If you've spent any time researching alcohol markers online, you've almost certainly come across both Arrtx and Ohuhu. They occupy the same space — affordable, dual-tip alcohol markers positioned as accessible alternatives to Copic — and they're frequently compared against each other in artist communities worldwide.
We carry both brands at The Hadler Store. We've seen what customers buy, what they come back for, and what questions they ask before deciding. This is our honest breakdown.
The Short Answer
Buy Arrtx if: you want a wider colour range, more consistent ink saturation, and a marker that performs closer to a professional grade at an accessible price.
Buy Ohuhu if: you're just starting out, want a large set at the lowest possible cost per marker, or need a reliable everyday sketching marker without requiring museum-quality blending.
Both are good. Neither is Copic. But for most artists reading this, one will suit you significantly better than the other.
Brand Overview
Arrtx launched with a focus on the serious hobbyist market — artists who want professional results without the professional price tag. Their sets are designed around colour theory, with palettes built for illustration, character art, and realistic rendering. Arrtx has invested heavily in ink formulation, and it shows in the blending performance.
Ohuhu took a different approach — volume and accessibility. Ohuhu became popular by offering very large sets (up to 320 colours) at prices that made alcohol markers accessible to beginners who weren't ready to commit to Copic pricing. Their business model is built around value, and they deliver on that promise consistently.
Tip Quality
Both markers come with a dual tip — a broad chisel tip and a fine tip. The execution differs.
Arrtx uses a firmer fine tip that holds its shape through extended use. The chisel tip lays down ink evenly across large areas without streaking. Artists working on detailed illustration find the fine tip precise enough for line work without needing a separate liner pen for most applications.
Ohuhu's tips are slightly softer, particularly the brush tip on their newer sets. For loose, expressive work this works well. For tight technical illustration, the softer tip can feel imprecise over time as it splays with use.
Winner: Arrtx for longevity and precision. Ohuhu for loose expressive work.
Colour Range & Palette Design
Arrtx sets are available from 24 to 258 colours. What distinguishes them is how thoughtfully the palettes are constructed — each set is designed so the colours within it actually work together. Skin tone sets, landscape sets, portrait sets — Arrtx builds collections around how artists actually use colour rather than simply offering a rainbow of options.
Ohuhu offers sets up to 320 colours. The range is impressive numerically. However, the palette construction is less deliberate — larger sets can include colours that are very similar to each other while leaving noticeable gaps in useful mid-tones. For beginners this matters less. For artists with specific rendering goals it can be frustrating.
Winner: Arrtx for palette intelligence. Ohuhu for sheer volume if colour count matters to you.
Blending Performance
This is where Arrtx pulls ahead most clearly.
Alcohol markers blend by reactivating previously laid ink with a new layer of alcohol-based pigment. The quality of that blend depends on ink saturation, alcohol content, and how the tip interacts with the paper surface.
Arrtx blends smoothly and consistently. Gradients are achievable with 2-3 passes without streaking. The ink stays wet long enough to work with, which is critical for smooth colour transitions.
Ohuhu blends adequately for beginner work. On good marker paper, results are solid. On standard sketchbook paper, you may see more streaking and less smooth transitions. For artists whose primary goal is blending and rendering, Arrtx is the more reliable choice.
Winner: Arrtx — noticeably better blending performance.
Price Per Marker
At typical retail pricing:
- Ohuhu comes in at roughly $0.50–0.80 USD per marker depending on set size — the larger the set, the lower the per-marker cost
- Arrtx sits at roughly $0.80–1.20 USD per marker — higher than Ohuhu but significantly lower than Copic ($8–10 per marker)
If budget is your primary concern and you're buying your first set of alcohol markers, Ohuhu's cost per marker is hard to argue with.
If you're serious about your art and plan to use markers regularly, Arrtx's refillability and better blending performance make it the better long-term investment despite the slightly higher upfront cost.
Winner: Ohuhu on upfront cost. Arrtx on long-term value.
Which Artists Should Buy Which
Choose Arrtx if you are:
- An intermediate to advanced artist looking to level up from basic markers
- Working on character illustration, anime art, or realistic rendering
- Planning to use markers regularly and want them to last
- Interested in building a cohesive palette around specific themes (portraits, landscapes, etc.)
Choose Ohuhu if you are:
- A complete beginner trying alcohol markers for the first time
- A casual artist who markers occasionally and wants maximum colour variety
- Shopping for a student or young artist who needs a large, affordable set
- Primarily sketching loosely rather than doing detailed rendering work
Our Verdict
For most artists who are serious about their craft, Arrtx is the better marker. The blending performance, palette construction, and tip quality all point in the same direction — this is a marker built for artists who care about results.
Ohuhu is not a bad marker. It is an excellent entry point. Many artists start with Ohuhu and graduate to Arrtx — which is a perfectly reasonable progression.
If you're buying your first ever set of alcohol markers and aren't sure if you'll stick with it, start with Ohuhu. If you already know you love marker art and want to invest in something better, go straight to Arrtx.
Shop Both at The Hadler Store
We carry the full range of both brands with worldwide shipping.
Free worldwide shipping on orders over $280.