Favorite alcohol markers and why?

I have tried Copics, Spectrum Noir, and Ohuhu.

Copics have a learning curve. I'm a certified Copic instructor, so I learned all about blending, color families, the numbering system, etc. They're also expensive when compared to the other brands. I do love the quality and variety of colors.

Spectrum Noir are less money but also lower quality. Many of mine arrived dried-out, and they dry out quickly when compared to Copics. The numbering system doesn't make much sense, so it's more difficult to find good blends. I'm using the colors in the TriBlends to guide me, and that's working better. They're a good way to fill in your collection.

I just got the standard set of 120 Ohuhu markers (Oahu, I think). So far I really like them. They are much less expensive than the other brands, and they have a wide variety of colors. Some of the color families are a little off, like the Spectrum Noir. They seem to blend well and are smooth and "juicy." I'm still getting to know them, though.

I hope that helps.

I've really only used Ohuhu but I've been happy with them and the price point works for my budget.

DD17 is an artist and she's had a variety of brands - she likes Copics (but not the price). She didn't like Spectrum Noir or the Michaels brand. She's been happy with Ohuhu and also with the HL brand (Masters Touch, I think)

I have only tried Copics and Spectrum Noir.

Spectrum Noir:
Tried a couple of color sets because I was temporarily trying to substitute for the pricer Copics. That was a mistake. Good thing I used a coupon at Joann. I don't like the color variety, and most of them dried out way too fast compared to my copics. I have had those for years, and only recently some have dried out. Most times the lids are hard to pull off on the Spectrums. I will never buy those again.

Copics:
Of course pricer, but I have collected them over time and I only buy colors for the types of things I color like brown and gray animals, florals, greenery, scene backgrounds. I don't have much need for the more primary shades. Not that I don't have any, just not as much. I like that I can buy refills for the colors I use the most, like the clear blender, blue (for sky) and some greens. The color variety can't be beat.

Personally I think if you don't plan on becoming an expert the learning curve is not that great. You just learn some basics and there are plenty of examples of color blends online to help you decide what shades to buy. I do understand the numbering system, but I'd rather pick by sight. Also, I rarely use 4 shades for anything I color unless it involves the lowest numbers like 000 or 0000. Maybe if I was coloring larger sized things I might need 4 shades.

I have not bought any in a while, but my last few purchases have been from The Merri Artist where you get a discounts at $50/$100 and free shipping after a certain amount. I have also purchased some from peas I consider trustworthy and have been happy with those purchases also. You can also consider purchasing the Ciao marker which are less expensive.

And this is shallow, but I have one of those pretty white marker organizers and I want my colorful markers to match, so I can't change now. Also, I would not buy copics if I was planning to use them as an everyday marker.

Same!

I don't do that much coloring so I did not want to invest a lot of money. I purchased the Nuvo markers and they are okay. They are often on sale and even at full price, are less expensive than other markers. But they are kinda hard to blend (could just be me).

I like the Stampin Up markers, just because they match their papers and ink. But they are pricey. And they only have light and dark per color and the darker shade is often too dark for my tastes.

I’ve only used two brands. Copics and SN Tri-Blends. I hated the Tri-Blends. They are too firm and often the differences in the light/medium/dark are barely noticeable.

I have a large stash of Copics and have taken many of Sandy Alnock’s classes. I’ve been pretty darn happy with them.

Just a note. Your paper can make a huge difference, especially if you're having trouble blending. I use Copic carstock and other cardstocks that are designed for use with alcohol markers. HTH.

ETA:  All 3 brands that I mentioned are refillable and available individually.  The Copic nibs are replaceable and interchangeable, but I'm not sure about the Spectrum Noir.  The Ohuhu nibs are double-ended, so you can just pull them out and flip them around if you need to.  

Ellen Hutson has a ton of the Sketchmarker brand in stock. Don't know anything about that brand, but everything is 50% off because of their closing down sale.

My favorite are Copic Sketch. Why? Because I own them! Over the course of about 15 years I have collected about 25 markers short of a full set. I am just starting to need refills on the lightest colors of my oldest markers. They are going strong, worth my investment. I’ve never had to replace a nib due to use and they blend great. I have been slowly replacing the broad line nib with a fine point nib on my most used colors. I also own about 50 Promarkers by Windsor Newton. Love those too, very saturated smooth color. However they are one and done; no way to refill.

I’ve been tempted by Olo and my DH keeps offering to order them for me, but my only reason to purchase would be FOMO. They would be my go to if I wasn’t already invested in Copic. I have a few that I received as samples in classes. They work well, but I prefer the Copic brush a bit more. It has more flex. I have also researched Ohuhu and they are a good budget friendly option. However they don’t seem to have the range of colors needed to get deeply saturated blends. And, I don’t need them! 😂

If I click on it, it takes me to a Dell computer, if I copy and paste I get to the markers. Oh technology! Go figure!   Thank you though. Just curious if you wanted the bullet tips for a particular reason? I have some that are bullet tips and I find them very difficult to work with, wondering if that was a preference over brush nibs. Thanks! 

I started my collection of Copics years ago and have gradually added to them. I like that they have refills available, but I have just liked them in general, anyway. I have bought a few additional alcohol markers in colors that I needed or wanted but that weren’t available at M’s. I wasn’t sure if they would work together, and I can’t remember if I tried to blend them with Copics, but they seemed to work fine.

I am not picky. Unlike most, I don’t enjoy coloring. I am willing to use whatever markers get the job done, blend, and not worry about if it’s the absolute best. I love stamps, just not the coloring. I tolerate it to get the results I want.

I do enjoy coloring, but I think I'm in the minority....

FYI, Prime Days are going on now on Amazon and some of the Ohuhu sets are on sale.