The Best Pencils of 2023
Whether you are journaling, sketching, or writing, you deserve to use a great pencil.
A pencil is an essential writing instrument for both kids and adults. Whether it is for taking down notes, doing crossword puzzles, sketching up diagrams, or jotting down a grocery list, it helps to have the best.
There is no shortage of the best pencils on the market. These pencils come in different sizes, shapes, and colors perfect for meeting everyone’s needs. However, if you are serious about improving your drawing skills or you enjoy using pencils, it makes sense to invest time and effort in finding the perfect set.
Here are some great tips for finding a good pencil alongside our best choices.
Everything We Recommend
1. Best Product
Blackwing 602
2. Runner Up
Faber-Castell Grip Graphite EcoPencils with Eraser
3. Cost Effective
Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil
4. Almost Made the Cut
Madisi Stores Wood-Cased Pencils
1. Best Product
Best for delicate linework
Blackwing 602
Preferred by many famous musicians, poets and writers - a cult classic!
Specifications
- Item Weight
- 4.2 ounces
- Product Dimensions
- 8.13 x 1.63 x 1.63 inches
- Number of Items
- 12 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
Sleek design- Bold and smooth graphite
- Aesthetically appealing
Cons
Eraser quality could be better- Expensive
Previous Customer Experience
| Style |   | 4.8 |
| Easy to hold | | 4.8 |
| Softness | | 4.7 |
| Giftable | | 4.7 |
| Longevity | | 4.6 |
| Value for money | | 4.3 |
Who It’s For
Blackwing 602 is excellent for all those who appreciate the premium feel of stationery. It is great for writing, drawing, and sketching.
Why It’s Great
The Palomino Blackwing 602 is expensive, but it has unrivaled quality. It features incense cedar wood construction and it comes with a removable eraser. You will not need to sharpen the 602 as frequently because its graphite is more durable. The end result is a beautiful deep black color with fine writing.
Potential Flaws
While many fans have praised this choice as being elegant and high-end, others have claimed that a single Blackwing 602 is not worth its comparable price tag.
Other Features
These fantastic vintage-looking pencils may seem quite expensive compared to your regular writing tool, but they have withstood the test of time. In the 1930s, the Eberhard Faber Company first released Blackwing pencils. Chuck Jones and John Steinbeck, who proudly utilized Blackwings to develop Bugs Bunny and many other Looney Tunes characters, belonged to the company’s cult fan base.
2. Runner Up
Best for good balance
Faber-Castell Grip Graphite EcoPencils with Eraser
Featuring break-resistant lead due to the secure bonding process.
Specifications
- Item Weight
- 2.25 ounces
- Product Dimensions
- 0.74 x 0.19 x 0.07 inches
- Number of Item
- 12 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Triangular shape aids for good balance
- Features unique grip dots to aid a solid grip
- Easy to sharpen as pencil lead glued the entire barrel length
Cons
- Lighter pigment than other competitors
- The hard lead grade hinders glide
Previous Customer Experience
| Sheerness | | 5 |
| Durability | | 4.6 |
| Comfort | | 4.6 |
| Easy to hold | | 4.4 |
| Value for money | | 4.4 |
Who It’s For
Faber-Castell Grip Graphite EcoPencils with Eraser is a great choice for adults who plan to use the product for a long time.
Why It’s Great
The ergonomic design of the 8mm dotted-grip pencil with a functioning eraser makes it easy and comfortable to write and draw continuously. Moreover, the pencil will not fall from the desk with its triangle shape and fully glued barrels.
Potential Flaws
The common criticism of this option is that the strokes are too faint and wispy to be seen clearly. A few say that the lead grade is too hard. Some have pointed out that these would be useful for adults but unnecessary for kids.
Other Features
Young adults or older consumers would certainly appreciate this impressive product, but writers and artists of all ages would undoubtedly want to own such a sophisticated and useful pencil. Its unique raised dot design, which wraps around the front of the barrel, makes it more comfortable to hold than most and keeps you from getting easily tired while writing.
3. Cost Effective
Best for everyday use
Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil
A classic American pencil, recommended by teachers nationwide.
Specifications
- Item Weight
- 1.92 ounces
- Product Dimensions
- 0.3 x 9 x 3.8 inches
- Number of Items
- 10 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Pre-sharpened
- Excellent graphite for smooth writing
- Long-lasting and budget-friendly
Cons
- Inconsistent Eraser Quality
- The body is thinner than a standard pencil which could lead to a poor grip
Previous Customer Experience
| Easy to hold | | 4.8 |
| Longevity | | 4.7 |
| Sheerness | | 4.6 |
| Value for money | | 4.6 |
| Durability | | 4.6 |
| Sturdiness | | 4.4 |
Who It’s For
The Dixon Ticonderoga (Yellow) Pencil is a classic tool that most of us have seen in schools and at work. They are practical for anyone and great for any form of writing. However, most people would say Dixon Ticonderoga is for those on a tight budget who still want a good pencil to write with.
Why It’s Great
All pencils come intact and pre-sharpened. The wood is solid, not at all frail. To top it all off, these pencils come from premium wood forests that are managed responsibly and sustainably.
Potential Flaws
This product is frequently produced because of its well-established reputation. Some have argued that they have changed from what was produced in the past.
Other Features
This pencil has a long service life. When you constantly need to sharpen or replace your tools, cheap pencils become time-consuming and expensive. However, with the Dixon Ticonderoga pencils, you get low-cost pencils that are also long-lasting and dependable. These are the best-selling office products on Amazon, and they are well worth the money, so get one for yourself.
