10 Best Pastel Sets Under $100 for Artists and Beginners in 2026

Finding the right pastel set under $100 means balancing color range, blendability, stick shape, and the kind of artwork you plan to make. This roundup compares oil pastels and soft pastels across beginner-friendly and artist-focused options.

Whether you want smooth layering, bold color, or an affordable way to build a versatile studio collection, these 10 sets offer practical choices at different sizes and price points.

Best 10 Pastel Sets Under 100 Picks for 2026

Rich Oil Color Range – MUNGYO 48-Color Gallery Soft Oil Pastels

For shoppers comparing pastel sets under 100, this MUNGYO set offers 48 oil-based colors in soft, blendable sticks. It is a practical choice for artists who want a ready palette for sketchbooks, textured pastel paper, card stock, or classroom projects.

Best For: Artists and students who want soft oil pastels for blending, layering, and mixed-paper studies.

Pros:

• Includes 48 assorted shades for a broad starting palette.
• Soft oil-based color glides on smoothly and supports dense coverage.
• Colors can be blended and layered by hand without water or brushes.

Cons:

• Soft sticks may snap if held or pressed too firmly.
• They are not water resistant.

The MUNGYO set stands out when comfortable round sticks and hands-on blending matter most. Store it at room temperature and away from direct heat to help maintain the sticks between uses.

Everyday Versatility – Pentel 50-Color Oil Pastel Set

Among pastel sets under 100, Pentel’s 50-color oil pastel set is a straightforward option for smooth application, shading, and color mixing. The acid-free formula is suited to paper, canvas, and artboard, making it useful across several common surfaces.

Best For: Adults, teens, and children seeking a versatile oil pastel set for drawing and color blending.

Pros:

• Provides 50 multicolor pastels in one set.
• Colors apply smoothly and blend easily for shading and mixing.
• Acid-free pastels are designed to resist humidity effects over time.
• Works on paper, canvas, and artboard.

Cons:

• The supplied notes do not identify included accessories or tools.
• As oil pastels, they are less suited to water-based techniques.

This is a balanced pick for general-purpose drawing when surface flexibility and an easy-to-use color range are priorities. Its 50-color assortment also gives beginners and family art groups plenty of shades to explore.

Vibrant Square Sticks – MUNGYO 64-Color Soft Pastels

For buyers searching pastel sets under 100, this MUNGYO collection pairs 64 vibrant colors with a square soft-pastel format. The broad assortment supports blending, gradation, dry-wash, and other pastel techniques for school, home, or fine-art practice.

Best For: Students and artists who prefer square chalk pastels for blending, shading, and expressive color work.

Pros:

• Offers 64 rich and vibrant colors.
• Square shape provides an easy-to-handle grip and can support varied marks.
• Soft, smooth texture works for blending, gradation, dry-wash, and shading.
• Non-toxic AP-seal product.

Cons:

• These are soft chalk pastels rather than oil pastels.
• They are not water resistant.

The square format and larger color count make this set appealing for technique practice and expressive pastel work. Choose it over an oil-pastel set if dry blending and chalk-pastel methods are your main goals.

Portable Family Set – Artecho 48-Color Oil Pastels

This Artecho set is a practical contender among pastel sets under 100, combining 48 vibrant oil colors with portable 70 mm by 10 mm sticks. The soft texture supports blending, layering, texture building, and creative techniques from illustration to impasto.

Best For: Beginners, students, DIY creators, and families wanting a portable oil pastel set for varied projects.

Pros:

• Includes 48 richly pigmented colors for broad project coverage.
• Soft, buttery sticks blend and shade smoothly.
• Supports layering, color mixing, stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting.
• Individual paper sleeves help protect each pastel during storage and transport.

Cons:

• The set has 48 colors, fewer than some larger assortments.
• Soft pastels can require careful handling to limit breakage.

Artecho is a strong fit when portability and technique flexibility matter. The individual sleeves and manageable stick size make it convenient for bags, classroom shelves, homeschool settings, and family craft time.

