Best Colored Pencils - Reviews and Picks

This metric encompasses the overall visual qualities of the colored pencil.  How intense are the colors?  Are a wide range of colors represented in a given set?  Do they blend well?  Is it good for shading and creating consistent hues across a large area?  How well does it fair in intricate areas?  These factors and many more play a part in this rating.

At lower levels some of these qualities may not be significant or even noticeable.  However, as someone becomes more advanced in their works and are after very unique color consistencies, depth characteristics, blending results, etc. these subtle differences could play a huge role in selecting which brand offering to go with.

This metric encompasses both how easy the pencil is to use as well as its durability.  Will the lead easily break under pressure?  How laborious is the process of blending?  Does color come off thick and creamy?  Does the barrel have a nice feel with good gripping ability?  All of these and more play a part in this rating.

Generally the lower-level pencils will actually be more resilient to heavy pressure since the cores are made of a harder wax.  This makes them better for a classroom environment where potential heavy and demanding use would exist.  There can also be potential hurdles with sharpening and tip breakage depending on the particular example so careful research needs to be performed to find what is right for the individual.

This metric is all about the aesthetics.  Do the pencils come in an attractive, well-constructed case or a cheap, plastic sleeve?  Is it easy to remove and reinsert pencils?  How do the pencils themselves look from the outside?  Is there clear, easy-to-understand labeling?  All of these type of considerations affect this rating.

Lower-end pencils will usually have pretty lackluster packaging.  This all boils down to their desire to keep the prices down and obviously if they were to go with fancy cases and elaborate printing then prices would have to go up.  The premium lines, however, make much more presentable offerings.  The tins or cases they use also double as good protection.

This metric is all about the costs.  Generally we will focus on the price per pencil.  For the quality, is the asking price a good deal?  Are you getting an acceptable, long lasting product with your purchase?  This is obviously a huge factor to consider.

Costs can vary greatly, with ranges from as long as $0.20 and up to several dollars per pencil.  For many the benefits of the premium lines are not justifiable enough to spend what can amount to a significant amount of money on a set.  For others who only expect and can utilize the best, the high price tag is simply the cost of admission.  Careful self-observation and analysis needs to take place to see where the best target price for you is at.