Logitech’s Apple Pencil alternative, the Crayon, is down to just $35.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The Apple Pencil is one of Apple’s best iPad innovations, a “smart” stylus that’s great for things like taking notes, sketching ideas and creating art. But $99? Or $129 for the second-gen version? Come on. That’s outrageous even by Apple standards. Thankfully, there’s an alternative: the Logitech Crayon.
Price tag: $70. Still a little steep, if you ask me. However, for a limited time, and while supplies last, Verizon has the Logitech Crayon for $34.99, which ties the lowest price I’ve seen (and that was for an open-box model).
The Crayon works with all current-gen iPads that support the Apple Pencil, including the newest iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Pro.
Despite being priced lower than the Pencil, the Crayon actually has some advantages over it, as Scott Stein detailed in his Logitech Crayon preview: “Its wider, flat design is easier for me to hold, and could be easier for young kids to hold, too. The stylus also pairs instantly without requiring entering Bluetooth settings. It’s fast and angle-sensitive.”
It also charges via a standard Lightning cable and has bright orange tips, which hopefully make it less likely to go missing. Similarly, the cap stays tethered to the Crayon, so you can’t lose it as easily as the Pencil’s end-cap.
There’s just one missing feature: pressure sensitivity. Although it can produce different line weights depending on how you angle the tip, it can’t make your strokes fatter or thinner depending on how hard you push.
Assuming that’s not a deal-breaker, this is a great price on an otherwise great Apple Pencil alternative.
Watch this:
Logitech’s iPad school tools include a pretty nice Crayon
3:23
This article was published previously. Updated to reflect new pricing, availability or both.
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