No matter how practical a ballpoint pen is, it can never match the mesmerizing feel of writing with a fountain pen.
In addition to the feel, the words just don’t come out the same! A good fountain pen will adjust to the way you write and reward you nicely. However, if you’re paying up to 100 dollars for a fountain pen, your investment should be worthwhile.
Today, I’ll provide you with everything you need to know before picking the best fountain pen under 100 dollars! Let’s dive in!
Top 5 Fountain Pens Under 100 Dollars Available on the Market
There’s a wide variety of options that you can find on the shelves. To make the search process easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 fountain pens that are priced below the 100 dollar mark.
Let’s have a quick overview of each one of these pens.
Waterman Expert Fountain Pen
Starting the list with one of the best options to go for in the market. Waterman is one of the biggest names in the field with over 130 years of experience in making premium quality pens.
The Waterman Expert is crafted by hand and assembled in France, so you can expect great attention to details while manufacturing the pen.
The fountain pen barrel is made of stainless steel to give it durability and weight. Also, the stainless steel body is lacquered to give the pen a glossy finish. The nibs are also made of stainless steel for durability and sophistication.
Moreover, the pen comes with trims that are made out of 23-carat gold and chrome to add a touch of luxury to the pen.
Besides black, the pen comes in a wide variety of finishes and colors to choose from. Also, the pen is available in fine and medium nib sizes.
Waterman backs its pens with a 3-year warranty, allowing you to enjoy a worry-free purchase.
Pros
- Ideal for those who prefer lightweight and slim pens
- Handcrafted and durable construction
- Comes with a sleek box and blue ink cartridge
Cons
- The snap-on cap might leak during flights
Cross ATX Brushed Black Fountain Pen
The Cross ATX is another great addition to the list. Cross is also a reputable brand that has been around for over 170 years now.
The pen is an ideal choice for those who are looking for a completely modern looking fountain pen.
The pen is available in multiple colors, such as black, blue, rose gold and chrome.you can also choose between regular and brushed finishes.
The choices don’t end here. In addition to the colors, you can also choose between fine and medium nibs.
The construction of the pens allows it to be extremely lightweight, as it weighs less than one ounce!
This is ideal for those who prefer gliding with a lighter fountain pen. The pen also has a medium diameter, which is preferable by a lot of users.
The pen comes with special Cross ink that flows easily and dries quickly.
The nibs on the pen are made of stainless steel to ensure quality and durability. Additionally, they’re hand-finished to ensure precision while writing.
Pros
- Hand-finished nibs with black PVD coating
- Elegant contemporary design
- Presented with a nice box and 2 ink cartridges
Cons
- Only accepts Cross refills
Get more information on Cross ATX Brushed Black Fountain Pen
Cross Wanderlust Everest Fountain Pen
If you’re looking for a unique approach with a catchy yet offbeat design, Cross has got you covered!
The base construction of the fountain pen is made of stainless steel. The nibs are also made of the same high-quality stainless steel, which ensures a high level of durability and adaptability.
Above the steel, the pen has a white lacquer layer that’s designed with multiple finishes. I really like the Everest inspired design. However, there are three other finishes, which are Antelope Canyon, Malta, and Borneo as shown below:
In addition to the amazing nature-inspired finishes, the pen is decorated with gold plated engravings and rose gold- appointments. The pen comes with Cross’s signature gift box.
The fountain pen is backed by a generous lifetime mechanical warranty to ensure the longevity of the pen.
Pros
- Captivating and unique design
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Covered by a long-term warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t come with ink refills
Get more information on Cross Wanderlust Everest Fountain Pen
TWSBI Diamond 580 Fountain Pen
For some, a fountain pen is all about decorations and style. However, some people love them because of the enchanting look of the ink. The TWSBI Diamond 580 is the ideal pen for those people.
The highly minimalistic pen comes with a transparent plastic barrel. One of the best things about this fountain pen is that it has a relatively larger ink reservoir, so it lasts longer than most competitors
The pen is a bit large and heavier than other pens. This might not be a problem for everyone. However, people with smaller hands may find it difficult to handle the pen correctly.
