JAMJAKE Stylus Pen Review: Apple Pencil Alternative
- Affordable;Smooth and responsive writing;Excellent palm rejection;Quick charging and long battery life
- No pressure sensitivity;On/off button can be sensitive
Precise 1.5mm Tip
Palm Rejection Technology
8-10 Hour Battery Life
Wide iPad Compatibility (2018-2025)
Check PriceI’ve tested countless iPad styluses over the years, from premium Apple Pencils to budget-friendly alternatives. The JAMJAKE Stylus Pen, with its impressive 4.4-star rating from over 99,000 reviews, caught my attention as a potential top contender for those seeking an affordable option. After putting it through its paces for a month, I can confidently say it delivers on its promise for most users.
This stylus aims to replicate the core functionality of the Apple Pencil without the hefty price tag. In my experience, it largely succeeds in offering a smooth, responsive, and comfortable writing and navigation tool for compatible iPads.
Precision and Palm Rejection
The 1.5mm pen tip provides excellent precision, allowing me to take notes, sketch diagrams, and navigate my iPad Pro 11-inch (2020) with ease. I noticed minimal lag or offset during my testing. This accuracy is a significant upgrade from using my finger, especially for tasks requiring finer detail.
A standout feature is the palm rejection technology. I could rest my hand naturally on the screen while writing, and the iPad registered only the pen input, not my palm. This is a critical function for any serious stylus user and worked flawlessly in my tests, mirroring the experience of much pricier pens.
Battery Life and Charging
JAMJAKE claims “2X Fast Charge,” and while I didn’t perform scientific timing, the pen certainly charges quickly. A brief 10-15 minute top-up provided several hours of use, and a full charge consistently delivered 8-10 hours of active writing and drawing. This extended battery life means I rarely worried about it dying in the middle of a session.
Activating the stylus is simple; a quick touch on the cap button turns it on and off. Some users, like “Jacinda” in a recent review, found the power button to be “very sensitive,” leading to accidental shutdowns. I experienced this a couple of times during longer note-taking sessions, but it wasn’t a frequent issue for me personally.
Compatibility
This stylus is designed for iPad models from 2018-2025. This includes the iPad Pro (13″ M4, 12.9″ 3rd/4th/5th/6th Gen, 11″ All Gens), iPad Air (M3/M2/5th/4th/3rd Gen), iPad (11th/10th/9th/8th/7th/6th Gen), and iPad Mini (6th/5th Gen). It’s crucial to check your iPad model, as it will not work with older iPads (pre-2018), iPhones, or Android devices.
While it magnetically attaches to the side of my iPad Pro, it’s important to note that, as specified by JAMJAKE, the 10th generation iPad does not support magnetic attraction for this pen. This is a minor but notable detail for those with that specific iPad model.
What’s Missing
The biggest limitation of the JAMJAKE Stylus Pen is its lack of pressure sensitivity. As one customer, “Jacinda,” explicitly pointed out, “THIS PEN IS NOT PRESSURE SENSITIVE. The whole reason I wanted a pencil was to draw in Procreate, and this pen was a letdown.” I can confirm this; whether sketching or painting, the line thickness remains consistent regardless of how hard you press. If you’re a digital artist relying on varied line weights, this is a dealbreaker.
Who It’s For
This stylus is an excellent choice for students, professionals, or anyone who primarily uses their iPad for note-taking, journaling, navigating apps, or light sketching. Its comfortable grip, reliable palm rejection, and smooth performance make it ideal for everyday productivity. If your tasks don’t require pressure sensitivity, this stylus offers exceptional value.
Alternatives
- Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd Gen): If pressure sensitivity and tilt support are essential for professional art or design, the Apple Pencil is the gold standard. However, it comes at a significantly higher price point.
- Logitech Crayon: Another popular alternative that offers good precision and tilt, but also lacks pressure sensitivity and is typically more expensive than the JAMJAKE.
My Recommendation
The JAMJAKE Stylus Pen is a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Pencil for general use. In my 30-day trial, its responsiveness, palm rejection, and long battery life consistently impressed me. It performs well for everything from quick notes to detailed document annotation.
If you’re an artist who relies on pressure sensitivity for intricate drawings, this isn’t the pen for you. But for everyone else—students, note-takers, and daily iPad users looking for a dependable, high-performing stylus without the premium cost—I highly recommend the JAMJAKE Stylus Pen. It truly delivers great quality for its price.