What are the finest white board markers a man can buy?

April 16, 2009 3:46 PM

What are the finest white board markers a man can buy?

I'm a teacher of young kids, and big into the idea that you learn best through visuals. As a result, I use the white board, and by extension white board markers, constantly in my lessons to draw and write out stuff.

Unfortunately, the brand of markers I currently use (and buy in cheap bulk) get smushed tips and dry out very quickly. I go through about one a week.

I'm perfectly okay paying more for quality, so I was wondering if there exists a sort of "Cadillac of White Board Markers" that keep a firm tip for a long time, and carry a lot of dark ink.

posted by filibuster to work & money (17 comments total)

I am a big fan of Staedtler markers, both whiteboard and not. I use the regular pen-size ones myself, because I find them easiest to write with, and I have to steal them back from coworkers often, so others must agree.
posted by rokusan at 3:51 PM on April 16

I've never tried these, but these markers might fill the bill. They're non-toxic and recyclable, but they're also refillable.

This review may be astroturf or genuine. Doesn't address smushed tips and dark ink.
posted by maudlin at 3:54 PM on April 16

I love my Foray dry erase markers. People think I am a freak for buying them when the university provides cheep markers in every class ... but mine always seem to be easier to see / brighter in color / just plain better than anything else. I particularly am fond of this set I got a while ago (two semesters) because of the really vibrant colors. When working on a large dry erase board that is often rarely cleaned, you'd be amazed at how important A DIFFERENT BLOODY BLUE is.
posted by strixus at 5:14 PM on April 16

I sometimes happen across old-stock, really cheap, really stinky whiteboard markers. They are indistinguishable from the current, less stinky, lower quality cheapo kind, unfortunately. Nothing I've seen beats them in terms of saturation/visibility.

well, visual kids learn best through visuals. Which is most of them. Those of us who don't just get upset when things stop making sense.
posted by tigrrrlily at 5:28 PM on April 16 [1 favorite]

I like the Expo markers. They're super-stinky, but last forever.
posted by shrabster at 5:33 PM on April 16

I use the Tul Markers.


They have vivid colors, are magnetic, and have a nice point.

One big downside: you have to make sure the caps are on tight. I have had a few dry out very quickly because I thought the caps were on, but they were not. So... these may not be best for kids.
posted by smelvis at 5:37 PM on April 16

Cheap in bulk? Just how I like my women. I mean, we were talking about markers huh?

In that case, I do enjoy expo markers. I don't know about the finest part of your question, but they do last quite a while as smelvis has noted.
posted by isoman2kx at 5:55 PM on April 16

EXPO Orginal ink, chisel tip $9.50 for an assorted dozen. - this is done in Expo's blue and black. The weak orange is a marker that came with the board.
posted by Orb2069 at 6:18 PM on April 16

You guys like the Expo markers? They're the cheap ones people stick me with when they steal my Staedtler Lumicolors! :)
posted by rokusan at 6:45 PM on April 16

WRT the AusPen refillable pens mentioned above: I know a few people who use them - They tend to run out frequently, and occasionally leak while being carried if not point-up.
posted by Orb2069 at 6:48 PM on April 16 [1 favorite]

If you live anywhere near NYC, MUJI has some amazing whiteboard markers, they have cartridges and liquid ink (they are so juicy, its crazy). When the tip gets smooshed (very rare, never happened to me) you an put a replacement in. If ink runs out, you can put a different cartridge in.
posted by ooklala at 7:06 PM on April 16 [1 favorite]

And in case you need to know, the best permanent markers are, by far and away, Mr Sketch Scented Markers. I've never had a problem with them and the colours stand out well.
posted by Neale at 8:56 PM on April 16

It is too bad that there isn't a fountain pen for white boards. More specifically, you'd want something with a rigid tip that is refillable. I stopped using felt tipped pens precisely because they dry out too quickly and the tips wear down. When writing on paper, a fountain pen is a much better solution and every bit as comfortable to write with.
posted by b1tr0t at 9:14 PM on April 16

I have here an Artline 577, claims cap can be left off for 48hours* without drying out. *Under controlled tests 20°C, 65% humidity.

I like it, don't know how much they cost.
posted by defcom1 at 9:48 PM on April 16

I'm an Expo fan. Learn to not press so hard when you write, and be a compulsive cap-replacer. I was (until recently) a training instructor, and my markers lasted for ever or until I let someone else use them, whichever came first.
posted by ctmf at 4:47 AM on April 17

I also use expo markers because that's the brand my cheap-as-hell company supplies us with. Considering that I work for a bunch of notorious tightwads, I doubt expos are the Cadillac of white board markers, but they seem to work and last just fine.

In any event, filibuster, the way you worded your question cracked me up. Thanks for the smile.
posted by Maisie at 7:33 AM on April 17

Interesting thread... Expo are the markers they give us, and a colleague has just been telling me she thinks they don't last as long as they used to.
posted by Rash at 12:49 PM on April 17