10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Cute School Supplies, Teacher Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors offers a huge variety of shades, making it great for kids or beginners who want to explore lots of colors without buying multiple smaller sets. The pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that helps with blending and layering, which is a nice touch for achieving basic color mixing. They come pre-sharpened, so you can start drawing right away, which is convenient.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,322
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
49870 reviews
#2
Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 2 HB Soft, Pastel Colors, 150 Count
The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pastel Pencils come in a set of 150 pre-sharpened HB pencils with five pastel colors paired with matching erasers. Their cores are made with a soft graphite formula, designed primarily for smooth writing and sketching rather than vibrant color work, so the pigment quality and color range are quite limited compared to artist-grade colored pencils. Because these are graphite-based with pastel colors, they lack strong pigment and are not water-resistant, which means they won't offer the rich, blendable hues or long-lasting lightfastness that serious artists often seek. The core hardness (HB) provides a medium softness good for general use like sketching and drafting but isn't ideal for detailed or layered color blending typical in artwork.
Rating
10.0
Core Hardness
Color Range
Pencil Durability
Most important from
6973 reviews
#3
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
The KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils set offers a large selection of 120 vibrant colors, which is excellent for artists who want a broad color range to work with. The pencils have a soft core that lays down rich, vivid pigment smoothly, making it easier to blend and layer colors—great for sketching, shading, and coloring. Users especially appreciate that the cores are break-resistant, which helps with durability during use and sharpening.
Rating
8.5
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
12148 reviews
Top 10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Cute School Supplies, Teacher Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Cute School Supplies, Teacher Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
Pigment Quality: good for school and casual use
Lightfastness: colors may fade with sunlight exposure
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth, creamy texture for blending
Pencil Durability: durable but may break with pressure
Chosen by 1322 this week
Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 2 HB Soft, Pastel Colors, 150 Count
Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 2 HB Soft, Pastel Colors, 150 Count
Pigment Quality: limited
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: five pastel colors
Pencil Durability: durable, sharpens smoothly, minimal breakage
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
Pigment Quality: vibrant colors
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: easy to blend and layer
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores
Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality
Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality
Pigment Quality: Highly pigmented
Core Hardness: F
Color Range: 100 vibrant shades
Blendability: Blends easily with water and others
Pencil Durability: Sturdy wood casing, firm core
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Assorted Colors, 150 Count - Durable, Vibrant, Ultra-Smooth, Adult Coloring, Drawing, Sketching, Arts & Crafts
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Assorted Colors, 150 Count - Durable, Vibrant, Ultra-Smooth, Adult Coloring, Drawing, Sketching, Arts & Crafts
Pigment Quality: richly saturated
Lightfastness: lightfast
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 150 colors
Blendability: smooth shading and blending
Pencil Durability: durable, break-resistant leads
Related Products
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
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72 vibrant hues
Blendability: good for blending and layering
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores
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
Pigment Quality: high
Lightfastness: excellent
Core Hardness: H, 3.8 mm lead
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: easy
Pencil Durability: durable, breakage resistant
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)
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72 shades
Blendability: excellent for blending
Pencil Durability: wears down faster than hard cores
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)
Pigment Quality: 100% lightfast
Lightfastness: up to 100 years
Color Range: 100 pencils
Blendability: exceptional
Pencil Durability: durability
#10
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
Pigment Quality: high pigment
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: mixing, blending, shading, burnishing
Pencil Durability: highly durable
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Buying Guide for the Best Colored Pencils For Artists
Choosing the right colored pencils for your artistic needs can greatly impact the quality of your work. Whether you are a beginner 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 for your art projects.Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors produced by the pencils. High-quality pigments result in more vivid and long-lasting colors. Artists who require intense and true-to-life colors should opt for pencils with high pigment quality. For casual use or coloring books, lower pigment quality may suffice. To determine the right pigment quality for you, consider the level of detail and color accuracy needed in your artwork.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is crucial for artists who want their work to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness is often rated on a scale, with higher ratings indicating better resistance to fading. If you are creating artwork for display or sale, choose pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lower lightfastness may be acceptable.
Core HardnessCore hardness refers to the softness or hardness of the pencil lead. Softer cores produce richer, more intense colors and are easier to blend, making them ideal for detailed and expressive work. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, suitable for precise and technical drawings. Consider your drawing style and the type of artwork you create when choosing the core hardness. If you prefer smooth shading and blending, go for softer cores. For detailed line work, harder cores are better.
Color RangeThe color range is the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A larger color range provides more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Artists who work on complex pieces with many color variations should opt for sets with a wide color range. For simpler projects or beginners, a basic set with essential colors may be sufficient. Assess the complexity of your artwork and your need for color diversity when selecting the color range.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend smoothly with each other. Good blendability allows for seamless transitions and gradients in your artwork. Artists who focus on realistic and detailed pieces will benefit from pencils with high blendability. If your work involves bold, distinct colors, blendability may be less critical. Consider how important smooth color transitions are to your style when evaluating blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength and longevity of the pencil itself, including the lead and the wood casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, making them more reliable for long-term projects. If you frequently travel with your art supplies or work on large projects, choose pencils known for their durability. For occasional use or stationary work, durability may be less of a concern.