TL;DR:

No time to read? No worries; here are our top picks!

🏆 Best Overall: Faber-Castell 9000 – Excellent range, great erasability, smooth performance, and affordable price. A solid choice for artists at any level.

🎨 Best for Blending: Koh-I-Noor – Soft, silky graphite that blends beautifully with minimal sheen. Perfect for gradients, portraits, and soft transitions.

💰 Best Value: Staedtler Mars Lumograph – Offers the widest grade range, consistent performance, and reliable build quality—great for both fine art and technical work.

These selections were made based on hands-on testing, careful comparison, and, most importantly, artist feedback, ensuring you get the best drawing experience no matter your skill level.

🎥 Check this full video review, where I sketch portraits and render textures while comparing performance:

👉 See Full Reviews Below ↓

What Is a Graphite Pencil?

In simple terms, a graphite pencil is a tool used to make marks. It’s the universal go-to for drawing, sketching, writing, and scribbling. At some point in our lives, we’ve all used a graphite pencil.

But there’s more to it than just the classic school pencil you remember. These pencils are fantastic for all kinds of work because they’re precise, portable, clean, and super versatile. I mean, there’s a reason most pencils are made with graphite—it just works.

In the art supplies world, graphite pencils are used for sketching, shading, technical illustration, and even full fine art pieces. Graphite glides onto paper effortlessly, erases cleanly, and can be sharpened to the finest point or dulled down for soft shading.

They’re made with compressed graphite and clay, encased in wood or other materials. The graphite is finely ground and mixed with clay in different amounts to create what we call “grades”—which affect how dark or hard each pencil is. Depending on the grade, they can produce ultra-light lines or deep, dark shadows.

Important Stuff About Graphite Pencils

There’s a lot of fancy talk out there about graphite pencils—but when it comes down to actually using them for art, only a few factors truly matter. Here’s what you should actually be paying attention to when buying a set:

✔ Graphite Grades – H vs. B

Graphite pencils are made by mixing powdered graphite with clay. Graphite gives the mark, clay gives it structure. On its own, graphite is super soft and crumbly, so adding clay helps turn it into something we can actually draw with.

The more clay in the mix, the harder and lighter the pencil mark; less clay means it’s softer and darker. But back in the day, different pencil makers had their own “recipes,” which meant pencils with the same label could behave totally differently. To fix that mess, the graphite grading scale was born, ranging from 9H (hardest) to 9B (softest).

This standardized system was developed in the 20th century, thanks to manufacturers like Staedtler in Germany and Conté in France, who helped bring some order to the chaos. H pencils give you sharp, precise lines perfect for sketching or technical drawings, while B pencils are softer, darker, and made for expressive shading.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what those letters and numbers on your pencils actually mean:

• H (Hard) – These have more clay, making them harder and lighter. Ideal for light sketching, underdrawings, or super clean lines. The higher the number, the harder and lighter the mark (e.g., 4H is lighter than 2H).
• B (Soft) – These are darker, smoother, and blendable. Perfect for shading and artistic work. The higher the number, the softer and darker the pencil (e.g., 6B is softer than 2B).
  • B to 3B – Great for linework, base shading, and burnishing darker shades. They’re buildable but still hold a point decently.
  • 4B to 9B – Now we’re in soft shading territory. These give you smooth darks, ideal for rough sketching and blending, but they smudge easily and lose their point fast.
  • 10B to 14B – These ultra-soft pencils are specialty tools. Not all brands carry them. They’re super dark, super shiny, and super smudgy. Best saved for dramatic contrast or black fills.
• What about HB?  – An HB pencil is our classic middle-ground. Balanced softness and darkness. It’s the standard pencil used in schools and offices for a reason, it’s good for writing, sketching, and general use.
• What About F (Fine)? – Another middle-grade like HB, but just a bit harder. F stands for “Fine point,” meaning it keeps a sharper tip longer, making it perfect for writing.

So, if your 2B feels great but your 4B suddenly turns dusty and weird, the set isn’t consistent. High-quality brands give you the same smooth experience across the entire range, so your drawing doesn’t feel like a guessing game.

✔ Core Strength

A pencil’s core strength determines how well it handles pressure and how often it breaks. Most graphite pencils have strong cores due to the clay which serves as a binder, however you’ll definitely find some that are made with poor quality clay and graphite that makes the pencil feel scratchy, crumble with a  bit of pressure leaving graphite chunks or dust on your drawings, and some might even feel totally different between grades.

Strong cores let you hold a needle-sharp tip, which is critical for detail work (eyelashes, hair strands, skin pores). Good quality graphite pencils have well-centered, durable cores that don’t crumble or snap easily while sharpening or pressing hard, so make sure to search for the brands that are known for consistent quality across the entire range, especially if you have a heavy hand or are planning on doing hyper-detailed work.

