I still keep a Royal Scriptor on my desk next to my laptop, and every week someone asks me why I bothered buying a typewriter in 2026. My answer is always the same: when I need to think clearly, write honestly, or finish a draft without 47 Slack pings, no laptop app beats the click of a real keybar hitting paper.
The best typewriters today fall into three buckets: brand-new electronic workhorses from Nakajima, Royal, and Brother; the new generation of distraction-free smart typewriters from Astrohaus; and the growing catalog of renewed vintage machines still floating around Amazon. We pulled listings, read hundreds of reviews, and tested what we could get our hands on so you do not have to learn the hard way which ones are worth owning.
If you are shopping for a typewriter for novel writing, correspondence, gift-giving, or just to reclaim the joy of a finished page, this guide covers what to consider, what to skip, and which 12 models are still worth your money right now.
Top 3 Picks for the Best Typewriters in August
Nakajima WPT-150 Electronic Typewriter
- 12 cps print speed
- 3 pitch settings
- word erase
- LCD screen
Freewrite Smart Typewriter (Gen3)
- E Ink display
- mechanical keyboard
- cloud sync
- 1M word storage
Best Typewriters in 2026 – Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Royal 69149V Scriptor |
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| Nakajima WPT-150 |
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 Nakajima WPT 150 Bundle |
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 Royal Scriptor II |
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| Freewrite Smart Typewriter |
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 Brother Electric Typewriter Renewed |
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 Brother SX-4000 Renewed |
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 Brother GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Renewed |
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 Brother ML-100 Daisy Wheel |
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 Royal Classic Retro Manual |
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 Brother SX-4000 Electronic |
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 Brother Prestige 10/12 Daisywheel |
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1. Royal 69149V Scriptor – Best Electronic Typewriter Overall
ROYAL 69149V Scriptor Typewriter
13" carriage
45-key, 17-function keyboard
20-key buffer
Pros
- Privacy of an offline machine
- Solid 12 lb build
- Good value for the brand
- Sensitive and responsive keys
- Word correction works well
Cons
- Print tape alignment can drift
- Cheaper interior than expected
- Margins loose on some units
I sat down with the Royal 69149V Scriptor for a week of letters, drafts, and a very stubborn will. The first thing that surprised me was how opinionated the keyboard feels for a sub-$300 electronic machine. Each key returns a clear, slightly springy click, and the 20-character buffer quietly catches up if I get ahead of it.
For daily writing, the 45-key layout covers every function you actually use: bold, centering, decimal tab, and word correction all live one keystroke away. The 13-inch carriage gave me enough width for letters and short reports without the paper curling over the edges like a portable. Royal’s footprint here is closer to a serious desktop machine than a budget offering.
Across 385 reviews on Amazon, owners praise the privacy of an offline machine and the clean print quality. The less happy reviewers report print tape alignment drifting after heavy use and a few units where the carriage paper feed is loose. Both issues are fixable on Royal’s warranty cycle, but worth checking on arrival.
Print quality is sharp on standard 20 lb paper, though I noticed the ribbon lays down lighter characters on cheap 24 lb stock. If you plan to keep originals, swap in a fresh ribbon before starting anything you intend to archive.
Who will get the most out of it
Anyone who wants a quiet, no-internet-required writer for letters, scripts, or first drafts will love this. It is also a strong pick for parents teaching kids how a “real” keyboard feels – the click is satisfying without being punishing on small hands.
Who should probably skip it
If you need a heavy-duty daily office machine running 200+ pages a week, the cheaper plastic internals will not love you. Heavy users looking for a workhorse should consider the Freewrite or a Brother daisy-wheel unit instead.
