Fountain pens are like works of art. Many sell for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Despite the hefty price, pen enthusiasts consider it to be a worthy investment.
While a typical ballpoint pen does the job, they’re not the ideal for those who want to create elegant scripts and lettering.
So today, we’ll be venturing into the world of luxurious fountain pens. After hours of research, I’ve finally managed to narrow down five of the best fountain pens under $200!
In This Guide...
5 Best Fountain Pens Under 200 Dollars
Handpicked for their reliability, versatility, and elegance, here are some of the best fountain pens worth checking out.
Parker Sonnet Black Lacquer Fountain Pen
Made by hand with artistry excellence, the Parker Sonnet fountain pen is as gorgeous as it is durable. Best of all, it’s lightweight and well-balanced, which suits frequent writers like myself quite brilliantly!
The execution of this pen is impressive. It glides smoothly and seamlessly over a blank page. Disassembling and cleaning it is extremely easy as well.
Designed for long-term use, the Parker Sonnet fountain pen certainly outperforms many other models in the same price range.
Pros
- Textured metal grip is smooth but not slippery
- Responsive and flexible
- Looks spectacular
- Writes flawlessly
- Ideal for everyday writing
Cons
- If not used for extended periods, the ink might dry out
- Might be considered small for those who have larger hands
Get more information on Parker Sonnet Black Lacquer Fountain Pen
Sailor Fountain Pen Professional Gear
If I had to describe the Sailor Professional Gear Fountain Pen using one word, I’d have to use “vintage.”
Compared to the previous pens we’ve discussed, this fountain pen comes with a 21-karat bicolor medium nib. It writes precisely and is incredibly smooth and responsive to pressure. The ink flow is excellent, as well.
Indeed, the Sailor Professional Gear is one of the best, if not the best, fountain pens out there. Many users say that they’d willingly pay twice the price without hesitation, and I must say I share the same sentiment.
Pros
- Extremely smooth nib
- Lightweight
- Easy maintenance
- Has a gorgeous, “classic” fountain pen look
Cons
- Converter must be purchased separately
Get more information on Sailor Fountain Pen Professional Gear
PILOT Vanishing Point Collection
Based in Tokyo, Japan, the Pilot corporationis one of the world’s largest stationery companies. Standing strong for over a century, the brand is well-loved by many pen users. The Vanishing Point Fountain Pen is deemed to be some of their best works.
In fact, it’s said to be the first retractable pen in the world!
This fountain pen comes in a wide variety of color options to suit your taste, from matte black to multicolored stripes. It’s designed with a pre-filled cartridge and a CNT40 twist converterfor easy filling.
The nib itself is made with 18-karat gold with rhodium plating, making it one of the most luxurious-looking pens.
Pros
- Writes smoothly
- Beautiful design
- Multiple color and nib options
- The retractable feature is a brilliant addition
Cons
- Matte finish is soft and scratches easily when not taken care of
Get more information on PILOT Vanishing Point Collection
Waterman Carene Black Sea ST Silver Trim Fountain Pen
Meticulously crafted in France, the Waterman Carene Fountain Pen is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Its barrel is made of high gloss lacquer. For its trim and clip, Waterman meticulously added a liquid-shine palladium plating.
The integrated, rhodium-plated,18-karat solid gold nib has a sophisticated curved design that allows the fountain pen to glide across any surface effortlessly.
Furthermore, this fountain pen is engravable and presented in a luxury box, making it a perfect gift for every occasion.
Pros
- Streamlined nib delivers bold lines and fluid curves
- Available in over 10 different colors, all with stunning designs
- Great balance and smooth flow
Cons
- Has a thick body
- Slightly heavy
Get more information on Waterman Carene Black Sea ST Silver Trim Fountain Pen
Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen
The popularity of the Lamy 2000 primarily comes from its near-perfect design. It has everything a fountain pen should have: an incredibly smooth nib, second to none piston filling system, and a sturdy, durable feel.
At 25g, it isn’t as heavy as most fountain pens, but it isn’t extremely lightweight either. I won’t say it’s “just right” as a fountain pen’s weight is entirely subjective, but it does fall in the medium-weight category. Due to this, it’s ideal for most writers.
The barrel of the pen feels quite similar to brushed stone, cool and smooth, and feels nice and comfortable when held.
To those who prefer classy simplicity with outstanding performance, look no further than the Lamy 2000!
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Writes extremely smoothly
- Large capacity piston filler
- Iconic German design
Cons
- May look too simple to some users
Get more information on Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen
A Buyer’s Guide to Finding the Ideal Fountain Pen
A fountain pen, when chosen right, will be with you forever. As such, it’s important to choose the right fountain pen that suits you. Here are some things to consider when buying a fountain pen:
Weight
Many fountain pens are heavier than standard pens. Although it certainly feels more luxurious and expensive, it won’t be much help if it prevents you from using it in extended writing sessions.
Fountain pens that weigh just under 25g are ideal for longer writing sessions. Anything above 30g is considered heavy and is more suited for occasional use.
Ink Filling System
One of the best features of fountain pens is that it’s refillable. Because of that, choosing the right ink filling mechanism is essential to ensure your pen fits your needs.
As a writer, if inspiration strikes just right, I can burn through a full ink cartilage within a couple of hours. If you’re the same, you wouldn’t want to be stuck in a situation where you can’t refill or have to carry multiple pens at a time to ensure your productivity.
I use a piston filler system as it holds more than any other mechanism. Eyedroppers are great, too, as long as they come with a valve that prevents ink from spilling into the cap when carried around.
However, if you just write two to three pages a day, a pen with a cartridge-converter pen would work brilliantly.
Nib Type
The metallic, pointed end of a fountain pen is called a nib. Just like ordinary pens, fountain pens come with a variety of nib options. Some of the most common are oblique, italic, and rounded nibs.
If you hold your pen at a slant when writing, oblique nibs are best suited for you. They have a slightly angled look to them to adapt to the writing style of those who write in such a manner.
If you want to add a bit of style in your writing, consider getting yourself a fountain pen with an italic nib. It’s also best for calligraphy artists.
Rounded nibbed fountain pens are widely sought for because of the uniform lines they create, regardless of the direction. This type of nib is most suited for beginner fountain pen users.
The Best Fountain Pen Under 200
Let’s take a look at these fountain pens one more time.
Fountain pens are outstanding writing instruments. You really can’t go wrong with any of them on this list.
All of the options above are some of the best fountain pens under $200, but if I were to choose, I’d pick the Parker Sonnet Black Lacquer Fountain Pen due to its beautiful design and supreme ink capacity.
Our second favorite is the Sailor Fountain Pen Professional Gear, which is so easy to use and very light.
If you’re looking for the most luxurious option, then the Waterman Carene Black Sea ST Silver Trim Fountain Pen is your best bet, and has a wonderful high gloss finish.
If you’re looking for a more traditional classic, then consider the Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen.
Finally, another great option is the Waterman Carene Black Sea ST Silver Trim Fountain Pen.
This list has something for everyone, and these detailed reviews are everything you need to find the best fountain pen under 200.