10 Best Quality Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils in a 36-count pack are highly regarded for their richly saturated pigments and ultra-smooth color laydown. These pencils are specifically designed for adults and are ideal for shading and creating smooth transitions due to their soft, thick cores. They also boast excellent lightfastness, meaning the colors are resistant to fading over time, which is a significant advantage for artists looking to preserve their work's vibrancy.

The cores are robust and designed to resist cracking and chipping, which makes them durable and reliable for detailed work, such as adult coloring books or intricate drawings. Additionally, the pencils are well-constructed with quality wood, ensuring ease of sharpening and longevity. The range of 36 colors provides a good variety for most artistic needs, although more extensive sets are available for those requiring a broader color spectrum.

One potential drawback is that the soft cores may require frequent sharpening, which could be a minor inconvenience for some users. However, the build quality and the performance in blending and shading make these pencils a solid choice for both amateur and professional artists who value vibrant, long-lasting colors.

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.

The Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils offer a large and well-organized color range, with 120 shades neatly arranged in a zippered fabric case that’s great for easy access and portability. The pencil cores are soft and creamy, making them enjoyable to use for smooth coloring, blending, and layering, which is ideal if you like adding texture or working on different surfaces like paper, wood, or canvas. The softness of the cores helps with rich, intense colors but also means they’re less likely to break easily, striking a good balance between softness and durability.

Designed with adults and professionals in mind, the included fold-out tutorial can help beginners improve their skills. Constructed with linden wood, the pencils have a smooth grip and fine points that suit detailed work. One minor drawback is that very soft cores can wear down faster with heavy use, so you might need to sharpen more often, but this is common with high-pigment art pencils.

These colored pencils are well-suited for artists who want a wide selection of vibrant colors and smooth application, especially if you value a convenient carrying case and solid pencil construction.