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Best colored pencils for kids and students: Amazon picks

Colored pencil core hardness, pigment intensity, whether the pencil is wax or oil-based, set size, whether the pencil is pre-sharpened and the age range from school use to professional illustration determine which colored pencil set suits the project.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Crayola 120-Count Colored Pencils at $18 is the best colored pencil set for most school-age children: the 120-color selection covers any school art project, the pre-sharpened pencils are ready to use from the box and the Crayola wax-based cores are durable enough to resist breaking during normal school use by children ages 5 and older.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Colored pencils are evaluated by core type (wax vs. oil-based), pigment intensity, color count, whether pre-sharpened, break resistance, blending quality, age suitability and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best colored pencils for most school use
Crayola Crayola Colored Pencils 120-Count

Crayola Colored Pencils 120-Count

Brand: Crayola

Best for

School-age children (ages 5 to 12) who need a large color selection for art projects and class assignments, where Crayola 120-count provides more color variety than standard 12 to 24-count school sets without the higher cost of professional-grade colored pencils.

Skip if

Blending and layering for detailed art illustrations is the goal. Crayola colored pencils use a harder wax core than artist-grade pencils (Prismacolor, Faber-Castell), which produces less smooth blending between colors. For detailed illustrations, portraits or art projects requiring color gradients, artist-grade pencils provide better blending performance.

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Crayola 120-Count uses a wax-based core in each pencil with rich pigments across 120 distinct colors. The pre-sharpened points are ready to use from the box without requiring a separate pencil sharpener. The harder wax core resists breaking better than softer oil-based artist pencils when dropped, which reduces frustration during classroom use by younger children.

Crayola is the leading children's art supply brand in the US by market share. The 120-count set comes in a plastic storage case that organizes pencils for easy retrieval.

At $18 for 120 pencils ($0.15 per pencil), Crayola provides the most colors per dollar in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Crayola Colored Pencils 120-Count
Core typeWax-based
Count120 colors
Pre-sharpenedYes
Age rangeAges 5 and up
Price$18

Specs from Crayola colored pencils 120 count pre-sharpened school art, kids Amazon search

02
Best budget colored pencils
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Colored Pencils 72-Count

Amazon Basics Colored Pencils 72-Count

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Budget-conscious parents and teachers who need a large count of colored pencils for classroom use, art kits or back-to-school supply lists where the pencils will be used by multiple children and individual pencil replacement is expected, where Amazon Basics provides 72 pre-sharpened colors at the lowest per-pencil cost in this guide.

Skip if

Consistent pigment quality across all 72 colors is required. Amazon Basics colored pencils offer adequate quality for school work but may show variability in pigment intensity across the color range compared to brand-name options. For art projects where color accuracy matters, Crayola or Faber-Castell provide more consistent pigment quality.

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Amazon Basics 72-Count colored pencils use a wax-based core with pre-sharpened points across 72 colors. The set provides a full color spectrum including primary, secondary and tertiary colors alongside skin tones and naturalistic shades for school projects.

The lower price point makes Amazon Basics colored pencils practical for classroom sets, art kit refills and supplies that will be used by multiple children. The pencils are produced to standard school supply quality specifications.

At $10 for 72 pencils ($0.14 per pencil), Amazon Basics provides the lowest per-pencil cost in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Basics Colored Pencils 72-Count
Core typeWax-based
Count72 colors
Pre-sharpenedYes
Best forClassroom and bulk use
Price$10

Specs from Amazon Basics colored pencils 72 count pre-sharpened, school budget kids Amazon search

03
Best colored pencils for middle school art
Faber-Castell Faber-Castell EcoPencils Colored Pencils 48-Count

Faber-Castell EcoPencils Colored Pencils 48-Count

Brand: Faber-Castell

Best for

Middle school and high school students taking art classes who need a step up in quality from standard school pencils, where Faber-Castell EcoPencils use a slightly softer, higher-pigment core than Crayola that produces richer colors and better blending for art assignments requiring more visual depth.

Skip if

Professional blending and layering performance is required. Faber-Castell EcoPencils are a quality school-grade pencil but are not in the professional tier of Faber-Castell's Polychromos or Prismacolor Premier oil-based pencils. For advanced art students who need artist-grade colored pencils for detailed illustration, Prismacolor Premier is the appropriate upgrade.

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Faber-Castell EcoPencils use a proprietary Bonded Core process that bonds the color core to the wooden casing, reducing breakage at the tip when the pencil is dropped. The slightly softer core than Crayola produces richer color laydown and slightly better blending for art projects while still being durable enough for school use.

Faber-Castell is a German pencil manufacturer established in 1761, producing pencils from sustainably certified forests. The EcoPencil name reflects the PEFC-certified wood sourcing.

