Top 10 Best Typewriters for Aspiring Writers
Ranging from acclaimed novelists, seasoned writers, and established authors to lovers of the written word, classic manual typewriters are a piece of equipment that writers hold in high regard.
A classic typewriter keyboard is a thing of beauty. It’s hard to overstate the satisfaction that comes with pounding the keys when feeling inspired, or gently rocking your fingers on it without typing while waiting for the muse.
With that being said, this article delves into the ins and outs of how to select a great typewriter, a few of the best options available, and more. So join me in the world of discovery!
The Best Typewriters
PRODUCT | TITLE | DETAILS | |
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Royal Manual Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
Qwerkywriter S Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
American Crafts Typecast |
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View on Amazon | |
Nakajima Electronic Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
Brother ML-100 Electronic Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter |
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View on Amazon | |
GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter |
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View on Amazon |
Table of Contents
- 1 Royal Manual Typewriter – The Perfect Manual Typewriter for Authors on the Move
- 2 Qwerkywriter S Typewriter – Where Conventional Typewriting Mechanisms Meet Recent Technology
- 3 American Crafts Typecast – A Chic Retro Typewriter for Modern Typists
- 4 Nakajima Electronic Typewriter – An Excellent Combination of Modern and Retro for Beginners and Seasoned Writers
- 5 Brother ML-100 Electronic Typewriter – The Go-to Option for Crisp and Clear Writing
- 6 Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter – A Product That Boasts a Superior Design and Technology
- 7 Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter – An Excellent Option for Professional Results
- 8 GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter – An Ideal Product for Beginners and Experienced Typists
- 9 The Benefits
- 10 FAQ
- 11 The Bottom Line
Royal Manual Typewriter – The Perfect Manual Typewriter for Authors on the Move
If you’re seeking a compact manual typewriter that’s easy to use, then your search ends here. With a 12.5 inch carriage and 11-inch maximum print width, the Royal Manual Typewriter is your saving grace. Designed for authors that are on the move, this machine features the generic 88 characters on red and black nylon ribbon. What makes the Royal Manual Typewriter a popular choice is that it comes with a durable carrying case that enhances portability.
Nonetheless, the typewriter doesn’t come with a ribbon, so you’ll need to select a perfect fit for it because the ribbons come in different sizes. For this particular model, Royal recommends a half-inch blank ink twin spool ribbon with a two-inch diameter for a snug fit. Fortunately, typewriter ribbons are affordable, with second-hand options available at the cost of pocket change.
While the Royal Manual Typewriter is not a professional model, it’s still loved by both seasoned typists and beginners for its portability, compared to other options in the market.
With a 12.5-inch carriage and an 11-inch maximum print width, the Royal Manual Typewriter is ideal for typists on the move. What sets it apart from the pack is that it comes with a sturdy and durable carrying case that promotes portability. Nonetheless, users may notice slightly uneven letter spacing.
PROs
- Portable and compact design
- Easy to use
- Comes with a strong carrying case
- 12.5-inch carriage
- Maximum print width of 11 inches
- Affordable
- Space bar repeater key
- 44 keys
Cons
- Uneven letter spacing
- Ink adhesion
- Doesn’t come with typewriter ribbon
Qwerkywriter S Typewriter – Where Conventional Typewriting Mechanisms Meet Recent Technology
Are you a seasoned typist that’s on the quest for the next upgrade? Then the Qwerkywriter S Typewriter is your holy grail. Armed with a unique keyboard design that lays flat, this typewriter maintains the classic feel, while delivering a unique laptop experience. Furthermore, it contains an integrated 12-inch tablet stand, double-knob encoders, wireless or USB connectivity, and scratch-proof aluminum chassis.
When it comes to the traditional typewriting mechanisms and recent technology, the Qwerkywriter S Typewriter delivers the best of both worlds. Its customizable feature makes this typewriter a top choice in the market. While the macro-programmable device is set to the enter key by default, it’s programmable with up to 15 different characters.