4. Almost Made the Cut
Best For Students All Year Round
Madisi Stores Wood-Cased Pencils
This product comes in a super-value pack, ensuring you never go without a pencil, even if you break or lose one!
Specifications
- Item Weight
- 2.89 ounces
- Product Dimensions
- 7.7 x 3.9 x 4.7 inches
- Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness)
- HB
- Material Type
- Wood
Pros
- Latex Free Erasers
- Pencil Body is Break Resistant
- Pre-sharpened
Cons
- Erasers May Fall Out With Use
Previous Customer Experience
| Easy to hold | | 4.8 |
| Durability | | 4.7 |
| Value for money | | 4.6 |
| Longevity | | 4.5 |
| Sheerness | | 4 |
Who It’s For
These pencils from Madisi come in a Super Value Pack of 192, which splits into 16 boxes of 12 pencils each. These pencils are ready for use immediately as they come pre-sharpened, making them a fast favorite of teachers and students alike.
Why It’s Great
Beyond the quality of HB lead, these pencils are a decent choice as they are break-resistant, allowing for ease of use by artists with a heavy hand or enthusiastic writers to use without fear of splinters. The eraser also promises to be latex-free, allowing for easy removal of mistakes and quelling any fears of allergies.
Potential Flaws
Some previous customers changed their minds when purchasing this pick due to a spelling error on the box, labeling these pencils as being for “shool” and office. However, as this has little impact on the product, it is not heavily detrimental.
This lack of detail on the box design does bleed into the product, according to some customers who stated the lead is prone to snapping, or the eraser tends to fall out and render itself useless.
Other Features
These pencils come in a hexagonal casing as they are more comfortable to hold, and it helps younger children develop the correct pen-holding posture.
Who This Is For
These products are for anyone who wants to improve their writing or sketching experience. Every person deserves a great writing utensil. Whether you are an artist, a student, or looking to buy a few for your children, we have you covered.
Why You Should Trust Us
There is no shortage of the best pencils on the market today. With in-depth research and an understanding of the different kinds, we know the factors to consider when purchasing one. We only want what is best for you, and we understand that quality is the benchmark.
How We Picked
Pencils are a personal writing instrument, and it is difficult to find a set that fits everyone. Finding the greatest pencils is an extreme sport, especially with new kinds entering the market every day. We undertook extensive research, comparison, and analysis to identify the best one for you.
We evaluated the products recommended here using a variety of metrics. Top of the list are factors like lead grade, type of barrel, erasability, and price.
Lead grade and barrel shape
For lead grade, there is an actual number or letter to determine a pencil’s graphite hardness, and each pencil has its corresponding number on the known graphite grading scale. Factoring in the type of barrel distinguishes the type of wood used in the material. This is significant because of the type and construction of the influence on its performance.
Eraser
On another note, we considered erasability because most pencils come with an eraser. The specific goal and function of erasing are to erase well, without smudges, but these vary per pencil.
Price
Pencils are not expensive; whether basic or premium pencils. However, price is still significant when choosing a pencil. We want to make sure you are getting the quality, consistency, and comfort that you deserve for the price.
Other features
We also factored in the barrel shape, if it is easy to sharpen, and if it is pre-sharpened. These all reflect the grip and writing performance one would like to have. All things considered, we only want you to enjoy the simplicity and delight of using a good and effective pencil.
How We Picked
Lead Grade
Graphite makes some of the best pencil leads, and quality leads are important for artists or writers. The hardness, softness, and darkness of the lead determine the coloration, smoothness, and even smearing resistance of the pencil.
Type of Barrel
The design, quality, and material of a pencil’s barrel often affect how it looks, feels, and weighs. It also determines the durability and strength of the overall product, so it is important to look into this factor.
Eraser
Not all erasers are created equally. Some do their job well, while others leave a mark you did not intend to see. If you are particular about having a clean page, it is a must to choose based on the eraser quality.
Price
All writing and artistic utensils should be of high quality, but is it worth it if it is too expensive? It is possible to purchase when you need something that proves itself in terms of top-notch quality yet remains affordable.
Care and Maintenance
How and where to store when not in use
Pencils are, if not all, mostly and typically wooden. There is a way to properly care for and maintain our pencils. As a general rule, store the pencil upright in jars. To clean them, simply wipe them with a rag or an old towel. Before you place them in their respective locations, make sure they are free of dust, grease, and debris.
How to sharpen
Use a regular sharpener to keep your pencils sharp. Instead of settling for cheap plastic sharpeners, invest in a good handheld sharpener. Turn the pencil in slow 180-degree rotations while holding the sharpener in one hand, resulting in brittle curls of sharpened particles. Sandpaper is also another great way to achieve the perfect tip.
Sources and Research
Further Reading and Similar Topics
March 30, 2025
National Pencil Day
Did you know that one pencil can write up to 45,000 words?
November 15, 2024
I Love to Write Day
Get your pens ready and your laptops charged to write on I Love to Write Day.
May 16, 2024
Drawing Day
Get out your drawing pads and pencils and bring the images in your imagination to life.
July 5, 2024
Mechanical Pencil Day
Writing with a pencil adds a personal touch in the age of digital communication.
April 24, 2024
World Stationery Day
It’s a day to put pen to paper and do things the old-fashioned way.
