Pentel EnerGel: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pentel EnerGel is the workhorse gel pen. Its intensely pigmented ink is smooth, crisp, and fast drying, which makes it especially useful for left-handed writers. Keep reading to learn more about the Pentel EnerGel.

Video: Pentel EnerGel Lineup

Table of Contents

Pentel EnerGel Characteristics

Ink Formulation

Pentel EnerGel ink took less than five seconds to dry on the Rhodia DotPad. It faded when soaked in water.

Pentel EnerGel ink is formulated with more lubricant than typical gel inks so that it flows freely without skipping. Not only does it have great flow, the ink has enough viscosity to produce clean and sharp lines that don’t feather.

EnerGel ink also dries very quickly, so it won’t smudge as easily as other gel inks. The JetPens team always recommends EnerGel Gel Pens to left-handed writers who tend to smear their writing.

EnerGel ink isn’t very water resistant, so be careful not to spill water on your notes.

The dry time and water test in the image above were created on the 80 gsm Rhodia DotPad. Inks tend to take longer to dry on Rhodia than on more absorbent papers like printer paper. For the water test, we allowed the writing sample to dry for fifteen minutes before soaking it in water.

Form Factor

The EnerGel comes in capped and retractable versions. Most models have rubber grips with embossed, wave-like patterns that make them easy to grasp and comfortable to hold.

Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens
Pen	Name	Length	Diameter	Weight
	Euro & NV	13.7 cm	9.9 mm	0.36 oz
	Deluxe	14.0 cm	10.4 mm	0.47 oz
	X	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.40 oz
	RTX	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.45 oz
	Pearl	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.45 oz
	Clena	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.45 oz
	Infree	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.44 oz
	Alloy	14.2 cm	10.8 mm	0.76 oz
	Philography	14.4 cm	10.0 mm	0.90 oz
	Permanent	14.8 cm	10.9 mm	0.45 oz
Pentel EnerGel Multi Pens
Pen	Name	Length	Diameter	Weight
	2 Color + Pencil	14.9 cm	12.4 mm	0.44 oz
	3 Color	14.9 cm	12.4 mm	0.44 oz

Note: “Length” refers to capped or retracted length, and “diameter” refers to grip diameter.

Tip Sizes

The Pentel EnerGel comes in tip sizes from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm.

The EnerGel offers a variety of tip sizes in conical and needle-point tips. Conical tips are sturdier. Needle-point tips are typically more delicate, but they’re also more precise. EnerGel needle-point tips are very sturdy and able to survive heavy-handed writing, but it’s a good idea to write relatively gently with them so you don’t risk bending the tips.

Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens
Pen	0.3 mm	0.35 mm	0.4 mm	0.5 mm	0.7 mm	1.0 mm

Pentel EnerGel Multi Pens
Pen	0.5 mm	0.5 mm Pencil

Colors

The conical tip Pentel EnerGel RTX is available in the most colors.

The Pentel EnerGel is available in a range of colors that are pigmented and vibrant. Those who love color-coding should use the EnerGel RTX, as it comes in the most colors.

Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens
Color Names
Black
Pink
Burgundy
Red
Coral Pink
Orange
Yellow
Lime Green
Green
Forest Green
Olive Black
Turquoise/Turquoise Blue*
Sky Blue
Blue Black/Navy*
Indigo Black
Blue
Lilac
Violet
Magenta
Bordeaux Black
Brown
Sepia
Rough Gray
Gray

Pentel EnerGel Multi Pens
Color Names
Black, Red, Blue
Black, Red, Graphite

Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens

Pentel EnerGel Euro & NV Gel Pens

Pentel EnerGel Euro & NV Gel Pens have secure caps.

The Pentel EnerGel Euro (also known as the NV outside of Japan) comes in both conical and needle-point tips. We want to shine a spotlight on the 0.35 mm tip size. This precise, extra fine tip makes it easy to fit notes on index cards, book margins, and other cramped spaces. The Euro is also available in 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 1.0 mm tip sizes for those with larger handwriting.

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Pentel EnerGel Deluxe Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel Deluxe Gel Pen is available in two broad, juicy tips sizes.

Anyone with big, bold writing will appreciate the Pentel EnerGel Deluxe. This capped pen is available in 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm tip sizes. Though these broader tips put down juicy lines of ink, they don’t take too long to dry.

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Pentel EnerGel-X Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel-X Gel Pen has a retractable conical or needle-point tip.

The Pentel EnerGel-X is a retractable gel pen that comes in a modest selection of vibrant colors. It’s also available in conical and needle-point tips. For even more color choices, check out the RTX line below.

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Pentel EnerGel RTX Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel RTX Gel Pen comes in the widest range of colors.

If you love color-coding, you’ll love the Pentel EnerGel RTX. This line is available in more than twenty colors, from off-black shades that are appropriate for work and fun hues for colorful doodles. Like the EnerGel-X, the RTX offers both conical and needle-point tips.

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Pentel EnerGel Pearl Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel Pearl Gel Pen has a white grip and colored accents that match the ink inside.

The Pentel EnerGel Pearl is very similar to the RTX, except that it has white grips with colored accents that match the colors of the inks inside. It comes in a similar variety of colors as the EnerGel-X.

