Below, you'll find the results of every colored pencil I tested, and the results of every test I performed. You can watch everything in the video, or scroll down further to navigate to a specific brand of pencils or to a specific test. We tested 13 colored-pencil sets with 60 kids and parents, and found the affordable, vibrant Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils best for most beginners.
A list of the best colored pencils brands for beginners and professional artists, including Prismacolor, Holbein, Derwent, and more. For this post, 15 colored pencil brands were tested including 11 artist-grade pencils and 4 student grade. The goal was to find the best pencil for artists, along with the best set for coloring book enthusiasts and students.
Special attention was paid to lightfastness ratings, which helps gauge how long the colors will stay vibrant and true. Discover the top 10 colored pencils for artists in 2025. Expert-tested reviews of Caran d'Ache, Faber-Castell, Prismacolor & more professional brands.
Complete buying guide included. Use a sharpener made specifically for colored pencils, apply gentle pressure, and opt for pencils with thicker, reinforced cores and brands that work with high quality wood to reduce breakage. What's the best paper for colored pencils? Pick a paper that's sturdy, smooth, and has just the right amount of texture (aka tooth) for layering.
Colored pencils have come a long way from the sets we had as kids. Our list of the Top 15 Best Colored Pencils for Artists can show you just how far! ☆ Looking to get the best colored pencils? I share my experience with Prismacolor, Derwent, Caran D'Ache and Faber-Castell.
Get my recommendations now! Colored pencil reviews. Discover which colored pencil brands are right for your budget and skill level.
Most major brands are reviewed, including Prismacolor, Faber-Castel, Crayola and more. What are the best colored pencils? Discover the top 5 best colored pencils for artists, including Caran d'Ache Luminance, Derwent Lightfast, Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Chromaflow, and Prismacolor Premier. Learn about their unique features, blending capabilities, and lightfastness to find the perfect set for your artistic needs.