Traditional chalk sticks can produce really cool rustic effects for street art or restaurant menus, but they’re also really messy to use, and nobody is a fan of the chalk dust that can result from using chalk sticks.
Enter liquid chalk markers, the new and improved version of traditional chalk sticks. They create smooth, bold lines that look like they’ve been drawn with chalk, and you’ve probably seen people using them to advertise specials at restaurants, decorate storefront windows, and more.
So, what are the best liquid chalk markers? The best liquid chalk markers write smoothly, are highly pigmented, dry quick, are easy to clean up, and last a long time. You don’t want a chalk marker that leaks, lets out too much liquid chalk at once, or dries out after just a couple of uses.
But how do you know which one’s right for you? There are so many different brands out there, along with a variety of colors. It can be overwhelming! Here’s what you need to know about this revolutionary tool.
Buyer’s Guide To Liquid Chalk Markers
A chalk marker is a type of marker that releases liquid chalk instead of ink or paint. It’s a useful and clean way to draw on chalkboards. Compared to drawing with chalk sticks, which can get messy due to the chalk dust and are not at all easy to clean up, chalk markers are kind of revolutionary in this sense.
Compared to chalk sticks, chalk markers are much easier to use. While a chalk stick is great for drawing or writing on a chalkboard, it can also be awkward to hold using it the same way that you would a pencil or marker.
Chalk markers are designed to look just like a regular marker, allowing you to write with it the same way you would with a regular pen or marker. This is a huge bonus since it gives you more control over how the final drawing will look.
Similar to other types of markers, chalk markers come in a variety of designs and colors with many different purposes.
If you’re looking for chalk markers for arts and crafts or decorating the menu board at a cafe, then there are definitely a few things to look at when buying chalk markers for your collection.
1. Design
Chalk markers are designed for comfort, and the body of the markers can make a huge difference in how your artwork turns out.
The design of the markers’ bodies and caps will also make them easy to organize if you already have a collection of markers. Having markers will clear labels and colored caps will make a huge difference in how your markers collection will look.
2. Tip Design And Size
Similar to other types of markers, chalk markers also come with a variety of tip designs and sizes.
The smaller tips are designed for fine detailing, while the bigger tips make it easy to draw broad strokes on large surfaces. The most common size for chalk marker tips is 6mm, which can produce relatively thick lines.
In addition, chalk markers also come with a variety of tip designs, including round tips, square tips, or chisel tips. There are sets that offer reversible tips as well, of course, so you don’t have to get too many chalk markers to get what you need.
The tips are often replaceable, so if you have a damaged or clogged-up tip, look for replaceable tips of the same size, and your chalk markers should be as good as new!
The choice comes down to personal preferences and how each tip style can fit into your artworks, but if you’re just using them in your classroom, then the round tips are probably the simplest way to go.
3. Color Range
The color range is the most fun part of chalk markers. Chalk sticks are limited in terms of color options, and when they’re in storage, the colors can even shed dust on one other, creating a really messy chalk box.
That’s definitely no longer an issue with the chalk markers – you can get as many colors as you want, and you can even choose the type of color finish, from matte to neon to metallic. This is definitely a huge improvement from chalk sticks, and it can make your collection a lot less messy.
One bonus point with chalk markers is that the colors can turn out brilliantly on dark, light, and even transparent backgrounds, which gives you more room to experiment with the markers.
While the regular colors work well with every background, you can try pairing the neon and metallic chalk markers with a dark background (such as a blackboard) to create some luminescent results.
Transparent backgrounds work best with opaque colors and crisp, clean lines. Depending on the surface you’re drawing on, you can achieve different results with the same colors, so if you’re an artist experimenting with chalk markers, there are really no limits to how you can use these markers.
4. Cleaning Up
Chalk markers give you all the benefits of chalk sticks but without all the mess. You can use chalk markers to draw on non-porous surfaces like chalkboards, glass, or even concrete.
You should avoid using chalk markers on chalkboard paint, especially if the paint is covering a porous surface like wood. The chalk markers can leave a residue that is difficult to clean up from a porous surface.
