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Keep Your Writing Tools Organized With the Best Pencil Holders

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Keep Your Writing Tools Organized With the Best Pencil Holders

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Finding Your Next Pencil Holder: A Buyer’s Guide

Searching for a pen or pencil can be pretty frustrating — not only does it wastes your time, but it also decreases your productivity. Because they’re narrow, pencils and pens are easy to misplace. Storing all your office supplies inside a desk drawer is a good idea, but we all know how messy they can become, and fishing around inside one only to return empty-handed can leave you feeling frustrated. Something as simple as a pencil holder can help you avoid this and keep all your favorite pencils and pens in one place. We’ll be taking a look at the top pencil holders of 2023, and our list contains various options, including acrylic and metal ones. Check out our picks and use the buying guide below to find the right pencil holder for you and your desk’s needs.

A pencil holder may seem like a simple thing to purchase, but the wide variety available can quickly leave you feeling overwhelmed. You don’t have to worry, though, because here’s a guide that can help make your experience shopping for pencil holders in 2023 just a little easier:

How to Choose the Right Pencil Holder for Your Desk

While most pencil holders appear very similar in terms of their appearance and function, there are a few factors that you must not ignore. Have a look below:

Size

Pencil holders are available in a wide range of sizes. They may have similar heights, but their depth and width can vary greatly. You must choose one according to how many items you want to store in it, as well as how much space you have on your desktop. If you’re purchasing a pencil holder to place on your child’s writing desk then a small one will do, but if you’re getting one to place on your work desk, a wide pencil holder with lots of storage space is ideal. Think about how you’re going to use your pencil holder and choose wisely. 

Material

You should carefully consider the material your pencil holder is made of for several reasons, including durability, sturdiness, and longevity — remember that the better the quality of its material, the longer your pencil holder will last. An acrylic holder will not only blend with the other elements of your desk, but they’re also relatively low-maintenance. Wooden ones, on the other hand, are more durable, sophisticated, and timeless, and you can even look into getting a leather option. Some pencil holders also double up as pencil cases to let you carry your writing utensils with you wherever you go. 

Design

As you may have already guessed by now, pencil holders are available in various modern, rustic, minimalist, and vintage designs. If you care about aesthetics, you should carefully analyze the finish and other elements of your desk and choose a pencil holder that follows the same pattern. 

Finish

The finish of your pencil holder should match the style you’ve chosen for your study room or workplace. The various options available include rustic finishes in shades of brown, beige, and green, romantic ones that use shades like lilac, pink, and white, or minimalist styles with strong, sober metallic colors. 

Non-slip base

Most desktops have slippery surfaces, which can make preventing your holder from moving around a difficult task. Look for a non-slip base to prevent your pencil holder from moving from its original position. A holder that moves away from its place every time you take an object out or put it back in is bound to leave you frustrated, so you should prioritize ones that feature an anti-slip base. 

Tips for Organizing Your Supplies in a Pencil Holder

A pencil holder can help you organize the supplies cluttering your desk, but how do you keep things organized inside its compartment? Here are some tips to keep everything neat and tidy:
  • If your holder has a single high compartment, use it to store longer items like pencils, rulers, and pens 
  • If there are multiple high compartments, group similar items inside each compartment. For example, place pens in one compartment, pencils inside the other, and other accessories in other compartments
  • Use the small drawers and compartments in some pencil holders to accommodate smaller items such as paper clips, thumb tacks, sharpeners, erasers, and more
  • A compartment with no front rail is usually suitable for holding highlighter pens, glue sticks, boxes of staples, and more
  • Some pencil holders also feature a slender compartment toward the back, and this is ideal for storing important papers like memos or receipts

01 NIUBEE Acrylic Pencil Holder

If you want a one-stop solution to address all your writing utensil organizing needs, then the NIUBEE Acrylic Pencil Holder has got your back. This clear, sleek pencil holder is made out of 100% acrylic and features four spacious compartments that you can use to sort all your pencils, pens, rulers, and other office supplies.

This pencil holder’s compact size means that it can easily fit into the smallest of spaces without getting in the way. You can choose to purchase this organizer in two and four-compartment variations, and it’s also available in gold, white, and black color options. Thanks to its attractive design that helps keep your desk organized, this pencil holder is our top pick.

