The right colored pencils make a genuine difference to your mandala coloring experience. The wrong ones — scratchy, waxy, prone to breaking — turn a relaxing activity into a frustrating one. This guide covers the best options at every price point, from affordable starter sets to professional grade pencils worth the investment.
What to Look for in Colored Pencils for Mandalas
Pigment quality — richer pigment means more vibrant color with less effort. High quality pencils lay down color smoothly and evenly.
Lightfastness — if you plan to frame your finished mandalas, choose pencils rated for lightfastness so the colors do not fade over time.
Blendability — the ability to blend two colors together smoothly is important for creating depth and gradient effects in mandala designs.
Core hardness — softer cores blend more easily and produce richer color, but break more easily. Harder cores are more durable but less blendable. Most mandala colorists prefer a medium-soft core.
Range of colors — a set of 36 colors covers most needs. Serious colorists may want 72 or more.
Best Colored Pencils by Budget
Best budget option: Staedtler Noris Colour (24 or 36 pack) Reliable, consistent, widely available, and affordable. The color range is limited but the quality is solid for a beginner set. Good starting point if you are new to mandala coloring and not ready to invest in a premium set.
Best mid-range option: Faber-Castell Polychromos This is where quality takes a significant step up. Polychromos pencils have an oil-based core that blends beautifully, stays sharp well, and produces rich, lightfast color. They are a favorite among mandala colorists worldwide. Available in sets of 24, 36, 60, and 120. The 36-piece set is ideal for most mandala coloring needs.
Best premium option: Prismacolor Premier The wax-based core of Prismacolor pencils produces exceptionally smooth, buttery color that blends almost effortlessly. They are softer than Polychromos, which means they wear down faster, but the blending quality is outstanding. Particularly good for creating smooth gradients across large mandala sections. Available in sets of 24, 48, 72, and 150.
Best watercolor pencil option: Albrecht Dürer by Faber-Castell If you enjoy the idea of watercolor effects in your mandalas, these are the gold standard. Use them dry for precise line work, then activate with a wet brush for soft washes of color. Beautiful for flower and nature mandalas.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Pencils
Keep your pencils sharp — a sharp point gives you control over fine mandala details. A quality pencil sharpener makes a difference.
Store pencils horizontally to prevent the core from cracking inside the casing.
When blending two colors, apply the lighter color first and layer the darker color on top, then blend back with the lighter color again.
A colorless blending pencil (available from most brands) smooths and unifies colored areas without adding pigment.
Our Recommendation
For most people starting out, the Faber-Castell Polychromos 36-set offers the best balance of quality, color range, and longevity. They are an investment, but they last significantly longer than cheaper alternatives and the quality difference is immediately noticeable.
If budget is a concern, start with a Staedtler set and upgrade when you are ready. The most important thing is to start.