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10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, are highly regarded in the art community, making them a solid choice for both professional artists and hobbyists. The set includes 72 assorted colors, providing a wide range of vibrant and richly saturated pigments that are lightfast, meaning they resist fading over time. One of the standout features is the ultra-smooth, even color laydown, which makes shading and blending effortless, thanks to the soft and thick cores.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,481
Color Range
Core Hardness
Price
Most important from
59971 reviews
#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
The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils are an impressive option for anyone interested in art, whether you're an adult, kid, or a beginner. One of the standout features of this set is its vibrant color range; with 72 different hues, you're likely to find the perfect shade for any drawing or coloring project. The pencils are made with a soft core, allowing for smooth application and easy blending, which is excellent for creating depth in your artwork. Their break-resistant design adds to their durability, making them suitable for regular use.
Rating
10.0
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Core Hardness
Most important from
8253 reviews
#3
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
The Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils are highly regarded in the world of art supplies, particularly for those who take their coloring seriously. With a range of 120 vibrant colors, these pencils offer an impressive palette that can cater to various artistic needs, making them suitable for both professionals and art enthusiasts. One of their standout features is unsurpassed lightfastness, which ensures that the colors remain vibrant and do not fade over time, ideal for works meant for display or long-term preservation.
Rating
8.8
Color Range
Core Hardness
Brand Reputation
Most important from
9423 reviews
Top 10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
Type of Colored Pencils: Soft Core
Color Range: 72 colors
Lightfastness: lightfast
Core Hardness: Soft, thick cores
Chosen by 1481 this week
KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 72 hues
Lightfastness: not as lightfast as pro pencils
Core Hardness: soft core
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 120
Lightfastness: unsurpassed
Core Hardness: H
Brand Reputation: Faber-Castell, high-quality since 1761
Price: higher side
Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843)
Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843)
Type of Colored Pencils: Inktense Ink Pencils
Color Range: 72 colors
Core Hardness: soft 4mm lead
Brand Reputation: Derwent
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Type of Colored Pencils: Luminance 6901
Color Range: 100 colors
Lightfastness: excellent
Core Hardness: 3.8mm lead
Brand Reputation: over a century experience
Price: higher end
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Up to 29% off
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Bulk Art Supplies for Kids, Back to School Essentials, Teacher Classroom Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Bulk Art Supplies for Kids, Back to School Essentials, Teacher Classroom Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 120 colors
Brand Reputation: trusted brand
Yagol Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, 72 Color Pencil Set, Soft Core Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Book, Coloring Pencils for Adults - Drawing, Sketching, Blending & Shading-Art Supplies.
Yagol Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, 72 Color Pencil Set, Soft Core Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Book, Coloring Pencils for Adults - Drawing, Sketching, Blending & Shading-Art Supplies.
Type of Colored Pencils: Pre-sharpened color pencil
Color Range: 72 colors
Core Hardness: Soft
Brand Reputation: Good arts category reputation
Price: Reasonably priced
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper | Quality Soft Coloured Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | In Zipper Pouch
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper | Quality Soft Coloured Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | In Zipper Pouch
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 120
Core Hardness: Soft
Brand Reputation: Castle Art Supplies
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 72
Core Hardness: Soft
Brand Reputation: Castle Art Supplies
#10
Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 100 Tin, Set of 100, 4mm Wide Core, 100% Lightfast, No Fade for 100 Yrs, Oil-based, Premium Core, Creamy, Ideal for Drawing, Coloring, Professional Quality (2306017)
Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 100 Tin, Set of 100, 4mm Wide Core, 100% Lightfast, No Fade for 100 Yrs, Oil-based, Premium Core, Creamy, Ideal for Drawing, Coloring, Professional Quality (2306017)
Type of Colored Pencils: Lightfast Colored Pencils
Color Range: 100
Lightfastness: 100% lightfast
Core Hardness: Oil-based formula
Brand Reputation: Well-regarded in art community
Price: Higher side
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Buying Guide for the Best Colored Pencils
Choosing the right colored pencils can greatly enhance your drawing and coloring experience. Whether you are a beginner, a hobbyist, or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main factors to consider when selecting colored pencils:Type of Colored PencilsColored pencils come in different types, primarily wax-based, oil-based, and watercolor pencils. Wax-based pencils are the most common and are known for their smooth application and vibrant colors. Oil-based pencils are harder and less prone to breakage, offering more precision and durability. Watercolor pencils can be used dry or with water to create a watercolor effect. Choose wax-based pencils for general use and vibrant colors, oil-based for detailed work and durability, and watercolor pencils if you enjoy blending with water.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the number of different colors available in a set. Smaller sets may have 12 to 24 colors, which are suitable for beginners or casual use. Larger sets can have 48, 72, or even more colors, providing a wider variety of shades and tones for more detailed and professional work. If you are just starting, a smaller set may be sufficient. For more advanced or professional work, a larger set with a broader color range will offer more versatility.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil's color to fading when exposed to light over time. This is particularly important for artists who want their work to last. Lightfastness is usually rated on a scale, with higher ratings indicating better resistance to fading. If you are creating artwork that you want to preserve for a long time, look for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For casual or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessThe hardness of the pencil core affects how the pencil feels and performs. Softer cores provide richer, more vibrant colors and are easier to blend, but they wear down faster and may break more easily. Harder cores are more durable and better for fine details and sharp lines but may not be as vibrant. Choose softer cores for blending and vibrant colors, and harder cores for detailed work and durability.
Brand ReputationThe reputation of the brand can be an indicator of the quality of the colored pencils. Established brands often have a history of producing high-quality products and may offer better consistency and reliability. Researching reviews and recommendations from other artists can help you identify reputable brands. If quality and consistency are important to you, consider choosing pencils from well-known and trusted brands.
PriceWhile budget is not the focus here, it's important to note that the price of colored pencils can vary widely based on the type, color range, and brand. Higher-priced pencils often offer better quality, durability, and performance. Consider what features are most important to you and how often you will use the pencils to determine the best value for your needs.