Buying an Apple Pencil at full price feels like a tax on being creative. It shouldn’t cost over a hundred bucks for a plastic stick, yet here we are, staring at the checkout screen wondering if the "Pro" version is actually worth the extra shift at work. If you’re hunting for an Apple Pencil on sale, you’re probably already aware that Apple itself almost never drops the price. They’re stubborn. They like their margins. But retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target play a different game entirely.
The weird math of Apple Pencil pricing
Let’s be real for a second. There are now four different versions of this thing. You’ve got the original lightning-connector version, the second generation that sticks to the side of your iPad, the USB-C budget model, and the brand-new Apple Pencil Pro. It’s a mess. Honestly, most people buy the wrong one because they see a "sale" and jump on it without checking compatibility.
The Apple Pencil 2 usually hovers around $129, but during a good sale, it dips to $79 or $89. That’s the sweet spot. If you see it for $80, buy it. Don’t wait for it to hit $70 because it rarely happens, and when it does, it sells out in about six minutes. The USB-C version is newer and sits around $79 normally, but you can often find it for $69. Is it worth saving ten bucks to lose pressure sensitivity? Probably not if you’re an artist. If you’re just signing PDFs or taking notes in a lecture hall, then yeah, save the cash.
Why the Pro model is changing the secondary market
The release of the Apple Pencil Pro changed everything. Because it only works with the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air, it created a weird surplus of older stock. Retailers are currently trying to move "old" Gen 2 units to make room for the Pro. This is great news for you.
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I’ve noticed that Best Buy’s "Open Box" section is a goldmine right now. People buy an iPad, grab the wrong pencil, realize it doesn’t magnetically pair, and return it the next day. You can snag a "Satisfactory" or "Excellent" condition Apple Pencil 2 for roughly $65 to $75. It’s basically new. You just don't get the shrink-wrapped box experience.
Avoiding the "too good to be true" traps
Be careful on marketplaces. eBay and random third-party sellers on Walmart.com are flooded with "Apple Pencils" that are actually just $20 knockoffs from a factory in Shenzhen. They look identical. They might even have a fake serial number that shows up as "valid" on Apple’s website—scammers have gotten really good at cloning real serial numbers.
If the price is $40 for a brand-new-in-box Gen 2, it’s a fake. 100%. Genuine Apple hardware has very tight price controls. Even the biggest retailers only have a few dollars of wiggle room. No one is selling a legitimate, sealed Pencil for 60% off unless it fell off a truck or isn't actually Apple-made.
The easiest way to tell a fake? The weight and the pairing. Real Apple Pencils have a specific heft because of the magnets and the complex internal digitizer. Fakes often feel hollow. Also, fakes usually require a Bluetooth pairing step in the settings menu, whereas a real Gen 2 or Pro model just snaps onto the iPad and works instantly.
Does the USB-C version even count?
Apple released the USB-C Apple Pencil to hit a lower price point, but it’s a bit of a "Frankenstein" product. It has the flat edge and magnets of the Gen 2, but it doesn't charge wirelessly. You have to plug a cable into the end of it. It’s annoying.
However, during a major Apple Pencil on sale event—think Prime Day or Black Friday—this model often hits $65. If you are a student on a strict budget, it's a solid tool. It still has the same low latency. You won't feel a "lag" when writing. You just lose the ability to shade with the side of the tip (tilt is there, but pressure sensitivity is gone). For handwriting, it’s fine. For digital painting in Procreate? It’s a nightmare. Avoid it if you’re an illustrator.
Tracking the price cycles
Retailers are predictable. Amazon usually leads the charge. If Amazon drops the price by $30, Best Buy will match it within four hours.
- Check the "Education Store" if you’re a student or teacher. Apple gives a year-round discount, but it’s usually only about $10.
- Use price trackers like CamelCamelCamel. You can see the history of the Apple Pencil on sale and realize that it hits its lowest price roughly every six weeks.
- Look for "Renewed" on Amazon. These are different from third-party used items; they usually come with a 90-day guarantee.
Compatibility is the biggest headache
Before you spend a dime, you have to verify your iPad model. This is where most people waste their money.
The Gen 1 (the one with the cap and the lightning connector) only works with the base-model iPad (up to 10th Gen, though that requires an adapter) and older Airs/Pros. The Gen 2 works with most iPad Airs from the last few years and the older USB-C Pros. The Pro model? That’s strictly for the newest 2024-2025 hardware.
If you buy a Gen 2 for your base-model iPad 10, it won't even charge. It’ll just sit there looking pretty. Always go to Settings > General > About and look at your model name before hunting for deals.
The Refurbished Secret
Apple’s own "Certified Refurbished" store is a hidden gem, though the Pencil rarely shows up there compared to iPads and Macs. When it does, the price is competitive, and you get a brand-new outer shell and a full one-year warranty. It is indistinguishable from a new product.
However, big-box retailers usually beat Apple’s refurbished price during holiday weekends. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and "Back to School" season (July-August) are the peak times for these discounts. During Back to School, Apple often gives away a gift card with an iPad purchase, which you can then use to basically get an Apple Pencil for "free" or heavily discounted.
Practical steps for your purchase
Don't just click "buy" on the first sponsored ad you see. Start by identifying your iPad model. If you have an iPad Pro M4 or Air M2, you need the Apple Pencil Pro. If you have an older iPad Air or Pro, look for the Gen 2.
Check Amazon's "Other Sellers on Amazon" section on the product page. Sometimes, "Amazon Warehouse" has units with "damaged packaging" for an extra $15 off. The box is ripped, but the Pencil is untouched. That is the absolute lowest price you will find for a genuine product.
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Once you get it, test it immediately. Open the Notes app, draw a few lines, and check for "jitter." If the line wobbles when you draw slowly, or if it disconnects when you pull it off the magnet, return it. Genuine Apple products don't do that.
Lastly, look at the tips. Apple Pencil tips wear down over time. If you buy a used one, factor in another $19 for a 4-pack of fresh tips. A worn-down tip can actually scratch your screen protector or, worse, the glass itself. It's not worth the risk for a few bucks in savings.