You’ve got a trusty white board that you use almost constantly. Whether it’s at home or the office (or in this day in age, the home office), you need the best white board markers to jot down your ideas and reminders so you don’t forget things.
You think all white board markers are made the same. But not so fast. Even though they serve one purpose, there are some differences.
Some may have an odor that will linger for quite some time. And it can be very oppressive to your sense of smell. Nobody wants that and neither should you.
Another issue that is common is reliability. Some markers will get the job done constantly and for a lengthy period of time. Others won’t have that luxury and we’ll dry out sooner or later (even if you do put the cap back on when you’re finished).
Below is our list of the best white board markers that we’ve handpicked from a list of many. Study this list closely and choose which set of white board markers serve you best. We have personal needs and preferences, especially when it comes to white board markers.
With that said, let’s dive straight into the list and see what we’ve got in store for you:
The Best White Board Markers
AmazonBasics Low-Odor Dry Erase White Board Markers
First up, we have the AmazonBasics Low-Odor Dry Erase White Board Markers. Of course, black is the common color when it comes to dry erase markers. So if you’re the kind of person that doesn’t care about different colors, then these can do just fine.
These are chisel tipped markers giving you precise writing ability. It won’t seem like you are writing all over the place. Furthermore, you have dry erase markers that won’t smell compared to some of the others you may have used in the past.
You get a pack of 12 white board markers, which makes sense considering that you may not be the only one that uses the white board itself. But if it’s just you using it, 12 of these markers will be more than enough to get you by.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make with dry erase markers is that we leave the cap off. With these markers, they won’t dry out if they are uncapped for up to 2 days. That’s something to breathe a sigh of relief for.
Pros:
- Doesn’t dry out if uncapped for 2 days
- Can draw thin and thick lines
- Little to no odor
Cons:
- May not erase off completely
Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers — Assorted Colors
Let’s say that you want markers with different colors. Luckily, you get a dozen colors in this package alone. The Expo brand is probably the most recognizable of the bunch if we’re talking dry erase markers.
If you’re that person that wants to color code what you write on a dry erase board, these are for you. You probably color code your ‘must-do’ projects in blue and random thoughts in red. Or you just need markers and don’t care which color you use at all.
Either way, these have little to no odor. So it won’t be murder on the nose the moment you pull off the cap. These markers will not just work on dry erase boards, but they can work on various surfaces as well.
These include but are not limited to glass or porcelain. If you have one of those fancy glass boards at the office, chances are these markers will hold up just fine. The chisel tip gives you the ability to write thick or thin lines.
If you’re also looking for markers that will give you consistent drawing and writing without the ‘skip’, you can be sure that these will do just fine. The Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers are not the kind of markers you want to write off just yet if you are looking for excellent quality.
Pros:
- Bright colors
- Low odor
- Can write on other surfaces easily
Cons:
- Longevity is questionable at best
Keebor Basic Fine Tip Dry Erase Low Odor Black Whiteboard Markers
This package in markers comes with a total of 72. Getting that many markers makes sense if you work in an office and command a small army of employees. If you need something for the office and plenty of dry erase boards kicking around, these will do just fine.
If it’s just you and you only, six dozen dry erase markers might be a little bit overkill. But enough about that. These markers are slim in design and have a fine tip so you can draw thin lines if you need to.
You get excellent quality and a simple design that is second to none. If accuracy and flexibility is what you look for in a dry erase marker, these ones in particular will check off the boxes. These are perfect for multiple surfaces including whiteboards and glass boards.
Other than that, this large pack of dry erase markers is perfect for the office. For one, you’ll have more than enough to go around for you and the others that with (or for you). And don’t forget, there is also the issue of dry erase markers ‘mysteriously disappearing’.
With 72 markers at your disposal, it will at least be enough to have around.
Pros:
- Simple design
- Writes clean and accurately
- Can be used on regular whiteboards or glass boards
Cons:
- May be a challenge to erase once its dried on a surface
Artellius 40 Pack of Dry Erase Markers
Want a little more color? Consider it done with this 40 pack of colorful dry erase markers. Like our previous markers that we’ve talked about, you get a high number that could be overkill for the solo worker at the office.
So ideally, this will do if you have a few other employees at the office other than yourself. On top of that, you get markers in twelve different colors. You get three markers in all but black (which provides you with seven).
If you want to hang on to your blue dry erase markers for dear life, do so. Because you only get a limited amount. But we understand the frustration that you feel if you lose one of those markers no matter the color.
If you write on non-porous surfaces constantly, these markers will be perfect. That’s because you are able to write on not just whiteboards, but also mirrors, glass, and even plastic. Plus, these are also non-toxic so kids can use them as well.
These are excellent for multiple purposes and surfaces. Whether you color code your thoughts and reminders or just need markers for the sake of writing, these will do just fine. And for the price they are going for, they are worth every single penny.
