11 Best Highlighter Pens In Multiple Colors, 2024
sakshi john poulami nag vaswati chatterjee Vaswati holds a master’s degree in English Literature from Rabindra Bharati University. She was an academic researcher before stepping into the web content world, where she has covered subjects including linguistics, administrative and international law, and human resources.
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In This Article
When reading a book or making notes, having a highlighter pen can help you be more organized and productive. Here’s our list of the best highlighter pens that you can add to your stationery collection. Highlighter pens let you underline or highlight what you deem important and might want to come back to later. They make sure you don’t miss out on something crucial before the exam.
Highlighter pens are available in many colors, and you can incorporate a color scheme to organize your notes better. These tried-and-tested, versatile highlighter pens also come in handy while working on projects, DIY crafts, doodles, and more. So, browse the list to find some quality highlighter pens.
Top Picks
11 Best Highlighter Pens
1. Best Robust Design: Mr. Pen Store Highlighter
The pack has eight multicolored highlighter pens, all in different shades to quickly highlight the background text. The pens have rounded, convenient nibs to glide across the paper. The markings do not give a shiny effect and make it easy to read. They include a sharpener to provide the nib with an appropriate shape. This product testing video by a reviewer will help you know more about the gel-based highlighter pens in multiple shades.
Pros
- Doesn’t bleed through any paper
- Doesn’t dry out even when left uncapped
- Robust design
- Pen-style highlighters look attractive
- Suitable for color coding and bullet journaling
- Easy to hold
Cons
- Little of the gel may flake off on the pages
"These bright gel highlighters don't have any bleed-through and glide on smoothly. However, I've noticed they add a waxy texture to the page. Still, they are decent for color-coding my study material."
2. Best Easy-Glide: Sharpie Pocket Highlighters
With 12 pens, the Sharpie highlighter set can meet the needs of someone who is looking for assorted highlighter colors. These quick-drying highlighters have a pointed chisel tip to raise one side of the tip a little high. These assorted fluorescent highlighter pens are easy to hold and light in weight. Its odorless AP-certified formula is tested for safe use, and the smear guard protection prevents smears and smudges in highlighted parts.
Pros
- Easy-glide feature
- User-friendly
- Ink dries fast on the page
- Vivid, high contrast colors
- Easily fits in pockets and bags
Cons
- Can run out of ink even before the tip is worn out
"I love how easy these highlighters are to use. Plus, the variety of appealing colors meets all my artsy needs. I've found the ink to be long-lasting despite repeated use. They're great for precise underlining or boxing text, but they tend to smudge on thinner pages."
Quick tip3. Best Fluorescent Colors: Amazon Basics Chisel Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 23,395 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
Amazon Basics retractable highlighter is suitable for broad highlighting and fine underlining. The set includes super-bright fluorescent colors, including yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, and purple. The pen-shaped designs provide a comfortable grip and reduced fatigue. The cap is removable and has a built-in clip to attach to a pocket or book for easy portability. Check out this review video to learn more about this product.
Pros
- Does not bleed
- Easy to read
- Ink flows consistently
- Durable and long-lasting
- Bright colors
Cons
- Ink smears when highlighted on ink
"I like using these pens for their smooth glide and pigmented ink. They are pretty easy to hold and use, so they've been helpful with extensive note-taking and studying sessions. Moreover, the stiffer nibs prevent any soak-through on thin pages."
4. Best Non-Toxic: BIC Brite Liner Highlighter
BIC highlighter is non-toxic, safe, and sustainable. This expert-approved highlighter set is recommended for home, school, and office use and is known for its anti-drying properties. The ink stays wet even when the cap is left off for up to eight hours. It has a chiseled top for broad highlighting and fine underlining. The convenient pen-shaped design is comfortable to hold. Also, you can attach it to a pocket or notebook. Before buying, have a look at this reviewer’s video for more details about the fine point highlighters in multiple colors.
Pros
- Doesn’t have any bleeding issues
- Ink flow is consistent
- Versatile tip
- Vibrant highlighter markers
Cons
- Might leak a little if you do not store them standing up
- Pink highlighter can be a little dull
"These highlighter colors stand out without obscuring the text, and while I felt like the tip could be a bit wider for larger fonts, they've been great for annotating books. I'm impressed with their durability, and they haven't dried out on me."
5. Best Instant Drying: Zeyar Highlighter
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 17,587 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
Zeyar pens come in lilac, blush, peach, turquoise, mint, and banana shades to give a visible, clear appearance. The water-based ink is tested and certified to conform to non-toxic standards. These are easy to hold. The pastel highlighter pens emphasize handwritten or printed texts without leaving any shadow on the next page.
