Looking for the perfect place to store your stationery? A pencil case is an essential purchase for kids heading to school, but it's also handy to have one at home to keep your writing tools or art supplies organised. Cases come in all kinds of designs too, from clear pouches and cute, unicorn print cases to more sophisticated options for adults by top brands like Cath Kidston and Orla Kiely.
This article will help you to think about the type of features you want from a pencil case, before comparing the best products available to buy online. Our top ten is selected from Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis, so you can choose one that'll suit your budget. Whether you want something small that'll fit easily in your bag or a large case with plenty of compartments, we've got you covered!
Quick List - Top Pencil Cases
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Picking a pencil case should be a fairly straightforward decision, but you might need a bit of help. Read through our buying guide to ensure you find the ideal storage spot for rulers, rubbers, and maybe a secret note or two...
In order to make sure that the pencil case you buy is big enough to hold all of your stationery, think about what you'll be putting in it.
If you want to store just the basics - such as a pen, a few pencils, a rubber, and a mini ruler - then a completely flat pencil case with a width of up to 20cm should suffice. If you need space for a large collection of pens and accessories though, consider a deeper pencil case with a width of at least 22cm.
One of the main reasons you're buying a pencil case is because you want to keep your stationery organised, right?
Compartments mean that everything has its right place, saving the user stress and time that might be spent searching for the right pen. Even a pencil case with just two different sections allows you to separate regular writing pencils from coloured ones, so you can find exactly what you're looking for when you open a particular compartment.
With this in mind, consider how many compartments you'll need to keep everything neat and check that your chosen product meets this requirement!
The fastening on your pencil case can make a real difference to how quickly it can be opened and how easy it is to close as well. We'll list the pros and cons of the different types of fastening below.
Zip-up pencil cases are very easy to open and close, plus they guarantee that nothing will fall out into backpacks or school bags when on the move - even on the most boisterous bus journeys!
One possible downside of a zipped pencil case is that some zips do catch or snag, which is not only frustrating but might cause the whole product to break. As long as you're careful when opening and closing your case though, this can be avoided.
Another rather clever option that kids will love using is a pencil case that snaps shut magnetically. This not only looks cool but means you can avoid the faff of a jammed zip.
However, if you put too many pens and pencils in a magnetised case, it might not want to shut! Also, if this type of case is kept in a bag that gets bumped about regularly on the school run or commute, it runs the risk of opening and scattering pens everywhere.
As you'll see when you check out our top 10 later on, some pencil cases come with extra features that make them even more fun and user friendly. This might be something that's part of the overall design or additional tools like stationery - every little helps!
An extra large hook or a special shape attached to the zip pull of a case makes it simpler to open and close. This might be an thick piece of cord that's threaded through the zip, a cool metal adornment, or simply a grippable piece of textured rubber - much more convenient than a flimsy little zip that you have to fumble with!
Some pencil cases have mesh-covered sections or elasticated pen holders - these are designed to stop things from rattling around when you're on the move.
They also make it far easier to notice when one of your pens is missing - this is handy if you've bought a fancy set of colours and you want to make sure they're all there before you close your case and head home!
Everyone loves a freebie, so you'll be excited to know that some pencil cases have a piece of stationery like a pencil sharpener or a calculator thrown in at no extra cost!
Having a few desk essentials attached to your case is a fantastic idea if you ask us - it means that you're saving a little cash by not having to buy those accessories separately.
If you have more than one child and limited time, buying a multipack of pencil cases will help you get your shopping done quicker. Some of the options on our list contain several pouches in a variety of designs, so you can share them out fairly between your little ones rather than browsing for products to suit each individual's particular taste!
A multipack is also a smart purchase if you're an artist with lots of stationery to store. You can have a different case for each medium you use, and you'll always know which one to grab before starting a new creative project.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Easthill Big Capacity Pencil Case | ![]() | Packed With Pockets and Pen Holders | |
2 | Orla Kiely Bloom Pencil Case | ![]() | Stylish, With a Retro Design | |
3 | Eastpak Benchmark Single Pencil Case | ![]() | Affordable and Incredibly Spacious | |
4 | Style Girlz Unicorn Pop Out School Pencil Case | ![]() | A Sturdy Case for Unicorn Lovers | |
5 | Tiger Set of 6 Clear Exam Pencil Cases | ![]() | Cheap, Cheerful Cases That Suit Any Style | |
6 | Ipow Set of 4 Pastorable Flower Pencil Cases | ![]() | A Multipack of Cute Flowery Cases | |
7 | ZIPIT Jumbo Monster Pencil Case - Royal Blue | ![]() | Keep Your Eyes on the Prize With This Jazzy Pouch | |
8 | Cath Kidston Unicorn Meadow Pencil Case | ![]() | Fabulously Floral and Easy to Clean | |
9 | Helix Gul 13 Inch Performance Pencil Case | ![]() | Durable and Sporty-Looking, With Plenty of Space | |
10 | John Lewis & Partners Rocket Pencil Case | ![]() | Take Organisation to the Moon and Back |
Topping our list is this sunshine-coloured pencil case with multiple sections and pockets that make it easy to organise all your bits. It features handy little elasticated pen holders to stop things tumbling around and mesh sections that can be sealed with a zip, letting you separate your stationery.
