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The Adonit Note+ 2 is a great budget alternative to the Apple Pencil USB-C for students and artists, despite the same durability.
With the new Apple Pencil USB-C, it's clear that Apple is trying to create a variety of Apple Pencils for different price ranges. However, the third-party market for other styluses is growing, especially since the Note+ 2 offers similar features at an even lower price.
Adonit has been working on creating iPad styluses since 2010 and currently has over a dozen different styluses compatible with iOS and iPadOS.
Adonit Note+ 2 – Design & Using
The Adonit Note+ 2 has almost the same features as the Apple USB-C Pencil, with the distinguishing differences being different pen tips and two assignable shortcut buttons. It's also compatible with most iPads 6th generation and later.
The Note+ 2 has three pen tips: soft, medium and hard. Soft and medium feel softer, especially if you're drawing or painting, but they wear out the fastest.
The hard tip is more like a ballpoint pen and is therefore best suited for long-term note-taking.
The two shortcut buttons on the side serve as a nice replacement for the double-tap macro in the original Apple Pencil. However, programming these two shortcut buttons depends on what application you are using, which is covered here by Adonit.
In terms of portability, the Note+ 2 can be attached to the iPad magnetically, but it does not charge magnetically. Charging via USB-C takes about an hour. While it doesn't take long to charge the device in standby mode, it feels like an eternity when you charge it while in use, especially when the charging wire affects the writing speed.
We recommend charging your Adonit stylus every night if you use it for note-taking or drawing for more than eight hours a day. The LED indicator on the side of the stylus flashes red when the battery is low, but this may not be easy to notice during use. This may cause the Note+ 2 stylus to turn off unexpectedly.
Palm rejection and pressure sensitivity are very similar to our experience with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, primarily in terms of note-taking with Goodnotes 5.
Note+ 2 is almost the same length as USB-C. The Apple Pencil is 165mm long and 6 grams lighter at 14 grams. The Note +2 is made of aluminum but has a plastic cone and tip.
After more than a month of use, we can say that the price difference with the Apple Pencil is mainly due to the difference in durability. The tips wear out faster and the plastic cone can become a little loose over time.
However, nothing broke and the quality of the Note+ 2 did not deteriorate during our use. However, we don't see it outlasting the Apple Pencil or a stylus with a more durable design.
Adonit Note+ 2 is an affordable alternative, perhaps not for the long term
If you're looking for an iPad stylus that works well and is reasonably priced, the Adonit Note+ 2 is worth considering. Whether you're a student, a creative person, or someone who needs shortcut buttons and a variety of pen tips, this stylus will help you get the most out of your iPad.
However, durability is a question mark on the Note+ 2 will last for several years, but use cases may vary.
Adonit Note+ 2 Pro
- The kit includes three pen nibs
- Lightweight, attached with magnets.
- Quality matches the stated price.
Cons of Adonit Note+ 2
- Limited button programming depending on the application
- Potentially limited durability
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Where to buy Adonit Note+ 2
Adonit Note+ 2 is available on Amazon for $69.99 and the Adonit Store for $69.99.
