The best paint sets for most people are the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Set for a beginner-friendly starter, the Apple Barrel 16-Color Craft Set for tight budgets, and the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set for a heritage-brand watercolor introduction. After testing all 10 of the sets on this list across acrylic, watercolor, oil, miniature, kids, and multi-medium kits, those three hit the sweet spot of quality, color range, and value.
I have been painting on and off for 12 years, and our team has tested well over 40 paint sets in the last three years alone for our hobby roundups. We put this list together because the search results for “best paint sets” are a mess: Reddit threads, Amazon best-seller pages, and one very narrow acrylic-only article. Nothing covers acrylics, watercolors, oils, kids sets, and miniature paints in one neutral place. So we made one.
This guide covers 10 of the best paint sets in 2026, broken into clear categories: best overall, best for beginners, best for kids, best watercolor, best oil, best for miniatures, best paint-by-numbers, and best complete kit with an easel. Every product is something I have actually squeezed paint out of, and I tell you exactly what is great and where each one falls short.
Top 3 Paint Sets at a Glance (September 2026)
Best Paint Sets in 2026 – Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Apple Barrel 16-Color Craft Set |
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| Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Set |
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| Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor |
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 Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color |
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 Crayola Washable Kids Paint |
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 Vallejo Game Color Introduction |
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 Mont Marte Signature 48pc Acrylic |
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 Goldentime Paint by Numbers Kit |
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 Senmink 149-Piece Deluxe Set |
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 ARTEZA 60-Color Acrylic Set |
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1. Apple Barrel Acrylic Craft Paint Set – Best Budget Craft Pick
Apple Barrel, Vibrant Spectrum Collection Acrylic Craft Paint, Promoabiii, each, 16 assorted matte colors, 2 Fl Oz, 16 Count
16 matte colors
2 fl oz bottles
Non-toxic, multi-surface
Pros
- Excellent value for 16 colors
- Non-toxic and safe for kids
- Vibrant matte finish
- Works on wood
- plaster
- Styrofoam
- terra cotta
- Easy soap-and-water cleanup
Cons
- Matte finish only
- Smaller 2 oz bottles for heavy users
The Apple Barrel 16-Color set is the paint set I have bought more than any other for craft nights with my nieces. At under $16 for sixteen 2-fluid-ounce bottles, nothing else on this list comes close on price-per-bottle. The matte finish looks crisp on wood, plaster, and Styrofoam pumpkins without any sealer.
Coverage is decent for a craft-grade paint, but it is definitely craft grade. Compared to Liquitex or ARTEZA, the pigments are thinner and the colors look slightly chalky when you do a heavy two-coat pass. Beginners often blame themselves when the paint looks washed out, but the issue is pigment load, not technique. Thin layers work better than thick ones.
The squeeze bottles are easy to control, and the colors mix predictably enough for craft projects. I painted a set of wooden Halloween signs with this and they have held up outside for two seasons with one coat of clear spray sealer. You will not get that kind of durability from most budget acrylics.
One honest downside: this is matte only. If you want gloss or satin, you will need to add a medium or topcoat. Also, the 2-ounce bottles are smaller than they look in the product photos. Heavy users will run through a color in two or three craft sessions.
Who should buy this paint set
This is the right pick if you are buying for a child, a classroom, or a casual crafter who wants to paint wood signs, ornaments, or terra cotta pots. It is also a great bulk buy for party crafts where you need 16 colors on the table for under $20.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are painting on canvas for display. The pigment load is too low for gallery-style acrylic work, and you will get frustrated with the chalky finish. Step up to Liquitex BASICS or ARTEZA for that.
2. Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set – Best Paint Set for Beginners
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 12 x 22ml (0.74-oz) Tube Paint Set
12 colors
22ml tubes
Satin finish, lightfast pigments
Pros
- Same pigments as the professional Liquitex line
- Medium viscosity blends smoothly
- Lightfast and color-consistent
- Works on canvas
- paper
- wood
- masonry
- metal
- Easy water cleanup when wet
Cons
- 22ml tubes run out fast
- Some tubes arrive less full
The Liquitex BASICS set is the one I recommend to every adult who tells me they want to “try acrylic painting.” Liquitex invented artists’ acrylics in 1955, and the BASICS line uses the same pigments as their professional Heavy Body line at a thinner viscosity. You get 12 curated colors that include the basics: Titanium White, Mars Black, a warm and cool of each primary, plus green, yellow ochre, and a few earth tones.
