13 best colored pencils

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Pencils to pencils are different: for children, schoolchildren and professional artists, these are completely different tools, differing in stroke quality, pigment intensity, shading ability, etc. So, products for young children are mostly triangular in shape for learning the correct grip and a soft lead. for schoolchildren there are pencils with different hardness and an extended palette, for professionals – a rich range of shades in the set and different textures of the lead, preferably soft.

A team of experts found out which manufacturers offer the best pencils for different tasks and made a rating, which we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with: you will definitely make the right choice and will not be disappointed in it.

Rating of the best colored pencils

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best colored pencils for toddlers	1	Jovi maxi	197 RUB
	2	Stabilo Trio	484 RUB
	3	Crayola jumbo	450 RUB
	4	Crayola Mini Kids	450 RUB
The best colored pencils for students	1	Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz	279 r
	2	Crayola twistables	477 r
	3	Kores 'Kolores Duo'	286 r
	4	Faber-castell eco	990 RUB
	5	Maped Duo Color Peps	RUB 528
The best colored pencils for professionals	1	Lyra rembrandt polycolor Artistic Pencil Set 72 pcs.	RUB 6,250
	2	ALBRECHT DURER watercolor pencils 60 pcs.	RUB 8 854
	3	Faber-castell Goldfaber Color Pencils Set 48 Colors	RUB 3,191
	4	Derwent Coloursoft set 72 colors	RUB 13,551

Best colored pencils for toddlers

For preschool children, it is important that the colors are bright and clearly distinguishable, the stroke falls flat and without much effort, and the shape is convenient for learning the skills of holding a pinch (finger position). The sets usually contain 12 or more pencils of primary colors. As a rule, the thickened lead is made of safe materials and pigments that are not dangerous if it gets into the mouth, and its frame is made of wood or plastic, coated with the appropriate color. Experts recommend choosing thickened triangular pencils – they are difficult to break with strong pressure, and it is much more convenient to hold in an adult way.

Jovi maxi

Rating: 4.9

The first in the Jovi Maxi rating meet all the requirements of the category for babies: they are thickened up to 1 cm in a triangular section, their lead is soft and rich, bright, absolutely safe. The products are certified and comply with European standards, despite their Chinese origin. The package contains 12 pencils that help to form the correct pinch (finger position for writing), they are suitable for lessons with small children from 1 year old.

A distinctive feature of pencils is a durable lead that does not break in a wooden case even when dropped from the table. It is also noteworthy: the strokes fall evenly, the colors, subject to the shading technique, smoothly flow into each other and mix, shade.

The only inconvenience when using Jovi Maxi is the need for a sharpener for thickened pencils, as well as some dexterity. The cost of a set of 12 colors – from 400 rubles.

Advantages

• Bright colours;

• Pencil shape, convenient for a child's hand;

• Soft but durable lead;

• Safe composition of the lead.

disadvantages

• Relatively high cost;

• You need a special sharpener for thick pencils.

Stabilo Trio

Rating: 4.8

Stabilo Trio colored pencils are available in two versions: full-size thickened and shortened for the little ones, although both models are suitable for use by toddlers from 1 year old. The set includes 12 or 18 pencils of different colors, which leave bright lines on the paper 4 mm thick (this is the diameter of the lead). The three-edged shape of the rod, convenient for right-handers and left-handers, helps to master the correct grip with small fingers.

The Stabilo Trio lead is made using natural wax, the strokes are soft on the paper, the colors are mixed with each other.

The cost of a product with a thicker core for a set of 18 pcs. starts from 600 rubles.

Advantages

• Bright colours;

• A thickened pencil shape with a triangular section;

• Soft strokes;

• Safe material.

disadvantages

• Some users noted the fragility of the lead.

Crayola jumbo

Rating: 4.7

Specially designed for toddlers up to 3 years old, Crayola Jumbo color pencils with a thickened lead are distinguished by their mechanical strength and at the same time ease of stroking. The wood used allows for effortless sharpening. There are usually 8 multi-colored pencils in the set, but they can be distinguished only by the shade of the rod and the applied animal icon – there is no colored wood coating. The round section will make the baby and parents work hard with the correct grip.

The cost of the Crayola Jumbo set is from 329 rubles.

Advantages

• Thickened pencil;

• Strong lead with bright pigment;

• Soft wood for turning.

disadvantages

• The pencil is not covered with the appropriate paint, the color is determined only by the pigment of the lead.

• Round, uncomfortable for children section.