At $25 for 48 pencils ($0.52 per pencil), Faber-Castell is the mid-priced quality option in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Faber-Castell EcoPencils Colored Pencils 48-Count
Core typeWax-based (medium hardness)
Count48 colors
Pre-sharpenedYes
Made inGermany
Price$25

Specs from Faber-Castell EcoPencils colored pencils 48 count school art, Germany Amazon search

04
Best professional colored pencils for students
Prismacolor Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 72-Count

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 72-Count

Brand: Prismacolor

Best for

High school art students and adult hobbyists who need professional-quality colored pencils with soft, oil-based cores for smooth blending, layering and detail work in illustrations, portraits and realistic color work, where Prismacolor Premier uses thick oil-based cores that deposit rich, blendable pigment.

Skip if

Regular school use by children under age 12 who may break pencil tips frequently is the scenario. Prismacolor Premier uses a very soft oil-based core that produces superior blending but breaks more easily than harder wax-core pencils when dropped. At $45 for 72 pencils ($0.63 each), tip breakage from rough handling is a significant cost issue. Reserve Prismacolor for older students who handle pencils carefully.

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Prismacolor Premier uses thick, soft oil-based cores with high pigment concentration that lay down rich, intense color in one stroke and blend smoothly under finger or blending tool. The soft core deposits enough pigment to create solid color areas and gradient blends that wax-core pencils cannot match. Prismacolor is the standard professional-grade colored pencil used in art education programs.

The 72-count includes Prismacolor's full range of skin tones, architectural shades, flora and natural science colors for comprehensive illustration work. Available in sets from 12 to 150 colors.

At $45 for 72 pencils, Prismacolor is the professional tier investment in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 72-Count
Core typeSoft oil-based
Count72 colors
Blending qualityExcellent
Best forDetailed illustration
Price$45

Specs from Prismacolor Premier colored pencils 72 count soft core, professional art Amazon search

Colored pencil comparison

Product Core Type Count Per Pencil Price
Amazon Basics Wax 72 $0.14 $10
Crayola Wax 120 $0.15 $18
Faber-Castell EcoPencils Wax (medium) 48 $0.52 $25
Prismacolor Premier Oil-based 72 $0.63 $45

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Crayola Crayola Colored Pencils 120-Count
Crayola Colored Pencils 120-Count
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Colored Pencils 72-Count
Amazon Basics Colored Pencils 72-Count
Faber-Castell Faber-Castell EcoPencils Colored Pencils 48-Count
Faber-Castell EcoPencils Colored Pencils 48-Count
Prismacolor Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 72-Count
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 72-Count
Our verdictBest colored pencils for most school useBest budget colored pencilsBest colored pencils for middle school artBest professional colored pencils for students
Core typeWax-basedWax-basedWax-based (medium hardness)Soft oil-based
Count120 colors72 colors48 colors72 colors
Pre-sharpenedYesYesYesNot listed
Age rangeAges 5 and upNot listedNot listedNot listed
Price$18$10$25$45
Best forNot listedClassroom and bulk useNot listedDetailed illustration
Made inNot listedNot listedGermanyNot listed
Blending qualityNot listedNot listedNot listedExcellent
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

What is the difference between wax and oil-based colored pencils?

Wax-based colored pencils use a binder made primarily from paraffin wax, which produces a harder core that is less prone to breakage but creates a slightly chalkier color deposit. Wax cores are the standard for school and children's colored pencils (Crayola, Amazon Basics) because of their durability and break resistance. Oil-based colored pencils use an oil binder that produces a softer, smoother core that deposits more pigment per stroke and blends more easily by rubbing adjacent colors together. Prismacolor Premier and Faber-Castell Polychromos are the leading oil-based pencil brands. The tradeoff is that softer oil cores break more easily when dropped, which is why they are better suited for older students and adult artists who handle materials carefully. Blending quality is the primary practical difference: oil-based pencils blend with significantly less effort than wax-based.

How do I sharpen colored pencils without breaking them?

Sharpen colored pencils with a hand-turned pencil sharpener rather than an electric sharpener, particularly for artist-grade soft-core pencils (Prismacolor). Electric sharpeners spin at high rpm that can shatter soft or oil-based cores during sharpening. A hand-turned single-blade sharpener sharpens slowly and with more control, reducing tip breakage. For very soft pencils, chill the pencil in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before sharpening: the cold firms the core temporarily and reduces breakage during the sharpening process. Wax-core school pencils (Crayola) are more resilient and can be sharpened in standard electric pencil sharpeners without significant breakage risk.

How many colored pencils does a child need for school?

Most school supply lists specify a 12 to 24-count colored pencil set for standard classroom art projects in grades K through 5. The standard color set (12 colors) covers primary, secondary and basic tertiary colors for most school assignments. For dedicated art classes or children who draw frequently as a hobby, a 48 to 72-count provides more color range for more nuanced work. A 120-count set (Crayola) is more than most school requirements specify but provides the widest selection for children who use colored pencils frequently at home. Classroom supply requests from teachers typically specify a specific count; purchasing more than requested is not needed unless the child uses colored pencils beyond school assignments.

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