10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2026 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are a popular choice for artists who enjoy sketching and coloring with rich, vibrant colors. These pencils have soft, thick cores that make shading and blending smooth and easy, which is great when you want to create gradients or shadows. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will hold its color well over time without fading. With 36 assorted colors, you get a good range to work with, though professional artists might find the selection somewhat limited compared to larger sets.

The pencil leads are designed to be thick and sturdy, so they’re less likely to break or chip—this durability is especially helpful if you’re coloring in detailed adult coloring books or use a lot of pressure while drawing. However, because the cores are soft, they sharpen faster and might need more frequent sharpening compared to harder pencils, which could be a minor inconvenience.

These pencils are best suited for beginners and hobbyists who want a lively color experience with easy blending, rather than for those needing extremely precise lines or very hard, fine points. If you want a dependable, smooth coloring experience with strong pigment and decent durability, Prismacolor Premier is a solid pick.

The KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils set offers a large selection of 120 vibrant colors, which is excellent for artists who want a broad color range to work with. The pencils have a soft core that lays down rich, vivid pigment smoothly, making it easier to blend and layer colors—great for sketching, shading, and coloring. Users especially appreciate that the cores are break-resistant, which helps with durability during use and sharpening.

These pencils are made from high-quality basswood, so they sharpen easily without much breakage. The included blender pencil and white gel pen add useful tools for blending colors and creating highlights, which can enhance your artwork. The set also features a DIY color chart to help you organize and quickly find the colors you need. While the cores are soft and pigmented, softer pencils tend to wear down faster, so heavy use might require frequent sharpening.

This set is a strong choice for adult beginners and hobbyists who want a wide color variety and smooth application, but professional artists concerned with archival quality might want to check the lightfastness rating more closely.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils offer a wide color range with 72 vibrant hues, making them a great choice for adult coloring books, beginners, and kids. The soft core leads are highly pigmented, allowing for rich, vivid colors that work well for blending and layering. This makes shading and achieving smooth color transitions easier, especially for those who enjoy detailed art projects.

The pencils are made from basswood, which sharpens easily, and their break-resistant cores add to their durability during use. Each pencil is clearly labeled with a number and color name, helping users quickly find the right shade. These pencils are non-toxic and safe for children aged 5 and up, which is reassuring for families.

These pencils provide excellent value and enjoyable performance for casual artists, hobbyists, or those looking for a colorful and easy-to-use set, although they may not fully meet the needs of artists seeking professional-grade features.