Crayola Mini Kids

Rating: 4.6

Crayola Mini Kids' thick pencils with a lead of optimal strength and sufficient softness took the fourth place in our rating category. Their wooden shell is not covered with color; you will have to choose the desired shade, focusing on the lead and the color image of the animal. The strokes are bright, but not particularly thick. But the manufacturer has provided convenience for little fingers: the section of the pencil, although round, is non-slip, the tool is securely fixed in a pinch with a firm grip.

The cost of a set of 8 pieces of Crayola Mini Kids is about 324 rubles.

Advantages

• Bright strokes and optimal rod hardness;

• Nice non-slip wood surface.

disadvantages

• The surface is not covered with the appropriate color.

The best colored pencils for students

For schoolchildren, the variety of colors in a pencil set is important, while it is necessary to correctly determine the softness of the lead: during the lesson, it is inconvenient for children to constantly sharpen pencils, which break when pressed excessively. For students of primary and secondary level, experts recommend choosing a medium-hard lead.

Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz

Rating: 4.9

Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz, the most popular pencils for schoolchildren, can be purchased in sets of 6, 12, 18, 24 and 32 as needed. Their feature is a soft watercolor lead, that is, the drawing can be washed out with water and get the effect of paint. They are also good for drawing separate lines on paper, underlines in notebooks.

The varnished cedar wood is embossed with gold, each pencil is painted in the color corresponding to the lead pigment. Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz is suitable for elementary, middle and high school students due to its versatility, ease of sharpening and bright colors.

You can buy Czech products in a set of 6 pieces from 124 rubles.

Advantages

• Aquarelle slate with rich pigmentation;

• Convenience of sharpening;

• Impact strength of the lead;

• Variety of sets from 6 to 32 pencils.

disadvantages

• Relatively high cost.

Crayola twistables

Rating: 4.8

In second place in the ranking are the bright American pencils Crayola Twistables. They do not need sharpening – the lead is unscrewed, which is very convenient for children from 3 years old. In addition, the remainder of the colored core is visible through the plastic sleeve, and the grip is not affected (unlike sharpening pencils, the length of which decreases after each turning).

The lack of sharpening leads to the absence of a sharp tip of the lead, so a thin line with Crayola Twistables will not work, they are more suitable for drawing than for use in workbooks. The rod does not break, it really lasts for a long time.

The sets of twisting pencils are various: 12, 18, 24 and 30 pieces. A pack of 24 pieces can be sold for 347 rubles on average.

Advantages

• Soft lead;

• Bright colors and shades;

• Effective consumption;

• No need to sharpen;

• Various sets.

disadvantages

• Not defined.

Kores 'Kolores Duo'

Rating: 4.7

The third place in the rating was taken by Kores 'Kolores Duo' pencils with a triangular cross-section for ease of grip and relieving tension from fingers during prolonged drawing sessions. The lead is extra soft, it does not scratch the paper, and the strokes are bright. Each pencil is two different colors on both sides, which saves space and maintains a comfortable grip when sharpening. By the way, the manufacturer put a sharpener in each pack.

A set of 12 pieces (24 colors) can be bought for an average of 250 rubles.

Advantages

• Very soft, at the same time durable lead;

• Two-color pencils;

• Optimal price;

• Triangular section;

• Sharpener included.

disadvantages

• Not available everywhere.

Faber-castell ECO

Rating: 4.7

Faber-Castell pencils are of the highest quality, triangular section and soft lead. The manufacturer completes large sets of pencils with which you can get smooth shading transitions, which is especially convenient for young artists. Pictures can be washed out with water (watercolor lead), and strokes from fabrics can be easily washed off.

Each Grip pencil has a dedicated name-writing area and a non-slip grip area for fingers with massage rubber bumps. In the Eco series, a sharpener is provided, but there are no anti-slip checkers.

The lead is reliably protected from breakage in case of falling by a special gluing technology, the body is made of California cedar varnished, the pencil is well sharpened with ordinary sharpeners.

The cost of the Faber-Castell Eco product is low – 201 rubles for 12 colors, and the Grip series for young artists is about 2349 rubles for 48 pieces.

Advantages

• Watercolor slate;

• Anti-slip coating;

• Triangular section;

• Convenient sharpening;

• Possibility to sign each pencil.

disadvantages

• High price of the Grip series.

Maped Duo Color Peps

Rating: 4.7

Closing the rating in the category of accessories for schoolchildren is the product Maped – double-sided pencils Duo Color Peps in sets of 12 and 18 pieces (24 and 36 colors, respectively). The body is three-sided, so the child's hand will not get tired during the drawing process, which is especially important for children from 3 years old. Additional convenience is provided by a multi-layer varnish coating that prevents fingers from slipping.

