Finding the right pastel set does not require a professional-level budget. The best pastel sets under $50 can provide broad color selection, smooth application, and enough material for practice, schoolwork, and finished artwork.
This roundup compares oil and soft pastel sets across size, pigment range, storage, blendability, and overall versatility so you can choose a set that fits your technique and budget.
Best 10 Pastel Sets Under 50 Picks for 2026
Best Value Oil Pastel Set
- 48 vibrant, richly pigmented colors
- Soft, blendable texture for varied techniques
- Sleeved, portable sticks help prevent breakage
Best For: Beginners, students, and family art projects
Professional Soft Pastels
- Handmade with refined, rich pigments
- Soft texture needs minimal blending pressure
- High lightfastness and durable color
Best For: Artists seeking professional-quality soft pastels
Portable Oil Pastel Kit
- Smooth colors blend for shading and mixing
- Includes a carrying case
- Works on paper, canvas, and artboard
Best For: Portable everyday drawing and painting
Best Color Variety
- 50 pieces with 48 colors plus extra black and white
- Includes four fluorescent UV-reactive colors
- Square sticks support detailed and broad marks
Best For: Color-rich projects, crafts, and experimental effects
Classic Color Range
Pentel Oil Pastels 50-Color Set
- 50 vibrant oil pastel colors
- Smooth application and easy blending
- For paper, canvas, and artboard
Best For: General drawing, shading, and color mixing
Artist’s Soft Touch
MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set 48 Colors
- 48 vibrant soft pastel colors
- Compact square sticks for control
- Supports fine lines and broad strokes
Best For: Soft-pastel drawing, sketching, and blending
Creative Technique Set
- 50 vibrant oil pastel colors
- Soft, creamy, blendable texture
- Supports layering and mixed techniques
Best For: Art projects, illustration, and experimental oil pastel techniques
Best All-Around Color Variety
Mont Marte 48-Color Soft Pastel Set
- 48 vibrant assorted colors
- Soft texture for blending and broad coverage
- Protective tin case included
Best For: Artists and hobbyists wanting versatile soft pastels with portable storage
Best for Creamy Application
Aliferous Art 48-Color Oil Pastels
- Creamy sticks for layering and impasto
- 48 bold, vivid colors
- Designed to reduce crumbling and flaking
Best For: Artists seeking smooth oil pastels for expressive layered work
Best Non-Toxic Square Sticks
- Non-toxic soft pastel sticks
- Square shape with smooth, even texture
- Includes sponge-protected packaging
Best For: Students, children, and beginners exploring dry-pastel techniques
Best Value Oil Pastel Set – Artecho 48-Color Oil Pastels
For shoppers comparing pastel sets under 50, the Artecho 48-color oil pastel set offers a broad palette with a soft, buttery texture. The pastels blend, layer, shade, and mix easily, while individual paper sleeves help protect each stick during storage and transport.
Best For: Beginners, students, family craft sessions, and artists who want a versatile oil pastel set with many colors.
Pros:
- Includes 48 vibrant, richly pigmented colors.
- Soft texture supports blending, layering, shading, and texture-building techniques.
- Portable 70 x 10 mm sticks have individual paper sleeves to help prevent breakage.
- Non-toxic and suitable for a range of ages and skill levels.
Cons:
- Oil pastels may not be the preferred medium for artists seeking a dry, chalk-like finish.
- The set is described as 48 basic colors rather than a specialized professional palette.
This is a practical all-purpose choice when color variety, portability, and easy handling matter most. Its soft formulation makes it approachable for first attempts while still supporting more developed mixed-media techniques.
Professional Soft Pastels – MUNGYO Gallery 30-Color Set
MUNGYO Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels Set of 30 - Professional Quality, Rich Pigments, Smooth Texture
Check Price On AmazonAmong pastel sets under 50, the MUNGYO Gallery set stands out for its handmade construction and professional-oriented pigment quality. Its soft texture requires minimal pressure, making blending and layering especially straightforward.
Best For: Artists who prioritize smooth application, rich pigments, lightfastness, and a compact professional-quality color selection.
Pros:
- Handmade with refined pigments for smooth, vibrant application.
- Soft formula blends and layers with minimal pressure.
- Designed for high lightfastness and durability to help colors resist fading.
- Trusted by artists internationally and exported to more than 50 countries.
Cons:
- With 30 colors, it offers less range than several larger sets.
- Soft pastels are not water resistant according to the supplied details.
This set is a strong fit for buyers who would rather have handmade, professional-leaning soft pastels than the largest possible color count. The emphasis is on pigment richness, effortless handling, and lasting color performance.
Portable Oil Pastel Kit – Pentel 45-Color Set
The Pentel 45-color oil pastel set is a useful option for pastel sets under 50 when portability matters. It includes a carrying case, and the acid-free pastels apply and blend smoothly on paper, canvas, and artboard.