As a result, this generates unique commands and signatures. Furthermore, users can ‘cut and paste’ selected text. What’s even better is that you can pair the typewriter with up to 3 wireless gadgets at a go. Doing so allows the seamless and simultaneous typing of different messages.
The Qwerkywriter S Typewriter is compatible with Android and iOS devices, Windows 10, and Mac PCs. While this model is pricier than other typewriters in the market, it’s a worthwhile investment. Its endless digital pairing capabilities, customizability, and robust German construction make it unbeatable when it comes to quality.
Jam-packed with top industry features, you can have it all with the Qwerkywriter S Typewriter. Unrivaled in its aesthetic design, this typewriter is worth every coin. However, with its fast-typing speed, it may, at times, skip text when it’s digitally paired.
PROs
- Compatibility with Android and iOS devices, Windows 10 and Mac PCs
- Integrated 12-inch tablet stand
- Programmable with up to 15 different characters
- Maintains a classic feel
- Allows concurrent typing of messages
- Wireless or USB connectivity
- Double-knob encoders
Cons
- Pricey
- May at times skip text when digitally paired
American Crafts Typecast – A Chic Retro Typewriter for Modern Typists
With a retro design, this typewriter sprinkles an artistic feel and touch to any writer’s study. The American Crafts Typecast has several ink ribbon colors and a base metal construction which ushers in the possibility of crafting intriguing artistic layouts, invitations, and cards.
Being a manual typewriter, the American Crafts Typecast lacks digital pairing functionalities, which means it’s as traditional as it gets. It comes with two red ink and black ribbons. It’s important to note that some keys of this model skip spaces as a result of shifted teeth on the carriage.
As a result, the American Crafts Typecast may skip on the same location in each line. Nonetheless, based on your writing needs, this may not be a deal-breaker.
If you’re looking to sprinkle eye-catching journaling to layouts such as invitation cards and more, then the American Crafts Typecast is your go-to. When it comes to versatility, the typewriter is a beast in meshing together unique ink colors and typecast paper accessories. However, you may notice that the keys may skip the same location on every line.
PROs
- Comes with black and two red ink ribbons
- It has an artistic feel and touch
- Crafts intriguing artistic layouts
- Retro design
- Base metal construction
Cons
- The keys may skip the same area on each line
Nakajima Electronic Typewriter – An Excellent Combination of Modern and Retro for Beginners and Seasoned Writers
Packed with automatic centering capabilities and a wide 13-inch carriage, the Nakajima Electronic Typewriter is as intuitive as it gets. With useful features like word erase, full correction features, seamless characters, and line splitting, this typewriter maintains a retro feel while delivering an optimum digital experience.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that a multitude of users gravitates towards this product. The only minor flaw with the Nakajima Electronic Typewriter is that the hammer mechanism is activated on each carriage return and is louder than other models in the market.
The amazing features and portability of the Nakajima Electronic Typewriter make it one of a kind. This includes the single-line correction memory, 13-inch carriage, automatic centering, character, and word erase, 9-inch print width, and carriage return. However, it’s noisier than other typewriters upon altering the font size, underlining text, or moving to the next line.
PROs
- 13-inch carriage
- 9-inch print width
- Full correction features
- Word erase
- Line splitting
- Delivers a digital experience with a retro feel
- Portable
Cons
- Noisier than other typewriters
- The keys are reminiscent of a laptop’s keyboard
Brother ML-100 Electronic Typewriter – The Go-to Option for Crisp and Clear Writing
If you’re looking for a model that supports easy and swift typing, then the Brother ML-100 Electronic Typewriter is right up your alley. Compared to other brands in the market, the keys don’t require hard pressing. Therefore, this boosts your typing speed without compromising on quality.
Designed from topnotch nylon material, the ribbon provides crisp and clear writing. It’s also resistant to frequent use, and the likelihood of it entangling, wrinkling, stretching, or detaching from the spool is slim to none.
