What Are the Best Colored Pencils for Coloring Books?
Prismacolor Premier (professional), Faber-Castell Polychromos (blending), and Crayola (budget) are top choices depending on your needs and budget.
Choosing the right colored pencils transforms your coloring experience. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
Quick Recommendations
| Budget | Best Choice | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Crayola Colored Pencils | $10-20 |
| Mid-range | Faber-Castell Classic | $20-40 |
| Premium | Prismacolor Premier | $40-80 |
| Professional | Faber-Castell Polychromos | $100+ |
Detailed Reviews
Prismacolor Premier (Best Overall)
Pros:
- Rich, vibrant colors
- Soft, buttery application
- Excellent blending
- Wide color range (150 colors)
- Great for layering
Cons:
- Points break easily
- Wax bloom on dark colors
- Higher price point
Best for: Serious hobbyists, detailed work
Faber-Castell Polychromos (Best for Blending)
Pros:
- Oil-based (no wax bloom)
- Exceptional lightfastness
- Strong cores (less breakage)
- Smooth blending
- Professional quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Harder texture than Prismacolor
- Requires more pressure
Best for: Professionals, archival artwork
Crayola Colored Pencils (Best Budget)
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Widely available
- Good for beginners
- Don't break easily
- Safe for children
Cons:
- Less pigmented
- Harder to blend
- Limited layering ability
- Fewer color options
Best for: Kids, beginners, casual coloring
Faber-Castell Classic (Best Mid-Range)
Pros:
- Good quality for price
- Smooth application
- Decent blending
- Durable points
Cons:
- Not as soft as premium options
- Limited color range
- Less vibrant than Prismacolor
Best for: Intermediate colorists
Features to Consider
Wax-Based vs. Oil-Based
| Feature | Wax-Based | Oil-Based |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Softer, creamier | Harder, smoother |
| Blending | Easy, quick | Requires layering |
| Wax bloom | Yes (hazy film) | No |
| Price | Generally less | Generally more |
| Example | Prismacolor | Polychromos |
What to Look For
- Pigmentation: Richer color payoff
- Blendability: How easily colors mix
- Lightfastness: Resistance to fading
- Core strength: Breakage resistance
- Color range: Available shades
Sets vs. Individual Pencils
Starter set (24-48 colors): Great for beginners, covers most needs
Full set (72-150 colors): For serious colorists, subtle shade options
Individual pencils: Replace favorites, build custom palette
Care Tips
- Store horizontally to prevent breakage
- Sharpen with quality sharpener
- Don't drop (internal core damage)
- Keep away from heat
My Recommendations
Just starting out? → Crayola or Faber-Castell Classic
Ready to level up? → Prismacolor Premier (48 or 72 set)
Want the best? → Faber-Castell Polychromos
Try your pencils on our mandala coloring pages or animal coloring pages to practice different techniques!
Last updated 2026-01-16.