Best Drawing Pencils of 2026

"As someone just starting to draw, I’ve found this kit to be perfect for beginners. It offers a wide selection of pencils and charcoals, plus two types of erasers. The quality feels high and the price is great for everything you get."

"I was looking for a solid starter set and this definitely delivered. The value is impressive—everything from the pencils to the sharpener is useful, and it made a great gift. Perfect for anyone new to art and wanting all the essentials in one pack."

"If you’re unsure about your art journey or just testing the waters, this kit is affordable without sacrificing quality. It’s not professional-grade, but covers all the basics—pencils, charcoal, erasers, and a sharpener. You can get a lot of practice with this before moving on to pricier sets, which is exactly what I needed as a beginner."

"For me, coloring is a relaxing escape, and these KALOUR colored pencils have truly enhanced that experience. The smooth, highly pigmented cores glide effortlessly, making blending a breeze even in adult coloring books. I love that each pencil is labeled with its color and number, making it so simple to find the perfect shade. The variety of 72 vibrant colors means I always have the right tone, and the pencils feel sturdy and comfortable in hand. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a beginner-friendly set that still delivers on quality and vividness."

"I picked up these pencils for a work luncheon where we did coloring while chatting and eating. They were a hit—bright, vivid, and just the right softness for smooth coloring and blending. Everyone loved the range of colors, and one coworker even mentioned this is her favorite brand. The set offers excellent value and made our time together so much more fun!"

"I bought these for my teenage daughter who’s into intricate adult coloring books, and they’ve quickly become her favorite. The 72 pre-sharpened pencils come in a sturdy tin, offer a huge variety from bold to pastel, and the soft cores blend beautifully, making them perfect for detailed designs. They hold a point well, layer easily, and don’t break during frequent use. The only minor gripe is that the tin could use better dividers, but overall, these have brought her hours of creative joy and inspiration."

"I love how this set offers a full range of graphite pencils, from 4H to 6B, making it ideal for sketching, outlining, and shading. The metal tin keeps everything organized and protected, which is perfect for my on-the-go needs."

"As someone with carpel tunnel, I appreciate how comfortable and easy to use these pencils are. The set includes the 5B pencil I was missing in other packs, and they sharpen easily and feel great in my hand."

"I used these in my art class and found the color gradation from light to dark just right. They're smooth to use, and I think any skill level could benefit from them."

"I bought this set for my son’s fifth-grade art class and have been genuinely impressed by the excellent quality and reasonable price. What really stood out was Mr. Pen’s exceptional customer service—they reached out for feedback after a previous order, which made me trust them even more. I absolutely recommend Mr. Pen for anyone looking for reliable art supplies."

"As someone who loves drawing, I appreciate that these pencils offer great value for the money and come in a handy, portable box. The set includes everything I need for sketching, and the range of sizes is just right. They're a bit tougher to erase, but the professional quality makes up for it."

"This pencil set was a gift for my brother, and he’s found the variety of hardness and softness perfect for both sketching and shading. The pencils feel comfortable to hold, and the overall build quality is solid for the price. Suitable for both beginners and those with more experience."

"I've tried a lot of drawing pencils, but these are by far the sturdiest and most reliable I've used. The lead doesn't break, and I love that I don't have to keep sharpening them constantly. Drawing with them feels great and the price makes them a fantastic choice. Highly recommended!"

"As someone who's been drawing for most of my life, I can confidently say that these are the best pencils I've ever used. They're comfortable to hold, erase easily, and offer amazing value. If you're passionate about sketching, you really need to try these!"

"I picked these up for the broad shade range and have been pleased so far. The pencils are smooth, sharpen easily, and seem durable. While I noticed that a kneaded eraser doesn't lift the graphite as well, overall I think these are a solid choice for both beginners and experienced artists."

"As someone who’s used both beginner and professional art supplies, I can honestly say the MARKART Drawing Pencil Set has taken my art to a new level. The variety of graphite grades, from soft to hard, means I always have the right pencil for the job. Their smooth feel on paper and comfortable grip make long sessions easy, and the sturdy case keeps everything organized. I can’t recommend these enough for anyone passionate about drawing."

"I bought these for my son, who loves to draw, and they’re an ideal choice for young artists. The set offers great quality and a variety of pencils, and the price was perfect for a gift. He’s thrilled with them and they’re perfect for his creative projects."

"As a novice artist, I never realized how much of a difference good pencils could make. These pencils feel great in the hand, are easy to control, and are very affordable. I’ve been using them for months and am extremely satisfied with their performance. I’d definitely recommend them to fellow beginners."

"As a self-taught artist, I was thrilled with the variety and quality this kit offers. The selection of pencils, from 14B to 4H, is much broader than most sets at this price. Having both charcoal and graphite pencils, plus a kneaded eraser and a sturdy metal sharpener, made a huge difference in my sketching. I just wish the packaging was sturdier for long-term use, but considering the incredible value, I would absolutely buy this again."

"I’m not a professional artist, but for someone who likes to experiment and learn new skills, this set is perfect! The value is amazing, and there are so many different pencils and accessories included. I even discovered the difference in graphite hardness, which was new to me. For the price, all the extras alone make it worthwhile."

"This drawing pencil set is not only budget-friendly but also comes with a nice range of graphite and charcoal pencils, including a white charcoal pencil and helpful tools like a blending stump and pencil extender. The flat-sided pencils are a thoughtful touch, too, since they don’t roll off the table. Altogether, it’s an excellent starter kit for any new artist."

"Whenever I want to create a graphite drawing, these pencils are my top choice. The smoothness and shade accuracy are outstanding, and they sharpen to a fine point with ease if I use a proper sharpener. The blending is incredibly smooth, making them ideal for detailed artwork. For the price, I think the value is hard to beat. Faber-Castell truly delivers when it comes to graphite pencils."

"I upgraded to this set after struggling with lower quality pencils, and it made a huge difference. The quality across the full range is impressive, and the brand’s longstanding reputation is well-earned. I definitely feel like this was a worthwhile purchase."

"The variety of hardnesses in this set is excellent, and the smooth, reliable graphite lives up to the brand’s high standards. The metal case adds a classy touch, and these pencils work wonderfully for artists at any skill level. I’ve already bought them again."

"As an artist new to drawing, I found this set to offer a great selection of graphite pencils that let me explore different techniques. Learning the pencil grades took some time, but it really helped me use them more effectively. I’m sticking with graphite for now, but the variety in this kit gives me room to grow."

"I picked up these pencils for my grandchild so we could draw together. The box keeps everything organized, and the different levels of hardness are perfect for learning shading and drawing basics. Great starter kit for anyone just beginning."

"Compared to other brands, these pencils stand out for their centered graphite leads and a comfortable round design—much better than the hexagonal ones I tried before. The variety in hardness is super helpful as I figure out which pencils I use most."