Three things to note before we get started:

1) I am extremely biased toward gel pens, clickable pens, and pens with tips that are 0.5 mm and under.

2) I couldn't include every pen I've ever tried on this list, so if your favorite isn't here, don't come for my credentials, nerds.

3) To anyone who says they don't care what pen they use: GO AWAY, THE ADULTS ARE TALKING.

This is one of my all-time favorite pens. It's smooth, lasts a while, can be found at pretty much any store that sells pens, and you don't have to worry about keeping track of the cap. It also comes in other sizes, but the 0.7 is too thick and the 0.38 is so thin that it drags across the paper.

I'm gonna be honest: I'm realllllly not crazy about this pen because 1) it's a ballpoint, and 2) using it reminds me of taking notes in class in middle school. However, a lot of my friends seem to really love it.

They're good pens, Brent.

This is my friend Nicole's favorite pen and people freaking love it on Instagram. And I concur — it's a damn good pen.

Uni Jetstream pens are relatively new to me, but I have only good things to say about them! This is actually my current favorite ballpoint pen (probably because it doesn't feel like a ballpoint pen).

This pen is thicc. That squishy gel grip is very nice, but this pen will also run you $10.

This is a solid pen that's easy to find in stores, which is important. My friend who recommended this pen to me said it's particularly good for lefties.

My grandma introduced me to this pen — along with the idea that one can have a favorite pen — when I was in high school but I don't use it anymore because 1) it's a ballpoint pen, 2) 0.7 is a bit too thick for my taste, and 3) the ink is relatively faint.

I love this pen; it would probably be my top favorite if pen it were retractable. (Also if you're looking for a really fine pen, try the 0.28 version; it's the thinnest pen I've used that doesn't feel "scratchy" when you're writing.)

Another new-to-me pen that I'm enjoying so far!

First of all: Le Pen pens just look good. They are slim and elegant and their name sounds fancy. I used Le Pen pens exclusively in my journal for a while last year before ultimately deciding I prefer something a little thinner. But I can say objectively that this is a very good pen.

I mean, whatever. It's your life.

This is the pen that recently booted the Pilot G-2 from my top spot; it's thin but not "scratchy" like a lot of pens with tips below 0.5 mm are. Also, its click is deeply satisfying, which I think counts for something. After I tried it for the first time, I went on Amazon and ordered a set of 10.