The nibs are also available in almost all sizes, so you can choose the one that suits you the most.
Pros
- Unique transparent barrel
- Large ink reservoir
- Easy to use and refill
Cons
- Work with dye-based inks only
Get more information on TWSBI Diamond 580 Fountain Pen
Cross Century II Medalist Chrome Fountain Pen
Ending on a high note, the Century II Medalist fountain pen offers excellent qualities and features that make it one of the best premium choices to go for.
The fountain pen comes in a wide variety of colors and shades. You can choose between 10 different finishes, making it ideal for a quality gift.
Additionally, the elegant pen comes in a premium box that protects the pens while adding a touch of luxury to the product.
The barrel is made of high-grade stainless steel with 23-carat gold plated appointments. The stainless steel nibs are also gold plated.
The pen comes with black ink cartridges for convenience. However, it doesn’t include a converter in the main package.
Pros
- 23-carat gold plated nibs and appointments
- A wide variety of color and nib size options
- Comes with two ink cartridges
Cons
- Does not come with a converter
Get more information on Cross Century II Medalist Chrome Fountain Pen
Things to Consider While Shopping for a Fountain Pen Under 100 Dollars
While looking for the ideal fountain pen for you, there are some aspects that you need to put on your radar, especially when there’s a 100-dollar investment on the line.
Let’s have a quick look at these points.
Materials
Fountain pens are highly sophisticated pens with different parts, such as the barrel, the cap, and the nib tip. Each one of these parts can be made using a wide variety of materials.
These materials include brass, aluminum,stainless steel, and plastic. If you’re going to pay up to 100 dollars for a quality pen, you need to make sure that it stands the test of time.
The best one in terms of durability and longevity is stainless steel. That’s why you should always look for a stainless steel barrel and nibs. Durable nibs will also adapt to your handwriting and makes the process much easier for you.
Appointments and Engravings
In addition to construction materials, there are some decorative materials for appointments and engravings. These materials include, gold, rose gold, and chrome.
Ideally, if you’re going to buy a fountain pen that’s between 70 to 100 dollars, it should have some 23-carat gold plated parts in it.
Size and Weight
As you can predict, heavier materials will account for an overall heavier pen.
If a pen is too heavy for your hand, it might cause some fatigue. However, some people prefer a pen that has a bit of heftiness in it.
You should make sure that the fountain pen is within your ideal weight range, so you can write comfortably with it, especially if you’re going to use it for a long time.
Nib Tip Width
Nib tips come in a number of different varieties, such as fine, medium, and broad.
If you’re a beginner, a fine pen variety is your way to go, as it’s the closest to the standard ballpoint pen but with a fancy twist. Broader nib tips are similar to the thickness you get with 0.7 mm pens.
The nibs come in different sizes, which are fine, medium, and broad. Most pens in the market are offered in medium and fine nibs.
These ones are ideal for calligraphy. However, if you prefer bolder handwriting, you should look for a brand that offers a broad one.
Accessories
If you’re going to pay a hefty premium for a pen, it should come complete with everything you’ll need with the fountain pen. This should at least include an elegant gift box and an ink cartridge.
Ideally, the package should also include a converter, so you can choose the ink of your preference while writing.
Picking the Best Fountain Pen Under $100
With that said, you now know everything you need to consider before buying a fountain pen under the 100 dollars mark.
Let’s take a look at these fountain pens one more time:
If you’re going to pay up to 100 bucks for a fountain pen, you need to make sure that it delivers an amazing writing experience.
That’s why I think Waterman Expert Fountain Pen takes this one home. It has some of the best all-round features in this category, such as streamline flexible nip and the luxurious gold trims. These aspects make it deserve the best fountain pen under 100 dollars award.
If you’re looking for something unique, you can go for the Cross Wanderlust Everest Fountain Pen. In addition to its excellent writing quality, I really like its distinctive design that brings something new to this category!