10 Best High Quality Pencils 2025 in the United States

Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils come in a set of 72 vibrant shades, making them a great choice for anyone looking to create bold and expressive drawings. One of the standout features of these pencils is their water solubility, allowing artists to use them dry for traditional drawings or add water for a bright, translucent ink effect. This flexibility can greatly expand your creative possibilities. The pigments dry quickly and permanently, reducing the risk of color bleeding, which is beneficial for detailed work and layering colors.

Another advantage is their versatility in use on different surfaces, including fabrics like silk and cotton besides paper, opening up more creative avenues. The pencils have a round 4mm soft lead core, which is ideal for achieving bold lines and rich color application. The round shape might not provide the best grip for prolonged drawing sessions, especially compared to hexagonal or triangular pencils.

With a strong brand reputation, Derwent is well-regarded in the art community. This set is most suitable for adult artists or students looking for high-quality, versatile colored pencils for various art projects.

The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils are a solid choice for those seeking high-quality pencils. With HB (soft) graphite hardness, these pencils are well-suited for general writing and drawing tasks, offering a good balance of firmness and smoothness. The exclusive graphite core formula provides consistent and smooth writing, which is an essential feature for any high-quality pencil. The wood quality is reliable, making the pencils easy to sharpen without frequent breakage, which can be a common issue with lower-quality pencils.

The classic yellow hexagonal shape ensures a comfortable grip, though some may prefer a more ergonomic design for extended use. The satin smooth finish adds a nice touch to the feel of the pencil. The eraser is a useful feature, though its quality is average and may require more effort to completely erase marks compared to specialized erasers. Ticonderoga's brand reputation is strong, with many users praising the pencils for their reliability and performance.

The pack of 96 pencils offers great value for bulk buyers, such as schools or offices. However, the pencils come unsharpened, which means an initial investment in time to sharpen them all. Ticonderoga pencils deliver on most fronts with minor areas for improvement, making them a dependable choice for everyday use.

The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 2 HB Soft, Yellow, 72 Count offer a blend of quality and reliability. The exclusive #2 graphite formula ensures smooth writing and consistent lines, making them ideal for both kids and adults. The pencils are made from premium wood sourced from responsibly managed forests, which enhances their durability and makes sharpening easy with minimal breakage.

The latex-free eraser is a notable feature, effectively removing marks without smudging, and it is securely attached to the pencil, ensuring it stays in place during use. The pencils have a broad point type and a thick core, which might appeal to users who prefer bold lines. However, this might not be suitable for those who need finer details in their work. The pencils are pre-sharpened, which is a time-saver, especially for large orders like this 72-count pack.

Despite their many benefits, these pencils come in a standard yellow color with a thumb grip, which might be less comfortable for prolonged use. Additionally, the broad point size may not cater to those requiring precise or detailed work. These pencils are well-suited for general writing tasks, schoolwork, and everyday use, offering high quality and performance from a trusted brand.