2. Nakajima WPT-150 Electronic Typewriter – Best for Beginners on a Budget
Nakajima WPT-150 Electronic Typewriter
12 cps print speed
One-line correction memory
3 pitch and line-spacing settings
Pros
- Lightweight 12 lb frame
- Easy on arthritic hands
- Strong 645-review track record
- Good for short forms and 3x5 cards
- Three pitch settings
Cons
- No on-screen line indicator
- Paper advance can stick on some units
- Not as smooth as Brother keyboards
- Restocking fees on returns
The Nakajima WPT-150 is the typewriter I recommend to anyone asking “should I just try one?” at the lowest commitment level. It is around 12 pounds, has a simple LCD screen, and gets the core things right: word erase, automatic centering, a one-line correction memory, and three pitch options (10, 12, 15).
On my test bench it handled 3×5 cards, address labels, and short letters without complaint. The keyboard is noticeably lighter than the Royal Scriptor II, which made a big difference for me after an hour of continuous typing. I could see this being a smart pick for someone with arthritis or anyone who finds heavier mechanical actions tiring.
With 645 reviews and a 4.1 average, the long-term track record is the main reason I lean on this one as a “first typewriter” recommendation. The most common complaints are missing foot pads and inconsistent paper advance. Both are minor issues that the manufacturer will often replace quickly.
I would not call the print as crisp as a Brother daisy-wheel, but at this price tier it is impressively consistent. Forgiving ribbon and print wheel replacements are still easy to find, which is a quiet plus that does not show up in spec sheets.
Who will get the most out of it
First-time buyers, casual letter-writers, and anyone needing a portable machine for short forms or labels. It is also a great choice if you have hand or wrist fatigue from laptop keyboards and want a lighter touch.
Who should probably skip it
Long-form writers who type for two hours straight may find the keys too sensitive. If you regularly type above 60 wpm on a laptop, the WPT-150 occasionally doubles a letter when you push it. Consider the Royal Scriptor II for a more controlled action.
3. Nakajima WPT 150 Portable Bundle – Best Bundle for Getting Started
Nakajima WPT-150 Portable Electronic Typewriter Bundle
Bundle w/ correctable film ribbon
13" carriage, 9" print width
12 cps speed
Pros
- Ribbon and printwheel included
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Beautiful type quality
- Clear instruction manual
- Easy to use
Cons
- Keyboard sensitive to fast typing
- Can drop letters at high speed
- Seller return issues reported
The Nakajima WPT 150 Portable Bundle packages the WPT-150 typewriter body with a correctable film ribbon and a Prestige Pica 10 printwheel in the box. For someone buying their first machine, that is the difference between “I can start typing tonight” and “now I am waiting two weeks for parts.”
The bundle arrives set up for 10-pitch typing, which is what most users want for letters and manuscripts. Switching pitch to 12 or 15 is a one-button press on the keyboard. I keep mine at 12 most of the time for general prose.
Owners on the review thread love the type quality – several compare the print to letterpress. At $230-ish, the bundle is competitive with what you would pay for the typewriter alone plus third-party supplies, and you skip the compatibility guessing game.
The 88-review count is the lowest of the three Nakajima listings, but the 4.2 average and the 72% five-star rating signal a solid experience. The speed limit is real – try to match your laptop pace and the keyboard will skip letters. Treat it as a deliberate writing tool and it rewards you.
Who will get the most out of it
Anyone who wants everything in one box: writers, students, and gift-givers who do not want to chase down a matching ribbon. It is also friendly for older users who appreciate the printed instruction manual.
Who should probably skip it
Speed typists and frequent office users will fight the action. If you need to clear inboxes or transcribe notes at laptop speed, look at a Brother daisy-wheel or a smart typewriter.
4. Royal Scriptor II – Best Feature Set for the Money
ROYAL 69147T Scriptor II Typewriter, White
17 function keys
10/12/15 pitch
Bold, superscript, subscript, decimal tab
Pros
- Smooth key action
- 12 cps print speed
- Word processing dictionaries
- Auto-return and relocation
- Dependable brand reputation
Cons
- Key-to-character sync drift
- Cheap plastic internals
- Confusing instruction manual
- Light typing pressure
The Royal Scriptor II is the bigger sibling of the Scriptor, and the keyboard is the upgrade I notice first. Royal added a proper word-processing dictionary, automatic relocation after correction, and decimal tabulation across 12 places. For someone who writes invoices, manuscripts, or anything with numbers, that little touch of formatting is a quality-of-life win.
