One of the most annoying things about using pencils for your writing is having to keep sharpening them when the lead wears out. While you might enjoy sharpening pencils, this often comes with downtimes for your writing. Luckily, there is a good and straightforward way to work around this, which entails using mechanical pencils instead of the regular ones.
Mechanical pencils make writing fun and easy, and they ensure you never have to deal with broken leads or pencil sharpening. Also, most will use a higher quality lead that, besides writing much better, will not break easily, and they generally have a more pleasant look. But, like anything else, you need to choose the best ones for good service, and here we look at some of the best models out there to help you make an informed choice.
Contents
- List of The Best cheap Mechanical Pencil in 2021 on Amazon.com
- 1. BIC MPLP241 Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencil
- 2. BIC MPP40MJ Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil
- 3. Paper Mate 56047PP Mechanical Pencil
- 4. Paper Mate 1921221 SharpWriter Mechanical Pencils
- 5. Papermate 1952700 Clearpoint Mechanical Pencils
- 6. June Gold 10001 Mechanical Pencils
- 7. BIC WX7TG026-BLK Mechanical Pencil Variety Pack
- 8. Mr. Pen AM05 Mechanical Pencil Set
- 9. BIC MP40 Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil
- 10. BIC Velocity MPMX9P21 Max Mechanical Pencil
List of The Best cheap Mechanical Pencil in 2021 on Amazon.com
1. BIC MPLP241 Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencil
You will never go wrong with BIC regarding pencils as they are the global industry leader. Hence, this particular mechanical pencil option does not make the top of our list by chance. These pencils come in a convenient retractable design, and they advance quickly and easily to make them simple to use.
The fun and sparkly barrels make these pencils more colorful. When it comes to actual writing, the lead never smudges, and you can erase it quickly and neatly. What’s more, the surface has an excellent grip for a comfortable hold, and for a pack of 24 pencils, these one offer a fantastic value for money.
Pros
- Retractable design is more convenient
- Lead will never smudge
- Easy and quick lead advancement
- Easier to erase
- Fun and sparky barrels
- Good value for a 24-pack
Cons
- Does not include erasers
- Wanting package shipping
2. BIC MPP40MJ Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil
With up to 40 mechanical pencils in the pack, it will be a long time before you need to buy more pencils as these will serve you well for ages. What’s more, the leads are tougher to ensure they never break easily, making these even more long-lasting pencils. When it comes to writing, the tips will advance quickly and easily and never smudge.
Many users will also love that the high-quality BIC lead delivers smoother and darker writing that will still be relatively easy to erase. Overall, these pencils come in a sleek, modern design that makes sure they will look more attractive besides writing well.
Pros
- 40-count pack
- Easy lead advancement
- Sleek and modern design
- More long-lasting lead
- Easy to erase and never smudges
- Smoother and darker writing
Cons
- No refillable erasers
- A little longer tip than desired
3. Paper Mate 56047PP Mechanical Pencil
The distinctive design of the Paper Mate 56047PP will ensure that many users love these pencils and want to use them more and more. What’s more, these pencils include a translucent barrel with a visible lead supply to ensure you can quickly tell when you are running out of leads.
But, what many users seem to love most is that the pencils have a super-comfortable and non-slip grip that will make them easier to hold when writing. Also, there is a nice twist-up eraser that will remove the lead from the paper without leaving a messy residue. And if this eraser is not enough for you, there is also a jumbo one that should make erasing even easier.
Pros
- Distinctive design with translucent barrel
- Non-slip grip
- Click advance button
- Visible lead supply
- Nice twist-up eraser
- Pack also includes jumbo erasers
Cons
- Only two pencils in the pack
- A little expensive
4. Paper Mate 1921221 SharpWriter Mechanical Pencils
For those that prefer a more basic or traditional mechanical pencil design, this model by Paper Mate is just the perfect option for you. Despite being a more basic model, these pencils will include a shock-absorbing tip design that will minimize lead breakage, making these even more long-lasting pencils.
With the twistable tip design, these pencils ensure faster and more effortless tip advancements to minimize the downtimes when writing. And in case you make some mistakes in your writing, the pink eraser will be handy at correcting them. Lastly, the 36-count pack means you get lots of pencils to last you a long time.
Pros
- Shock-absorbing tip
- More comfortable and non-slip grip
- Nice pink eraser
- Twistable tip for easy advancement
- Lots of pencils in the pack
Cons
- Hard to monitor the lead level
- Not the most attractive barrel design
5. Papermate 1952700 Clearpoint Mechanical Pencils
One of the first elements that will draw potential users to these pencils is how huge the erasers are. With these erasers, you can be confident that you will have an easy time rubbing off the text if you make errors. Better yet, it is conveniently refillable to ensure you always have an eraser for the lifetime of the pencils.
The high-quality lead will provide clear and precise writing while also being tougher to ensure it does not break easily. These pencils will also have a more convenient side lead advance that allows you to advance lead without losing the grasp. And with the textured and non-slip grip area, this will be more comfortable pencils to hold. The sleek barrel is also clear to make it easy to monitor the lead levels.
