Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen vs Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens
Buy the Pilot FriXion Ball if you want one cheap blue pen that erases cleanly and rewrites. Buy the Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens if you need a 12-pack of red pens for marking, editing or a classroom. The Pilot is $2.97 at 123Stitch.com as of November 3, 2026, while the Paper Mate 12-pack is $11.99 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026. Per pen, the Paper Mate pack works out to about $1.00 each.
Today the Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen costs $9.02 less at its best price.
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Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen
$2.97at 123Stitch.comObserved at 6:03 AM
Choose the Pilot FriXion Ball if you want a single fine 0.7mm erasable gel pen in blue for everyday notes, and you want the lowest upfront price.
Pros
- Lowest upfront price at $2.97.
- Fine 0.7mm line suits small handwriting and tight notes.
- Smooth gel ink that erases with friction.
- Blue ink stands out from black print.
Cons
- One pen per purchase.
- Thermo-sensitive ink can fade in high heat, such as a hot car.
- Fine tip may feel scratchy to some writers.
What separates them
| Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen | Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.97 at 123Stitch.com as of November 3, 2026 | $11.99 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026 |
| Price per pen | $2.97 for one pen | About $1.00 per pen in a 12-pack |
| Ink color | Blue (listings also mention black) | Red |
| Tip size | 0.7mm fine point | 1.0mm medium point |
| Ink type | Thermo-sensitive erasable gel | Hybrid erasable gel |
| Pack size | One pen | 12 pens |
| Erasing method | Friction from the pen's eraser tip | Friction eraser |
| Best for | Single-pen everyday writing | Bulk red marking and editing |
Price history
- Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen: lowest $2.97 on Nov 3 at 123Stitch.com.
- Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens: lowest $11.99 on Nov 3 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen
- 123Stitch.comNew
In stock
$2.97+ $3.49 shippingObserved at 6:03 AM - Broadway FabricsNew
In stock
$3.00+ $4.00 shippingObserved at 6:02 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
$9.55Observed at 6:02 AM
Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens
- eBayNew
In stockSold by buymoreu
$16.85Free shippingObserved at 6:02 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
$11.99Observed at 6:02 AM
Specs compared
| Spec | Pilot FriXion Ball 0.7 Erasable Gel Pen | Paper Mate Erasable Gel Pens |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Color | Blue Ink | Red |
| Gel Ink | Yes | — |
| Erasable | Yes | — |
| Point Size | Fine Point, Medium Point | — |
| Writing Instrument Form | — | Ballpoint Pen |
| Drill Point | — | Medium |
| Line Size | — | 1.0mm |
| Hand Orientation | — | Ambidextrous |
| Writing Technique | — | ballpoint |
| Closure Type | — | Snap |
| Style |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for everyday note-taking?
- The Pilot FriXion Ball. Its 0.7mm fine point and blue ink suit notes and lists, and one pen costs $2.97 at 123Stitch.com as of November 3, 2026.
- Which is better for grading or editing?
- The Paper Mate pack. Red ink and a 1.0mm medium line stand out on paper, and 12 pens cost $11.99 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026.
- Which lasts longer?
- The Paper Mate pack lasts longer overall because it has 12 pens. A single Pilot pen and a single Paper Mate pen hold similar ink amounts.
- Is the Paper Mate pack worth the extra money?
- Yes if you need many red pens. At about $1.00 per pen it costs more upfront but less per pen than the $2.97 Pilot.
- Do both erase the same way?
- Yes. Both use friction erasers on erasable gel ink. Heat from rubbing makes the ink disappear, so avoid leaving writing in hot places.
- Can I get the Pilot in red or the Paper Mate in blue?
- This Pilot listing is blue, though some listings mention black. This Paper Mate pack is red only. Check the color on the listing before you buy.