The cost of a pack of 24 Maped Duo Color Peps pencils is about 230 rubles.

Advantages

• Double-sided pencils;

• Impact resistant lead;

• Triangular cross-section for a comfortable grip.

disadvantages

• Insufficiently balanced sets in terms of gamut (according to buyers).

The best colored pencils for professionals

It is important for architects, designers and artists working with sketches that the lines are clear, the shading turns out to be harmonious, the image does not fade. Professional kits often have a wide palette of colors ranging from bright to muted. The lead is required to be of moderate softness, strength and ease of sharpening to save working time.

Lyra rembrandt polycolor Artistic Pencil Set 72 pcs.

Rating: 4.9

The most respected graphic artist and Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencil with a sleek, rounded body and lacquered surface. Each color is numbered, so when the pencil runs out, you can buy exactly the desired shade or complete the set at your discretion.

Users have practically no complaints about the quality of the lead: the strokes are accurate, shaded if necessary, the color is bright and saturated. The set includes active colors and pastels, pencils are packed in a protective case.

Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 72 pcs. will be useful for naturalists, landscape painters, portrait masters and just those who like to paint in their free time. Its cost, on average from 3,900 rubles, is relatively low for such professional sets.

Advantages

• Wide range of shades;

• Metal case for easy storage;

• High-quality lead without glare;

• Pencils can be purchased separately;

• Lack of edges on the pencil body;

• Resistant to water and fading.

disadvantages

• Not defined.

ALBRECHT DURER watercolor pencils 60 pcs.

Rating: 4.8

ALBRECHT DURER by Faber Castell are premium highly pigmented watercolor pencils made in Germany. They are specially designed for artists – the optimum softness of the rod allows you to get strokes of different nature (thickness and intensity) with a watercolor effect. In this case, after the first blur, the image is fixed and the paint does not soak again, the composition becomes waterproof.

The manufacturer used a special technology of double sticking of the lead into the wooden case, which helps to preserve its integrity during transportation and in operation – the rod does not crumble, does not break, remains intact, therefore it is effectively consumed without taking much time to sharpen.

This set contains 60 pencils in different shades, grouped by color. It is convenient to take the set with you wherever you go and not be afraid for its safety in an ergonomic metal case. ALBRECHT DURER takes second place for a very high cost – 60 pieces will cost the artist from 7,900 rubles, although in terms of quality they are similar to the leader of the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor rating (only professionals are able to determine the difference, it is rather a matter of taste).

Advantages

• Convenient metal case for storage and transportation;

• Water-resistant finished image effect;

• Watercolor effect (just 1-2 times with a damp brush);

• Protected soft lead;

• High pigmentation.

disadvantages

• High price.

Faber-Castell Goldfaber Color Pencils Set 48 Colors

Rating: 4.8

Another product from Faber-Castell took the third place in the ranking – these are Goldfaber professional colored pencils in a set of 48 pieces. Their specificity is a high level of lightfastness, color retention under lamps and the sun. In addition, the highly pigmented lead is thickened to 3.3 mm and prolongs the life of the pencil, and its softness (B) is optimal for applying different thicknesses of strokes and mixing colors, achieving different visual effects.

Faber-Castell Goldfaber are recommended for use by novice artists and amateurs who are not ready to buy more expensive sets, but do not want to lose as a finished composition. The set will cost about 3,000 rubles.

Advantages

• Erasable lead;

• Light stability of the finished image;

• Optimum softness B;

• Extra thicker lead for longer pencil life.

disadvantages

• No watercolor effect like professional pencils.

Derwent Coloursoft set 72 colors

Rating: 4.7

The rating of professional pencils is completed by the British Derwent Coloursoft set of 72 numbered colors. Leads with intense pigmentation are soft, so the drawings are colorful and realistic.

Derwent Coloursoft are suitable for drawing in various techniques from still lifes to detailed paintings, the finished images retain their color in artificial and natural light in the absence of heavy and dangerous components and acids in the composition of the lead. The velvety softness leads to a relatively quick consumption of pencils, but it is optimal due to the used technology of maintaining the integrity of the lead and convenient sharpening.

Derwent Coloursoft set 72 can be purchased from 6000 rubles.

Advantages

• Full Coloursoft color gamut in one set;

• Safe composition;

• Increased rod thickness up to 4 mm;

• Soft lead with a 'velvet' touch;

• Convenient sharpening.

disadvantages

• High price.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.