Even in a world that is increasingly paperless and digital, the pencil still remains a valuable piece of technology. Simple and elegant in design, these erasable writing tools are a symbol of language, artwork, and our propensity for making mistakes. They're also super-nifty when you have to jot down a quick note. Here, we've compiled a list of the best of the best in the world of pencils, so you can find the perfect pick for you and your writing needs. TICONDEROGA Pencils Graphite #2 The Yellow Classic These pencils may look old-fashioned, but they work like a charm. Best Woodcase Lead PencilsFind on Amazon You can’t go wrong with a Ticonderoga pencil. This classic brand is a favorite of many teachers since they work so well. The yellow wood casing holds up well, which means your student is less likely to break their pencil while writing. Additionally, they are non-toxic, so if your child bites on the end, you don’t have to worry about them ingesting toxic chemicals. The eraser works well, allowing you to cleanly erase any mistakes and try again. These pencils come pre-sharpened and ready to go. You can select a small pack of four or stock up with up to 240 pencils at a time. Pros The standard size is ideal for most students and adults Soft #2HB graphite is dark and easy to see Capped with a latex-free eraser that’s great for people with allergies Sharpens well so you don’t end up with funky ends and constant breaking Cons You might not find the pre-sharpened edge sharpened to your likeness. If you prefer super sharp pencils, order the unsharpened ones and you can get them just the way you like. BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil Ditch The Pencil SharpenerYour handwriting will look great with these quality mechanical pencils. Best Mechanical PencilsFind on Amazon Mechanical pencils don’t ever need sharpening. If the lead breaks, you can simply push the button and send some more down. Each one of these pencils will produce the same amount of writing or drawing as over two wooden pencils, so they last quite a while. And if you want, you can add some more lead to keep them going even longer. Since this set comes with 40 pencils, you’ll be set for a while. These Bic pencils are simple to use. The lead comes down easily, and you won’t have any smudging to deal with as you write. Your letters will look so smooth, which is a huge plus. Pros Different color clips so you can easily sort them between your kids and have less fighting to deal with A #2 pencil, so you can use these on standardized testing The 0.7-mm lead is smooth and reliable Cons For those that make a lot of mistakes, the eraser might not last Professional Drawing Sketching Pencil Set Express YourselfYou'll be able to draw just about anything with this set of graphite pencils. Best Drawing PencilsFind on Amazon While a #2 pencil is perfect for taking tests, you aren’t going to be able to use it to create flawless shading on a drawing. The lead is just too hard. If you’re looking for a pencil worthy of your beautiful sketches, go with this professional set. In one compact box, you get twelve different pencils. They range from very soft (10B) to very hard (6H). They’re perfect for sketching and drawing. If you’ve got a budding artist in your life, package these up with a sketch pad for the perfect gift. Pros They’re made from non-toxic graphite Long-lasting point so you can draw more before it needs to be sharpened Good variety for basic drawing, shading, and blending Cons The box they’re in won’t last long, so you’ll want to get a reusable bag or case to keep them in AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Pencils A Whole Bunch of #2sIf you need a lot of pencils, you can't go wrong with this set of 150 presharpened ones. Best in Bulk Find on Amazon If you go through a lot of pencils, check out this massive bulk buy. You get 150 good quality AmazonBasics pencils. The price per pencil is excellent, so you can even send some extras to school with your child to help out kids who need some new writing utensils. Since they come pre-sharpened, you won’t waste any time trying to get them ready to use. The wood case on these pencils is strong and reliable. They feature a rounded hexagonal shape that’s easy to hold. The erasers at the end are soft, and allow you to erase without leaving ugly smudges on the paper. For the price, these are an excellent option for school and home use. Pros Great price point, especially if your child tends to lose pencils and you’re constantly sending them in with more The eraser is strong and erases well without smudging Available in multiple quantities Pre-sharpened to save you time Cons These aren’t as easy to sharpen as other brands TICONDEROGA My First Pencils Easy-to-Grip BarrelHelp your young students get off to a great writing start with these large barreled pencils.Best for Beginning Writers Find on Amazon Some young children can have a hard time gripping a standard size pencil. Their little hands just don’t yet have the fine motor skills they need to grab and grip. To help, get them these thick pencils instead. The barrels have a larger diameter, so they’re the perfect size for preschoolers and other beginning writers. Since these younger students often put things in their mouths, you’ll appreciate that these pencils are certified non-toxic and safe. Pros The large barrel is easy to grip Durable wood construction that is harder to break so they last longer Sharpen well in a larger pencil sharpener Produces smooth writing that doesn’t smudge easily and discourage beginners Cons You’ll need a pencil sharpener with a large aperture to sharpen them Frequently Asked Questions What is a #2 pencil? The number on a pencil lets you know how hard or soft the graphite core is. It refers to where the pencil falls on the HB graphite grading scale. A #2 pencil produces dark lines that are easy to read. These pencils are also appropriate with Scantron machines to read, which is why many standardized tests require this type of pencil. Additionally, the marks you make are also less likely to smudge. Does my student need a yellow pencil? Though most pencils in the United States are yellow, the color is not typically a requirement. Some pencils come in fun colors, so let your child help pick some special ones out if you want. They may enjoy using them even more since they got to select them. Just make sure that your child can comfortably hold the pencil, and that it works well for their purpose. If they need a pencil for school, you can’t go wrong with a #2, no matter what color it is.