Key takeaways
- Colored pencil sets run from a dozen-count box meant for a third-grade classroom to a 120-color tin that wants a place on a studio desk.
Colored pencil sets run from a dozen-count box meant for a third-grade classroom to a 120-color tin that wants a place on a studio desk. Buying the wrong one is easy, because the headline number is not the whole story. A bigger count means more shades but also more pencils to sharpen, store, and lose, and a “soft core” label tells a very different story from a pre-sharpened classroom pack. The practical decision comes down to who is holding the pencil: a child, a beginner filling in coloring pages, or an adult hobbyist who wants to blend and layer.
This guide is for gift buyers, parents, teachers, and adult coloring fans who want a set that matches the use rather than the biggest number on the box. The seven picks cover small starter tins, large 120-color collections with sketchbooks, a no-sharpen twist-up set for kids, and a bulk classroom pack. Based on the listed specs, the differences show up in pencil count, core softness, extras such as sharpeners or books, and whether the set targets adults or children. Heading into 2026 gift season, those extras often decide the purchase, so the table below breaks down what each package includes.
Quick Picks
Our top picks
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| KALOUR 72 Count | Adult coloring books and beginners | 72 pencils, soft core, drawing and shading |
| PRINA 120 Colors | Artists wanting a big palette | 120 colors with sketchbook |
| Kird Barken 80 | Blending and layering | 80 pencils, oil-based soft core |
| Crayola Twistables 50 | Young kids | 50 count, no sharpening needed |
| 136 PCS Complete Set | Gift-ready all-in-one kit | 120 pencils, sketchbook, coloring book, sharpener, color chart |
| finenolo 36 Pack | Starter set for adults | 36 pencils, soft core, sharpener |
| 336 Pack Classroom Bulk | Teachers and group activities | 12 colors, pre-sharpened, 36 sharpeners |
How to Choose
Pencil count and who will use it
Thirty-six pencils cover the basics for an adult learning to shade, 72 to 80 gives enough range for skin tones, foliage, and sky gradients, and 120 is a collection for people who already know they enjoy the hobby. Children rarely need more than 24 to 50, and large counts mostly add clutter. For a classroom or party, the bulk pack with 12 colors per set and extra sharpeners is built for group use rather than detailed art, and its pre-sharpened tips save time before the first activity.
Core type and blending
A soft core lays down color with light pressure and blends easily, which is why several titles use that phrase for adult sets. Pressing lightly and building layers gives richer results than pressing hard, so a beginner who keeps breaking tips probably needs a lighter hand, not a different set. A quick test on a scrap of the paper that will be used shows how a set really behaves. Oil-based cores, as named on the Kird Barken, are designed to feel smooth and layer well, though the details of pigment and lightfastness should be confirmed on the listing. Harder cores hold a point longer for fine detail but can look streaky. If the pencil will be used for large areas of flat color, soft cores save hand fatigue, but they wear down faster and need sharpening more often.
Extras, tins, and accessories
Many sets bundle a sharpener, a coloring book, a sketchbook, a color chart, or a tutorial. These are useful for gifts but can hide a weaker pencil, so judge the pencils first. Some gift-oriented bundles add a pencil case or a pad, and those are worth having, but a book of coloring pages is easy to replace later and should not drive the decision. A tin that survives a backpack or a move is worth more than an extra sketchbook that never leaves the shelf. A color chart helps identify shades without testing each pencil, and a sharpener matters because soft cores break in a poor one. Look for a tin or case that stores pencils flat and stays closed, since loose pencils with chipped tips are a common complaint on large sets.
What to ignore and where budgets cut corners
Ignore vague phrases like professional and vibrant, since nearly every adult set uses them. Budget sets often cut corners on pigment strength, wood quality, and packaging, which shows up as faint color or cores that break inside the wood. For kids, check the age guidance and non-toxic labeling on the listing and supervise younger children. Parents shopping for a mixed-age household can pair a kid-friendly twist-up set with a separate soft-core tin for the older artist, which prevents the good pencils from disappearing into craft drawers. For gift buyers, a smaller set from a reliable maker usually beats a very large one with unclear materials.
The 7 Best Options
KALOUR 72 Count
A 72-pencil soft core set aimed at adult coloring books, drawing, blending, and shading, and positioned as a gift for adults, kids, and beginners.
- Strength: 72 shades give a broad palette without overwhelming a beginner.
- Strength: soft core and shading focus suit coloring pages.
- Trade-off: the title does not list a sharpener or case details.
Skip it if a ready-to-use kit with books and tools in the box is the goal. Buyers should also check the listing for the case or tin, since 72 loose pencils need somewhere sturdy to live, and a flimsy box makes a gift feel cheaper than it is.
PRINA 120 Colors
A 120-color set that includes a sketchbook, described as professional and vibrant for adults, coloring books, and drawing.
