Best Pencils of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2026

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Pencils are a staple in any office environment. They are versatile, affordable, and easy to use. Whether you need to take notes, sketch out ideas, or fill out forms, pencils are the go-to writing instrument. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and hardness levels, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs. Pencils are also eco-friendly, as they can be sharpened and reused multiple times before needing to be replaced. With their simplicity and reliability, pencils are a must-have for any office setting.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils Cover #TOP 1
Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils
ftb score rating icon 9.9
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers Cover #TOP 2
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Amazon Basics Pre-sharpened Pencils - Box of 150 Cover #TOP 3
Amazon Basics Pre-sharpened Pencils - Box of 150
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Pencils

#TOP 1

Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils

Amazon Basics
PHB-30
Orange
Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils Cover
Amazon Basics Woodcased Classroom 2 Pencils with Erasers, Pre-sharpened, HB Lead, Value Pack of 30 count, Orange

Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils are a set of 30 high-quality wood case #2 HB pencils that come pre-sharpened for your convenience. These pencils feature a strong medium-soft lead, which produces long-lasting, smooth, and readable strokes. The rounded hexagonal shape with a satin-smooth finish provides a secure and comfortable grip, allowing you to write or draw with ease. Additionally, these pencils are equipped with a soft, smudge-free, latex-free eraser at the end, making it easy to wipe away any mistakes. Whether you're a student, artist, or just someone who enjoys using pencils, the Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils are a reliable and practical choice.

What We Like
Pre-sharpened convenience
Smooth writing experience
Durable and break-resistant
Easy to spot orange color
Good value for price
What We Don't Like
Erasers could be better
Lightweight feel
#TOP 2

BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers

BIC
MPCE40-BLK
Multi-color
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers Cover
BIC Xtra Smooth Bright Mechanical Pencil, 0.7 mm Medium Point, Refillable & Retractable, 40-Count

BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, also known as the BIC Xtra-Smooth Pencils, are a must-have for all your writing needs. This 40-count pack of medium point mechanical pencils is perfect for school or office supplies. The 0.7mm medium point is versatile and suitable for a variety of everyday writing activities. The high-quality lead ensures that your writing doesn't smudge and erases cleanly, giving your work a neat and professional appearance. The best part is that these pencils are always ready to use and never need sharpening. To advance the lead, simply click the built-in eraser. These pencils are also great for school, as they come with No. 2 lead that's compatible with most standardized tests.

What We Like
Smooth writing experience
Break-resistant lead
Comfortable grip design
Great value bulk pack
Refillable and retractable
What We Don't Like
Erasers wear down quickly
Clips break easily

Amazon Basics Pre-sharpened Pencils - Box of 150

Amazon Basics
PHB-150
Yellow
Amazon Basics Pre-sharpened Pencils - Box of 150 Cover
Amazon Basics Wood-Cased #2 Pencils, Pre-sharpened, HB Lead Bulk Box, 150 Count, Yellow

This bulk box of 150 pre-sharpened pencils is made from high-quality wood with a medium-soft lead to produce long-lasting, smooth, readable strokes. The rounded hexagonal shape with a satin-smooth finish allows for a secure, comfortable grip. Plus, the soft, smudge-free, latex-free eraser secured to the end makes it easy to wipe away mistakes.

What We Like
Pre-sharpened convenience
Smooth, consistent writing
Sturdy, break-resistant lead
Excellent value for bulk
Perfect for classroom use
What We Don't Like
Price increase reduces value
#TOP 4

BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencils

BIC
MPNP24-BLK
BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencils Cover
BIC Xtra-Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencil, 0.7 mm Medium Point, No. 2 Lead, 24-Count

BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencils are the perfect choice for the classroom, standardized testing, and back to school. With their smooth dark writing lead, these pencils provide neat and clear results, making them ideal for all your writing needs. The fun pastel-colored barrels add a pop of color to any desk, bringing a touch of joy to your study or work space. Additionally, the mechanical design eliminates the need for sharpening, making them a smart choice for math class, standardized tests, art class, and more. The smooth-writing lead does not smudge and erases cleanly, ensuring that your work stays clean and professional. Upgrade your writing experience with BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencils.

