable ballpoint pen also boasts a contoured rubber grip to give you maximum control. Plus, the refillable ink allows your pen to be reused instead of being replaced, which is not only more economical but also environmentally-conscious.

That said, this pen is a ballpoint pen instead of a gel pen, so the ink is not quite as durable and can bleed through some papers. But, if you have particularly painful joints, this may be a better option than the Dr. Grip Limited Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen, as gel ink requires slightly more pressure to use.

Price at time of publication: $10 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
0.8 ounces | Use: Reduce writing stress | Notable Features: Retractable, refillable ink

Best for Hand Tremors

The Pencil Grip Heavyweight Ballpoint Pen with Grip, Ergonomic and Best Pens for Smooth Writing, 2.4 Oz- TPG-651

The Pencil Grip Heavyweight Ballpoint Pen with Grip, Ergonomic and Best Pens for Smooth Writing, 2.4 Oz- TPG-651

Amazon

Pros
  • Grip encourages proper pen holding

  • Multiple positions to choose from

  • Weight of pen encourages steady writing

Cons
  • Not as durable as other pens on this list

Designed by doctors, the Pencil Grip Heavyweight Ballpoint Pen has a built-in sculpted grip that encourages proper pen holding. Not only is the barrel slightly oversized, but the grip is molded to offer multiple ergonomic positions so you can choose the one that is most comfortable for you. 

Plus, the weight of this pen is just enough to quell hand tremors by allowing the pen to do all the work for you. In fact, the design encourages support from your larger muscles while reducing the load on your smaller hand muscles. This is exactly what you need if you struggle with hand tremors while attempting to write.

As an added bonus, this pen also can be used to improve strength and develop fine motor skills in kids. And, it is easily adaptable to both lefties and righties. That said, the pen’s longevity is not quite as lengthy as we might have hoped, especially if it is tossed in a bag or drawer until it is needed. Instead, try keeping this pen safe from banging around against other items to protect the integrity of its design and to lengthen its life.

Pro Tip for Hand Tremors: Some people with essential tremors may find tapping their foot or knee while writing also can help reduce tremors, says Dr. Warner. This is a brain trick that helps to calm a tremor for some, she says. 

Price at time of publication: $16 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
2.4 ounces | Use: Reduce tremors, increase muscle strength | Notable Features: Schmidt Parker ink cartridge included

Best for Carpal Tunnel

Penagain Ergosof

Penagain Ergosof Ballpoint Pen Set of 4 Colors

Amazon

Pros
  • Unique Y formation to relieve pressure

  • Encourages a healthy wrist position

  • Uses the natural weight of your hand to guide the pen

Cons
  • May be challenging to use at first

Experiencing pain or tension related to carpal tunnel happens because the flexor tendons of the hand are all on tension (or being stretched or strained) during handwriting tasks, says Heacock-Smith. Your thumb, index, and middle fingers tend to tightly grasp the writing utensil while your ring finger and small finger are in a flexed position. This positioning is what causes the pain or tingling sensation you might feel. 

If this sounds like your situation, you may need an ergonomic writing tool that will allow your fingers to relax and will put less pressure on the nerves in your hand and wrist—for that reason we recommend the PenAgain Ergosof Ballpoint Pen. This ergonomically-designed writing tool takes advantage of the natural weight of your hand to generate the pressure needed to write.

Plus, the PenAgain’s Y formation and large gripping surface improve your hand posture and encourage a healthy wrist position. While using this pen may look and feel strange at first, writing in this position could potentially reduce your grip-related hand stress. That said, this pen’s unique design may make it a challenge to use at first, but once you get used to it, you may find that the PenAgain quickly becomes your go-to writing tool.

Price at time of publication: $18 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
0.32 ounces | Use: Carpal tunnel and repetitive stress injuries | Notable Features: Four pen set, two black refills

Best Pen or Pencil Gripper

The Pencil Grip Universal Ergonomic Writing Aid

The Pencil Grip Universal Ergonomic Writing Aid

Amazon

Pros
  • Allow you to continue using the writing tools you love

  • Encourage an ergonomically-correct grip

  • Inexpensive, latex-free option

Cons
  • Collect dirt easily

  • May not be professional enough in some settings

If you already have a writing tool you love but are experiencing pain and discomfort every time you use it, you may want to check out the Pencil Grip Universal Ergonomic Writing Aid. Even though these grips are advertised to help kids who are struggling to hold pencils correctly, they also can be particularly useful for people who have pain and discomfort from carpal tunnel issues or other similar conditions but do not want to give up their favorite writing implements.  

