Acrylic markers are having a moment right now, and honestly, I get it. They’re colourful, fun to use, and feel like a nice middle ground between drawing and painting.
The question I get all the time, though, is which acrylic marker is actually the best. And until now, my answer has mostly been whatever one happens to be closest to my hand. So I finally sat down and compared the ones I have side by side.
I tested Kasimir, Grabie, Ohuhu, Arrtx, and Karin’s Pigment DecoBrush markers, plus Karin’s Real Brush markers as a slightly different bonus category. I swatched them on black and white paper, looked at how they layered, and did a quick floral doodle with each set to see how they actually felt in use.
Supplies Used
- Ohuhu Acrylic Paint Markers
- Arrtx Acrylic Markers
- Kasimir Acrylic Paint Markers
- Grabie Acrylic Paint Markers
- Karin Pigment Decobrush Acrylic Paint Markers
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
If you want to compare acrylic markers yourself, all you really need is a few brands to test, black and white paper, a handful of similar colours, and a simple drawing you can repeat with each set.
What Stood Out
Kasimir gave a really strong first impression. They felt juicy, layered well, and had nice opacity without looking streaky.
Grabie was still good, but not my personal favourite. The tips felt a little more frayed, and the ink didn’t feel quite as smooth or punchy on the page.
Ohuhu stood out right away because they felt the most like actual paint. They were wetter, more pigmented, and stayed workable on the paper a little longer, which made blending more fun. The white also layered really well.
Arrtx was a very close second for me. They felt smooth, vibrant, and satisfying to draw with – a little paint-like, but with slightly more control.
Karin’s DecoBrush markers were still beautiful, especially once dry, and I do still love that they can work on glass. But they’re in a completely different price category, and this comparison made it hard to justify that jump for everyday use.
Karin’s Real Brush markers are interesting, but they behave more like an actual paintbrush than a marker, which makes them a bit fussier for quick projects.
The Price Difference
This was the part that really surprised me. Kasimir, Grabie, Ohuhu, and Arrtx all came in at roughly 78 cents to $1.16 per marker. Karin’s DecoBrush markers were about $4.16 each, and the Real Brush markers were around $5.16 each.
That’s a big leap – and for me, not a necessary one.
My Pick
If I had to choose just one from this test, I’d go with Ohuhu.
They had the most paint-like feel, great coverage, fun layering, and really solid opacity. Arrtx was a very close runner-up.
That’s a Wrap!
The good news is there really wasn’t a bad option in the bunch. They’re all more similar than different, which is great if you’re trying to find something that fits your budget.
But if you want my current answer – the one I’d actually give when someone asks which acrylic marker is my favourite – right now, it’s Ohuhu.
Looking for more supply testing videos? Check out this one and this one!
And finally, your dad joke…
What kind of dog works at a pumpkin patch?
A gourd dog.
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