We are now living in the modern age of technology, where the majority of the population rely on touch screen devices such as iPads, tablets, laptops, computers, and smartphones. Now, they have developed stylus pens that changed the way we use our gadgets.
Since there is a wide variety of stylus pens in the market, you would find yourself in a difficult situation if you were to buy one. To help you with that predicament, we will provide things that you have to consider before choosing the stylus pen for you to buy.
What is the Stylus Pen?
A stylus pen can absorb currents It is mainly used on tablets and smartphones that have capacitive touch screens. You may also use it for navigating through the menu settings, draw, or sketch images on resistive touch screens that respond to pressure. It is made with a tip detectable by your device screen, like how they can detect your fingertips.
Choosing the best stylus pen is a good alternative for just using your fingertips. You are given with a smudge-free swiping and clicking experience whenever you use your touch screen devices. Additionally, it would prevent you from scratching your iPads, smartphones, tablets, or even your touch screen laptops. It has a more delicate touch compared to your fingers and gives you more precision.
Stylus pens are not just applicable to large touch screen devices like iPads or tablets. There are various kinds of stylus pens that you can use just for your smartphone. Before we give you what you need to consider before buying a stylus pen, there are two types that you have to know about. The Capacitive and the Active types, and each type has different compatibility and structure.
Active
Creators of an Active stylus pen have varying protocols when talking about interaction with the digitizer of your device. Your digital protocol must suit the digitizer so that it would be able to perceive the actions of your active stylus pen. These are some of the protocols that you can find in active stylus pens:
- Wacom EMR
- Wacom AES 2.0 and 1.0
- Apple Pencil Active Projected Capacitive (APC)
- Universal Stylus Initiative (USI)
- Bluetooth
- Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP)
Capacitive
The tip of Capacitive stylus pens are made of rubber or foam, and its main goal is to copy the human finger’s touch. Though, some Capacitive stylus pens are made of metals such as copper. This type of stylus pen can be used on all types of multi-touch surfaces that can also detect your fingers, such as your smartphone or tablet’s capacitive screens.
The best thing about Capacitive stylus pens is that it is built from a conductive material such as a metal barrel or a metal rod, making it function even without a battery or any power source. It just can transfer electrical charges between the capacitive touch screen and your hand. It also costs cheaper to manufacture this stylus pen because it doesn’t have any digital components.
Things to Consider
Opting to use a stylus pen would give you numerous benefits when using your touchscreen devices. One example would be that it would enable you to have an easier time taking down notes on your tablet or smartphone than just using your fingers. Making use of just your fingers can prove quite hard since you would not be able to attain the precision you require for specific tasks.
Construction
One of the essential things you have to consider is the construction of your chosen stylus pen. The build affects the performance of your stylus and the lifespan. You should consider a well-constructed stylus pen, and made with durable and long-lasting materials. Keep in mind that this piece of equipment is minuscule, making it more prone to breaks, careless accidents, and bends.
Power Supply
As we have mentioned above, some stylus pens require a power source, while the other does not. There are also rechargeable stylus pens, and choosing the one based on it needs a power supply depends on your personal choice. If you pick to side with convenience, you should get the rechargeable stylus pen. However, this would be on the farther side of the spectrum, so if you are a little short on budget, you should choose the stylus pen that does not have an integrated power source.
Features
A stylus pen can prove to be very useful when using our touch screen devices. But the feature affects reliability, so make sure that you buy a stylus pen that suits your needs. Each stylus pen is unique and is designed differently. Some are made for drawing, and the others may be best for taking down notes. But there are also multi-purpose stylus pens that come with various types of tips.
Connectivity
Another vital factor that you have to consider is whether it can connect, and it is compatible with the device you are using. It is worth noting that some stylus pens need other pieces to connect to your devices, while the others require a Bluetooth connection.
Aesthetic
The aesthetics are included on our list. However, it is in the last spot because they are not as important as the other factors that we have listed above. Though, some people are meticulous with how their stylus pen looks. Opt to purchase a stylus pen that is aesthetically appealing that you can show off.
In A Nutshell
Stylus pens are great investments if you spend a lot of time on your touch screen devices, whether you use it for work or school. It gives you a much better input and is extremely easy to use. For people who frequently write or draw, a stylus pen is important to have more precise drawings and accurate outputs than just using your fingers. For whatever reason, owning a stylus pen is a must and can aid in navigating your devices with ease. Take note of the things to consider before buying a Stylus pen!