If you've decided to try at-home microneedling, the hardest part is usually choosing the pen. The three we carry — the Dr Pen M8S, the Dr Pen M9, and the Hydra Pen H6 — cover three different styles of use, and the right answer depends on what you want your routine to look like. Here's the honest breakdown.
Dr Pen M8S — the dependable workhorse
The M8S is the pen we recommend to most first-time buyers. It's a wireless, adjustable-depth pen that takes standard replaceable cartridges, holds a charge well, and has a motor that stays consistent across sessions. If you want a straightforward, no-drama microneedling routine with the widest choice of cartridge types, this is the one.
Dr Pen M9 — the newest motor, the smoothest glide
The M9 is Dr Pen's newer flagship. The practical differences you'll notice: a quieter, higher-frequency motor and a more even glide at the same depth settings, which makes it easier to keep pressure consistent — the thing beginners most often get wrong. If your budget stretches to it and you plan to microneedle regularly, the M9 is the more refined tool.
Hydra Pen H6 — microneedling and serum in one pass
The Hydra Pen H6 is a different concept: its cartridges have a built-in serum reservoir, so it delivers your ampoule while it needles. Fill it with a water-based ampoule like Salmon Skin Rejuvenation (PDRN) or Cica Ampoule and you get application and treatment in one step. Great for people who want the shortest possible routine; the tradeoff is cartridges are specific to the Hydra system.
Quick comparison
Choose the M8S if you want the best value and the standard cartridge ecosystem. Choose the M9 if you want the smoothest, quietest operation and plan to use it long-term. Choose the Hydra Pen H6 if serum delivery during needling appeals to you and you like a simplified routine. Whichever you pick, pair it with a dedicated aftercare routine — our Aftercare collection has the ampoules and creams designed for post-needling skin, and our Microneedling 101 guide covers technique, depths, and frequency.
All devices are for external cosmetic use. Follow the included instructions, never share cartridges, and patch test new serums first.