✔ Smudging & Sheen

Graphite is shiny, it’s just in its nature. It might look dark and matte when you’re sketching or writing, but tilt your page or place it under strong lighting, and that silver-gray glare shows up like an unwanted guest. This sheen becomes more obvious the more layers you add, especially in soft grades like 4B and up.

Graphite pencil artists are constantly experimenting with techniques to reduce that shine, like cross hatching instead of full shading, burnishing with tissue and solvents, or switching paper types, but there’s only so much you can do when the material itself is reflective.

To address this, some high-end brands have developed special formulas to reduce sheen. These pencils often include charcoal, or matte binders that keep the finish darker and less reflective. Some examples are:

• Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black:

A mix of graphite and carbon that delivers deep, matte blacks without the glare. Great for those dark shadows and to build depth, however the black they deliver is on the warmer side, which clashes when used along with normal graphite pencils.

• Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt: Specifically designed for reduced sheen, especially for scans and framed work. Very dark, but with a slightly different feel and tone than traditional graphite.

Both are excellent for reducing glare, but they do come with trade-offs: a slightly grittier texture, reduced blendability, and a cooler or neutral hue compared to the warmer, silvery tone of regular graphite.

Now let’s talk smudging. Graphite smudges, it’s what it does. But not all pencils smudge the same. Soft pencils (4B–9B) will always transfer more, especially under pressure or when layered. That’s totally normal.

But if your HB or 2B pencil is smearing like crazy? That’s not just “graphite being graphite”, that’s a red flag. It often means the pencil has an unbalanced binder ratio or cheap fillers that can’t hold the graphite to the page. High-quality graphite should feel smooth and controlled, with a clean laydown that doesn’t dust up or smear excessively unless you’re really pushing it.

✔ Blendability and Layering

A good pencil lays down graphite in a consistent manner, without patchiness or random shiny spots. When you go over it with a blending stump, tissue, or even your finger, it should spread evenly, not clump or skip. You know a pencil is high quality when higher grades (like 4B–6B) feel smooth, almost buttery. They should slide into the paper grain while lower-quality ones usually  feel sandy or draggy, and when blended, they leave uneven streaks or a weird dusty residue that won’t settle.

The best pencils let you layer blended tones on top of each other without the surface becoming slick or sealed, even when using a smooth or low texture paper. You should be able to go: blend – layer – blend – layer, without the paper giving up.

If your shading blends unevenly, or you notice “lines” that don’t smooth out no matter how much you blend, the graphite is probably full of filler or the binder is breaking down.

✔ Erasability

We all know that erasability is not only about correcting mistakes. Artists often use erasers as part of the process, to “draw” back into the graphite, pulling out strands of hair, reflected light, or skin textures. This only works if the pencil layers can be lifted without ripping the surface or smudging out surrounding areas.

Good graphite should erase cleanly when needed, especially for highlights and corrections in detailed work. Cheap pencils usually have fillers and waxy or gummy binders that tend to smear, dig into the paper, or leave behind residue that won’t budge no matter how much you rub.

While the paper and eraser are important when erasing, to truly test the quality of your pencils and their erasability, draw a 2B square, fully shaded, and press lightly with a kneaded eraser to lift highlights. Then repeat with a soft vinyl eraser. A good pencil will leave behind a soft fade or even a near-clean patch. A bad one? You’ll get blotches, scratches, or no change at all.

What Doesn’t Matter (As Much as You Think)

• Lightfastness: Graphite is naturally stable. Unless you’re working with tinted graphite or odd additives, this isn’t a real concern.
• Brand Hype: Some brands are popular because they’re everywhere—not because they’re the best. Test them yourself or rely on artists who’ve done the legwork for you (cough me cough).
• Number of Grades: More grades (and larger sets) don’t mean better results. A solid small set (like 2H to 6B) is often more useful than a giant, inconsistent range, plus you probably won’t use the highest H-grade pencils at all.

Best Graphite Pencils – Artists’ Reviews

1. Faber-Castell 9000 Series – Best Overall

Faber-Castell 9000 is one of the most popular graphite pencil lines in the world, these pencils are manufactured in Germany by Faber-Castell, one of the oldest and most respected art supply companies, founded in 1761. 

These pencils have an hexagonal barrel, with their signature dark green lacquer coating. They’re available in a 16 range of grades from 6H to 8B, making them good for technical drawing, architecture, and art. The 9000s are oil-based, which gives them a very smooth, and uniform lay down that’s less prone to smudging than typical wax-based pencils. They hold a fine point well and offer solid performance across the full range. The wood casing is not the best, which causes issues when sharpening and reduces the core’s strength.

