Are They Worth It? - Ohuhu Honolulu and Honolulu B Series Review
If you’re looking for affordable alcohol-based markers with a great color range, the Ohuhu Honolulu markers might be exactly what you need.
In this review, I’ll share my experience using these markers and compare them to other popular brands like Copic Sketch and Winsor & Newton ProMarkers.
From the vibrant color selection to the smooth blending, you’ll see why these have quickly become my favorite markers.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Key Features of the Ohuhu Honolulu Markers
Big Color Range
The Ohuhu Honolulu markers boast an impressive range of 363 colors, outshining most other brands in sheer variety. Whether you're looking for soft pastels, rich mid-tones, or deep, bold hues, this set has it all, making it easier to find the perfect shade for any project.
What’s even more convenient is that these markers come in 13 curated sets, offering flexibility for different needs. Plus, if you’re just looking to replace or expand your collection, you can purchase individual colors—perfect for artists who want full creative control.
2 Different Tip Configurations
The Honolulu series offers a versatile combination of brush and chisel tips, perfect for creating bold strokes, smooth blends, and detailed shading.
For even more precision, the Honolulu B Series features a fine point and brush tip, giving artists greater control for intricate details while still enjoying the smooth flow of brush strokes. Both options are designed to cater to different artistic styles and techniques.
The Design
The design of the Ohuhu Honolulu markers is sleek and functional. They feature a white, round barrel with the color code and name on the cap, but not on the barrel itself.
The caps are designed to fit on the end of the opposite cap, while built-in stoppers prevent rolling off your workspace.
Each cap's end is colored to match the ink inside, offering a pretty accurate representation of the shade.
A grey line marks the brush nib for the Honolulu series, while the B Series uses this line to indicate the fine tip. Icons and text on the barrel further clarify which side holds which nib.
Overall, these markers feel well-built and high quality, making them a reliable tool for artists.
Packaging
The packaging of the Ohuhu Honolulu markers is both practical and stylish.
Each set comes in a durable black case, with one or more compartments depending on the size of the set. This portable bag is perfect for storing and carrying your markers on the go, offering protection and convenience.
However, while the case is great for storage, organizing the markers by color can be a bit tricky due to the lack of dedicated sections. You may need to take extra time to arrange their collection for quick access to specific shades.
Included Extras
The Ohuhu Honolulu marker sets come with thoughtful included extras to enhance your drawing experience.
One useful addition is a plastic underlayer, designed to catch any ink that bleeds through your paper and protect your desk from unwanted stains.
You'll also find empty color charts in the set, allowing you to swatch and organize your markers for quick reference. This makes it easy to see the exact shades in your collection and how they appear on paper, helping you choose the perfect color for your artwork.
My experience with the Ohuhu Honolulu Markers
Ease of Use
While coloring for extended periods, I found these markers to be surprisingly comfortable to use. The round barrel, which is slightly larger than most other markers, fits nicely in my hand and offers a solid grip, making long coloring sessions less tiring.
Grabbing the right color is a breeze, thanks to the color-coded caps. However, when using both the Honolulu markers and the B Series, I initially found it a bit tricky to quickly find the nib I wanted.
On the Honolulu markers, the grey line marks the brush side, but on the B Series, it indicates the fine point. It was a little confusing at first, but after some time, I got used to checking the icons on the barrel to know which side I was working with.
The Alcohol-Based Ink
In my experience, the ink in the Ohuhu Honolulu markers really stands out. The darker colors are noticeably deeper and richer compared to other brands I’ve tried, giving my artwork more intensity.
The vibrancy of the colors is impressive too—just take a look at the color charts I filled in! Each hue pops off the page, bringing my illustrations to life.
The ink also has a great balance when it comes to drying time. It dries quickly, but not so fast that you can’t blend or layer smoothly.
One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that on certain types of paper (including my favorite marker paper...), the ink can sometimes appear a little grainy. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but something to be mindful of depending on your paper choice.
That said, I’m happy to report that the ink isn’t streaky at all, which is a big plus—especially for larger areas where streaks can ruin the effect.
Overall, the ink performance is top-notch!
They Blend Very well
The blendability of the Ohuhu Honolulu markers is fantastic.
They blend very smoothly and easily, making transitions between colors look seamless.
I’ve found that they work especially well with the feathering method, thanks to their great brush nibs. This technique allows for soft, gradual blending, which is great for adding depth and shading to your artwork.
If you’re curious about how to use the feathering method, I’ve written a detailed guide on it and other blending techniques—learn more in this article!
The Nibs Are Fantastic
The nibs on the Ohuhu Honolulu markers are outstanding. They offer a lot of control, even with the brush nib, which is often tricky with other brands.
The ink flow is smooth, handling quick strokes effortlessly without oversaturating the paper when you're coloring more slowly.
The fine point is perfect for tiny details and narrow lines, making it great for intricate work.
The brush nib, in particular, gives you a real sense of precision and feedback—you can always feel exactly what it's doing, unlike most other brush markers I’ve used. Plus, it's reversible, so when the tip starts to wear out, you can flip it around and get more life out of it without needing to buy a replacement.
The chisel nib is sturdy and works beautifully for covering large areas quickly, making these markers versatile for different techniques and styles.
Overall, the nibs provide a great experience, whether you’re working on fine details or broad strokes.
Pros & Cons of the Ohuhu Honolulu Markers
What I Like:
- Wide color range: 363 vibrant shades, including rich dark tones.
