Compiled from 11 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
The Zebra Sarasa Dry X20 is Zebra Pen's quick-drying retractable gel pen, sold in the US in 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm. Zebra markets its Rapid Dry Ink as drying in under a second on most surfaces, and JetPens found it smear-free in 2 to 3 seconds on Rhodia paper, which makes it a common pick for left-handed writers.
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The Sarasa Dry X20 with the smoke barrel of the black-ink packs.
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
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Notes on these facts
Made by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation. Country of manufacture not stated: Zebra doesn't state it in the sources we found, and US listings disagree: OnTimeSupplies lists Mexico for the 0.5 mm black dozen (46710), PartsSource lists Mexico for the 0.7 mm black 36-pack (46136), while a GSA reseller lists Japan for the Sarasa Dry X20+. Check the pack. Price: example listing.
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
The US Sarasa Dry X20 comes in 0.5 mm Fine, 0.7 mm Medium and 1.0 mm Bold, with a translucent barrel that shows the ink.
Zebra says Rapid Dry Ink dries in less than a second on most surfaces; JetPens' timed test on Rhodia found every tip size smear-free in 2 to 3 seconds.
Japan's Sarasa Dry is a separate model: Zebra Japan lists it at 139.4 mm (5.5 in), 10.9 g and ¥165 (about US$1.00), and says its ink dries in about 85% less time than Zebra's earlier gel.
In the US it's sold in office packs: 46710 is the 0.5 mm black dozen and 46810 the 0.7 mm black dozen.
US listings give Mexico as the country of origin for several X20 packs; one government reseller lists Japan for the X20+.
What is the Zebra Sarasa Dry X20?
It’s Zebra Pen’s quick-drying retractable gel pen for the US market, sold mostly in office multi-packs. Zebra Pen is the US arm of Zebra Co. of Tokyo. The X20 has a translucent barrel that shows the ink, a rubber grip, a pocket clip and Zebra’s Rapid Dry Ink.
It’s the gel pen reviewers name most often for left-handed writers and anyone whose hand drags over wet ink. Your Best Digs picks it for left-handers, and our best pens for left-handed writers roundup names it the best gel pen there. In Japan, Zebra’s timeline dates the first Sarasa Dry to 2016; our Zebra history covers the Sarasa line since 2000.
How fast does Sarasa Dry ink dry?
Zebra says less than a second on most surfaces; JetPens measured 2 to 3 seconds on Rhodia paper. Zebra Pen bases its claim on an unnamed third-party lab that compared it with other leading pens on nine surfaces. Staples’ listing words it more loosely as drying “in seconds”.
JetPens brushed a finger over test marks at intervals on Rhodia, a coated paper that dries ink more slowly than copy paper, and found every Sarasa Dry tip size smear-free within 2 to 3 seconds. The Well-Appointed Desk compared three quick-dry gels in 2018 and found little difference between them, noting that the Sarasa Dry tended to blob.
Rubber (“soft latex” per Staples; “latex-free” per OnTimeSupplies)
Refill
JF per OnTimeSupplies’ copy; not published by Zebra
US items (black)
46710 (0.5 mm dozen, UPC 045888467101) · 46810 (0.7 mm dozen)
Length, weight
Not published
Made in
Not stated (listings: Mexico; one reseller: Japan for the X20+)
Zebra doesn’t publish a length or weight for the X20, so our cover is drawn in proportion rather than to scale. The grip and refill entries conflict between retailers, so we give both.
A 1.0 mm ball is twice as wide as a 0.5 mm one and lays down far more ink.
Which tip size should you choose?
Pick 0.5 mm if you smear ink; it lays down the least and dries fastest. The 0.7 mm Medium is the size most US packs come in and gives a darker, smoother line. The 1.0 mm Bold is for signatures and headings, and it’s the slowest to dry.
Is Japan’s Sarasa Dry the same pen?
Not as far as we can confirm: Zebra Japan sells its own Sarasa Dry with different refills. Zebra Japan lists it in 0.4, 0.5 and 0.7 mm at 139.4 mm (5.5 in) long, 10.9 mm across and 10.9 g, for ¥165 (about US$1.00). Zebra says its DRYJELL ink soaks into paper quickly and dries in about 85% less time than its earlier gel, measured in 0.5 mm on plain paper.
That Japanese pen uses water-based dye ink and JLV refills (JLV-0.5 for the 0.5 mm). US listings for the X20 mention JF refills, so treat them as related pens rather than one model.
How does it compare to other quick-drying pens?
It’s the fastest-drying gel pen with a published timed test; the Pentel EnerGel is the usual alternative.
If you want quick-drying ink without gel, the uni-ball Jetstream RT is a low-viscosity oil ballpoint.
OHTO makes a quick-drying alternative too: its Flash Dry PG-105NP refill, which OHTO recommends for left-handed writers, comes in the inexpensive OHTO Rays. If you highlight your notes, Zebra’s Sarasa Mark On is made so its ink doesn’t smear under a highlighter.
Where is the Sarasa Dry X20 made?
Zebra doesn’t say, and US listings mostly give Mexico. OnTimeSupplies lists Mexico for the 0.5 mm black dozen (46710), as does PartsSource for a 0.7 mm pack. A GSA reseller lists Japan for the Sarasa Dry X20+, so check the pack.
How much does a Sarasa Dry cost?
It falls in our lowest band, $ (under $5 per pen), in the dozen and 36-pen packs most stores sell.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Zebra Sarasa Dry good for left-handed writers?
It's one of the most recommended gel pens for them. Zebra markets Rapid Dry Ink to left-handers, JetPens found it smear-free in 2 to 3 seconds on Rhodia, and Your Best Digs picks it for left-handed writers.
Which Sarasa Dry tip size dries fastest?
The 0.5 mm Fine lays down the least ink and dries fastest, so it's the size to pick if you smear. The 1.0 mm Bold is the slowest to dry.
What's the difference between the Sarasa Dry and the Sarasa Clip?
The Sarasa Dry uses quick-drying ink and a grip-and-clip body sold in US office packs. The Sarasa Clip uses Zebra's standard pigment gel and a binder clip, and comes in many more colors and sizes.
Can you refill the Sarasa Dry X20?
Listings disagree. OnTimeSupplies' copy says the X20 refills with Zebra's JF refill, but the same listing's spec table says not refillable, and Zebra Pen doesn't publish a refill for it.
Is the Zebra Sarasa Dry X20 made in the USA?
No. US listings give Mexico for several X20 packs, and one reseller lists Japan for the X20+. Zebra doesn't state it.
Is the Japanese Sarasa Dry the same pen?
Not as far as we can confirm. Zebra Japan's Sarasa Dry (JJ31 in 0.5 mm) uses water-based dye ink and JLV refills, while US listings for the X20 mention JF refills; Zebra doesn't say how the two relate.
