10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2025 in the United States

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.

The non-toxic, highly pigmented charcoal ensures smooth application and layering without cracking, and the pencils are designed to be break-resistant and easy to sharpen and erase, which is a great advantage for maintaining consistency in your artwork. The pencil casing is made of wood, providing a traditional feel and a contoured grip for comfortable handling.

One potential drawback is that the twist closure may not be as secure as other types, which could lead to accidental damage or loss of the pencil tips. Despite this, the set stands out for its quality and affordability, making it an excellent choice for both students and experienced artists. The brand MARKART holds a strong reputation, assuring users of the product's reliability. This set is a practical and thoughtful gift for any art enthusiast, suitable for classroom settings, portraits, still life drawings, and more.

The Brusarth Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set offers a versatile range of 6 charcoal pencils in various hardness levels—Ex-Soft, Soft, Medium, and Hard. This variety makes it suitable for different drawing techniques, from fine detailing to broad strokes, which is great for sketching, shading, and blending. Artists, students, and hobbyists will find these pencils easy to use, with the ability to create both bold and intricate designs whether in a classroom or personal setting.

The high quality of the charcoal ensures smooth, pigmented lines that layer well and do not crack easily. The pencils are also easy to sharpen, enhancing their convenience for continuous use. Brusarth, the brand, is recognized for producing quality art supplies, which adds to the reliability of this set. This drawing set is a practical and economical choice for beginners, hobbyists, and even seasoned artists looking to experiment with charcoal.

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.

The white charcoal pencil is particularly useful for adding highlights or marking on fabrics, adding an extra layer of utility to the set. The kneaded eraser is designed for precision work and effectively removes charcoal without smudging, which is great for detailed corrections. All components are non-toxic, latex-free, and made in the USA, ensuring safety and supporting local manufacturing.

The kit's affordability makes it a sensible choice for students, offering decent quality without breaking the bank. However, the lack of a protective casing for the pencils can be a drawback, as they are more susceptible to breakage if not handled carefully. Users looking for professional-grade charcoal pencils might find these less satisfactory for highly detailed work. The General's Charcoal Pencil Kit provides a good balance of quality, variety, and affordability, making it a practical choice for beginners and intermediate artists.