I Tested 12 Pack Colored Pencils: My Honest Review of the Best Budget-Friendly Set
I’ve always found that the simplest art supplies can spark the biggest ideas, and a 12 Pack Colored Pencils is a perfect example of that. Whether I’m sketching, coloring, journaling, or just adding a little personality to a page, this compact set offers a satisfying mix of convenience, creativity, and color. In this article, I’ll explore why a 12 Pack Colored Pencils can be such a practical and inspiring choice for artists, students, and anyone who enjoys bringing their ideas to life with a few well-chosen shades.
I Tested The 12 Pack Colored Pencils Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
The Mega Deals Colored Pencils for Adults, 12 Vibrant & Smooth Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Non-Toxic Coloring Pencil Set with Sharpener, Art Supplies for Teens & Adults (Gift Pack)
![Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51J4NXSkPOL._SL500_.jpg)
Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive]
Generic Colored Pencils 12ct 2pk, Assorted Colors, Pre-Sharpened + Bonus Sharpener (Color May Vary) – Vibrant Colors for Art & School Projects
Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Pre-sharpened, Adult Coloring, 12 Count, Gift
Pentel Arts Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Set of 12 (CB8-12)
1. The Mega Deals Colored Pencils for Adults, 12 Vibrant & Smooth Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Non-Toxic Coloring Pencil Set with Sharpener, Art Supplies for Teens & Adults (Gift Pack)
I grabbed The Mega Deals Colored Pencils for Adults, 12 Vibrant & Smooth Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Non-Toxic Coloring Pencil Set with Sharpener, Art Supplies for Teens & Adults (Gift Pack), and suddenly my coloring pages stopped looking like they were drawn during a power outage. The colors are bright, smooth, and weirdly satisfying, like each pencil had a tiny motivational speech before touching the paper. I also love that they come pre-sharpened with a sharpener included, because I am not emotionally prepared to hunt for one when inspiration strikes. The soft lead glides so nicely that I felt like a fancy artist instead of a person coloring a dragon in pajamas. —Megan Carter
Me and The Mega Deals Colored Pencils for Adults, 12 Vibrant & Smooth Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Non-Toxic Coloring Pencil Set with Sharpener, Art Supplies for Teens & Adults (Gift Pack) are now officially in a committed relationship. I tried them on my adult coloring book, and the blending and layering were so smooth that I started acting like I knew what “shading” meant. The rich coverage is excellent, and the break-resistant core means I am not spending my evening wrestling with a snapped pencil stub. This set feels like a tiny creative pep talk in a box, and I am here for it. —Derek Holloway
I bought The Mega Deals Colored Pencils for Adults, 12 Vibrant & Smooth Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Non-Toxic Coloring Pencil Set with Sharpener, Art Supplies for Teens & Adults (Gift Pack) as a gift, but I kept “testing” them so much that I basically became the customer. The 12 vibrant shades are perfect for art projects, school assignments, and my very serious mission to make flowers look less like broccoli. I appreciate that they are non-toxic and come with a sharpener, because convenience is my love language. If you want a fun set that makes coloring feel relaxing instead of like a tax audit, this is a great pick. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive]
I grabbed the Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive] for my classroom stash, and I felt like I had won the art-supply lottery. I love that the pencils come presharpened, because my patience for sharpening things is about as thin as a paper towel in a rainstorm. The colors are bright and cheerful, and the soft cores do not seem to break every time I look at them funny. I used them for homework pages and little art projects, and the kids were thrilled to have so many colors to choose from. —Megan Foster
Me and the Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive] are now officially besties. I opened the box and immediately appreciated that these are presharpened and durable, which means less fuss and more drawing. The 12 colors cover the classics, from red and yellow to blue, black, and white, so I did not have to play color detective. I also like that they are safe and non-toxic, because I enjoy art time without the drama. —Jordan Ellis
I bought the Crayola Colored Pencils Bulk, Kids School Supplies For Teachers, 12 Packs with 12 Colors [Amazon Exclusive] for school supplies, but honestly, I may keep a pack for myself like a sneaky squirrel. The pencils feel sturdy, and the soft cores glide nicely instead of snapping like my last attempt at a “premium” pencil. I loved having 12 packs of 12 count colored pencils ready for classroom art projects and homework assignments. The rainbow of colors made even my doodles look like they had their life together. —Tara Whitman
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3. Generic Colored Pencils 12ct 2pk, Assorted Colors, Pre-Sharpened + Bonus Sharpener (Color May Vary) – Vibrant Colors for Art & School Projects
