By Rebecca Wolken | Updated Mar 19, 2021 1:25 PM

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If you’ve ever reached into the back of a desk drawer looking for your favorite pencil or pen, you know how frustrating it can be to fish around but come up empty, especially if you’re in a rush. With their narrow profile, pencils and pens are easily misplaced if they aren’t contained and organized. Artists who have an overabundance of pencils, pencils, markers, and brushes also know all too well how quickly a space can become disorganized.

Keep track of those special pencils or other writing instruments while maintaining a clean and organized desk drawer or backpack with a pencil case. The best pencil case will help to declutter an office space and keep these essential tools at your fingertips. There are pencil cases that feature a host of compartments, dividers, and pockets for the items you want to store and even straps to carry them or attach them to a tote bag or a child’s backpack when on the go.

Explore this guide to learn the important features to consider when choosing the best pencil case for you and then discover some of the top products on the market.

Finding the best pencil case might seem easy at first, but once you start searching, it can quickly become overwhelming with the number of available options. To narrow down the choices, consider features like size, material, type and number of compartments, and any additional features to meet your specific needs, like personalization options or a carrying strap. Read on to learn more.

Pencil cases are available in a wide range of sizes. The ideal size of a pencil case for you primarily depends on the size and number of items you need it to hold. If you’re working in a home office, packing up your laptop to head to the local coffee shop, or sending a child off to school, a small pencil case to hold a few pencils and pens will likely be sufficient. For artists, storing items like erasers, markers, colored pencils, brushes, and more might require a much larger pencil case.

Before starting the search for the best pencil case, gather all the items you want to store. Measure the longest items and also take note of the number of items you want to store. While shopping, keep those measurements and numbers in mind to ensure the pencil case will be capable of holding all of these tools. Remember to leave room to spare in case you acquire new items or simply to ensure you can easily close the case.

Depending on how and where you’ll be using and carrying the pencil case, you might need a heftier material to prevent it from being damaged. Many kids aren’t gentle with their possessions and might need a pencil case that can take a beating. Alternatively, if the case will be sitting in an office drawer, then a more delicate material will suffice. For the most part, pencil cases are made of canvas, polyester, or a combination of the two, and a few higher-end options are made of leather.

The material will also determine whether the case is washable. Accidents happen, even to the most careful people, and knowing you can toss the pencil case into the washing machine or clean it off with soap and water is a relief.

You’ve thought about the items you want to store in the pencil case—now consider how you need to organize those items. Some pencil cases offer dividers, sleeves, and individual loops to hold pencils and pens. These features make organization simple and reduce the amount of time you’ll spend digging around to find the writing or drawing tool you need. Separate compartments are also ideal for storing erasers, sharpeners, and other items that have an awkward or bulky shape.

Pencil cases are used in a variety of different ways. Luckily, many of the best pencil cases provide additional features on top of a wide selection of size, material, and compartment options.

With everyone having a unique style, most individuals want to find a pencil case that fits that style. In addition to choosing a preferred color, the option to personalize the case is a favorite feature. Personalization could include a name, initials, or even a logo. Another versatile and practical feature is a strap or a loop that can make it easier to take the pencil case along by attaching it to a bag or a backpack for quick accessibility.

With technology slowly taking over the world, people are using fewer pencils and pens. However, many individuals still choose to use these tactile items in their daily work, and both artists and school children still need the essentials. Keep in mind the above considerations and peruse this list of some of the best pencil cases available today.

No matter if it needs to carry office, school, or art supplies, or even makeup, this pencil case by Easthill can handle it. Measuring 9.5 by 4.4 by 1.2 inches, it’s large enough to offer plenty of versatility but small enough to still be easily portable. Made of a canvas and cotton blend, this durable pencil case can hold up to 50 pens or pencils.

The case includes two unique compartments: a large main pouch and a smaller pouch on the exterior. This exterior pouch features individual loops to hold pencils and pens. Each pouch boasts a sturdy zipper, and the attached hand strap makes it easy to carry. Choose from four color and pattern options: black polka dots, dark gray, white plaid, and purple.

