title: “Best Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Under 50 Dollars”
slug: best-colored-pencils-under-50 category: 4 Finding quality colored
pencils that won’t empty your wallet shouldn’t feel like a puzzle.
Whether you’re filling in intricate mandalas or shading detailed
landscapes, the right pencils make all the difference — and they don’t
have to cost a fortune. We tested five of the most popular sets that all
come in under 50 dollars to see which ones actually deliver on quality,
color, and comfort.
Quick Comparison
| Pencil Set | Colors | Price Range | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier 72-Color | 72 | ~45 | Blending & layering | Best Overall |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color | 60 | ~48 | Precision & durability | Premium feel, great pigment |
| Arteza Professional 72-Color | 72 | ~35 | Value & variety | Best Budget |
| Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color | 72 | ~30 | Beginners & bold color | Smooth laydown, easy to use |
| Crayola 50-Count | 50 | ~10 | Casual coloring | Decent starter, limited blending |
What to Look for in
Budget Colored Pencils
Before we get into the picks, here’s what actually matters when
you’re shopping for colored pencils on a budget:
- Pigment quality — Cheap pencils often look washed
out on paper. You want rich, saturated color that shows up in one or two
passes. - Blendability — If you can’t layer and blend, you’re
limited to flat coloring. Soft-core pencils blend far better than hard
ones. - Color count — More colors means less mixing, but
only if the colors are actually distinct (not five nearly-identical
blues). - Durability — Some soft pencils crumble or break
constantly. That’s frustrating and wasteful. - Comfort — Thick barrels reduce hand fatigue during
long coloring sessions.
For a deeper dive into blending and shading technique specifically,
check out our guide on how
to blend and shade colored pencils.
1. Prismacolor
Premier 72-Color Set — Best Overall
The Prismacolor Premier set is the gold standard for adult coloring,
and it manages to squeeze in under the 50-dollar mark at the 72-count
size. These pencils have a soft, thick core that lays down color like
butter and blends with almost no effort.
Pros: – Exceptionally soft core — the easiest
pencils to blend with – Rich, vibrant pigment that covers dark paper
well – 72 distinct, well-curated colors (no filler shades) – Widely
available and easy to replace individual pencils
Cons: – Soft cores break more easily if you press
hard or drop them – The wood casing can be inconsistent — some pencils
sharpen poorly – Not ideal for fine detail work (the cores are
thick)
If you’ve read our best
colored pencils for adult coloring roundup, you already know
Prismacolor consistently tops the list. The 72-set hits the sweet spot
between variety and affordability — you get premium performance without
the premium price tag of the larger sets.
The bottom line: If you buy one set, make it this
one. The blending capability alone puts it ahead of everything else at
this price.
2.
Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set — Premium Feel, Fair Price
Faber-Castell’s Polychromos line is what many professional artists
reach for, and the 60-color set brings that oil-based quality in just
under 50 dollars. These are the most different from Prismacolor on this
list — harder cores, oil-based instead of wax-based, and built like
tanks.
Pros: – Oil-based cores hold a sharp point
incredibly well — ideal for detail work – Excellent lightfastness
(colors won’t fade over time) – Sturdy barrels that rarely break –
Smooth, consistent laydown without wax bloom
Cons: – Harder cores mean blending takes more layers
and effort – 60 colors vs. 72 in competing sets – Slightly drier feel
compared to wax-based pencils
Polychromos pencils are the opposite of Prismacolor in feel — where
Prismacolor is soft and buttery, these are precise and controlled. If
you prefer fine detail and clean lines over dreamy blends, this is your
set. They also pair beautifully with Prismacolor if you want to mix wax
and oil-based pencils (more on that in our markers
vs. colored pencils comparison).
The bottom line: The craftsman’s choice. Durable,
precise, and pigment-rich — just know you’ll work harder for those soft
blends.
3. Arteza
Professional 72-Color Set — Best Budget Pick
Arteza has built a reputation for delivering solid quality at prices
that make you do a double take, and their Professional 72-color set is
no exception. At around 35 dollars, it’s the best value on this list by
a comfortable margin.
