Ohuhu Honolulu vs. Copic Sketch: Which Alcohol Marker Is Right for You?
Copic and Ohuhu are both popular brands among artists when it comes to their alcohol markers.
Ohuhu markers are affordable and great for beginners. Copics are more premium and more targeted to professional artists.
In this article, I took both the Copics and Ohuhu markers to the test to see which is the best and what they're best for.
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).
Which Is Better? A Short Answer
Overall, Ohuhu Honolulu markers outperform Copic Sketch markers in terms of price, nib performance, and ease of use for larger areas, making them the better choice for budget-conscious artists.
However, Copics have the edge in longevity and reusability, which might appeal more to professionals needing refillable, long-lasting markers.
Overview of Copic Markers
Key Features
- Ink Type: Alcohol-based, smooth, and vibrant.
- Blending: Exceptional blending for seamless gradients.
- Color Range: 358 colors.
- Refillability: Fully refillable with Copic ink, reducing waste and long-term cost.
- Nibs: Replaceable nibs with multiple options (e.g., brush, chisel, fine).
- Build Quality: High-quality, durable barrel designed for frequent use.
- Sold Individually?: All colors are sold separately.
- Unique Benefits: Consistent ink flow, customizable markers, and airbrush compatibility.
Pros and Cons
What I Like:
- Professional-grade quality.
- Extensive color range.
- Refillable and environmentally friendly.
What I Don't Like:
- Expensive upfront cost.
- Somewhat limited ink flow when coloring large areas.
Who Should Use Copic Markers?
Copic markers are ideal for professional artists, illustrators, and designers seeking precision, flexibility, and a vast color selection. They are perfect for those planning to invest in long-term, sustainable tools.
For a more deep dive into the features and my experience with the Copic markers, check out this in-depth review I created.
Overview of Ohuhu Markers
Key Features
- Ink Type: Alcohol-based, vibrant, and fast-drying.
- Blending: Smooth blending, especially for beginners.
- Color Range: 363 colors.
- Refillability: 51 of 363 colors are refillable.
- Nibs: Dual-tip design (brush and chisel), offering versatility. Brush nibs are replaceable.
- Build Quality: Sturdy and ergonomic barrel for comfortable handling.
- Sold Individually?: 320 out of 363 colors are sold separately.
- Unique Benefits: Affordable price, perfect for large sets, beginner-friendly design, and sets include empty color charts.
Pros and Cons
What I Like:
- Budget-friendly with a wide range of vibrant colors.
- Good ink flow
- Extensive color range.
- Each set comes with empty color charts.
- The bright design.
What I Don't Like:
- Not all colors are refillable, only 51 colors are.
- The ink sometimes looks a little bit grainy.
Who Should Use Ohuhu Markers?
Ohuhu markers are best suited for beginners, hobbyists, or anyone looking for affordable, high-quality alcohol markers. They’re ideal for casual art projects, coloring, and experimenting with alcohol marker techniques without a steep upfront investment.
If you'd like to know more about the Ohuhu markers and how they color, I highly recommend checking out this review I made based on my experience with these markers.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Copic vs. Ohuhu
1. Color Range and Selection
A good color selection and range is a must for me. I love to draw cars in all sorts of colors, yet some brands fail to include a nice range of purple tones. *Cough* Promarker *cough*.
However, both these brands have an excellent color range. All the colors you can imagine are included.
In my experience, the dark colors of Ohuhu appear darker than the dark Copics.
Color Range Ratings
- Copic: 10/10
- Ohuhu: 9.5/10
2. Ink Quality and Blendability
Ink quality is another important aspect. For me, the ink needs to blend easily and look smoothly.
Copics blend really well and the colors look pretty smooth.
Ohuhu markers also blend super easily, but some colors look slightly grainy on the paper I'm using. However, it's not too noticeable so it doesn't really bother me.
Ink Quality Ratings
- Copic: 10/10
- Ohuhu: 9.5/10
3. Nibs and Their Performance
Now the nibs.
I don't like the Copic nibs. The chisel nib is too small and the brush nib has zero feel to it. Also, the ink flow through these nibs isn't great for quickly coloring in larger areas.
They are pretty good at fine detailed work because of this though.
The nibs of the Ohuhu markers however are amazing to color with. The chisel nib is big so you can easily color in large areas without any streaks. And the brush nib it more stiff so you can actually feel what you do.
The ink flow of these nibs is also really good, especially for coloring large sections. However, for slowly drawing tiny details it can be a bit much which causes it to bleed a little.
Nib Ratings
- Copic: 5/10
- Ohuhu: 10/10
4. Build and Design
Copic sketch markers have an oval shape which keeps them from rolling everywhere. However, I find them a little awkward to hold.
The marker is light grey with a darker grey edge to mark the brush side. It also has a color-coded cap that's pretty close to the ink color. On the cap is the color name and the code which I like.
You can't fit one cap on the end of the other. But personally, this doesn't bother me as I don't ever do that.
The Ohuhu Honolulu markers have a white, round barrel with a grey edge as well as icons to mark the brush side. The caps have little stoppers to stop them from rolling and they have a color-coded cap with the name and the color code on it.
You can fit one cap on the end of the other when coloring if you'd like.
One thing I miss is the color name or code on the barrel itself. If you're not careful you can accidentally put two wrong caps on the marker and you'll never know which color it should be.
Design Ratings
- Copic: 6/10
- Ohuhu: 9/10
5. Longevity and Reusability
Copic markers are very durable. You can buy new nibs and you can refill them again and again.
Most Ohuhu markers are also very durable. You can buy new brush nibs and you can flip the brush nibs if one side wears down. You can also buy refills, but only for 51 out of the 363 colors.
You can't however buy replacement chisel nibs.
Longevity and Reusability Ratings
- Copic: 10/10
- Ohuhu: 8.5/10
6. Price
Copics are one of the most expensive alcohol-based markers you can buy. Luckily there are multiple variants.
There are the Sketch, the Ciao, the Wide, and the Classic.
The Sketch are the most popular ones and this is the one I covered in this comparison. They are pretty expensive, maybe even the most expensive marker out there.
The Ciao are very similar, they are smaller (i.e. they hold less ink) and they are in fewer colors available. They are also cheaper. They cost about half to 2/3 of what the Sketch cost.
Ohuhu markers on the other hand are pretty affordable. They cost less than half of what Copics cost and when you buy them in a set they cost even less than that.
Ohuhu alcohol markers also come in multiple variants, some cheaper than others.
I'm not allowed to include a more precise price in this article, but to get a feel for how much they cost, click the links below.
Price/Quality Ratings
- Copic: 5/10
- Ohuhu: 10/10
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
| Category | Copic Sketch Rating | Ohuhu Honolulu Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Color Range | 10/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Ink Quality & Blendability | 10/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Nibs and Performance | 5/10 | 10/10 |
| Build & Design | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Longevity & Reusability | 10/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Price | 5/10 | 10/10 |
| Total Score | 46/60 | 56/60 |
Recommendations and Use Cases
Ohuhu Markers are Perfect for:
- Beginners, hobbyists, and those on a budget.
- Vibrant illustrations, anime art, and blending practice.
Copic Markers Are Perfect For:
- Professionals or those who prioritize quality and long-term use.
- Detailed projects requiring precise color matching and seamless blending.
Where to Buy Copics and Ohuhu Markers
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I love bringing cars to life with alcohol markers and colored pencils.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, I'm here to help!
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