10 Best Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors is a great choice for kids and classrooms thanks to its large color range and trusted brand reputation. These pencils have a smooth, creamy core that makes coloring and blending easy, which is especially helpful for young artists just starting out. The pencils come pre-sharpened, so kids can dive right into their artwork without any hassle.

While Crayola is known for quality and safe materials, these pencils are designed primarily for casual use rather than professional or archival artwork, so they may not offer strong lightfastness (resistance to fading over time) or very hard cores that some artists prefer for fine detail. The set is quite affordable considering the quantity, making it an excellent value for schools, homeschooling, or families with multiple children.

With so many colors, some shades might be quite similar, which could be a bit overwhelming or unnecessary for beginners. If you are looking for a fun, reliable, and budget-friendly pencil set mainly for kids or general coloring activities, this Crayola set delivers well without being overly specialized.

The KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils are an impressive option for anyone interested in art, whether you're an adult, kid, or a beginner. One of the standout features of this set is its vibrant color range; with 72 different hues, you're likely to find the perfect shade for any drawing or coloring project. The pencils are made with a soft core, allowing for smooth application and easy blending, which is excellent for creating depth in your artwork. Their break-resistant design adds to their durability, making them suitable for regular use.

In terms of quality, the pencils are crafted from high-quality basswood, which sharpens easily and produces a nice finish. While the soft core provides smooth application, it may not be ideal for all artists, especially those who prefer harder leads for fine details. Additionally, while the vibrant colors are great for adult coloring books, some users have expressed that the colors might not be as lightfast as professional-grade pencils, meaning they could fade over time under certain conditions.

The KALOUR pencils are also non-toxic and safe for children, making them a suitable gift for young budding artists. However, if you’re a more advanced artist looking for professional-grade materials, you might find these pencils somewhat lacking in comparison to higher-end brands. For the price point, they offer good value, especially as a starter set for those new to coloring and drawing. If you're looking for a reliable and colorful option to express your creativity, KALOUR's 72 Count Colored Pencils could be a delightful addition to your art supplies.

The Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils (24 count) are designed primarily for children aged 6 and up, making them a great choice for young artists and school use. These pencils offer a wide color range with 24 vibrant shades, allowing kids to explore varied and lively artwork. One standout feature is their erasability, which helps children correct mistakes easily without ruining their work—ideal for beginners still mastering coloring skills. The pencils come pre-sharpened and glide smoothly, which supports precise and comfortable coloring. Crayola is a well-known, trusted brand in art supplies, especially for kids, adding confidence in quality and safety.

These pencils may not have the same level of lightfastness (resistance to fading over time) or core hardness as artist-grade colored pencils, since the focus here is more on ease of use and fun rather than archival quality. The price is reasonable given the brand and features, making it accessible for parents and educators.

If you want colored pencils for casual use, school projects, or gifts, these are a solid, user-friendly option. For advanced artists or those needing highly durable colors, other specialized pencils might be better.