10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

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.

The bright pigments deliver rich, vivid colors that stand out nicely on paper. Although the pencils are oil-based and non-toxic, lightfastness is not specified, so colors might fade faster if exposed to strong sunlight for long periods. The durable, pre-sharpened wooden pencils and included zipper case keep everything organized and ready for travel or storage.

This set is especially good if you want a wide color range to explore without spending a lot on multiple smaller sets, making it a versatile and fun option for adult and kid artists alike. Professionals who need archival-quality pigments with guaranteed lightfastness might want to look elsewhere, but for most casual and developing artists, this set offers excellent value and performance.

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.

The large color range of 100 shades gives plenty of options for creativity, covering subtle tones and vibrant hues alike. Each pencil is well-made, featuring a sturdy 3.8mm lead that’s less prone to breaking and is water-resistant, helping maintain artwork integrity even if exposed to moisture. They also come with a full blender and a pencil blender, enhancing the ability to create seamless transitions.

These pencils are priced at a premium, which may be a consideration for beginners or casual users. While the pencils are durable, professional artists may still need to sharpen carefully due to their softness. This set is ideal for adults and students who want high-quality, durable colored pencils with excellent color payoff and blendability for professional or advanced artistic work.

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.

The pencils feature soft cores that provide a smooth, buttery laydown, which is ideal for blending and layering. This makes them suitable for various surfaces such as paper, eggshell, canvas, and wood. Additionally, these pencils are intensely pigmented, offering rich and vibrant colors that enhance the artwork quality. The softness of the core, however, could mean they may require frequent sharpening compared to harder-core pencils.

Durability is addressed with an advanced formulation that helps prevent crumbling and maintains a sharp point under pressure. The inclusion of a fold-out tutorial is a nice touch for users looking to refine their skills, and the product is backed by a money-back guarantee. One potential drawback might be the cost, as high-quality art supplies often come with a higher price tag. This set is a great investment for serious artists looking for a comprehensive, high-quality colored pencil set.