Best Cheap Fountain Pens Under $100: 8 Picks for First-Time Buyers

Our pick for the best cheap fountain pen is the Pilot Metropolitan, at around $25–$34 (prices vary widely by seller, so compare before you buy). It wins because it is one of the most recommended beginner pens, and Pilot nibs have a reputation for writing smoothly [Source: Pen Chalet]. We set a hard $100 ceiling, and all 8 picks fall between under $10 and about $40, which leaves room in the budget for ink and paper.

Here's the short version, with one pick for each type of buyer (we may earn a commission from links on this page; see disclosure below).

How we chose

• Five factors. We ranked each pen on out-of-box nib reliability, filling system and what's in the box, nib size options, grip and weight, and ink access plus total cost.
• Sources. We compared manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback from specialist pen retailers, Amazon, Walmart and pen forums. We did not test these pens hands-on, so our rankings are based on sourced research (specs, retailer listings, owner reviews) rather than independent review.
• Price tiers. Our ceiling is $100, but most of the shortlist is under $50. The $50–$100 tier gets almost no editorial coverage, and we would rather leave a tier thin than recommend pens we can't back up.
• What we cut.
• The Sailor Tuzu and a few other well-known pens, because we couldn't confirm a current price.
• The Amazon Basics refillable pen, because the Pilot Kakuno has a stronger reputation for a few dollars more.
• Safety check. A CPSC search found no fountain-pen recalls, though that search wasn't exhaustive [Source: CPSC].

Best Overall: Pilot Metropolitan

The Metropolitan gives you the lowest-risk nib for the money. Pen Chalet calls it one of the most recommended beginner pens, and Pilot nibs are generally described as smoother than Platinum's [Source: Pen Chalet]. Goldspot credits it with converting "countless ballpoint users" [Source: Goldspot].

The brass body is the second reason it wins. Reviewers describe its styling as more work-appropriate than Pilot's plastic pens, so it looks right in an office or a lecture hall [Source: owner review].

Specs: brass body, steel nib, fine or medium (plus an italic option), cartridge or squeeze converter.

It sells for around $26–$30. Specialist retailers list it as high as $34 [Source: Goulet Pens], so compare prices before you buy.

The trade-off:

• An owner review describes the squeeze converter as mediocre, so expect to rely mostly on cartridges.
• Pilot uses its own cartridge system rather than a universal standard [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution].

Who should skip it: anyone who wants a piston filler or a large ink window. The TWSBI ECO below covers that.

Best for Beginners: LAMY Safari

The Safari is the pen we'd hand someone who has never held a fountain pen. Its triangular grip guides your fingers into position [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution], and the ASA plastic body is built for hard use [Source: Opus Art Supplies].

It sells for around $27–$35, including at specialist retailers [Source: The Pen Company, Opus Art Supplies].

Specs: triangular molded grip, steel nib, ASA plastic body, Lamy T10 cartridges.

The trade-off is cost and fit.

• The Z28 converter is sold separately [Source: The Pen Company]. If you want bottled ink, budget for it.
• The molded grip suits some hands poorly.

Lamy releases limited-edition colors that sell out and cost more [Source: Opus Art Supplies]. We link the standard model so you aren't chasing a sold-out color.

Who should skip it: anyone who already knows they dislike shaped grips. The Pilot Kakuno has a hexagonal grip that sources call more forgiving.

Best Refillable: TWSBI ECO

The ECO is one of the pricier picks on our list at around $32–$38, which is still well under our ceiling. It's also the only piston filler here.

You draw bottled ink straight into the barrel, so you get a large ink capacity and a clear body that shows how much is left. It uses a #5 Jowo steel nib [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution]. You can choose EF, F, M, B or a 1.1 mm stub, and it ships without ink [Source: TWSBI].

Specs: piston filler, demonstrator (clear) body, #5 Jowo steel nib, five nib options.

The trade-off is commitment. The ECO takes no cartridges, so you need a bottle of ink on day one and a basic cleaning routine. A 2017 owner review raised a concern that the clear plastic could crack near the grip section. TWSBI reportedly stands behind the pen [Source: Fountain Pen Network].

The price has also crept up, and cheaper TWSBI models such as the Swipe and Go now compete for the entry-level slot.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants the simplest possible setup or doesn't want to handle bottled ink yet.

Best Pocket Pen: Kaweco Classic Sport

The Classic Sport is pocket-size. With the cap posted on the back, it becomes a full-size pen. That makes it our pick for travel notes, bag carry and small-to-medium hands.

It sells for around $25–$34. It uses a screw cap, unlike the snap caps on most pens at this price, and posts securely for carry.

