A good mechanical pencil never needs sharpening, so the real choice is the lead size, the build and whether you want one pencil or a pack. We checked the mechanical pencils on Amazon Australia that combine a high rating with thousands of ratings, and picked six that cover school, drafting and everyday writing.
Our pick for most people is the Pentel Graph Gear 1000. If you are buying for a school bag, skip to the BIC packs, and if you want a metal pencil, the rOtring 600 is below.
Best mechanical pencil overall: Pentel Graph Gear 1000
Best mechanical pencil overall: the Pentel Graph Gear 1000 in 0.5 mm, because it pairs a retractable tip with a roulette grip and has more than 10,000 ratings behind it.
The Graph Gear 1000 (PG1015) is a 0.5 mm pencil. The listing describes a retractable tip and a roulette grip, and that is all it says. It holds 4.7 stars from 10,058 ratings.
It suits people who want one dependable 0.5 mm pencil for notes, sketches and drawing. The honest catch: the listing text is short, so it does not describe the mechanism or the barrel material. If you want those details, the rOtring 600 listing spells them out.
Best lead rotation: uni Kuru Toga Standard
Best lead rotation: the uni Kuru Toga Standard in 0.5 mm, because its listing words lead rotation mechanics, the feature that makes this pencil different.
The listing describes the uni Kuru Toga standard model with lead rotation mechanics, 0.5 mm lead and a black body. It holds 4.6 stars from 10,066 ratings.
It suits anyone who writes a lot by hand and wants to try a pencil with a more unusual mechanism. The honest catch: the rating count is shared across the colour listings, and the listing is brief, so it says nothing more about the build.
Best premium metal pencil: the rOtring 600 in 0.5 mm, because the listing describes a brass mechanism, a full metal body and a hexagonal barrel shaped not to roll.
The rOtring 600 has the most detailed listing of the single pencils. It describes a brass mechanism for precision lead advancement, a fixed lead guidance sleeve that prevents breaks and leaves an unimpeded view of the page for ruler based drawing, and a lead hardness grade indicator. The barrel is ergonomic and metal, in a black finish that holds 0.5 mm lead. It has 4.6 stars from 9,491 ratings.
It suits people who draw with a ruler, or who simply prefer the weight of a metal pencil. The honest catch: it costs the most of the single pencils here, and it is a fixed 0.5 mm pencil, so you cannot change lead size.
Best multi size set: Nicpro 6 Piece Pencil Set
Best multi size set: the Nicpro 6 piece set, because it covers several lead sizes, from 0.5 to 2 mm, with 12 refill tubes, erasers, sharpeners and a case.
The listing describes six pencils: three metal drafting pencils in 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm, and three 2 mm graphite lead holders in 2B, HB and 2H. The box includes 12 refill tubes, 3 erasers, 9 eraser refills, 2 pencil sharpeners and a mechanical pencil case. The grips are diamond patterned textured rubber or anti slip metal threading, and there is a sharpener in the cap of the 2 mm pencil. It has 4.7 stars from 15,428 ratings.
It suits sketching, drawing and anyone who wants to try different line widths without buying several pencils. The honest catch: the listing words the pencil sizes two ways, as 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 in one place and 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 in another, so check the size you need before ordering.
Best bulk pack for school: BIC Xtra Sparkle 24 Pack
Best bulk pack for school: the BIC Xtra Sparkle 24 pack, because it has the most ratings of any pencil here and the listing words smooth lead that does not smudge and erases cleanly.
The listing describes 24 mechanical pencils in an assortment of colours with sparkly designs, 0.7 mm medium point and No. 2 leads for standardised tests. The lead advances with a click, the pencils never need sharpening, and the lead erases cleanly. It holds 4.8 stars from 43,324 ratings, the biggest count on this page and a score only the BIC 40 pack matches.
It suits school bags, shared desks and anyone who loses pencils. The honest catch: it is a pack of everyday pencils, not a single premium pencil.
Best for a big bulk pack: BIC Xtra Smooth Bright Edition 40 Pack
Best for a big bulk pack: the BIC Xtra Smooth Bright Edition 40 pack, because the listing words a 0.7 mm medium point that never needs sharpening and lead that erases cleanly.
The listing describes one 40 count pack of No. 2 mechanical pencils with erasers, in black, with a 0.7 mm medium point. The lead does not smudge and erases cleanly, you advance it by clicking the built in eraser, and the No. 2 lead is described as compatible with most standardised tests. It holds 4.8 stars from 15,514 ratings.
It suits classrooms, offices and big families who need a lot of pencils at once. The honest catch: it is a close twin of the 24 pack in a bigger count, so a single student does not need it.
