Coloring Media
Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring: Which Set Should You Buy?
Wax or oil, soft or hard, cheap or pricey. See 14 sets side by side, then pick the one that fits your hands, your budget and your pages.
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The best colored pencils for adult coloring depend on your hands, your budget and whether you want to blend. Most sets are wax. A few are oil, which feels firmer and often blends with less effort. This page puts 14 sets side by side so you only have to choose once.
The notes here come from each set’s review page. They are not lab tests, and I make no claim that I have used every set.
In Summary
- This page compares 14 sets. Eleven are wax. Three are oil.
- New to coloring? Pick a set that needs little pressure.
- Sore hands? Check the pressure column first.
- Want smooth blends? Look at the oil sets and Prismacolor Premier.
- Paper matters as much as pencils. A paper guide is linked below.
Which Colored Pencils Suit You?
Start with what matters most to you. Each card opens that set’s review.
Just starting
Faber-Castell Classic (opens in a new tab)
Oil, hard leads, almost no pressure needed, and easy to sharpen. Up to 48 pencils at the $$ tier.
Tight budget
Staedtler Luna (opens in a new tab)
The review’s pick if you can only afford one inexpensive set. Little pressure and vibrant color. The color range is small.
Tired hands
Staedtler ergo soft (opens in a new tab)
Triangular barrel, little pressure, and the review says it may be a good option for hand or arm problems.
Blending
Faber-Castell Polychromos (opens in a new tab)
Oil with hard leads. The review says it blends and layers well. Up to 120 colors at the $$$$ tier.
If You Are Just Starting
Pick a set that needs little pressure and sharpens easily. Faber-Castell Classic fits. Its review lists almost no pressure for good coverage, hard leads, easy sharpening and a $$ price. The largest set has 48 pencils. New to all of this? Getting Started (opens in a new tab) covers the first steps.
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If Money Is Tight
Staedtler Luna is the review’s pick if you can only afford one inexpensive set. It needs little pressure and gives vibrant color. The catch is a small color range, and the biggest set has 24 pencils.
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Three sets cost even less, at the $ tier: Staedtler Noris Club (opens in a new tab), Toponly (opens in a new tab) and Dats (opens in a new tab). Their reviews say you need medium to hard pressure, or a lot of it, and the colors look muted. That can tire your hand.
Shop at ALDI? The ALDI Scholar (opens in a new tab) pencils are sold in ALDI stores, in packs of up to 24. They are not sold on Amazon. The review says they need medium to hard pressure and may not suit hand or arm problems.
If Your Hands Get Tired
Pressure matters most. These reviews say the set may be a good option if you have fine motor, hand or arm problems:
- Faber-Castell Classic and Faber-Castell Polychromos
- Marco Raffine
- Mont Marte and Mont Marte Essential
- Prismacolor Premier
- Staedtler Luna and Staedtler ergo soft
Four reviews say the opposite. ALDI Scholar, Dats, Noris Club and Toponly may not be the best option.
Staedtler ergo soft has a triangular barrel, which its review calls ergonomic. The leads have a coating that resists breaking. The color range is small, and the biggest set has 24.
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Pencils are only one part of comfort. For grip, posture and break tips, read Color Pain Free and Safely (opens in a new tab). This is general advice, not medical advice. If coloring hurts, ask your doctor or physio.
If You Want to Blend
The three oil sets all list hard leads. The Polychromos review says they blend and layer well without other tools. It is the priciest oil set at the $$$$ tier, with up to 120 colors, a round barrel and almost no pressure needed.
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Prismacolor Premier is wax with soft leads and up to 150 colors. Its review says it blends easily with almost no pressure. The downside is that soft leads need sharpening more often.
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Marco Raffine is the middle-priced oil set, at the $$$ tier. The review says it layers and blends well, needs almost no pressure and comes in sets of up to 72. More on blending techniques (opens in a new tab).
