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10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Kids Classroom Art Supplies, Bulk Colored Pencils, Presharpened, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors offers a vast color range, making it easy for kids and beginners to explore many vibrant shades. The pencils are pre-sharpened and have a smooth, creamy texture that allows for simple blending and layering, which is great for basic coloring and creative projects.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,465
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
47692 reviews

Pigment Quality
The pencils deliver vibrant, bright colors that bring artwork to life with ease.
Core Hardness
The core hardness strikes the perfect balance—not too soft or waxy, ensuring crisp, sharp lines without smudging.
Color Range
The extensive color range encourages exploring subtle differences and nuances in shades.
Blendability
Color application is smooth and creamy, allowing for simple blending and layering.
Pencil Durability
Durability stands out, with pencils that are easy to sharpen and withstand frequent use.
#2
8.2 score

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
8.2
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Blendability

Most important from
392 reviews

Pigment Quality
Colors are vibrant and intense, delivering a striking visual impact that truly pops.
Core Hardness
The pencils glide on smoothly with a buttery texture, making coloring effortless and enjoyable.
Blendability
Blending capabilities are exceptional, allowing seamless layering that enhances artistic detail.
Pencil Durability
Packaging from some sellers may be problematic, sometimes arriving damaged with broken pencil tips.
#3
8.2 score

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
8.2
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Blendability

Most important from
3994 reviews

Pigment Quality
Highly pigmented colors show up beautifully on paper, whether used for sketching, detailed artwork, or adult coloring books.
Color Range
The set offers an impressive variety of 120 colors, spanning vibrant bold shades to soft muted tones, perfect for all kinds of artistic expression.
Blendability
The pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that makes blending and shading effortless, enhancing the overall coloring experience.
Pencil Durability
Durable pencils last a long time even with frequent use, providing excellent value for both beginners and experienced artists.

Top 10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

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

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

CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil Sets Set of 80 Wood Box (6901.476)

Pigment Quality: purity and intensity
Lightfastness: resists fading from light exposure
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 80 colors
Blendability: easy to layer and blend
Pencil Durability: wood casing resists breakage
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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.

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