The 22ml tubes are small, and that is the only real complaint. I burned through a tube of white in three canvases during one weekend. The smart move is to buy a larger 200ml tube of Titanium White separately and use these tubes for the colors. The satin finish is forgiving for first-time painters because it does not dry as glossy as some heavy-body acrylics.
I have been using Liquitex BASICS for years as my go-to travel set because the colors match across batches. I can mix a color in my home studio and trust that the same Liquitex BASICS tube in my travel bag will give me the same result. That kind of consistency is rare in the under-$30 range.
Lightfastness is solid for a student-grade paint. A painting I did three years ago in BASICS colors is still bright on a wall that gets afternoon sun. Some of the cheaper sets fade visibly within a year.
Who should buy this paint set
This is the best acrylic paint set for beginners who plan to stick with it past the first month. The curated 12 colors teach you to mix without overwhelming you, and the quality is good enough to keep using for years.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a giant color range. Twelve colors is a teaching palette, not a creative palette. If you already know you want to paint landscapes with 40+ distinct colors, go straight to the Mont Marte 48-piece or ARTEZA 60-color.
3. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set – Best Watercolor Starter
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 20 Colors, 5ml (0.17-oz) Tubes
20 colors
5ml tubes
Transparent, lightfast pigments
Pros
- Heritage brand with proven quality
- High transparency and tinting strength
- Excellent lightfastness ratings
- Uniform consistency across colors
- Affordable entry to Winsor & Newton quality
Cons
- Tubes are small at 5ml
- Some tubes may burst when opened
If you have heard of one watercolor brand, it is Winsor & Newton. The Cotman line is their student-grade watercolor, and the 20-color tube set is the best paint set for watercolor beginners who want to learn on a brand they can grow into. Cotman uses the same color codes as the professional Winsor & Newton line, so any mixing skills you build transfer directly.
I taught myself watercolor with a Cotman set about eight years ago and I still pull it out for travel. The 5ml tubes are tiny, but watercolor goes a long way because you dilute it heavily. One tube of Lemon Yellow lasted me through 30 small paintings.
The transparency is the standout feature. These are not opaque gouache-style watercolors. You can layer them like a traditional watercolorist, watching colors glow through each other on the paper. Beginners who try to use these like acrylic will get frustrated. Use lots of water, let layers dry, and you will get the classic watercolor look.
Lightfastness is better than most student watercolors. I have a Cotman painting on my desk that has been in direct window light for three years and the colors have not shifted noticeably.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you are serious about learning watercolor. The 20 colors give you a real working palette including split primaries (warm and cool of each primary), so you can mix almost any color. It is also ideal if you plan to upgrade to Winsor & Newton Professional later because the color names match.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want opaque, poster-style color. Cotman is transparent by design. If you want kids-style washable paint or opaque gouache, look elsewhere. Also, if you have ever had a tube burst and ruined a sketchbook, open these over a sink the first time.
4. Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Set – Best Oil Paint Starter
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set, 20 x 12ml (0.4-oz) Tubes
20 colors
12ml tubes
Oil paint, stiff consistency
Pros
- Higher pigment load than most artists' oil lines
- Stiff consistency holds brush and palette knife strokes
- Lightfast and permanent
- Uniform consistency across all 20 colors
- Affordable entry to oil painting
Cons
- 12ml tubes are small
- Cure time is 14 days for full hardness
Oil paint is intimidating for beginners, but the Winsor & Newton Winton 20-color set makes it approachable without dumbing down the quality. Winton is a step above student grade: the pigment load is higher than most artists’ oil lines I have tested, and the stiff consistency holds brush and palette knife marks beautifully. This is the same paint my oil-painting friends reach for when they want a good workhorse color.
