The Best Marker
We looked at the top 17 Markers and dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Markers.
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Our Picks For The Top Markers
- The Best Marker
- 1. Pentel Fiber-Tipped Water-Based Markers, 12-Count
- 2. Dyvicl Acid-Free Odorless Markers, 10-Count
- 3. Soucolor Quick Dry Dual Tip Markers, 34-Count
- 4. Crayola Ultra-Clean School Markers, 12-Count
- 5. Arteza Chisel Tip Permanent Markers, 36-Count
- 6. Chalky Crown Non-Toxic Children’s Chalk Markers, 8-Count
- 7. Crayola Water Based Classic Markers, 256-Count
- 8. Mr. Sketch Certified Scented Markers, 12-Count
- 9. Tanmit Fine Tip Vivid Markers, 40-Count
- 10. Sharpie No Bleed Note-Taking Markers, 12-Count
- 11. ARTEZA Inkonic Easy Grip Markers, 72-Count
- 12. Ohuhu Dual Tips Permanent Markers, 40-Count
- 13. Shuttle Art Alcohol Marker Pens, 30-Count
- 14. Crayola Dual-Tip Ultra Fine Brush Markers, 16-Count
- 15. Crayola Permanent Fine Line Markers, 40-Count
- 16. RoseArt SuperTip Washable Markers, 100 ct
- 17. Crayola Kid’s Washable Super Tips Markers, 50-Count
Great for Kids and AdultsThese markers are water-based, making them ideal for sketching, taking notes and doodling, in addition to coloring.
Adds SparkleThese markers are free of toxins and have no offensive odors to worry about.
Rich ColorsYou won't find any duplicate colors in this 34-count markers set.
Washable PickDesigned for toddlers age 3 and up, these markers are both safe and non-toxic.
Why we recommend these markers?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 17 Markers and also dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Markers.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Pentel Fiber-Tipped Water-Based Markers, 12-Count
Our Take
Whether you're young or old, these markers are a great option to use with coloring books. The set includes 12 felt-tip markers – each a unique color. The markers feature a snap cap that keeps the ink nice and wet in between coloring sessions. The included stand is also a nice bonus, as it keeps the markers in an upright position.
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Crayola Ultra-Clean School Markers, 12-Count
Our Take
This pack of 12 markers includes all of the classic colors little ones need to create a masterpiece. The tips are fine and work well for both coloring and completing school projects. Parents will appreciate that the markers wash clean from clothes, walls and skin.
Our Marker Findings
Pentel Fiber-Tipped Water-Based Markers, 12-Count
What We Liked: Whether you’re young or old, these markers are a great option to use with coloring books. The set includes 12 felt-tip markers – each a unique color. The markers feature a snap cap that keeps the ink nice and wet in between coloring sessions. The included stand is also a nice bonus, as it keeps the markers in an upright position.
Dyvicl Acid-Free Odorless Markers, 10-Count
What We Liked: Add shine to your drawings and sketches with these metallic markers. You’ll receive 10 bright colors, all of which glide over any canvas smoothly and then dry quickly. Each of the markers features a medium tip that creates a 2 millimeter line, which is perfect for creating homemade cards, decorating a mug or writing in a journal.
Soucolor Quick Dry Dual Tip Markers, 34-Count
What We Liked: These watercolor markers are vibrant and made with dual tips. The upper tip is fine and best for journaling and adding details, while the bottom tip is a brush that works well for coloring and completing various art projects. The markers don’t bleed or leak, making them an excellent buy.
Crayola Ultra-Clean School Markers, 12-Count
What We Liked: This pack of 12 markers includes all of the classic colors little ones need to create a masterpiece. The tips are fine and work well for both coloring and completing school projects. Parents will appreciate that the markers wash clean from clothes, walls and skin.
Arteza Chisel Tip Permanent Markers, 36-Count
What We Liked: Each of the 36 markers in this set contain a fade-resistant black ink. The ink is also waterproof and quick drying, so you won’t have to worry about smudges if you run your finger across it. Users will appreciate the Japanese chisel tips, which allow for better control when writing.
Our Expert Consultant
Artist and art educator
Artist and educator Amy Markham is the creator of Starling, a podcast dedicated to helping artists develop depth in their creative practice. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Amy has been an art educator since 2001. Today, she teaches middle school art at a school outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Her personal artwork explores myth-making and symbolic understandings. Through her brand, Starling Creative Living, she leads others to explore art production as a method for enriching their life experience.
