PenTips Review. PenMat and Apple Pencil Tips Are 5 Star Accessories That Turn an iPad into a Notetaking and Drawing Marvel

PenTips PenMat and Apple Pencil Tips Review

My relationship with my iPad Pro changed recently. It wasn’t because the USB-C port mysteriously went wonky, charging from a Mac but not from anything else. It wasn’t because of the flaw in the USB-C port that forced me to buy an iPad Magic Keyboard to keep my beloved iPad charged. No, what really changed my relationship with the iPad was the Pen Tips PenMat, which turned my glossy screen into a matt-finished wonder without any glue or other stick stuff. Nope, just magnets. Combine that with various Apple Pencil pen tips, and the writing experience that should have been native all along magically appears. And it won’t break the bank to turn any iPad into a well-designed writing instrument.

The PenMat runs $28.79. PenTips start at $19.99. Tips covers (Lite and Fiber) come in sets of 5. INK ships as a pair. PenTips 2+ run $47.99 for 3 tips.

Apple’s 4-pack replacement tips run $19.

What we like

Pros

• Textured feeling
• Reusability and application
• Smudge-resistance and glare-free
• Magnetic connection and fit

I’m thoroughly impressed with its performance. As a sometimes artist and all the time note-taker, I was looking for a screen protector that would provide a textured, matte finish while still maintaining crystal-clear visibility. PenMat delivers.

Textured Feeling. The matte particles added to the PenMat give it a unique texture that’s reminiscent of drawing on a real canvas. This increased friction provides more control when using my iPad’s screen, making it perfect for precise drawing and writing.

Reusable and Easy Application. I love how easy it is to apply the PenMat using the integrated magnetic connection. Simply place it on your iPad, and you’re good to go! The reusability feature is also a major plus – no more worrying about bubbles or residue.

I thought the magnetic application would slip and slide. It did not. I never found a screen protector for the iPad Pro that wasn’t a hassle to put on, which usually meant I removed it soon after because of bubbles and obstructions. Not only does the PenMat stay put, but it also makes the iPad Pro a better device.

Want to return to a glossy display? Simply remove the PenMat and store it where I will not get bent. I retained the original sleeve, just in case.

Smudge-Resistant and Glare-Free. The matte finish does an excellent job of reducing smudges and fingerprints. It’s also glare-free. It doesn’t make the iPad Pro any less susceptible to becoming washed out in full sun, but it certainly makes using an iPad much more pleasurable in more measured lighting situations.

Magnetic Application and Fit. The magnets are perfectly aligned to fit my iPad’s screen size, ensuring a seamless installation process.

What about those PenTips?

PenTips offers several types of tips. The illustration below shows how their pen tips stack up against Apple’s. The biggest difference is sound, with the pen tip covers (PenTips Lite and PenTips Fiber) slipping over an existing Apple Pencil tip, increasing the friction between the pencil and the iPad screen. This is even more noticeable with the PenMat in place. The PenTips INK tip, combined with the PenMat, creates a writing experience similar to pen on paper. Their PenTips 2+, while it doesn’t reduce tapping, it does increase the control over the drawing or notetaking experience.

All of the PenTips perform as described in the illustration and align with the suggested use cases.

As with PenMat, PenTips does an excellent job in engineering with each of the pen tips. Buyers should feel confident that the Dutch company offers quality products that meet the expectations of its website. Want to keep your original Apple Pencil Tip and still improve your writing? No problem. The Lite and Fiber covers increase the longevity and control of the Apple Pencil, making them a near must-have accessory.

The PenTip covers work equally well on third-party pencils like Zagg’s Pro Stylus 2.

What could be improved

Cons

• Box labeling. What did I buy?

I don’t have many cons. The biggest one is minor. I received several boxes of pen tips. I don’t know which is which. They are not identified on the boxes. A slip of paper or a paper-based sticker that says, “PenTips Fiber,” would stop me from opening all the little black boxes each time I want to find the tip I’m looking for.

Overall, all the packaging was environmentally positive, complete with recycle labeling. The PenMat, however, came in a plastic bag (within a recyclable sleeve) that was not labeled for recycling. It’s probably headed for the landfill so as not to pollute my other plastic recycling.

PenTips PenMat and Apple Pencil Tips: The bottom line

If you’re looking for a screen protector that provides a unique textured experience without compromising on clarity or usability, the PenMat is an excellent choice. I highly recommend that those who take notes or draw on the iPad consider giving these reasonably priced writing add-ons a try.

PenTips provided the PenMat and Apple Pencil Tips for review. Images courtesy of PenTips unless otherwise noted.

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