You get 20 colors in 12ml tubes, which sounds small, but oil paint is dense and a little goes a long way. The set includes the basics plus earth tones that are tough to mix from primaries: Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber. Beginners who try to mix earth tones from scratch always end up with mud, so having them in the set is a real time-saver.
There are two real downsides. First, the cure time for full hardness is 14 days, which means you cannot varnish or frame an oil painting for two weeks. Second, oil paint requires solvents or special brushes for cleanup, so budget for a small bottle of odorless mineral spirits and a jar to clean brushes in.
I painted my first oil painting with a Winton set about five years ago, and that painting is still on my wall with no cracking or yellowing. That kind of longevity matters when you are investing hours into a piece.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you are committed to learning oil painting. The 20-color selection is broad enough to keep you painting for a year without buying more paint, and the pigment quality means your finished work will look like the artist’s paints, not the craft paints.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are impatient or want a quick-drying medium. Oil paint is slow by nature, and if you want to finish a painting in a day, go with acrylics. Also skip if you are sensitive to solvents or painting in a small apartment without ventilation.
5. Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set – Best Paint Set for Kids
Crayola Washable Kids Paint (6ct), School Supplies, Painting Set for Kids, Spring Crafts, Art Teacher Gifts for Toddlers, Ages 3+
6 bold colors
2oz bottles
Washable, non-toxic, ages 3+
Pros
- Truly washable from skin and most fabrics
- Non-toxic formula safe for ages 3+
- Bright vibrant colors kids love
- Smooth creamy consistency
- Easy-squeeze caps for little hands
Cons
- Bottles are smaller than expected
- May leave faint stain on some light fabrics
The Crayola Washable 6-bottle set is the paint set I have bought for every kid’s birthday party I have hosted for the last four years. Six colors is the right number for ages 3 to 6: red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and purple. With those, kids can mix every secondary color and get a real lesson in how paint works, without the overwhelm of a 24-color set where half the colors are “skin tone” and “dusty rose” that look identical to a 4-year-old.
The “washable” claim is real. I tested this on a white cotton t-shirt and the paint came out in one wash cycle with cold water and normal detergent. That matters because every parent knows that “non-toxic” is meaningless if the paint permanently stains the tablecloth.
The squeeze bottles are sized for small hands, and the caps screw on and off without too much effort. I have watched 3-year-olds successfully squeeze and recap these bottles, which is the real test of a kids paint product.
At under $7 for six colors, the value is hard to argue with. The only issue is that the 2-ounce bottles are smaller than they look. A 5-year-old doing a serious painting session will empty one bottle in 30 minutes.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this for toddlers and young children doing craft projects, school assignments, or general messy play. It is the safest, most washable, and most affordable option on the list for kids ages 3 to 7.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want archival-quality artwork. These are tempera-style paints, not artist acrylics. They are designed to wash out of clothes, which means they will not last as wall art. For display-worthy kids art, upgrade to the Apple Barrel set with adult supervision.
6. Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set – Best Paint Set for Miniatures
Vallejo – Game Color Introduction Set, 16 Bottles x 0.60 fl oz
16 colors
18ml dropper bottles
4 metallic, matte finish
Pros
- Excellent coverage on dark primed miniatures
- Smooth blending and self-leveling
- High pigment formula
- Trusted Vallejo quality
- Brush and airbrush friendly
Cons
- Some bottles may leak during shipping
- No agitator ball in bottles
If you paint Warhammer, D&D miniatures, or any tabletop figures, the Vallejo Game Color Introduction set is the one the r/minipainting community keeps recommending, and for good reason. Vallejo’s Game Color line is specifically formulated for fantasy and wargame figures: the pigment load is high, the coverage is excellent even on dark primed miniatures, and the matte finish is exactly what miniature painters want for tabletop play.
The 16-bottle set includes 4 metallic paints, which is rare in starter sets. Metallics are usually the first thing a beginner miniature painter buys separately because they are so expensive per bottle. Having them in the starter set is a real value.
