The Top 5 Cheap Fountain Pens In 2022: The Ultimate Buying Guide
cheap fountain pen

Fountain pens are classy. Unlike other pens, they are environmentally friendly. You can find a great selection of cheap fountain pens.

Believe it or not, the demand for fountain pens is rising. Often users get away from the screen and resort to the traditional method of writing notes. Using  a fountain pen if you want to write comfortably and enjoy a luxurious writing experience.

Using a fountain pen is the best way to write down your notes. If you want to buy a cheap fountain pen, there are a lot of choices in the market.

Fountain pens have a higher appeal than regular pens. Its application is not only limited to writing.

These pens need less pressure to hold and can help lower hand fatigue. They provide an exceptional writing experience compared to rollerball and ballpoint pens. 

There are many options to choose from when it comes to fountain pens. Caran d’Ache, Waterman, etc., are among the go-to choices.

No doubt, these are some of the most popular fountain pen brands. They are expensive. 

This immersive buying guide will provide you with the 5 best cheap fountain pens.

Top 5 Cheap Fountain Pens in 2022

1. Forest Fountain Classic Converter Hongdian

The first mention on our list is a pen manufactured by Hongdian. It is infused with streamlined, unique, and stainless metal F nib. 

The fine nib helps to give you an incomparable and smooth writing experience. You can also buy this pen with EF and Bent Nib, among other customizable options. 

It boasts an attractive nib that is only 0.4mm wide. 

Usually, fountain pens cannot be thin and light at the same time. The Forest Fountain Classic Converter is light and thin. 

The feel of this pen is like a pencil. You can clip the pen on your shirt pockets and not worry about it coming off. 

The pen will give you a nonstop writing experience. You can write without drying for as long as 10 minutes. 

Specs We Loved
  • The pen comes with a converter. You will be able to manually refill the ink. 
  • Lightweight and is suitable for more extended writing. 
  • You can buy this pen in different nib sizes. The nibs will provide a smooth experience.
  • Comes with a metal case.
  • Classic and Elegant Design.
  • Should You Buy This Fountain Pen?

This pen is among the most lightweight fountain pens. Its nib provides a smooth and fast writing experience. 

If you are a student and want to buy a fountain pen to write notes, you should get this product. 

It is among the most affordable fountain pens. 

The fountain pen offers a stainless nib that delivers great results. It is balanced, and the design radiates elegance. 

It also comes with a good-looking pen case, so you can also gift this pen to others. You can buy it for USD16-17. 

2. Parker Jotter Fountain Royal Medium 

This underrated Parker has been in the market for quite some time.

Parker is a known brand that is popular for its luxury pens. As the name suggests, it is a fountain pen version of the classic Jotter ballpoint pen. 

Its nib size is M and has an angular design designed to make the pen look more contemporary. 

The nib is engraved with the 3 chevrons and the brand name. It has an odd arrangement, but that does not limit the pen’s performance. 

The M nib is very smooth. It can be a bit wide for people with small handwriting. This pen is for you if you write in big fonts. 

Not only is this pen affordable, but lightweight as well. It is a snap cap fountain pen making it suitable for everyday tasks and writing. 

Specs We Loved
  • You can choose from a wide array of colors. That includes royal blue, bond street black, Kensington red, Victoria violet, etc. 
  • The M-sized nib provides a refined experience.
  • The fountain pen comes with 1 cartridge of blue ink.
  • It offers a screw cap.
  • Lightweight. 
  • It is a metal fountain pen made from stainless steel.
  • Should You Buy This Fountain Pen?

This fountain pen by Parker offers you a flawless writing experience.

It is a good everyday work pen, but we will not recommend this pen to students. The pen comes in a price range of USD 16-17.

it is not the most good-looking fountain pen out there. You should consider other options if you can not compromise on design and looks. 

With that said, it is a Parker pen, so it will not disappoint you.

The ink from the nib is not too dry or wet. If you are after a fountain pen for longer writing sessions, we would suggest you go for something else. Hand fatigue is a high possibility with this pen.

Check out the reasons why you should use a fountain pen

3. AmazonBasics Refillable Fountain Pen

If you are on a budget, this particular fountain pen is for you. 

The pen uses brass as its base material and has chrome trim. The design is like the Otto Hutt Design 06 but more basic. The build quality is excellent and durable. 

Inexpensive fountain pens usually are damaged quickly, and their caps get loose. This fountain pen by AmazonBasics is not like that. 

It is well-balanced. So, you can write for a long time without any hand fatigue.

Some users might find the pen a bit slippery, but you can use it as a daily pen.

This pen has a medium nib that boasts a minimalist design. You can buy this pen with a medium or fine nib for about USD 8-9.

Specs We Loved
  • Refillable fountain pen.
  • The pack comes with two refills and one cartridge.
  • You can attach it to your shirt pocket or book with a metal clip.
  • Medium and Fine size nibs.
  • 1-year warranty.
  • Should You Buy This Fountain Pen?

