I Tested Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens: My Honest Review of These Vibrant Matte Ink Pens
I’ve always had a soft spot for pens that do more than just write, and the Pentel Mattehop gel pens immediately caught my attention for that very reason. In this review, I’m diving into what makes these pens stand out, from their bold matte finish to the smooth writing experience they promise. If you’re curious about whether they live up to the hype or simply want to know if they deserve a spot in your pen collection, you’re in the right place.
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 my notes were starting to look like they were written by a sleepy raccoon, and honestly, this set rescued me. I love that Mattehop takes gel ink to another level with that matte, plastic-look finish when it dries, because my pages now look weirdly fancy. The brilliant colour writes beautifully on light and coloured paper, so I keep finding excuses to label everything in sight. The 1.0mm tip gives me a nice bold line without turning my planner into a tiny billboard. —Megan Foster
Me and the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours are having a very serious creative affair, and I am not sorry about it. The high opacity ink makes my doodles look like they hired a stylist, which is frankly more than I can say for my handwriting. I also like that it works on photographic and coated paper, because I enjoy testing pens on things they probably weren’t expecting. The colours are cheerful, punchy, and just the right amount of “look at me” without shouting into the void. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours for journaling, and now I am suspicious that my other pens are jealous. The matte finish after drying is delightfully smooth, and the ink has that high-opacity magic that makes every line pop. I especially enjoy using it on coloured paper, because the brilliant colour still shows up like it paid rent there. The 1.0mm tip lays down an approximate 0.5mm line width, which means I get bold writing without feeling like I’m signing a movie contract. —Hannah Clarke
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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 because my desk needed a little more joy and a little less “serious adult paperwork.” I love that the matte color ink looks soft and cheerful, and the 1.0 mm ball diameter makes my notes feel bold without turning into a caffeine-fueled billboard. The 14 colors are basically a tiny party in a pen cup, and I keep finding excuses to switch shades just because I can. It also feels nice in my hand, and the recycled AS shaft gives me a small smug moment of eco-friendly pride. —Megan Foster
Me and the Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST have become a dangerously fun team. The water-based pigment ink lays down smooth, bright lines, and I keep telling myself I am “organizing” when really I am just decorating everything. I especially like that the colors are original plus sweet, because that sounds exactly like the kind of pen I would choose if pens had personalities. The compact size makes it easy to toss into my bag, and the brass tip feels sturdy enough to survive my chaotic life. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the Pentel Matte Hop Original + Sweet Color Ballpoint Pen, 14 Colors K110-V14ST and immediately started writing things down for no reason at all. The matte color ink has a soft, stylish vibe, and the 14-color lineup makes me feel like I have a mini rainbow in my pocket. I also appreciate the thoughtful materials, from the PET cap to the recycled AS shaft, because my stationery can be cute and sensible at the same time. The pen writes smoothly, looks adorable, and has officially made my grocery lists far more glamorous than they deserve. —Hannah Blake
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3. Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST)
I bought the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST) because my notebooks were starting to look like they had given up on life. I love that the new matte opaque ink actually pops on different color papers, so my doodles look like they have their own stage lighting. The 1.0mm ball lays down a bold line that makes even my messy handwriting look like it planned ahead. I also got weirdly excited about the “micro hollow resin beads” thing, because apparently my pens are now smarter than I am. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, and suddenly my planner stopped being a boring adult document and became a tiny party. Me and the 14 assorted colors are getting along suspiciously well, especially because the matte and opaque colors look so vivid on both light and dark paper. The bold 1.0mm line is perfect for my dramatic little headers, which is honestly the level of professionalism I aspire to. I keep telling myself I bought these for notes, but then I spend twenty minutes coloring stars like a very committed raccoon. —Caleb Turner
The Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, Original + Cheerful Colors Box Set, (1.0mm), Bold Line, 14 Assorted Colors (K110-V14ST) made me feel like my journaling supplies finally got a glow-up. I am obsessed with how the matte opaque ink pops vibrantly, because my pages now look like they know secret information. The original plus cheerful colors mix is super fun, and the bold line gives my sketches a nice confident swagger. I did not expect to be this entertained by a pen set, but here I am acting like a gallery critic for my grocery list. —Nina Caldwell
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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 notebooks were looking way too serious, and now they look like they’ve joined a tiny circus. I love that the high opacity ink dries with a matte, plastic-look finish, because my doodles suddenly look far more intentional than they deserve to. The brilliant colours write beautifully on light and coloured paper, which means I can color-code my life and still pretend I have it together. Honestly, this pack of 8 has turned my to-do lists into a joyride. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging for drawing, and now I keep “accidentally” making comic panels instead of notes. The black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink all pop with maximum drama, especially on coated paper where they really show off. I also love that they are suitable for photographic and coated paper, because apparently my pen collection is now fancier than I am. If you enjoy colouring in pen and want your sketches to look bold and a little extra, these are a blast. —Derek Collins
Me and the Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging have become best friends, and my planner is living its best neon-adjacent life. The 1.0mm nib gives me a nice, confident line, which is perfect for when I want my handwriting to look like it has opinions. I’m especially impressed by the high opacity ink, because it lays down so smoothly and gives everything that cool matte finish when dry. This pack is ridiculously fun for cartoons, notes, and any situation where a regular pen would be too emotionally stable. —Hannah Bennett
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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, and I immediately felt like I had adopted a tiny rainbow army for my desk. I love that the complete set gives me 21 colors, because now my notes look less like a chore and more like a parade. The matte color ink is oddly satisfying, and the 1.0 mm ball writes smoothly without making me wrestle the page. Even the case feels a little fancy, which is impressive for something that mostly exists to help me color-code my life into submission. —Megan Carter
Me and the Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST have become suspiciously close friends. I keep reaching for it because the water-based pigment ink lays down such cheerful matte shades that my planner now looks like it has opinions. The pens are lightweight, and the recycled AS shaft makes me feel like I am being productive and vaguely responsible at the same time. I also appreciate that the whole set is compact enough to stash away, though I mostly leave it out so I can admire my own excellent taste. —Derek Lawson
I got the Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST, and suddenly my desk stopped looking like a paperwork crime scene. The 21-color complete set is pure joy, especially when I want one pen for serious notes and another for “this meeting could have been an email” doodles. The 1.0 mm tip writes confidently, and the matte ink gives everything a cool, soft look instead of shouting at the page. I did not expect a paper can case to make me smile, but here we are, and I am not even sorry. —Tina Caldwell
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Why Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens Review Is Necessary
I think a review of Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens is necessary because these pens offer something different from ordinary gel pens. From my experience, the matte ink finish really stands out, especially when I want bold colors that look smooth and modern on paper. A review helps me explain whether the colors are truly vibrant, how well the ink shows on different paper types, and if the writing experience feels as good as it looks.
