Best Watercolor Pencils

Best for Experts

As some of the best watercolor pencils on the market, these offer pigmentation that lives up to the Inktense name.

Strong, vibrant, ink-like colors. Easy-to-carry tin for portability and convenience. Tin lid can function as makeshift palette. Durable lead that doesn't break on every sharpen.

Might be too vibrant for work requiring subtlety.

Best Bang for the Buck

Castle Arts

72-Pencil Watercolor Set

Easy to Use

This 72-pencil set features a broad range of colors for less than half the price of many competitors.

Easy-to-sharpen edges. Vibrant colors both dry and wet. Impressive range of colors.

Lightfast Watercolor 120-Pencil Set

Those who prefer matte don't like their glossy finish.

Arteza

Best for Beginners

From an industry leader in bargain art supplies comes a set that packs a more professional punch than similar companies.

Set of 120 pencils covers nearly every color artists need. Heavy pigmenting for easy color blending. Sturdy packaging stands up to daily use; no need for additional case.

48-Color Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil Set

"Super-dry" design delivers inadequate coverage for some.

Faber-Castell

Simple Yet Solid

This water-soluble take on Faber-Castell's iconic colored pencils lives up to the brand's reputation.

Easy-to-sort, easy-to-carry tin container. Break-resistant lead. Flattened edges prevent rolling off work surface.

Water-Soluble 36-Pencil Set

Colors lack vibrance of Inktense and other top competitors.

Prismacolor

Trusted Brand

As the most trusted brand in colored pencils, Prismacolor achieves excellent results without wax and oil.

Works seamlessly with standard Prismacolor pencils, with colors guaranteed to match their mixed-media counterparts. Fine pigmentation for smooth layout both dry and wet. Strong, vibrant colors.