ZAGG Pro Stylus 2
Summary
The ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 ups the budget stylus game. ZAGG out-designed Apple’s new $79 stylus with wireless Qi charging, a selection of colors, and a capacitive tip, along with magnetic attachment to iPad Pros, tilt sensitivity and palm rejection.
ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 Review
Apple just came out with a $79 Apple Pencil. It charges via USB-C rather than wirelessly, and it doesn’t include a pressure-sensitive tip. The specs read like several Pencil clones on the market. I’m glad I waited to review the ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 until after Apple’s new Pencil release because ZAGG made a better $79 (well, $79.99) stylus than Apple.
Both attach magnetically to iPads. Both offer tilt sensitivity. Both pair easily. Both include palm rejection.
Unlike Apple’s Pencil, however, ZAGG eschewed the USB-C charging of their first stylus for wireless charging. They not only provide a USB-C to ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 charger, but the stylus can charge via Qi charging. Just sit it on a pad. It will not charge via Apple’s charging area associated with the magnet, which isn’t great, but since no one is doing that, I’m guessing Apple has restricted that feature as they likely cover with a patent. Interestingly, since Apple’s new Pencil doesn’t use that feature, the combination of pressure sensitivity and on-device charging looks like the cost drivers for the Pencil.
After a full charge, the ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 runs for about six and a half hours. It turns off after 15 minutes to conserve battery. I have never found it dead when I needed it.
In addition to wireless charging, the ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 also includes a capacitive cap on its top, allowing it to work on iPhones and other devices that don’t use the Apple Pencil technology. Pushing the capacitive cap turns on the stylus.
And the ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 comes in gray, yellow, white, blue, and pink.
The ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 comes with an additional tip and is backed by a one-year warranty.
Basic printed packaging is environmentally forward. Another good example for other vendors that packaging just does not require plastic to be protective and attractive.
ZAGG has done a very nice engineering job with the Pro Stylus 2. I prefer on-device charging, but that looks like an Apple market protection move, not a failure of engineering at clone stylus makers. ZAGG stylus is attractive, even fun—and it costs only a dollar more than Apple’s new budget Pencil. ZAGG offers a solid alternative that should be a very real consideration for anyone shopping for an Apple iPad stylus.
ZAGG provided the ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 for review. Images courtesy of ZAGG unless otherwise noted.
Serious Insights is an Amazon Affiliate. Clicking on an Amazon link may result in a payment to Serious Insights.
For more serious insights on hardware and accessories, click here.
This review is inaccurate. The Zagg Pro Stylus 2 does charge magnetically while attached to the right side of my iPad Pro 11” (4th Gen). Also Apple didn’t just come out with the $79 pencil.
The Zagg charges wirelessly via Qi or its own charger. Apple’s USB-C pencil is $79. Hope that helps.
My mistake. Apple does currently sell the $79 USB-C Pencil. You are correct about the wireless charging, but I can guarantee you that my device does charge while attached magnetically to the iPad Pro (4th Gen). I’d be more than happy to share screenshots for proof. 🙂
I agree. It does not charge on the device. Only wirelessly on Qi or its own charger.