5 Great Ballpoint Pens for National Ballpoint Pen Day [2026]

First, I'll share a classic you might have seen, heard of, or have written with already — the ubiquitous Parker Jotter ballpoint pen. The Jotter is the quintessential ballpoint pen. From the satisfying, push-top clicking mechanism to the industry-standard ballpoint refill cartridge, the Jotter sets the bar for all other ballpoint pens. It's a pen for those who want to get right to the point. Like the arrow-shaped pocket clip implies, this pen hits the target every time. The tapered, streamlined profile fits comfortably into ones hand while the finishes lend an air of sophistication to the writing process. Whether you're signing important documents or quickly jotting notes, the Parker Jotter is a reliable tool to always have handy.

Second on my list is a pen often referred to as a "rollerball" but it really has the soul of a ballpoint pen. The Retro 51 Tornado is a Goldspot-favorite around the office because we can't get enough of all the themes and fun designs. Over the years, we've collaborated with Retro 51 to craft whimsical and thoughtful limited editions, including the fashionable "Denim Doodler" 2026 limited edition you see pictured in this post. The Retro 51 Tornado is a canvas for creative expression, fitting your passions like a comfortable pair of jeans. Do you enjoy dinosaurs? Dig up Dino Fossil. Are you a classic lit fan? Revisit Neverland with Peter Pan. How about Trains? There's a Retro 51 pen theme to match every interest, especially ones that overlap with writing. And, despite the fact that these pens often arrive with a capless, liquid rollerball cartridge to start, you can convert them into ballpoint pens by switching out for a Parker-style REF71 refill. Tom shows you how to do that in the video below.

Next is an out-of-this-world ballpoint pen with astronomical ambitions. The Fisher Space Pen Bullet is one of the most practical pens to have in a pinch. Built for portability and utility, these pocket-sized pens come in clutch wherever you need to write a note, whether it be in extreme, subzero temperatures, underwater, or in zero gravity. Now, most of us won't need to use this pen in such severe circumstances, but it is comforting to know your pen will work when you need it to write. Characteristic of all Fisher Space Pens, the Bullet Pen writes with the pressurized SPR refill cartridge, allowing the pen to be so versitile in all conditions. The long slip cap posts snugly on the back end of the pen, extending the length for a writing experience that doesn't compromise on size.

Moving along, we have an incredibly popular and relatively new set of incredibly-priced writing instruments! It’s the Lamy Safari 2026 Neon Pink and Neon Yellow! Of course this collection is offered in Ballpoint, Rollerball, and Fountain Pen varieties, but the Ballpoint serves as a very accessible jumping-off point for writers of all levels and disciplines. Lamy is known for their high quality German design and relentless pursuit of utilitarian perfection. This collection is no different. But, just because they’re laser focused on those aspects, does not mean they can’t have a little fun. There's no missing these bright, 90's-inspired neon colors. The molded-grip ABS plastic construction, accordion click-top mechanism, and the proprietary LM16 cartridge refill set this pen apart from other noteworthy ballpoint pens.

And last, but certainly not least, the absolutely iconic Caran d’Ache 849 Paul Smith Collection. This beautiful limited edition writing instrument is the result of the collaboration between Caran d’Ache and internationally-recognized designer Sir Paul Smith. From end to end, this pen is draped in carefully selected colors from Paul’s wheelhouse in a pleasantly subtle and aesthetic fashion. A polished metallic click top engages Caran d’Ache’s voluminous Goliath refill that will keep you writing for page after page. Made of a durable lightweight aluminum the pen itself should outlast all the writing you demand of it as well. What Caran d’Ache and Paul Smith have accomplished here is a pen that is able to exist at the crossroads of high-fashion design and pure Swiss engineering utility in a way that few other pens can compare to. I can’t recommend it enough.

Although I'm a big fan of Paul Smith's fashionable design, I understand that limited editions might not be for everyone. After all, they are a higher cost than your everyday models and the design might not be your cup of tea.

Thankfully, the Caran d'Ache 849 collection has one of the richest varieties of colorful designs, including the Mosaic collection you see here. There are the tried and true mainstays of the collection, which include fluorescent colored lacquers and a typcial black, blue, etc.

Caran d'Ache ballpoint pens are also one of our favorite to engrave at Goldspot. Companies and event planners love ordering these pens in bulk, engraving them with the company logo or event name, then gifting them out to VIPs.