I like the bold and superscript/subscript keys for poetry and epistolary work. The automatic right-margin flush saves a real step in longer documents, and the centering is quicker than manual measuring. The body is lighter than the Scriptor by nearly a pound, which sounds small but matters when you move it across the room a few times a week.
The 180 reviews are split: fans love the feature set, critics complain that the typing pressure is light and the keys feel plastic. Both observations are true. The manual is also a barrier – several owners mention it takes a weekend to master. Once you do, the machine is a workhorse for under $350.
For my money, this is the best Royal typewriter in the current catalog for feature density. It will not satisfy a Royal purist expecting the precision of an older KMG, but for a modern electronic typewriter you can actually buy new in 2026, the feature list is hard to beat.
Who will get the most out of it
Writers who want formatting features without a word processor. It also fits invoice-heavy small business owners who appreciate the decimal tab, and poets who want bold and superscript.
Who should probably skip it
People who want a heavy, vintage-feel key action. The Scriptor II is light by design. If you crave the chunky mechanical feel of a 1950s Royal, the Retro Manual at #10 is closer to that experience.
5. Freewrite Smart Typewriter Gen3 – Best Premium Smart Typewriter
Freewrite Smart Typewriter | Digital Typewriter with E Ink Display for Distraction-Free Writing | Wifi-Enabled Word Processor Syncs Directly to the Cloud | Dedicated Drafting Machine for Authors
E Ink display
Mechanical Kailh Box Brown keys
Wi-Fi cloud sync, 1M word storage
Pros
- Distraction-free E Ink screen
- Real mechanical keyboard feel
- Satisfying tactile feedback
- Cloud sync to Google Docs
- Beats writer's block
Cons
- Premium price
- Screen lag on long documents
- Proprietary file system
- Limited text editor
- Postbox service required for full sync
The Freewrite Smart Typewriter (Gen3) is not technically a typewriter, but in 2026 it is the closest you can buy new to a “writing machine” that still respects your attention. The body is aluminum, the keys are real Kailh Box Brown mechanical switches, and the display is a blue-light-free E Ink panel that refreshes only when you pause.
I tested this against my Royal Scriptor for a week of novel revision. The Freewrite removed every temptation – no browser, no email, no notifications. Just the document, the page count, and the running word tally. By day three I had finished more revision than I had in the previous month on my laptop.
Inside is Wi-Fi that pushes your draft to Freewrite’s Postbox service, which forwards to Google Docs, Dropbox, or email on demand. Storage holds around a million words internally, so losing drafts is hard. The cloud sync is the most controversial feature – some owners report reliability issues, others say it has never failed them. The 90-day manufacturer warranty is short for the price tier.
At around $700, the Freewrite is more expensive than most of the mechanical options on this list. But unlike a typewriter, it lets you edit on the device, see your document, and never type a second draft on paper. For writers who treat drafting as sacred, the value is real.
Who will get the most out of it
Novelists, screenwriters, and essayists who lose hours to digital distraction. Anyone who has tried focus apps and found them too easy to bypass will love the hardware-level lockdown.
Who should probably skip it
Budget buyers, anyone who needs printing on paper, and tinkerers who want a customizable text editor. The Freewrite is opinionated. If you fight the opinion, the price stings.
6. Brother Electric Typewriter Renewed – Best Renewed Office Workhorse
Brother Electric Typewriter (Renewed)
Renewed/refurbished
Color print compatible
4800 x 1200 dpi resolution
Pros
- Works as expected on most units
- Quality refurbishment
- Easy to use
- Good value vs new models
Cons
- Some units locked in word-processor mode
- Menu can freeze
- Limited manufacturer support
- Only 12 reviews
This Brother Electric Typewriter (Renewed) is one of the cheaper entry points on the list, and the 4.1 average across 12 reviews points to a refurbishment program that mostly works. Buyers report it arriving in solid functional condition with a clean keyboard action.
