Having the right tools really does change everything. Coloring can be as simple as a page and a pencil, but the moment you upgrade your supplies, the experience feels smoother, cleaner, and more satisfying.
One of the best things about coloring is that it’s for everyone. You don’t need expensive gear to start. But if you color often, the right tools can save you frustration. No chipped pencil tips. No bleeding pens. No smudged pages you worked hard on.
Below are some of our favorite, well-reviewed coloring tools worth adding to your setup when you’re ready to level up.
Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pens (24-Piece Set)
If you want to color with movement and flow, brush pens are a great upgrade. These pens make it easy to fill large areas quickly while still giving you control for detail work.
The brush tips are flexible but durable, so they don’t fray or lose shape over time. They’re also great for adding your own designs, accents, or lettering to coloring pages.
Why people love them: smooth ink flow, strong color payoff, and long-lasting tips
Price: Around $30 for a 24-piece set
Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens (36-Piece Set)
If you could only own one marker set, this would be a strong contender. The tips are slim enough for detail work but still practical for filling in medium-sized areas.
One standout feature is that they don’t dry out easily, even if you forget to cap them. That alone saves a lot of frustration.
Why people love them: precision tips, wide color range, and long open-cap life
Price: Around $20 for a 36-piece set
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (72-Piece Set)
These are a favorite for a reason. The soft cores blend beautifully and produce rich, saturated color without heavy pressure.
They’re also less prone to breaking, which means fewer snapped leads when you drop a pencil. If you like smooth shading and layering, these are hard to beat.
Why people love them: effortless blending and vibrant color
Price: Around $35–40 for a 72-piece set
Sakura Stardust Galaxy Gel Pens (12-Piece Set)
Despite the name, these aren’t chunky glitter pens. The effect is more metallic and subtle, which works beautifully for highlights, accents, and themed pages like space or underwater scenes.
They also smear less than many gel pens, which makes them easier to work with.
Why people love them: metallic shine without messy glitter
Price: Around $18 for a 12-piece set
Shuttle Art Gel Pens (120-Color Set)
If variety makes you happy, this set delivers. With 120 unique colors including neon, metallic, pastel, and glitter, it’s perfect for experimenting and finding new combinations.
It’s also a great option if you’ve struggled with blending gel pens before, simply because you have so many close color variations to work with.
Why people love them: massive color selection at a reasonable price
Price: Around $20 for 120 pens
Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons (24-Piece Set)
Crayons don’t have to be childish. These twistable versions are cleaner, more precise, and much easier to control than traditional crayons.
No sharpening. No broken stubs. Just twist and color.
Why people love them: nostalgia with better control and less mess
Price: Around $6 for a 24-piece set
Adjustable Bamboo Lap Desk
If you color on the couch or in bed, this feels like a luxury upgrade. A lap desk gives you a stable surface and keeps your tools organized and within reach.
The built-in storage is especially handy for unfinished projects.
Why people love it: comfort, portability, and organization
Price: Around $35–40
Hammermill Color Copy Digital Paper
Good paper makes a bigger difference than most people realize. This bright white, heavyweight paper works well with pencils, pens, and markers and makes colors look more vibrant.
It’s a solid choice for printing coloring pages you plan to keep or frame.
Why people love it: smooth surface and excellent color clarity
Price: Around $12 per ream (500 sheets)
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits
This is a blending secret many colored pencil users swear by. When used sparingly, mineral spirits help smooth pencil strokes and create rich, painterly blends.
Always use in a well-ventilated area and with care.
Why people love it: professional-level blending results
Price: Around $6
Art Alternatives Blending Stumps and Tortillions (10-Piece Set)
These simple paper tools are perfect for blending colored pencils, crayons, or pastels. They help soften edges and smooth transitions without adding more pigment.
A bit of sandpaper nearby helps keep the tips clean and sharp.
Why people love them: precise control for blending and shading
Price: Around $5 for a 10-piece set
Prismacolor Colorless Blender Pencils
If blending stumps aren’t your thing, colorless blender pencils are a great alternative. They look like white pencils, but they don’t add color. Instead, they push pigment around to smooth and blend layers.
For best results, stick with the same brand as your colored pencils.
Why people love them: clean blending without mess
Price: Around $1.50 for a pack of two
Final Thoughts
You don’t need every tool on this list to enjoy coloring. But the right upgrades can make coloring more relaxing, more enjoyable, and far less frustrating.
Whether you’re treating yourself or slowly building your collection, choosing quality tools helps you focus on what matters most. Coloring, unwinding, and enjoying the process.
