10 Best Pencil Crayons 2025 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils come in a set of 36 vibrant, assorted colors, offering a good range for artists who want variety. Their soft cores make them especially suitable for shading and creating smooth, even layers of color. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will stay bright over time without fading easily. These pencils have thick leads that resist breaking, which is great if you do a lot of coloring or apply pressure while drawing.

They blend nicely thanks to their softness, making it easier to achieve smooth transitions between colors. However, because the leads are soft, they require more frequent sharpening than harder pencils, which some users might find inconvenient. The pencil design is comfortable to hold, supporting longer creative sessions without hand strain.

These pencils are a solid choice for adult coloring books, sketching, and detailed drawing, but beginners should be mindful of the soft lead’s delicate nature when handling. For those seeking rich colors with excellent blendability and who don't mind sharpening often, Prismacolor Premier pencils remain a reliable and popular option.

The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils set, with 150 assorted colors, provides an extensive color range suitable for adults engaged in coloring or professional artwork. The soft and thick cores make these pencils excellent for shading and creating shadows, allowing for smooth and even color application. The pigments are richly saturated, ensuring vibrant and lasting colors which contribute positively to both the color range and pigment quality categories. Additionally, these pencils are designed to be lightfast, meaning the colors are resistant to fading over time, which is especially important for artwork intended to be displayed or preserved.

The blendability of these pencils is noteworthy, as the ultra-smooth laydown helps in achieving seamless transitions between colors, aiding in artistic creations and detailed work. The robust leads resist cracking and chipping, which enhances durability and reliability, making them suitable for frequent use and intricate coloring tasks where precision is crucial. As for ergonomics, the thick leads and overall design ensure a comfortable grip during extended use, although the set might be somewhat heavy at 2.94 pounds, potentially making it less portable.

However, the age range description targets adults, which means the weight should be manageable. The assortment may vary, which could be a downside for those expecting specific colors. Despite this, customer reviews are highly positive, reflecting satisfaction with the product's quality and performance. For those seeking a high-quality, versatile set of colored pencils, the Prismacolor Premier offers a robust option with a wide color spectrum and reliable performance in terms of pigment quality, blendability, and durability.

The Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set offers a wide color range with 72 beautifully organized pencils, making it easy to find and select colors thanks to its neat tin case with layers. The pencils feature soft cores that lay down rich, creamy pigment smoothly, which is great for blending, layering, and creating textures on various surfaces like paper and canvas. This soft lead also resists breaking easily, helping maintain a sharp point for detailed work. The pigments are intense and vibrant, which means your art will have bright, appealing colors.

The set is designed for adult artists and those who want to improve their skills—helped by a handy tutorial included. The softness of the leads means they might wear down quicker if you apply heavy pressure. Ergonomically, the pencils come with a flip grip, which some users might find comfortable for longer drawing sessions, but there’s no special ergonomic shape to reduce hand fatigue. With strong customer ratings and a money-back guarantee, this set is a good choice for beginners and hobbyists who want a versatile, rich color experience without breaking the bank.

Professionals needing archival quality or very hard leads might want to look elsewhere, as this set excels in color variety and smooth application, making it a delightful tool for creative expression.