The 10 Best Multi-Pens Worth Buying: A Ranked Buying Guide

Introduction

A good multi-pen is one of the quiet upgrades in everyday carry: one pen in the pocket that covers black, red, and blue ink, often with a mechanical pencil on top. This ranking covers ten multi-pens, ordered by how often each one actually gets used, and spans everything from a 660 yen slide-type gel writer to premium twist and gravity-select models well above the 10,000 yen mark. One thing worth knowing up front: most of these pens accept standard D1 refills, so upgrading to a Jetstream or Acroink refill is an easy way to tune the writing feel.

Lamy Tri-Pen

The Lamy Tri-Pen is a 3-color multi-pen with red and blue ballpoint inks plus a 0.5mm mechanical pencil, priced at 10,800 yen including tax. The all-black stainless steel body has a genuinely cool, understated design, and the twist mechanism is satisfying to use: it does not rotate infinitely, and you feel a clear click when a refill locks into place.

Because it takes D1 refills, you can swap in Jetstream or Acro Ink refills to change the character of the writing. If you like a dark, industrial look with a tactile twist action, this is an easy pen to live with.

OHTO Multi B2 + 1

The OHTO Multi B2 + 1 costs 2,200 yen including tax and stands out for one reason: the 45mm-long knurled grip. That extra length covers everyone, whether you prefer gripping lower or higher up the barrel. Both barrel and grip are brass, giving it the character of an exposed metal drafting pencil.

It uses a gravity knock mechanism: point the desired color icon upward and press to deploy the refill. The included auto refill has a needle tip that writes very smoothly, and since it is D1 size, Jetstream or Acroink refills work here too.

Zebra Sharbo X TF12

The Zebra Sharbo X TF12 is priced at 13,200 yen including tax and uses a 4C format: 0.7mm black and red emulsion ink ballpoints plus a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Unlike most Sharbo models, which ship without refills, this one includes them.

This is a limited edition reproduction based on the original Sharbo X, and the barrel carries a deep engraved lattice pattern that looks striking in person. The twist mechanism rotates continuously in both directions with an extremely smooth tactile feel. As a design piece that still writes well, it earns its higher price.

Platinum Double Action R3 Rosewood

The Platinum Double Action R3 Rosewood is a limited edition multi-pen at 5,500 yen, with 0.7mm black and red ballpoints and a 0.5mm pencil. The barrel is genuine rosewood, which gives the pen a warm, natural feel that metal pens cannot replicate.

The twist type mechanism rotates smoothly in either direction, and the combination of gold hardware and wood grain looks genuinely luxurious. Refills are D1, so Jetstream or Acroink swaps are straightforward. This is the pen to pick if you want warmth and character in a desk pen.

Pilot Juice Up 4

The Pilot Juice Up 4 ultra-fine is the budget standout at just 660 yen. It is a slide-type 4-color ballpoint with black, red, blue, and green ink and no pencil, which makes it best suited for planner use where four ink colors matter more than a pencil.

The refill is a 0.4mm ultra-fine Synergy Tip with water-based gel ink that resists blurring. The ink colors are vivid, and the metal tip and overall build quality are superb for the price. Of everything on this list, it is the easiest recommendation for anyone starting out.

Parker Sonnet Original Lacquer Black GT Multi-pen

The Parker Sonnet Original Lacquer Black GT Multi-pen costs 8,800 yen including tax and is a slim multi-pen with 0.5mm black and red ballpoints and a mechanical pencil. At 139mm it is compact, and the twist mechanism rotates very smoothly in one direction.

The black lacquer body with gold trim is simple yet luxurious, which makes it a natural choice for business settings. Refills are D1 standard, so you can tune it with Jetstream or Acroink. If you want something discreet and polished for the office, this is a strong candidate.

Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint Pen

The Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint Pen, priced at 13,200 yen, holds black, red, blue, and green ink while keeping the form of a standard ballpoint pen. That shape is exactly what many multi-pen users want: four colors in a silhouette that does not announce itself.

The resin body weighs just 16g, surprisingly light given its appearance, and the brushed finish looks stylish. It uses a gravity-select mechanism: face the desired color label upward and click to extend the refill, then click again to retract it. Refills are D1 standard with Jetstream or Acroink compatibility.

Uni Jetstream Prime 2 + 1

The Uni Jetstream Prime 2 + 1 is priced at 3,630 yen including tax and equips 0.5mm black and red ballpoints with a mechanical pencil. It shares the design of the Jetstream Prime 3-color ballpoint, but the slide-knock quality has been improved for this multi-pen version, making it very smooth to operate.

The beige color is lovely, and the included Jetstream D1 refill writes very smoothly, with Acroink available if you prefer a different feel. Simple design, lovely colors, a slightly elevated price, and an easy recommendation.

Ginza Ito-ya Romeo No. 4 Leather Grip

Second place goes to the Ginza Ito-ya Romeo No. 4 Leather Grip at 5,200 yen. This gravity-knock pen carries black, red, and blue 0.7mm ballpoints plus a 0.5mm mechanical pencil: point the indicator of the color you want upward and knock to extend the refill.

The color indicator is simple and subtle, so it never spoils the design. With a 10mm diameter, minimal tip wobble, and a great writing feel, it balances refinement and everyday usability better than most.

Pilot 4 + 1 RiDGE

First place is the Pilot 4 + 1 RiDGE, priced at 11,000 yen including tax. It packs 0.7mm black, red, blue, and green ballpoints plus a 0.5mm mechanical pencil, and it feels very luxurious in the hand. It operates very smoothly with a rotating and knock mechanism that turns in both directions.

It comes with D1 Acroink refills, but Jetstream swaps work if you prefer. There are honest caveats: the pen is slightly rear-heavy, so it will not suit everyone, and the 3 + 1 version costs about half the price and is the better pick if you only need three colors. As a daily main pen with four colors and a pencil, though, this is the one that earned the top spot.

Buying Advice

A few patterns emerge from this ranking. If you want maximum color variety on a budget, the Pilot Juice Up 4 is unbeatable value. For everyday smoothness at a mid-range price, the Uni Jetstream Prime 2 + 1 and OHTO Multi B2 + 1 are dependable. For design-forward buyers, the Lamy 2000 4-Color, Zebra Sharbo X TF12, and Pilot 4 + 1 RiDGE occupy the premium tier, while the Platinum Rosewood and Parker Sonnet bring warmth and business polish respectively. Since nearly all of these take D1 refills, your refill choice is almost as important as the pen itself.

Conclusion

The best multi-pen is the one whose mechanism, grip, and color set match how you actually write. This list spans budget gel writers to luxury twist models, and every pen on it is in rotation for a reason. Start with your color needs and mechanism preference, and the shortlist builds itself.