Whether you have kids, enjoy coloring in coloring books, or are a fan of paper crafts, chances are you own quite a few colored pencils. These small tools allow you to bring creations to life and are an important tool for any artist. However, it can be hard to tell which colored pencils are best, especially when there are so many options available on the market. This is why we have compiled a list of the 10 best colored pencils for paper crafts; we have made your search simpler, allowing you to get back to your art.
Best Colored Pencils FAQ
What Are Colored Pencils?
What Might You Use Colored Pencils For?
What Makes Some Colored Pencils Better than Others?
Where Can You Buy the Best Colored Pencils?
How We Reviewed
To make sure we got an accurate review of the best colored pencils on the market, we spent a great deal of time compiling a list of brands. Once we had this list, we went over the features, pros, cons, and price for each brand in order to determine how beneficial each would be compared to the last. We then reviewed the entire list and came up with a final verdict on the best colored pencils for paper crafts.Enter your text here...
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
The price of the best colored pencils will vary a bit depending on the brand, the number of pencils in the package, the quality of the pencils, and where you purchase them from. There are also a number of other great colored pencils, not featured on this list, that may cost a little more or a little less than our estimated price range. The best colored pencils, the ones featured here, will cost somewhere between $3 and $165.
What We Reviewed
Staedtler Ergosoft Colored Pencils
- Ergosoft ultra-soft non-slip grip set of 24 brilliant colors
- Triplus triangular barrel
- Soft break resistant .3mm lead
Features
The Staedtler Ergosoft Colored Pencils are a great choice for anyone looking to color a lot of material. The pencils themselves have a soft, non-slip grip which makes them easy to hold. They also come in a vibrant array of 24 colors that stand up easily on their easel-style case.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
PROS
CONS
Cra-Z-art Colored Pencils
- Presharpened thick smooth leads
- 72 bright colors
- Long lasting
Features
The Cra-Z-art Colored Pencils really give you the most for your money. For just around $5, you can get 72 different color options to do with as you please. These pencils are great for school projects, coloring books, or doodles.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
PROS
CONS
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils
- Presharpened thick smooth leads
- 72 bright colors
- Long lasting
Features
The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils are really some of the best colored pencils currently out on the market. The pencils themselves have a thick core that is specifically designed to help achieve great shading while also resist cracking. The colors are soft and easy to blend and are incredibly pigmented, creating vibrant colors on all of your work.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
PROS
CONS
Derwent Colored Pencils
- VIBRANT COLOUR - With a round 4mm soft core, the pencils smoothly glide over a variety of drawing surfaces. Produce...
- SOFT TEXTURE - The velvety soft core helps emphasize the richness of each colour. Ideal for building up colour quickly,...
- DURABLE CORE - Break resistant core lets you sharpen pencils to a fine point and is great for a range of drawings and...
Features
The Derwent Colored Pencils are another great choice for those looking to enhance their art. These colored pencils are larger in diameter than most colored pencils and offer a number of bright colors to choose from. The cores inside are quite soft, making them easy to work with, and are break-resistant.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
PROS
CONS
Crayola Colored Pencils
- Perfect for school projects and detail work
- The art material of choice
- Brand you can trust
Features
One of the most reliable coloring brands by far is Crayola and the Crayola Colored Pencils do not disappoint. These colored pencils are a great choice for anyone with any skill level. They are easy to use, reasonably priced, and great for kids and adults alike. Plus, they come with 24 different colors in a pack, making them a great starting pack for any artist.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
PROS
CONS
Prismacolor Scholar Pencil Set
- High-quality art pencils designed for beginning artists and crafters
- Soft, smooth leads for superior blending and shading
- Hardened cores resist breakage
Features
If you are just beginning to dip your toes into the world of artistic coloring, the Prismacolor Scholar Pencil Set may be the perfect fit for you. This 24-pack of vibrant colored pencils is designed with aspiring artists in mind. The colors are smooth, soft, and highly pigmented. It also comes with is own easel stand to keep your pencils up and in sight while you work.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
PROS
CONS
CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D’ache Luminance Colored Pencil Set
- High lightfastness and smoothness
- Swiss made
- 20 piece assortment
Features
If you are a serious artist or looking to give a long lasting gift, check out the CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D’ache Luminance Colored Pencil Set. While these colored pencils are a bit more expensive than others, they offer incredible quality for those who are serious about their work. The pigment is rich, smooth, and resistant to UV rays. Plus, the colors are easy to blend and layer however you need.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
PROS
CONS
Sargent Art Assorted Colored Pencils
- Colored pencils
- Sargent Art
- Asst colors
Features
The Sargent Art Assorted Colored Pencils are some of the best colored pencils for kids. They are very cheap, easy to color with, and are AP certified. Plus, their lead is 3.3mm thick, meaning that the color is broader and easier to cover larger surfaces with.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
PROS
CONS
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Color Pencils
- 120 COLORS IN METAL TIN - Includes all colors from the Polychromos Artist Pencil line. Polychromos Artists' Pencils are...
- UNSURPASSED LIGHTFASTNESS - Each Polychromos pencils contains the highest quality pigments for permanent color and...
- EASY TO BLEND - Buttery smooth color laydown, Polychromos Pencils feature oil based leads that can be easily blended for...
Features
If you are willing to make a serious investment into your art, then considering checking out the Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Color Pencils. This incredible tin comes with 120 different color variations for you to use and enjoy. The pencils themselves have tremendous lightfastness and are easy to blend. Plus, they are resistant to breaking while sharpening and in use.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$.
PROS
CONS
ColorIt Premium Colored Pencils
- SMOOTH FINISH - The ColorIt Colored Pencils Set is a must have for any coloring enthusiast in search of a nice smooth...
- VIVID PIGMENTS - With 48 calming colors to choose from, the ColorIt Color Pencil Set generates an endless amount of...
- PORTABLE TRAVEL CASE - Premium nylon case and bonus colored pencil sharpener make coloring an activity that can be done...
Features
For the perfect gift for a lover of color, check out the ColorIt Premium Colored Pencils. This set of colored pencils comes in its own traveling case and its own gift box, making it great for birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries. Plus, the company provides you with a money-back guarantee. If you do not completely love these colored pencils, you can send them back for a full refund.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
PROS
CONS
The Verdict
With all the different options available out on the market, it can be difficult to know which colored pencils are truly the best. You should conder what you will be using the colored pencils for, how you use them, and how many different colors you will need before purchasing them. Deciding on the best colored pencils for you will ultimately come down to your own personal preference, but we have made a few suggestions.
Our pick for the best colored pencils for an advanced artist serious about their work is the CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D’ache Luminance Colored Pencil Set. These colored pencils are made incredibly well and provide you with the perfect array of color options for artists of any style. While they are a bit more expensive than many of the other sets on this list, they are long-lasting and will help you continuously create great work.
Our overall pick for the best colored pencils for artists of any skill level is the Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils. These colored pencils are soft, easy to use, and come with rich pigments that are great for any number of projects. Plus, they have a decent price point for anyone’s budget.
