Artkal vs. Perler vs. Hama vs. Mard — which bead brand should you use?

Perler is the brand most people in North America learn with. You'll find it at Walmart, Michaels, and Amazon — usually the cheapest option per bead. The color range (100+ colors) is enough for most beginner projects, and Perler beads melt quickly and forgivingly. The downside: they can be a little unpredictable with heat — too much iron time and they flatten more than other brands. Perler's standard board is 29×29 pegs, and the brand makes a massive variety of specialty boards (hexagon, circle, star shapes).

Artkal is the go-to for crafters who care about color accuracy. The 5mm (midi) lineup alone includes 225 colors, and the 2.6mm mini series adds another 197 — including a semi-transparent "jewel" range that Perler and Hama don't match. Artkal beads are compatible with Perler and Hama boards (same 5 mm diameter, same peg spacing). They melt slightly slower than Perler, giving you more control over the ironing step. The main trade-off: Artkal is harder to find in physical stores — you'll usually order it online.

Hama is the dominant brand in Europe and Scandinavia. The standard Hama Midi bead is 5 mm — same as Perler and Artkal — and the boards are cross-compatible. Hama beads have a slightly rounder, more matte finish compared to Perler's flatter look. The Midi color range is 66 colors, which sits between Perler and Artkal in variety. Hama also makes a "Maxi" line with 10 mm beads on a wider-spaced board, designed specifically for toddlers and young kids with fine-motor challenges. If you're in the US and buying Hama online, expect slightly higher prices than Perler due to import shipping.

Mard is a 2.6mm mini bead brand — the same size as Artkal's C/A mini series — sold primarily through AliExpress and Amazon at budget prices. With 221 colors and a color code system that overlaps with Artkal's mini range, Mard is popular with detail-focused crafters who want a cheaper alternative to Artkal mini. The key thing to know: Mard does not make a standard 5mm bead, so Mard is not compatible with regular Perler, Hama Midi, or Artkal S boards. You'll need 2.6mm mini pegboards (Artkal's mini boards work). Quality is generally comparable to Artkal mini for the lower price point, though consistency can vary batch to batch when ordering from third-party sellers.