Faber-Castell’s pencils are widely available and very affordable, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals who are on a budget but need quality graphite.

Pros:

•  ✅ Very smooth to apply and easy to blend
•  ✅ Highly erasable 
•  ✅ Great value per pencil

Cons:

•  ❌ Slightly less pigmented in darker tones
•  ❌ Inconsistent wood casing quality

Buy Faber Castell Now → 

2. Staedtler Mars Lumograph – Safest Option and Best Value

Staedtler Mars Lumograph is considered one of the classics—pencils that artists, illustrators, and designers keep coming back to, and for good reason. Made in Germany, they feature a wax-based graphite blend that makes them good not only for fine art but also for technical drawing and architecture.

Staedtler offers one of the broadest grade ranges on the market, from 10H to 12B, including the often-overlooked but iconic “F”. They’re known for their consistent quality, smooth lay down, and great performance across all grades. The wood casing and core strength are solid as well, making them durable and easy to control.

The price is very reasonable, and with well-organized sets available in 6, 12, and 24 pencils, Staedtler delivers some of the best value for the price. Thanks to their long-standing reputation, they’re also one of the safest choices for both beginners and professionals alike.

Pros: 

•  ✅ Well-balanced grade range
•  ✅ Smooth blending and layering
•  ✅ Excellent core durability

Cons: 

•  ❌ Slight graphite sheen in soft grades
•  ❌ Slightly more expensive than entry-level sets

Check Staedtler Mars Lumograph Price →

3. Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black – Best for Deep Blacks

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black is a specialty line designed specifically to solve the graphite sheen issue that frustrates a good part of the art community. The Black series is available in six grades, from 2B to 8B, and uses a blend of graphite and carbon to achieve deep, non-reflective blacks.

This formula significantly changes how the pencils behave, they don’t smudge or blend as easily as regular graphite, and they have a rougher, more textured feel (closer to charcoal, but with far more control). The pencils have Staedtler’s classic hexagonal barrel, but instead of the usual blue, they are coated with a black lacquer finish. The wood casing is excellent, and the cores are impressively strong, especially when compared to typical charcoal pencils.

They hold a sharp point well, which makes them great for fine detail and line work, and their completely non-reflective finish is perfect for photographing and scanning artwork. Their price is slightly higher than standard graphite, but still very reasonable given the performance. That makes them a worthwhile addition to any pencil set, especially if you’re tired of shiny shadows and need a solid, matte black without the mess of charcoal.

Pros:

•  ✅ Bold, rich black tones
•  ✅ Matte finish with no glare
•  ✅ Good control and build quality

Cons:

•  ❌ Limited grade range (2B to 8B only)
•  ❌ Doesn’t mix seamlessly with regular graphite

See Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black Deals →

4. Koh-I-Noor – Best for Smooth Blending

Koh-I-Noor is another brand that has a good standing in the world of pencil artists. The brand is  one of the oldest pencil manufacturers in the world, founded in 1790 by Josef Hardtmuth, the inventor of the modern clay-graphite core. Their graphite pencils are very high quality, produced in the Czech Republic and widely respected among illustrators and pencil artists.

These pencils feature a hexagonal barrel with a glossy black lacquer and gold-foil branding. They’re available in a wide range of grades from 8B to 10H, although the set tested only had 2B and 4B pencils. The graphite is soft and smooth, with a slightly silky feel that makes them especially enjoyable for blending. Their core consistency and casing quality can vary slightly between batches, which can lead to breakage and quality issues.

Koh-I-Noor’s pencils are known for being more affordable than other competitors, however being an European brand, they’re more expensive in the US because of import taxes and tariffs. Still,  we consider the brand worth trying, especially for artists who like a softer, more blendable graphite feel.

Pros:

•  ✅ Soft application with good tonal variety
•  ✅ Smooth transitions and gradients
•  ✅ Less sheen than average

Cons:

•  ❌ Can break if dropped
•  ❌ Slightly crumbly under pressure
•  ❌ Pricier than other brands

Buy Koh-I-Noor Now → 

5. Conté à Paris – Best for Sketching and Journaling

Conté à Paris is a historic French brand known for its fine art materials, particularly its pastels and sketching tools. Though less commonly used for graphite work, their graphite pencil line has earned a niche following, especially among urban sketching artists and figure drawers.

These pencils feature a round barrel coated with black and gold foil letters. They’re available in a limited range of grades from 3H to 6B, which is rather restrictive compared to other brands. The graphite is darker than expected in some grades and tends to feel a bit rough, with a texture that leans closer to charcoal than traditional graphite. While the cores are solid and resistant to breakage, the wood casing quality is questionable, being inconsistent through the whole set.