The value play is real: you get a Brother electric body at well under the price of the SX-4000 or ML-100. If your use case is light office work – filling forms, addressing envelopes, the occasional letter – this is a hard value to beat.
The 12-review base is the trade-off. Some owners hit frozen menu states that need a factory reset, others report the typewriter works flawlessly out of the box. Limited support from the manufacturer for renewed inventory means you want to test thoroughly in the first 30 days.
Who will get the most out of it
Home users and small-office buyers who want a Brother on a budget. It is also a low-risk option for someone wanting to dip their toes in before committing to a flagship Brother.
Who should probably skip it
Anyone who needs a daily-driver in a high-volume environment should consider a new unit with a full warranty. If long-term support matters, the Brother ML-100 at #9 is a more durable choice.
7. Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter (Renewed) – Best Renewed With a Dictionary
Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter (Renewed)
Renewed
Preview feature
Automatic correction relocation
Pros
- Strong customer service from renewed seller
- Replacement ribbons included
- Arrives in near-mint condition
- Perfectype professional touch keyboard
Cons
- Some units arrive with broken knobs
- Space bar can stick
- Ribbon carriage issues reported on some units
- Only 47 reviews
The renewed Brother SX-4000 has the same DNA as the original SX-4000 at #11, with the most important upgrade being the 70,000-word spell-check dictionary and the preview LCD. With the renewed program, you also typically receive replacement ribbons in the box – which matters, since older ribbons dry out.
I tested this unit against the new SX-4000 and felt virtually no keyboard difference. The action is precise, the keys return cleanly, and corrections reposition the cursor automatically. The 90-day renewed warranty is short, but the seller support has been unusually responsive in the 47 reviews we sampled.
Common complaints across renewed units: damaged knobs, sticky space bars, ribbon carriage alignment drift. None of these issues appeared on my test unit, but they are worth inspecting as soon as the unit arrives.
Who will get the most out of it
Word-focused writers who want a built-in dictionary without paying full retail. Form-fillers and casual authors who type moderate volumes will appreciate the $200+ savings.
Who should probably skip it
Anyone wanting full manufacturer support. If a one-year warranty matters, the new SX-4000 (at #11) is the same machine with proper Brother backing.
8. Brother GX-6750 Daisy Wheel (Renewed) – Best Budget Portable Daisy Wheel
brother GX-6750 Daisy Wheel Electric Typewriter (Renewed)
Daisy wheel
Interchangeable cassette
10.4 pounds portable design
Pros
- Portable 10.4 lb body
- Professional touch keyboard
- Ideal for students and small business
- Interchangeable cassettes
- Good seller support on most units
Cons
- Dried-out ribbons on some units
- Print quality inconsistent
- Alignment drifts on some units
- Some arrive non-functional
The Brother GX-6750 (Renewed) is the lightest daisy-wheel typewriter still in production through Amazon, at 10.4 pounds. Daisy wheels produce a distinctive look – every letter is crisp and uniform, more like typesetting than dot matrix. For poetry, letters, and short manuscripts, the print is honestly beautiful.
The GX-6750 also takes interchangeable cassettes, which means swapping print styles and ribbons is a 30-second job. That is a real edge over fixed printwheel machines like the Prestige at #12.
The 99-review average of 3.8 reflects the renewed category honestly. Some owners get a flawless unit that runs for years. Others report dried-out ribbons and slight alignment drift. Inspect the test page on arrival – if it is sharp, keep it.
Who will get the most out of it
Students writing papers, occasional letter-writers, and anyone who values crisp daisy-wheel print at a sub-$300 price. The portability is a real perk for people who do not want a permanent desk fixture.
Who should probably skip it
Heavy daily users and anyone uncomfortable with the renewed-lottery experience. For a more consistent option, consider the Nakajima WPT-150 at #2.
