Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: 6 Key Differences and Which Is Better

Are you looking for the best stylus for your iPad? Well, many options are available in today’s market, but if you want to get a powerful and reliable stylus, your best bet will be either Logitech Crayon or Apple Pencil.

Both of these styluses have above-average performance. However, the Apple Pencil overpowers the Logitech Crayon because of its pressure sensitivity function, which is significant if you are looking for a wide range of artistic effects.

The Logitech Crayon, on the other hand, is the cheaper option and is very dependable if you want to get a stylus for primary use. But these are not the only factors to consider. Read on to find out more details about these special iPad styluses in order to land the most ideal option for you.

Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: Side-by-Side Comparison

Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: What’s the Difference?

It’s worth noting that Logitech Crayon is the only non-Apple stylus officially approved for iPads by Apple itself. Therefore, if you are not going for the Apple Pencil, the best alternative will be the Logitech Crayon. That’s why we look at their key differences to guide you in making a solid conclusion. 

Performance

Both Logitech Crayon and Apple Pencil have outstanding performance in drawing, note-taking, and marking up essential details in your document. Looking at the Apple Pencil, it provides a quick way to start writing notes, even if the iPad is locked.

You can simply tap on the Apple Pencil icon to begin writing. Even when using other apps, you can start note-taking quickly by swiping up from the bottom right corner of the screen using your Apple Pencil.

Apart from note-taking, you can use the Pencil to draw perfect shapes such as squares, circles, and stars with your iPads. You only need to sketch the intended shape, and the iPad will perfect it.   

Our Pick

Logitech Crayon

$65.95

• Smart tip adjusts the line weight automatically
• 1 Lithium Polymer battery
• Weighs 0.7 ounces
• 7.5-hour average battery life

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09/27/2023 04:26 pm GMT

Additionally, the Apple pencil is not all about writing and drawing; you can also use it to navigate your iPad. Some ways to control your iPad using the stylus pen include opening apps and links, deleting apps, typing on the keyboard, and entering the lock screen password.

Unfortunately, you can’t depend entirely on the Apple Pencil as a navigation tool as it’s limited to some functions, such as returning to the home screen, switching apps, and finding the Control Centre. 

Similar to the Apple Pencil, you can use the Logitech Crayon to navigate your iPad and perform almost every function it does. The two styluses are at nearly the same standard in terms of performance. The slight difference is that the Apple Pencil is more detailed in artistic work, such as sketching and colorizing pictures, because of the pressure sensitivity and Apple Pencil hover features.

Connectivity 

We need to applaud both styluses for enabling wireless connectivity. You can quickly connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad via Bluetooth. However, the two Apple Pencil models have different ways of setup.

If you use the 1st generation Apple Pencil, you need to remove its cap and connect the lightning connector to your iPad. It’s much simpler with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, as all you need to do is place it on the magnetic side of the iPad, and it will automatically connect. 

Similarly, the Logitech Crayon also requires Bluetooth to pair with your iPad. Once your Bluetooth is on, you need to turn it on by pressing and holding the power button until the LED lights up. Wait a few seconds, and the pen will automatically connect to your iPad.

Compatibility

Apple Pencil has two versions, the first-generation and the second-generation model. Keep in mind that not every iPad supports both versions; therefore, ensure the Apple Pencil model you buy is compatible with your device.

Here are iPads that pair with the 1st generation Apple Pencil: iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Mini (5th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 9.7-inch. 

The 2nd generation Apple pencil is compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation), iPad Mini (6th generation).  

Looking at the Logitech Crayon, it pairs with all iPad models released from 2018 to date. It has also followed in the footsteps of the Apple pencil to release its 2nd-generation model, which has a USB-C connector.  

Features

Both Logitech Crayon and Apple Pencil have tilt detection that allows users to use these styluses just like a real pencil. That is, you get different brush sizes when the stylus is tilted at an angle. The tilt function is crucial for professional artists, especially when shading their artwork. 

Another significant feature incorporated into both the Crayon stylus and the Pencil is the palm rejection function. The styluses will make no sense if the iPad can’t differentiate between your fingers and the pen, and that’s where palm rejection comes into play.

It allows you to write with the stylus pen on the iPad without interference, even when you rest your palm on the screen. That means your iPad can only respond to the pen’s touch when writing. 

Best for Drawing

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

$89.00

• Imperceptible lag
• Tilt and pressure sensitivity
• Magnetically attaches to the iPad
• Charges wirelessly

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09/28/2023 01:04 pm GMT

Although Logitech Crayon has included essential features for a better drawing and writing experience, the Apple Pencil is a step ahead because of the Apple Pencil hover. This feature is a unique feature designed for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil.

It’s supported on the iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation). The main function of the Apple Pencil hover is to show the exact place where your pen will touch the display, increasing the drawing and writing precision. 