Some chalk markers have recommended surfaces that they work best on, but in general, you should be able to use liquid chalk markers with any surfaces that you would use regular chalk with.
There’s no chalk dust when using chalk markers, so it’s definitely a big step up from using traditional chalk sticks. You can easily clean it up, just like you would with traditional chalk, by using a wet towel or sponge.
Chalk is pretty resilient when left alone, which means your drawings will stay put until you decide to switch it out with something else. This is a huge bonus for chalk markers, and it’s why they are definitely becoming more and more popular.
If you want to add some chalk markers to your collection, then let’s take a look at our recommendations below to find the perfect one for your needs.
15 Best Liquid Chalk Markers
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Mr. Pen Chalk Markers | Vibrant, opaque, chisel + bullet tips. non-toxic |
2. | Bandle B. Liquid Chalk Markers | Fade-proof, write on glass, reversible tips |
3. | Vibrant Liquid Chalk Markers | Highly pigmented, eco-friendly, reversible tips |
4. | Penguin Liquid Chalk Markers | Write on glass, fine tips, quick-dry |
5. | Liquid Chalk Markers Metallic Color | Metallic, write on glass, smooth writing |
6. | Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers | Reversible tips, extra ink, write on glass |
7. | Kassa Liquid Chalk Markers | Show on black, quick-dry, smudge-proof |
8. | SAKEYR Liquid Chalk Markers Pens | Regular and metallic colors, water-based |
9. | Volcanics Liquid Chalk Markers | Eco-friendly, non-toxic, quality color |
10. | Aen Art Liquid Chalk Markers | Neons, water-based, quick-dry, smooth finish |
11. | Positive Art Liquid Chalk Markers | 30 set, chisel tip, write on glass |
12. | Chalkola Fine Tip Chalk Markers | Reversible fine/chisel tip, 30 colors |
13. | Lana&Luca Liquid Chalk Markers | Reversible tip, 20 colors, write on glass |
14. | MRNKI Liquid Chalk Markers | 24 colors, vivid color, smooth application |
15. | JumpOff Jo Liquid Chalk Markers | 48 colors, 4 metallic, 6 neon |
1. Mr. Pen Chalk Markers
Let’s start with a very basic pack of chalk markers – these are great if you want to use them to write down cafe menus and create erasable signs for a shop.
They produce vibrant, opaque colors that flow smoothly out of the markers and help you whip up a sign in just a few minutes.
The Mr. Pen Chalk Markers feature both chisel and bullet tip ends that are both great for outlining or coloring. All the markers are filled with a non-toxic, odorless liquid chalk that is easy to wipe off, so they’re easily applied to most non-porous surfaces.
2. Bandle B. Liquid Chalk Markers
Bandle B. is a new way to let your creativity shine. These chalk markers are specifically formulated for writing on non-porous surfaces, such as chalkboards, glass, gloss, and more.
These vivid water-based inks are fade-proof when dry and will not wear off until you want to clean it up with a wet towel. The markers come in eight vibrant colors, which are just enough to create a colorful menu for a cafe or some beautiful glass drawings for your windows.
The reversible tips allow you to create fine and bold lines, making them innovative art tools designed for both adults and children.
Made from ergonomically designed, super-comfortable materials, they’re easy to hold and control. This combination of comfort and ease-of-use is ideal for designing spaces that inspire creativity.
3. WeisBrandt Vibrant Liquid Chalk Markers
These Liquid Chalk Markers have a high pigment content which makes the colors bold and long-lasting. They’re made from eco-friendly materials to ensure the premium touch and feel, flawless usage on any non-porous surface.
This compact, handy pack includes eight vibrant colors, allowing you to create beautiful and colorful artworks on any non-porous surface. Plus, each marker sports two reversible tips, with a chisel tip on one side, while the other side offers a thicker bullet tip for more control over how your drawings will look.
These vibrant Liquid Chalk Markers are the latest innovation in the world of chalk markers. This unique formula is totally erasable by simply wiping it down with a wet towel. Dustless, non-toxic, odorless, and washable, these chalk markers are eco-friendly and safe for use at home by kids and adults!
