We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Watercolor Pens 2025 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Tombow 56179 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, 108 Color Set with Marker Case. Blendable, Brush and Fine Tip Markers with Marker Case

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,463
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
2151 reviews

Brush Tip
The brush tip functions like a traditional paintbrush, providing smooth, flexible strokes that enhance detailed artwork.
Ink Quality
The water-based ink blends smoothly without bleeding through most papers, allowing for clean layering and watercolor effects.
Color Range
The colors are intense, bright, and true to their caps, offering a wide variety of shades with no repeats.
Water Solubility
The water-based ink blends smoothly without bleeding through most papers, allowing for clean layering and watercolor effects.
Ease of Use
The dual-ended design with colored caps on both ends prevents confusion and keeps the markers organized during use.

The Tombow 56179 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers set includes 108 vibrant colors, offering an impressive range that is perfect for anyone interested in detailed artwork, journaling, or hand lettering. Each pen features a flexible brush tip on one end and a fine tip on the other, providing versatility in creating both broad strokes and fine lines. The water-based ink is odorless, non-bleeding, and blends smoothly, which makes it great for watercolor effects and layering colors without mess.

The included marker case neatly holds all pens, keeping your workspace organized and making it easy to transport. While the large number of colors is fantastic for creative freedom, it might be a bit overwhelming for beginners who just want a simpler set. Also, the brush tips require some practice to control well, especially if you’re new to brush pens.

However, the inks’ consistent quality and the dual-tip design make this set a solid choice for hobbyists and more experienced artists looking for a reliable, versatile watercolor pen collection.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,463
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
2151 reviews

Brush Tip
The brush tip functions like a traditional paintbrush, providing smooth, flexible strokes that enhance detailed artwork.
Ink Quality
The water-based ink blends smoothly without bleeding through most papers, allowing for clean layering and watercolor effects.
Color Range
The colors are intense, bright, and true to their caps, offering a wide variety of shades with no repeats.
Water Solubility
The water-based ink blends smoothly without bleeding through most papers, allowing for clean layering and watercolor effects.
Ease of Use
The dual-ended design with colored caps on both ends prevents confusion and keeps the markers organized during use.
#2

ARTEZA Real Brush Pens, 96 Watercolor Pens with 108-Slot Case, Drawing Markers with Flexible Brush Tips, Watercolor Markers for Artists

Rating
9.7
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
11543 reviews

Brush Tip
The flexible brush tips closely mimic traditional paintbrushes, allowing for varied strokes and smooth ink flow.
Ink Quality
The ink quality is consistently smooth and vivid, with no dry pens encountered even after extensive use.
Color Range
The vibrant colors stand out brilliantly, making the pens suitable for both beginners and professional artists.
Water Solubility
These pens blend beautifully with water, especially when applied on damp watercolor paper, achieving effects similar to real watercolor paints.

The ARTEZA Real Brush Pens set offers a large selection of 96 vivid colors with flexible nylon brush tips that closely mimic traditional paintbrushes. These features make the set well-suited for watercolor techniques, calligraphy, sketching, and coloring, providing smooth ink flow and good blending ability. The water-based ink blends easily when used with water, allowing for versatile artistic effects from fine detail to broad strokes. The included sturdy 108-slot case is a notable plus, helping keep all pens organized and portable, which is great for artists who like to work on the go or keep their supplies neatly stored. The case’s adjustable strap and padded support add to its convenience.

While the ink quality is generally smooth and vibrant, some users might find that the water solubility can lead to unintended bleeding if not handled carefully. The nylon brush tips offer flexibility but may wear down faster with heavy use compared to more durable synthetic or natural brushes. Due to the large number of colors, beginners might feel a bit overwhelmed but will appreciate the variety as they develop their skills. These pens balance quality and quantity effectively, making them a strong choice for artists at any level looking for an affordable, versatile set of watercolor brush pens.

Rating
9.7
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
11543 reviews

Brush Tip
The flexible brush tips closely mimic traditional paintbrushes, allowing for varied strokes and smooth ink flow.
Ink Quality
The ink quality is consistently smooth and vivid, with no dry pens encountered even after extensive use.
Color Range
The vibrant colors stand out brilliantly, making the pens suitable for both beginners and professional artists.
Water Solubility
These pens blend beautifully with water, especially when applied on damp watercolor paper, achieving effects similar to real watercolor paints.
#3

Ohuhu Markers for Adult Coloring Books No Bleeding 160 Colors Water-based Dual Tips Fineliner & Brush Coloring Markers for Kids Adults Beginners Drawing Pens for Journaling Lettering - Maui - White

Rating
8.2
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
16864 reviews

Brush Tip
Dual tips offer excellent versatility, with a fine tip perfect for intricate details and a brush tip that delivers smooth, expressive strokes.
Ink Quality
The ink is juicy but well-balanced on appropriate paper, offering good control without overwhelming the surface.
Color Range
The color range is impressively vibrant and large, providing artists with a rich palette to explore.
Water Solubility
Water-based ink performs well on thicker papers like bristol vellum and some coloring books, avoiding excessive bleeding and soaking.