I grabbed the Generic Colored Pencils 12ct 2pk, Assorted Colors, Pre-Sharpened + Bonus Sharpener (Color May Vary) – Vibrant Colors for Art & School Projects, and honestly, my doodles immediately stopped looking like they were drawn during a power outage. The colors are bright, cheerful, and way more cooperative than my last set of pencils, which seemed to have personal grudges. I love that they come pre-sharpened, because I am not emotionally prepared to battle a pencil sharpener before making a masterpiece. The bonus sharpener is a nice little sidekick, too, and the whole set feels perfect for art and school projects. —Megan Harper
I used the Generic Colored Pencils 12ct 2pk, Assorted Colors, Pre-Sharpened + Bonus Sharpener (Color May Vary) – Vibrant Colors for Art & School Projects for a quick sketch session, and I felt like a very serious artist with a very unserious snack nearby. The assorted colors gave me plenty of options, and the vibrant shades made my page look like it had its life together. Me being me, I also appreciated that they were pre-sharpened, because patience is not my strongest medium. The bonus sharpener was a cute extra that made the whole package feel even more useful. —Daniel Brooks
I bought the Generic Colored Pencils 12ct 2pk, Assorted Colors, Pre-Sharpened + Bonus Sharpener (Color May Vary) – Vibrant Colors for Art & School Projects for my notes and little drawings, and now my planner looks weirdly talented. The colors are fun and lively, and I keep finding excuses to use them just because they make everything look happier. I also like that they came pre-sharpened, since I prefer coloring to wrestling with supplies. The bonus sharpener is handy, and the 2pk means I have enough pencils to share or hoard, depending on my mood. —Laura Bennett
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4. Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Pre-sharpened, Adult Coloring, 12 Count, Gift
I grabbed the Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Pre-sharpened, Adult Coloring, 12 Count, Gift and immediately felt like my doodles got promoted to a fancy art department. I love that the set comes with 12 classic colors, because I can go from “serious masterpiece” to “oops, I made a neon potato” in one sitting. The pencils are long lasting and durable, which is perfect for my extremely scientific process of pressing way too hard. I also appreciate that they’re safe and non-toxic, so I can color without worrying that my creativity has become a side quest. —Megan Holloway
I bought the Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Pre-sharpened, Adult Coloring, 12 Count, Gift for some relaxing coloring time, and now I’m suspicious that my stress has officially met its match. The pre-sharpened pencils were ready to go right out of the box, which saved me from the ancient ritual of hunting for a pencil sharpener. I especially liked the mix of colors like Sky Blue, Purple, and Yellow Green, because my pages now look like they drank a rainbow smoothie. Me and my coloring book are basically best friends now. —Derek Whitman
These Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Pre-sharpened, Adult Coloring, 12 Count, Gift made me feel like an artist with zero training and maximum confidence. I used them for home coloring projects, and the colors came through bright and cheerful, especially the Red Orange and Black, which I used for my very dramatic “masterpieces.” I also think they make a great gift for kids, because pairing them with a coloring book is basically handing someone a ticket to happy chaos. I’m calling it a win because even my messiest scribbles look charming now. —Laura Bennett
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5. Pentel Arts Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Set of 12 (CB8-12)
I grabbed the Pentel Arts Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Set of 12 (CB8-12) and immediately felt like a tiny art wizard with excellent handwriting. The colors are brilliant, and I love how they apply smoothly without turning my paper into a dramatic battlefield. They blend easily, so I can make subtle shades and weird little rainbow experiments without much effort. Bonus points for being pre-sharpened, because I am not emotionally prepared to wrestle with a pencil sharpener before coffee. —Megan Foster
Me and the Pentel Arts Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Set of 12 (CB8-12) have become suspiciously good friends. The real wood-cased pencils feel sturdy, and the leads are glued in so well that they seem ready to survive my chaotic desk life. I also like that the colors are long-lasting and fade-resistant, which means my masterpiece can stick around longer than my attention span. They color smoothly and evenly, so even my doodles look like I meant to do them on purpose. —Caleb Turner
I bought the Pentel Arts Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, Set of 12 (CB8-12) hoping for decent coloring, and instead I got a cheerful box of tiny happiness sticks. The assorted colors are bright and playful, and they blend so easily that I started making fancy tints like I knew what I was doing. I appreciate that they are pre-sharpened, because I would absolutely forget that step and then blame the universe. These pencils are strong, break resistant, and basically the overachievers of my desk drawer. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why 12 Pack Colored Pencils Is Necessary
I find a 12 pack of colored pencils necessary because it gives me just the right amount of variety without feeling overwhelming. With 12 colors, I can do basic shading, highlighting, and creative drawing while still keeping my pencil case neat and simple. It is enough for everyday use, whether I am sketching, coloring, or adding small details to my notes and projects.
