9 Best Pastels in 2026

200 colors is more than triple what most sets offer, giving you gradations of 75 hues across five tones each, full, black, and three white gradations. That means you can blend from pure pigment to pale whisper without reaching for a white stick. The extra-soft formula uses minimal binder and maximum artist-grade pigments, so each stroke lays down intense, velvety color that stays true for decades. This set suits the serious pastelist who wants a complete palette in one box, not a starter kit or a travel companion.

The trade-off is size: the double-decker wooden box is nearly two feet wide, so it lives on a studio table, not a lap desk. Compared to the Sennelier 120 half-stick set, which is smaller and lighter, the Schmincke demands space but offers a wider color range and high lightfastness. If you paint large or work in series, those 200 colors save constant swapping. Just be ready to clear a spot, and to protect finished pieces with a pastel fixative, as the soft, chalk-free pastels need sealing.

120 shades of pure pigment, each one made without compression and left to dry naturally in open air. That process keeps the paste loose and the color rich, so every stroke lays down a dense layer that blends smoothly. For artists who want intense pigment payoff straight from the stick, this set delivers a wide range of brilliant colors that cover everything from pale washes to deep, saturated darks. The manufacturing process does not compress the paste, and the pastel dries naturally in open air.

These half sticks are soft and somewhat fragile. They’ll crumble more easily than a firm pastel, especially if you press hard or work on a rough surface. Compared to the Schmincke Premium 200-Color Set, which offers more shades in a wooden box with 200 pastel pencils, Sennelier gives you fewer colors. If you love smooth laydown and don’t mind a bit of dust, this set rewards you with color that feels rich.

Sixty half sticks of high-pigment soft pastel mean you get intense, vibrant color from the first stroke. The kaolin-based formula delivers smooth, consistent transfer onto paper, so blending and layering feel fluid rather than chalky. This set suits artists who prioritize color purity and lightfastness over sheer variety, especially for finished pieces meant to last.

The Rembrandt Soft Pastels 60-Piece Deluxe Set comes in a half-stick format, which gives you less surface area to work with than full sticks. The set weighs only 0.4 pounds, so it feels light compared to a larger set like the Schmincke 60-Color Wooden Box Set at 4.0 pounds. That lightness makes the Rembrandt portable but less substantial for heavy-handed layering. For someone who values pigment density and archival quality over a huge color range, this set delivers professional results without the bulk.

Sixty pastels, each packed with the finest artists’ pigments and virtually no binder, give you that velvety, intense laydown that Schmincke is known for. The colors are selected for brilliant, highly lightfast shades in many gradations, so you can build subtle transitions from shadow to highlight without fighting chalky filler. This is the set you reach for when you want your strokes to feel like silk on the paper, and the wooden box keeps everything organized and protected between sessions.

Heft is the main factor here: at four pounds, this box is a desk fixture, not a travel companion. If you paint on location often, the Sennelier 120 half-stick set weighs 2.6 pounds, making it lighter for carrying. But for studio work or giving a serious artist a gift that says quality, the Schmincke 60-color box delivers a refined, complete palette that leaves nothing to chance.

Sixty-four colors in a single box give you a broad palette without overwhelming your workspace or your budget. The square pastels let you draw fine lines with the edge or lay down broad strokes with the side, and the AP Seal means they’re safe for shared studio spaces or classrooms. Blending, layering, and dry-wash techniques all work easily, so you can focus on learning how soft pastels behave rather than fighting the material. This set is made for the artist who wants room to experiment, someone who values range and safety over the prestige of a smaller, pricier collection.

The MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set includes 64 colors, which is more than the Rembrandt 60-piece set, so you have a wider range for blending and gradation without needing to supplement. Reviewers note that the square shape makes them easy to hold and control for detailed work. If you prioritize color variety over lightfastness, this set gives you a generous palette at a practical price.

This 24-stick set delivers a silky-smooth, intense pastel laydown that blends easily with a finger or brush. It is a practical choice for art students and aspiring creators who want to explore soft pastels without committing to a huge palette or a big investment. The included colors range from white and cadmium yellow to black and cold greys, covering a useful variety for learning blending and shading. The sticks work on flock paper as well as other surfaces, so you can experiment freely in class or at home.

The mini size is a consideration: at 1.25 inches, these sticks won’t last as long as full-size pastels if you’re covering large areas regularly. The 24-color selection is more limited than some larger sets on the market. That said, for a student building foundational skills, the focused palette and smooth application make this a smart, affordable way to learn blending and shading without being overwhelmed by too many choices.

Water solubility sets these chalk pastels apart from most dry-only options. You can use them straight for traditional blending, gradation, and dry wash, then add water to unlock painterly effects without switching mediums. The 48 highly lightfast sticks give you a solid core palette for portraits, landscapes, or illustration, and the compact stick design makes it easier to control fine lines and delicate marks. This versatility suits anyone who enjoys experimenting across wet and dry techniques in one session.

A set of 48 sticks means fewer colors than the 120-color Sennelier Soft Pastels set, so you’ll have to mix or layer more to get certain shades. But the Charvin pastels are water soluble, which lets you switch between dry and wet techniques, something traditional soft pastels can’t do. If you like blending painting and drawing in one medium, that flexibility makes up for the smaller palette.

With 96 firm sticks in a single set, this Prismacolor pastel box gives you a wide spectrum of colors without needing to buy multiple packs. The firm formula keeps the sticks from crumbling easily, so you can lay down precise lines or build up layers without excessive dust. It suits artists who want a sturdy, all-in-one palette for detailed work or studio practice, especially if you prefer a stick that holds its shape under pressure.

At 2.5 pounds, this set is slightly lighter than the Sennelier Soft Pastels Half Stick Set 120, which weighs 2.6 pounds and contains 120 sticks. If you travel light or work in a cramped space, the Prismacolor’s bulk might still feel cumbersome. But for a desk or studio shelf, the firm sticks and generous color range make it a reliable companion for controlled, layered pastel work.

A 40-color half-stick set with naturally air-dried, extra-soft pastels means every gentle stroke lays down rich, pure pigment, ideal for capturing the subtle skin tones and soft transitions that portrait work demands. The portrait selection targets that use, and the compact half-sticks slip easily into a bag for sketching on location. This set suits artists who want a soft, pigment-rich pastel in a focused palette.

The focused 40-color palette is a trade-off, so if you need a broad spectrum for landscapes or abstract work, the Schmincke Premium 200-Color Set offers far more range. The manufacturer notes that colors and stick sizes can vary between batches, so consistency isn’t guaranteed. For dedicated portrait artists who want a soft, naturally air-dried pastel in a portable half-stick format, this set fits the bill.