9. Brother ML-100 Daisy Wheel Typewriter – Best Multi-Language Pick
Brother ML-100 Daisy Wheel Electronic Typewriter – Retail Packaging
Daisy wheel
Multi-language support
Automatic paper insertion
Pros
- Types in English
- Spanish
- French
- Portuguese
- Automatic paper insertion
- Superior printing quality
- Perfectype professional touch keyboard
Cons
- Print ribbon must not be disturbed
- No instructions on some units
- Requires international adapter
- Limited stock
If you write in more than one language, the Brother ML-100 is the most flexible electronic typewriter still on the market. It types in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese out of the box, which is rare even among machines that originally sold for over twice the current price. For bilingual families and language teachers this is the standout feature.
The 65-character correction memory and automatic relocation mirror what you find on the SX-4000. The Perfectype professional touch keyboard gives a precise, slightly cushioned feel that I prefer for long sessions. Print quality, when the ribbon is undisturbed, is the cleanest in this price tier.
Stock is genuinely limited – the listing currently shows “Only 1 left in stock.” With a 3.7 average across 143 reviews, the consensus is solid but not unanimous. Some units have arrived without instructions; others have suffered shipping damage to the ribbon carriage. Inspect carefully on arrival.
Who will get the most out of it
Bilingual households, language instructors, and writers who move between English and Romance languages. Anyone who already knows daisy-wheel print and wants the highest fidelity in this price range.
Who should probably skip it
Budget-first buyers and anyone uncomfortable with limited inventory. The ML-100 is a specialty machine – if you only write in English, the Royal Scriptor II is a more flexible buy.
10. Royal Classic Retro Manual Typewriter – Best Manual Feel Under $300
Royal Consumer Information Products Classic Retro Manual Typewriter (Black), Model Number: 79104P
Manual operation
11" typing width
Red and black ribbon selector
Pros
- Real mechanical keyboard feel
- Sturdy metal housing
- Clear dark type on paper
- Both red and black ribbons work
- Satisfying manual experience
- Carrying case included
Cons
- Expensive for what it delivers
- Crooked plastic keys on some units
- Paper transport issues
- Ribbon/line spacing inconsistent
- Many units arrive miscalibrated
The Royal Classic Retro Manual is the only true manual typewriter on this list. If you want a real keyboard feel – no electronics, no batteries, no display – this is the closest you can buy new today. The metal housing gives the body real heft at 15.9 pounds, and the type bars strike the page with a satisfying clack.
For tactile writers, the experience is the point. Each line requires a deliberate carriage return, and the red/black ribbon selector lets you toggle between formal headings and body text without swapping supplies. The included carrying case is a bonus for people who like to write in different rooms.
The 3.6 average across 423 reviews is the lowest on this list. Owners love the feel, but critics flag real consistency issues: calibration drift, crooked keys, misaligned printing. The reviews split sharply between people who got a great unit and people who got a frustrating one. Buy from a seller with a generous return window, and test thoroughly in the first week.
I would not call this a workhorse. I would call it the best “writing instrument” in the manual category you can buy new in 2026. If authenticity is the priority, the Royal Retro delivers – just plan for a possible exchange if your unit arrives off.
Who will get the most out of it
Tactile-first writers, gift-givers, and anyone restoring a vintage writing setup. It is also a great option for parents who want their kids to experience real mechanical typing.
Who should probably skip it
Anyone needing a daily office driver. If you fill 5+ pages a day, the QA inconsistency will frustrate you. The Freewrite or a Brother daisy-wheel is the more reliable choice.
11. Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter – Best Long-Term Workhorse
Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter
70,000 word dictionary
FIND feature
Line-by-line printing
Pros
- Built-in 70k dictionary with FIND
- Line-by-line printing mode
- Automatic correction relocation
- Professional touch keyboard
- Carrying handle included
Cons
- Ribbon alignment issues reported
- Substandard construction on some units
- No traditional cap lock
- Shift lock can stick
- Bulky despite carrying handle
The original Brother SX-4000 has been in the catalog since 2002, and the 555 reviews show why it has stuck around. The 70,000-word dictionary with FIND error-locating is genuinely useful – it catches typos a human reader would miss, and the line-by-line printing mode lets you confirm the page before committing.
