10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are an excellent choice for artists and coloring enthusiasts looking for high-quality colored pencils. With a soft core, these pencils excel in shading and blending, allowing for smooth transitions and vibrant color application. The lightfast pigments ensure that your artwork will resist fading over time, which is a significant advantage for those creating lasting pieces. With 150 colors in the set, users have a wide palette to work from, making it suitable for detailed and intricate designs.

One of the standout features is the durability of the pencils. The robust leads are designed to resist cracking and chipping, which is particularly beneficial for adult coloring books where heavy pressure may be applied. Users appreciate the ultra-smooth color laydown, making the drawing experience enjoyable and fulfilling.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The softness of the pencil cores, while great for blending, may make them less suitable for precise, fine details, which could be a drawback for some artists. Additionally, as a premium product, it comes at a higher price point compared to other colored pencils, which may not appeal to beginner users or casual hobbyists. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are ideal for serious artists or those engaged in adult coloring who prioritize quality and vibrancy in their work. They shine in terms of color range, blendability, and durability, though the softness may limit their use in more detailed applications.

The Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct) set is designed for kids, making it a popular choice for young artists and creative activities. One of its strengths is the pigment quality, which offers vibrant colors that kids will love. The set includes a wide range of 36 colors, providing plenty of options for artistic expression and enhancing the coloring experience.

These pencils are presharpened, which is convenient and saves time, and they also boast a durable build with soft cores that resist breaking, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of use by children. Additionally, they are smooth to use, making them ideal for coloring books and various art projects in schools or at home.

However, the lightfastness, which refers to how well the colors resist fading over time, might not be as high as professional-grade pencils, making them less suitable for long-term art projects. The core hardness is 2B, meaning the pencils are relatively soft, which can be great for blending colors but might wear down quickly with heavy use. These colored pencils are an excellent option for children and beginners, offering vibrant colors, ease of use, and durability, though they may not meet the needs of more advanced or professional artists due to limitations in lightfastness and core hardness.

The Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set of 120 is a top-tier choice for art enthusiasts. One of its standout features is the exceptional pigment quality, ensuring vibrant and rich colors. The pencils are also highly praised for their superb lightfastness, meaning your artwork won’t fade easily over time. With a core hardness rated at HB, these pencils strike a nice balance between soft and hard, making them versatile for different shading techniques and detailed work.

The set offers an impressive range of 120 colors, which allows for a broad spectrum of creative possibilities and intricate coloring projects. Blendability is another strong suit of these pencils, as they mix smoothly to create subtle gradients and new hues, enhancing the artistic experience. Additionally, the creamy and soft texture of the leads assists in achieving excellent coverage, which is particularly beneficial for larger areas of your artwork. The pencils are water-resistant, making them ideal for mixed media art where you may want to combine them with other water-based mediums without worrying about smudging.

On the downside, some users might find the pencils somewhat pricey, which could be a consideration if you are on a budget. The pencil durability is generally good, but as with any high-quality art supplies, they should be handled with care to avoid breaking the leads. The set comes in a sturdy metal box, providing good protection and organization for the pencils. In summary, the Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set is well-suited for serious artists and hobbyists who value quality, extensive color options, and excellent performance in their colored pencils.