The best alcohol markers
Smooth, streak-free colour for drawing, colouring and lettering, in sets from 48 to 120 shades.
Alcohol markers are what illustrators and card-makers use for smooth, blended colour. The ink dries fast, so shades can be layered on top of each other without the paper going soggy.
The main choice is the tip: chisel tips are great for filling areas and bold lines, brush tips flex like a paintbrush for illustration and lettering.
What matters
- Brush tips suit illustration; chisel tips suit filling and design.
- Greys and a blender pen help with shading.
- Use marker paper or a backing sheet, as alcohol ink bleeds through thin paper.
- Cap them tightly; they dry out if left open.
Best overall
#1 of 5
9.3/10
Ohuhu 120-Colour Alcohol Markers (chisel and fine)
£59.99 RRP
A hundred and twenty colours plus a colourless blender, with colour-coded caps and a case to keep them in order: a proper kit for someone getting serious about drawing.
- 120 colours + blender
- Chisel and fine tips
- Colour-coded caps
- Carry case
- Quick-drying alcohol ink
What owners say: Excellent quality, vibrant and easy to blend, and suited to beginners and professionals alike. Owners say they keep working for years.
Heads up: Alcohol ink can bleed through thin paper, so use marker paper or slip a spare sheet underneath.
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A closer look: Colour with the chisel end in small overlapping strokes to avoid streaks, and use the fine end for outlines. The colourless blender softens edges and can lift small mistakes. Keep the caps clicked on firmly and store the pens flat so both ends stay inked.
Best for: Keen artists who want every colour
- Colours
- 120 + blender
- Tips
- Chisel + fine
- Blender pen
- Yes
- Carry case
- Yes
Best for illustration
#2 of 5
9.2/10
Ohuhu 48-Colour Alcohol Markers (brush and fine)
£39.99 RRP
Brush tips flex like a paintbrush, which makes these the pick for illustration, hand lettering and smooth blends.
- 48 colours
- Brush and fine tips
- Blends smoothly
- Fade-resistant alcohol ink
What owners say: High-quality colours that blend beautifully.
Heads up: Fewer colours for the money than the big chisel-tip sets.
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A closer look: Press lightly for thin lines and harder for broad strokes, just like a paintbrush. Work the light colours first and layer darker ones on top while the ink is still slightly damp for the smoothest blends.
Best for: Illustration and hand lettering
- Colours
- 48
- Tips
- Brush + fine
- Blender pen
- Yes
- Carry case
- Yes
Best value
#3 of 5
9.0/10
Tongfushop 120-Colour Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers
£21.89 RRP
All 120 colours for a fraction of the big-name price, including 15 greys for shading and four fluorescents.
- 120 colours
- 15 greys, 4 fluorescents
- Chisel (1–6mm) and fine (1mm) tips
- Alcohol ink
What owners say: Good quality and easy to blend, with plenty of colours. Kids enjoy them too.
Heads up: A few owners get pens that dry out quickly; keep the caps on tight.
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A closer look: The greys are the secret weapon: go over a colour with a light grey to add shadow without muddying it. Test every pen on scrap paper when the set arrives, so any duds can be swapped while it’s still returnable.
Best for: Lots of colours on a budget
- Colours
- 120
- Tips
- Chisel 1–6mm + fine 1mm
- Blender pen
- Yes
- Carry case
- Yes
Best budget
#4 of 5
8.8/10
TBC The Best Crafts Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers
Under £15 Price range
A cheap and cheerful dual-tip set for finding out whether alcohol markers are their thing.
- Broad (4–5mm) and fine (1–2mm) tips
- Quick-drying alcohol ink
- Fade-resistant colours
What owners say: Great quality for the price, with colours that show up well on paper.
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A closer look: The broad 4–5mm tip covers big areas quickly, and the fine 1–2mm end handles outlines and lettering. A good first set for a teenager or beginner before investing in a bigger one.
Best for: Trying markers for the first time
- Colours
- 80
- Tips
- Broad 4–5mm + fine 1–2mm
- Blender pen
- No
- Carry case
- Yes
#5 of 5
8.6/10
colpart 120-Colour Alcohol Markers
£15–£40 Price range
A big 120-colour set that owners especially like for painting pebbles and rocks.
- 120 colours
- Chisel (1–6mm) and fine (1mm) tips
- Alcohol ink
What owners say: Good quality and worth the price, with vibrant colours. Owners especially like them for stone painting.
Heads up: Some owners find the tips fray and dry out quickly.
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A closer look: Alcohol ink grips smooth surfaces like pebbles, so seal painted rocks with clear varnish if they’re going in the garden. Store the pens flat rather than tip-down so the ink stays spread between both ends.
Best for: Rock painting and crafts
- Colours
- 120
- Tips
- Chisel 1–6mm + fine 1mm
- Blender pen
- –
- Carry case
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Ohuhu 120 chiselBest overall | #2Ohuhu 48 brushBest for illustration | #3Tongfushop 120Best value | #4TBC dual-tipBest budget | #5colpart 120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Price | £59.99 RRP | £39.99 RRP | £21.89 RRP | £ Under £15 | ££ £15–£40 |
| Colours | 120 + blender | 48 | 120 | 80 | 120 |
| Tips | Chisel + fine | Brush + fine | Chisel 1–6mm + fine 1mm | Broad 4–5mm + fine 1–2mm | Chisel 1–6mm + fine 1mm |
| Blender pen | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | – |
| Carry case | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Keen artists who want every colour | Illustration and hand lettering | Lots of colours on a budget | Trying markers for the first time | Rock painting and crafts |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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