Colour Pencils Price Comparison
Compare 271 colour pencils from STABILO, Faber-Castell and Derwent. Find the best price across top UK retailers and choose the right set for your needs.
Colour Pencils price comparison UK
Colour pencils span a surprisingly wide spectrum — from a basic 12-piece Staedtler Noris set for the school bag to professional Derwent or Caran d'Ache collections that serious artists invest in for a lifetime. Our catalogue of 271 products, priced from 42 £ to 42 £, reflects just how fragmented this market really is. STABILO dominates in sheer volume, with 76 products averaging around the median price point, while Derwent and Caran d'Ache sit firmly at the premium end — and the gap in quality is real, not just marketing.
What separates a decent set from a great one isn't the number of colours on the box. It's the pigment load and lightfastness — two factors that budget brands rarely advertise for good reason. A vivid-looking pencil that fades within months under normal light is poor value at any price. Professional-grade pencils carry ASTM lightfastness ratings (I or II), meaning the colours will remain stable for decades. For children's colouring and school use, this matters far less than ASTM D4236 non-toxic certification and a core that won't snap every time it's sharpened.
The binder system is another dividing line. Wax-based pencils — the standard for most sets from BIC, Crayola, and entry-level Faber-Castell — are soft, blend easily, and feel satisfying to use. The trade-off is wax bloom over time and faster wear. Oil-based formulations, such as the STABILO CarbOthello range, are harder, longer-lasting, and deliver richer colour saturation, but they demand more technique. For graphite pencils used alongside, the same principle applies: harder grades for detail, softer for shading.
It's also worth thinking about core diameter. The STABILO Trio Thick range, with its chunky 6–8mm core, is genuinely better for younger children still developing their grip — not just a gimmick. The Woody 3 in 1, with its 10mm+ core, doubles as a watercolour and wax crayon, which makes it a versatile classroom tool. Artists working on detailed illustration, however, will want a standard 3–4mm core that sharpens to a fine point. If you're building a complete creative toolkit, pairing colour pencils with crayons or charcoal pencils often makes more sense than buying the largest colour pencil set available.
Prices shift noticeably around key retail events — Black Friday and the January sales regularly bring Faber-Castell and Staedtler sets down significantly. Comparing across retailers like Amazon, Currys, and John Lewis before buying is worth the two minutes it takes, particularly on mid-range sets where the spread between merchants can be substantial.
How to Choose the Right Colour Pencils
With sets ranging from 42 £ to well over 42 £, the colour pencil market rewards those who know what to look for. The wrong choice isn't just a waste of money — a set with poor lightfastness or a crumbling core actively gets in the way of good work. Here's what actually matters, depending on who's using them and why.
Lightfastness and pigment quality
This is the single most important criterion for anyone creating artwork they want to keep. ASTM I-rated pigments resist fading for over a century; ASTM III-rated ones may shift noticeably within 15 years. Budget sets — and many mid-range ones — carry no lightfastness rating at all, which is itself a red flag. Derwent and Caran d'Ache publish per-colour ratings; Faber-Castell Polychromos are consistently ASTM I or II. For school use or casual colouring, unrated pencils are perfectly fine. For finished artwork, don't compromise here.
Core thickness: matching the pencil to the user
A 3–4mm standard core suits detailed work and older children or adults. Thicker cores (6–8mm, as in the STABILO Trio range) are significantly better for younger children — they're harder to snap, easier to grip, and more forgiving when pressure is uneven. The STABILO Woody's 10mm+ core is almost indestructible and works on paper, cardboard, stone, and wood, making it ideal for early years settings. Don't buy a standard-core set for a five-year-old expecting it to survive the term.
Wax vs oil-based binder: technique matters
Wax-based pencils (the majority of sets from Staedtler, BIC, Crayola) blend smoothly and feel soft under the hand — great for layering and blending techniques. The downside is wax bloom: a faint hazy film that can develop on finished work over time, requiring a fixative spray. Oil-based pencils (STABILO CarbOthello, Faber-Castell Polychromos) are harder, more durable, and produce richer saturation without bloom, but they require more pressure and technique to blend. If you're just starting out with colour pencil art, wax-based is more forgiving.