Affordability and value for money are among the biggest selling points of this fountain pen by AmazonBasics. 

The ink flow is good, and you can fit a standard international converter with this pen. 

The looks might be too simple for some people, but if you love minimalism, you will love it. 

It is a great fountain pen and provides maximum comfort. It might even be more comfortable to some extent than a metropolitan fountain pen. 

This fountain pen is for those who want to write for a long time. That is because your hand will not get tired even after extended use. 

Also, starting with this cheap one is a practical option if it is your first time trying out a fountain pen. The pen will only cost you about USD 8-9.

AmazonBasics is known to deliver high-quality products at an affordable rate. 

This product is cheap and hard to ignore. Given the specs and looks, you can assume it costs over USD 25. 

4. Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Because we are already talking about budget fountain pens, we can not help but mention this particular option by Lamy Safari. 

This pen is everyone’s fountain pen, and it is the reason why people love fountain pens. 

Many people who have used expensive pens have admitted that Lamy Safari is by far among the best pens.

The pen is made of plastic, has a rugged build, and is still suitable for daily use. 

You can buy Safari fountain pens in various colors, including red, white, yellow, matte charcoal, and shiny black. It also has limited edition colors that change every year. 

The fountain pen by Lamy Safari has a triangular grip that has gathered mixed reactions from its users. 

It can become your go-to pen if you love the triangular grip. If you are not a fan of the grip, you will not like this pen. 

Why? For the simple fact that some cannot use triangular grips because it hurts their fingers. 

Specs We Loved
  • Interchangeable and stainless nibs.
  • Triangular grip.
  • Comes with one cartridge.
  • Unique look.
  • Plastic Body.
  • Should You Buy This Fountain Pen?

It is a great affordable pen that many love because of its extreme smoothness. Its features are comparable to an expensive pen, with no flaws. 

The triangular grip is very iffy. So, consider buying this pen only if you are comfortable using such a grip.

It is a great product. The pen will cost you approximately USD 20-21.

If you are comfortable with a triangular grip or want to try something new, go for it. 

5. Jinhao X450 Normal Fountain Gullor Cartridges

The X450 is a pleasing and inexpensive fountain pen. It is durable and functional. 

Jinhao has reinvented the game of budget fountain pens. If you are a beginner, you should consider buying this product. 

The pen offers features that you will find in expensive high-end products.

Specs We Loved
  • You will get one fountain pen and 10 pcs of 5 different color cartridges. These include red, blue, green, purple, and brown, 2 each. 
  • A standard cartridge can be fit.
  • Smooth Writing.
  • Fine Quality: lightweight and durable.
  • Medium nibs.
  • Triangular grip.
  • Should You Buy This Product?

The Jinhao X450 is another pen on this list with a triangular grip. If you are comfortable with it, you should go for it. 

You can buy the pen for USD 7-8.

Not only is it durable, but it is also aesthetically pleasing. It is among the best-looking fountain pens on this list. 

The X450 can fit a standard international cartridge that is affordable and accessible. Because of the accessibility, you can change the cartridge easily. Or you can insert the converter into the pen. 

It is a great versatile fountain pen.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Cheap Fountain Pen

Choosing The Nib. 

The nib is the most vital part of a fountain pen. Made of metal, it is located at the tip you use to write on paper. 

The pen uses gravity and capillary action to bring the ink from the refill to the nib.

Fountain pens have different nibs that come in various widths. 

EF means “Extra Fine.” It is among the finest nibs, and F comes after it. The most preferred nib is M. 

If you want a wider nib, go for BB. If you prefer a broader nib, B is for you. 

03b nib is commonly-used for signatures. Additionally, there are other types, such as OB.

Curious to learn more? Here is everything you need to know about nibs.

Converter or Cartridge.

Fountain pens are very different from ballpoints. The former does not come with ink compared to ballpoint pens. 

You can get cartridges, but they are a bit expensive. Instead, you can manually fill the ink using a converter and have a more comprehensive option of choosing any ink. 

Converters are more economical, and they will save you more money.

Weight and Size.

You should buy a lightweight fountain pen, and the feel of the pen should be great. 

Using an uncomfortable and heavy pen will limit you from writing for a long time, and it will increase hand fatigue. 

You should also consider buying a pen with a good grip.

Conclusion

Other than their practical purposes, fountain pens are a great addition to your stationery. Not only that, these pens make for incredible gift options.

If we had to choose one from our immaculate list of cheap fountain pens, it would be Hongdian’s Fine Nib Fountain Pen

It has a great, streamlined metal body that is light and comes with the option to buy a pen with different nibs.

The pen is suitable for a longer writing experience, and the tip does not get dry even after writing nonstop for 10 minutes.

You can choose any of these pens depending on your preference and comfort. They are ideal for beginners and people looking for an everyday pen. 

Tell us about your favorite fountain pen by commenting down below.

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