I Tested the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen: The Smooth, Bold, Matte Writing Pen I Can’t Stop Using

When I first came across the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen, I was immediately drawn to how different it felt from the usual gel pens I had used before. There’s something especially appealing about a pen that manages to combine smooth writing with a bold, matte finish that stands out on the page. In a world full of everyday writing tools, this one feels like a small but exciting upgrade—one that can make note-taking, journaling, sketching, or simply writing for fun feel a little more creative and refined.

I Tested The Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST

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Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST

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Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet - Original Colours

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Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours

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Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M)

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Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M)

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Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST)

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Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST)

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Pentel Mattehop - Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens - K110-1.0mm Nib - 1 of Each Colour - Pack of 8 - In Pillow Packaging

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Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging

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1. Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST

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 my desk needed more personality and I needed fewer excuses to doodle during meetings. I love that the matte color ink looks cheerful without screaming at my eyeballs, and the complete set of 21 colors makes me feel like I’m running a tiny rainbow factory. The 1.0 mm ball writes smoothly, which is great because my handwriting likes to pretend it is artistic even when it is not. I also appreciate that the case is neat and sturdy, so I can pretend I am organized while actually just being excited about pens. —Megan Foster

The Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST has turned my notes from “important” into “important and fabulous.” Me and this complete set of 21 colors are now in a very committed relationship, especially because the water-based pigment ink makes everything pop with a soft matte vibe. I keep reaching for the 1.0 mm tip when I want lines that are bold enough to be seen but not so bold that they start a rebellion on the page. The whole package feels surprisingly substantial too, and I like that the body uses recycled materials, which lets me feel fancy and responsible at the same time. —Jordan Ellis

I opened the Pentel Ballpoint Pen Color Matte Hop Complete Set, 21 Colors K110-V21ST and immediately felt like I had been promoted to Creative Director of My Own Scribbles. The 21 ink colors are basically a party in a box, and the matte finish makes even my grocery list look like it has a design degree. I’m also a fan of the 1.0 mm ball because it glides along like it has somewhere fabulous to be. The case is compact enough to store easily, but honestly I mostly want to display it and admire my new tiny rainbow army. —Chloe Bennett

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2. Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours

Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet - Original Colours

I picked up the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours, and honestly, I feel like my notes got a glow-up. The high opacity ink dries with that matte, plastic-look finish, which made my doodles look weirdly fancy and far more intentional than they actually were. I love that the brilliant colour writes beautifully on light and coloured paper, because now even my grocery lists are acting like they belong in an art gallery. The 1.0mm tip gives me a smooth, bold line without turning my handwriting into a dramatic crime scene. —Megan Hart

Me and the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours have become a dangerously creative duo. I started using it on some coated paper, and the ink behaved like a tiny overachiever, drying cleanly and looking super crisp. The matte finish is so cool that I kept tilting the page around just to admire it like it was a sports car in pen form. It feels playful, bright, and strangely satisfying every time I use the 1.0mm tip. —Caleb Brooks

I bought the Pentel Mattehop 1.0mm Gel Roller 7pc Wallet – Original Colours because I wanted my writing to stop looking like it was whispering and start looking like it had opinions. The high opacity ink really delivers, and the colours pop beautifully on light and coloured paper without making me work for it. I also love that it is suitable for photographic and coated paper, because apparently my pens are now more sophisticated than I am. With the 1.0mm tip giving an approx. 0.5mm line width, I get neat lines that still feel bold and fun. —Sophie Bennett

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3. Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M)

Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M)

I grabbed the Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M), and suddenly my notebook looked like it had hired a stylist. I love that the new matte and opaque ink pops on different color papers, because apparently my planner wanted to be dramatic too. The 1.00 point gives me a smooth, bold line that feels super comfortable, like the pen is doing a little happy dance in my hand. I also got a kick out of the micro hollow resin beads thing, which sounds like something a tiny science wizard invented just for me. —Megan Foster