Set size: don't be seduced by pencil count alone
A 12-colour set covers the basics for school work. A 24-colour set handles most everyday illustration needs. Beyond 36 colours, you're buying intermediate shades and specialist hues — genuinely useful for portraiture and botanical illustration, but largely redundant for general use. The BIC 288-piece bulk sets are designed for classroom supply, not individual artistry. Assess whether the palette composition actually suits your work before assuming bigger is better. A well-chosen 36-piece set from Faber-Castell will outperform a 120-piece budget set on almost every technical measure.
Safety certification for children's use
For products used by children, ASTM D4236 compliance and CE marking are non-negotiable. These confirm the pencils have been assessed for health hazards and contain no harmful substances at dangerous concentrations. Most established brands (STABILO, Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Crayola) meet these standards as standard. Some very cheap unbranded sets sold online do not — worth checking before buying for classroom or nursery use. The Staedtler Noris range is a reliable, well-priced option that ticks all safety boxes.
Sharpening behaviour and core durability
A pencil that crumbles every time it's sharpened is infuriating and uneconomical. Harder cores (typical of Staedtler and Faber-Castell) sharpen cleanly and hold a point well. Very soft, high-pigment cores (common in premium artist pencils) require a quality sharpener and a gentle touch. The wood casing matters too — cheap wood can split or bind in the sharpener. If you're buying for a classroom where pencils will be sharpened dozens of times, prioritise durability over softness.
- School bag essentials (From 42 £ to 42 £) : Staedtler Noris, Crayola, and STABILO Trio Thick 12-piece sets live here. Perfectly adequate for homework, colouring books, and classroom use. Don't expect lightfastness ratings or premium blendability — but for the purpose, they're honest, safe, and good value. Crayola is the go-to for younger children; Staedtler Noris for slightly older pupils who need a reliable sharpening experience.
- The sweet spot (From 42 £ to 42 £) : This is where the market gets interesting. STABILO Trio Thick 24-piece, Staedtler 36-colour sets, and entry-level Faber-Castell packs sit here. You get broader palettes, better core quality, and more consistent colour saturation. A solid choice for hobbyists, art students, and anyone who colours regularly. The STABILO Woody 3 in 1 10-piece also falls in this range — worth considering if versatility matters more than precision.
- Serious hobbyist territory (From 42 £ to 42 £) : Mid-range Faber-Castell, Lyra, and larger STABILO CarbOthello sets. Noticeably better pigment quality, more complete palettes (36–48 colours), and proper lightfastness on many colours. Faber-Castell's Grip range offers excellent ergonomics alongside improved colour performance. Worth the step up if you're producing work you want to keep or share.
- Professional and collector grade (Over 42 £) : Derwent Lightfast, Caran d'Ache Luminance, and Artexport professional sets. These are tools for serious artists — ASTM I lightfastness across the range, exceptional blendability, and colour consistency that justifies the price over years of use. Derwent averages 42 £ at the top end. Not for casual use, but if colour pencil is your primary medium, the investment pays off.
Top products
- Staedtler Noris colour 185 Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Blue, Light Green, Magenta, Orange, Peach, Red, Violet, Yellow 12 pc(s) (Staedtler) : The most-compared set in the category and for good reason — reliable core quality, clean sharpening, and proper safety certification at the lowest price point. Not for serious artwork, but unbeatable for school use.
- STABILO Trio Thick Multi 24 pc(s) (STABILO) : The best all-round option for younger children: thick ergonomic core, 24 colours, and a triangular grip that genuinely helps developing hands. A step up from basic sets without a dramatic price jump.
- STABILO Woody 3 in 1 Multicolour 18 pc(s) (STABILO) : Genuinely versatile — colour pencil, watercolour, and wax crayon in one. The 18-piece set covers a solid palette for mixed-media and classroom use. Don't buy it if fine detail is the priority; do buy it if durability and flexibility matter more.
