I tried 9 dry erase markers. Here’s what’s actually worth buying

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase something, I will receive a commission with no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.

I have whiteboards in almost every room I work in. As someone running multiple businesses, a whiteboard is genuinely one of my most-used productivity tools — for mapping out projects, tracking goals, and keeping my week visible at a glance. I’ve gone through more dry erase markers than I care to count, and the difference between a good one and a bad one is more noticeable than you’d expect. Here’s what I actually use and recommend.

Key takeaways

• EXPO Low Odor markers are my everyday go-to — clean erasability, minimal ghosting, widely available
• Tip style matters more than most people realise — I’ll explain which to choose for which situation
• Low-odor formulas are non-negotiable if you work in an enclosed home office (the difference is significant)
• Proper storage doubles the lifespan of your markers — one simple habit makes the biggest difference
• Liquid chalk markers are a completely different product — brilliant for glass boards but not interchangeable with standard dry erase

Why the right marker actually matters

I used to buy whatever was cheapest and wonder why my whiteboard always looked messy. The answer was ghosting — faint outlines of old writing that never fully erase. Once I switched to better markers and learned how to care for them properly, my whiteboards looked cleaner and lasted longer.

It sounds like a small thing. But when you’re using a whiteboard calendar every day to plan your week, clarity matters. Smudged, ghost-marked boards are genuinely distracting — and distractions are expensive when you’re running a business.

Types of dry erase markers: What you need to know before you buy

Three ink formulas dominate the market and they perform very differently:

• Alcohol-based ink — the most common, fast-drying and erases cleanly, but produces the most odor. Fine for well-ventilated spaces, less ideal for home offices.
• Low-odor / modified alcohol-based ink — my preferred choice. Engineered to reduce VOCs while keeping performance strong. This is what EXPO uses and it’s the formula I’d always recommend for enclosed workspaces.
• Water-based ink — the safest and nearly odorless option, but tends to leave more residue on older whiteboard surfaces. Better for occasional use than daily heavy writing.

Tip styles matter too and this is where I see people make mistakes:

• Chisel tips (3–6mm) — most versatile, my everyday choice. You can switch between thick lines and fine edges depending on how you hold the marker
• Fine tips (1–2mm) — better for detailed annotation or smaller boards
• Bullet tips (2–3mm) — a solid middle ground for general use

The best dry erase markers I’ve tried

EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers ⭐ My Top Pick

EXPO is what I use daily and what I’d recommend to almost everyone. They’re the number one best-seller in the US for good reason — the AP-certified non-toxic formula erases cleanly from most whiteboard surfaces with minimal ghosting, and the low-odor formula makes a genuine difference in a home office environment.

I’ve tested the claim that they last up to 3x longer than competing brands and while I can’t verify the exact figure, I can say they outlast every budget marker I’ve tried by a noticeable margin.

Price: 4-packs from around $8, 12-packs from $16+

Best for: Everyday home office, classroom, and meeting room use

My experience: The chisel tip is my default. The fine tip version is excellent for whiteboard planning and calendar work where precision matters.

✓ Low odor ✓ Minimal ghosting ✓ Widely available ✓ Non-toxic

BIC Intensity low odor dry erase markers ⭐ best budget option

BIC Intensity is where I’d send anyone who wants decent performance without EXPO’s price. Starting at around $5 for a 4-pack, they offer vivid pigment and a reliable low-odor formula that holds up well for everyday use.

Erasability isn’t quite at EXPO’s level on older whiteboard surfaces — I noticed slightly more residue after extended use — but for general home and office use they’re genuinely good value. Available in both chisel and fine tip.

Price: From around $5 for a 4-pack

Best for: Budget-conscious home and office users

✓ Low odor ✓ Good value ✓ Both tip styles available

Quartet EnduraGlide dmry erase markers ⭐ best for extended writing

If you spend long periods writing on a whiteboard — planning sessions, teaching, or mapping out complex projects — the EnduraGlide technology is worth knowing about. The ink flow is noticeably smoother than EXPO, with no skipping or dragging even during extended sessions.

I notice the difference most when I’m doing a full project mapping session that takes 30+ minutes. My hand doesn’t fatigue the same way it does with markers that require more pressure.

Price: Comparable to EXPO

Best for: Long whiteboard sessions, teaching, project planning

✓ Smooth consistent flow ✓ Chisel and bullet tip options ✓ No skipping

Staedtler Lumocolor Whiteboard Markers ⭐ best professional grade

Staedtler Lumocolor markers are engineered in Germany and it shows. The pigment intensity is noticeably stronger than most other brands and the erasability is exceptional — even on surfaces that give other markers trouble.

I use these when presentation quality matters — client meetings, workshops, anything where the whiteboard needs to look genuinely sharp. They come at a higher price point ($15–$25 per set) but if you’re using a whiteboard daily in a professional environment they absolutely justify the cost.

Price: $15–$25 per set

Best for: Professional environments, client-facing use, demanding daily use

✓ Exceptional erasability ✓ Strong pigment ✓ Fine and medium tip options

Shuttle Art 30-Color Dry Erase Markers ⭐ best for color coding

I’m a color coder. Different colors for different projects, different priorities, different team members. The standard 4-color set most markers come in isn’t enough for the way I work.

The Shuttle Art 30-Color set solves this completely at around $15–$20 for the full set — which is extraordinary value for 30 colors. Performance doesn’t quite match EXPO or Staedtler on erasability, but for visual organization and color-coded planning it’s the best option at this price by a significant margin.