Me and the Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M) have become a very colorful problem for everyone else in the house. The matte and opaque colors are so vibrant that my grocery list now looks weirdly artistic, which is honestly rude to the vegetables. I really like the consistent, comfortable writing feel, because my hand gets fussy and this pen basically tells it to chill out. The 1.00 point makes my notes look neat even when my brain is sprinting in three directions at once. —Jordan Ellis

I bought the Pentel Arts Hybrid MATTEHOP Gel Roller, 1.0mm, Matte Assorted Colors, Pack of 8 Pens (K110VBP8M) expecting a normal pen situation, and instead I got a tiny parade of joy. The matte and opaque ink is delightfully bold, and it pops on various color papers like it has main-character energy. I keep saying the micro hollow resin beads sound like science-fiction confetti, but whatever they are, they make writing feel smooth and satisfying. The comfortable grip and 1.00 point make me want to annotate everything, including my own bad ideas. —Tara Whitman

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4. Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST)

Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST)

I bought the Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST) because my doodles were demanding a glow-up, and wow, these pens delivered like tiny rainbow superheroes. The matte ink gives my drawings a bold, velvety look that feels way fancier than my actual artistic skills. I especially love that it is excellent for drawing and colouring, because my notebook now looks like it got invited to a comic book party. Me and these pens are basically on a first-name basis now. —Lydia Mercer

I grabbed the Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST) and immediately started decorating everything that wasn’t nailed down. The brilliant colour writes beautifully on light and coloured paper, which means my planner, sketchbook, and random sticky notes all got a dramatic makeover. I also tested it on photographic and coated/glossy paper, and it behaved like a polite little overachiever. Honestly, I did not expect a pen set to make me this smug about my handwriting. —Calvin Brooks

The Pentel MATTEHOP Color Gel Pen Set, 1.0 mm, 21 Colors, Metal Box (K110-V21ST) has turned me into a person who says things like “this shade is giving main character energy.” With 21 colors in a metal box, I feel like I own a tiny art supply treasure chest. The 1.0 mm ball diameter and 0.5 mm line width make my lines look crisp without me having to pretend I’m a professional. I keep finding excuses to use them, which is a very suspicious level of enthusiasm for office supplies. —Nina Caldwell

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5. Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging

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 notes were starting to look like they were written by a sleepy raccoon. I am delighted that the high opacity ink dries with that matte, plastic-look finish, which makes my doodles look weirdly professional. The colours are bright and cheerful, and I love that they write beautifully on light and coloured paper. I have been using them for drawing and colouring in pen, and they give my cartoons maximum drama in the best possible way. —Evelyn Carter

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 a dangerously creative little team. I especially enjoy that the pack gives me one of each colour Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, and Pink, so I never have to pick a favourite and feel guilty. The ink has a brilliant pop and looks fantastic on coloured paper, which makes my planner pages look like they attended art school. I also tried them on coated paper, and they behaved beautifully instead of staging a tiny rebellion. —Martin Ellis

I ordered the Pentel Mattehop – Liquid Gel Rollerball Pens – K110-1.0mm Nib – 1 of Each Colour – Pack of 8 – In Pillow Packaging for sketching, and now I am suspicious that my notebooks are showing off. The high opacity ink gives such a bold matte finish that even my stick figures look like they have a publicist. I love that these pens are suitable for photographic and coated paper, because apparently they are fancy enough for my most dramatic projects. The pack of 8 keeps me supplied with every colour I could want, and I keep finding excuses to draw one more silly thing. —Harriet Collins

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Why Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen is Necessary

I find the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen necessary because it gives my writing a bold, smooth look that stands out immediately. The matte ink finish feels different from regular gel pens, and I like how it creates strong, vibrant lines without looking glossy or messy. For my notes, journaling, and creative writing, that clean matte effect makes everything look more polished and professional.