In fact, if you swap between pens and pencils often or have a pen or paintbrush you really like, these grips may be exactly what you need, says Karen Jacobs, OT, MS, EdD, an occupational therapist and clinical professor at Boston University. Not only are these grippers inexpensive but they also allow you to keep using the tools you love—even if you’re finding that it is harder to hold them.

Overall, these grips will give you more control while reducing your hand fatigue. And, the unique design gently encourages your fingers and hand to rest in the tripod grip, which is the preferred gripping position by most therapists. That said, these grippers do tend to collect dirt easily and their bright colors may not be appropriate for all business settings, but we feel these issues are minor if they extend the life of your favorite writing tools.

Price at time of publication: $22 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
0.25 ounces | Use: Fits pencils, markers, paintbrushes, and more | Notable Features: Latex free rubber, dual sided, 12 grips included

Pros
  • Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects

  • Versatile pen that allows writing at any angle

  • Ink will not dry up or leak

Cons
  • Compact size may not be appealing for some

If you are looking for a weighted pen that can be used in just about any position—and has a bit of history attached to it—look no further than the Fisher Space Pen. When NASA put the first man on the moon, the astronauts used the Fisher Space Pen during their flight because it could be used at zero gravity. And while you may not need a pen that can write at zero gravity, upside down, or even underwater, you will appreciate that this pen can be used at any angle and on any surface—an important consideration if you frequently adjust the angle of your wrist or hand to find comfort when writing.

The barrel of this pen is thicker than a traditional pen while the pen itself is a little heavier than most, weighing in at 1.28 ounces. While this is not as heavy as some of the other weighted pens on this list, it is enough to allow the pen to do more of the work. And as an added bonus, the ink in the Space Pen will not dry up or leak as it is contained in a specialized ink cartridge that relies on pressurized gas (the feature that allows it to write in any position).

True, this pen is definitely a splurge, but you can purchase it with confidence due to the manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee. That said, some people do not like the compact size of the pen and wish it was a little longer. But considering how versatile and durable this pen is, we think that is a minor issue.

Price at time of publication: $30 

Key Specs: 
Weight:
1.28 ounces | Use: Use at any angle, any temperature, any surface | Notable Features: Ink won’t leak or dry up

How We Selected the Best Ergonomic Writing Tools

When developing our list of recommended ergonomic writing tools, we consulted with two occupational therapists, a rheumatologist, and an orthopaedic surgeon to determine what to look for when selecting a product. We also asked about different types of pens, as well as which pens are best for specific conditions like arthritis, essential tremors, and Parkinson’s.

Then we spent hours researching the different types of pens on the market, evaluating everything from their weight and sizing to their ease of use and grip design. The end result was a comprehensive list of ergonomic pens designed to assist with writing depending on your specific condition. 

Experts we interviewed to select the best ergonomic writing tools include:

  • Rose Heacock-Smith, MOT, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and lead hand therapist at Athletico Physical Therapy
  • Meredith Warner, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Well Theory
  • Nilanjana Bose, MD, a rheumatologist with Memorial Hermann
  • Karen Jacobs, OT, MS, EdD, an occupational therapist and clinical professor at Boston University 

What to Look for in an Ergonomic Writing Tool

Ease of Use 

Deciding which type of ergonomic writing tool is the best for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences. If you have arthritis or carpal tunnel, you may find that pens designed to alleviate stress and redistribute weight are most useful. Meanwhile, if you experience hand tremors, have trouble controlling a pen, or writing comfortably, you may find that writing tools with some weight to them are better for you.

It also can be helpful to choose a writing tool that has a modified grip that makes it easier to use, especially if you don’t have full functionality of your hand and joints, says Nilanjana Bose, MD, a rheumatologist with Memorial Hermann. This will allow you to perform the functions you want to.

Grip Design 

When looking for the perfect writing tool for you, Dr. Jacobs recommends getting a pen with wide grips to reduce hand pain or inflammation. This is particularly important when you’re writing for longer blocks of time. 

