Best Sketch Pads
Top sketch pads ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 100 sheets for extended practice
- 100 sheets for extended practice
- Fine tooth works with all dry media
Cons
- Too thin for wet media
- Too thin for wet media
- Spiral binding adds bulk for travel
Don't buy this if…
- The 60 lb paper is too light for markers, watercolors, or heavy ink washes which will bleed through.
- The 60 lb paper is too light for markers, watercolors, or heavy ink washes which will bleed through.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Handles both dry and wet media
- Handles both dry and wet media
- 98 lb heavyweight paper
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy watercolor
- Not ideal for heavy watercolor
- Texture too rough for fine pen work
Don't buy this if…
- While marketed as mixed media, heavy watercolor washes will still cause warping so tape edges down when using wet techniques.
- While marketed as mixed media, heavy watercolor washes will still cause warping so tape edges down when using wet techniques.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Premium 100 lb archival paper
- Premium 100 lb archival paper
- Lay-flat hardbound binding
Cons
- Fewer sheets than budget pads
- Fewer sheets than budget pads
- Higher price per page
Don't buy this if…
- The vellum surface has noticeable tooth that may feel rough under fine-tip pens so test your preferred tools first.
- The vellum surface has noticeable tooth that may feel rough under fine-tip pens so test your preferred tools first.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 150 gsm thick premium paper
- 150 gsm thick premium paper
- Numbered pages with table of contents
Cons
- A5 size may be small for some
- A5 size may be small for some
- Not ideal for wet media
Don't buy this if…
- The paper is smooth and low-tooth which is great for pen and ink but may feel slippery for soft graphite pencils.
- The paper is smooth and low-tooth which is great for pen and ink but may feel slippery for soft graphite pencils.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 160 sheets for heavy daily use
- 160 sheets for heavy daily use
- Medium tooth good for graphite
Cons
- Paper quality is basic
- Paper quality is basic
- Not acid-free for archival use
Don't buy this if…
- This paper is not acid-free so sketches will yellow over time and it should not be used for artwork you plan to frame.
- This paper is not acid-free so sketches will yellow over time and it should not be used for artwork you plan to frame.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Iconic Moleskine design and quality
- Iconic Moleskine design and quality
- 111 lb heavyweight smooth paper
Cons
- Only 104 pages
- Only 104 pages
- Smooth paper lacks tooth for charcoal
Don't buy this if…
- The ivory-tinted paper affects color accuracy so it is not ideal for color-critical work or scanning.
- The ivory-tinted paper affects color accuracy so it is not ideal for color-critical work or scanning.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Very affordable per sheet
- Very affordable per sheet
- Smooth easy-erase surface
Cons
- 50 lb paper is very thin
- 50 lb paper is very thin
- Shows through with any wet media
Don't buy this if…
- At 50 lb this paper is very light and even marker or heavy pencil pressure can show through to the back.
- At 50 lb this paper is very light and even marker or heavy pencil pressure can show through to the back.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 190 gsm heavyweight premium paper
- 190 gsm heavyweight premium paper
- Landscape format for wide scenes
Cons
- Landscape format not universal
- Landscape format not universal
- Fewer pages than spiral pads
Don't buy this if…
- The landscape orientation is less common and may not fit standard portfolio sleeves designed for portrait-format work.
- The landscape orientation is less common and may not fit standard portfolio sleeves designed for portrait-format work.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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