10 Best Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States

The Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils offer a vibrant and versatile option for artists and hobbyists alike. With a range of 72 colors, these pencils feature a soft 4mm lead core that allows for bold and expressive artwork. Their high pigment concentration ensures your drawings will stand out with rich colors. One of the standout features is their water-soluble capability, which opens up creative avenues; you can use them dry for traditional drawing or add water for an ink-like effect. This dual functionality makes them ideal for various projects, from paper to fabrics like silk and cotton.

The pigments dry quickly and remain permanent, which means you won't have to worry about color bleeding when layering or placing colors next to each other. This is especially beneficial for artists who focus on precision and detail in their work. Additionally, the ability to mix colors and create lighter shades with water adds another layer of customization to your artistic expression.

These pencils are well-suited for adults and students looking to elevate their art projects with a premium, versatile product. Whether you're an experienced artist or a budding creator, the Derwent Inktense Pencils can enhance your artistic toolkit.

The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 36 Count, are designed primarily for adults who enjoy coloring and shading. One of the standout features is the soft, thick cores which make these pencils ideal for creating smooth, even color layers, and achieving rich shading and shadows.

They are praised for their lightfastness, meaning the colors are resistant to fading over time, which is a crucial feature for artists who want their work to last. The color range includes 36 different shades, providing a good variety for most artistic needs, although some may wish for a larger selection. The robust leads are designed to resist cracking and chipping, adding to their durability and making them suitable for frequent use in adult coloring books.

Prismacolor is a well-known brand with a strong reputation in the art community. If you are looking for high-quality colored pencils with excellent performance in shading and durability, and are willing to invest a bit more, these could be a great choice.

The Shuttle Art 172 Colored Pencils set offers a huge range of 172 unique colors, including 12 metallic shades, making it perfect for detailed coloring, sketching, or crafting for beginners, adult coloring enthusiasts, or artists. Each pencil is clearly labeled with both the color name and number, and the pencil’s body color matches the core, allowing for quick and easy shade selection. The soft cores glide smoothly on paper, enabling easy blending and layering, which is excellent for shading and creating vibrant artwork. Despite their softness, the cores resist breaking under normal use, and the pencils are made with quality wood for easy sharpening. Safety is also ensured as these pencils meet U.S. and European safety standards, making them suitable for all ages, including children.

Though the set is large and might be pricier than smaller packs, it offers excellent value considering the variety and quality. For those needing pencils with very high lightfastness (resistance to fading over time), this set may not be ideal since it mainly targets casual to intermediate artists rather than professionals focused on archival quality. However, for most hobbyists and coloring book fans, Shuttle Art’s colorful, user-friendly pencils provide a reliable and enjoyable drawing experience.