This affordable pencil case by Sooez provides three zipper compartments to contain a variety of items. The large main compartment can easily hold bigger items like tape, pencil sharpeners, erasers, calculators, and sticky notes. The second compartment boasts 14 individual loops for pens and pencils. The third smaller compartment on the exterior of the case is ideal for small rulers, headphones, or gum.

The case is made of durable polyester material that is easy to clean while resisting tears and scratches. At 10.84 by 5.83 by 1.58 inches, it offers enough space to hold over 100 pencils and pens while still being easy to carry with the convenient handle. Select from eight colors: black, white with black dots, mint green, orange, pink, blue, gray, and purple.

While in the classroom and traveling between home and school, kids can place a lot of wear and tear on their possessions, including their pencil cases. This pencil case by ZIPIT boasts a durable and crack-resistant EVA material on the outside with a soft velvet lining on the inside, along with a sturdy zipper. It’s also machine washable, so the inevitable accidents can be washed away with ease.

This pencil case offers one large compartment that measures 8.2 by 5 by 3.15 inches, ensuring it will comfortably hold plenty of the items that kids might need for school or just for a trip to a grandparent’s house. Store up to 60 pens or use it to carry craft supplies or small toys. This case is called a Beast Box because each of the seven designs features a pair of fun monster-looking eyes paired with colors ranging from pink and red to blue and black.

Artists not only need a case that holds all their essential supplies but also one that looks as beautiful as their art. This pencil case by Qianshan can hold up to 202 colored pencils. It’s uniquely designed with multiple layers for easy viewing and access to each writing or coloring instrument. The durable and tear-resistant polyester fabric is available in 10 eclectic patterns, including cats, dandelions, orchids, tree leaves, pink horses, pirates, and more.

The case features one large zipper compartment that opens up to several book-like sleeves that hold pens, drawing pencils, brushes, and markers with individual elastic loops. The second compartment is a small exterior pouch with a Velcro closure. With dimensions of 10.6 by 8.5 by 3.5 inches, it’s big enough to hold a multitude of art supplies while remaining portable with the convenient handle.

Easthill’s elegantly designed pencil case is ideal for those who need more than just a standard single-compartment case. Featuring both a large capacity compartment and two smaller pouches, this case can hold school and art supplies, makeup tools, travel items, and office essentials. Crafted with 100 percent unbleached canvas on top and 100 percent cotton on the bottom, it’s available in nine colors: black, purple, yellow, blue, light blue, cyan, gray, khaki, and pink.

Measuring 8.66 by 4.13 by 2.56 inches, this pencil case can hold up to 50 pens or 90 pencils. In addition, the large compartment and zippered pouches provide the space and versatility to hold a wide range of items like sticky notes, erasers, scissors, headphones, and more.

Sometimes not just any pencil case will do. This stylish case by Rustic Town is made with 100 percent authentic buffalo leather using eco-friendly techniques. The warm and rustic leather is durable and crafted with quality stitching to hold up over time and will pair nicely with other leather or higher-end desk accessories. At 8 by 3 by 3 inches, the case can easily hold plenty of pens or pencils for work or school; however, it is smaller than other pencil cases on this list.

The case features one large zippered compartment that can contain a variety of other items as well, but it isn’t ideal for those looking for excellent organization within a pencil case since it lacks other individual pouches or sleeves. It’s also available in a slightly smaller version that measures 7.25 by 2 by 2 inches.

Now that you know what to look for in a pencil case, there may still be questions about the types of pencil cases, the average size of a pencil case, and even what to store in a pencil case. Check out the answers to these most frequently asked questions below.

Sometimes these phrases are used interchangeably, but a pencil case typically has a structured interior with dividers, zippers, and sleeves for optimal organization of pencils and other supplies. A pencil pouch can simply be a small bag with one compartment and one zipper.

While the size of a pencil case can vary greatly, the average measurements of cases are between 7 and 10 inches in length and 2 to 3 inches in width.

The beauty of a pencil case is that it has myriad uses. Feel free to store items ranging from pens and pencils to school and art supplies to makeup.

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