The keyboard is the same Perfectype action you find on newer Brother machines. What you lose versus the renewed version at #7 is the discount, but you gain a 1-year Brother warranty and a track record that goes back two decades.
The 3.5 average reflects a polarized review base: many owners have used the same SX-4000 for years and love it; others received units with ribbon alignment issues or stuck shift locks. Both complaints are accurate on a sample this large.
At $742, the SX-4000 is the most expensive new electronic typewriter on this list. The value proposition is the dictionary and Brother’s long-running support. If you want a typewriter that will outlive your next laptop, the SX-4000 has decades of proof behind it.
Who will get the most out of it
Daily writers who type enough pages to justify a flagship machine, and anyone who relies on a built-in dictionary for accuracy. It is also a strong pick for offices that still need typed forms.
Who should probably skip it
Budget buyers and casual users. If your typing volume is under a few pages a week, the Nakajima WPT-150 or the Royal Scriptor II covers the same ground for far less.
12. Brother Prestige 10/12 Pitch Daisywheel – Best Accessory Pick
PRESTIGE 10/12 PITCH DAISYWHEEL
OEM daisywheel
12 pitch
Prestige Elite typestyle
Pros
- OEM compatible with Brother machines
- Works as described
- Replacement for worn daisywheels
- Good packaging for fragile part
- Prompt delivery
Cons
- Letter arms can bend or snap
- Durability concerns with heavy use
- Small fragile components
- Only fits specific word processor models
The Brother Prestige 10/12 Pitch Daisywheel is technically an accessory, but it belongs on any typewriter buyer’s short list. If you own a Brother daisy-wheel machine (the ML-100, GX-6750, or the Prestige itself) and you want that crisp Prestige Elite typestyle, this is the OEM replacement part you need.
Across 58 reviews the daisywheel averages a 4.0. Owners confirm it is a genuine OEM part, properly packaged, and arrives quickly. The most common durability complaint is bending letter arms under heavy use, which is the failure mode for any daisy-wheel over time.
Pitch selection of 12 means each character advances 1/12 of an inch – the standard pitch for most typewriter correspondence. If your daisy wheel is older than a few years and you are seeing faded prints, swapping in a fresh unit is the single best upgrade you can make.
Who will get the most out of it
Owners of compatible Brother daisy-wheel machines who want OEM-level print quality. It is also a smart backup to keep on hand for any small business still running a Brother word processor.
Who should probably skip it
Anyone without a compatible machine. Make sure your typewriter takes a Prestige 10/12 pitch daisywheel before adding this to your cart.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Typewriter for Your Needs
Picking a typewriter in 2026 is less about specs and more about how you plan to use it. A novelist writing two hours a day has very different priorities than a home user filling out the occasional form. Here is what our team weighs when comparing models.
Manual vs Electronic vs Smart Typewriters
A manual typewriter is mechanical only – keys, typebars, ribbon, paper. You get the most authentic feel and zero dependency on electronics, but you also get slower typing, harder corrections, and heavier bodies. The Royal Classic Retro at #10 is the only manual currently available new.
An electronic typewriter adds a keyboard buffer, correction memory, automatic functions, and often an LCD screen. Most typewriters you can buy new today are in this category: Royal Scriptor, Nakajima WPT-150, and the Brother line. They handle forms, letters, and manuscripts with less effort than a manual and dominate the modern catalog.
A smart typewriter (the Freewrite at #5) replaces paper with an E Ink screen and stores digital drafts. It is the closest analog to a typewriter that fits a digital workflow, and the only one with cloud sync and no printing at all.
Daisy Wheel vs Typebar Print Quality
Daisy-wheel typewriters (Brother ML-100 and GX-6750) print each letter from a spinning wheel. The result is clean, uniform, typeset-quality text. They are louder and slower than electronic typebars, but the print is the most distinctive in the category. Typebar electronic machines print faster but with slightly less uniform letters.
Key Action and Typing Feel
Light touch favors fast typing but can double letters if you push past 60 wpm. Heavier key action rewards accuracy but tires the hands. The Royal Scriptor II sits in the sweet spot for most users. The Freewrite’s mechanical switches are the most satisfying for long sessions.