The Brother ML-100 has well-placed quality keys that boost the accuracy coupled with the error-correcting feature that ensures your work is free of mistakes. The model’s simple design lures in beginners as it’ll help them step up their speed and typing skills. It’s also designed from sturdy plastic that’s scratch-proof, thereby boosting its durability.
The Brother ML-100 Electronic Typewriter is perfect for typists that thrive on reliability and timesaving. Easy to use and portable, the product is the ideal solution for those that require a take-anywhere, dependable typewriter for the office, school, or home. Nonetheless, keep in mind that it’s slightly noisy.
PROs
- Lightweight and compact
- Supports fast typing
- Delivers top-notch results
- Error-correcting feature
- High-grade nylon ribbon
- Well-arranged quality keys
- Supports typing in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English
Cons
- Slightly noisy
- May type the wrong letters at times
Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter – A Product That Boasts a Superior Design and Technology
Suitable for amateurs and seasoned typists, the Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter is a product of topnotch ABS plastic and other materials. Its responsive keys and straightforward layout makes it one of the easiest typewriters to use. It also means that that less typing force is required, which boosts your typing speed. Its firm base and light feel diminish movement.
The precise keys and ideal spacing aid in the typewriter’s excellent functionality. Moreover, the high-quality ribbon ushers in topnotch quality work. What’s even better is the Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter gets the job done silently and is portable.
With an LCD and 16-character display, the Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter stands out from the rest. The professional touch keyboard, great typing speed, line-out, and word-out correction memory are just a few of the various features that users can look forward to. However, the ribbon may require occasional adjusting when it’s out of place.
PROs
- Low typing force needed
- Great typing speed
- Properly spaced keys
- Firm base
- Portable and lightweight
- Easy to use
- Accurate
Cons
- The ribbon at times gets out of place
- Some may find it costly
Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter – An Excellent Option for Professional Results
The Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter is a top choice for many users, and it’s not hard to understand why. It’s armed with a user-friendly keyboard that boosts the time and typing speed. It also has a lightweight design that makes it ideal for typists that are always on the move. When it comes to aesthetics, the Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter has a simple yet eye-catching layout.
The model can handle different tasks ranging from filling out paperwork and editing work to printing documents. What’s even better is multilingual. So, switching from one language to another is a walk in the park. It’s less noisy compared to other options in the market, which makes it ideal for typists that prefer working at night or in quiet places.
They can do so without worrying about disturbing others. The Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter’s error-correcting feature promotes the accuracy and, in turn, neater and highly professional-looking work.
At an affordable price, the Royal SCRIPTOR 2 Typewriter is packed with all the features you’ll ever need as a writer. They include multilingual support, the ability to handle different tasks, an error-correcting feature, silent typing, and much more. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the margins don’t always set properly.
PROs
- Supports multiple languages
- Operates smoothly and silently
- User-friendly keyboard
- Versatile in performing tasks
- Easily corrects mistakes
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Sometimes the margins don’t set properly
GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter – An Ideal Product for Beginners and Experienced Typists
If you’re seeking a product that delivers fast typing speed and supports multiple languages, then you’re in luck. The GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter makes it a breeze to switch languages while maintaining portability and quality.
What’s more, the product’s small footprint makes it ideal for small spaces. And, advanced technology that gives it the uncanny ability to operate silently quickly melts away any fears you may have of disturbing others while you ‘type away’.
Armed with topnotch ribbon, the GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter delivers excellent results that’ll have any writer quite literally grinning from ear-to-ear. Despite being lightweight, the typewriter is sturdy, which means it remains stable as you type.
The GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter is packed with features that will have any typist jumping for joy. Some of the features include automatic correction hence promoting accuracy, view mode, an excellent touch keyboard, and automatic underlining.
As a bonus, it gets the job done silently, which means you won’t disturb those around you that enjoy some peace & quiet. However, the GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter is more appropriate for light work.
