Top Artistry: Best Colored Pencil Brands for Vibrant Creations

Colored pencils are an essential tool for artists and hobbyists alike, offering a versatile medium for vibrant and creative expression. With so many brands available, it can be challenging to choose the right set that balances quality and affordability. From high-end, artist-grade options that provide rich pigmentation and superior blending to more budget-friendly sets ideal for beginners, the market offers something for every need and skill level. Below, you'll find a carefully curated list of the best colored pencil brands, perfectly suited to enhance your artistic projects.

Illustration of colored pencils

Best brands of colored pencils in 2025

Prismacolor

Prismacolor is a renowned brand in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality and vibrant products. The brand is part of the global colored pencils market, which was valued at USD 1955.66 million in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 3105.56 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.83%. Prismacolor's Premier Soft Core colored pencils are particularly popular, with the brand recently releasing 18 new colors, including some discontinued fan favorites. These pencils are highly regarded for their ease of blending and layering, making them a favorite among artists. The North American market, where Prismacolor is prominent, contributes significantly to the global demand for premium-grade colored pencils. For more information about their offerings, visit their official website.

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is a renowned brand in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality and innovative products. With a history dating back to 1761, the company has established itself as a leader, producing 2.3 billion writing utensils annually. Faber-Castell's colored pencils, such as the Black Edition and Goldfaber series, are praised for their vibrant colors, break-resistant leads, and eco-friendly production. The brand's products are highly regarded in the global market, particularly in North America, which accounts for a significant share of the color pencil market. Faber-Castell's commitment to quality and sustainability has earned it a unique cult status among artists and art enthusiasts.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache is renowned as one of the top producers of colored pencils, celebrated for their high-quality and versatile products. The brand's Museum Watercolour Pencils, for example, offer a full range of 76 unique colors, making them a favorite among artists for their vibrant and durable pigments. Caran d'Ache's pencils are part of a larger market that is expected to grow significantly, with the global colored pencils market forecasted to reach USD 3105.56 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030. The brand's commitment to excellence is reflected in its wide range of art and office materials, including pencils, pens, and crayons. Caran d'Ache's products are highly regarded for their ease of use and superior performance.

Derwent

Derwent is a renowned brand in the colored pencil market, known for its high-quality and lightfast products. The Derwent Lightfast line, for instance, features 100 colors, with 62 rated as Lightfast I and 38 as Lightfast II, ensuring long-lasting color integrity. Derwent Coloursoft pencils are also highly regarded for their soft, crayon-like laydown and good lightfastness ratings, with 47 out of 72 pencils rated 6 or higher on the blue wool lightfastness scale. These pencils are popular among artists and hobbyists, contributing to the global colored pencil market's growth, which is expected to reach USD 3105.56 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030. Derwent's commitment to quality and lightfastness makes it a top choice in the industry. For more insights, check out this Colored Pencil Buyer's Guide.

Staedtler

Staedtler is a renowned brand in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality and durable products. With over 180 years of experience, Staedtler has developed innovative products like the ergosoft® 157 colored pencil, which features an ergonomic triangular shape and a break-resistant lead core thanks to its Anti-Break-System (A*B*S). Their colored pencils are made from sustainably sourced wood, adhering to FSC and PEFC standards, ensuring environmental friendliness. Staedtler's products cater to a wide range of users, from children to professional artists, offering a variety of options including watercolor pencils and erasable colored pencils. The global colored pencils market, led by brands like Staedtler, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 3105.56 million by 2030.

Lyra

Lyra is a highly regarded brand in the colored pencil market, known for its affordable and high-quality products. The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils offer a wide range of 78 colors, including a set of 12 greys, and are praised for their smooth and consistent laydown, as well as their impressive lightfast ratings, with 47 colors rated as having extremely good lightfastness. For a detailed review, you can check out the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Review.

Art-n-Fly

Art-n-Fly is a notable brand in the colored pencils market, renowned for its oil-based colored pencils that offer a smooth, creamy consistency and vibrant, rich colors. These pencils layer incredibly well and maintain a fine point for an extended period, making them suitable for detailed work and blending. Despite being budget-priced, they perform comparably to top-of-the-line pencils on good quality paper. The brand's products are highly regarded for their performance and value, although users have expressed a desire for larger sets, such as 60 or 72-piece sets. Art-n-Fly colored pencils are a strong choice for artists looking for high-quality, affordable art supplies.

Tombow

Tombow is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, particularly with its long-selling Colored Pencils NQ series, which has maintained its high quality and design since the 1970s. This series features 36 colors and is available in various sets, including a roll-up cloth case and paperboard box, catering to both beginners and professional artists. Tombow's products are favored for their vivid coloring, excellent adhesion, and smooth drawing experience. The brand's commitment to innovation and product differentiation has helped it thrive in the global market, especially in regions like North America, where it accounts for a significant share of the drawing pencil market.

Koh-I-Noor

Koh-I-Noor is renowned as one of the top producers of colored pencils, known for their ultra-smooth and densely colored leads that layer and blend effortlessly. Their Polycolor line, in particular, uses a proprietary blend of oils and premium pigments, allowing for dense, even strokes without heavy pressure, and features a 3.8 mm lead diameter for versatile artistic use. The pencils are encased in California cedar, a renewable resource that prevents warping, and are water-resistant and non-toxic. Koh-I-Noor's woodless pencils offer a generous 7.3mm diameter of pure pigment, ensuring maximum color laydown. The brand's commitment to quality is reflected in their lightfast ratings, with half of their woodless colored pencils rated five stars for lightfastness.

Crayola

Crayola is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, boasting an 80% market share in the crayon market and a strong presence in the colored pencil sector. Known for their high-quality, non-toxic, and durable products, Crayola offers over 50 lines of art supply products, including 152 unique crayon colors. Their colored pencils are praised for their vibrant pigments, smooth laydown, and resistance to breaking. Crayola's products are widely distributed, available in various retail stores, online platforms, and educational institutions globally. The company's commitment to color expertise and safety ensures consistent and optimal color vibrancy in their products.