100/5Pcs Gel Pen Set Review: Are These Budget-Friendly Pens Worth It?
We’ve all been there. You sit down to start a relaxing adult coloring book or organize your bullet journal, and you realize your pens are either dried out, scratchy, or missing that one specific shade of blue you need. Buying high-end, professional art markers can cost a small fortune, and frankly, most of us just want to have fun without worrying about the price tag.
If you’ve been hunting for a massive variety of colors without spending a week’s paycheck, you’ve probably stumbled across the 100/5Pcs Gel Pen Set 100 Colored Gel Pens for Coloring Books Drawing Doodle Crafts Scrapbooks Journaling Planner School Supplies review listings online. It’s hard to ignore a set that promises 100 different shades for such a low price. But do they actually hold up, or are they just cheap plastic junk? I’ve spent the last few weeks putting these pens to the test, and here is my honest take.
What’s in the Box? At its core, this set is exactly what it says on the label: a massive collection of 100 gel pens. When you open the package, you get a wide spectrum of colors, including standard hues, neon, glitter, metallic, and pastel options.
The biggest appeal here is the value. These are clearly designed to be budget-friendly, making them accessible for students, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to stock their craft drawer without breaking the bank. Plus, many sellers offer free shipping on these sets, which makes the deal even more attractive if you’re shopping on a tight budget.
Real-World Performance: How Do They Actually Feel? Specs are one thing, but how do they handle on paper? Here is what I found after using them for journaling and doodling.
The Ink Flow For the most part, the ink flows smoothly. You don't have to press down hard to get the color onto the page, which is a huge plus if you do long coloring sessions. I didn't experience much "skipping," though a few of the glitter pens needed a little "scribble" on a scrap piece of paper to get the ink moving initially.
The Variety of Styles Having 100 pens means you have a shade for literally everything.
- The Glitters: These are surprisingly vibrant. They add a nice sparkle to scrapbooks without feeling gritty.
- The Neons: These are bright and pop beautifully against white paper.
- The Pastels: These are softer, which is great for highlighting text in a planner without it being too distracting.
Comfort During Use The barrels are standard size. They aren’t padded with fancy ergonomic grips, so if you have arthritis or plan on coloring for four hours straight, you might feel a little hand fatigue. However, for quick doodles, school notes, or coloring a single page, they are perfectly comfortable.
The Pros and Cons: Let’s Be Real No product is perfect. To give you a fair 100/5Pcs Gel Pen Set 100 Colored Gel Pens for Coloring Books Drawing Doodle Crafts Scrapbooks Journaling Planner School Supplies review, I have to highlight where these shine and where they fall short.
The Pros:
- Unbeatable variety: 100 colors mean you’ll rarely find yourself wishing for a shade you don’t have.
- Great for beginners: You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy these.
- Value: You get a huge amount of pens for a very low price.
- Free shipping: Many retailers include this, saving you even more money.
The Cons:
- Not archival quality: If you are creating a masterpiece you plan to frame for 20 years, these aren't the right choice. They are meant for casual use.
- Smudging: Because they are gel pens, they take a second or two to dry. If you are left-handed, you might accidentally smudge your work if you aren't careful.
- Inconsistent ink levels: In my set, a few pens were filled to the top, while others were only about 75% full.
Who Is This Set For? I’d recommend this set to:
- Students: If you need to color-code your notes or make your planner look organized, this is a perfect, inexpensive tool.
- Casual Crafters: If you like scrapbooking or making handmade cards, the variety of metallic and glitter pens will serve you well.
- Parents: If you have kids who love to draw, this set is a lifesaver. You won’t be stressed if one gets lost or left uncapped (though, please, remind them to cap them!).
Who should skip it? If you are a professional artist or a serious calligrapher, you will likely find these frustrating. Professional pens use higher-quality pigments that don't fade over time. If your goal is to create professional-grade art, invest in a smaller set of high-end, lightfast pens instead.
What Users Are Saying To get a better idea of how these hold up over time, I looked at what other people are saying.
- “I bought these for my daughter for school. She loves the variety, and honestly, for the price, I don't mind if she loses a few. They work great for her art projects.” — Sarah, mom of two.
- “I use these in my bullet journal. The glitter pens are my favorite. They do take a second to dry, so keep that in mind, but otherwise, I’m happy with the purchase.” — Mark, journaling enthusiast.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Money? If you are looking for a massive set of colors to have fun with, this 100/5Pcs Gel Pen Set 100 Colored Gel Pens for Coloring Books Drawing Doodle Crafts Scrapbooks Journaling Planner School Supplies review comes to a positive conclusion.
These pens aren't meant to be museum-quality art supplies. They are meant to be fun, accessible, and practical. When you factor in the budget-friendly price and the convenience of free shipping, it’s hard to find a reason not to buy them if you’re a casual user. They provide a great way to experiment with color and add some personality to your daily writing or creative projects without worrying about the cost.
If you go into it expecting a hobby-grade set of pens for a craft hobby, you’ll be happy. Just remember to keep your caps on tight when you’re done, and enjoy the rainbow of options!
