A good sharpener is an essential piece of kit for almost any artist. For those working in pencil or coloured pencil, this is even more so the case as a quality sharpener will reduce lead breakage, and result in a finer point, essential for detail work. Here, we are looking at a selection of manual and electric sharpeners, covering a range of different uses that artists might need.
Manual sharpeners are more common, typically being small and handheld with a single blade, and a good option for portability and convenience. Electric sharpeners vary in design, but most designs use sharp helical blades that shave off tiny pieces of wood as they rotate. Whilst bigger and more expensive, electric sharpeners are great for sharpening large numbers of pencils quickly, so they are worth getting if you have large sets of pencils, and useful for classrooms or studios.
If you are looking to upgrade or expand your materials, we have guides covering the best pencils and the best coloured pencils. For anyone getting started on their drawing journey or looking for additional inspiration, you can also check out our best drawing books.
The best electric pencil sharpeners
+ Great for heavy duty use
+ Takes different pencil thicknesses
- Quite bulky
If you have a variety of different thicknesses of pencils, this is a great choice. This sharpener fits most common sizes and shapes of pencil and can sharpen a pencil in 3 seconds. Combined with the large shavings tray and long-lasting charge, it a good option for classrooms and other high-volume purposes. The auto-stop helps prevent lead breakages and over-sharpening, whilst ensuring a fine point.
+ Affordable price
+ Doesn't need main power
- Not the most durable
Battery powered pencil sharpeners offer a more affordable and portable option, whilst retaining the speed and power of an electric sharpener. This sharpener by Bosch sharpens pencils to a fine point quickly and has a decent sized container for the shavings without being too bulky. Though it cannot accommodate a wide range of thicknesses, it can still handle most common pencil sizes and cores.
+ Adjustable point length
+ Good for colour pencils
- Niche use
This sharpener creates an extra long point and is adjustable between 6mm and 12mm thicknesses, making it suitable for most sketching and colour pencils. Whilst long point sharpeners are a little niche, a long point is especially good for precision work and shading, and need less frequent sharpening, saving time when drawing. This sharpener also works well with colour pencils.
The best manual pencil sharpeners
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The best manual pencil sharpeners
+ Fits two sizes of pencil
+ Compact and portable
- Takes some wrist power
This small but perfectly formed pencil sharpener has two holes: one for pencils up to 8.2mm, with a sharpening angle of 23 degrees for clear, accurate lines. The other for standard and coloured pencils up to 10.2mm, with a 30-degree angle for broad, soft strokes. It has a nice hinged cover to stop shavings spilling out.
+ Creates a long point
+ Includes spare blades
- Case prone to leaking dust
The KUM long point sharpeners are an excellent quality manual sharpener, as the blades tend to last well – and even if they become dull, they include a replacement. The design is unique as it has two holes, one to sharpen the pencil to a long taper, and the second one sharpens the tip to a fine point, resulting in a longer point than most manual sharpeners will make. Another nice additional feature is the lead pointer, which helps refresh the tip and keep it sharp.
+ Quality blade
+ Fits two pencil sizes
- Fairly basic
Our choice as the best pencil sharpener for value still does a great job of sharpening pencils thanks to its quality titanium-coated blades. It features two holes: one for standard pencils, cutting a 21-degree angle, and another for jumbo ones, cutting at 24 degrees. We found it works well with both graphite and coloured pencils.
How should I choose the best pencil sharpener?
The first thing to decide is whether you want an electric pencil sharpener or a manual pencil sharpener. The former require less effort to sharpen a pencil, using a helical cutting mechanism that turns using electric power. The downside is that of course they require power, be it batteries or a wall socket. They also tend to be more expensive. Manual pencil sharpeners need hand winding but are fully portable and usually cheaper.
Once you've made that decision, you'll need to consider what kind of pencils you need to sharpen, and how often you'll be sharpening them. In our guide to the best pencil sharpeners above, we've noted the size and type of pencil that each sharpener can be used for. If you use your pencil for art, you're more likely to want to spend a bit more for a sharpener that will keep them in good shape.
Are electric sharpeners good for pencils?
Electric sharpeners are just as good as any other for pencils, with the benefit of them being quick and clean to use, though some electric sharpeners can over-sharpen pencils, causing them to run down faster. Most modern designs prevent this with an auto stop.
Sharpeners tend not to be suitable for charcoal or soft pastel pencils, which should be sharpened with a blade and sanding block instead.
What do artists use to sharpen pencils?
Artists use a wide variety of sharpeners, with simple handheld ones being popular on the go in a pencil case, and larger hand-crank or electric ones being a good option in the studio or at home. For charcoal or soft pastel pencils, artists use a blade and sanding block.