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Pentel EnerGel Clena Gel Pens

The charming Pentel EnerGel Clena Gel Pen has pinstripe details.

The cutest EnerGel has to be the Pentel EnerGel Clena. It features a charming pinstripe section near the clicker. The pens with off-white barrels are filled with black inks. The red, brown, and blue black Clena Gel Pens have barrels that match the inks inside.

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Pentel EnerGel Infree Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel Infree Gel Pen has a clear barrel.

The Pentel EnerGel Infree has a cool, transparent barrel that lets you see the colored refill inside. Pentel created this pen with the hope that it can spark your creativity. The Infree comes in ten colors and two tip sizes: needle-point 0.5 mm and conical 0.7 mm.

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Pentel EnerGel Alloy Gel Pens

Stylish and attractive, the Pentel EnerGel Alloy Gel Pen features an aluminum alloy barrel.

The Pentel EnerGel Alloy features an upgraded aluminum alloy barrel that’s stylish and attractive. It’s perfect for the business professional who needs a sophisticated pen. For an even sleeker design, check out the EnerGel Philography below.

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Pentel EnerGel Philography Gel Pens

The sophisticated Pentel EnerGel Philography Gel Pen has a brass body with a satin finish.

Another great choice for business professionals, the Pentel EnerGel Philography has a sturdy brass body with a satin finish. The eight body colors are complemented by chrome-plated accents. Unlike other EnerGel Gel Pens, the Philography uses a twist mechanism to extend and retract the tip.

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Pentel EnerGel Permanent Gel Pens

The Pentel EnerGel Permanent Gel Pen is filled with fade-resistant, waterproof ink.

The Pentel EnerGel Permanent took the EnerGel ink formula and made it even better. Not only does it retain its smooth-flowing, fast-drying qualities, it’s now fade resistant and waterproof. It’s perfect for signing checks, contracts, and other legal documents.

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Pentel EnerGel Multi Pens

Pentel EnerGel refills are included in two pre-filled multi pens. You can also customize a Pentel i+ Multi Pen Body with EnerGel refills.

Pentel EnerGel 2 Color + Pencil Multi Pens

The Pentel EnerGel 2 Color + Pencil Multi Pen has two gel ink refills and a mechanical pencil component.

The Pentel EnerGel 2 Color + Pencil is filled with two EnerGel gel ink refills and one mechanical pencil component. We love that Pentel’s multi pens are compatible with so many different refills.

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Pentel EnerGel 3 Color Multi Pens

Perfect for color-coding, the Pentel EnerGel 3 Color Multi Pen has black, red, and blue ink refills.

The Pentel EnerGel 3 is almost exactly the same as the previous multi pen, but it’s filled with three EnerGel gel ink refills. The black, red, and blue refills make it easy to color-code your notes with the same writing instrument.

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Pentel EnerGize Mechanical Pencils

The Pentel EnerGize Mechanical Pencil has the same body as many retractable Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens.

The Pentel EnerGize isn’t a gel pen, but it deserves a mention in this guide. Its body matches that of the EnerGel RTX. Now you can have a mechanical pencil that complements your collection of EnerGel Gel Pens!

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More Resources

Conclusion

The Pentel EnerGel and its sturdy tip, smooth flow, and fast-drying ink are sure to make it one of your favorite note-taking gel pens. Left-handed writers are sure to love the Pentel EnerGel, but be sure to check out The Best Pens & Stationery for Left-Handers guide and the JetPens Left-Handed Supplies curated collection.

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JetPens Pentel EnerGel Pen Sampler

Ready to add the Pentel EnerGel to your stationery collection? Check out the EnerGel Sampler, which lets you try out six different EnerGel bodies. If you prefer a variety of colors, the bundles include retractable gel pens in at least eight ink colors.

Add Items to Cart

Pentel EnerGel Gel Pens
Product		Tip Sizes	Colors	Add to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Euro and NV Gel Pens	0.35 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Black, Red, Green, Blue, Purple	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Deluxe Gel Pens	0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Black, Red, Blue, Purple	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel-X Gel Pens	0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Black, Pink, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel RTX Gel Pens	0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Black, Pink, Red, Brown, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Blue, Purple, Gray	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Pearl Gel Pens	0.5 mm, 0.7 mm,	Black, Pink, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Clena Gel Pens	0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm	Black, Red, Brown, Blue	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Infree Gel Pens	0.5 mm, 0.7 mm	Black, Pink, Red, Orange, Turquoise, Blue, Purple, Gray	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Alloy Gel Pens	0.7 mm	Black, Purple	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Philography Gel Pens	0.5 mm	Black	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel Permanent Gel Pens	0.5 mm, 0.7 mm	Black, Red, Blue	Add Items to Cart
Pentel EnerGel Multi Pens
Product		Tip/Lead Sizes	Colors	Add to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel 2 Color + Pencil Multi Pens	0.5 mm / 0.5 mm	Black, Red, Graphite	Add Items to Cart
	Pentel EnerGel 3 Color Multi Pens	0.5 mm	Black, Red, Blue	Add Items to Cart
Pentel EnerGize Mechanical Pencils
Product		Lead Sizes	Colors	Add to Cart
	Pentel EnerGize Mechanical Pencils	0.5 mm	N/A	Add Items to Cart