Fuse beads (also known as perler beads, iron beads, or melty beads) are a beloved crafting material worldwide. Different brands offer varying color selections, bead sizes, textures, and price points. This guide provides an in-depth look at five major brands—Perler, Hama, Artkal, Nabbi, and Yant—to help you choose the perfect materials for your projects.
Brand Overview
| Brand | Origin | Standard Size | Colors | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perler | USA | 5mm | 102+ | Beginner-friendly, rich colors |
| Hama | Denmark | 5mm/2.5mm | 80+ | Classic European, consistent quality |
| Artkal | China | 5mm/2.6mm | 200+ | Best value, extensive series |
| Nabbi | Sweden | 5mm | 30 | Minimalist, Nordic design |
| Yant | China | 5mm | 119 | Artistic, unique muted tones |
---
Perler
Origin: United States Sizes: 5mm Standard / Mini series Colors: 102+
Brand Character
Perler is the most recognized fuse bead brand in North America, known for being beginner-friendly with extensive color options. Their range spans basic colors to neon, metallic, and glow-in-the-dark varieties. For newcomers to fuse bead art, Perler is an excellent starting point—tutorials are abundant and the beads are widely available.
Key Features
- Intuitive color names: Names like Salmon, Toothpaste, and Butterscotch make selection easy
- Excellent fusing: Beads heat evenly for smooth finished surfaces
- Mini series: 2.5mm size for intricate detailed work
- Caps series: Dome-shaped beads for 3D creations
Download Color Files
---
Hama
Origin: Denmark Sizes: Midi 5mm / Mini 2.5mm / Maxi 10mm Colors: 80+
Brand Character
Hama is synonymous with European fuse beads. Since 1971, the brand has earned global trust through consistent quality and classic color palettes. Hama's colors tend toward moderately saturated classic tones, perfect for recreating retro game characters and beloved cartoon figures.
Key Features
- Consistent quality: Danish-made with excellent size uniformity
- Three size options: Midi (5mm), Mini (2.5mm), Maxi (10mm) for all ages
- Classic palette: Traditional colors work harmoniously for vintage game aesthetics
- Special effects: Fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark options expand creative possibilities
Download Color Files
---
Artkal
Origin: China Sizes: A-series 5mm / C-series 2.6mm / R-series 5mm / S-series 5mm Colors: 200+ (all series combined)
Brand Character
Artkal has emerged as the best value choice, offering an extensive color library across multiple series. Their unique C-series 2.6mm beads occupy a sweet spot between Hama Mini and standard sizes—ideal for creators who want detail without going too small.
Key Features
- Largest color selection: Over 200 colors across all series
- Multiple size series: A/C/R/S series cover different specifications
- Hard and soft options: Different textures suit different ironing preferences
- Excellent value: More affordable than comparable international brands
Download Color Files
---
Nabbi
Origin: Sweden Size: 5mm Colors: 30
Brand Character
From the design-forward nation of Sweden, Nabbi embraces a minimalist curated approach. While 30 colors may seem limited, this carefully selected core palette ensures every color serves a purpose. For those who appreciate simplicity or feel overwhelmed by hundreds of options, Nabbi's focused selection reduces decision fatigue.
Key Features
- Nordic design philosophy: Less is more—streamlined but harmonious colors
- Perfect for minimalist art: 30 colors handle most classic patterns
- Premium quality: Swedish-made with consistent sizing
- Stress-free selection: No analysis paralysis from overwhelming choices
Download Color Files
---
Yant
Origin: China Size: 5mm Colors: 119
Brand Character
Yant is a rising Chinese brand distinguished by its artistic, muted color palette. Unlike other brands that favor saturated tones, Yant offers many Morandi-inspired colors and low-saturation shades—perfect for creating works with contemporary art sensibilities, healing illustrations, or Japanese-inspired aesthetics.
Key Features
- Unique color system: Morandi grays, cream tones, soft mints, and artistic hues
- Poetic color names: Evocative names like "Fog," "Muscle," and "Jade" (in Chinese)
- Art-forward approach: Low saturation for sophisticated finished pieces
- Easy access: Convenient for Asian markets with fast local shipping
Download Color Files
---
Choosing the Right Brand for You
By Need
| Your Priority | Recommended Brand |
|---|---|
| Just starting out | Perler / Hama |
| Maximum color variety | Artkal |
| Minimalist Nordic aesthetic | Nabbi |
| Artistic muted tones | Yant |
| Budget-conscious | Artkal / Yant |
| Proven consistent quality | Hama |
By Creative Style
- Retro pixel game art: Perler / Hama's saturated classics
- Modern illustration style: Artkal's rich gradients
- Minimalist geometric patterns: Nabbi's curated 30-color set
- Healing / contemporary art: Yant's Morandi palette
---
Start Your Fuse Bead Journey
Now that you understand each brand's strengths, it's time to create! Use our Fuse Bead Pattern Generator to instantly convert any image into a brand-specific pattern with an accurate bead count.
Features include:
- Multiple brand color system support
- Customize available colors (use only beads you own)
- Precise bead count statistics
- CSV shopping list export
Try it now: https://pixel.oneimage.co/en/beads
---
Related Reading
- Introducing the Pindou Pattern Generator - For users of Chinese domestic bead brands
- Privacy-First Local Image Processing - How we protect your image privacy
—The OneImage Team