What We Like
Durable construction
Smooth writing
Vibrant color selection
Comfortable grip
Great value pack
What We Don't Like
Lead may break under pressure
#TOP 5

BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils

BIC
MPP101-Blk
Black
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils Cover
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, Medium Point (0.7mm), 10-Count Pack, Bulk Mechanical Pencils for School or Office Supplies

The BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils are a great choice for all your writing needs. With its smooth-writing no.2 lead, these pencils offer an effortless writing experience. The lead advances easily, ensuring that you don't waste any time while taking notes or completing assignments. The pencils also come with an eraser that allows you to correct any mistakes without leaving any smudges. Whether you are a student preparing for standardized tests or an office professional who needs a reliable writing tool, these mechanical pencils are perfect for you. Each pencil comes with three no.2 leads, so you won't run out of lead in the middle of an important task. The sleek and modern design of these pencils, with a clear barrel and vibrant clip, adds a touch of style to your stationery collection. Upgrade your writing experience with the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils.

What We Like
Smooth writing experience
Clean erasing
Affordable price
Lightweight and comfortable grip
Reliable and durable
What We Don't Like
Plastic feels a bit light
Not refillable erasers
#TOP 6

Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils

Multicolor
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils Cover
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift

The Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils set includes 72 soft lead pencils that are easy to sharpen without breaking, cracking, or crumbling. The colors are rich and easy to blend and shade, making them perfect for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring books. The set comes with an eco-friendly tube for easy storage and organization, and the pencils are made with odorless materials that are safe to use and have a safety certificate EN71. Note that the set is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts.

What We Like
Wide color variety
Smooth and vibrant pigments
Excellent for blending and shading
Good price value
Durable and not easily broken
What We Don't Like
Pencil arrangement could be improved
Packaging may arrive damaged
#TOP 7

Paper Mate Handwriting Triangular Mechanical Pencil Set

2017483
Assorted
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Paper Mate Handwriting Triangular Mechanical Pencil Set Cover
Paper Mate Handwriting Triangular Mechanical Pencil Set with Lead & Eraser Refills, 1.3mm, 8 Count - Back to School, Teacher Supplies, Home, Kids Writing, Fun Barrel Colors

The Paper Mate Triangular Pencil Set is a perfect choice for kids who are learning to write. With its specially designed features, this set offers great control and guidance to early writers. The thick 1.3mm lead ensures less breakage, allowing kids to write smoothly without interruptions. The triangular shape of the pencils helps to guide finger placement, making it easier for children to hold and control the pencils. The set includes 5 triangle pencils in fun barrel colors, along with a refill set of leads and erasers. With this set, kids can enjoy writing while improving their handwriting skills.

What We Like
Comfortable ergonomic grip
Thick, break-resistant lead
Smooth, dark writing
Long-lasting and durable
Suitable for kids and adults
What We Don't Like
Eraser performance slightly lacking
#TOP 8

Amazon Basics Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Count

Amazon Basics
Hobby 4.0-24c
Multicolor
Amazon Basics Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Count Cover
Amazon Basics Colored Pencils for Coloring and Drawing, Premium, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, 24 Count (Pack of 1), Multicolor

Unleash your artistic side with Amazon Basics Premium Colored Pencils. With a wide range of colors to choose from, the artist-quality soft lead delivers rich pigment and smooth application. The pencils are perfect for fine detail drawing, shading, and layering. The set contains 24 premium colored pencils that come in a tin storage case with a built-in tray to keep pencils organized and protected. Plus, it conforms to ASTM D4236 safety standards.