Pros
- Chisel tip
- Flat body, larger volume
- Bright colors that are soft and pretty
- Instant drying ink
Cons
- Might not last longer
"These highlighters offer a vivid color palette that brightens my notes without overwhelming the page. They seem to be quite durable and don't dry out easily. Overall, they are a practical choice to organize and accentuate important text in my school notes."
6. Best Vibrant Colors: Avery Hi-Liter Pens
The desk-style fluorescent highlighter, Avery, comes in 12 assorted repetitive colors. You can use these vibrant-colored ink pens for artistic sketching besides underlining the text. The ink does not dry quickly when left uncapped for up to one week. It does not bleed through the papers, hence, making it a reliable and versatile option.
Pros
- Helps your notes look neat and clear
- Ink dries quickly on the paper
- Durable, versatile tip
- ACMI-certified non-toxic pen
- Safe for kids
Cons
- Does not include many colors
"I've found these highlighters quite dependable for heavy academic use and office work. They don't dry out quickly, and the colors are vibrant. Although I noticed a bit of bleed-through with darker shades, I like that the ink doesn't have a strong smell."
7. Best Versatile: Zebra Pen HIghlighter
The double-ended colored highlighter pens have two tip sizes in a single frame, making them a much better alternative to average highlighter pens with a single tip. It is a pack with ten wide color variations. There are mild, non-toxic colors to give unique results and effects. These user-friendly and versatile highlighters in various colors come in a reusable model storage case, allowing easy storage. They are travel-friendly and portable. While the fine bullet tip provides consistent lines, the broad chisel tip gives thick strokes.
Pros
- Water-resistant pigment ink
- Excellent layering and blending
- Versatile and user-friendly
- Cap indicates highlighted color
- Translucent ink
- Provides pleasing visual effects
Cons
- Does not include a black marker
"What I like the most about this set is the double-ended tips that are great for highlighting and artwork. They have minimal bleed-through, and the range of colors is also satisfying. However, some shades can be less visible on glossy paper. I prefer to use them in my planners and on matte paper."
8. Best Erasable:Pilot FriXion Light Erasable Highlighters
The Pilot erasable highlighter pens come in a set of three vibrant colors and feature thermo-sensitive ink that is easily erasable, allowing you to rectify highlighting mistakes in a mess-free and efficient manner. These colorful retractable highlighter pens have a chisel tip that provides better control and glides smoothly on paper for precise highlighting in a single stroke. The pack includes vibrant fluorescent pink, yellow, and orange colors suitable for school and office use.
Pros
- Prevents damage to paper
- Two-in-one design with a built-in eraser
- Durable tip
- STEM-authenticated
Cons
- May not be smudge-proof
- May not be suitable for glossy pages and legal documents
"Their vivid colors have been perfect for highlighting all the points I want to glance at. They turn slightly dull when dry, but that minor con keeps them from becoming an eyesore. Besides, they have not bled or feathered, regardless of the kind of paper I use them on."
9. Best Lightweight: Cryola Take Note Highlighters
Cryola’s tried-and-trusted pens are vibrant, smart with 12 ultra-fine tips. They can create thick and thin lines. The tips are flexible with easy curve drawing ability. The dual-ended rainbow highlighters can help you make great doodles and are a perfect companion for the artist hidden within you.
Pros
- Easy to hold
- Helps you remember easily
- Light in weight
- Does not smudge or smear on most papers
- Does not bleed on the other side of the paper
Cons
- Can dry out fast
"These dual-tipped pens and highlighters are quite handy for keeping notes organized. The bright shades make color-coding a breeze. Despite minor bleed-throughs for certain colors, they write smoothly without smudging, making note-taking easier."
Quick tip10. Best Fade-Proof:U.S. Office Supply Bible Safe Gel Highlighters
The U.S. Office Supply highlighter set is a good choice for anyone looking to highlight their favorite quotes and scripture passages. One of the brightest highlighter pens on the market, these gel neon pens feature six different neon colors and are a safe and trusted option to mark and color-code different parts of your Bible or study materials. In addition, they have a long-lasting pigment that won’t fade over time. The slim design of these multicolor highlighting pens makes them easy to carry in your bag or pocket, and they have a twist-up gel stick design with a leak-proof cap.
