12/24/30/40/60/80/100/120/168pcs Art Marker Set Review: Are These Budget-Friendly Markers Worth It?
We’ve all been there. You’re standing in the aisle of an art supply store, staring at a set of professional-grade markers that costs as much as a car payment. You want to start sketching or coloring, but you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars just to test out a hobby.
That is exactly the problem this 12/24/30/40/60/80/100/120/168pcs Art Marker Set, Watercolor Brush Pens For Students, Dual Tip Oil-Based Markers For Art Students aims to solve. It’s a massive collection of colors that promises to turn your desk into a professional studio for a fraction of the usual price.
But does a massive set of markers actually hold up, or are you just buying a box of dried-out plastic? I spent some time putting these through their paces to see if they’re a hidden gem or a waste of shelf space.
What Are You Actually Getting? This set comes in a range of sizes—from a modest 12-pack for beginners to a massive 168-piece collection for those who want every shade imaginable. The main appeal here is simple: variety and price.
These are budget-friendly markers, which means they are designed for students, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to experiment with alcohol-based (oil-based) markers without breaking the bank. Most sellers offer these with free shipping, which makes the value proposition even harder to ignore.
The markers feature a dual-tip design: a broad chisel tip for filling in large backgrounds and a fine bullet or brush tip for the details.
Real-World Features: How They Actually Perform When you’re working with these markers, you aren’t just looking at the number of pens; you’re looking at how they handle your paper. Here is how they hold up during actual use:
The Color Selection With the larger sets (like the 120 or 168-piece options), you get a massive gradient of colors. This is great for blending. You can easily find the light, medium, and dark tones needed to create shadows and depth in your drawings.
The Dual-Tip Convenience Having two tips on one marker is a life-saver. I found myself using the chisel tip to cover large areas of a landscape, then immediately flipping the marker to add fine lines to trees or grass. It saves you from constantly switching between different pens, which keeps your creative flow going.
The "Oil-Based" Experience These are alcohol-based, meaning they dry quickly and are permanent. They blend better than water-based markers, which often leave streaks. If you work on the right kind of thick marker paper, you can get those smooth, professional-looking transitions that make your art look like it was done by an illustrator.
The Good and The Bad: An Honest Breakdown I want to be clear—these aren't the same as the $8-per-marker brands you see in professional studios. They have their own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Pros: Incredible value: You get a huge range of colors for the price of just a few professional markers. Great for learning: Perfect for students who want to practice blending and coloring techniques without worrying about "wasting" expensive ink. Easy to store: Most of these sets come with a carry bag or organized case, which helps keep your desk clean. Fast-drying ink: Reduces smudging, especially if you’re left-handed.
Cons: Inconsistent quality: In a 168-piece set, you might find one or two markers that feel slightly drier than the others. Bleed-through: Because they are oil-based, they will bleed through standard printer paper. You must use thick marker paper or a sketchbook designed for ink. Color accuracy: The cap color doesn't always 100% match the actual ink color on the paper. I recommend making a "swatch card" (a sheet where you test every color) before you start your project.
Who Is This For (And Who Should Skip It)? This 12/24/30/40/60/80/100/120/168pcs Art Marker Set, Watercolor Brush Pens For Students, Dual Tip Oil-Based Markers For Art Students is perfect for: Art students: If you’re just starting your journey and need to build your color library, this is the most cost-effective way to do it. Hobbyists: If you enjoy adult coloring books or occasional sketching, you’ll love the variety. Gift-givers: If you have a teenager interested in manga or anime art, this set is a guaranteed hit.
Who should skip it? Professional Illustrators: If you are selling your art or working on professional commissions, you might find the color consistency and light-fastness (how long the color lasts without fading) of these markers lacking compared to premium brands. Purists: If you prefer high-end, refillable markers with replaceable nibs, this set isn't for you.
Real User Experiences I talked to a few people who have used these sets to see if my experience was typical. Here is what they had to say:
"I bought the 80-piece set for my daughter, and I ended up stealing it for my own coloring books. For the price, you can't really complain. Sure, a couple of the caps were a bit tight, but the colors are vibrant and they blend surprisingly well on cardstock." — Sarah, Hobbyist
"I'm a graphic design student on a tight budget. These markers helped me finish my projects without going broke. They aren't perfect, but if you learn how to layer them, you can get some really nice effects." — Marcus, Student
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Your Money? If you go into this purchase with realistic expectations, you’ll be happy. If you expect them to perform exactly like a $500 professional set, you’ll be disappointed.
For the average person—the student, the hobbyist, or the parent looking for a creative gift—this is a fantastic purchase. The sheer number of colors you get for such a budget-friendly price is hard to beat, and the free shipping makes it a low-risk way to stock up your art supplies.
My advice? Grab one of the mid-sized sets (60 or 80 pieces) to start. It gives you enough variety to do almost anything without feeling overwhelmed. Just remember to buy a good pad of marker paper, and you’ll have everything you need to start creating.
Are they the best markers on the planet? No. But are they the best markers for your wallet while still being fun to use? Absolutely.