Our Marker Buying Guide
Markers are not only excellent for creating a variety of art projects. They are also handy for labeling your children’s clothing before they go off to camp, listing the contents and expiration date on the leftovers you’re placing in a freezer bag and making a bold yard sale sign that will attract traffic to your yard sale.
Which type of permanent marker set you choose is dependent on the type of project you’re using it for. Here are a few suggestions for what to look for while you shop for a new set of markers.
Begin by examining the marker’s cylinder. Large cylinders are best for tiny hands to hold, while adults would do best with a slim cylinder, as that allows for more control. Others have a triangular cylinder that keeps them from rolling off your kitchen table.
Consider the number of markers needed and how many different shades there are in the set. For example, you may come across a marker set that has 100 markers. However, some of them may be duplicate colors, and others may have shades that are more subtle. This is fine for a classroom of children, but not for someone looking to create a piece of art.
Make sure the chemicals used to make the marker set are non-toxic, especially if you plan on giving them to children. The product will either say “non-toxic” right on the packaging label or contain an AP certification symbol instead.
You’ll also want to make a choice regarding water-based vs. alcohol-based markers.
“Markers like the Crayolas you grew up with are water-based,” says artist and middle school art teacher Amy Markham. “These are inexpensive, but limited in their abilities. Most artists prefer alcohol-based markers because they blend easily, offer bright colors, dry faster and don’t leave streaks.”
Review the marker’s tip to ensure it will draw the type of line you need. “There are broad tips, brush tips and fine tips with a range of sizes and shape in each of those,” says Markham. “Broad tips are good for laying down large areas of color, where a fine tip will be best for detail. Brush tips are very versatile and can create both thin and thick lines as can chisel tips.”
Check that the ink resists bleeding through the paper you’re drawing on. Some models, for example, are water-based and designed not to bleed.
Look for any extras that the marker set may offer. You may find a package of markers that also comes scented. Another bonus you may come across in your search is a set of markers that comes with its own container. This eliminates the need for you to have to buy a storage bin.
DWYM Fun Fact
The first markers trace all the way back to 1910 when Lee Newman sought a patent for his felt-tipped pen. By the ’50s, there were several different types of markers on the market that were used for a variety of tasks. Today, we have everything from dry erase markers that can be wiped away when used on a special whiteboard to permanent markers that leave their marks in place for a long period of time.
You may be wondering what ingredients are needed to create a permanent marker. In addition to the ink and colorant, markers require the use of a solvent. It is the solvent that moves the colored ink down the marker’s cylinder and out the tip, so that you can draw or color with it. Original marker models used a solvent, like xylene, that had a strong odor. They were also toxic. Since then, other methods have been discovered that are less harmful. Today, you’ll most likely notice a certified non-toxic label on the markers’ product packaging.
Surprisingly, permanent markers aren’t actually permanent. If you drew a mural on a piece of wood and displayed it in your front yard, for example, the ink would eventually wash away. You’d need to paint the masterpiece with a sealant to better preserve the ink.
The Marker Tips and Advice
- Always use care when working with permanent markers, as the ink will stain any clothing it comes in contact with. If you do get a smidge of ink on your favorite shirt, spraying the stain with hairspray and blotting the area is your best bet at removing it.
- Should any of the markers in your set dry out, you don’t need to throw them out. You can actually restore them using a few tricks. First, stick the tip of the marker in a bowl of warm water and wait five minutes before removing it. Let it air dry just enough for the water to evaporate, but not the ink. Your marker should then be ready for use. Second, drip two drops of white distilled vinegar over the tip of the marker if the water wasn’t enough. Wait a few minutes before checking that the marker is again ready for use. Third, dipping the marker’s tip in rubbing alcohol works the same as the vinegar tip above.
- One way to recycle old markers is to find a new use for them. For example, you can take the marker’s cap off and use it to cut out small circles from a lump of Playdough, or use a bunch of caps to make a jump rope. You can also take the marker’s tip and set it in a bowl of water to create watercolors that can be used for painting.
- Acetone can be used to remove permanent marker ink that accidentally gets on a glass surface.
- While most markers are sold in a storage box, they aren’t always sturdy. If your box rips or comes apart, you can use an alternative storage method. They actually make marker stands and marker trays, but zipper pouches and small plastic containers work just as well.
- If you narrow your choice of marker sets down to two, look to see if either one has a satisfaction guarantee. This way, you’ll be able to request a refund if the markers don’t live up to your expectations.
- When shopping for markers, it is important to consider how many markers you get in each set. A 12 and 40 count set are naturally going to cost less than the sets that offer 72 and 256 markers.
About The Author
Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in finance. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in leading financial publications. She's also a financial coach and mother to two daughters. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help her save time, energy and money.
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