H&B vs Prismacolor Colored Pencils 2026
H&B vs Prismacolor: Which Colored Pencils Should You Choose?
When it comes to professional colored pencils, two names dominate the conversation: Prismacolor Premier, the long-time industry standard, and H&B, the challenger brand winning over artists worldwide for 13 years.
Price: More Colors for Less
Prismacolor Premier 72-count sets typically retail for $60-$80, while H&B 72-color oil-based sets start at $39.99. At the 150-color tier, H&B delivers comparable pigment quality at roughly half the per-pencil cost.
Core Quality: Oil-Based vs Wax-Based
Prismacolor Premier pencils use a soft wax-based core known for creamy laydown. The trade-off: they wear down quickly and are prone to breakage. H&B colored pencils feature an oil-based core with 3.3mm diameter for smoother blending, less wax buildup, and stronger lead integrity.
Color Selection and Organization
Both brands offer extensive ranges from 72 to 180 colors. H&B organizes colors by tonal families in portable cases, tin boxes, and canvas bags. Prismacolor sets often ship in cardboard trays that are less travel-friendly.
Best For
- Choose Prismacolor if you need exact color-number matching for existing projects or prefer wax-based blending exclusively.
- Choose H&B if you want professional-grade oil-based pencils at a more accessible price, need durable cores that survive sharpening and travel, or are building a large color collection on a budget.
The Bottom Line
Prismacolor is a known quantity, but H&B has closed the quality gap while keeping prices approachable. For most artists, students, and colorists, H&B delivers 95 percent of the performance at 50 to 60 percent of the cost. Try a 72-color H&B set alongside your Prismacolors with free shipping on orders over $35.