10 Best Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors is a great choice for kids and classrooms thanks to its large color range and trusted brand reputation. These pencils have a smooth, creamy core that makes coloring and blending easy, which is especially helpful for young artists just starting out. The pencils come pre-sharpened, so kids can dive right into their artwork without any hassle.

Derwent Inktense Pencils come in a large set of 100 vibrant, water-soluble colored pencils, making them ideal for artists who want a wide color range to work with. Their 4mm cores are highly pigmented with a firm but blendable texture, allowing both detailed dry drawing and smooth, ink-like watercolor effects when mixed with water. These pencils are unique because once dry, the colors become permanent and won’t smudge or react to water again, which is great for layering and preserving your artwork. The round barrel shape is comfortable for extended use.

The Shuttle Art 172 Colored Pencils set offers a huge range of 172 unique colors, including 12 metallic shades, making it perfect for detailed coloring, sketching, or crafting for beginners, adult coloring enthusiasts, or artists. Each pencil is clearly labeled with both the color name and number, and the pencil’s body color matches the core, allowing for quick and easy shade selection. The soft cores glide smoothly on paper, enabling easy blending and layering, which is excellent for shading and creating vibrant artwork. Despite their softness, the cores resist breaking under normal use, and the pencils are made with quality wood for easy sharpening. Safety is also ensured as these pencils meet U.S. and European safety standards, making them suitable for all ages, including children.