Specs: pocket size, screw cap, cartridge-fed, gold-plated steel nib.

Goldspot lists nib sizes from extra fine to a 2.3 mm stub [Source: Goldspot].

The trade-off is consistency.

• Pen Chalet calls the nib smooth out of the box [Source: Pen Chalet], but long-term owner reviews are more mixed.
• Older owner reports describe nib dryness and rough starts after the pen was left uncapped, plus one misaligned nib on arrival [Source: owner reviews, 2012–2016].
• The converter is sold separately, and owners call the small squeeze model weak.

Buy from a retailer that checks nibs and accepts returns.

Who should skip it: people with large hands, and anyone who wants a big ink reservoir for long writing sessions.

Best Under $15: Platinum Preppy

The Preppy is the cheapest credible way to find out whether you like fountain pens. It costs under $10 at specialist retailers [Source: Goulet Pens, Fountain Pen Revolution], weighs about 13 g and was introduced in 2007 [Source: Well-Appointed Desk].

Specs: about 13 g, plastic body, steel nib in EF, F or M, Platinum proprietary cartridges.

Its best feature is the cap seal. Retailer MT2 On Paper says it keeps ink fresh for months, which helps if you won't write every day [Source: MT2 On Paper]. Platinum nibs give more feedback than Pilot's [Source: Pen Chalet]. Pen Chalet frames that as precision rather than scratchiness [Source: Pen Chalet].

The trade-off is quality control and feel.

• Owners have reported a defective cap and a nib that wrote dry [Source: pen forum thread, owner blog comments].
• The light plastic body won't fool anyone into thinking it cost more.

At this price, a bad unit costs you very little.

Watch the cartridges: the Preppy takes Platinum cartridges only, which do not fit Pilot pens [Source: MT2 On Paper].

Who should skip it: anyone who wants a metal or heavier pen. The Metropolitan is the better step up.

Best for Kids and Forgiving Grip: Pilot Kakuno

The Kakuno gives you Pilot's nib for less than the Metropolitan, at around $15–$20 [Source: Goulet Pens, MT2 On Paper]. Reviewers report that it uses the same steel nib as the Metropolitan and works well out of the box [Source: Pen Addict]. A forum poster calls it the best beginner pen [Source: pen forum thread].

The hexagonal grip is more forgiving than the Safari's sculpted triangle. That makes it our pick for kids and for adults who want a less restrictive grip.

Specs: plastic body, hexagonal grip, snap cap, steel nib, Pilot cartridges.

MT2 On Paper sums up the choice well: the Preppy is the better deal, and the Kakuno is the better teacher [Source: MT2 On Paper].

The trade-off:

• No converter comes in the box, and it takes Pilot cartridges only.
• Some users find the balance heavier and a bit off [Source: ZenPop].

Who should skip it: anyone who wants a metal body or a pen that looks professional on a desk.

Best Budget Metal Pen: Asvine/Hongdian Forest Matte Black

The Forest Matte Black gives you a metal body, a converter and a metal pen case for around $18–$19. It carries a Bestseller badge [Source: Amazon].

That makes it the pick for buyers who want a metal pen and won't spend Metropolitan money.

Specs: metal body, converter included, metal case, EF nib (a fine variant is also listed).

Read the listing carefully.

• The listing is shared across several color and nib variants, so confirm you're getting this exact pen.
• Our research turned up no independent expert review, so sales volume is the main evidence.

Naming is confusing. Asvine, Hongdian, "Forest", "1861" and "1851" overlap across listings. The listing we link has an extra-fine nib, so confirm the nib size before you check out. Lookalike listings on eBay vary by seller, which is why we link the main Amazon listing.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants a proven track record or clear warranty support. For about $6–$16 more, the Metropolitan has a much stronger expert reputation.

Best Gift Set: Wordsworth & Black

If you're buying for someone else and the box matters, this set covers everything. It includes a converter, 24 cartridges and a gift pouch [Source: Walmart], so the recipient can start writing right away. It sells for around $31–$41.

Specs: medium nib, converter plus 24 cartridges, gift pouch.

Discount the reviews somewhat. Many of the set's Walmart reviews carry an "Incentivized Review" tag [Source: Walmart].

Nib sizing can surprise you. One forum owner said the pen wrote smoothly out of the box, but the "broad" nib turned out to be a 1.0 mm stub or italic [Source: Fountain Pen Network].

Comfort over long sessions: a beginner reviewer found the grip and weight balance tiring.

Our honest gift advice: the box looks impressive, but if the recipient will write for long stretches, a Pilot Kakuno or Metropolitan is the safer bet.

