Compare School Essentials
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
Feature-by-feature breakdown across 2 products
Faber-Castell
Simple Modern
Strengths
Strengths
Safety Score
9.4
BetterSafety Score
9.0
Why it matters: Safety carries 50% of the overall score in our V4.2 rubric. We evaluate materials, certifications, and compliance across multiple criteria. Faber-Castell scored 9.4/10 vs Simple Modern's 9.0/10.
Safety Score
9.4/10
BetterSafety Score
9.0/10
Faber-Castell
Simple Modern
Strengths
Strengths
Efficacy Score
9.2
Efficacy Score
9.0
Why it matters: Our efficacy pillar (20% weight) measures real-world performance - how well the product delivers on its core function. Faber-Castell scored 9.2/10 vs Simple Modern's 9.0/10.
Overall Score
9.0
Overall Score
8.8
Why it matters: Weighted average of all scoring dimensions.
Faber-Castell
Simple Modern
Strengths
Strengths
Usability Score
8.3
Usability Score
8.1
Why it matters: Usability (20% weight) covers daily convenience - ease of use, maintenance, and practical considerations. Faber-Castell scored 8.3/10 vs Simple Modern's 8.1/10.
Faber-Castell
Simple Modern
Strengths
Strengths
Weaknesses
Price
$17
BetterPrice
$20
Why it matters: Lower price is better when quality is comparable.
Value Score
8.6
Value Score
9.2
BetterWhy it matters: Value (10% weight) calculates quality per dollar. Faber-Castell: $2/point vs Simple Modern: $2/point. Lower cost-per-point means better value.
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Everything you need to make the call — who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
Safety is your top priority — this product scores highest on material safety.
You want the best value for money in this category.
Performance is what matters most to you.
You want the lowest price option at $17.
Safety is your top priority — this product scores highest on material safety.
You want the best value for money in this category.
Performance is what matters most to you.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all School Essentials options at every price pointEvery School Essentials in our database is scored using R3's V4.2 deterministic rubric — the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Faber-Castell and Simple Modern across 0 independent criteria: . No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers — no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 9.0/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. Safety carries 50% of our scoring weight, followed by performance (20%), usability (20%), and value (10%). Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
We use our V4.2 deterministic rubric with four weighted pillars: Safety (50%), Efficacy (20%), Usability (20%), and Value (10%). Every score is reproducible - the same product data produces the same score. Each product is evaluated across multiple criteria within each pillar.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the value scores and prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