Pros
- Smear-proof
- Non-drying formula
- Bleed-proof
- Smooth-gliding application
Cons
- Formula may be a bit waxy
- May not have a chisel tip
"Using these highlighters feels like coloring with crayons. They don't bleed through, are surprisingly gentle on thin pages, and apply color effectively. I love the clear and neat highlights in my textbooks, which help me retain information better."
11. Best With Chisel Tip:Pentel Twin Checker Dual-Tip Highlighter
Better than regular highlighter pens with single tips, Pentel brings you this pack of four uniquely designed and quality dual-tip highlighter pens in multiple colors for highlighting and color coding. Each pen in the set features smooth, durable chisel tips at both ends, providing the convenience of two highlighters in one. One pack contains chisel tip highlighter pens with different colors that can be used to highlight continuously for almost over 260ft.
Pros
- Snap-tight cap
- Pocket clip for easy portability
- Pigment-based ink
- Vibrant fluorescent colors
- PVC-free
- Slim barrel
Cons
- Ink may dry out pretty quickly
- May not be very long-lasting
"Having used these dual-ended highlighters for a while, I'm pleased with the convenience and quality. They are great for organizing my notes. I wish the set included more shades. Still, it's a decent product."
Did you know?What To Look For When Buying A Highlighter Pen?
Here are some features to keep in mind to choose the best highlighter pen
- Smudge-resistance: Quickly drying ink will help retain the highlights properly without forming smudges.
- Color choice: Check your color requirements (light or dark) while choosing a highlighter pen.
- Pocket-friendly: Consider a convenient highlighter that allows you to carry it easily.
- Good tip: The highlighter pen’s tip plays an important role. A good tip should allow you to produce thick and thin lines.
- Resistance to ink-drying: There are times when you forget to put on the cap after use. A fine highlighter will have enough buffer time before the entire pen dries up.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are highlighters permanent?
Most highlighters won’t fade away as the ink is permanent. So, be careful when using them in your favorite book or fabric.
2. How to keep a highlighter pen fresh after losing a cap?
Store the highlighter pen in a zip lock storage bag and prevent the tip from getting exposed to air.
3. What is highlighter ink made of?
Highlighter ink is made of fluorescein, dyes, and other chemicals like xanthene or pyranine.
4. Does highlighter ink wash off skin?
You may remove highlighter ink from the skin using soap and water. Otherwise, you may also use makeup remover to remove the stain.
5. How to remove the highlighter ink from the fabric?
Apply a solvent, such as a hairspray, sanitizer, or rubbing alcohol to blot the mark gently. Follow it by soaking the garment in cold water mixed with salt. This helps to remove the highlighter ink from the fabric.
6. Are highlighters toxic?
Highlighters are rarely toxic. They do not cause any significant harm to the health of a person. However, it is better to monitor the child if they are using it for the first time. In case of any unusual symptoms after accidental swallowing of ink, it is advisable to consult a physician immediately.
7. How to remove highlights from paper?
There are two main ways of removing the highlights from the paper.
- Using rubbing alcohol: Use a soft paper towel and dip it in the rubbing alcohol to gently take off the color. Use some paper tissues below the marked page to help prevent the spread of ink to other pages or parts.
- Using lemon juice: Dip clean, soft paper tissue into lemon juice and rub it on the highlights.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our team of experienced writers and reviewers have compiled this list of the best highlighter pens with reliable user reviews and ratings to help you understand the trusted options available in the market. We have gone through the features of various products to highlight the pros and cons of each product and help you make an informed choice. The article also includes a buying guide to help you consider the right factors when choosing a highlighter pen.
The Bottom Line
The best highlighter pens help you quickly draw attention to the required sections of the page. They make studying fun as you can play with different colors and highlight essential information. They also make the text appear more colorful and interesting and help you remember key points better as they enhance the pictographic memory. When choosing one, ensure it is water-resistant, smudge-proof, and suitable for arts and crafts. Lastly, check the pens’s grip for comfort and tip for precise highlighting. Our favorite picks from the list are the Zebra Pen Highlighter for its mild and non-toxic colors, the Sharpie Pocket Highlighters for their smooth-gliding tip, and the Amazon Basics Chisel Tip Ink Highlighters for their bright colors and comfortable grip.
Infographic: How To Use Highlighters For Better Results?
Highlighters are pens with colored ink and special tips, useful to direct attention to important information. They effortlessly make organizing text in study materials easier and transform dull pages into captivating visual journals. Check out the following infographic to learn how to get the most out of your highlighters.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
References
- Highlighting
https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/using-highlighters/ - Try this color coding strategy to study for your next exam
https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/8887/968136418
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Read full bio of Vaswati Chatterjee