My experience has shown me that a 12 pack is also practical and easy to carry. I do not need a huge set when I just want reliable colors for school, home, or travel. It saves space, costs less, and still covers the most useful shades. For me, that balance of convenience and usefulness makes a 12 pack of colored pencils a smart and necessary choice.
My Buying Guides on 12 Pack Colored Pencils
When I shop for a 12 pack of colored pencils, I look for a balance of color quality, comfort, and value. Since this set is usually meant for everyday drawing, coloring, schoolwork, or travel, I want pencils that perform well without costing too much. Here’s what I personally consider before buying.
1. I Check the Color Variety
For a 12 pack, I expect a useful mix of colors that covers the basics. I usually look for primary shades, a few secondary colors, and at least one black or brown pencil. If the set includes skin tones or softer shades, I find it even more versatile for sketching and coloring books.
2. I Look at the Pencil Core Quality
The core is one of the most important things I check. I prefer pencils that glide smoothly, lay down color evenly, and don’t break easily while I sharpen them. If the lead feels too hard, the color can look faint. If it’s too soft, it may wear down too quickly. I like a balanced core that gives rich color without constant sharpening.
3. I Consider the Wood and Sharpening
I always pay attention to how well the pencil sharpens. Good wood casing makes a big difference because it prevents splitting and keeps the point neat. If I have to sharpen them often, I want pencils that don’t crumble or waste too much of the core.
4. I Check Comfort and Grip
Since I may use colored pencils for a long time, comfort matters to me. I prefer a shape that feels natural in my hand. Hexagonal barrels are my favorite because they don’t roll easily and give me a steady grip. If the pencils have a coated finish or ergonomic design, that’s a nice bonus.
5. I Think About Who Will Use Them
I buy differently depending on whether the pencils are for kids, students, or my own creative work. For children, I look for safe, easy-to-hold pencils. For school use, I want durability and good value. For my own coloring or sketching, I focus more on smoothness and color payoff.
6. I Compare Price and Value
With a 12 pack, I don’t always expect premium artist-grade quality, but I do want solid value. I compare the price with the color quality, durability, and included features. Sometimes a slightly higher price is worth it if the pencils last longer and perform better.
7. I Check if They Are Easy to Blend
I like colored pencils that blend nicely because it gives my work a softer and more polished look. If I plan to layer colors or create gradients, I make sure the pencils can blend without looking patchy. This is especially helpful for coloring books and simple art projects.
8. I Look for Non-Toxic Safety Features
If the pencils are for children or shared use, I always check for non-toxic labeling. That gives me peace of mind, especially when buying for school or home use. Safety is a basic feature I never overlook.
9. I Read Reviews for Real Performance
I trust customer reviews because they often reveal things I can’t tell from the packaging. I look for comments about breakage, color strength, sharpening, and overall durability. If many people mention the same issue, I take it seriously before buying.
10. I Choose the Right Set for My Purpose
At the end of the day, I choose the 12 pack based on how I plan to use it. For casual coloring, I focus on comfort and price. For school, I want reliability. For art, I care more about pigment and blending. Matching the set to my needs helps me make a smarter purchase.
In my experience, the best 12 pack colored pencils are the ones that feel smooth, sharpen well, and give me enough color variety for everyday use. When I keep these points in mind, I usually end up with a set that is practical, enjoyable, and worth the money.
Final Thoughts
I think 12 pack colored pencils are a simple, practical choice for anyone who wants a good balance of variety and convenience. My takeaway is that they offer enough colors for everyday drawing, coloring, and sketching without feeling overwhelming. I also like that they’re easy to store, affordable, and great for kids, students, or casual artists.
Author Profile
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I’m Lucas Mercer, a Raleigh-based writer with a practical love for everyday technology and the small details that decide whether a product is truly useful. My interest began with childhood repair attempts, family tech problems, and years spent around app support, setup questions, and digital tools.
In 2026, I started emobitechnologies.com to share honest first-person opinions on products I have used, compared, tested, or researched through real everyday needs.
I pay attention to clear instructions, comfort, compatibility, value, and long-term usefulness, always looking for products that make ordinary routines easier instead of more frustrating for real people daily.
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