4. Penguin Liquid Chalk Markers
This set is a collection of 8 vibrant colors in a convenient storage case. They can help you create bright, fluorescent colors on a variety of non-porous surfaces, including whiteboards, glass, and more.
Each liquid chalk marker comes with a fine tip (3mm) to let you create fine lines while also being able to create bold, thick strokes depending on the pressure applied.
Thanks to the quality ink, these liquid chalk markers dry in just a couple of seconds on most surfaces to provide you with a long-lasting result that can be wiped off just as quickly and completely.
These are great for the classroom or just about anywhere that you want to achieve crisp, brilliant colored designs.
5. Liquid Chalk Markers Metallic Color
One outstanding feature of liquid chalk markers, compared to chalk sticks, is that you can get ones with a metallic sheen!
This set is the perfect compliment for creating signs and boards around the holidays, helping your designs stand out in the festivities.
This package includes eight metallic-colored chalk markers. These markers are specially formulated to write on all non-porous surfaces such as glass and mirrors.
The water-based ink creates vivid colors with the smoothest writing experience, and they’re perfectly safe for young children.
The colors produced by these metallic markers are brilliant and quite long-lasting, but they’re also pretty easy to wipe away if you mess up or want to change out the colors for something else.
6. Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers
This is an award-winning (TillyWig Sterling Fun Award) set of chalk markers for children, young and old alike.
This set comes with ten primary colors that you can use in every drawing, ranging from fun and playful to solid and professional, and delivers a variety of effects and vivid results.
The reversible tip is also a huge bonus, giving you twice the drawing options. The chisel tip offers bold lines that can be used to write on blackboards, glass, tile, and most other hard surfaces. The bullet tip is great for adding fine details and coloring in small areas.
With 2x the amount of ink than other chalk pens on the market, these chalk markers can stay in your collection for a long time, helping you create vivid color and smooth coverage with every stroke.
These markers offer a great alternative to crayons and markers, making them ideal for decorating classroom art projects. These water-based, non-toxic chalk markers are easily erased with a dry or wet cloth, making clean-up a snap!
7. Kassa Liquid Chalk Markers
These vibrant neon colors are sure to grab anyone’s attention. These chalk markers are perfect for use on dark surfaces but may not be ideal on light-colored backgrounds.
They come in a set of 10 brightly colored markers that can produce quick-drying and smudge-proof results.
These versatile chalk markers are designed for anyone who wants to create high-definition chalkboard art. Its dual-ended design includes a chisel nib for fine lines and a bullet tip for thick strokes.
These water-based markers are able to write on any smooth, non-porous surface and can become permanent on porous surfaces, so you can play around with them to achieve the right effects for your project.
8. SAKEYR Liquid Chalk Markers Pens
This is a set of twelve vibrant, fully saturated opaque colors that creates an array of possibilities for your art projects.
What’s great about this set is that it includes both regular and metallic colors, so you can have the best of both worlds when it comes to creating brilliant, colorful designs.
These markers feature a durable bullet/chisel reversible tip that can be used to create fine lines for precise details. The liquid chalk glides smoothly across non-porous surfaces to create even and crisp lines, which adds more depth to your artwork.
These brightly-colored markers are perfect for creating bold, eye-catching murals. The water-based ink allows for easy clean-up, and they are great for doodling, writing notes, or even coloring.
9. Volcanics Liquid Chalk Markers
These 12 markers are an overall delight. They’re simple, easy to use, and perfect for beginners of all ages. Thanks to the eco-friendly liquid chalk ink, the color quality is unmatched, and the non-toxic, water-based formula makes it quite easy to clean up.
These markers sport ergonomic handles and reinforced caps that protect the tips of the markers and keep them from drying out. The 6mm round tips make them quite intuitive to use, so you can master them in no time.
Whether you’re drawing for yourself or trying to get your kindergartener started on the right track, there really is no wrong way to go on with these chalk markers.
10. Aen Art Liquid Chalk Markers
Create bold lines and vibrant works of art with these markers. Each is double-ended, with a broad chisel tip for broad strokes and a fine tip for details.