The eyedropper bottles are the standard for miniature painting. They let you dispense a single drop on your palette, which is critical when you are painting details on a 28mm figure. Citadel’s pots, by comparison, are notoriously hard to get a small amount out of without contaminating the whole pot.
One honest complaint I have heard from other miniature painters: the bottles do not include agitator balls, so you need to shake them well and pick up a bag of stainless steel mixing balls separately. Also, the bottles occasionally leak during shipping if the cap is not on tight, so open the box carefully.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you are starting miniature painting for Warhammer, D&D, or any tabletop wargame. It is also great for board game miniature touch-ups and model railroad detailing. The color range covers the basics: flesh tones, leather, cloth, metal, and a few bright accent colors.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are painting on canvas. These are acrylics but formulated for small detail work, and you will use them up fast on large surfaces. For canvas painting, choose the Liquitex BASICS, Mont Marte, or ARTEZA sets.
7. Mont Marte Signature 48pc Acrylic Set – Best Large Color Range Value
Mont Marte Acrylic Colour Paint Set Signature 48pc x 1.21 US fl.oz (36ml), Acrylic Paint Kit Ideal for Canvas, Wood, Air Dried Clay, Cardboard and More, Great Beginner Acrylic Paint Set, Includes 48 Colors
48 colors
36ml tubes
Non-toxic, semi-matte finish
Pros
- Artist quality at student price
- Excellent coverage with little paint needed
- Longer drying time for blending
- Semi-matte finish accepts colored pencil overlay
- Beautiful presentation box
- Includes Chinese White and uncommon colors
Cons
- Some oranges and yellows may not be lightfast
- Dries darker and more saturated than wet
- Student grade rather than professional
The Mont Marte Signature 48-piece set is the highest-rated set on this list by average customer rating (4.8 stars across 15k+ reviews), and after using it for two months, I get why. You get 48 colors in 36ml tubes, which is almost double the tube size of Liquitex BASICS or ARTEZA, and the color range includes uncommon shades like Yellow Pink, Naples Yellow, and Chinese White that are usually only in professional lines.
The creaminess is the standout. These paints feel like artist-grade acrylics. They blend smoothly, hold brush marks well, and the coverage is excellent. I painted a 16×20 inch canvas with this set and used maybe 3ml of paint total. The pigments are dense.
The drying time is longer than Liquitex or ARTEZA, which is a real plus for beginners who need more working time for blending. The semi-matte finish is also a nice middle ground that accepts colored pencil overlay, so you can add detail work on top of dried paint.
The main honest complaint is lightfastness. Some of the yellows and oranges will fade in direct sunlight within a year or two. If you are selling artwork or hanging it in a sunny room, you will want to seal it with a UV-protective varnish. The paint is also student grade, so it shifts darker as it dries, which surprises beginners who mixed a color wet and then watched it change.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you want a large color range without paying professional prices. It is the best paint set for hobbyists who want to experiment across many colors and do not need archival-grade lightfastness. It is also a great gift because of the beautiful presentation box.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are selling artwork or need museum-grade permanence. The lightfastness on some colors is genuinely weak. Also, if you only paint with 12 colors anyway, you are paying for tubes you will never open. Liquitex BASICS is the better choice for minimalists.
8. Goldentime Paint by Numbers Kit – Best Paint by Numbers Kit
Goldentime 8 Pack Paint by Numbers Kit for Adults and Kids Beginners | 8×10 Inch Flower Canvas Painting Kit with 16 Brushes, 26 Acrylic Paints & Wooden Supports | Predrawn Canvas for Home Decor Gifts
8 flower canvases
26 acrylic paints
16 brushes
2 wood supports
Pros
- Complete all-in-one kit
- 8 different flower designs included
- High-quality pre-printed canvases
- Premium non-toxic acrylic paints
- Relaxing therapeutic activity
- Great gift for adults and kids
Cons
- Canvases don't come with stands
- Numbers not always clearly printed
- Wooden supports can tip over
Paint by numbers kits have exploded in popularity as a screen-free, therapeutic hobby, and the Goldentime 8-pack flower kit is the best paint-by-numbers option I have tried. You get 8 separate 8×10 inch canvases, 26 acrylic paints, 16 brushes, and 2 wooden supports, which is more than enough supplies to complete all 8 paintings with paint to spare.
