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Best Watercolor Pencils

Updated April 2025
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Faber-Castell 48-Color Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil Set
Faber-Castell
48-Color Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil Set
Best for Professionals

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

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Best for Professionals
Bottom Line

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

Pros

Easy-to-sort, easy-to-carry tin container. Break-resistant lead. Flattened edges prevent rolling off the work surface. Highly recommended by artists who use color pencils on a daily basis.

Cons

Certain colors may lack some vibrance.

Castle Arts 72-Pencil Watercolor Set
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.

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Easy to Use
Bottom Line

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

Pros

Easy-to-sharpen edges. Vibrant colors, both dry and wet. Impressive range of colors. Comes in a great case for protecting the pencils when you are on the go.

Cons

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

Arteza Lightfast Watercolor 120-Pencil Set
Arteza
Lightfast Watercolor 120-Pencil Set
Best for Beginners

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

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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

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

Pros

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.

Cons

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

KALOUR 72-Count Premium Colored Pencils
KALOUR
72-Count Premium Colored Pencils
Versatile & Easy to Use

With a soft, blendable texture, these vibrant colored pencils are ideal for drawing, sketching, coloring books and classroom use.

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Versatile & Easy to Use
Bottom Line

With a soft, blendable texture, these vibrant colored pencils are ideal for drawing, sketching, coloring books and classroom use.

Pros

The set includes 72 unique colors, and each pencil is labeled with a number and shade name. The bodies of the pencils are made of premium basswood, which sharpens easily. They have a smooth, soft texture.

Cons

While the set includes 72 shades, it lacks some primary or basic colors, such as true blue.

Prismacolor Water-Soluble 36-Pencil Set
Prismacolor
Water-Soluble 36-Pencil Set
Trusted Brand

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

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

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

Pros

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.

Cons

Scratchy, dry finish. Lead breaks more easily than those of some competitors.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
October 27, 2021
30
Models
considered
22
Hours
researched
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Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis

Updated April 2025

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

Our Top Picks
Faber-Castell
Best of the Best
Faber-Castell
48-Color Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil Set
Bottom Line
This water-soluble take on Faber-Castell's iconic colored pencils lives up to the brand's reputation.
Shop Now
Castle Arts
Best Bang for the Buck
Castle Arts
72-Pencil Watercolor Set
Bottom Line
This 72-pencil set features a broad range of colors for less than half the price of many competitors.
Shop Now
Arteza
Top Pick
Arteza
Lightfast Watercolor 120-Pencil Set
Bottom Line
From an industry leader in bargain art supplies comes a set that packs a more professional punch than similar companies.
Shop Now
KALOUR
Top Pick
KALOUR
72-Count Premium Colored Pencils
Bottom Line
With a soft, blendable texture, these vibrant colored pencils are ideal for drawing, sketching, coloring books and classroom use.
Shop Now
Prismacolor
Top Pick
Prismacolor
Water-Soluble 36-Pencil Set
Bottom Line
As the most trusted brand in colored pencils, Prismacolor achieves excellent results without wax and oil.
Shop Now
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