- Excellent blendability: Smooth transitions and easy to blend, especially with the feathering technique.
- Comfortable design: The slightly larger, round barrel provides a solid, comfortable grip for long coloring sessions.
- High-quality nibs: The brush nib offers great control and feel, while the fine point is perfect for details. The nibs are reversible, extending their life.
- Good ink flow: Handles quick strokes without skipping, and the ink doesn’t flood the paper when coloring slowly.
- Sturdy chisel nib: Great for covering large areas efficiently.
- Useful extras: Includes a plastic underlayer to protect your workspace and empty color charts for easy swatching.
- Color-coded caps: Makes it easy to quickly grab the right color.
What I Don't Like:
- Organizing by color is tricky: The carrying case doesn’t make it easy to arrange the markers by shade.
- Initial nib confusion: The grey line on the Honolulu markers indicates the brush side, while on the B Series it marks the fine point, which can be confusing when switching between sets.
- Slight graininess on some paper: Ink can look a little grainy depending on the paper used.
Who Should Buy These Markers?
The Ohuhu Honolulu markers are a great choice for:
- Beginners and intermediate artists who are looking for a high-quality, versatile marker set without a premium price tag.
- Artists who enjoy a wide color range and appreciate vibrant shades for various styles.
- Those who work on detailed illustrations, as the fine point is excellent for tiny details and narrow lines.
- Artists who use blending techniques such as feathering, as the markers blend smoothly and easily, thanks to their high-quality brush nibs.
These markers are particularly well-suited for anime art, illustration, and other styles that benefit from rich color saturation and smooth blending. They are also effective for both large-area coverage with the chisel nib and precise detailing with the fine point.
If you're interested in trying them out, check them out on Amazon to see their full range and find the set that best suits your artistic needs!
Ohuhu Honolulu Markers vs Other Brands
Ohoho Honolulu vs Copic Sketch
For many artists, Copics are one of the best alcohol markers in the world. They are amazing to work with. But let's see how they compare to the Ohuhu Honolulu markers.
| Ohuhu | Copic | |
|---|---|---|
| Color Range | 363 colors, varying from very light to pretty dark | 358 colors, varying from very light to pretty dark |
| Nib Types | Brush + chisel nib (Honolulu); Fine + brush nib (B Series) | Brush + chisel nib |
| Blendability | Excellent blending | Excellent blending |
| Ink Quality | Dries quickly, smooth, and vibrant but can appear a bit grainy on some paper | Smooth, consistent flow, no graininess |
| Price | Affordable | Premium |
| Refillable? | Yes, but only 51 colors | Yes (Copic Ink refills available) |
| Can Be Bought Individually? | Yes, 320 of the 363 can be bought individually | Yes, all colors can be bought individually |
| Durability | Durable, brush nibs are reversible and replaceable | Very durable, long-lasting & replaceable nibs |
| Packaging | Black carrying case | Plastic |
| Extras | Plastic underlayer, empty color charts | None included |
| Best For | Beginners to intermediate artists | Professional artists, serious hobbyists |
| Comfort | Comfortable round barrel, slightly larger | Oval barrel, comfortable for long use |
The Ohuhu Honolulu markers are a great, affordable option for beginners and hobbyists, with vibrant colors and smooth blending. Copic Sketch markers, though significantly pricier, offer superior durability, refillability, and industry-leading performance for professional artists.
Ohuhu Honolulu vs Winsor & Newton ProMarkers
I've been using ProMarkers for a long time now. Here's how they stack up against the Ohuhu Honolulus.
| Ohuhu | ProMarker | |
|---|---|---|
| Color Range | 363 colors, varying from very light to pretty dark | 173 colors, lacking really dark colors |
| Nib Types | Brush + chisel nib (Honolulu); Fine + brush nib (B Series) | Brush + chisel nib (ProMarker); Brush + Chisel (ProMarker Brush) |
| Blendability | Excellent blending | Excellent blending |
| Ink Quality | Smooth, vibrant, consistent flow, but can appear a bit grainy on some paper | Smooth, consistent flow, no graininess |
| Price | Affordable | Mid-range |
| Refillable? | Yes, but only 51 colors | No |
| Can Be Bought Individually? | Yes, 320 of the 363 can be bought individually | Yes, all colors can be bought individually |
| Durability | Durable, brush nibs are reversible and replaceable | Very durable, long-lasting |
| Packaging | Black carrying case | Plastic or cardboard |
| Extras | Plastic underlayer, empty color charts | None included |
| Best For | Beginners to intermediate artists | Hobbyists, illustrators, designers |
| Comfort | Comfortable round barrel, slightly larger | Comfortable round barrel |
The Ohuhu Honolulu markers provide a more versatile range of colors and nib types, making them great for artists who value variety and affordability. Winsor & Newton ProMarkers offer good quality but lack the flexibility of brush nibs, making them more suited to illustrators and designers who need precise lines and vibrant colors.
Final Verdict
After trying several brands, I can confidently say that the Ohuhu Honolulu markers are my favorite.
They’ve really impressed me with their affordability, offering such a wide range of vibrant colors—including very light and very dark shades—at a fraction of the cost of Copics or ProMarkers.
While Copic Sketch markers are great and Winsor & Newton ProMarkers have their strengths, the combination of price, color selection, and overall quality makes Ohuhu stand out.
If you're looking for markers that deliver professional results without breaking the bank, these are hands down the best option.
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