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10 Best Pencil Crayons 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Back to School Essentials, Must Have Classroom Supplies for Kids, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils, 3+

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,358
Color Range
Blendability
Hardness of the Lead

Most important from
35792 reviews

Color Range
The set offers a fantastic range of 36 vibrant and rich colors that bring drawings to life with bright, eye-catching hues.
Blendability
These pencils glide smoothly on paper, making coloring and creative projects easy and enjoyable for young artists.
Hardness of the Lead
The pencils are sturdy and resist breaking, maintaining sharpness well even with frequent use.
Ergonomics
A comfortable grip with a hexagonal shape prevents rolling and supports longer coloring sessions without fatigue.

Crayola Colored Pencils (36 count) offer a wide variety of colors, which is great for kids looking to explore creativity and add vibrancy to their artwork. The pencils come pre-sharpened and have soft cores that resist breaking, making them easy and convenient for young users. Their smooth glide on paper works well for coloring books, although the blendability is basic compared to artist-grade pencils, which may limit more advanced color mixing.

The lead hardness is suited for kids' typical use—soft enough for bright colors but not ideal for detailed shading or fine lines. Lightfastness, or how well colors resist fading over time, isn’t a strong point here, so artworks might not last as vibrant for years. Ergonomically, the pencils have a simple round shape with a smooth grip, which is fine for small hands but might lack extra comfort features found in specialty pencils.

This set is perfect as a classroom supply or for younger kids starting out with colored pencils, but those seeking more professional quality or durability might want to look elsewhere.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,358
Color Range
Blendability
Hardness of the Lead

Most important from
35792 reviews

Color Range
The set offers a fantastic range of 36 vibrant and rich colors that bring drawings to life with bright, eye-catching hues.
Blendability
These pencils glide smoothly on paper, making coloring and creative projects easy and enjoyable for young artists.
Hardness of the Lead
The pencils are sturdy and resist breaking, maintaining sharpness well even with frequent use.
Ergonomics
A comfortable grip with a hexagonal shape prevents rolling and supports longer coloring sessions without fatigue.
#2

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
9.6
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
7204 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
9.6
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
7204 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

Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set for Kids (50ct), No Sharpen Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Classroom Supplies, Cute Back to School Gifts for Kids, 4+

Rating
9.3
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
27618 reviews

Color Range
The set includes 50 vibrant colors, providing a wide variety for creative exploration.
Pigment Quality
Colors blend well on paper, enhancing the overall coloring experience despite moderate pigment intensity.
Blendability
Colors blend well on paper, enhancing the overall coloring experience despite moderate pigment intensity.
Ergonomics
The lightweight plastic barrels are comfortable for both small hands and adults who enjoy detailed coloring.

The Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set with 50 colors is designed especially for kids aged 4 and up, making it a great choice for young artists and classroom use. One of its best features is the twist-up mechanism that eliminates sharpening, which is very convenient and mess-free for children. The plastic barrel protects the core well, reducing breakage and making these pencils durable for travel or on-the-go creativity. The set offers a wide color range with 50 vibrant options, allowing kids to explore many shades.

Although Crayola products generally provide decent pigment quality, these pencils are more suited for coloring books and simple drawings rather than advanced blending or layering techniques, as the pigment and blendability are moderate. The lead hardness is balanced to be easy to use without breaking but may not satisfy users seeking professional-level precision or rich, intense colors. Lightfastness—how well the colors resist fading over time—is not highlighted, so these pencils may not be ideal for artwork meant to last many years.

Ergonomically, the plastic twist barrels are lightweight and comfortable for small hands, though some older children or adults might prefer traditional wooden pencils for grip and control. This set is a user-friendly option for young children starting to explore coloring, offering a fun, bright, and low-maintenance experience, but it is not aimed at serious artists or older users seeking premium pigment performance.

Rating
9.3
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Blendability

Most important from
27618 reviews

Color Range
The set includes 50 vibrant colors, providing a wide variety for creative exploration.
Pigment Quality
Colors blend well on paper, enhancing the overall coloring experience despite moderate pigment intensity.
Blendability
Colors blend well on paper, enhancing the overall coloring experience despite moderate pigment intensity.
Ergonomics
The lightweight plastic barrels are comfortable for both small hands and adults who enjoy detailed coloring.

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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