How to choose a mechanical pencil
0.5 mm or 0.7 mm lead
Lead size is the first choice. A 0.5 mm lead draws a finer line and suits notes, small handwriting and drawing, which is why the Graph Gear 1000, Kuru Toga and rOtring 600 all use it. A 0.7 mm lead is thicker and suits everyday school writing, as in both BIC packs. If you cannot decide, the Nicpro set includes both sizes.
Metal or plastic build
The rOtring 600 and the Nicpro drafting pencils are described as full metal bodies, which gives more weight in the hand. The BIC pencils are everyday pencils made for packs. Choose metal if you write or draw for long sessions and like a solid pencil, and plastic if you expect to lose a few.
Grip and barrel shape
The Graph Gear 1000 has a roulette grip, and the rOtring 600 has a hexagonal barrel that is shaped not to roll off a table. The Nicpro set gives you two grip styles, diamond patterned rubber or anti slip metal threading. Pick the one that feels right in your hand, because you will hold it for hours.
Lead hardness and refills
Softer lead such as 2B gives darker shading, and harder lead such as 2H gives lighter, finer lines. The Nicpro 2 mm holders come in 2B, HB and 2H, and the rOtring 600 has a lead hardness grade indicator. The BIC packs use No. 2 lead, which the listings describe as compatible with most standardised tests. Check the lead size on the refill pack matches your pencil.
One pencil or a pack
A single good pencil suits one person who writes or draws a lot. A pack suits a school bag, a class or an office, where pencils go missing. If you are putting together a school kit, add a case from our pencil case guide and something to write in from our notebook guide.
Writing, drawing or sketching
For handwriting, a 0.5 mm pencil such as the Kuru Toga or Graph Gear 1000 is a good start. For ruler based drawing, the rOtring 600 lists a fixed lead guidance sleeve. For sketching, a multi size set like the Nicpro gives you several line widths. If you want colour as well as graphite, see our coloured pencil guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand of mechanical pencil is considered the best?
No single brand wins for everyone, so this page compares the brands that dominate the ratings. Pentel has the Graph Gear 1000, uni has the Kuru Toga, rOtring has the 600 and BIC has the school packs. Our pick for most people is the Pentel Graph Gear 1000.
Is a 0.5 or 0.7 mechanical pencil better?
Neither is better for everyone. A 0.5 mm lead draws a finer line for notes and drawing, and the Graph Gear 1000, Kuru Toga and rOtring 600 all hold 0.5 mm lead. A 0.7 mm lead is thicker, as in the BIC packs, and suits everyday school writing. The Nicpro set covers both.
Which mechanical pencil is of the best quality?
On this page the rOtring 600 has the premium build: the listing describes a brass mechanism, a full metal body, a fixed lead guidance sleeve and a hexagonal barrel. It also costs the most of the single pencils here. The Pentel Graph Gear 1000 is the better all round choice.
What is the best mechanical pencil for students?
For school bags, the BIC Xtra Sparkle 24 pack has the most ratings of any pencil here, and 24 pencils means a spare is always to hand. The BIC 40 pack suits a whole class or a big family. A student who wants one good pencil can choose the Graph Gear 1000.
What is the best mechanical pencil for drawing?
The rOtring 600 suits ruler based drawing, as its listing describes a fixed lead guidance sleeve that leaves an unimpeded view of the page. The Nicpro 6 piece set suits sketching, with 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm pencils plus 2 mm lead holders in 2B, HB and 2H. The Graph Gear 1000 is a simpler 0.5 mm choice.
What is the best mechanical pencil for writing?
For everyday handwriting, try the uni Kuru Toga: its listing words lead rotation mechanics on a 0.5 mm lead. The Pentel Graph Gear 1000 adds a roulette grip and a retractable tip. For thicker 0.7 mm writing, the BIC Xtra Sparkle listing describes smooth lead that does not smudge.
Is the rOtring 600 worth it?
It is worth it if you want a full metal pencil. The listing describes a brass mechanism, a hexagonal barrel shaped not to roll and a lead hardness grade indicator, and it holds 4.6 stars from 9,491 ratings. It costs the most of the single pencils here, so a casual writer is well served by the Graph Gear 1000.
What is the best mechanical pencil in the world?
There is no single best mechanical pencil in the world, because the right one depends on the job. Among the six we checked on Amazon Australia, the Pentel Graph Gear 1000 is our pick for most people, the rOtring 600 is the premium metal option and the uni Kuru Toga is the best for lead rotation.
Is Pentel a good mechanical pencil brand?
The Pentel Graph Gear 1000 holds 4.7 stars from 10,058 ratings, so buyers rate it well. Its listing is short: a 0.5 mm pencil with a retractable tip and a roulette grip. For more detail about the build, the rOtring 600 listing describes brass, a metal body and a hexagonal barrel.