Pros
- Large and refillable eraser
- Clear and precise writing
- Side lead advance
- Soft grip design
- Sleek, clear barrel
Cons
- Comes with fewer lead pieces
- A little heavy on the hand
6. June Gold 10001 Mechanical Pencils
June Gold 10001 offers side click advancement that is always more convenient than the top click as it ensures you can advance the lead without losing your grip. And the grip you get with these pencils is softer and more comfortable, and non-slip to make writing more enjoyable for you.
There are also 72 pencils in the pack, which is more than what many others out there will provide. Hence, if you are looking to get great value for your money, these pencils will be a fantastic buy. The elegant lead dispenser is much welcome as they provide more lead refills. Other things like the break-resistant lead and durable colored eraser make these even more amazing pencils.
Pros
- Convenient side click button
- Soft and comfortable grip
- Elegant lead dispenser
- Break-resistant lead
- Includes an impressive 72 pencils
- Durable colored eraser
Cons
- A little thinner
- Poor packaging
- Takes several clicks to advance lead
7. BIC WX7TG026-BLK Mechanical Pencil Variety Pack
With an assortment of different pencil sizes that include 0.7 and 0.9mm pencils, this 60-pack mechanical pencil model will cater to all kinds of writing. Also, the pencils come in various colors to make them more colorful and attractive. When it comes to writing, they never disappoint as they deliver smoother and clear writing.
The leads are also made to be tougher to ensure they never break when writing and hence increase the pencils’ service life. What’s more, the tips advance fast and easily and will also be easier to erase without making a mess. Many users love that these pencils never smudge when writing.
Pros
- Convenient assorted pencil sizes
- Lovely pencil colors
- Smooth-writing lead
- Tough, break-resistant lead
- Smudge-free and easy to erase
Cons
- Erasers still need improvement
- Packaging could be better
8. Mr. Pen AM05 Mechanical Pencil Set
There is something for all kinds of writing with Mr. Pen AM05, as it will include five different pencil sizes from the smaller 0.3mm to 2mm option. The pencils are also color-coded to make sure you can easily pick out what you want to use. These are more comfortable pencils to use as they have a soft and non-slip grip with a ribbed design.
The built-in lead sharpener allows you to maintain sharp leads when writing, and you can also easily erase any mistakes with the refillable eraser. One more thing that users love is that these pencils include a nice carry clip that makes them easier to carry in your pocket for use on the go.
Pros
- Includes five different sizes
- Soft, non-slip grip
- Color-coded for easy selection
- Built-in lead sharpener
- Mess-free refillable eraser
- Easy carry clip included
Cons
- Tip flexes a little
- 2mm tip is super thick
- Plastic barrel
9. BIC MP40 Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil
If you want mechanical pencils that give you better quality and smudge-free writing, you can always trust BIC to have something for you. Their MP40 option is one such example of their top quality pencils, and they will also provide a quick and easy lead advancement with a simple click to help minimize writing downtimes. Unlike many others out there, just one click is often enough to advance the leads.
Overall, these mechanical pencils have a more sophisticated look thanks to the transparent barrel, making it easier to track the lead level when writing so you never run out in the middle of a project. The 40 pencil count is quite good given these pencils’ price, and the refillable design is fantastic. What’s more, you can easily carry the pencils in your pocket as they have some excellent clips.
Pros
- Smudge-free writing
- Quick and easy lead advancement
- Sophisticated look with a clear barrel
- Good pencil count of 40
- Refillable design
- Handy and colorful clip
Cons
- Eraser could still be better quality
- Not the toughest lead
10. BIC Velocity MPMX9P21 Max Mechanical Pencil
With the super comfortable grip on these BIC pencils, you can be sure you will enjoy using them. The comfortable grip will also allow for smoother writing compared to using regular pencils and other inferior quality mechanical pencils. And you also get a broader eraser that will ensure you can easily rub off the text if you make mistakes when writing.
The strong and sturdier lead is designed not to break when writing, and it has a retractable tip that ensures it only comes out when writing. Also, the barrel offers a long service life as it is super sturdy. And with the nice clip design, these pencils will fit perfectly into pockets. Also, they are available in different sizes to suit varying needs.
Pros
- Super comfortable grip
- Relatively wider eraser
- Strong lead will not break easily
- Retractable tip is more convenient
- Sturdy clip design
- Durable barrel construction
- Variety of size options
Cons
- Taking out used up eraser can be hectic
- Grip is a bit too high up
Conclusion
Mechanical pencils pack a myriad of advantages, and they will always be much easier and more fun to write with than regular pencils. And with the best cheap mechanical pencil, you also get to save a lot of cash while still getting some long-lasting and smooth-writing pencils.
That said, there is something for everyone on our list regardless of your preferences. However, if you would rather not read all that, the BIC MPLP241 Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencil and BIC MPP40MJ Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil are our two top overall recommendations.