Artist-Grade Soft Pastel Pick – Mungyo 48-Color Soft Pastels

If you’re comparing pastel sets under 100, this 48-color Mungyo set offers a practical balance of color variety, blendability, and control. Its square, non-toxic sticks are designed for shading, detailed strokes, and creative work on paper, canvas, and other suitable surfaces.

Best For: Artists and hobbyists who want a versatile soft pastel set with a firm square grip.

Pros:

• Includes 48 vibrant assorted colors for varied artwork.
• Soft texture supports smooth blending, shading, and effects.
• Square shape provides a firm grip for precise strokes.
• Comes with a storage case and uses non-toxic materials.

Cons:

• The soft formulation may be less suited to artists seeking firm pastels.
• The set is described for adult use, so it may not be the best choice for young children.

This Mungyo set is a strong option when you want artist-focused soft pastels with dependable handling and a useful range of colors in one case.

Versatile Oil Pastel Set – Artecho 50-Color Oil Pastels

Among pastel sets under 100, the Artecho 50-color oil pastel set stands out for its creamy application and broad technique support. The individually sleeved, 60-by-8-millimeter sticks are made for blending, layering, stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting on paper, canvas, and other surfaces.

Best For: Beginners, experienced artists, and DIY creators who want an oil pastel set for multiple techniques.

Pros:

• Provides 50 vibrant colors with high-quality pigments.
• Soft, creamy texture glides smoothly and blends easily.
• Supports illustration, layering, stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting.
• Each stick has an independent paper sleeve to help protect it from breaking.

Cons:

• As oil pastels, these are a different medium from water-soluble or dry soft pastels.
• The round 8-millimeter sticks may offer less edge control than square pastels for fine details.

Choose this Artecho set if creamy color application and technique flexibility matter more to you than the powdery finish associated with traditional soft pastels.

Maximum Color Variety – LIGHTWISH 72-Color Soft Pastels

For shoppers seeking pastel sets under 100 with the widest supplied color range, the LIGHTWISH set includes 72 soft pastel colors. Its highly pigmented, velvety texture is designed for smooth blending, layering, portraits, landscapes, abstract work, and controlled detail applications.

Best For: Beginners, adult artists, and sketchers who want extensive color coverage and easy layering.

Pros:

• Offers 72 colors spanning essential and nuanced shades.
• Highly pigmented formula delivers vivid, saturated color.
• Soft, smooth texture supports blending and layering without a gritty feel.
• Includes a protective case, blending stump, and extender tool.

Cons:

• The 1.3-kilogram weight makes it less portable than lighter sets.
• The soft consistency may require careful handling despite the durable-stick design.

This LIGHTWISH set is the best fit here for color-hungry artists who want many shades, generous pigment, and included tools for blending and extending their creative options.

Complete Starter Pick – Rubens 81-Piece Macaron Oil Pastels Kit

For shoppers comparing pastel sets under 100, the Rubens kit stands out as an all-in-one option for getting started. It combines 48 macaron oil pastels with paper, a drawing board, masking tape, and a palette knife, so beginners can begin practicing without gathering many separate supplies.

Best For: Beginners, art students, and hobbyists who want a ready-to-use oil pastel setup.

Pros:

• Includes pastels, 30 sheets of pastel paper, a drawing board, masking tape, and a palette knife.
• Soft, creamy texture supports blending, layering, and color mixing.
• Palette knife enables textured and impasto-style effects.
• Non-toxic materials are included in the product details.

Cons:

• The set is designed for adults, so it may not be the best fit for younger children.
• The included 24-color selection may offer less color variety than the stated 48-piece count suggests.

This is the practical choice when convenience matters most. Its bundled tools and forgiving texture make it well suited to daily exercises and experimenting with oil pastel techniques.

Color Variety Pick – MUNGYO 48-Color Soft Pastel Set

Among pastel sets under 100, this MUNGYO collection is a focused choice for artists who prioritize color range and blendability. Its 48 square soft pastels are compact, easy to control, and suited to both detailed marks and broader strokes.

Best For: Artists and students who want a portable soft pastel set for drawing and sketching.