The Ohuhu Markers set offers a generous selection of 160 vibrant colors, making it great for anyone who enjoys rich variety in their artwork. Its dual tips—a fine 0.4mm fineliner and a soft, flexible brush tip—allow for detailed work as well as broader strokes and blending, which is ideal for watercolor-style effects. The water-based ink is acid-free, non-toxic, and odorless, making it safe and comfortable to use for both adults and kids.

Because the ink is water-soluble, you can create beautiful watercolor washes and gradients, especially when used with the right type of paper. However, thinner papers like regular notebooks may experience some bleeding, so it's best paired with heavier mixed media or watercolor paper for optimal results. The set also comes with replacement tips and a color swatch card, helping you keep organized and extend the life of your markers.

With such a large number of colors, beginners might find the palette a bit overwhelming. Additionally, to maintain the markers, you need to recap them quickly after use to prevent drying out. This set is well-suited for hobbyists and artists looking for a versatile, colorful marker kit that can handle both fine details and painterly techniques, provided they invest in good paper and are mindful of proper storage.

Rating
8.2
Brush Tip
Ink Quality
Color Range

Most important from
16864 reviews

Brush Tip
Dual tips offer excellent versatility, with a fine tip perfect for intricate details and a brush tip that delivers smooth, expressive strokes.
Ink Quality
The ink is juicy but well-balanced on appropriate paper, offering good control without overwhelming the surface.
Color Range
The color range is impressively vibrant and large, providing artists with a rich palette to explore.
Water Solubility
Water-based ink performs well on thicker papers like bristol vellum and some coloring books, avoiding excessive bleeding and soaking.

Buying Guide for the Best Watercolor Pens

Choosing the right watercolor pens can significantly enhance your artistic experience, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist. Watercolor pens combine the convenience of markers with the fluidity of watercolors, making them a versatile tool for various art projects. To find the best fit for you, it's essential to understand the key specifications and how they align with your artistic needs and preferences.
Brush TipThe brush tip of a watercolor pen mimics the feel of a traditional paintbrush, allowing for a range of strokes from fine lines to broad washes. This spec is important because it determines the versatility and control you have over your artwork. Brush tips can vary in flexibility; some are firmer, providing more control for detailed work, while others are softer, allowing for more fluid and expressive strokes. If you prefer detailed illustrations, opt for a firmer brush tip. For more expressive and loose styles, a softer brush tip might be more suitable.
Ink QualityInk quality in watercolor pens affects the vibrancy, blendability, and permanence of your artwork. High-quality inks are typically more vibrant and blend smoothly, creating beautiful gradients and washes. They are also more likely to be lightfast, meaning they won't fade over time. If you are creating artwork that you want to last, look for pens with archival-quality, lightfast ink. For practice or casual use, standard ink quality may suffice.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set of watercolor pens. This is important because a broader color range allows for more creative freedom and the ability to create more complex and nuanced artwork. Sets can range from a few basic colors to extensive collections with dozens of shades. If you're just starting, a smaller set with primary and secondary colors might be enough. For more advanced artists or specific projects, a larger set with a wide range of hues and tones can be beneficial.
Water SolubilityWater solubility indicates how well the ink in the pens can be activated and blended with water. This is crucial for achieving the watercolor effect, as it allows you to create smooth transitions and washes. Some pens are more water-soluble than others, making them easier to blend. If you want to achieve traditional watercolor effects, look for pens with high water solubility. For more controlled and less fluid effects, pens with lower water solubility might be preferable.
Ease of UseEase of use encompasses how comfortable and intuitive the pens are to handle. This includes the grip, the flow of the ink, and how easy it is to control the brush tip. Pens that are easy to use can make the creative process more enjoyable and less frustrating, especially for beginners. If you're new to watercolor pens, look for ones with ergonomic designs and consistent ink flow. More experienced artists might prioritize other features, but ease of use is always a valuable consideration.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now