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10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Crayola Colored Pencils Set for Kids (120ct), Bulk Art Supplies for Kids, Back to School Essentials, Teacher Classroom Must Haves, Coloring Book Pencils
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.
Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,400
Type of Colored Pencils
Color Range
Lightfastness
Most important from
10080 reviews
#2
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Back to School Essentials, Must Have Classroom Supplies for Kids, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils, 3+
The Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct) set is a fantastic choice for children, particularly those aged 3 and up. It features 36 distinct colors, offering a wide color range that can help young artists explore their creativity. Crayola is a well-known brand with a strong reputation for quality, which parents can trust for their kids' art supplies.
Rating
9.4
Color Range
Core Hardness
Most important from
35732 reviews
#3
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Back to School Supplies, Soft Core, Artist Drawing Sketching Pencils Set, Art Supplies Kit Gifts for Kids Teens Beginners Blending Shading
The Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils set is designed for a wide range of users, from kids and teens to adults, making it versatile for various art projects and school supplies. With 72 vibrant colors, the set offers a rich palette for smooth coloring, blending, and shading, which is ideal for drawing, sketching, and coloring books. The soft core of the pencils ensures an easy sharpening process and minimizes breaking, cracking, or crumbling, which can be a common frustration with colored pencils.
Rating
9.2
Color Range
Core Hardness
Price
Most important from
21782 reviews
Top 10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
9.7 score
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
Chosen by 1400 this week
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Back to School Essentials, Must Have Classroom Supplies for Kids, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils, 3+
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Back to School Essentials, Must Have Classroom Supplies for Kids, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils, 3+
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 36 colors
Core Hardness: Soft cores
Brand Reputation: Crayola
Price: reasonable
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Back to School Supplies, Soft Core, Artist Drawing Sketching Pencils Set, Art Supplies Kit Gifts for Kids Teens Beginners Blending Shading
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Back to School Supplies, Soft Core, Artist Drawing Sketching Pencils Set, Art Supplies Kit Gifts for Kids Teens Beginners Blending Shading
Type of Colored Pencils: Colored Pencil
Color Range: 72
Core Hardness: Soft
Brand Reputation: Soucolor
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
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set for Kids (50ct), No Sharpen Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Classroom Supplies, Cute Back to School Gifts for Kids, 4+
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set for Kids (50ct), No Sharpen Coloring Book Pencils, Essential Classroom Supplies, Cute Back to School Gifts for Kids, 4+
Type of Colored Pencils: Twistables Colored Pencil
Color Range: 50 colors
Lightfastness: not as vibrant or long-lasting
Core Hardness: consistent core, less likely to break
Brand Reputation: well-reputed for quality and safety
Price: competitively priced
Related Products
Up to 37% off
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
Crayola Colored Pencils Classpack (240ct), Must Have Classroom Supplies for Teachers, Bulk Colored Pencils for School, 12 Colors, Back to School Essentials
Crayola Colored Pencils Classpack (240ct), Must Have Classroom Supplies for Teachers, Bulk Colored Pencils for School, 12 Colors, Back to School Essentials
Type of Colored Pencils: Classpack
Color Range: 12 bright assorted colors
Brand Reputation: well-known trusted brand
Price: reasonable for quantity
#10
7.2 score
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
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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.