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Wax or Oil, Hard or Soft
Wax and oil describe what holds the color together inside the pencil. Wax pencils usually feel creamy. Oil pencils usually feel firmer. Hard and soft describe the lead. Soft leads lay down color easily but wear down fast. Hard leads need less sharpening.
What the Reviews Say
- Oil sets: Faber-Castell Classic, Faber-Castell Polychromos and Marco Raffine. Each review lists hard leads.
- Soft wax sets: Prismacolor Premier and Mont Marte. Both reviews list frequent sharpening as a downside.
- All other sets are wax. The reviews do not say if the leads are hard or soft.
Sharpening is easier with the right tool. How to Sharpen Colored Pencils (opens in a new tab) shows what works.
So Which Should You Pick?
Pick oil if you want firm leads and easy blending, and you can pay a little more. Pick wax if you want a wide range of prices and set sizes. Either way, pressure and price tell you more than the word on the box. The table below shows both.
14 Sets Compared at a Glance
Every cell comes from that set’s review page. “Not stated” means the review does not say. On a phone, scroll the table sideways.
| Set | Type | Barrel | Largest set | Price tier | Pressure | Hands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALDI Scholar (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Hexagonal | 24 | Not stated | Medium to hard | May not be the best option |
| Crayola (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Round | 64 | $$ | Light | Not stated |
| Dats (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Round | 36 | $ | A lot | May not be the best option |
| Derwent Artists (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Round | 120 | $$$$ | Many light layers or firm pressure | Not stated |
| Faber-Castell Classic (opens in a new tab) | Oil | Hexagonal | 48 | $$ | Almost none | May be a good option |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos (opens in a new tab) | Oil | Round | 120 | $$$$ | Almost none | May be a good option |
| Marco Raffine (opens in a new tab) | Oil | Hexagonal | 72 | $$$ | Almost none | May be a good option |
| Mont Marte (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Hexagonal | Several sizes | Not stated | Little | May be a good option |
| Mont Marte Essential (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Hexagonal | 36 | $$ | Little | May be a good option |
| Prismacolor Premier (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Round | 150 | $$$$ | Almost none | May be a good option |
| Staedtler ergo soft (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Triangular | 24 | $$$ | Little | May be a good option |
| Staedtler Luna (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Hexagonal | 24 | $$ | Little | May be a good option |
| Staedtler Noris Club (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Hexagonal | 36 | $ | Medium to hard | May not be the best option |
| Toponly (opens in a new tab) | Wax | Round | 32 | $ | A lot | May not be the best option |
Price tiers, from the reviews: $ is about AUD $5 or less (US $3.75). $$ is AUD $5 to $20. $$$ is AUD $20 to $50. $$$$ is over AUD $50. Prices shift with sales and shops, so check before you buy. “Hands” repeats what each review says about fine motor, hand or arm problems.
Review Pages by Brand
Each review has pros, cons, a price range, a test picture and a color chart.
Oil Sets
Faber-Castell Classic (opens in a new tab)
Up to 48 pencils. Almost no pressure.
Faber-Castell Polychromos (opens in a new tab)
Up to 120 pencils. Hard leads.
Marco Raffine (opens in a new tab)
Up to 72 pencils. Hexagonal barrel.
Wax Sets
ALDI Scholar (opens in a new tab)
Sold at ALDI. Up to 24 pencils.
Crayola (opens in a new tab)
Up to 64 pencils. Light pressure.
Dats (opens in a new tab)
Up to 36 pencils. $ tier.
Derwent Artists (opens in a new tab)
Up to 120 pencils. $$$$ tier.
Mont Marte (opens in a new tab)
Several set sizes. Hexagonal barrel.
Mont Marte Essential (opens in a new tab)
Up to 36 pencils. $$ tier.
Prismacolor Premier (opens in a new tab)
Soft leads. Up to 150 pencils.
Staedtler ergo soft (opens in a new tab)
Triangular barrel. Up to 24 pencils.
Staedtler Luna (opens in a new tab)
Up to 24 pencils. Little pressure.