This product is also available in cream or black if you prefer a more neutral colour palette, but we think the bright yellow shade is part of its charm. It's bold, beautiful, and budget-friendly - basically everything you could want from a pencil case!
We're crazy about the gorgeous retro look of this Orla Kiely pencil case. It's subtle yet stylish, making it perfect for teens or adults who want a tasteful place to store their stuff.
It's not all about looks though - let's consider the practical considerations too! This product has a large fabric handle and a grip-tastic zip pull in the shape of the brand's flower logo. It'll make a fantastic treat for yourself or a wonderful gift for one of your studious friends.
Eastpak has designed this pencil case with efficiency and practicality in mind. It's spacious, wide, and deep with a simple aesthetic that's not too distracting. The long lace zip pull makes it ultra-easy to use and there's ample room inside for your stationery staples.
Not only is this case affordable, but it can be bought in any colour or print that suits your taste - from race-car red and ocean blue to pizza slices and tropical palm leaves. It's up to you to choose your favourite!
Calling all unicorn fans! The candyfloss colour scheme of this pencil case reminds us of the 90s board game Dream Phone and will appeal to anyone who loves rainbows, hearts, and other cute motifs.
In addition to plenty of space for pens, rulers, and rubbers, this pencil case has a magnetised lid which snaps securely shut. There's a built-in calculator and pencil sharpener too - who says pink things can't be practical?
These transparent pencil cases are perfect for taking into exams - you know exactly what you've got inside and examiners will too! They're also a great neutral option that will suit any child's style - from fledgling goth to footie fan.
Best of all, this multipack is an economical option, costing just over £5 for 6 individual pouches. They can be used to divide your stuff or can be shared out amongst family members. With a width of 20cm, they provide plenty of room for all your stationery essentials too!
This set will suit parents with more than one kid to cater for, or perhaps someone with lots of stationery that they want to organise. The lovely floral print pouches will look great on your desk and the smiley face zip pull makes them practical to use.
At under a tenner for four cases, we think these are a pretty impressive bargain. Made from tough, washable canvas fabric, they're designed to last you for years to come.
Obviously what we enjoy most about this pencil case is its silly little face - but there's more! It's also made from durable polyester with a thick weave, meaning it's incredibly robust.
This case is just the right size for a small selection of pens, pencils, and maybe a mini maths set. It comes in a range of upbeat colours, but this brilliant blue is our favourite. Well-made, fairly priced, and lots of fun to use, we think this pencil case will appeal to students and artists of any age or gender!
This pretty pencil case has two simple sections fastened with pink zips, both of which have easy-to-grip rubber pulls emblazoned with the Cath Kidston logo. It could even double up as a makeup bag if you need to carry a tube of lipstick or some concealer around.
Covered in prancing unicorns, floral bouquets, and dazzling dragonflies, this pencil case is the ideal back-to-school purchase for anyone with a fairytale fantasy. It's wipe-clean too, so can be used repeatedly without getting mucky. Although this isn't the most spacious case on our list, it does the job!
Customers on Amazon really love this product - it has over a thousand 5-star reviews! At almost 37 centimetres wide, this pencil case has enough space to pack in plenty of ballpoints, ink pens, erasers, and felt tips. Plus, it's long enough to accommodate a medium length ruler too.
The smart, sporty design is really striking and the hard-wearing fabric means it'll last ages. With just one big compartment, you may have to root around a bit to find things in this case - but for the price, we really can't complain!
Little ones will love this soft cloth pencil case in the fun shape of a rocket. Made from 100% brushed polyester, it's pleasant to the touch and the spaceship design is totally charming.
Although its dimensions are not specified, this functional case is described as having enough room for "the essentials and a bit more". The zip is easy to open and close, and we're sure that kids will be excited to pack this in their school bag each night. Up, up, and away!
If you're looking for more ways to get back into the swing of school life, we've got some suggestions! Take a look at the links below to see our recommendations for the new term, from backpacks and shoes to highlighter pens.
That brings us to the end of our article on the best pencil cases of 2020. Now you have all the knowledge you need to buy a durable and functional pouch to store your felt tips, erasers, and more. Sharpen your pencils and let's get back to studying!
Author: Annie Hopkins
No. 1: Easthill|Big Capacity Pencil Case
No. 2: Orla Kiely|Bloom Pencil Case
No. 3: Eastpak|Benchmark Single Pencil Case
No. 4: Style Girlz |Unicorn Pop Out School Pencil Case
No. 5: Tiger|Set of 6 Clear Exam Pencil Cases
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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