Best Fountain Pens Under $75: Affordable Quality Without the Compromise
Original video: 13 Nice Fountain Pens Under 75 Dollars
13 fountain pens under $75
If you're into fountain pens, you’ve probably heard of budget-friendly options like the Lamy Safari, TWSBI Eco, and Kaweco Sport. They’re great starter pens, but what if you want something a little nicer—without breaking the bank?
I’ve rounded up some great fountain pens under $75 that feel premium, write smoothly, and offer something beyond just plastic. Some of these were even new to me, so I ordered them just to test them out for this video.
Let’s take a look at what’s out there!
The Classic Budget Pens
These are the ones most people think of when shopping for an affordable fountain pen:
✔ Lamy Safari ($30-40) – Reliable, easy to use, and comes in fun colors. Works with cartridges or a converter for bottled ink.
✔ Kaweco Sport ($25-35) – A tiny pocket-sized pen that expands to full size when posted. Available in plastic or aluminum (for a higher price).
✔ TWSBI Eco ($35-50) – A piston-filling pen, meaning no cartridges—just bottled ink. Holds a ton of ink and writes super smoothly.
✔ Diplomat Magnum (~$30) – One of the best steel nibs in this price range, with a little bit of bounce for a great writing experience.
These are all solid, time-tested choices, but what if you want something a little different?
Step Up Your Fountain Pen Game: Unique Pens Under $75
1. Sheaffer VFM (~$35-45)
Why it’s great: A sleek, metal-bodied pen with a classic look and a smooth, reliable nib. Feels much more premium than a plastic pen in the same price range.
2. Parker IM (~$50-60)
Why it’s great: A stylish pen with the classic Parker arrow clip and a smooth-writing steel nib. Parker has been making pens forever, and this one keeps that tradition alive.
3. Monteverde Dakota (~$50-65)
Why it’s great: A fantastic metal pen with a unique slip cap and smooth Yovo-made nib. Feels more expensive than it is.
4. Narwhal Original Plus (~$55-65)
Why it’s great: A vacuum filler at an affordable price! Most vacuum-fill pens are over $100, but this one lets you enjoy big ink capacity and cool anodized details for a reasonable price.
5. Caran d’Ache 849 (~$50-60)
Why it’s great: A Swiss-made, ultra-modern design with a distinctive hexagonal shape. Unique and well-engineered, making it stand out from other budget-friendly options.
6. Faber-Castell Grip (~$50-60)
Why it’s great: Faber-Castell is known for high-end stationery, and this fountain pen delivers a super smooth writing experience with a stylish design.
Which One Should You Get?
If you want an upgrade from plastic pens, the Parker IM, Sheaffer VFM, and Monteverde Dakota are excellent metal-bodied pens that feel more premium without costing a fortune.
If you want a unique filling system, go for the Narwhal Original Plus (vacuum filler) or TWSBI Eco (piston filler).
If you want something really different, try the Caran d’Ache 849 or Faber-Castell Grip for their modern, stylish designs.
Final Thoughts
There’s a huge range of quality fountain pens under $75, and you don’t have to settle for just plastic. These pens write well, feel great, and offer something special without pushing into the $100+ range.
Have you tried any of these pens? Let me know in the comments! Also, if you want a deep dive into one of these, tell me which one, and I’ll make a full review.
🚀 Happy writing! ✍️
