The Best Mechanical Pencils for Students

by Cherish · Published May 14, 2020 · Updated January 4, 2023

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I never would’ve thought that I’d be writing in pencil more than in colorful pens but here I am. I use mechanical pencils all day long to write notes for class and work out homework problems. And let me tell you, all mechanical pencils are not created equally.

If you are an engineering or math student, you’ll definitely go through a number of pencils during a semester. Instead of wasting money on cheap pencils that break, you’ll be better off buying a higher-quality pencil that’ll last. The benefits of a better pencil: longer lasting lead, lead that doesn’t break all the time, and my favorite, a good eraser.

Before you go off to buy more pencils, check out this list of mechanical pencils that I have put to the test and loved. Some are pricier than others but I’ve kept a student’s budget in mind so none of these will break the bank.

Paper Mate 0.7mm ClearPoint

These are my go-to pencils. I really can’t say how much I love these things. The lead is crisp, doesn’t break and it’s long-lasting. When you need to extend the lead you just click the button on the side. Need more lead? Just take the top off and drop it in. Super easy! The eraser is one of my favorite things about this one. It easily twists up and down and it does a great job of erasing without tearing up the paper. These come in 0.7mm and 0.5mm size leads.

BIC Xtra Strong

How many times have you been writing only to have your lead break? I don’t know about you but it really annoys me when it happens because it ruins the nice sharp edge on the end of the lead. These pencils will help prevent this! Now the leads on these are bigger than many other mechanical pencils. They are 0.9mm whereas most standard pencils are 0.5mm or 0.7mm. So, if you like a fine line, you might not like these as much as the smaller lead pencils.

These pencils also feature a nice eraser that does a good job. Lead is easy to retract and extend by pushing down on the eraser on top. Another benefit is the price! They are economical which is great for students and those of us who tend to lose our pencils.

BIC Velocity

The Velocity pencils are my favorite BIC mechanical pencil. They are more expensive than the Xtra Strong ones listed above but they are still at a great price. These have a design similar to other BIC pencils in that you retract and extend the lead by pushing down on the eraser at the top. This one also features a nice rubber grip at the bottom which is great when you’re doing a lot of writing. Unlike the Xtra Strong pencils, these are meant to be reusable. Lead can be purchased separately.

Zebra Stainless Steel 0.7mm Pencil

Wanting a more durable, modern feel to your pencil? This one is for you. The Zebra pencil is made of stainless steel which sets it apart from the others. The steel does up the price though. This is one of my pricier pencils. It’s a great pencil and well worth the added expense. Lead and erasers can be purchased separately when you run out.

Need more erasing power?

Check out these great erasers. They are perfect to carry in your bag in case your pencil’s erasers wear down. Having no eraser on exam day can be a big deal after all.