What We Like
Vibrant, rich colors
Smooth, soft core
Easy to blend and layer
Durable cores, minimal breakage
Sturdy, practical tin case
What We Don't Like
Limited color range in small sets
Some pencils may feel slightly hard
#TOP 9

BIC Xtra-Strong Mechanical Pencils, 24-Count Pack

BIC
MPLWP241
Assorted
BIC Xtra-Strong Mechanical Pencils, 24-Count Pack Cover
BIC Xtra Strong Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, Thick Point (0.9mm), 24-Count, Mechanical Pencils for School or Office Supplies

BIC Xtra-Strong Mechanical Pencils are the perfect choice for school supplies. These thick lead mechanical pencils offer dependable performance with break-resistant 0.9mm lead. Lead advances quickly and erases easily for tidy writing and note-taking. The colorful barrel design makes these pencils ideal for sharing.

What We Like
Durable, break-resistant 0.9mm lead
Smooth, clean writing experience
Comfortable, lightweight design
Effective built-in eraser
Great value 24-pack
What We Don't Like
Basic, non-premium design
Thicker point less precise
#TOP 10

Nicpro Carpenter Pencil Set

MG396
Black,Red
2 Pack
Nicpro Carpenter Pencil Set Cover
Nicpro Carpenter Pencil with Sharpener, Mechanical Pencils Set with 26 Refills, Deep Hole Marker for Construction, Heavy Duty Woodworking Tools for Architect (Black, Red) - With Case

The Nicpro Carpenter Pencils offer a complete set that enhances your woodworking experience. With two sturdy pencils and 26 thick refills, you can work more efficiently without worrying about running out of supplies. The unique deep-hole marker design features a 45mm elongated tip, making it easy to reach tight spaces that traditional pencils can't. Plus, the built-in sharpener at the top of each pencil ensures that you can maintain a fine point for precise marking. The 2.8mm solid lead is robust, allowing you to draw and mark without frequent breakage, making it perfect for heavy-duty tasks.

What We Like
Durable, break-resistant lead
Built-in sharpener
Multiple lead colors
Comfortable ergonomic design
Good value package
What We Don't Like
Lead sharpener quality average
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is 2B or HB pencil better for writing?

For writing, both 2B and HB pencils are commonly used. However, most experienced writers and drawers prefer a pencil with a medium degree of hardness like HB or even F. These pencils offer a good balance between darkness and smoothness. Artists who want to express themselves often opt for softer pencils, ranging from 2B to 8B, which provide a wider tonal range for shading and drawing.

2. What is a 4B pencil used for?

A 4B pencil is versatile and can be used for various purposes. With lighter pressure, it produces lighter marks, while applying more pressure creates darker marks. This pencil is commonly used in drawing to achieve different levels of shading and tonal values. It allows artists to create depth and achieve a range of values in their artwork, making it a useful tool for shading and adding contrast.

Editor's Notes

During our pencil research, we found 26 pencil products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 1,311,482 customer reviews through our big data system to write the pencils list. We found that most customers choose pencils with an average price of $5.62.

The pencils are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of pencils, including BIC, Soucolor, PAPER MATE, Nicpro. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.

Pencils Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Amazon Basics BIC Amazon Basics BIC BIC Soucolor PAPER MATE Amazon Basics BIC Nicpro
Writing Instrument Form Graphite Pencil Graphite Pencil Graphite Pencil Mechanical Graphite Pencil Graphite Pencil Colored Pencil Mechanical Graphite Pencil Colored Pencil Graphite Pencil Colored Pencil
Color Orange Multi-color Yellow Graphite Lead; Pastel Barrels Black Multicolor Assorted Multicolor Assorted Black,Red
Ink Color Gray Black Yellow Black Black Multicolor Fun Barrel Colors Multicolor Black Black,Red,Yellow
Age Range (Description) Kid, Teen, Adult Adult Kid, Teen, Adult Adult Adult Adult Kid Adult Kid,Adult Adult
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.1
Where to Buy