We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance,
functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you
are agreeing to our privacy policy
10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
The PRINA 120 Colors Colored Pencils set is a solid choice for both beginners and hobbyist artists who want a large variety of vibrant colors. Its oil-based cores are soft, which makes blending and layering colors easier and smoother, enhancing shading and mixing options. The set comes with a handy sketchbook and tutorial, which is great if you're just starting out or want some guidance. The pencils have a medium hardness (HB), striking a good balance between being soft enough to blend well but firm enough to hold a point for detailed work.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,384
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Blendability
Most important from
4005 reviews
#2
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
The Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 set offers 100 richly pigmented colored pencils that are highly suited for artists and serious hobbyists looking for quality and durability. These pencils stand out with their excellent pigment quality, providing bright, intense colors thanks to a high concentration of lightfast pigments that resist fading over time. The cores are smooth and soft enough to blend easily while still maintaining enough hardness for detailed work and layering. This makes them versatile for various techniques like shading, burnishing, and mixing colors smoothly.
Rating
9.7
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Blendability
Most important from
395 reviews
#3
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper | Quality Soft Coloured Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | In Zipper Pouch
The Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils Zipper-Case Set appears to be a well-rounded choice for adult artists, professionals, and colorists. The set offers an impressive color range with 120 pencils neatly organized in a durable and portable zipper case, making it convenient to carry and use anywhere. Each pencil is named, numbered, and color-coded for easy selection, which is a big plus for organized and efficient work.
Rating
9.1
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
13575 reviews
Top 10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
Lightfastness: not specified
Core Hardness: medium (HB)
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: soft oil-based cores
Pencil Durability: durable, pre-sharpened pencils
Chosen by 1384 this week
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 concentration of lightfast pigments
Lightfastness: resists fading over time
Core Hardness: smooth, soft yet firm for details
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: blends easily; includes full and pencil blender
Pencil Durability: sturdy 3.8mm lead; water-resistant
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
Pigment Quality: intensely pigmented
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 120
Blendability: smooth, buttery laydown
Pencil Durability: prevents crumbling
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Lightfastness: designed to be lightfast
Core Hardness: F (firm)
Color Range: 120 vibrant colors
Blendability: easy blending and layering
Pencil Durability: soft, break-resistant cores
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: intense pigmentation
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72
Blendability: smooth, creamy application
Pencil Durability: minimizes crumbling
Related Products
Up to 26% off
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
Pigment Quality: wax-based
Lightfastness: may lack highest lightfastness
Core Hardness: soft cores
Color Range: 72 vibrant shades
Blendability: strong blendability
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores, maintain sharp points
Shuttle Art 136 Coloured Pencils , Soft Core Colouring Pencils Set for Adult Colouring Books, Doodling, Sketching, Drawing, Art Supplies
Shuttle Art 136 Coloured Pencils , Soft Core Colouring Pencils Set for Adult Colouring Books, Doodling, Sketching, Drawing, Art Supplies
Pigment Quality: rich
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 136
Blendability: smooth application
Pencil Durability: break-resistant
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120
Pigment Quality: exceptional
Lightfastness: superb
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth
Pencil Durability: good
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils Set 65 pieces (25 pencils + 40 paper sheets), Kids Drawing Kit, Portable Art Case, Kids Colored Pencils, Coloring Supplies, Gifts.
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils Set 65 pieces (25 pencils + 40 paper sheets), Kids Drawing Kit, Portable Art Case, Kids Colored Pencils, Coloring Supplies, Gifts.
Pigment Quality: decent for children’s use
Lightfastness: may not be very lightfast
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 25 different shades
Blendability: may not blend as smoothly
Pencil Durability: plastic barrel protects core
#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)
Pigment Quality: Exceptional
Lightfastness: 100 years
Core Hardness: Oil-based, 4mm core
Color Range: 100 colors
Blendability: Smooth blending and layering
Pencil Durability: Strong, prevents breakage
How do we rank products for you?
Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.
Buying Guide for the Best Art Colored Pencils
Choosing the right art-colored pencils can significantly impact the quality of your artwork. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. The right set of colored pencils can enhance your creativity, provide better control, and ensure your artwork stands the test of time. Here are the key specifications to consider when selecting art-colored pencils.Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors in the pencils. High-quality pigments provide more vivid and intense colors, which are essential for creating striking and detailed artwork. Pigment quality can be divided into student-grade and artist-grade. Student-grade pencils have lower pigment concentration and are suitable for beginners or casual use. Artist-grade pencils have higher pigment concentration, offering superior color payoff and blending capabilities, making them ideal for professional artists or serious hobbyists. Choose based on your level of expertise and the type of artwork you plan to create.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is important if you want your artwork to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness ratings are usually indicated on the pencil or packaging, with higher ratings signifying better resistance to fading. For artwork intended for display or sale, opt for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessCore hardness determines how soft or hard the pencil lead is. Softer cores provide richer color application and are easier to blend, making them suitable for shading and layering. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, which are ideal for detailed work and precision. Soft cores are great for expressive, painterly techniques, while hard cores are better for technical drawings and intricate details. Consider your drawing style and the type of effects you want to achieve when choosing the core hardness.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A wider color range offers more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Sets can range from basic 12-color packs to extensive 150-color collections. Beginners might start with a smaller set to learn basic techniques, while more advanced artists may prefer larger sets to have a broader palette at their disposal. Think about the complexity of your projects and whether you need a wide array of colors or just the essentials.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend with each other to create smooth transitions and new colors. This is crucial for achieving realistic shading and gradients in your artwork. Pencils with good blendability allow for seamless color mixing and layering. Wax-based pencils generally offer better blendability compared to oil-based pencils, which are more suited for detailed work. If your artwork involves a lot of blending and layering, prioritize pencils known for their blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength of the pencil core and the casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, which is important for maintaining a consistent drawing experience. Durability can be influenced by the quality of the wood casing and the bonding of the core. High-quality pencils are less prone to breakage and can withstand more pressure. If you tend to apply heavy pressure while drawing or need pencils that can endure frequent sharpening, look for those with high durability.