10 Best Quality Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors offers a wide variety of shades, which is great for kids and beginners who want lots of choices without buying multiple sets. These pencils have a smooth and creamy core, making them easy to blend and layer colors for creative effects. The pre-sharpened tips are convenient, allowing users to start drawing right away without the hassle of sharpening. The pencils are built to be durable and long-lasting, suitable for regular use in school projects or coloring books.

This set is well suited for young artists, school use, or anyone looking for a large assortment of colors for casual coloring and craft projects. The cores are softer to make coloring easier, which might reduce precision for detailed work or make the tips prone to breaking if pressed too hard. While the pencils blend nicely, they may not offer the rich, intense colors or archival quality that professional artists seek.

In summary, Crayola’s 120-pack provides a fun, affordable choice to explore coloring with plenty of shades. It is designed more for casual use than for professional or serious hobbyist needs where pigment permanence and a wider range of core hardness are important.

The Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils offer a premium experience for both professional artists and art enthusiasts. With 120 colors presented in a sturdy metal tin, these pencils deliver vibrant and long-lasting results thanks to their high pigment quality and superior lightfastness, meaning the colors resist fading over time. The oil-based leads ensure smooth and easy blending, allowing for seamless layered effects in your artwork.

The 3.8 mm leads are thick and SV-bonded, making them break and water-resistant, which is a significant benefit for durability and longevity. However, the hardness of the pencil core (rated H) may require more pressure to achieve darker tones, which could be a minor inconvenience for those who prefer softer leads. The construction quality is consistent with Faber-Castell's reputation for excellence in art materials since 1761, providing reliable performance.

The wide color range ensures versatility for various artistic projects. Although marketed as suitable for kids, the premium quality and price point make them more fitting for serious artists or hobbyists rather than casual use.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils set is a versatile option for both adults and kids, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of users, from beginners to those engaging in more detailed art projects. One of its standout features is the vibrant pigment quality, ensuring that the colors are vivid and lively when applied.

With 72 different colors, artists have a broad palette to choose from, which can be particularly useful for detailed coloring and drawing tasks. The soft core of these pencils allows for smooth application and seamless blending, which is beneficial for creating gradients and layering colors.

Additionally, the pencils are made of high-quality basswood, making them easy to sharpen and reducing the risk of breakage, which can be a common issue with colored pencils. The pencils are also marketed as non-toxic and safe for kids, adhering to safety standards, making them a good gift option for children above the age of 5. These colored pencils are well-suited for general use, including school projects and adult coloring books.