PROs
- Easy to set margin
- Durable
- Supports several languages
- Sturdy yet stable when in use
- Small footprint
- Portable
- Operates silently
Cons
- More suitable for light work
The Benefits
Below are some of the benefits that you’ll reap from investing in the best typewriter.
1. Easy On the Eyes
Using a great typewriter means no screen glare, which prevents eye strain. So, this makes typewriters healthier for your eyes. Laptops usually make you look downwards, which causes necks strain. However, with typewriters, the paper is at eye-level, which aids in better body posture.
2. Print Style
Retro typewriters generate an eye-catching style of print. So, if you delight in self-publishing and crafting novels or stories, then a typewriter’s print will look excellent in book form.
3. Low Maintenance Costs
Typewriters don’t require as much care or software and program updates, as is the case with computers. So, given that they craft hard copies with ribbon, all you need is typewriter ink or re-ink ribbon kits. These supplies are readily available on Amazon, thereby making typewriters a cost-effective solution for writers.
4. Enhanced Portability
Typewriters come in pleasantly lightweight versions, each in a sturdy travel case. As a result, they’re easy to transport anywhere you deem fit. This comes in handy for writers that enjoy escaping to serene places where there’s no electricity available to get their creative juices flowing.
5. Energy Efficient
The best typewriters, more so the manual ones, don’t require electricity to function, which also makes them environmentally friendly. So, if you’re goal is to lower the energy consumption in your household, then manual typewriters such as the ones discussed are your holy grail. An advantage of not requiring electricity is that it eliminates the need to keep charging it when the battery is low. It also means there’s no risk of your work when the battery dies.
6. Filling out Paperwork
In bureaucratic institutions, filling out paperwork is a standard requirement. Contrary to computer printers, typewriters deliver the pressure and precision needed to accurately fill out paperwork and churn out legible carbon copies.
7. Addressing Labels and Envelopes
Granted, you can print addresses on labels and envelopes using a generic computer printer. However, it’s a daunting task, which is why typewriters are here to swoop in and make this otherwise tedious process a walk in the park.
8. Historical Appreciation
An array of legendary authors penned down literary classics via typewriters. With the advent of technology, there is a multitude of reputable e-commerce stores such as Amazon that sell the same model of typewriters used by your favorite authors. And, while they may cost an arm and a leg, they’re just what you need to get your creative juices flowing.
9. Eye-Catching
Typewriters are aesthetically pleasing machines that came about in an era of simplicity before manufactured obsolescence. Contrary to easily disposable computer equipment, typewriters make eye-catching and intriguing conversation pieces.
FAQ
Here is some valuable information that’ll shed light on selecting the best typewriters in the market.
Do the best typewriters have come with new ribbons installed?
Yes! Most of the best products, such as the ones available on Amazon, come with a fresh ribbon installed. Nonetheless, additional ribbons are cheaply and readily available.
Upon purchasing the best typewriter, how do you refill the ink?
For starters, it’s essential to note that there isn’t the same ink that generic computer printers use. Typewriters use unique ribbon ink, which gets struck by the type-slug key you press. Doing so depresses the ink from the ribbon into the indentation that’s created by the type-slug in the paper.
Which brands manufacture the best typewriters in the market?
It’s a no-brainer that quality is a top priority, which is something that the best typewriters in the market deliver. So, they’re durable and are manufactured by the top brands like Royal, Brother, and Nakajima.
What are the different types of typewriters?
The best typewriters fall into different categories. So, based on your goal of buying a typewriter, you can select the best option for you. They include Standard, Portable, Noiseless, Electric, Variable, Automatic, and typewriters that serve unique purposes.
The Bottom Line
The best typewriters, just like hobbies or professional products, ultimately come down to your personal preference upon making a purchase decision. So, it’s important to conduct your due diligence based on the typewriter that best suits your needs.
Are there other great typewriters that we’ve missed off the list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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