NovaPlus A8 Duo review: a budget-friendly Apple Pencil lookalike

The NovaPlus A8 Duo will be great for writers but doesn’t have the pressure sensitivity most digital artists need.

A white NovaPlus A8 Duo stylus being held in a hand and used on an iPad
(Image: © Future/Josephine Watson)

Our Verdict

The NovaPlus A8 Duo is aesthetically very similar to the Apple Pencil, with a few added features for ease, but it’s actually a much cheaper alternative. Ergonomically designed with simplicity in mind, it offers both wired and magnetic charging, but crucially doesn’t have pressure sensitivity, making it unsuited for experienced or professional artists looking for the full-bodied Apple Pencil experience. However, it’s much cheaper, and works fantastically as a general-use and writing stylus.

For

  • More affordable option
  • Both wired and magnetic charging
  • Tilt sensitivity
  • Palm rejection

Against

  • No pressure sensitivity
  • Small components are easy to lose
  • Finger tap shortcuts didn’t work

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NovaPlus A8 Duo specs

Compatible devices: iPad, Pro, Air, and Mini models from 2018 and onwards.
Dimensions: 167mm x 9mm
Weight: 13.9g
Charge time: 40 minutes (USB-C) or 2 hours (magnetic)
Battery life: 9 hours

The iPad, which the NovaPlus A8 Duo is designed for, is increasingly becoming the device of choice for artists and digital creatives, with Apple providing a gamut of creative-centric features as well as devices like the Apple Pencil. However, as is standard with the tech giant, these premium devices come with premium price tags. 

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The Verdict
8

out of 10

NovaPlus A8 Duo

The NovaPlus A8 Duo is aesthetically very similar to the Apple Pencil, with a few added features for ease, but it’s actually a much cheaper alternative. Ergonomically designed with simplicity in mind, it offers both wired and magnetic charging, but crucially doesn’t have pressure sensitivity, making it unsuited for experienced or professional artists looking for the full-bodied Apple Pencil experience. However, it’s much cheaper, and works fantastically as a general-use and writing stylus.

Josephine Watson
Managing Editor for Lifestyle

Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is an experienced tech journalist with experience writing on a variety of topics from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry. She is the Managing Editor of Lifestyle on CreativeBloq's sister site, TechRadar, overseeing the Lifestyle vertical (Cameras, Home and Wellness) and How-To's, where she can be found writing across multiple channels including computing, software, homes and gaming.