Pros

  • Multiple compartments make for easy organizing
  • Doesn’t take up too much space 
  • Various color options available

Cons

  • Can be easily displaced
NIUBEE Acrylic Pencil Holder

02 Snow Cooler Mesh Pencil Holder

Our next pick is a pack of four mesh pencil holders from Snow Cooler. If you pick these up, you’ll find it super easy to sort all your different pens, pencils, and other office essentials and keep your desk clean. A great thing about these pencil holders that might surprise you is their material — boasting military-grade aluminum construction, not only are they lightweight, but they’re also extremely durable.

The spacious size of these pencil holders means that placing your writing utensils inside won’t be a problem, but they’re also compact enough not to take up too much room on your desk. You can choose between different shapes and color options when shopping for these pencil holders, giving you some freedom to customize how you organize your desk.

Pros

  • Available in different shapes and colors 
  • Compact, spacious design
  • Durable, wear-resistant construction

Cons

  • Some holders are wobbly
Snow Cooler Mesh Pencil Holder

03 WAVEYU Pencil Holder

If you’re in the market for a beautiful and versatile pencil holder, then check out this one from WAVEYU. This ceramic pencil holder features a glossy finish in various sophisticated prints like grey marble, black marble, rainbow, and more, and it serves the dual purpose of holding your pens and pencils while also giving your desk a classy, decorative touch.

This pencil holder is spacious enough to hold other items besides writing utensils, and you can use it in the kitchen, on your dresser, as well as in the living room and it won’t look out of place. Not only does it look nice, but this pencil holder is sturdy enough that it won’t tip over when things are stored inside it.

Pros

  • Constructed from durable ceramic 
  • Many attractive styles to choose from 
  • Versatile — use around the house

Cons

  • May arrive chipped
WAVEYU Pencil Holder

04 U Brands Pencil Holder

Next up is a gold metallic pencil holder from U Brands. This pencil holder features a robust metal wire cup design that can add a touch of elegance to your workspace, whether at home or the office, and it can blend well with both traditional and modern decor for a classic art deco look.

This pencil holder isn’t too big or heavy, meaning it won’t take up a lot of space on your desk or be a hassle to use, but its convenient size means that it can hold multiple writing utensils and other office supplies and also won’t flip over beneath their weight.

Pros

  • Aesthetically pleasing gold finish
  • Durable metal construction 
  • Great for both traditional and modern decor

Cons

  • Pencils can slip out of sides
U Brands Pencil Holder

05 Cerpourt Acrylic Pencil Holder

The Cerpourt Acrylic Pencil Holder is a great choice if you want a modern-looking pencil holder that doesn’t slack when it comes to its organizational capabilities. With your purchase, you’ll receive a set of two pencil-holding cups each boasting clear acrylic construction, and they’re made from a single piece of premium acrylic, meaning that there aren’t any seam lines or glue threatening their integrity.

These pencil holder cups are spacious enough to hold all of your office supplies, but they can also be a suitable choice for storing makeup brushes, kitchen utensils, and various other items. These pencil holders are waterproof and easy to clean, and if you don’t like their clear color, you can also choose from solid black and white designs as well.

Pros

  • Sturdy, lightweight construction 
  • Sleek and stylish appearance 
  • Easy-to-clean waterproof design

Cons

  • May arrive scratched
Cerpourt Acrylic Pencil Holder

People Also Asked

Why is a pencil holder useful?

A pencil holder helps you keep writing utensils such as pencils, pens, glue sticks, and more in one convenient place — this means that when you need something to write with, you don’t have to go searching for it. By storing them in a vertical position, a pencil holder secures all the cylindrical objects that otherwise would have cluttered up or rolled off your desk.

What is the difference between a pencil holder and a pencil case?

A pencil case is a structured item designed for the easy portability of things like pencils, pens, markers, and more, and they contain sleeves, dividers, and zippers for optimal organization of supplies. A pencil holder, on the other hand, is a container that you place on your desktop to keep your writing utensils organized and handy.

What is the average size of a pencil holder?

Though they vary greatly in terms of size and design, a typical pencil holder measures 7 to 10 inches in height and 3 to 6 inches in width. The exact dimensions vary from one pencil holder to another, and when shopping around you’ll find many options available.

Denise McNamara

Jul 22, 2022

85 Articles Published

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