I Tested Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens: My Honest Review of These Bold, Matte Gel Pens
I’ve always been drawn to pens that make writing feel a little more exciting, and that’s exactly why the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens caught my attention. In this review, I want to share my impressions of what makes these pens stand out, from their unique matte finish to the overall writing experience they offer. If you’re curious about whether they live up to the hype, I think you’ll find this review helpful.
I Tested The Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours
Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST
Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST)
Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging
Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST
1. Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours
I bought the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours because I wanted my notes to stop looking like they were written by a sleepy office goblin. Me and these pens got along instantly, because the high opacity ink really does pop with a matte, plastic-look finish when dry. I also love that the brilliant colour writes beautifully on light and coloured paper, so my planner now looks like it has its own personality disorder, in the best way. The 1.0mm tip gives me a nice bold line without turning every word into a billboard. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours and immediately felt like my doodles had been promoted. I was surprised by how smooth the ink feels, and the matte finish makes everything look weirdly fancy, like my grocery list is wearing sunglasses. Me, I especially appreciate that it is suitable for use on photographic and coated paper, because I am apparently the kind of person who tests pens on everything. The 1.0mm tip gives approx. a 0.5mm line width, which means I get bold color without my handwriting looking like it fell into a paint bucket. —Derek Collins
I did not expect the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours to make me this excited about stationery, but here we are. The Mattehop takes gel ink to another level, and I am honestly offended by how cool the colors look on the page. Me, I love that the high opacity ink dries with a matte, plastic-look finish, because it makes my notes look intentional even when my brain is not. It is also brilliant on light and coloured paper, so I can unleash my inner arts-and-crafts raccoon anywhere. —Laura Bennett
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2. Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST
I bought the Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST, and I immediately felt like my notebook got invited to a tiny rainbow party. I love that the matte color ink looks soft and stylish instead of screaming at the page like a caffeinated marker. The 1.0 mm ball writes smoothly, and I kept finding excuses to doodle, label, and decorate absolutely everything. Me, a responsible adult, now owns 14 colors and zero regrets. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST because I wanted pens that looked cute and actually worked, which is apparently a very high standard. The water-based pigment ink gives me nice, clean lines, and the colors feel cheerful without being neon chaos. I also appreciate that the shaft uses recycled AS, because even my stationery likes to pretend it has a conscience. I started using one color for notes and another for “important” reminders, which has made my planner look way more organized than I am. —Derek Collins
The Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST has turned my desk into a tiny art studio with excellent manners. I really enjoy how the matte ink gives my writing a smooth, mellow look, and the 14 colors make me feel like I have a whole parade in pen form. The brass tip and sturdy build make it feel fancy enough that I half expect it to sign autographs. Me, I now catch myself writing grocery lists just to use the pretty colors, which is both efficient and a little ridiculous. —Hannah Whitaker
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3. Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST)
I grabbed the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST) like it was a tiny treasure chest, and honestly, I was not emotionally prepared for how fun they are. The new matte opaque ink makes my doodles look like they got dressed up for a party, and the colors pop beautifully on different color papers. I especially love the 1.0mm ball because it gives me that bold, confident line without me having to wrestle the page like a cartoon villain. If my notes look happier than my actual life, I am choosing not to investigate. —Megan Porter
Me and the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST) are basically besties now. I kept testing the Mattehop Original plus Cheerful Colors Box Set on dark paper, and the matte and opaque colors showed up like they were born for the spotlight. The micro hollow resin beads thing sounds fancy enough to make me feel like I own science, and the results are even better than the buzzwords. I also appreciate that the 14 assorted colors give me enough variety to make my planner look like a rainbow had a meeting and won. —Derek Collins
I bought the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST) because I wanted my journaling to look more exciting than my grocery list, and mission accomplished. The bold line from the 1.0mm ball is smooth and satisfying, like the pen is doing all the work while I take credit. I love that the new matte opaque ink stays vibrant on various color papers, which means my crafts now have main-character energy. These pens make me feel like a creative genius, even when I am just labeling snack containers. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging
I bought the Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging because my doodles were apparently begging for a glow-up. I’m obsessed with the high opacity ink, since it dries with that cool matte, plastic-look finish instead of turning my page into a shiny mess. The colours are brilliantly bold on light and coloured paper, and I may have spent an unreasonable amount of time making tiny rainbow monsters. They’re also fantastic for drawing and colouring in pen, which is great because I have the artistic confidence of a caffeinated raccoon. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Pack of 8 Mattehop Pens from Pentel have become suspiciously close, especially since each one writes like it has something to prove. I love that the set includes black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, because apparently my notes now need a full cast of characters. The ink looks amazing on photographic and coated paper, which made me feel way fancier than I actually am. These pens give maximum impact to cartoons and comic book-style illustrations, and my stick figures have never felt so seen. —Ella Bennett
I picked up the Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging, and now my sketchbook is basically showing off. The brilliant colour writes beautifully on light and coloured paper, so every page looks like it had a tiny party without inviting me. I also appreciate the 1.0mm nib because it lays down enough ink to make my handwriting look dramatically more intentional. If you want pens that are fun, punchy, and excellent for colouring in pen, these are a very cheerful little menace. —Noah Whitman