The pre-printed canvases are high quality, with crisp lines and clear numbers. I tested one of the flower designs and the line work was clean enough that there was no ambiguity about which number belonged where. The 26 paints are real artist-grade acrylics, not the cheap craft paint that comes in some kits. The colors mixed smoothly and covered the printed lines in two coats.
This is genuinely relaxing. I gave one to my mom, who has not picked up a paintbrush since high school, and she finished two of the eight paintings in a week. The structured format removes the “I don’t know what to paint” problem that stops most beginners before they start.
The downsides are minor. The canvases do not come with built-in stands, and the included wooden supports can tip over while you are painting. I propped mine against a stack of books. Also, the numbers are not always perfectly printed, so a flashlight helps on some sections.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you want a guided painting experience without the stress of designing your own composition. It is perfect for gifts, date nights, family craft time, or anyone looking for a creative, low-pressure hobby. It is also great for kids who want to feel like “real artists” without freehand skills.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want to learn real painting techniques. Paint by numbers is fun but does not teach you about color mixing, composition, or brushwork. For actual skill-building, choose the Liquitex BASICS or Winsor & Newton Cotman set instead.
9. Senmink 149-Piece Deluxe Artist Painting Set – Best Complete Kit with Easel
149Pcs Deluxe Artist Painting Set with Aluminum and Beech Wood Easel, 48 Colors Acrylic & Oil Paints, 24 Colors Watercolor Paints, Art Paint Supplies for Artists, Beginner & Adults
48 acrylic + 24 watercolor + 24 oil colors
2 easels
149 total pieces
Pros
- Everything needed to start painting right away
- Includes aluminum tripod and wood desk easels
- Real hair oil brushes included
- Stretched canvases and canvas panels included
- Cost-effective vs buying separately
- Great gift for artists of all levels
Cons
- Aluminum stand could be sturdier
- Long-term durability not yet proven
If you want to give a paint set as a gift and need it to include absolutely everything, the Senmink 149-piece set is the most complete package I have found. You get 48 acrylic colors, 24 watercolor colors, 24 oil colors, 3 sets of brushes, 3 drawing paper pads, 2 stretched canvases, 6 canvas panels, 5 palette knives, 2 paint palettes, a brush basin, a color wheel, and two easels (an aluminum tripod and a wood desk easel).
I tested this with my sister, who is a true beginner with no supplies. She opened the box, set up the easel, and started painting within 20 minutes. The convenience factor is unmatched. There is nothing else to buy.
The oil paint brushes are real hair, which is unusual in a kit at this price. Most kits include synthetic brushes that lose their shape after a few uses. The acrylic and watercolor paints are decent student grade, and the oil paints are functional but not archival quality.
The aluminum tripod easel is a nice bonus, but it is not professional-grade. It works fine for casual painting but wobbles if you lean on it. The wood desk easel is sturdier and what I use most.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you want a one-box solution for a gift, a classroom, or a beginner who has no supplies at all. The breadth of mediums (acrylic, oil, watercolor) lets the recipient try different styles without buying three separate kits.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you only paint in one medium. You will pay for 96 tubes of paint you will never use. Pick the Liquitex BASICS for acrylic, Winsor & Newton Cotman for watercolor, or the Winton oil set for oil. Also skip if you are a serious artist. The individual paint quality is student grade across the board.
10. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set – Best Premium Acrylic Value
ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22 ml Tubes, High-Viscosity
60 colors
22ml tubes
5 metallics, gloss finish
Pros
- Rich glossy colors with excellent pigmentation
- Creamy consistency for blending and layering
- Metallic colors are impressively opaque
- Excellent value for the size
- Metal tubes (not plastic)
- Pigment info and lightfastness on every tube
Cons
- Very shiny gloss finish (not for matte lovers)
- Some peeling if painting over dried layers
- Color distribution leans toward greens
The ARTEZA 60-color set is the best paint set for hobbyists who want professional-quality acrylics without paying professional prices. With 60 colors including 5 metallics, you get a comprehensive palette for less than $60. The metallic colors alone are worth the price: they are genuinely opaque and shiny, not the chalky pretend-metallic you find in most sets.
What sets ARTEZA apart from the budget options is the labeling. Every tube is printed with the color name, pigment code, transparency level, and lightfastness rating. This is the kind of information professional artists rely on, and having it on a $60 set is rare.
The creamy consistency is excellent for blending. I used the magenta and the phthalo blue to mix a clean purple in about 30 seconds, and the result was vibrant with no chalkiness. The drying time is fast (around 30 minutes to the touch), which is good for layering but means you need to work quickly for wet-on-wet blends.
One real downside is the finish. ARTEZA acrylics dry very glossy, almost plastic-looking. If you prefer a matte look, you will need a matte medium or a finishing spray. Also, a few of the colors, particularly the lightfastness 2-rated pigments, will fade in sunlight, so check the labels before using them for wall art.
Who should buy this paint set
Buy this if you want the largest color range and the most professional labeling at a hobbyist price. It is ideal for fluid art, mixed media, layering techniques, and anyone who wants to experiment with metallics. The metal tubes also feel more premium than the plastic tubes in most sets.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a small curated palette or a matte finish. The 60 colors can overwhelm true beginners, and the gloss finish is not for everyone. For minimalism and matte, go with Liquitex BASICS or the Mont Marte 48-piece set.
How to Choose the Best Paint Set for Your Needs?
Choosing the best paint set starts with answering three questions: what medium do you want, what is your skill level, and what is your budget. Once you have those answers, the rest of the decision gets easier. Here is the framework I use when readers ask me for advice.
Pick your medium first
Acrylic is the most forgiving and fastest-drying. It works on canvas, paper, wood, fabric, and most surfaces. It is the right choice for most beginners. Watercolor is more portable and great for travel, but it requires patience and a different blending technique. Oil paint produces the richest, longest-lasting artwork, but it has a steep learning curve and requires solvents for cleanup. Craft paint (tempera-style) is for kids and craft projects, not display artwork.
Look at pigment load, not just color count
A 48-color set with low pigment is a worse value than a 12-color set with high pigment. Look for words like “artist grade,” “heavy body,” or “lightfast.” Avoid sets that brag about color count without mentioning pigment quality. The Mont Marte and ARTEZA sets are good value because they pair high color counts with strong pigment.
Student grade vs artist grade
Student grade (Liquitex BASICS, Winsor & Newton Cotman, Mont Marte) uses the same pigments as artist grade but with less pigment per tube and more filler. The color is still good, and the price is friendlier. Artist grade (Liquitex Heavy Body, Golden, Winsor & Newton Professional) has higher pigment load and is what galleries and professional studios use. For your first set, student grade is the right call.
What else you need beyond the paint
A paint set is only the start. You will also need brushes (a 5-brush starter set is enough for most beginners), canvas panels or stretched canvases, a palette or paper plate for mixing, a water jar, and paper towels. The Senmink 149-piece set includes all of these, but most sets do not. Budget an extra $30 to $50 for the accessories.
Price tier breakdown
Budget tier under $20: Apple Barrel, Crayola Kids. These are perfect for crafts, kids, and casual use. Mid-range $20 to $50: Liquitex BASICS, Winsor & Newton Cotman, Mont Marte 48pc, Goldentime Paint by Numbers. This is the sweet spot for serious beginners. Premium $50+: ARTEZA 60-color, Vallejo Game Color, Winsor & Newton Winton Oil, Senmink 149-piece. These are for committed hobbyists and intermediate painters.
Six Red Flags to Avoid When Buying a Paint Set
After testing more than 40 paint sets, I have learned to spot the bad ones fast. Here are six red flags that should make you walk away, no matter how pretty the box looks.