Staedtler Noris Club (opens in a new tab)
Up to 36 pencils. $ tier.
Toponly (opens in a new tab)
Up to 32 pencils. $ tier.
How the Test Pictures Work
Each review shows a test picture colored with only that set. You can see the color, the shading and the smoothness for yourself. The nine test colors are yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, light blue, dark blue, light green and dark green.
Two pages help you compare. Test Pictures for Colored Pencils (opens in a new tab) puts the pictures together. Color Charts for Colored Pencils (opens in a new tab) shows each set’s colors. Want to learn why colors work together? Try the beginner guide to color wheel harmonies (opens in a new tab).
Pick the Right Paper
The same pencils look different on different paper. Colored pencils like paper with some tooth, which is a light texture the color can grip. The paper guide says around 160gsm or more feels sturdy, and texture matters more than weight.
See which paper suits pencils in the colored pencil section of the paper guide (opens in a new tab), or check the quick table by medium (opens in a new tab).
Paper for Adult Coloring (opens in a new tab)
Which paper suits each medium, and how to stop bleed-through.
Color Pain Free and Safely (opens in a new tab)
Grip, posture and break tips for longer, calmer sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best colored pencils for coloring books?
There is no single best set. It depends on your budget and your hands. For a gentle start, Faber-Castell Classic needs almost no pressure. For tight budgets, Staedtler Luna is the review’s pick. For blending, look at Polychromos or Prismacolor Premier. The table above compares all 14.
Which is better, wax or oil based colored pencils?
Neither wins every time. Oil sets in these reviews have hard leads and layer well. Wax sets cover more price tiers and set sizes. Pick by pressure, price and blending, since the word on the box says less.
Are Prismacolor colored pencils wax or oil based?
The Prismacolor Premier review says they are wax based, with soft leads. They come in sets of up to 150.
Are Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils wax or oil based?
The review says they are oil based, with hard leads and a round barrel. They come in sets of up to 120. Faber-Castell Classic is also oil based.
Are Faber-Castell or Staedtler colored pencils better?
It depends on the set. Faber-Castell Classic is oil, up to 48, and needs almost no pressure. Staedtler Luna is wax, up to 24, and needs little pressure. Staedtler Noris Club needs medium to hard pressure. Compare them in the table.
What are the best budget-friendly colored pencils?
Staedtler Luna is the review’s pick for one inexpensive set. Noris Club, Toponly and Dats cost less but need medium to hard pressure, or a lot of it. ALDI Scholar is an option if you shop at ALDI.
What is the best brand of cheap colored pencils?
No single brand wins. Within the reviews, Staedtler Luna pairs a low price with little pressure. The $ tier sets cost less again, with a trade-off in pressure and color.
What pens and pencils are best for people with arthritic hands?
Pressure is the main thing to check. Several reviews say the set may be a good option for fine motor, hand or arm problems, and they list little or almost no pressure. See the Hands column in the table. For comfort tips, read Color Pain Free and Safely (opens in a new tab). This is general information, not medical advice.
Is it better to use markers or colored pencils for adult coloring books?
Neither is better. They need different paper. Colored pencils like paper with some tooth. Markers like thick, smooth paper. The paper guide (opens in a new tab) explains the difference.
What is the best thing to use to color adult coloring books?
Colored pencils, markers and gel pens all work. Pencils suit fine detail and blending. Check Coloring Supplies (opens in a new tab) to compare the options.
More to Explore
- Getting Started (opens in a new tab): first steps for new colorists
- Color Pain Free and Safely (opens in a new tab): grip, posture and breaks
- Paper for Adult Coloring (opens in a new tab): the right paper for each medium
- Accessories (opens in a new tab): sharpeners, cases and more
- How to Sharpen Colored Pencils (opens in a new tab)
- Beginner Guide to Color Wheel Harmonies (opens in a new tab)
- Gifts for the Addicted Colorist (opens in a new tab)