You also should look for a pen grip that was intentionally crafted to reduce pressure and stress on your fingers, hand, and wrist. For instance, the writing neck should have a soft, rubber grip to reduce the power needed to hold the pen, Dr. Warner says. The Dr. Grip Center of Gravity Pen or the Dr. Grip Limited Refillable and Retractable Roller Ball Pen both have grips that not only fit comfortably in your hand but also have soft latex-free barrels. 

Writing Angle 

One issue with traditional pens is that they often force your hand and fingers into a specific position when you are writing. But if you have a condition like arthritis or carpal tunnel this can cause pain and discomfort. For this reason, you want to find a writing tool that allows you to write at any angle, Dr. Warner says. 

Pens like the Fisher Space Pen are known for being able to write no matter what position they are placed in. They can even write upside down and at zero gravity! That said, look for a writing tool that gives you a lot of flexibility when you hold it. You want to be able to use the pen or pencil in a way that is most comfortable for you. 

Weight (or Pressure Needed)

Being forced to use a lot of pressure to make a pen function can cause pain and discomfort when writing. But an ergonomically-designed writing tool really doesn’t require a lot of pressure on the paper to get the ink to run smoothly. Look for pens that use the weight of your hand while writing rather than those that require a tight-fisted grip.

If you are looking for a pen that makes writing easier for someone who has tremors, like with Parkinson’s disease, you may want a heavier-weighted pen, says Dr. Jacobs. The weight in pens like the Thixotropic make them easier to control than a writing tool that is lighter weight. While lighter pens might appear more comfortable on the surface, they often require you to use more force or pressure to manipulate them and to get ink to flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I stop my hand from hurting when I write?

    When it comes to pain and discomfort while writing, Heacock-Smith says the most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. If you are experiencing pain or tingling, take a break from the writing activity. You can also add in some hand and wrist extension stretches she says to allow your muscles, tendons, and joints to relax from the flexed position such as a forearm extension stretch and the prayer stretch.

    Also, breaking up your activities into smaller chunks can prevent inflammatory conditions from causing pain flares. But if you cannot take a break from the writing activity, try using a writing utensil that keeps your hand from making a tight fist or keeps your fingers in a position that reduces stress such as the Penagain Ergosof Ballpoint Pen or the Pencil Grip Heavyweight Ballpoint Pen.    

    It also can be helpful to choose a pen instead of a pencil, Heacock-Smith says because this allows you to glide easier on paper. You can even try placing paper on a piece of foam under your paper and writing, as this will retrain your mind to not require as much pressure when writing, she says. The hole punctures in the paper from pressing too hard will gradually diminish as your brain adjusts the pressure needed.

  • Will using a pencil gripper help alleviate pain?

    Because a pencil requires more pressure on paper than does an ink pen it can be harder to write with, says Dr. Warner, so a pencil gripper can be a wonderful tool for eliminating pain and discomfort. In fact, the best pencil grippers—like The Pencil Grip we recommend above—do not increase the diameter of your writing tool too much and make writing easier and less taxing on your hand and fingers. Plus, they can be moved between writing tools making it easier for you to keep using the pens, markers, and paintbrushes you love.

  • When should you start using an ergonomic writing tool?

    If you are having trouble gripping more traditional pens or you are not able to write legibly or control the pen’s movement, you may want to consider an ergonomic writing tool. Even not being able to write for a prolonged period of time without experiencing pain or fatigue could be a sign that you could benefit from a different writing implement, Dr. Bose says. And while stretching and hand strengthening exercises should be utilized as well, an appropriate writing tool can help make putting pen to paper a little easier.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for nearly 20 years and has written countless articles with a health focus. Consequently, she is well versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions—like carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis—that impact our everyday lives. Plus, as someone who spends multiple hours per day writing, Sherri knows how important it is to find writing tools that not only fit comfortably in your hand but also do not exacerbate any pain, discomfort, or essential tremors you are coping with.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. National Institutes of Health. Carpal tunnel syndrome.

  3. Schwellnus H, Carnahan H, Kushki A, Polatajko H, Missiuna C, Chau T. Writing forces associated with four pencil grasp patterns in grade 4 children. Am J Occup Ther. 2013;67(2):218-227. doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.005538

  4. University of Vermont Health Network. Stretching exercises for the wrists.