Who should skip it: anyone buying for themselves to write for long stretches.

Who should skip these

• Heavy-handed writers. Fountain pens reward a lighter touch than a ballpoint, so expect an adjustment period before any of these feels natural.
• Anyone who wants zero maintenance.
• Every refillable pen here needs cartridges or ink, plus occasional cleaning.
• Pilot Varsity disposables come pre-filled, at around $16–$19 for a 7-pack [Source: JetPens]. They're not refillable, though, so we count them as a trial run rather than a real fountain pen.
• Avoid marketplace Varsity multipacks listed at $50–$96 [Source: Walmart].
• Fine-line-only users. Medium is the usual beginner default [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution], and a medium nib can feel thick for small handwriting. Look at the Preppy in EF or the Metropolitan in fine, or stick with a fine gel pen.
• People who want a gold nib, a metal piston filler or premium trim. That's what this price tier gives up.
• The Amazon Basics pen. It costs under $15, but for a few dollars more, the Kakuno has a stronger reputation.

Buyer's guide

Out-of-box nib reliability

A scratchy or hard-starting nib can make a beginner feel the hobby doesn't work.

• Brand matters. Pilot nibs are generally described as smoother, and Platinum nibs give more feedback [Source: Pen Chalet].
• Durability matters more than price. Goldspot argues that a pen that breaks within months is worse value than a longer-lasting $40–$50 pen [Source: Goldspot].
• Use Amazon ratings carefully. As a filter, look for at least 4.3 stars from at least 5,000 reviews, then check whether the rating pool is shared across variants.
• Buy for returns. Buy from a retailer with an easy return policy, and test the pen on decent paper. Cheap copy paper makes any nib feel worse.

Filling system and what's in the box

• Cartridge or converter pens are the beginner default. Cartridges are simpler, and a converter lets you use bottled ink [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution].
• Check what's in the box.
• The Asvine/Hongdian and Wordsworth & Black include a converter, and the Metropolitan ships with a (mediocre) squeeze converter.
• The Safari, Kaweco and Kakuno do not.
• The ECO is piston-only and takes no cartridges [Source: TWSBI].
• Our threshold: a converter in the box, or a cheap compatible one you can add later.

Nib size

Fine versus medium matters more than most first-time buyers expect.

• Which to choose. Medium is forgiving, and fine suits small handwriting [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution].
• Sizes vary by brand. A fine from one maker won't necessarily match a fine from another.
• Our threshold: at least three factory sizes, so you can choose correctly the first time. The TWSBI ECO offers five.
• Stub nibs have turned up labeled "broad" on at least one gift set, so read the nib details before you buy.

Grip, weight and size

• Weight. Most pens in this tier are light: 17 of Goulet's 19 sub-$25 pens weigh 10–19 g [Source: Goulet Pens], and the Preppy is about 13 g. Anything from 10–30 g suits most hands.
• Grip shape. Sculpted grips like the Safari's help beginners find their hand position, and a hexagonal grip like the Kakuno's is more forgiving.
• Caps. Snap caps are standard. The Kaweco uses a screw cap and posts securely, which suits pocket carry.

Ink access and total cost

Watch the cartridge system. Pilot, Platinum and Lamy use proprietary cartridges [Source: Fountain Pen Revolution]. Pilot and Platinum cartridges are not interchangeable [Source: MT2 On Paper]. Add the cost of a converter or a bottle of ink to the sticker price.

The price ceiling: $100, though most of our picks sit under $50.

What this budget buys: steel-nib, mostly resin pens at around $7–$50. Every pen in Goulet's sub-$25 set has a steel nib, and the priciest tops out at $34 [Source: Goulet Pens]. Goldspot says sub-$100 steel nibs can rival pricier gold ones [Source: Goldspot].

What you give up: metal bodies (outside the Metropolitan and Asvine), piston fillers (outside the ECO), custom nibs and premium trim.

When prices drop: we found no reliable sale pattern, so we won't promise seasonal savings. The bigger risk is overpaying. Marketplace resellers list the same pens at several times the typical price, so buy from Amazon, the brand or an authorized retailer.

FAQ

Bottom line

The Pilot Metropolitan is the best cheap fountain pen for most buyers under $100. It costs around $25–$34 and pairs a smooth, well-regarded nib with a brass body. The trade-off is a mediocre converter.

If you'd rather risk less money, the Platinum Preppy at under $10 is the cheapest credible first pen. You give up some consistency and any sense of heft.

Shopping for gifts on a budget? See our other value picks: the best watches under $100 and the best affordable jewelry brands.