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10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Bulk Art Supplies for Kids, Back to School Essentials, Teacher Classroom Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,148
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Lightfastness

Most important from
10104 reviews

Type of Colored Pencils
The pencils offer fantastic layering and blending qualities but require patience with multiple light layers to achieve vibrant colors.
Color Range
The large color selection provides versatility suitable for portraits, landscapes, and various artistic projects.
Lightfastness
While not as soft or lightfast as professional brands, these pencils deliver reliable performance for casual and practice use.
Core Hardness
The cores are hard enough to suit those who press firmly without damaging the pencils quickly.
Price
This set is an excellent value for the price, especially for beginners, kids, or those wanting to experiment with a wide range of colors.

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors is a great choice for kids and classrooms thanks to its large color range and trusted brand reputation. These pencils have a smooth, creamy core that makes coloring and blending easy, which is especially helpful for young artists just starting out. The pencils come pre-sharpened, so kids can dive right into their artwork without any hassle.

While Crayola is known for quality and safe materials, these pencils are designed primarily for casual use rather than professional or archival artwork, so they may not offer strong lightfastness (resistance to fading over time) or very hard cores that some artists prefer for fine detail. The set is quite affordable considering the quantity, making it an excellent value for schools, homeschooling, or families with multiple children.

With so many colors, some shades might be quite similar, which could be a bit overwhelming or unnecessary for beginners. If you are looking for a fun, reliable, and budget-friendly pencil set mainly for kids or general coloring activities, this Crayola set delivers well without being overly specialized.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,148
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Lightfastness

Most important from
10104 reviews

Type of Colored Pencils
The pencils offer fantastic layering and blending qualities but require patience with multiple light layers to achieve vibrant colors.
Color Range
The large color selection provides versatility suitable for portraits, landscapes, and various artistic projects.
Lightfastness
While not as soft or lightfast as professional brands, these pencils deliver reliable performance for casual and practice use.
Core Hardness
The cores are hard enough to suit those who press firmly without damaging the pencils quickly.
Price
This set is an excellent value for the price, especially for beginners, kids, or those wanting to experiment with a wide range of colors.
#2

Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Back to School Essentials, Must Have Classroom Supplies for Kids, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils, 3+

Rating
9.6
Color Range
Core Hardness

Most important from
35792 reviews

Color Range
With 36 different colors, this set offers an excellent range for all kinds of projects.
Core Hardness
The pencils are sturdy and resistant to breaking, even with a bit of pressure during use.

The Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct) set is a fantastic choice for children, particularly those aged 3 and up. It features 36 distinct colors, offering a wide color range that can help young artists explore their creativity. Crayola is a well-known brand with a strong reputation for quality, which parents can trust for their kids' art supplies.

The pencils are presharpened, making them ready to use straight out of the box, which is convenient for children and parents alike. The soft cores are designed to reduce breakage, enhancing durability during use. These pencils are perfect for coloring books and various school and classroom projects, making learning activities more engaging and colorful. The price is reasonable, making it an accessible option for most families.

In summary, this product is ideal for young children and general use but may not satisfy the needs of advanced artists.

Rating
9.6
Color Range
Core Hardness

Most important from
35792 reviews

Color Range
With 36 different colors, this set offers an excellent range for all kinds of projects.
Core Hardness
The pencils are sturdy and resistant to breaking, even with a bit of pressure during use.
#3

KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners

Rating
9.4
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Core Hardness

Most important from
7204 reviews

Type of Colored Pencils
Definitely a good set for beginning artists or anyone coloring for fun but wanting a decent pencil.
Color Range
The 72 vibrant shades provide an incredible range for blending, shading, and detailed work.
Core Hardness
The soft cores make coloring smooth and effortless while allowing for great layering and gradients.
Price
The set offers great value for the quality and variety it provides.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils are an impressive option for anyone interested in art, whether you're an adult, kid, or a beginner. One of the standout features of this set is its vibrant color range; with 72 different hues, you're likely to find the perfect shade for any drawing or coloring project. The pencils are made with a soft core, allowing for smooth application and easy blending, which is excellent for creating depth in your artwork. Their break-resistant design adds to their durability, making them suitable for regular use.

In terms of quality, the pencils are crafted from high-quality basswood, which sharpens easily and produces a nice finish. While the soft core provides smooth application, it may not be ideal for all artists, especially those who prefer harder leads for fine details. Additionally, while the vibrant colors are great for adult coloring books, some users have expressed that the colors might not be as lightfast as professional-grade pencils, meaning they could fade over time under certain conditions.

The KALOUR pencils are also non-toxic and safe for children, making them a suitable gift for young budding artists. However, if you’re a more advanced artist looking for professional-grade materials, you might find these pencils somewhat lacking in comparison to higher-end brands. For the price point, they offer good value, especially as a starter set for those new to coloring and drawing. If you're looking for a reliable and colorful option to express your creativity, KALOUR's 72 Count Colored Pencils could be a delightful addition to your art supplies.

Rating
9.4
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Core Hardness

Most important from
7204 reviews

Type of Colored Pencils
Definitely a good set for beginning artists or anyone coloring for fun but wanting a decent pencil.
Color Range
The 72 vibrant shades provide an incredible range for blending, shading, and detailed work.
Core Hardness
The soft cores make coloring smooth and effortless while allowing for great layering and gradients.
Price
The set offers great value for the quality and variety it provides.

Buying Guide for the Best Colored Pencils

Choosing the right colored pencils can greatly enhance your drawing and coloring experience. Whether you are a beginner, a hobbyist, or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main factors to consider when selecting colored pencils:
Type of Colored PencilsColored pencils come in different types, primarily wax-based, oil-based, and watercolor pencils. Wax-based pencils are the most common and are known for their smooth application and vibrant colors. Oil-based pencils are harder and less prone to breakage, offering more precision and durability. Watercolor pencils can be used dry or with water to create a watercolor effect. Choose wax-based pencils for general use and vibrant colors, oil-based for detailed work and durability, and watercolor pencils if you enjoy blending with water.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the number of different colors available in a set. Smaller sets may have 12 to 24 colors, which are suitable for beginners or casual use. Larger sets can have 48, 72, or even more colors, providing a wider variety of shades and tones for more detailed and professional work. If you are just starting, a smaller set may be sufficient. For more advanced or professional work, a larger set with a broader color range will offer more versatility.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil's color to fading when exposed to light over time. This is particularly important for artists who want their work to last. Lightfastness is usually rated on a scale, with higher ratings indicating better resistance to fading. If you are creating artwork that you want to preserve for a long time, look for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For casual or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessThe hardness of the pencil core affects how the pencil feels and performs. Softer cores provide richer, more vibrant colors and are easier to blend, but they wear down faster and may break more easily. Harder cores are more durable and better for fine details and sharp lines but may not be as vibrant. Choose softer cores for blending and vibrant colors, and harder cores for detailed work and durability.
Brand ReputationThe reputation of the brand can be an indicator of the quality of the colored pencils. Established brands often have a history of producing high-quality products and may offer better consistency and reliability. Researching reviews and recommendations from other artists can help you identify reputable brands. If quality and consistency are important to you, consider choosing pencils from well-known and trusted brands.
PriceWhile budget is not the focus here, it's important to note that the price of colored pencils can vary widely based on the type, color range, and brand. Higher-priced pencils often offer better quality, durability, and performance. Consider what features are most important to you and how often you will use the pencils to determine the best value for your needs.

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