Best For: Artists and students who want a colorful oil pastel assortment with convenient storage and support for drawing, shading, and color mixing.
Pros:
- Provides a broad assortment of 45 colors.
- Colors apply smoothly and blend easily for shading and mixing.
- Includes a carrying case for storage and transport.
- Acid-free formulation is described as resistant to humidity’s effects for longer-lasting drawings.
Cons:
- The product title references a 45-color set, while the supplied details list a 50-count unit, so buyers may want to confirm the package contents.
- It is an oil pastel set, so it may not suit users specifically seeking soft chalk pastels.
Pentel’s main advantage is convenience: a generous color selection, smooth application, and a dedicated case. It is a sensible everyday kit for artists who work across common surfaces and want their pastels organized.
Best Color Variety – Artecho 50-Piece Soft Pastels
For shoppers exploring pastel sets under 50, this Artecho soft pastel kit combines 48 distinct colors with extra black and white sticks. Its square chalk format supports fine lines, thick marks, broad coverage, blending, layering, and shading.
Best For: Beginners, students, crafters, and artists who want a large color range plus fluorescent shades for luminous UV or black-light effects.
Pros:
- Includes 50 pieces: 48 colors plus an extra black and extra white.
- Four fluorescent colors can create luminous effects under UV or black light.
- Square sticks support point work, fine and thick lines, and large-area coloring.
- Individual card slots help keep the compact sticks organized and protected.
Cons:
- The short 8 x 8 x 27 mm sticks may provide less material per pastel than longer formats.
- Fluorescent effects require UV or black-light conditions to appear as described.
This kit is particularly appealing when maximum color variety and experimental effects are priorities. The extra monochrome sticks and fluorescent colors make it more flexible than a basic color-only assortment.
Classic Color Range – Pentel Oil Pastels 50-Color Set
For shoppers comparing pastel sets under 50, this Pentel set offers 50 oil pastel colors for drawing, shading, and color mixing. The pastels are designed to apply smoothly and work on paper, canvas, and artboard.
Best For: Artists, students, and families wanting a broad oil pastel color range for general drawing and blending.
Pros:
- Includes 50 multicolor oil pastels.
- Applies smoothly and blends easily for shading and color mixing.
- Works on paper, canvas, and artboard.
- Acid-free formula is resistant to humidity effects.
Cons:
- Oil pastels may be less suitable if you specifically want a dry, chalk-like pastel medium.
- The set does not list included accessories.
Choose this set if you want a versatile, humidity-resistant oil pastel collection with enough colors for varied artwork and everyday practice.
Artist’s Soft Touch – MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set 48 Colors
Among pastel sets under 50, this MUNGYO collection stands out as a compact 48-color soft pastel set. Its square sticks are intended for both precise lines and broad strokes, with a blendable texture for drawing and sketching.
Best For: Artists and students who want compact soft pastels for controlled details, broad marks, and blending.
Pros:
- Provides 48 rich, vibrant colors.
- Soft texture supports smooth application and blending.
- Square shape works for fine lines and broad strokes.
- Compact 27mm × 8mm design is easy to control.
Cons:
- Soft pastel pigments are not water resistant.
- The shorter stick size may offer less material than longer pastel formats.
- Designed for drawing and sketching rather than oil-pastel techniques.
This is a practical option when handling precision and portability matter as much as color variety, especially for soft-pastel sketching and blending.
Creative Technique Set – Artecho Oil Pastels 50 Colors
This Artecho set is a strong choice among pastel sets under 50 for artists who want 50 colors and a soft, creamy oil pastel texture. The sticks support blending, layering, shading, and techniques such as stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting.
Best For: Beginners, experienced artists, and DIY creators exploring multiple oil pastel techniques.
Pros:
- Includes 50 vibrant colors with high-quality pigments.
- Soft, creamy texture glides across paper, canvas, and other surfaces.
- Supports blending, shading, layering, and varied decorative techniques.
- Individual paper sleeves help protect the 60mm × 8mm sticks.
Cons:
- The set is oil-based, so it may not suit shoppers seeking dry pastels.
- It does not list an included case or accessory kit.
Pick Artecho if you want a full 50-color oil pastel assortment with a soft feel and enough versatility for both standard artwork and experimental techniques.
Best All-Around Color Variety – Mont Marte 48-Color Soft Pastel Set
If you want pastel sets under 50 with plenty of color options, this Mont Marte collection offers 48 assorted soft pastel sticks in a storage tin. Its powdery texture supports broad coverage, fine lines, and blended effects for sketching, coloring, and art projects.
Best For: Artists and hobbyists who want a broad soft-pastel color range with portable storage.
Pros:
- Includes 48 vibrant assorted colors.
- Soft texture supports smooth application and color blending.
- Works for both large areas and fine lines.
