Amazon Basics Dry Erase Whiteboard Markers Review: Worth It?
I compared Amazon Basics dry erase markers to Expo on my work whiteboard. Same thick strokes, low odor, way less money. Here's what I found.
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Quick Verdict
I put an Amazon Basics marker next to the same-color Expo on my work whiteboard and couldn’t tell the difference. Same thick chisel strokes, low-odor ink, and a 12-color pack for less money than the name brand. For cost and price, I’d go Amazon.
Buy if you:
- Keep a whiteboard at home for activities or planning
- Want 12 colors so you can code different things by color
- Are stocking a classroom or office and buying in bulk
- Get headaches from strong-smelling markers
Skip if you:
- Wanted all one color, since I got a mixed 12-pack of different colors
- Need an ultra-fine bullet tip, these are chisel tips
- Are loyal to Expo branding on your desk no matter the cost
| Pack | 12 markers, assorted colors |
|---|---|
| Tip | Chisel (thick and thin lines) |
| Ink | Low odor, erases cleanly |
| Colors | Black, blue, light blue, purple, red, pink, green, light green, yellow, orange, brown |
| Brand | Amazon Basics |
The Expo Test That Sold Me on a Cheaper Marker
The side-by-side I ran on my work whiteboard settled this fast: Amazon Basics blue, Expo blue, same stroke, same darkness, same clean erase. These Amazon Basics Dry Erase Whiteboard Markers are the set I’d hand anyone who asks, home planner, classroom, daily standup board, before they spend more on the name brand.
What’s In The 12-Pack
You get 12 markers: black, blue, light blue, purple, red, pink, green, light green, yellow, orange, and brown, one of each. That’s the part I love. Black, blue, light blue, purple, red, pink, green, light green, yellow, orange, and brown are all in the set, so I have different colors for different things on the board. You can also order all red, all black, or all blue if you’d rather, but I opted for the variety pack.
They’re chisel tips. Look at the tip on this one, it’s thick, and that chisel shape lets you write thick or thin lines depending on how you hold it. The ink is low odor too, which matters if you’re planning on a whiteboard for a long stretch and don’t want a headache.
How They Write On A Real Whiteboard
The strokes are thick, just as thick as Expo brand. I gave a demonstration on my actual work whiteboard, and the ink lays down solid and dark on the first pass. I’ve been capping them loosely in a cup for weeks and they still write wet, no skipping, no fighting the board mid-sentence. It writes and erases cleanly, no faint ghost line left behind.
The One Thing I’d Flag Before You Order
The set I got was a mix of 12 different colors, not a dozen of one shade. That’s great if you color-code, but if you write mostly in black all day, you’ll burn through the single black marker while the pink and light green sit untouched. Worth knowing before you click buy. If black is all you use, grab the all-black option instead of the variety pack I opted for.
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Amazon Basics Dry Erase Whiteboard Markers
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Who These Colors Actually Suit
Teachers and office folks are the obvious fit. I use these at work, and the 12-color spread means I can map a color to a project and read the board at a glance. At home the same idea works on a dry erase calendar or an activity board, one color per person or per task. If you’re stocking classroom supplies, the low-odor ink is the quiet win, no headache after a full day of writing.
Amazon Basics vs Expo, Side By Side
I held the Amazon Basics blue next to an Expo blue and wrote the same word with both. Stroke width, ink darkness, erase, identical. The only real difference I found was the logo on the barrel and the price tag. Expo’s brand equity is real, but it’s not showing up on your whiteboard.
My Advice Before You Add To Cart
Decide on colors first. If you color-code, the variety 12-pack is the move. If you only ever write in one shade, order that single color so you’re not left with a rainbow you don’t use. Cap them tight when you’re done, that’s how you keep any dry erase marker moist and stop it drying out early. And store them tip-down if you can. Beyond that, there’s not much to overthink here.
Pros
- Strokes as thick as Expo, I couldn’t tell the difference side by side
- Low-odor ink, no headache during long whiteboard sessions
- 12 colors for color-coding at work or home
- Very moist ink that lasts and erases cleanly
- Substantially less than the name brand
Cons
- Variety pack means one marker per color, so your most-used shade runs out first
- Chisel tip only, no fine bullet-tip option in this set
- No name-brand cachet if that matters to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these work on any dry erase whiteboard?
Yes, they’re made for standard dry erase whiteboard surfaces. I used mine on my work board and it wrote and wiped cleanly. Any regular melamine or glass whiteboard should be fine.
Can I get all one color instead of the mixed pack?
Yes. Amazon offers single-color options like all red, all black, or all blue. I opted for the variety pack because I color-code, but if you write in one shade, buy that color on its own.
Do they really erase without ghosting?
They erased cleanly for me with no faint leftover line. For best results, wipe within a reasonable time and use a proper whiteboard eraser or dry cloth. Ink left on for days is harder on any brand.
Are they low odor enough for a classroom?
Yes, the low-odor ink is the standout for classroom use. There’s no strong chemical smell that gives you a headache during a full day of writing. That’s exactly what makes them a good stock-up choice for teachers.
How long do they last before drying out?
They’re very moist and last quite a bit in normal use. Cap them tightly after each use and they’ll hold up longer. Leaving any marker uncapped is the fastest way to kill it.
Can I use these for a dry erase calendar at home?
Yes, the different colors make a dry erase calendar or activity board easy to read. Assign a color per person or per task and the board organizes itself. That’s how I use color-coding at work too.
Are the chisel tips good for fine writing?
The chisel tip does both thick and thin lines depending on the angle you hold it, but it isn’t a dedicated fine point. If you need tiny detailed lettering, a bullet-tip marker suits that better. For normal board writing, the chisel handles it.
Is the quality really the same as Expo?
In my side-by-side with the same color, I couldn’t tell a difference in stroke thickness or ink. Just the same quality. The main gap is the price, and Amazon Basics comes in substantially lower.
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Amazon Basics Dry Erase Whiteboard Markers
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