Which Apple Pencil Should I Buy?

Love it or hate it, the iPad is still hands-down the best tablet for most people. The combination of gorgeous, powerful hardware and easy-to-use, reliable software just doesn’t compare to any other options, not to mention the entire ecosystem of accessories available for the iPad. 

The Apple Pencil is one of the best and most fun accessories you can get for the iPad. All models now support one, but not all Pencils are supported on all models. If you don’t know which one you should get for your iPad, here’s how to find the right one for you. 

Also read: Best Apple Pencil Deals: Add a Stylus to Your iPad With These Discounted Options

How many Apple Pencils are there?

There are currently four models of the Apple Pencil made and supported by Apple. 

• Apple Pencil Pro
• Apple Pencil (USB-C)
• Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
• Apple Pencil (1st Generation)

The first- and second-generation Apple Pencils are designed for older iPads and don’t work with the latest models. However, quite a few people (such as my mother-in-law) have hung onto their iPads for many years, and in true Apple fashion, it can be quite confusing to know which Apple Pencil will actually work with your iPad. 

The Apple Pencil USB-C, for example, is supported by the largest number of iPad models, while the Pencil Pro only works with the newest iPad Mini, Air and Pro models (it also has the most features). We’ve included a list further down with more specific details as to which Pencils work with which iPads. 

Which Apple Pencil do I need?

To properly answer this question, you need to consider two things: which iPad you have and what you will use it for. Let’s start with the latter question, as it’s arguably the easiest one to answer. 

To hear Apple tell it, the Apple Pencil Pro adds “magical” capabilities to turn you into the ultimate digital artist. Sadly, purchasing it will not suddenly turn you into an award-winning artist, no matter how “magical” it may seem. That said, it is an extremely powerful and versatile tool for those among us who are professional and experienced artists. 

If you don’t fall into that category (like me), then you likely don’t need to spend the money on the Apple Pencil Pro (and potentially upgrade your iPad, too). For things like taking notes in class or meetings, editing photos and videos or simply as a stylus for tapping, the Apple Pencil USB-C will work perfectly well. 

Next, you need to know what iPad you have, as that might determine which Apple Pencil you need. The easiest way to identify your iPad is to look at its back. Typically, the model number is etched onto the back at the bottom. 

If you don’t want to take the iPad out of its case, or if you can’t find the model number on the back, you can also go to Settings > General > About, and you’ll see the model number in the top section. If the model number has a “/” in it, tap on it and you’ll see the actual model number (it starts with an A, for example, A2757).

Once you have the model number, you can either do a web search to find the exact model or check Apple’s iPad support page to identify it. 

The last step is then to confirm which Apple Pencil is supported by your iPad. For reference, here’s the compatibility listing from Apple’s Pencil support page: 

Apple Pencil Pro

• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

Apple Pencil (USB-C)

• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th generation)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• iPad Air (4th or 5th generation)
• iPad (10th generation)
• iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad Mini (6th generation)

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

• iPad Mini (6th generation)
• iPad Air (4th or 5th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation)

Apple Pencil (1st Generation)

• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generation)
• iPad (10th generation, see note below)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch

In one of the most confusing Apple product decisions ever, if you have a 10th-gen iPad, you’ll need the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter to make the Apple Pencil (1st Generation) work with your iPad. 

What’s the difference between all the Apple Pencils?

Continuing in the spirit of the Apple Pencil being one of the company’s most confusing products, they each have different features that work with different iPad models. Let’s start with the first-gen Apple Pencil, as it’s the simplest. 

The first-gen Apple Pencil supports the most basic features, such as low latency (which is how quickly the line appears on the screen after the pencil moves across it), tilt sensitivity (for shading effects as you tilt it) and pressure sensitivity. It is also the pencil that requires sticking it into the lightning port on the iPad to connect and charge it. 

The USB-C Apple Pencil is meant to essentially replace the first-generation Pencil. The only difference is that it charges via USB-C and attaches magnetically to the iPad. However, it doesn’t pair or charge magnetically way, requiring you to plug it in with a cable (at least that’s better than sticking it out of the bottom of the iPad). 

The Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) offers a few additional features, such as magnetically attaching to the side for pairing and charging, hovering (on supported iPad Pro models) and double tapping to change tools. 

As you might expect, the Apple Pencil Pro offers the most features. In addition to all the others already mentioned, it supports rotating the barrel to change the orientation of certain drawing tools, squeezing to change tools or settings, haptic feedback and Find My support.

Clear as mud? Great.

Should I get an Apple Pencil?

Again, this depends largely on your needs and use cases, but even just for fun, the Apple Pencil is the best drawing and creative tool you can get for the iPad. And when you consider the cost of the iPad itself, the price of the Pencil isn’t all that much to add to the experience. No doubt there will be a few deals coming up for the holidays, too.