Best Pencils of 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
Top 10 Pencils
Amazon Basics Woodcased Pencils
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.
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers
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.
Amazon Basics Pre-sharpened Pencils - Box of 150
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.
BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencils
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.
BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils
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.
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils
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.
Paper Mate Handwriting Triangular Mechanical Pencil Set
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.
Amazon Basics Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Count
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.
BIC Xtra-Strong Mechanical Pencils, 24-Count Pack
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.
Nicpro Carpenter Pencil Set
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| 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 |
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