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10 Best Pencil Crayons 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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
9.7
Chosen by1,316
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
6193 reviews

Color Range
The 72 vibrant shades provide an incredible range for blending, shading, and detailed work.
Pigment Quality
The colors are vivid and blend nicely, making them a good set for beginning artists or anyone coloring for fun.
Blendability
The soft cores make coloring smooth and effortless, allowing for great layering and gradients.
Hardness of the Lead
These pencils sharpen well without breaking and hold their point even with frequent use.
Ergonomics
The pencils don't smear, leaving you with clean, crisp lines.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils offer a broad color range, providing 72 vibrant colors that make it easy to find the perfect hue for your artwork. This extensive variety is ideal for both beginners and more experienced colorists looking to enrich their coloring books or art projects. The soft core of these pencils ensures a smooth and velvety application, which is great for blending and layering colors. This feature can help achieve a more polished and professional look in your drawings.

The break-resistant cores also add durability to the pencils, reducing the need for constant sharpening and making them more reliable for extended use, whether in the classroom or at home. Each pencil is made from high-quality basswood, so sharpening is straightforward and less likely to result in broken leads. These pencils are non-toxic and safe for children over the age of five, making them a good choice for family art sessions or school supplies.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils are a solid choice for anyone looking to explore their creativity with a wide array of colors and a reliable pencil set.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,316
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
6193 reviews

Color Range
The 72 vibrant shades provide an incredible range for blending, shading, and detailed work.
Pigment Quality
The colors are vivid and blend nicely, making them a good set for beginning artists or anyone coloring for fun.
Blendability
The soft cores make coloring smooth and effortless, allowing for great layering and gradients.
Hardness of the Lead
These pencils sharpen well without breaking and hold their point even with frequent use.
Ergonomics
The pencils don't smear, leaving you with clean, crisp lines.
#3

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count, Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors

Rating
9.2
Color Range
Blendability
Hardness of the Lead

Most important from
59243 reviews

Color Range
The colors are richly saturated and applying lighter amounts with a blending pencil gives a nice smooth finish.
Blendability
These pencils are extraordinary, blending different colors to achieve various effects has never been more fun.
Hardness of the Lead
A dedicated sharpener for soft leads resolves the common issue of pencil breakage.
Ergonomics
The Prismacolor Premier pencils go on much more smoothly and sharpen better compared to other brands.

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.

Rating
9.2
Color Range
Blendability
Hardness of the Lead

Most important from
59243 reviews

Color Range
The colors are richly saturated and applying lighter amounts with a blending pencil gives a nice smooth finish.
Blendability
These pencils are extraordinary, blending different colors to achieve various effects has never been more fun.
Hardness of the Lead
A dedicated sharpener for soft leads resolves the common issue of pencil breakage.
Ergonomics
The Prismacolor Premier pencils go on much more smoothly and sharpen better compared to other brands.

Buying Guide for the Best Pencil Crayons

Choosing the right pencil crayons can greatly enhance your drawing and coloring experience. Whether you are a beginner, a hobbyist, or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of pencil crayons will help you make an informed decision. Here are some important factors to consider when selecting pencil crayons:
Color RangeThe color range refers to the number of different colors available in a set of pencil crayons. This is important because a wider range of colors allows for more creativity and versatility in your artwork. Basic sets may have 12-24 colors, which are suitable for beginners or casual use. Intermediate sets typically offer 36-48 colors, providing more options for shading and blending. Professional sets can have 72 or more colors, ideal for detailed and complex artwork. Choose a set based on the level of detail and variety you need in your projects.
Pigment QualityPigment quality determines the vibrancy and richness of the colors. High-quality pigments produce more vivid and long-lasting colors, which is crucial for professional artists or anyone looking to create high-quality artwork. Lower-quality pigments may result in duller colors that fade over time. If you are a beginner or using the crayons for casual coloring, standard pigment quality may suffice. However, for serious artists, investing in high-quality pigments is essential for achieving the best results.
BlendabilityBlendability refers to how well the colors mix and blend together. This is important for creating smooth transitions and gradients in your artwork. Pencil crayons with good blendability allow for more sophisticated techniques and effects. For beginners, basic blendability may be adequate, but as you advance, you may want to look for crayons specifically designed for superior blending. Test the crayons on a piece of paper to see how well they blend before making a decision.
Hardness of the LeadThe hardness of the lead affects the crayon's durability and the type of marks it makes. Softer leads produce richer, more intense colors and are easier to blend, but they wear down faster and may break more easily. Harder leads are more durable and produce finer, more precise lines, making them suitable for detailed work. If you prefer bold, expressive coloring, go for softer leads. For detailed and controlled work, harder leads are a better choice.
LightfastnessLightfastness measures how resistant the colors are to fading when exposed to light. This is particularly important for artwork that will be displayed or kept for a long time. High lightfastness ensures that your colors remain vibrant over time. If you are creating artwork for display or sale, choose pencil crayons with high lightfastness ratings. For casual use or practice, lightfastness may be less critical.
ErgonomicsErgonomics refers to the design and comfort of the pencil crayons. This includes the shape, size, and grip of the crayons. Comfortable crayons reduce hand fatigue and allow for longer drawing sessions. Hexagonal or triangular shapes prevent the crayons from rolling off the table and provide a better grip. Consider the ergonomics based on how long you plan to use the crayons and your personal comfort preferences.

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