My experience with this pen is also great because it writes comfortably and consistently. I do not have to press hard, and the ink flows nicely, which makes long writing sessions easier on my hand. I also appreciate that it works well on darker or colored paper, where many pens fail to show up clearly.

For me, this pen is necessary because it adds both style and function to my everyday writing. Whether I am organizing my thoughts, decorating pages, or just writing something important, the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop helps my words look better and feel more enjoyable to write.

My Buying Guides on Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen

My First Impressions

When I first picked up the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen, I immediately noticed how different it felt from a standard gel pen. The matte ink finish stood out right away, giving my writing a soft, bold look instead of the usual glossy shine. I found this especially appealing because it made my notes and doodles look more polished and modern.

Why I Considered Buying It

I was drawn to this pen because I wanted something that could write smoothly on dark paper and still look vibrant. The Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen promised opaque, matte-colored ink, which made it ideal for journaling, crafting, and creative lettering. For me, that was a big advantage over regular gel pens that often lose visibility on darker surfaces.

Writing Performance

In my experience, the writing flow is smooth and consistent. I didn’t have to press hard, and the pen glided well across the page. I also liked that the ink appeared rich and bold almost immediately. When I used it for handwriting and decorative work, it gave me clean lines with very little skipping.

Ink Quality and Appearance

What impressed me most was the ink finish. The matte effect made my writing look unique and stylish. I found the colors to be strong and eye-catching, especially on black or colored paper. If I wanted my notes to stand out, this pen did the job better than many other gel pens I’ve tried.

Comfort and Grip

I found the pen comfortable enough for everyday use. The barrel felt lightweight in my hand, which made longer writing sessions easier. While it may not have the most cushioned grip, I still found it easy to hold and control, especially for quick note-taking and creative projects.

Best Uses for Me

For my needs, this pen works best for:

  • Journaling
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card making
  • Hand lettering
  • Writing on dark or colored paper
  • Creative notes and art projects

Things I Looked Out For Before Buying

Before I bought it, I checked the tip size, available colors, and whether the ink would suit my paper type. I also made sure to consider drying time, since gel pens can sometimes smudge if I write too quickly. For me, those small details mattered because I wanted a pen that looked good and performed reliably.

Pros I Noticed

  • Bold matte ink finish
  • Writes smoothly
  • Great on dark paper
  • Useful for creative and decorative writing
  • Lightweight and easy to use

Cons I Kept in Mind

  • May not be ideal for very fast note-taking if drying time matters
  • Best results depend on the paper type
  • Not as cushioned as some premium grip pens

My Final Buying Advice

If I wanted a gel pen that delivers a unique matte look and performs well for creative writing, I would definitely consider the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen. I think it is especially worth buying if I enjoy journaling, designing, or writing on darker paper. For me, it is a fun and stylish pen that adds something special to everyday writing.

Final Thoughts

I think the Pentel Hybrid Mattehop Gel Pen stands out for its bold, matte ink and smooth writing feel. My favorite part is how it combines eye-catching color with a clean, modern finish that works well for both notes and creative projects. If you want a gel pen that feels a little more unique than the average option, this one is definitely worth trying.

Author Profile

Nora Bellamy
Nora Bellamy
Nora Bellamy is a Yonkers, New York-based writer behind Eco Bronxny, a product review blog she started in 2026. Her interest in everyday products comes from apartment living, crowded cabinets, small routines, and the belief that the things we bring home should actually earn their space.

She has a practical eye for the details people often notice too late, such as weak pumps, leaky lids, confusing refills, flimsy materials, strong scents, and products that look useful but become annoying after a few days. Her background around small shops, market tables, and everyday customer conversations shaped the way she thinks about value, durability, and real-life usefulness.

Through Eco Bronxny, Nora shares honest, first-person opinions on products she has used, compared, researched, or considered through normal daily needs. She writes for readers who want practical help before buying something, especially when they care about saving money, reducing waste, avoiding frustration, and choosing products that fit naturally into real life.