Apple Pencil Price: Retail, Deals & Price History

Apple sells four Apple Pencil models at once, and they are not interchangeable. Each one works with a specific group of iPads, charges in a different way, and offers a different set of features. Price is the easiest way to sort them, but compatibility decides whether a given Pencil will work with your tablet at all.

The figures below come from Apple's US store pages, checked on Oct 13, 2026. Apple lists each model on its own product page, so the table pulls from Apple, Apple, Apple, and Apple.

The lineup runs from the budget USB-C model to the Pencil Pro. The two models in the middle are the older 2nd generation and 1st generation designs.

The USB-C model is the entry point at $79. The Pencil Pro and the 2nd generation both sit at $129, so the price alone will not separate them. The 1st generation costs $99 and sits between the two tiers.

Check this before you compare prices. Apple ties each Pencil to particular iPad models, and a mismatch means the Pencil will not pair. Apple's compatibility list on each product page is the final word, but a few general points help.

• The USB-C model pairs with iPads that have a USB-C port, and it attaches magnetically to some of them for storage.
• The Pencil Pro and the 2nd generation both attach magnetically to the side of a compatible iPad and charge wirelessly from it.
• The 1st generation uses a Lightning connector, so newer USB-C iPads need an adapter to pair and charge it.

If you own an older iPad, look up your exact model name in Settings, then match it against the compatibility notes on the Apple page for each Pencil. Buying the wrong one is the most common mistake, and it is easy to avoid.

The Pencil Pro and the 2nd generation list at the same price, so the question is which one your iPad supports. If your iPad supports both, the newer Pro model is the safer long term choice, because Apple builds new features around it. If your iPad supports only the 2nd generation, you have no decision to make.

The USB-C model is the one to consider if you mostly take notes, mark up documents, or sketch casually. It leaves out some of the features of the pricier models, so look at the feature list on Apple's page before you assume it covers what you need.

Apple's own store also sells the Logitech Crayon, a third party stylus built for iPad.

The Crayon costs $69.95, which undercuts every Apple model. Third party styluses vary in which iPads they support and which features they include, so read the compatibility details before you buy one. If you need pressure sensitivity or the extra features on Apple's own models, the savings may not be worth it. If you only need to write or tap on screen, a cheaper stylus can do the job.

Apple's online store and its retail locations sell every model at the prices above. Large US retailers carry Apple Pencils too, and they sometimes discount them during sales events. Check that a sale price comes from a seller you trust and that the listing names the exact model. Listings that say only "Apple Pencil" can leave out which generation you are getting.

Buying direct from Apple gives you a clear return window and access to Apple's warranty and support. Apple also offers free engraving on some models bought from its own store, which you cannot get from a third party seller. Check the current terms on the product page, since Apple can change them.

Apple sets one list price per model, so the main variable is where you buy. Retailer promotions, education discounts, and bundle deals can all lower the price you pay. Apple's education pricing applies to students and educators, and it needs verification at checkout.

Gift cards and trade-in offers may also come into play around major shopping events. Prices change, so compare the sale price against the list price shown in the table above before you decide that a deal is worthwhile.