Price: $15–$20 for 30 colors

Best for: Visual thinkers, color-coded planning, teachers

✓ 30 colors ✓ Excellent value ✓ Great for visual organization

Mr. Pen Dry Erase Markers ⭐ best bulk buy

For schools, offices, or anyone who goes through markers quickly, Mr. Pen’s bulk packs are genuinely impressive value — around $18 for a 50-pack. I keep a bulk pack as a backup supply and the performance is far better than the price suggests.

These aren’t premium grade but they’re reliable for regular classroom and office use. If you’re stocking a staff room or a classroom and budget is a priority, this is where I’d spend the money.

Price: Around $18 for a 50-pack

Best for: Schools, high-volume offices, bulk stocking

✓ Exceptional value ✓ Reliable everyday performance ✓ Available in large packs

Crayola Dry Erase Markers ⭐ best for children

If you’re buying markers for children, Crayola is the only brand I’d recommend without hesitation. The washable formula cleans from skin and most fabrics — which matters enormously when you have kids using whiteboards at home or in a classroom.

Sets of 6–8 colors are priced at $5–$8, bright and appealing, and genuinely non-toxic. The washable formula takes all the stress out of accidental marks on clothing and furniture. I’d always choose these over standard markers for kids regardless of price.

Price: $5–$8 for sets of 6–8 colors

Best for: Children, classrooms with young students, home use with kids

✓ Washable from skin and fabric ✓ Non-toxic ✓ Bright appealing colors

Artline 541T Dry Safe Markers ⭐ best for busy environments

The Artline Dry Safe technology is one of the most practically useful innovations in this market. These markers survive extended cap-off time — meaning if you forget to replace the cap (and everyone does eventually) the marker won’t dry out as quickly as most others.

I keep a set in my main workspace specifically because I know I’ll occasionally forget the cap mid-session. Available in fine and medium tip with strong durability credentials.

Price: Mid-range

Best for: Busy environments, anyone who frequently misplaces caps

✓ Extended cap-off survival ✓ Fine and medium tip ✓ Strong durability

U Brands Liquid Chalk Markers ⭐ best for glass boards

Liquid chalk markers are a completely different product from standard dry erase markers and it’s worth being clear about this — they are not interchangeable. They’re designed for glass, dark chalkboards, and non-traditional smooth surfaces.

I use U Brands liquid chalk markers on my glass home office board and the visual results are genuinely stunning compared to standard markers on the same surface. The 1mm fine tip gives precise lines and the neon colors are vivid and eye-catching.

If you have a glass board or use a menu board, event signage, or decorative writing surfaces, these are the ones to get. On a standard whiteboard they won’t perform the same way.

Price: Mid-range

Best for: Glass boards, menu boards, event signage, decorative use

✓ Stunning on glass ✓ Vivid neon colors ✓ 1mm fine tip precision

What to look for when buying dry erase markers

Based on everything I’ve tested, here’s how I’d prioritise the buying criteria:

Ghosting/erasability is the most important factor. Faint outlines of old writing make your board look permanently messy. EXPO, Staedtler, and Quartet are the leaders here. Budget markers almost always ghost more.

Odor level matters more than people expect. I have a home office with limited ventilation and the difference between alcohol-based and low-odor markers is immediately noticeable. Always go low-odor for enclosed spaces.

Tip style should match your use case — chisel for general versatile use, fine for detailed planning or smaller boards, bullet for everyday writing.

Cap-off time is underrated. Top markers survive 4–5+ hours uncapped. Artline and EXPO lead here. Cheaper markers dry out in under an hour if you forget the cap.

Price range as a quick guide: budget $5–$8, mid-range $10–$20, premium $20–$50+.

How to Make Your Markers Last Longer

This section is worth reading even if you already have markers you’re happy with. A few simple habits make a significant difference:

Store horizontally — not tip-down or tip-up. Horizontal storage keeps ink distributed evenly and prevents one end from drying out faster. I changed this habit a year ago and my markers genuinely last longer.

Cap immediately after use — even a few minutes uncapped repeatedly adds up over a marker’s lifespan. I keep caps on a magnetic strip beside my board so there’s no excuse.

Revive dried markers with isopropyl alcohol — this is the tip that surprises most people. Apply 70–90% isopropyl alcohol directly to the tip for a few seconds. I’ve brought markers back from what seemed completely dead using this method. It’s saved me more money than I can calculate.

Clean your whiteboard regularly — a 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol solution works well, or a dedicated whiteboard cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners like Windex which damage whiteboard surfaces over time.

Replace on a schedule — heavy daily use every 1–3 months, occasional use up to 12 months.

My final recommendations at a glance

For most people reading this — whether you’re setting up a home office, managing a family calendar, or running a classroom — EXPO Low Odor Chisel Tip is where I’d start. They’re reliable, widely available, and the low-odor formula makes them suitable for almost any environment.

If you color-code like I do, add the Shuttle Art 30-Color set alongside them. That combination covers everything most people need.

Sources

Amazon Best Sellers – Office Products: Dry Erase Markers
Staples – Dry Erase Markers
EXPO Markers Official Website
BIC World – Intensity Low Odor Dry Erase Markers
Staedtler – Whiteboard Markers
Crayola – Dry Erase Markers
Quartet Display – Markers
Shuttle Art Official Website