- STABILO CarbOthello Multicolour 48 pc(s) (STABILO) : The standout choice for artists who want oil-based performance without Derwent prices. The 48-colour palette is comprehensive, saturation is excellent, and the chalk-pastel hybrid feel is distinctive. Overkill for casual use, but excellent value at this level.
- Staedtler 185 CD24 colour pencil Multicolour 24 pc(s) (Staedtler) : A 24-colour Staedtler Noris set at a remarkably low price — hard to fault for the money. Core quality is consistent, the palette covers all the essentials, and it sharpens cleanly. The go-to recommendation for budget-conscious parents and teachers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does lightfastness mean, and does it matter for colour pencils?
Lightfastness measures how resistant a pigment is to fading when exposed to light over time. It matters enormously for artwork you intend to display or keep — ASTM I-rated pigments remain stable for over a century, while unrated budget pencils can fade visibly within a few years. For school colouring or casual use, lightfastness is largely irrelevant. For finished artwork, always check whether the brand publishes ASTM ratings per colour — Derwent and Caran d'Ache do; most budget brands don't.
Are the STABILO Woody 3 in 1 pencils actually worth buying, or is the multi-function claim just marketing?
The Woody 3 in 1 genuinely works as a colour pencil, watercolour, and wax crayon — it's not just a marketing claim. The thick 10mm+ core is highly durable and writes on almost any surface, making it excellent for early years classrooms and mixed-media projects. The trade-off is precision: you won't achieve fine detail with it. If you need a versatile, near-indestructible tool for young children or experimental art, it's a solid buy. If you need accuracy, look elsewhere.
What's the difference between wax-based and oil-based colour pencils?
Wax-based pencils are softer, blend more easily, and are the standard for most consumer sets — but they can develop wax bloom (a faint hazy film) on finished work over time. Oil-based pencils, such as the STABILO CarbOthello range, are harder and more durable, deliver richer colour saturation, and don't bloom. They require more pressure and technique to blend effectively. For beginners, wax-based is more forgiving; for experienced artists prioritising longevity and saturation, oil-based is worth the step up.
How many colours do I actually need in a set?
For school and general use, 12–24 colours cover the vast majority of needs. A 24-colour set handles most illustration and colouring book work without leaving obvious gaps in the palette. Beyond 36 colours, you're buying intermediate shades and specialist hues that only become useful for complex portraiture, botanical illustration, or professional work. Bulk sets of 96–288 pencils are designed for classroom supply — the per-pencil cost is low, but the palette composition is often repetitive and the quality inconsistent.
Which colour pencils are safest for young children?
Look for ASTM D4236 compliance and CE marking — these confirm the pencils have been assessed for toxicity and meet safety standards. STABILO, Staedtler, Faber-Castell, and Crayola all meet these requirements as standard. The Staedtler Noris range and STABILO Trio Thick are particularly well-suited to younger children, combining safety certification with thick, break-resistant cores. Avoid very cheap unbranded sets sold online that carry no visible safety certification.
Should I avoid buying the cheapest colour pencil sets?
Not necessarily — but know what you're getting. Sets priced from 42 £ to 42 £ are perfectly adequate for school use, colouring books, and children's craft projects. Where cheap sets genuinely disappoint is core durability (they snap when sharpened), colour consistency (batches vary), and lightfastness (colours fade). For casual use, the Staedtler Noris 12-piece at the lower end of the range is a reliable exception — decent quality at a budget price. For anything beyond basic use, the step up to the 42 £–42 £ range is worth making.
What colour pencils do professional artists use in 2026?
Derwent Lightfast and Caran d'Ache Luminance are the two most respected professional colour pencil ranges among working artists. Both offer ASTM I lightfastness across their full colour ranges, exceptional pigment load, and consistent blendability. Faber-Castell Polychromos is a strong mid-to-professional option at a lower price point, with reliable ASTM I/II ratings. All three are oil-based or hybrid formulations, which professional artists generally prefer for their durability and resistance to wax bloom.