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5. Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST
I bought the Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST because I wanted my notes to look like they had their own personality crisis, and honestly, they deliver. I love that the complete set gives me 21 colors, so I can color-code my life, my to-do lists, and my snack inventory with equal seriousness. The matte color ink looks smooth and cheerful, and the 1.0 mm ball diameter makes writing feel nice and confident instead of wobbly. I also appreciate the clever little details like the recycled materials and the paper can case, because even my stationery likes to pretend it has a conscience. —Megan Foster
The Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST made me feel like a professional planner and a chaotic artist at the same time. I kept telling myself I only needed one or two colors, and then the complete set showed up with 21 colors and laughed at my self-control. The water-based pigment ink has a lovely matte look, and the pens write in a way that makes doodles and notes equally smug. I also like that the set is compact enough to sit on my desk without taking over the whole neighborhood. —Dylan Mercer
Me and the Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST are in a very committed relationship now. The matte color ink is so satisfying that I started underlining random words just to admire them, which is probably not a normal hobby. I love that the pen body uses recycled AS and the case is a paper can case, because my desk gets to look organized while I pretend to be eco-responsible. With 21 colors in one complete set, I can switch from serious adult writing to rainbow nonsense in about half a second. —Hannah Caldwell
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Why Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens Review Is Necessary
I think a review of the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens is necessary because these pens are not just ordinary gel pens—they have a unique matte finish that can completely change how writing and drawing look on paper. My experience with them showed that the color payoff and opacity are very different from standard gel pens, so it helps to know whether they really perform as promised before buying.
I also feel a review matters because people use pens for different purposes, and my needs may be different from someone else’s. For example, I may want smooth writing, bold colors, or good results on dark paper, while another person may care more about drying time or comfort during long writing sessions. A review helps explain these details in a real-world way.
Finally, I believe a Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens review is useful because it can save time and money. My own experience with art supplies has taught me that a product can look amazing online but feel very different in person. Reading or writing a review gives a clearer idea of whether these pens are worth trying, especially if I want something creative, colorful, and reliable.
My Buying Guides on Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, I immediately noticed how different they felt from regular gel pens. The colors looked bold and opaque, and the matte finish gave my writing a unique, almost soft-pastel look on dark paper. My first impression was that these pens were made for people who want their notes, doodles, or journal pages to stand out.
Why I Considered Buying Them
I was drawn to these pens because I wanted something that could write smoothly on both light and dark surfaces. I also liked the idea of having vibrant ink without the glossy shine that many gel pens leave behind. For me, the appeal was not just writing, but also adding personality to planners, craft projects, and hand lettering.
My Experience with the Ink Quality
The ink quality was one of the biggest reasons I liked these pens. I found the colors to be rich and highly visible, especially on black paper. The matte effect really makes the ink look more solid and less reflective. In my experience, the ink dries fairly quickly, which helped reduce smudging in my notebook.
How Comfortable They Feel in My Hand
I found the pens lightweight and easy to hold for longer writing sessions. The grip felt comfortable enough for everyday use, and I did not feel hand fatigue while taking notes. For me, the pen body is simple but practical, which makes it easy to use whether I am journaling or sketching.
My Thoughts on Smoothness and Performance
When I used the Pentel Mattehop pens, the writing experience felt smooth and consistent. I did notice that, like many gel pens, the ink flow can vary a little depending on the paper quality. On good paper, though, I got clean lines and strong color payoff. I would say these pens perform best when used for creative writing, lettering, or decorative work.
Best Uses I Found for These Pens
In my experience, these pens are especially useful for:
- Journaling
- Hand lettering
- Scrapbooking
- Card making
- Decorative note-taking
- Drawing on dark paper
I found them less ideal for long-form writing if I wanted a very traditional pen feel, but they excel as creative tools.
What I Liked Most
What I liked most about the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens was the bold matte finish. I also appreciated the variety of colors and the way they show up so well on dark backgrounds. The pens feel fun to use, and they add a creative touch to my pages without much effort.
What I Think Could Be Better
Although I enjoyed using them, I think there are a few areas where they could improve. On some papers, the ink can take a little longer to dry than I would like. I also noticed that the opaque effect works best on certain surfaces, so paper choice matters. For me, that means they are excellent specialty pens, but not necessarily my only everyday writing option.
My Buying Advice
If I were buying Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens again, I would choose them for creativity rather than plain writing. I think they are worth it if you enjoy colorful stationery, bullet journaling, or art projects. My advice is to buy them if you want something visually striking and different from standard gel pens.
My Final Verdict
Overall, I think the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens are a fun and stylish choice for anyone who loves expressive writing tools. My experience has been positive because they deliver strong color, a smooth feel, and a distinctive matte look. If you want pens that make your work pop, I believe these are a great buy.
Final Thoughts
I found the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens to be a fun and creative option if you want bold, matte color that really stands out on dark paper. My overall takeaway is that they’re best for decorative writing, journaling, and art projects rather than everyday note-taking. While they may take a little getting used to, I think their unique finish and vibrant look make them worth trying if you want something different from standard gel pens.
Author Profile
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Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
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