The Best Pens & Writing Kit, Ranked
Pens, pencils and markers walk off desks and run dry, so you buy them again and again. The difference between good and bad here is whether the ink flows, the lead resists snapping, and the cap-off time forgives you leaving the lid off. We ranked these by real Amazon ratings across tens of thousands of buyers and cross-checked them beyond the listings. Reliable, honest picks for home, school and office.
Ranked by real ratings · updated 25 September 2026 · how we rank
On the ratings data the strongest pens & writing we track is Amazon Basics Wood Cased Graphite HB Pencils, presharpened, on 4.7 out of 5 from 104,209 ratings. If you want to spend less, CRAYOLA SuperTips Washable Markers - Assorted Colours sits at the cheaper end and still rates at or above the middle of the shelf. Neither is a paid placement, and the full working is below.
Amazon Basics Wood Cased Graphite HB Pencils, presharpened, no smudge eraser
Twelve pre-sharpened HB pencils that are break-resistant and easy to re-sharpen, with a no-smudge eraser tip for writing and sketching.
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STAEDTLER 351 WP6 Lumocolor Whiteboard Marker Bullet Tip - Assorted
Dry-safe ink that survives days uncapped and wipes clean off boards without ghosting, in six assorted colours. Fast-drying and low odour.
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Sharpie Permanent Markers | Fine Point for Bold Details
Permanent, quick-drying ink that marks paper, plastic and metal and resists fading and water, in twelve bright fine-point colours.
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STAEDTLER 185 C24 Noris Colour Colouring Pencils - 24 Assorted
Twenty-four colouring pencils in upcycled wood with break-resistant leads and a non-slip surface, brilliant colours for all ages.
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CRAYOLA SuperTips Washable Markers - Assorted Colours (Pack of 12)
Twelve felt tips that draw thick or thin lines and wash off skin and clothes, a sensible choice for kids' crafts.
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BIC Cristal Original Smudge Free Ballpoint Pens, Ideal for School
The everyday ballpoint with a 1.0mm medium tip and clear hexagonal barrel, smudge-free and dependable by the boxful.
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STABILO swing cool Pastel - Highlighter | Pack of 6
Pastel highlighters with anti-dry-out tech giving a four-hour cap-off time, Europe's best-selling pocket highlighter in six soft shades.
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