Pros:
- Plenty of colors
- Useful on multiple surfaces
- Affordable for those on a budget
Cons:
- Can dry out quickly if uncapped for a lengthy period of time
The Features Of The Best White Board Markers You Need To Look Out For
After going through the list, you probably noticed some common patterns. This includes features on what you should keep an eye on when looking for white board markers. With that said, let’s discuss what those features specifically are.
First, let’s take a look at color. You may prefer just black or multiple colors like blue, red, and so on. If you want to keep your thoughts and notes a bit more organized, you could use different colors.
Otherwise, black is the default color to go with. Especially when you want to write on a board and keep those ideas and thoughts on there until you need to erase them. Speaking of erasing things, let’s take a look at another feature to look out for.
Next, we take a look at longevity. Some markers will dry out quicker than others. Once applied to a surface, the timing of when it dries out can vary.
Applying a marker to a white board or similar surface is easy enough. But what if you want to clean it off and start new? That can be a challenge and there are a few reasons why that is.
For one, you can wipe it off and then see a smudge of color still there. Or it could be dried off to the point where even if it’s erased completely, you can still see an ‘imprint’ of what you wrote. If the light hits the board at the right angle, you’ll probably see what we mean.
Ideally, you want markers that won’t dry out fast if uncapped. At the same time, you want markers that can dry well on surfaces, but won’t leave much of a mess or be a challenge to clean.
Next, you have the tips. Writing accuracy may be something that isn’t much of a concern. But it can be for those that want to keep things clean and organised. The chisel tips for example are good to have because of versatility.
Not only can you draw thin and accurate lines, but if you want to go thick, you can do so without switching out the markers at all. So pay attention to the tips in particular if you are looking for white board markers.
Last but not least, the quantity is another thing you may want to pay attention to. If you are using the white board yourself, you could get away with about a dozen or so. If you are at an office with a few employees, the bulk counts (24 or more) could be sufficient.
Choose markers are reliable, clear to read, and enough to have on hand
If anything, you want a marker that can do two things: last long in terms of reliability and be good enough in color so it can be read. A yellow marker may make things hard to see on a white board, but on a different surface like glass it can do just fine.
You don’t want a marker to dry out even if it’s been uncapped for a short period of time. If it does happen, this means the markers themselves would not have been reliable if used for a shorter period of time (i.e — a month or so). With that said, you would be hard-pressed to find a set of markers that will perform both tasks. But the key here is that if they are reliable and clear to read on almost any surface, you have a good white board marker (or a set of them) to rely on.
Last but not least, consider how many you need. You may lose one (or someone at the office will). It won’t hurt to have extras laying around.
Selection criteria for choosing a white board marker
Choosing white board markers can be challenging since most of them are pretty much the same in terms of function. But to help you out, we have a selection criteria that you can follow. This criteria is not listed in order of importance, but it will give you a good idea of what to look for. Here’s the criteria to consider:
- Color: Do you want black or multi-color? If you want to make notes more organized, color coding them may be ideal and therefore using different colored markers can be sufficient. Otherwise, black would be the standard option.
- Longevity: How long can they go uncapped? We all make mistakes in terms of leaving the cap off when we finish using a marker.
- Surface compatibility: Which markers can work on what surface? Can it work on glass? Porcelain?
- Does it clean off easily? No one wants to deal with a mess. Especially when they want to clean off a board and start off with newly blank space.
- How many do you need? If it’s just you using a board, a smaller count in a package will do. If you are providing for the entire office, you can get one that is higher in count.
Best White Board Markers FAQ
Answer: Almost any marker can make a mark on a white board. However, the major difference is its ability to be erased easily. For example, a permanent marker won’t be so easy to erase on a white board. Therefore, the best way to clean it is to use rubbing alcohol and a cloth. Another thing to consider is how much of a mess a marker can leave behind on a white board. Some whiteboard surfaces can tolerate permanent markers while others can be damaged by them.
Answer: This will depend on the brand. However, some whiteboard markers can last anywhere from 2 to 3 years. However, there could be factors that can shorten the lifespan including leaving it uncapped or lack of solvent needed to moisten the markers. If your dry erase marker does dry out, you can use reattach the cap on the marker and store it with the tip down for approximately 24 hours.
Answer: The short answer is yes. In fact, they are basically the same thing. The terms are interchangeable, but the boards are made from the same materials like porcelain, glass, and melamine.
Conclusion
Finding the best white board marker is possible. It’s a matter of which colors will suit you best (if any) and whether or not it will be reliable enough for long term use. Choose one of the four options that we suggest so you can use them to your advantage whenever there are some ideas that come to mind or some notes you want to take as soon as possible.
As for our recommendations, we do have a few. If you want a white board marker that is simple to use with no odor to deal with, the AmazonBasics Low-Odor Dry Erase White Board Markers will do the trick. If you need something for the office and you have employees who have white boards of their own (or whiteboards all over the place), the Keebor Basic Fine Tip Dry Erase Markers will do just fine.
An honorable mention goes to the Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, which are proven to last a long time while providing you with a variety of colors.