Conté’s graphite pencils aren’t cheap, and their performance doesn’t quite match the price point that most pencil artists expect. However, they may appeal to artists looking for a more textured, expressive sketching experience, especially those who already enjoy Conté’s other drawing tools.

Pros: 

•  ✅ Great for hatching, line drawings, cross-contour
•  ✅ Clean lines with minimal dust
•  ✅ Elegant finish

Cons:

•  ❌ Not the softest or richest for shading
•  ❌ Smaller grade range in some sets
•  ❌ Expensive

See Conté à Paris Offers →

🌟 Final Verdict – Our Top Pick?

Not sure which one to get first? Here’s our take and recommendations:

• Looking for one set to rule them all? Go with Staedtler Mars Lumograph. — The 24-pencil set includes the whole range, plus they’re reliable, smooth, and well-made. You won’t have to worry about the point breaking while sharpening and they’re good for pretty much anything, from technical drawings, architecture, writing, and fine art.
• Want deep, matte blacks? Get Staedtler Mars Black —  It’ll take you a bit of practice to master them but you’ll love the warm hue, and the deep tones you’ll get effortlessly and without the glare.
• On a budget or just starting out? Choose Faber Castell — These pencils work great for practice, fine art projects, sketching, and writing. They won’t affect your finances and are easy to find and get. The downside? You need a great sharpener and patience since the cores are prone to breakage due to the casing quality.

Grab the Faber Castell Graphite Pencils Here →

😐 The Ones To Avoid – Not Worth the Graphite

U.S. Art Supplies – More Mess than Medium

At first glance, U.S. Art Supplies graphite pencils look like a solid budget option. They offer a wide range of grades, come in large sets, and seem ideal for practice. But once you put them to paper, the flaws start piling up:

❌ Smudgy and messy – The graphite transfers everywhere, even from mid-range grades like 2B or HB.
❌ Hijacked values – 5B feels like 10B, and 4B isn’t much better. No control over tone.
❌ Poor layering and blending – Blends come out patchy, and layering turns into a graphite swamp.
❌ Terrible erasability – Even kneaded erasers struggle to lift the graphite without smearing.

If you’re just scribbling or testing paper, they might get the job done. But for serious work? Save yourself the frustration.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the best graphite pencils for shading and realistic drawing?

For smooth shading, a wide tonal range, and good control, go with Faber-Castell 9000, Staedtler Mars Lumograph, or Koh-I-Noor Gioconda. These brands hold a point well and offer consistent performance across multiple grades.

How do I start drawing with graphite pencils?

Start simple. Practicing with basic forms like spheres, cubes, and subjects you have near you will help you understand light, form, and shading. Use a few core pencils (HB, 2B, 4B) and take it slow.
👉 Follow our full tutorial in Graphite Pencil Drawing for Beginners – Step-by-Step.

What are the most effective pencil shading techniques?

Some essential techniques include:

• Hatching and crosshatching 
• Blending with tissue or blending stumps 
• Layering from hard to soft grades 
• Erasing for highlights 

👉 Learn them all in our full article on Pencil Shading Techniques.

Why does my graphite shading look streaky or uneven?

This is often due to Inconsistent pencil cores (cheap sets), applying too much pressure too early, or you skipping layering steps
You can switch to smoother pencils like Faber-Castell or Koh-I-Noor and shade using consistent strokes.
Should I buy a full graphite set or just a few grades?

You don’t need the whole spectrum. A small set covering 2H to 6B is more than enough for most drawings. If you like dark contrast, grab an 8B or matte pencil like Staedtler Black.
How can I reduce the graphite sheen in my drawings?

Graphite naturally produces a silver glare under light, especially with soft grades. To minimize it you can use Staedtler Mars Black or Faber-Castell Pitt Matt, avoid burnishing or pressing too hard, or work on textured paper.
Which erasers work best for graphite art?

Different erasers serve different purposes in graphite drawing. Kneaded erasers are great for gently lifting highlights without damaging the paper, while vinyl or plastic erasers are better suited for clean, sharp erasing—especially when correcting lines or refining edges. For small details or textures, precision erasers work best, offering more control in tight spaces.

How do I blend graphite without making it look muddy?

To avoid muddy or overworked shading, don’t use your fingers!! Instead, start with light pressure and build your values gradually. For blending, use tools that allow better control like tortillons (paper stumps), soft tissues, or even a dry brush for smooth, delicate transitions. Each tool offers a slightly different effect, and the key is to blend slowly and refine in layers.

Do graphite pencils expire or go bad?

Not really. As long as you store them in a dry, cool place, they’ll last for decades. Just avoid humidity—it can warp the wood or make the graphite brittle.