This set includes 12 gorgeous neon colors, making it the perfect art supply for your home or classroom. Each vivid color works well on most non-porous surfaces, including glass, metal, plastic, and paper.
These markers feature a premium water-based, non-toxic liquid chalk that dries quickly, and the colors will not fade away.
In addition, the light refraction created by the high concentration of pigments provides soft, smooth coloring that creates a professional quality finish, making coloring with them quite satisfying.
Similar to other types of liquid chalk markers, these markers make drawings really easy to clean up (when drawn on non-porous surfaces).
11. Positive Art Liquid Chalk Markers
This collection of 30 unique liquid chalk markers will have any color you need, from brilliant neons to deep jewel tones. Featuring a chisel tip for a wide range of applications, applying these markers is a breeze.
These cool water-based liquid chalk markers are useful for so many different things, besides being a constant source of fun! They can be used to paint on any non-porous surface and are easy to clean up, allowing you to let your creativity flourish.
Of course, the markers are designed to be very comfortable to hold, especially for children, and the non-toxic liquid chalk makes them perfectly safe for young kids, allowing them to play around without making a big mess.
12. Chalkola Fine Tip Chalk Markers
These fine tip markers are designed for precise, smooth application. The set provides 30 vibrant colors in classic pastel, neutral, and neon hues, which is quite an extensive range that most artists, as well as children, would enjoy.
The included reversible chisel tip is great for drawing clean lines, while the round tip gives you more control over creating strokes and filling in spaces. Unlike other chalk pens, these markers will not crack or break even under heavy use, making them perfect for crafting projects.
Chalkola’s patented formula is water-based liquid chalk that creates a washable, dustless, non-toxic result.
You can use these markers to write smoothly on most surfaces, including plastic, metal, wood, glass, brick, and more. When finished, your work is permanent on porous surfaces like wood but can be safely wiped off porous surfaces like glass or plastic.
This is a lovely set with a wide range of uses, perfect for those who love experimenting with various mediums and creating vibrant, colorful artworks.
13. Lana&Luca Liquid Chalk Markers
The Lana & Luca Reversible Liquid Chalk Marker lets you create bold, vibrant designs—and then erase them without a trace.
With 20 colors to choose from and 6mm reversible tips for broad strokes or medium-fine lines, this set of markers is sure to become your go-to tool for artistic touches on anything you create!
These markers use very high-quality water-based liquid that can be easily applied and just as easily removed with a wet paper towel. They will glide across almost any non-porous surface, including chalkboard, glass windows, etc.!
With their large paint reservoirs and easy-open caps, you can use them for extended periods of time without refilling. These chalk markers can offer a lot of versatility in your art, and you won’t have to be afraid of messing up, given how easy they are to clean up!
14. MRNKI Liquid Chalk Markers
Designed for both professional artists and hobbyists, this set comes with 24 colors, including both metallic and regular colors, packaged neatly in a small box.
These markers can produce smooth and vivid colors and beautiful soft edges, depending on your techniques and application!
The 6mm reversible tip design makes writing in fine lines and bold lines just as easy, thanks to the chisel tip and round tip.
Of course, the non-toxic and environmentally friendly raw materials ensure they are safe to use, even for children as young as three years old. These markers are easy to use and to clean with a damp cloth. They really are your all-around artist’s best friend!
15. JumpOff Jo Liquid Chalk Markers
This bulk pack of 48 colored markers is the best way to start using these much-loved, handy tools. You’ll have a broad range of choices when it comes to your next art project, thanks to the 48 liquid chalk markers, including four metallic and six neon colors.
These can be used on virtually any non-porous surface, making them great for activities both at home and outdoors. These liquid chalk markers let you jump into the action and find that sweet spot to express your creativity.
These Markers lay down big, bright colors and wipe away easily with a wet cloth. With a convenient, tight-sealing caps and a 6mm reversible tips for fine and broad lines, these liquid chalk markers are one of the best choices to make your mark.
Up Next: Can You Use Sidewalk Chalk On A Chalkboard?