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10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

MARKART Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set - 10 Pieces Soft Medium and Hard Charcoal Pencils for Drawing, Sketching, Shading

The MARKART Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set offers a comprehensive solution for artists seeking versatile drawing tools. This set includes ten charcoal pencils with a variety of hardness levels: five soft, three medium, and two hard. This range allows for detailed work as well as broader strokes, making it suitable for sketching, shading, and blending.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,361
Hardness
Brand and Quality

Most important from
2256 reviews

Hardness
I used these pencils to transfer an image onto a stone, and it worked great! The variety in hardness levels is very useful.
Brand and Quality
The charcoal pencils appear to be of solid quality.
#2
10.0 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
10.0
Brand and Quality

Most important from
6028 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.
#3
9.9 score

General's Charcoal Pencil Kit, Assorted Hardness, Set of 5

The General's Charcoal Pencil Kit is a well-rounded set ideal for art students and hobbyists looking for a variety of charcoal hardness options. This kit includes five pieces: three charcoal pencils in different grades (6B, 4B, 2B), one white charcoal pencil, and a kneaded eraser. The assorted hardness levels allow for a range of sketching, shading, and blending techniques, making it versatile for different artistic styles and requirements.

Rating
9.9
Type of Charcoal
Brand and Quality

Most important from
3089 reviews

Type of Charcoal
The white charcoal pencil is particularly useful and works great for adding highlights.
Brand and Quality
The brand is reliable and has been trusted for a long time, making these pencils a dependable choice.

Top 10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2025 in the United States

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

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

2-Pack - General Pencil 5582BP Charcoal White Pencils 2/Pkg-2B

Hardness: 2B
Type of Charcoal: white charcoal
Pencil Casing: traditional round wood design
Brand and Quality: GENERAL'S, Made in USA
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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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