Pros: – 72 colors at the lowest price per pencil in
this roundup – Soft cores that blend reasonably well – Sturdy tin
packaging that doubles as storage – Good color variety with minimal
duplicate shades
Cons: – Pigment isn’t as rich as Prismacolor or
Polychromos — colors can look slightly muted – Cores are softer than
ideal, leading to more frequent sharpening – Not lightfast-rated, so
colors may shift over time in direct sunlight
For the price, Arteza punches well above its weight. If you’re just
getting into adult coloring and don’t want to commit 50 dollars before
you know if you’ll stick with it, this is the smart buy. It’s also a
great companion to our best
coloring supplies under 25 dollars guide — pair these pencils with a
good sharpener and eraser and you’re set for under 50 total.
The bottom line: The most colors for the least
money. Great for beginners, good for everyone else.
4. Derwent
Chromaflow 72-Color Set — Smooth Operator
Derwent’s Chromaflow line is their answer to Prismacolor’s soft-core
dominance, and at around 30 dollars for 72 colors, it’s aggressively
priced. These pencils lay down color smoothly with minimal pressure —
the “Chromaflow” name isn’t just marketing.
Pros: – Very soft cores that glide across paper –
Strong pigment for the price point – Excellent color coverage with
minimal layering – Round barrel design that’s comfortable to hold
Cons: – Soft cores mean frequent sharpening and some
breakage – Color naming is confusing and hard to reference – Not as
blendable as Prismacolor despite the soft core – Slightly waxy feel can
cause bloom on heavy layers
Chromaflow pencils are a solid choice if you want Prismacolor-like
softness at a lower price. They’re especially good for filling in large
areas of color quickly. If you’re comparing them to Prismacolor and want
the deeper analysis, our colored
pencils for adult coloring guide breaks down the differences in
detail.
The bottom line: Smooth, affordable, and colorful. A
strong contender if you want softness on a budget, though not quite at
Prismacolor’s level.
5. Crayola 50-Count — The
Casual Choice
Let’s be honest — Crayola isn’t trying to compete with Prismacolor.
But at around 10 dollars for 50 pencils, they’re worth including because
plenty of people start here (and some stay here happily). These are the
pencils most of us grew up with, and they’ve actually improved over the
years.
Pros: – Unbeatable price — cheapest per-pencil cost
you’ll find – Widely available in stores everywhere – Hard cores hold a
point well for basic detail – Nostalgic factor (no judgment)
Cons: – Significantly less pigment — colors appear
muted on paper – Poor blending capability — wax buildup and streaking –
Limited to 50 colors with noticeable gaps in the range – Not suitable
for advanced techniques like burnishing or layering
Crayola pencils work fine for casual coloring, especially in simpler
designs. They’re also a smart add-on to our under-25
supplies guide if you want extras for friends or kids. But if you’re
serious about coloring as a hobby, upgrade to any of the other sets on
this list.
The bottom line: Perfectly fine for casual use. Step
up to Arteza or Prismacolor when you’re ready for noticeably better
results.
Accessories Worth
Adding (All Under 15 Dollars)
Even the best pencils need a few sidekicks. Here are three
accessories that make a real difference without breaking the bank:
Kum Automatic Long Point Sharpener — A good
sharpener is non-negotiable with soft-core pencils. The Kum creates a
long, fine point that reduces tip breakage and gives you better control.
It’s the one sharpener that actually works well with Prismacolor and
Arteza pencils.
Kneaded Eraser — For lifting color, softening edges,
and cleaning up stray marks without damaging paper. A kneaded eraser is
gentle enough for colored pencil work and costs less than a coffee.
Prismacolor Colorless Blender — If you pick up the
Prismacolor set (or any wax-based pencils), this blender pencil smooths
out strokes and intensifies colors through burnishing. It’s a small
investment that makes a big visible difference.
Pencil Extender — When your pencils wear down to
stubs (and they will), an extender lets you keep using every last bit
instead of throwing away usable pencil. Saves money over time.
The Final Verdict
Best Overall:
Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set
No surprise here. The Prismacolor Premier 72-set delivers the best
blend of (pun intended) color quality, blendability, color variety, and
price. It’s what most adult colorists should start with and what many
stick with long-term. At under 50 dollars, it’s the set to beat.
👉 Get
Prismacolor Premier on Amazon
Best Budget:
Arteza Professional 72-Color Set
If 45 dollars still feels like a lot, or you want maximum colors per
dollar, the Arteza Professional 72-set is the clear winner. You get the
same color count as Prismacolor for significantly less money, with
quality that’s genuinely good — just not quite at the premium level. For
beginners and budget-conscious colorists, it’s the smart pick.
👉 Get
Arteza Professional on Amazon
Happy coloring — and remember, the best pencils are the ones that
make you want to pick them up again tomorrow.