Compiled from 12 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
Both are refillable retractable gel pens from Japanese makers, close in length and in our lowest price band. The Pilot G2 is the US default, in four sizes from 0.38 to 1.0 mm with US refills everywhere. The Zebra Sarasa Clip adds 0.3 and 0.4 mm, water-resistant pigment ink, a binder clip and far more colors.
On this page10 sections
Two clear-barrel gel pens within 2 mm of each other in length; the clip sets them apart.
Pilot G2 Premium Retractable Gel Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm): Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: per US retailer spec sheets (Stop & Shop, OnTimeSupplies for item 31171). Some grocery listings for a 4-pack say "Japan, USA", so origin may vary by pack. Pilot's US site doesn't state it in the sources we found. Source. Price: example listing.
Zebra Sarasa Clip Retractable Gel Pen (0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm; JJ15): Made by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation. Made in Japan: per retailer spec sheets: FairPrice (Singapore) lists Japan for the 0.7 mm pen and the JF-0.5 refills, Carrefour UAE lists Japan for the Sarasa Push Clip, and SM Stationery (Philippines) says made in Japan. Zebra's Japanese and global product pages don't state a country of manufacture. Source.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
Sizes: the G2 comes in 0.38, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm; the Sarasa Clip in 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm.
Length: JetPens lists the G2 at 14.3 cm (5.6 in) retracted; Zebra Japan lists the Sarasa Clip at 141.0 mm (5.6 in) and 10.9 g.
Pilot USA says the G2 comes in up to 41 core colors; JetPens' chart lists 84 Sarasa Clip options across sub-series.
Pilot launched the G2 in 1997 and calls it America's No. 1 selling gel ink pen brand; Zebra launched the Sarasa Clip in 2003 and says it has led Japan's gel pen sales for 14 years.
Refills: the G2 takes BLS-G2 refills (US 2-packs such as 77240); the Sarasa Clip takes Zebra JF refills.
What is the difference between the Pilot G2 and the Zebra Sarasa Clip?
The G2 is the American default with four tip sizes and refills in every store; the Sarasa Clip is Japan’s best-seller, with five sizes, pigment ink and a binder clip. Both are click-retractable, refillable gel pens with clear barrels, and both sit in our $ band (under $5 per pen).
Pilot launched the Pilot G2 in 1997 and, citing Circana dollar sales, calls it America’s No. 1 selling gel ink pen brand. Zebra launched the Zebra Sarasa Clip in 2003 and says it has led Japan’s gel pen sales for 14 straight years, with more than 1.4 billion pens shipped.
How do the G2 and Sarasa Clip compare?
On size and weight they’re nearly twins; tips, ink, colors and the clip differ.
Pilot G2
Zebra Sarasa Clip
Tip sizes
0.38 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm
0.3 · 0.4 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm
Size names
Ultra Fine · Extra Fine · Fine · Bold
Millimeters only
Ink
Gel
Water-based pigment gel
Colors
Up to 41 core colors (Pilot USA)
84 options across sub-series (JetPens chart)
Clip
Plastic pocket clip
Movable binder clip
Length
14.3 cm (5.6 in) retracted (JetPens)
141.0 mm (5.6 in) (Zebra Japan)
Weight
About 11 g (JetPens)
10.9 g (Zebra Japan)
Refill
BLS-G2; US 2-packs 77287, 77232, 77240, 77289
Zebra JF (JF-0.5 for 0.5 mm)
Japan list price
Not sold in Pilot’s Japanese catalog
¥132 (about US$0.80)
Made in
Japan (US retailer sheets)
Japan (retailer sheets)
Price band
$
$
Which has the finer tips?
The Sarasa Clip, which goes down to 0.3 mm; the G2’s finest is 0.38 mm. Both reach 1.0 mm for signatures.
Every size of each pen, to scale, with G2 US refill numbers and Sarasa model codes.
Watch the names: a “Fine” G2 is 0.7 mm, which most brands would call medium. Goldspot says the 0.7 mm Fine is the most popular G2.
Which ink is better?
The Sarasa Clip’s pigment ink is the one built for water resistance; the G2 is known for a dark, wet line. Zebra’s Japanese site says Sarasa ink has excellent water resistance and doesn’t feather.
Pilot doesn’t market standard G2 ink as water-resistant on the pages we read. Reviewers and left-handed users report G2 smearing mostly with the 0.7 and 1.0 mm tips, which put down more ink.
Which is easier to refill?
The G2 in the US, the Sarasa Clip in Japan. US office stores stock G2 refills by item number, such as 77240 for 0.7 mm black; OnTimeSupplies says the refill also fits the G2 Limited, G2 Pro and G6.
The Sarasa Clip takes Zebra’s JF refill in the matching size. US distributors say it also fits the Sarasa, Sarasa SE, Jimnie Gel and Z-Grip Gel.
Which should you buy?
Buy the G2 if you want a dependable pen you can refill from any US office store; buy the Sarasa Clip for finer tips, more colors and a clip that grips a notebook cover.
Pilot G2: four sizes, wide US refill supply and the G2 Limited if you want a metal body later.
Zebra Sarasa Clip: 0.3 and 0.4 mm tips for planners, pigment ink and dozens of colors.
Both are listed as made in Japan by retailers. US grocery and office-supply spec sheets give Japan for the G2, though a few multipacks say “Japan, USA”; retailers in Singapore, the UAE and the Philippines give Japan for the Sarasa Clip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sarasa Clip better than the G2?
For fine writing and color choice, yes on paper: it adds 0.3 and 0.4 mm tips and many more colors. The G2 is easier to find and refill in US stores, and Pilot calls it America's No. 1 gel ink pen brand.
Do G2 refills fit the Sarasa Clip?
No. The Sarasa Clip takes Zebra's JF refills, which US distributors say also fit the Sarasa, Sarasa SE, Jimnie Gel and Z-Grip Gel. G2 refills fit Pilot pens such as the G2 Limited, G2 Pro and G6.
Which is smoother, the G2 or the Sarasa Clip?
Both are smooth gel pens, and neither maker publishes a measure of it. We haven't compared them side by side yet.
Which smears less for left-handed writers?
Neither is a quick-dry pen. Reviewers report G2 smearing mostly with the 0.7 and 1.0 mm tips; Zebra's quick-dry model is the Sarasa Dry, and Pentel's EnerGel is the usual alternative.
What does G2 0.7 Fine mean?
Pilot names G2 sizes one step finer than many brands: 0.38 mm Ultra Fine, 0.5 mm Extra Fine, 0.7 mm Fine and 1.0 mm Bold. Zebra names the Sarasa Clip by millimeters only.
Is Sarasa Clip ink pigment or dye?
Pigment. Zebra's Japanese site describes it as a water-based pigment ink with excellent water resistance.