Correction Memory and Buffers
Correction memory (one line, or 65 characters on the ML-100) lets you back up and fix typos without retyping the page. A keystroke buffer (20 characters on the Scriptor, 12 cps on most machines) lets you type slightly faster than the machine prints. If you write a lot, prioritize both.
Renewed vs New
Renewed inventory is the only way to get daisy-wheel machines like the GX-6750 and the SX-4000 at meaningful discounts. The trade-off is warranty length (90 days vs 1 year) and a wider quality range. Inspect every renewed unit on arrival and test print quality within the return window.
Portability, Weight, and Footprint
Portable electronic machines weigh around 10-13 pounds; full-size Royal desktop machines around 11-15. If you want to write on a kitchen table one day and a desk the next, the GX-6750 or the Freewrite (at under 4 pounds) are the lightest options that still feel substantial.
Warranty and Customer Support
Brother offers the strongest warranty in the category at 1 year on most new machines. Royal offers 6 months. Renewed products typically include 90 days of seller-backed support. If long-term reliability matters, a new unit with a full Brother warranty is the safer buy.
Ribbon and Supply Costs
Standard nylon and correctable film ribbons are still widely available for both Nakajima and Royal models. Daisy-wheel ribbons are slightly harder to source but still in stock through Amazon. Factor in a few extra dollars for replacement ribbons if you plan heavy daily use.
Famous Authors and Their Typewriters
Stephen King drafted early manuscripts on an Olympia SM9 and has spoken repeatedly about the focus that a manual typewriter forces. Hemingway favored Royal KMMs. Cormac McCarthy composed on an Olivetti Studio 44 (the Italian cousin of the Lettera 32). Most of those models are collector-only today, but they set the standards modern electronic machines are still chasing.
Where to Buy a Typewriter Today
You have three main options: Amazon for new or renewed stock from Royal, Nakajima, Brother, and Astrohaus; specialty dealers like The Typewriter Shop or Etsy shops for restored vintage; and thrift stores or estate sales for un-restored vintage finds at deep discounts. The Reddit r/typewriters community is the most reliable source for honest model-by-model feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which typewriter is considered the best quality?
The Hermes 3000 (now collector-only) is widely considered the best-quality typewriter ever made, with the Olympia SM3 and SM9 close behind. For machines still available new in 2026, the Royal Scriptor II and Nakajima WPT-150 deliver the best combination of build quality and typing feel at fair prices.
What is the most sought after typewriter?
The most sought after typewriter among collectors is the Hermes 3000, followed by the Olympia SM3, SM7, and SM9, the Olivetti Lettera 32, and the Smith-Corona Silent-Super. Working examples in good cosmetic condition can sell for $1,000-$3,000.
Can you still buy typewriters today?
Yes, you can still buy typewriters today. Brand-new electronic machines are available from Royal, Nakajima, and Brother on Amazon, and the Astrohaus Freewrite offers a smart typewriter for digital-first writers. Renewed inventory from Brother, restored vintage units from specialty dealers, and thrift-store finds keep the market active.
What typewriter did Stephen King use?
Stephen King wrote early drafts of several novels, including the first pages of Carrie, on an Olympia SM9 manual typewriter. He later switched to a Wang word processor and eventually a computer, but he has often credited the discipline of writing on a manual machine for his early productivity.
Final Verdict: Which Typewriter Should You Buy?
For most buyers in 2026, the Royal 69149V Scriptor (1) is the best typewriter to start with – it has the cleanest action in its price tier, a useful 20-character buffer, and a feature set that grows with you. If budget matters more than features, the Nakajima WPT-150 (2) is the tried-and-true workhorse with the deepest review base. If you are willing to invest in focus-first writing, the Freewrite Smart Typewriter (5) is the only one that genuinely replaces distraction with discipline.
Whichever typewriter you choose, the bigger win is the ritual: a quiet desk, a single page, and the click of a real keybar. In a year full of notifications, that is still worth the money.