- Strength: 120 colors cover subtle shade steps for realistic work.
- Strength: the included sketchbook gives immediate practice space.
- Trade-off: a big set means more upkeep and a bigger storage footprint.
Skip it if the buyer is new to the hobby and just wants a few reliable colors. Beginners often feel overwhelmed choosing between 120 near-identical greens, and a smaller set teaches color mixing more directly. Confirm on the listing how the pencils are organized and whether a color chart is included.
Kird Barken 80
An 80-pencil oil-based soft core set for adult coloring books, art gifts, and beginners through artists.
- Strength: oil-based soft core is designed for smooth laydown and layering.
- Strength: 80 colors balance range and manageability.
- Trade-off: no sharpener or book is named in the title.
Skip it if a bundle with extras is more important than the pencils. Anyone wanting pencils for fine linework should also consider how often soft oil-based leads need sharpening, and buy a good sharpener separately, since soft cores can snap in a dull one.
Crayola Twistables 50
A 50-count twist-up set made for kids, with no sharpening needed, listed as a stocking stuffer, holiday gift, or school supply.
- Strength: no sharpening means less mess and less adult help.
- Strength: a recognizable brand name and a 50-color range suit kids.
- Trade-off: twist-up leads do not allow fine detail like a sharpened point.
Skip it if the artist is an adult or older teen who wants a fine point and blending. Twist-up pencils also run out as the lead is used, so there is no way to sharpen the last stub, and replacement is by set rather than by individual color.
136 PCS Complete Set
A gift-ready kit with 120 colored pencils plus a sketchbook, coloring book, sharpener, tutorial, and color chart, made for adult coloring with soft core pencils.
- Strength: everything needed to start is in the box.
- Strength: color chart and tutorial help new users.
- Trade-off: the sheer number of items may include accessories of mixed quality.
Skip it if the preference is a smaller set from one brand with no extras. Large bundles tend to pad the item count with small accessories, so read the listing carefully and treat the 136 figure as a total of pencils plus extras, with 120 of them being the pencils themselves.
finenolo 36 Pack
A 36-pencil soft core set with a sharpener for adult coloring books, drawing, and beginner artists.
- Strength: 36 colors cover most coloring needs.
- Strength: included sharpener makes it ready to use.
- Trade-off: a smaller palette limits subtle blending.
Skip it if skin tones and detailed landscapes are the main use. Realistic work needs several close shades of each hue, and 36 colors leave gaps that have to be filled by layering. It is a fine first set to find out whether the hobby sticks before investing in a larger one.
336 Pack Classroom Bulk
A bulk pack of pre-sharpened colored pencils in sets of 12 colors, with 36 sharpeners, intended for classrooms and groups.
- Strength: pre-sharpened tips save setup time.
- Strength: bulk quantity with sharpeners suits events and teachers.
- Trade-off: it targets group use, not detailed art.
Skip it if one person needs a premium art set. A 12-color classroom assortment does not offer the range for shading, and the pencils are designed for volume rather than blending. Storage also needs thought, since hundreds of pencils require bins, labels, and a plan for who collects the stubs.
Which One Fits Your Situation
A gift for an adult new to coloring books
The 136 PCS Complete Set or the KALOUR 72 Count give broad palettes, with the first bundling a book and sharpener for an immediate start.
A young child
The Crayola Twistables 50 removes sharpening, which spares a parent the daily chore of finding a working sharpener. Follow the age guidance on the listing and supervise use.
A teacher stocking a classroom
The 336 Pack Classroom Bulk ships with sharpeners and pre-sharpened tips, which keeps group activities moving. For party favors, art clubs, and library events, a bulk pack stretches further than buying many small sets.
A hobbyist moving to blending
The Kird Barken 80 oil-based soft core, or the PRINA 120 with a sketchbook, suits layering practice.
Common Mistakes
- Buying the highest count without checking whether a sharpener is included.
- Pressing too hard with soft cores, which breaks tips and wastes pencil.
- Choosing a classroom pack for detailed art and expecting rich pigment.
- Storing loose pencils where they are dropped, which can crack cores inside the wood.
- Judging a set only by bundled extras instead of the pencils themselves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors do beginners need?
Thirty-six covers the basics, and 72 to 80 allows more shading. Larger sets help advanced users with subtle gradients, but a smaller set used well beats a big one left in the box.
What is a soft core pencil?
A soft core releases pigment with light pressure and blends easily, but wears faster. Hard cores hold detail and break less.
Are oil-based pencils different from wax-based ones?
The descriptions refer to different core binders, which can change how smooth and layerable the pencils feel. Check the listing for binder details, and look at how each brand describes lightfastness if the artwork is meant to hang on a wall for years. Sunlight can fade some pigments over time.
Are these safe for children?
Check the age guidance and safety labeling on each listing, and supervise young children. Kids’ sets are designed for that use, while adult sets may not be.
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