10 Best Soft Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
The Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils in a tin of 120 colors are highly regarded for their premium quality. These pencils excel in several areas vital for art enthusiasts and professionals alike. The pigment quality is exceptional, offering vibrant, long-lasting colors due to their unsurpassed lightfastness, which means the colors resist fading over time.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,395
Pigment Quality
Softness of the Core
Color Range
Most important from
9764 reviews
#2
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Easter Basket Stuffers, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
The Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct) is a vibrant and versatile option for both kids and adults. It offers an impressive range of 120 colors, which allows for extensive creativity and detailed artwork. The pre-sharpened tips are convenient, allowing users to start coloring immediately, and the smooth, creamy texture of the pencils makes them easy to blend and layer. This would be particularly beneficial for those who enjoy adult coloring books and intricate designs.
Rating
10.0
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Blendability
Most important from
49419 reviews
#3
Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843)
The Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils (72 Count) offer vibrant shades due to their highly pigmented cores, which is great for both bold and expressive drawings. The 4mm soft lead core ensures ease of application and blending, making it suitable for both adults and students. With 72 colors, the set provides a wide color range that supports creativity and versatility in artwork.
Rating
9.7
Pigment Quality
Softness of the Core
Blendability
Most important from
9132 reviews
Top 10 Best Soft Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
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: Exceptional, vibrant, long-lasting colors
Softness of the Core: Smooth and buttery laydown
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: Effortless blending and layering
Durability: Thick, SV-bonded leads, water-resistant
Ease of Sharpening: Relatively easy to sharpen
Chosen by 1395 this week
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Easter Basket Stuffers, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Easter Basket Stuffers, Bulk Colored Pencils for Boys & Girls, Ages 3, 4, 5
Softness of the Core: smooth, creamy texture
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: easy to blend and layer
Durability: durable and long-lasting
Ease of Sharpening: easy to sharpen
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
Softness of the Core: soft lead
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: easy to blend
Durability: softer cores can break easily
Ease of Sharpening: requires frequent sharpening
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: high
Softness of the Core: soft
Color Range: 72 shades
Blendability: ideal for blending
Durability: break-resistant cores
Ease of Sharpening: simplifies sharpening
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
Pigment Quality: vibrant colors
Softness of the Core: soft core
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: excellent
Ease of Sharpening: easy to sharpen
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Up to 31% off
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
Softness of the Core: creamy, buttery texture
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: excellent for blending
Durability: robust and long-lasting
Ease of Sharpening: easy to sharpen
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Coloring Gift, Ages 3+
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Coloring Gift, Ages 3+
Pigment Quality: bright and consistent
Softness of the Core: soft
Color Range: 36 vibrant colors
Blendability: decent
Durability: resist breaking
Ease of Sharpening: relatively easy
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
Pigment Quality: excellent
Softness of the Core: soft, buttery laydown
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: smooth coverage, layering, blending, burnishing
Durability: resist crumbling
Ease of Sharpening: satisfactory
Derwent Inktense Pencils Tin, Set of 24, Great for Holiday Gifts, 4mm Round Core, Firm Texture, Watersoluble, Ideal for Watercolor, Drawing, Coloring and Painting on Paper and Fabric (0700929)
Derwent Inktense Pencils Tin, Set of 24, Great for Holiday Gifts, 4mm Round Core, Firm Texture, Watersoluble, Ideal for Watercolor, Drawing, Coloring and Painting on Paper and Fabric (0700929)
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Softness of the Core: soft
Color Range: 24 colors
Blendability: water solubility
Durability: durable
Ease of Sharpening: challenging
#10
Faber-Castell Pitt® Pastel Pencils - Tin of 60
Faber-Castell Pitt® Pastel Pencils - Tin of 60
Pigment Quality: high pigment level
Softness of the Core: soft
Color Range: 60 colors
Blendability: enhanced blendability
Durability: cedar wood casing
Ease of Sharpening: sharpen easily
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Buying Guide for the Best Soft Colored Pencils
Choosing the right soft-colored pencils can greatly enhance your artistic experience, whether you are a beginner or a professional artist. Soft-colored pencils are known for their rich, vibrant colors and smooth application, making them ideal for blending and layering. When selecting soft-colored pencils, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Here are the key specs to look out for and how to navigate them.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, medium pigment quality may suffice. Always check for lightfast ratings, which indicate how well the color resists fading over time.
Softness of the CoreThe softness of the core determines how easily the pencil lays down color and how well it blends. Softer cores are ideal for blending and creating smooth gradients, but they may wear down faster and require frequent sharpening. Harder cores are more durable and better for detailed work. Choose softer cores if you prioritize blending and shading, and harder cores if you need precision and fine details.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set. Larger sets offer more colors, which can be beneficial for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Smaller sets are more portable and can be sufficient for basic coloring needs. Consider the type of artwork you plan to create and whether you need a wide range of colors or just the basics.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the pencils to mix and create new colors when layered. High blendability allows for smooth transitions and a more professional finish. Artists who focus on realistic drawings or complex color work should prioritize pencils with high blendability. For simpler projects, blendability may be less critical.
DurabilityDurability refers to how well the pencils withstand use without breaking. Softer pencils are more prone to breakage, while harder pencils are more durable. If you tend to press hard while drawing or need pencils that can withstand travel, look for those with higher durability. For delicate and careful use, this may be less of a concern.
Ease of SharpeningEase of sharpening is important for maintaining a fine point on your pencils. Some soft-colored pencils can be difficult to sharpen without breaking. Look for pencils that are known for their ease of sharpening, especially if you need to maintain a sharp point for detailed work. If you prefer a softer, more rounded tip, this may be less critical.