Pilot Dr. Grip RT vs Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1
Pilot Dr. Grip RT ($9.99) vs Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 ($20.59) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right ballpoint.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Pilot Dr. Grip RT | Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $20.59 |
| Weight | 20g | 27g |
| Style | Dr. Grip RT, retractable ballpoint | Dr. Grip 4+1, multi-function pen and pencil |
| Point | Medium, 1.0 mm | Fine |
| Ink | Black ink (Black barrel) or blue ink (Navy barrel) | — |
| Grip | Wide barrel, latex-free cushioned grip | Wide barrel, latex-free cushioned grip |
| Refill | Refillable | — |
| Certification | Certified for Ease of Use by the Arthritis Foundation | — |
| Weight | ~20g (approx, estimated from the shared wide barrel; JetPens lists 20 g for the Full Black and the Limited gel; Pilot publishes no weight) | ~27g (approx, JetPens lists 27 g for the 4+1; Pilot publishes no weight) |
| Pilot model | 36100 (black), 36101 (blue) | 36220 |
| Inks | — | Black, blue, red and green advanced ink |
| Pencil | — | #2 HB lead, retracts at the clip |
Pros & Cons
Pilot Dr. Grip RT
- Wide cushioned grip that cuts hand fatigue
- Refillable, so one pen lasts
- Certified for Ease of Use by the Arthritis Foundation
- Plain plastic look compared with the metal-trim styles
- Medium 1.0 mm point writes broader than a gel pen
Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1
- Four inks and a pencil in one pen
- Six barrel colors
- Same wide comfortable grip
- $20.59 at Staples, the dearest Dr. Grip
- Heavier and thicker than the single-ink pens
Pilot Dr. Grip RT is the better value at $9.99. Both are part of our curated ballpoint index — tap through to check current pricing.
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