Pros:

• Offers 48 rich, vibrant colors for varied artistic expression.
• Fine pigments provide a smooth, blendable application.
• Square shape supports both fine lines and broad strokes.
• Compact 27mm by 8mm format allows controlled handling and detailing.

Cons:

• It does not include paper, tools, or other accessories.
• The soft pastels are not water resistant.
• The compact sticks may provide less coverage per piece than larger pastels.

Choose this set if you already have drawing surfaces and want a broad palette in a compact format. Its square profile adds flexibility for sketching, edges, and wider applications.

Family Practice Pick – Sakura Cray-Pas Junior Artist 25-Color Set

For pastel sets under 100 intended for accessible art practice, the Sakura Cray-Pas Junior Artist set offers 25 creamy oil pastels with bright, versatile colors. Its smooth application supports blending, layering, and scratching for home or school projects.

Best For: Children and beginners working on home or school art activities.

Pros:

• Creamy texture supports blending, layering, and scratching techniques.
• Includes 25 assorted oil pastel colors.
• Certified non-toxic with an ACMI AP Seal.
• Color pigments are individually tested for blendability.

Cons:

• The 25-color assortment offers less range than the larger sets in this roundup.
• Only the pastel sticks are listed as included components, with no paper or accessories.
• The product details state that it has no warranty.

This set is a sensible option for young artists who need straightforward, non-toxic oil pastels. It favors ease of use and familiar techniques over a large color selection or bundled extras.

How We Picked the Best Pastel Sets Under 100

We focused on sets that offer useful color coverage, dependable application, and good value for artists, students, hobbyists, and beginners. The selection includes oil pastels and soft pastels in multiple formats, from compact 25-color kits to larger sets with 72 or more shades.

We also considered stick dimensions, square versus rounded profiles, blendability, portability, and whether each set suits detailed work, broad coverage, or experimentation. Because prices can change, confirm the current listing price before buying.

Quick Comparison

What to Compare	Best For	Why It Matters
Oil pastel sets	Bold, creamy marks	Usually work well for layering, blending, and expressive color.
Soft pastel sets	Dry blending and atmospheric effects	Offer a powdery texture suited to gradients and broad coverage.
25–50 colors	Beginners and portable kits	Provides a manageable selection without excessive duplication.
64–81 colors	Artists and color-focused users	Expands tonal choices and reduces the need to mix every shade.

Key Buying Factors for Pastel Sets Under 100

Oil Pastels Vs. Soft Pastels

Oil pastels have a waxy, creamy feel and produce saturated marks with little dust. They are a strong choice for children, casual sketching, and layered artwork. Soft pastels are drier and easier to smudge, making them useful for subtle transitions, loose landscapes, and expressive shading. They can create dust, so ventilation and a suitable workspace matter.

Color Count and Useable Variety

A higher number of colors is not automatically better. Look for a balanced mix of primary, secondary, neutral, skin, earth, and darker shades. A smaller set may be easier to organize, while a larger kit can be more convenient if you want to work quickly without mixing colors.

Shape, Size, and Handling

Square pastels can provide crisp edges for lines and details, while rounded sticks may feel more natural for broad strokes. Check the listed dimensions if you plan to carry the set or use it for large artwork. Larger sticks may last longer, but compact sets are easier to store.

Blendability and Surface Compatibility

Consider whether you prefer finger blending, layering, or using tools such as tortillons and blending stumps. Soft pastels generally need a textured surface to hold pigment, while oil pastels work on many smooth and textured papers. Use pastel paper or a prepared surface for better control and durability.

Who Should Buy Which Pastel Sets Under 100?

• Beginners: Choose a moderate-color set that is easy to organize and broad enough for basic practice.
• Students and families: Oil pastel kits are typically convenient for bold, low-dust projects and everyday drawing.
• Landscape and portrait artists: A larger soft pastel assortment offers more blending options and subtle color transitions.
• Traveling artists: Favor compact packaging and durable sticks over maximum color count.
• Detail-oriented users: Square sticks can provide useful edges for outlines, small marks, and controlled layering.

Ultimately, the best pastel set depends on texture preference, workspace, and intended subject. Choose the set with the most relevant colors and handling style rather than simply the largest assortment.