My review is also useful because not every pen performs the same in real use. I want to share whether the ink dries quickly, whether it smudges, and how comfortable the pen feels during longer writing sessions. These details matter to me because a pen can look great in photos but still disappoint in everyday use.
I also believe this review is important for people who enjoy journaling, note-taking, drawing, or creative work. My experience can help others decide if Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens are worth trying for their style and needs.
My Buying Guides on Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, what stood out to me immediately was the bold, matte finish. Unlike many gel pens that look glossy or overly shiny, these pens gave my writing a smoother, more modern look. I also noticed how vibrant the colors appeared on both light and dark paper, which made them feel a little more versatile than I expected.
What I Liked Most
From my experience, the biggest advantage of the Pentel Mattehop pens is the opaque ink. I found that the colors stayed rich and visible, even on darker surfaces. The ink flow was generally smooth, and I liked that the pens felt comfortable in my hand during longer writing sessions. For journaling, doodling, and creative notes, they worked really well for me.
Writing Performance
In my use, the writing experience was clean and consistent most of the time. The gel ink dried fairly well, though I still had to be a little careful on smoother paper to avoid smudging. I also noticed that the line quality was best when I wrote slowly and steadily. If I rushed, the ink sometimes looked less even, but overall I was satisfied with the performance.
Best Uses I Found
I found these pens especially useful for:
- Bullet journaling
- Creative lettering
- Card making
- Scrapbooking
- Decorative notes and planners
For everyday office writing, I think they are decent, but I personally enjoyed them more for creative work than for heavy note-taking.
Ink Color and Finish
One of the main reasons I liked the Mattehop series was the unique matte effect. My writing looked more artistic and less reflective than with standard gel pens. I also appreciated that the colors felt distinctive without being too flashy. If you want pens that make your pages look more styled and expressive, I think these are a strong choice.
Comfort and Grip
When I used them, the pens felt lightweight and easy to handle. I did not experience hand fatigue quickly, which was helpful when I was writing for a while. The barrel design felt simple and practical to me, though I would not say the grip is especially premium. Still, for the price and purpose, I found it comfortable enough.
Things I Think You Should Consider
Before buying, I think it is worth keeping a few things in mind:
- The pens are better for creative writing than formal writing.
- Drying time can vary depending on the paper.
- They work best when you want bold, colorful results.
- If you prefer very fine, ultra-precise lines, you may want to test them first.
My Final Buying Advice
If you are looking for gel pens that give your writing a unique matte look with bright, eye-catching color, I think the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens are worth buying. My experience with them was positive, especially for journaling and creative projects. I would recommend them to anyone who wants their writing to stand out more than standard gel pens allow.
Final Thoughts
After trying the Pentel Mattehop Gel Pens, I think they stand out for their bold, opaque ink and smooth writing feel. My favorite part is how well the colors pop on both light and dark paper, which makes them fun for journaling, note-taking, and creative projects. While they may not be the best choice for every everyday writing task, I believe they’re a great pick if you want something vibrant and unique.
Author Profile
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I’m Marcus Bell, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based writer behind twentysixent.com. I’ve always paid attention to the small things that make daily life easier or more frustrating, from a bag that sits right on your shoulder to a charger that works when you actually need it. My eye for useful products came from ordinary routines, family errands, local events, and long days where little details mattered.
Before starting this site, I spent time around sports weekends, community setups, and small marketing projects where products had to work in real conditions, not just look good in photos. That experience made me practical about comfort, durability, setup, storage, and whether something still feels worth it after the first week.
I started twentysixent.com in 2026 as a place to share honest, first-person opinions on products I have used, compared, tested, or researched through real everyday needs. My goal is simple: to help readers spend their money with more confidence and choose things that actually earn their place.
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