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10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Aenir Charcoal Pencils for Drawing, Set of 22, Professional Drawing Sketch Pencils, Charcoal Art Supplies for Sketching, Shading, Artist Charcoal Supplies for Beginners & Pro Artists.

The Aenir Charcoal Pencil Set offers a versatile and well-rounded collection of 22 pieces that includes a variety of charcoal pencils in different hardness levels (soft, medium, hard), white charcoal pencils, charcoal sticks, blending tools, and erasers. This variety allows users—from beginners to professional artists—to explore different drawing techniques like shading, sketching, and blending with good control and precision. The inclusion of both soft and harder pencils means you can achieve smooth gradients as well as fine details, which is important for realistic and expressive charcoal artwork.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,278
Brand and Quality

Most important from
597 reviews

Brand and Quality
These pencils deliver great quality and durability at a very reasonable price.
#2
8.8 score

Faber-Castel 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set

The Faber-Castel 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set is a comprehensive collection designed for artists who enjoy working with charcoal. This set offers a variety of natural and compressed charcoal pencils and sticks in different degrees of hardness (soft, medium, and hard), which is excellent for creating a range of textures and shades in your artwork. The inclusion of a kneadable eraser and blending stump adds to the set's versatility, allowing for detailed drawing and smooth blending of charcoal marks.

Rating
8.8
Pencil Casing

Most important from
444 reviews

Pencil Casing
Very good quality, pencils are easy to shave with a knife.
#3
7.9 score

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection, 6 Count, Charcoal Pencils

The Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencils are a versatile set of 6 pencils, ideal for artists who enjoy blending, smudging, and creating detailed dark lines. This set includes two each of three hardness levels: soft, medium, and hard, allowing for a wide range of artistic effects. The pencils feature a durable linden wood barrel and a break-resistant 4.0mm core, making them robust and easy to sharpen.

Rating
7.9
Brand and Quality

Most important from
6387 reviews

Brand and Quality
The set's quality and variety make it a great deal, coming with everything needed for drawing, including an eraser and sharpener.

Top 10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2026 in the United States

Faber-Castel 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set

Hardness: soft, medium, hard
Type of Charcoal: natural, compressed
Pencil Casing: metal case
Erasability: kneadable eraser
Brand and Quality: Faber-Castell, high-quality

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection, 6 Count, Charcoal Pencils

Hardness: soft, medium, hard
Type of Charcoal: Charcoal Pencils
Pencil Casing: linden wood
Brand and Quality: Winsor & Newton

Derwent Tinted Charcoal Pencils, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, 12 Count (2301690)

Hardness: H
Type of Charcoal: Charcoal with fine clays
Pencil Casing: Cedar wood barrels
Erasability: Erasable
Brand and Quality: Derwent

General Pencil Gen15 Charcoal Kit, Multicolor (GEN15)

Type of Charcoal: Charcoal pencils, black and white, sticks
Erasability: Includes eraser
Brand and Quality: GENERAL'S
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Buying Guide for the Best Charcoal Pencils

Choosing the right charcoal pencils can significantly enhance your drawing experience and the quality of your artwork. Charcoal pencils are a versatile tool for artists, offering a range of tones and textures that can bring depth and dimension to your drawings. When selecting charcoal pencils, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your artistic needs. Here are the main factors to consider and how to navigate them.
HardnessThe hardness of a charcoal pencil determines how light or dark the marks it makes will be. Harder pencils (often labeled H) produce lighter, finer lines, while softer pencils (labeled B) create darker, bolder strokes. If you are doing detailed work or need fine lines, a harder pencil might be more suitable. For shading and creating rich, dark areas, softer pencils are ideal. Artists often use a range of hardness levels to achieve different effects in their drawings.
Type of CharcoalCharcoal pencils can be made from different types of charcoal, such as compressed charcoal or vine charcoal. Compressed charcoal pencils are denser and produce darker, more consistent lines, making them great for bold, dramatic effects. Vine charcoal is softer and lighter, offering a more delicate touch and easier blending. Depending on your drawing style, you might prefer one type over the other, or use both to achieve a variety of textures.
Pencil CasingThe casing of the charcoal pencil can affect your comfort and control while drawing. Wooden casings are traditional and provide a familiar feel, but they need to be sharpened regularly. Paper-wrapped or peel-and-sharpen casings offer convenience as they can be peeled away to expose more charcoal without the need for a sharpener. Consider how you like to work and whether you prefer the classic feel of wood or the ease of a peel-and-sharpen design.
ErasabilityErasability refers to how easily the charcoal marks can be erased. Some charcoal pencils are designed to be more erasable, which can be useful for making corrections or creating highlights. If you anticipate needing to make adjustments to your work, look for pencils that are labeled as erasable. However, keep in mind that more erasable pencils might not produce as dark or intense marks as less erasable ones.
Brand and QualityThe brand and overall quality of the charcoal pencil can impact your drawing experience. Higher-quality pencils tend to have more consistent charcoal, better casings, and superior performance. While brand preference can be subjective, it's often worth trying a few different brands to see which ones you prefer. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from other artists can also help you find reliable, high-quality options.

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