Finally, let’s touch on the pressure sensitivity function (pen sensitivity), a feature you will only get on the Apple Pencil. Pressure sensitivity allows you to draw thick or thin lines depending on the force you are using to draw. It is a very important feature if you plan to work on complex artwork. 

Battery Life

Their reliable battery life is a major factor that makes the Logitech Crayon and the Apple Pencil stand out from other styluses. Starting with the Logitech Crayon, you will enjoy up to 7.5 hours of usage on a single charge.

Although the battery life is very reliable, the annoying part is that you cannot check your battery level, making it challenging to know the appropriate time to recharge your stylus. However, you can estimate the battery percentage by studying the LED light. If it blinks red, the battery level is low, whereas a green flash indicates the battery level is above 10%. 

In contrast, the Pencil shows the battery level through the Apple Battery widget on your iPad. It also has a longer battery life than the Logitech Crayon, which can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. 

Price

The Logitech Crayon is cheaper, with a price tag of around $70. That is to be expected considering the fact that it lacks some crucial features found on the Apple Pencil. Nonetheless, it is a reliable stylus and the best alternative to the Pencil. 

Looking at the Apple Pencil, you will pay $99 for the first generation and $129 for the second generation. Although the prices are high, the Pencil provides unique features suitable for both primary and complex works of art. 

The History of the Apple Pencil

The first-generation Apple Pencil was introduced on September 9, 2015, together with the iPad Pro (1st generation). Everyone was eager to know the design of the Pencil and if its performance would be better than an actual pencil. Unlike common buyers, professional artists focused more on the features and artistic effects of the Apple Pencil to know if it would fulfill their needs. But who was behind this great idea? 

John Ive, Apple’s chief designer, is the man who came up with the idea of introducing the Apple Pencil for the 1st-gen iPad Pro. Ive and the team designed the first Apple stylus to resemble an actual pencil to improve the traditional writing experience.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Ive said, “We hoped if you are used to spending a lot of time using paintbrushes, pencils, and pens, this will feel like a more natural extension of that experience — that it will feel familiar.“ He added, “To achieve that degree of very simple, natural behavior was a significant technological challenge.”

The first-generation Apple Pencil was well-received by buyers globally. However, it had its drawbacks, which saw many users complaining. The challenges were to be expected, considering it was the first Apple stylus in the market. Following the complaints from users about the risks of losing their pen when charging, Apple had to introduce the second-generation Apple Pencil. 

Unlike the first-generation Pencil, which charges using a Lightning port and connects directly to the iPad, the 2nd-generation version uses magnetic wireless charging that attaches to the side of your iPad. Apple also designed the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil to be smaller than the first one, measuring 6.52 inches in length, while the first Apple pen measured 6.92 inches. 

How Logitech Crayon Competes

Logitech Crayon stands out from other common stylus pens because it incorporates the Apple Pencil technology, making it Apple Pencil’s greatest competitor. Another plus for Logitech Crayon is that it supports all iPad versions from 2018 to date. 

Unlike the Apple Pencil, which has a starting price of $99, the Crayon stylus is budget-friendly. You only need about $70 to own one. Therefore,  it would be best to get the Logitech Crayon if you plan to buy a stylus pen for basic artwork or education purposes, and to avoid unnecessary expenses. 

Logitech has also introduced a better version of the Crayon stylus with a USB-C charging port. Now, you can pair the new model with any iPad that has a USB-C port, including iPad 10th generation.  

Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: Pros and Cons

Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: 5 Must-Know Facts 

1. The Logitech Crayon is designed with Apple Pencil technology. The main difference is that the Pencil includes pressure sensitivity, whereas the Crayon stylus lacks this function. 
2. Both styluses have two models. In the case of the Apple Pencil, you’ll find the 1st-generation and 2nd-generation models, whereas the Logitech Crayon has the original model (with the Lightning port) and the newer version (with a USB-C port).
3. The Logitech Crayon is compatible with all iPad models (2018 and later) 
4. You have to use the USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter to pair your first-generation model to the iPad 10th Generation.
5. You can check the Apple Pencil’s battery level using the Apple Battery widget on your iPad. In contrast, the Crayon stylus doesn’t show the battery level, but you can estimate the percentage by studying the LED lights.

Logitech Crayon vs Apple Pencil: Which One Is Better?

We can’t declare an actual winner in this contest. So, the answer entirely depends on your budget and, most importantly, the purpose for buying it. If you plan to use the stylus pen for serious art, you should get the Apple Pencil because of the pressure sensitivity function. This makes drawing and writing more effective than what you will experience with the Logitech Crayon. 

However, the pressure sensitivity function will not bring any significant change if you are looking for a stylus for basic artwork or education. We recommend that you go for the Logitech Crayon because it’s the cheaper option and has all the essential features for note-taking and drawing.

Also, consider the battery life. The Apple Pencil will last 12 hours on a single charge, whereas the Logitech Crayon promises 7.5 hours before the battery dies. So, you know where to place your money if you intend to use the stylus pen for long periods.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©mokjc/Shutterstock.com.