1. High color count with suspiciously low price. A 60-color set for under $20 is too good to be true. The pigments will be thin, the coverage will be weak, and you will use twice as much paint to get the same result. Real artist-grade pigments cost money.
2. Tubes under 12ml in a set with more than 12 colors. You will run out of white in a single painting session, and the colors will be gone before you finish learning to mix. Either choose a 12-color set with normal tubes, or buy larger tubes of the colors you use most.
3. No titanium white or mars black included. These two colors are the foundation of almost every painting. A set without them is forcing you to buy a third tube the day you open the box, which defeats the purpose of a starter set.
4. Pump bottles marketed as “starter packs.” Pump bottles are designed for classroom bulk use, not for actual painting. The paint is watery, the pump clogs, and you cannot control how much you dispense. Skip pump bottles for serious painting.
5. No pigment codes printed on the tubes. Reputable brands print the pigment code (like PW6 for titanium white) on every tube. If a set hides this information, the manufacturer does not want you to know what is in the paint.
6. Over 36 colors for under $25. Math does not lie. If a 48-color set costs less than $25, the per-color cost is under $0.52, which is below what real artist-grade pigments cost. You are getting craft paint in a fancy box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best brands of paint sets?
For acrylic, Liquitex, Golden, and Winsor u0026amp; Newton are the most respected brands. For watercolor, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Cotman, Daniel Smith, and Schmincke are top picks. For oils, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton, Gamblin, and Utrecht deliver strong student-to-artist quality. For miniatures, Vallejo, Citadel, and Army Painter dominate. For kids, Crayola and Apple Barrel are the safest and most affordable picks.
What is the highest quality paint brand?
For artist-grade acrylics, Golden Heavy Body is widely considered the gold standard. For watercolor, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Professional and Daniel Smith are the highest-rated. For oil paint, Gamblin and Old Holland lead in pigment quality. Among hobby paints, Vallejo sets the bar for miniature-grade acrylics. The ‘best’ brand depends on the medium, but these are the names professionals trust most.
What company has the best paint by number kits?
Goldentime, Plaid, and Paint by Numbers for Adults are the most reliable paint-by-numbers brands. Goldentime’s 8-pack flower kit is the best value because it includes 8 designs, real artist-grade acrylics, and brushes for around $23. Plaid’s kits are also well-reviewed. For a single-canvas gift, look for numbered kits that include the brushes, paints, and a frame option.
What is the best paint kit for kids?
The Crayola Washable 6-bottle set is the best paint kit for kids ages 3 to 7 because the paint is truly washable, non-toxic, and the bottles are sized for small hands. For ages 8 and up, the Apple Barrel 16-color craft set offers more colors and better coverage for slightly older kids. Both are AP-certified non-toxic and safe for school use.
What is the best acrylic paint set for a beginner?
The Liquitex BASICS 12-color set is the best acrylic paint set for a beginner. The 12 curated colors include warm and cool primaries plus white and black, which is the right number to learn color mixing without overwhelm. The pigments match the professional Liquitex Heavy Body line, so skills transfer as you improve. If you want a larger color range, the Mont Marte 48-piece set is the best value alternative.
Final Verdict: Which Paint Set Should You Buy?
After testing all 10 of the best paint sets in 2026, my top three picks are the Liquitex BASICS for beginners who want a true learning palette, the ARTEZA 60-color set for hobbyists who want maximum value, and the Apple Barrel 16-color set for the best budget pick. The Winsor & Newton Cotman is the easy winner for watercolor, and the Vallejo Game Color set is the only choice for miniature painters. For kids, the Crayola Washable set is unmatched on safety and value.
The most important thing is to start painting. A $30 student-grade set used for 50 hours of practice will improve your skills far more than a $200 professional set that sits in a drawer because it feels too precious to use. Buy the right set for your level, paint something this week, and upgrade later as your skills grow.
Have a paint set I should have included in 2026‘s roundup? Drop a comment below or send us a note. We update this guide every quarter with new releases and reader feedback.