MUJI Pens NZ: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
MUJI pens have a following that is out of all proportion to how they look. No branding on the barrel, no clever gimmick, just a pen that writes the same way every time for a few dollars. The catch is that the range all looks alike on a shelf, and the differences that matter are in the tip size and the ink rather than the outside. Here is how to pick the right one.
Gel or ballpoint: the first decision
Almost everything else follows from this one.
Gel ink is water based and sits darker and smoother on the page. It glides with very little pressure, which is why it suits long note taking sessions and anyone whose hand cramps. It takes a moment longer to dry, so left handers should be aware of smudging.
Ballpoint ink is oil based. It dries almost instantly, works on cheaper paper without feathering, and lasts far longer per pen. It needs a little more pressure and the line is slightly lighter.
The short version: gel for writing you enjoy, ballpoint for writing you have to do. Most people who try both end up carrying one of each.
The gel pens
The MUJI gel pens at $3.99 are the ones people buy in fives. A 0.5mm tip, a clean dark line, and a barrel that is comfortable without being bulky.
Colours currently in stock include black, blue and red for everyday work, plus green and light blue if you colour code your notes.
If you would rather have a cap than a click, the Compact Cap Type Gel Pen 0.5mm at $5.99 is shorter, which makes it the one that actually fits in a small pencil case or a pocket.
The ballpoints
The Polycarbonate Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm at $3.99 is the workhorse. It is the pen to leave by the phone, lend without worrying, and take into an exam where a smudge would matter.
The wider 0.7mm tip suits people who write large or press hard, and it copes with rougher paper better than a fine gel tip does.
0.5mm or 0.7mm
| 0.5mm | 0.7mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Line | Fine and precise | Bolder and more visible |
| Best for | Small handwriting, annotations, planners | Larger handwriting, signing, everyday notes |
| On thin paper | Less bleed through | More ink, more chance of showing through |
| Smudging | Less ink so it dries faster | More ink so it takes a moment longer |
If you are undecided, 0.5mm is the safer default and the size most of the MUJI range is built around.
The two in one, and the mechanical pencils
The 2 Colour Ballpoint 0.7mm with 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil at $15.99 puts black ink, a second colour and a pencil in one barrel. For anyone who marks up as they read, it removes the constant swapping.
On the pencil side, the Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm with Rubber Grip in Clear at $3.99 and the Dark Grey version at $4.50 are the plain, well balanced pencils that get used until they are lost. More options sit in the mechanical pencils collection.
Two more worth adding
The Mild Highlighter at $3.99 uses the softer, muted tones that do not overwhelm the page, which makes marked-up notes easier to read back than a fluorescent one does.
And the Compact A7 Plain Notebook at $19.99 is the pocket sized companion to the compact pen, with 88 plain sheets for anyone who does not want lines dictating the layout.
Making them last
A few small habits get noticeably more life out of a cheap pen.
- Store pens tip down where you can. Gravity keeps ink at the tip and prevents the skipping that happens after a pen has sat upright in a jar for a month.
- Cap it or click it every time. An exposed gel tip dries out faster than most people expect, and a dried tip is the usual reason a half full pen stops writing.
- Scribble on scrap paper to restart a skipping pen before giving up on it. Most come back.
- Keep them out of a hot car. Heat thins ink and causes blobbing, and it is the fastest way to ruin a pencil case full of gel pens.
Which one for what
| If you are | Start with |
|---|---|
| Taking lecture or class notes all day | 0.5mm gel in black, plus a colour for headings |
| Left handed | The 0.7mm ballpoint, which dries much faster |
| Colour coding a planner | Gel pens in several colours plus the mild highlighter |
| Carrying one pen in a pocket | The compact cap type gel pen |
| Reading and annotating | The two colour ballpoint with built in pencil |
| Sketching or drafting | The 0.5mm mechanical pencil |
MUJI Pen FAQs
Why are MUJI pens so popular?
Consistency at a low price. There is no branding on the barrel, the line quality is the same from the first page to the last, and at around four dollars there is nothing precious about carrying one everywhere.
Are MUJI gel pens good for left handers?
Gel ink takes slightly longer to dry, so it can smudge under a dragging hand. The 0.7mm oil based ballpoint dries much faster and is usually the better choice for left handed writers.
What is the difference between the gel and the ballpoint?
Gel ink is water based, darker and smoother, and needs less pressure. Ballpoint ink is oil based, dries almost instantly and lasts longer per pen. Gel for comfort, ballpoint for durability.
Should I get 0.5mm or 0.7mm?
0.5mm suits smaller handwriting, annotations and thin paper. 0.7mm suits larger handwriting and gives a bolder line. If you are not sure, 0.5mm is the safer starting point.
Do you stock MUJI in your Auckland stores?
Yes, MUJI stationery is stocked across our Auckland stores as well as online. Individual colours sell through quickly, so the website is the best guide to what is in stock today.
Find your everyday pen. Browse the full pens collection, add a pencil case to keep them together, or read our roundup of Japanese pen brands if you want to see how MUJI compares with Zebra, Pilot and Uni.
