Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX Review: Smooth Yet Risky Buy
One Amazon reviewer called the Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX Gel Pen “the epitome of writing excellence,” and the numbers seem to back that up — a 4.8/5 average from thousands of ratings, with multiple platforms echoing the praise. Overall verdict: 8.4/10, with strong marks for smoothness and design, but a minority of reports citing leakage and premature drying.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for most writers, especially left-handers, but occasional quality control issues mean bulk buyers should test a few pens first.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth, consistent ink flow | Reports of leaking pens |
| Fast-drying, smear-resistant | Some pens arrive dried out or stop writing quickly |
| Comfortable, latex-free grip | Pricey compared to generic gel pens |
| Stylish metal-accent barrel | Medium point sometimes mistaken for needle tip |
| Wide color variety | A few users dislike the grip feel |
| Refillable and eco-friendly | Pen parts occasionally come loose |
Claims vs Reality
Pentel markets the EnerGel Deluxe RTX as combining “the best qualities of liquid and gel ink” with “no smears, no smudges, no globs” — ideal for left-handers. Many buyers agree. “Ink dries quickly, no transfer onto your hand as you write,” noted a Best Buy customer who praised it as “perfect for lefties.”
The manufacturer also promises a “sleek & stylish barrel design” and “latex-free grip for writing comfort.” Feedback from Staples and Amazon backs this up — one Trustpilot reviewer said, “Love the feel of the pen and the point. Writing is enjoyable,” while another Staples customer called it “very stylish… writes so smoothly.”
However, trouble appears in reliability. A Staples review warned, “These pens leak… 100% failure rate in our department,” contradicting the official "no globs" claim. Similarly, some Trustpilot users complained about pens drying out too quickly or arriving with no ink.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Smooth ink performance comes up time and again. An Amazon reviewer wrote, “It glides smoothly, leaves an attractive line, doesn’t bleed through, and doesn’t leak.” On Best Buy, one customer said, “Stylish, well-balanced pen… dries very fast, no smudging.” Left-handed writers particularly benefit — multiple reviews stressed the fast-dry formula prevents smears during note-taking.
Comfort is another consistent win. Best Buy buyers repeatedly highlight the “very comfortable grip” and “no sore hand after writing sessions.” For teachers, planners, and office workers, that means longer writing without fatigue. Reddit analysis shows a 9.1 rating for ergonomic design, correlating with comments like, “I’ve used this pen for over 5 years and will continue to order them” from Staples customers.
Color variety is also appreciated. An Amazon buyer who rotates daily between colors said, “I get so many questions about where to get them,” and Staples reviewers enjoy purple, blue, and green alongside classic black. This appeals to note-takers who code content by color or simply want a non-standard ink for personality.
Common Complaints
Reliability issues surface in around 19% of online sentiment. Staples’ municipal office review blasted them as “worst pens ever… leak and quit writing within seconds.” Trustpilot has similar stories — “Leaked all over my desk… ruined documents.” Pen components sometimes come apart: one Fakespot-flagged review described the barrel “constantly comes apart while using.”
Tip confusion causes minor frustration. One Staples customer seeking a needle tip received a medium point instead, illustrating that buyers must check listing details carefully.
Divisive Features
Grip feel splits opinion. While most love its latex-free softness, a small number find it unnatural or less grippy. Price gets mixed reactions — heavy users argue it’s worth it for performance (“Best pen I’ve used for the price,” Trustpilot), while bulk office buyers weigh it against cheaper alternatives like Pilot G2 or Uni-ball 207. Interestingly, one Fakespot summary claimed Uni-ball 207 “a good bit better than Pilot G2” but put this Pentel close to that level.
Trust & Reliability
The Trustpilot dataset shows strong loyalty — “I just threw out all the other pens I had at work and home,” said one long-term buyer. Yet, a subset of reviews document repetitive quality failures within certain batches, mostly centered on leaking or parts loosening. While these incidents aren’t dominant in feedback volume, they are consistent enough to merit caution for institutional purchases.
Reddit sentiment tracking suggests longevity is generally good when pens are stored properly, with a 9.0 rating for longevity. A verified buyer on Amazon confirmed, “I’ve had it for over a year and used it regularly and it’s still not out of ink.”
Alternatives
Some reviewers compare directly to Pilot G2 and Uni-ball 207. Pilot G2 often comes up as a familiar baseline, but this Pentel is perceived as smoother and quicker-drying, crucial for lefties. Uni-ball 207 gets praise for similar smoothness with slightly more durability, yet lacks the color range of the EnerGel. Fakespot insight shows some personal preferences favoring Uni-ball, but many still stick to Pentel for the refill flexibility and ink vibrancy.
Price & Value
On eBay, a dozen run $24.99–$28.19 plus shipping, roughly $2–$2.35 per pen — in line with Amazon and Staples bulk pricing. Bulk discounts make them more sensible for offices and schools, while smaller retail packs cater to personal users. Buyers emphasize the benefit of refills: “A true money-saver,” said one Amazon customer, lowering long-term costs and waste.
FAQ
Q: Do these pens smear for left-handed writers?
A: Rarely. Multiple users confirm the fast-dry ink resists smudging, even during rapid note-taking.
Q: Are all tips needle-style?
A: No. Medium metal tips and needle tips are both sold — check listings carefully to avoid confusion.
Q: Can these pens be refilled in different colors?
A: Yes. They accept any size/color EnerGel refill, giving flexibility for professional or creative use.
Q: How long does each pen last?
A: Many report months of regular use; some even over a year without running dry. Premature failure appears in small isolated cases.
Q: Do the pens leak?
A: Most do not, but a minority of reviews across Trustpilot and Staples report leaking — likely batch-specific issues.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a left-handed note-taker, teacher, planner user, or anyone who values smooth, vibrant ink and comfort. Avoid if you cannot tolerate occasional leakage risk or are seeking ultra-budget pens for disposable use. Pro tip from community: Always get refills in bulk — it’s cheaper, eco-friendly, and saves you from hunting for replacements mid-project.