- Comes in a protective tin storage case and includes an eraser.
Cons:
- Soft, powdery pastels may require cleanup during use.
- Not water resistant.
This is a versatile choice for buyers prioritizing color variety and easy blending. The included tin makes the set convenient to carry and store between projects.
Best for Creamy Application – Aliferous Art 48-Color Oil Pastels
For shoppers comparing pastel sets under 50, this 48-color oil pastel kit focuses on smooth, creamy application. The soft sticks are designed for layering, sgraffito, impasto, and blending across surfaces such as pastel paper, sketchbook paper, acrylic paper, and canvas boards.
Best For: Beginners and experienced artists who prefer oil pastels for vivid, layered artwork.
Pros:
- Creamy texture supports layering and multiple techniques.
- Designed to avoid crumbly residue, shavings, and flaking.
- Offers 48 bold, vivid colors.
- Suitable for several paper types and canvas boards.
Cons:
- Oil-based sticks may not suit artists seeking dry chalk pastels.
- The supplied notes do not list a storage tin or case.
This set stands out for its buttery feel and strong color selection. It is a practical option when clean application and expressive oil-pastel techniques matter more than a dry, powdery finish.
Best Non-Toxic Square Sticks – 24-Piece Soft Dry Pastel Set
This 24-piece set is a practical pick among pastel sets under 50 for drawing, school projects, and experimentation with dry-pastel techniques. The square sticks have a soft, even texture and support blending, gradation, and dry-wash effects.
Best For: Students, children, beginners, and artists who want non-toxic square soft pastels.
Pros:
- Non-toxic formulation is suitable for children according to the supplied notes.
- Soft square sticks provide smooth color and good spreadability.
- Supports blending, gradation, dry wash, and overlapping effects.
- Packaging includes a sponge to help reduce movement during transport.
Cons:
- Includes 24 pieces, fewer than the 48-color alternatives here.
- Dry pastel application can transfer pigment to hands and surfaces.
- The square shape may feel less familiar to users who prefer round sticks.
Choose this set for its accessible format, non-toxic positioning, and technique flexibility. Its 24-color range is more compact, but the square design can be useful for both broad marks and controlled application.
How We Picked the Best Pastel Sets Under 50
We focused on sets priced below $50 that offer useful color coverage, dependable formats, and practical value for artists at different skill levels. The selection includes oil pastels, soft pastels, square chalk pastels, and larger assortments from established brands and general-purpose art suppliers.
Our comparison emphasizes the factors that matter most in daily use: color count, stick dimensions, texture, blending behavior, storage, portability, and whether the set suits learning, casual work, or more developed artwork. Because prices can change, confirm the current listing price before purchasing.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | Look For | Common Set Type |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Broad colors and forgiving texture | 48- to 50-color sets |
| Blending and layering | Soft, rich, easily mixed pigment | Soft pastel sets |
| Bold, creamy marks | Dense sticks with strong coverage | Oil pastel sets |
| Travel or classes | Compact case or tin | Portable boxed sets |
| Budget experimentation | Large assortment at a low cost | General-purpose pastel sets |
Key Buying Factors for Pastel Sets Under 50
Oil Pastels Vs. Soft Pastels
Oil pastels usually produce bold, creamy strokes and work well for saturated color, layering, and textured marks. They can be easier for beginners because they do not create loose dust, but they may be harder to blend cleanly. Soft pastels feel drier and are often preferred for gradients, delicate shading, and painterly effects, though they can shed pigment and require more careful handling.
Color Range and Stick Size
A 48- or 50-color set offers useful variety for portraits, landscapes, and decorative work without requiring frequent mixing. Check the listed stick dimensions as well: longer or thicker pastels generally provide more usable material, while smaller sticks can be a convenient way to sample more colors on a budget.
Texture, Pigment, and Blending
Choose a softer texture if smooth coverage and easy blending are priorities. Firmer sticks may provide cleaner lines and better control. If you plan to layer heavily, look for sets described as richly pigmented, smooth, or blendable, but remember that performance also depends on the paper or board used.
Storage and Safety
A tin or carrying case helps prevent breakage and keeps colors organized, especially for students or artists who work away from home. For children, classrooms, or shared studios, check the product listing for non-toxic labeling and recommended age information.
Who Should Buy Which Pastel Sets Under 50?
Beginners and students will generally benefit from a broad 48- or 50-color assortment with a case. Choose oil pastels for vivid, low-dust marks and straightforward layering. Pick soft pastels if blending, atmospheric effects, and loose expressive strokes are more important.
Artists seeking a more refined feel should prioritize professional-quality or handmade soft pastels with rich pigment and consistent texture. Travelers should choose a compact boxed set, while occasional crafters can maximize value with a larger general-purpose assortment. Whatever your skill level, match the pastel type to your preferred technique and verify the dimensions, color count, and current price before ordering.