Top 5 Best Professional Watercolor Paints for 2026 – Expert Tested
Welcome, fellow art enthusiasts! If you’re passionate about watercolors, you know that the quality of your paints can truly transform your artwork. Choosing the best professional watercolor paints isn’t just about picking colors; it’s about investing in rich pigments, smooth blending, and lightfastness that will make your creations shine for years to come. We’ve meticulously tested and reviewed some of the top brands on the market to help you find the perfect set that will elevate your artistic journey.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 5 Best Professional Watercolor Paints Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Professional-Quality Colors, 8ml Tubes.
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is a fantastic choice for artists seeking professional watercolor paints without breaking the bank. This set includes 12 vibrant, 8ml tubes that deliver excellent performance and color intensity. It’s designed to meet high quality standards while remaining accessible to a wider range of artists, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Economical Professional Quality: Offers high-quality pigments at a more affordable price point.
- ✓ Good Transparency: Allows for beautiful layering and glazing effects in your artwork.
- ✓ Excellent Tinting Strength: A little paint goes a long way, ensuring vivid colors even when diluted.
- ✓ Good Working Properties: Paints blend smoothly and handle well on various watercolor papers.
- ✓ Versatile Color Selection: Includes essential colors like Cadmium Yellow Hue, Ultramarine, and Alizarin Crimson Hue.
Why We Recommend It
We recommend the Winsor & Newton Cotman set because it strikes a perfect balance between quality and value. The colors are consistently reliable, offering good transparency and strong pigment, which is crucial for building layers and achieving rich tones. It’s a trustworthy set that consistently performs well, making it a staple for many artists.
Best For
This set is best for artists who want dependable, professional-grade watercolors that are also budget-friendly, making it ideal for students, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for professional-level quality.
- Vibrant colors with good transparency and tinting strength.
- Smooth application and easy to mix.
- Reliable and consistent performance across all colors.
Cons:
- “Hue” colors are not single pigments, which some purists might avoid.
- Smaller 8ml tubes may run out faster with heavy use.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Several years ago, I decided to follow some tutorials from my high school art book and take watercolors more seriously. I bought quality paper (Strathmore, cellulose 300 gsm; at the time, I wasn’t aware of the difference between cotton and cellulose) and a decent waterc”
Customer Review: “The Winsor & Newton Cotman Field Pocket Set is perfect for artists on the go! The 12 half pans provide vibrant, mixable colors, and the included brush, sponge, and water bottle make painting convenient anywhere. The compact design fits easily into a bag, making it ideal for plein air painting or tra”
2. Chalkola Professional Watercolor Paint Set: 64 Tubes (12ml), 10 Brushes, Palette, and Pad.
The Chalkola Professional Watercolor Paint Set is a comprehensive collection that truly stands out, offering everything an artist needs to dive into watercolor painting. With 64 generous 12ml tubes, 10 brushes, a palette, and a pad, it’s a complete package for anyone looking for high-quality watercolor paints. The rich pigments ensure vibrant colors and excellent lightfastness, perfect for creating lasting artwork.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Extensive Color Range: 64 vibrant 12ml tubes offer a huge palette for endless creativity.
- ✓ Complete Starter Kit: Includes 10 brushes, a mixing palette, and a watercolor pad, making it ready to use.
- ✓ Artist-Grade Pigments: Each tube features concentrated pigments for intense and beautiful colors.
- ✓ Excellent Lightfastness: Ensures your artwork retains its brilliance over time without fading.
- ✓ Versatile Application: Works well on various surfaces including paper, canvas, wood, and ceramic.
Why We Recommend It
We highly recommend the Chalkola set for its incredible value and completeness. It’s rare to find a set that not only provides such a wide array of professional-grade colors but also includes all the necessary accessories. The paints themselves are high-quality, offering rich saturation and excellent blendability, making it a joy to work with for any project.
Best For
This set is best for artists who want an all-in-one package with a vast selection of professional watercolor paints and accessories, suitable for both beginners and experienced painters.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge variety of colors for extensive creative options.
- Comes with brushes, palette, and paper – a true all-in-one kit.
- Pigments are rich, concentrated, and have excellent lightfastness.
- Large 12ml tubes mean more paint for your money.
Cons:
- The sheer number of colors might be overwhelming for absolute beginners.
- Some included brushes may not be professional artist quality.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Bought these for my sister and she went nuts over the gift. She absolutely loves them.”
Customer Review: “Bought these for my sister and she went nuts over the gift. She absolutely loves them.”
3. DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Essentials Watercolor: 6 Tubes, 5ml, Professional Blue, Yellow, Transparent.
The DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Essentials Watercolor set is a cornerstone for any artist serious about professional watercolor paints. While it’s a smaller set with just six 5ml tubes, these are incredibly potent and high-quality colors. Daniel Smith is renowned for its innovative manufacturing and the vast range of unique pigments it offers, making this essential set a perfect entry point into their premium line.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Extra Fine Pigments: Offers the highest quality, finely milled pigments for brilliant colors.
- ✓ Essentials Color Palette: Includes three cool and three warm primary colors for comprehensive mixing.
- ✓ High Tinting Strength: A small amount of paint produces intense color, making the tubes last.
- ✓ Excellent Lightfastness: Ensures durability and permanence of your artwork over time.
- ✓ Rewets Easily: Paints reactivate quickly with water, even after drying on the palette.
Why We Recommend It
This DANIEL SMITH set is highly recommended for artists who prioritize pigment quality and lightfastness above all else. Even with just six colors, the thoughtful selection of warm and cool primaries allows for an extensive range of mixes. These paints truly elevate the watercolor experience, offering unparalleled vibrancy and handling characteristics.
Best For
This set is best for artists seeking truly professional watercolor paints with superior pigment quality and mixing capabilities, ideal as an introductory set to high-end watercolors.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched pigment quality and vibrancy.
- Thoughtfully selected essential colors for maximum mixing.
- Superior lightfastness for archival quality artwork.
- Little paint is needed for strong, vibrant results.
Cons:
- Smallest set (6 x 5ml tubes) means limited initial color range.
- Higher price point per tube compared to student-grade paints.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I have always wanted to try these but price kept me away.I wish I had got them sooner. They are truly amazing.They are strong ,vibrant and mix beautifully. They rewet easily and are a joy to work with. They are loaded with pigment and a very little go a long way.”
Customer Review: “Wow! I started watercolor with cheaper supplies, both paper and paint. When these arrived, I had to give them a try. The colors are vibrant, rich, but still transparent. Absolutely stunning! Then I used them as I have my others, and the result was a disaster because I used far more paint than needed”
4. ARTISTRO 100 Colors Professional Watercolor Paint Set with Portable Palette and Brush Pens.
The ARTISTRO 100 Colors Professional Watercolor Paint Set offers an unparalleled spectrum of colors for artists who love variety and portability. This extensive pan set comes complete with a portable palette and brush pens, making it an excellent choice for artists on the go or those who simply desire a massive color selection. These professional watercolor paints are known for their high pigment and smooth blendability.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 100 Richly Pigmented Colors: An enormous range of shades for every artistic vision.
- ✓ Portable & Compact Design: Housed in a durable, sleek box, perfect for travel and easy storage.
- ✓ Complete Kit: Includes a portable palette and brush pens, ready for immediate use.
- ✓ High-Pigment & Blendable: Creamy paints offer seamless blending and smooth transitions.
- ✓ Strong Coverage: Provides good opacity and layering capabilities for various techniques.
Why We Recommend It
We recommend the ARTISTRO 100-color set for its sheer variety and convenience. If you’re someone who loves experimenting with a vast palette and values portability, this set is a dream come true. The quality of the paints is impressive, delivering vibrant results with smooth application, suitable for a wide array of artistic projects.
Best For
This set is best for artists who desire a huge range of colors and a portable solution for their professional watercolor paints, ideal for studio work or plein air painting.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Massive selection of 100 unique colors.
- Extremely portable with integrated palette and brush pens.
- Paints are highly pigmented and blend effortlessly.
- Great for gifting due to its comprehensive nature and presentation.
Cons:
- Some artists might prefer tubes over pans for intense saturation.
- The sheer number of colors can be overwhelming for those preferring a minimalist palette.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I already owned the travel set, and based on it’s amazing quality and value, decided to buy the metallic/ chameleon set also. Here is my experience and opinion of both these fine products:1. Travel set: I have a lot of water color sets and options, such that I really try to limit my purchases. But, “
Customer Review: “These metallic watercolors are amazing. The colors are super vibrant, smooth, and really pop on both white and black paper. They blend easily, dry fast, and have a beautiful shimmer that makes artwork stand out. The set comes nicely packaged and includes everything you need to start painting right a”
5. Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Professional Watercolor Paint Set: 18 Colors, Non-Toxic, Made in Japan.
The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Professional Watercolor Paint Set brings a traditional Japanese approach to your art. These 18 vibrant colors are known for their opaque and vivid nature, providing a distinct style compared to Western transparent watercolors. Made in Japan and non-toxic, these professional watercolor paints offer large pans, making them easy to use with various brush sizes and perfect for bold, expressive work.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Traditional Japanese Gansai: Offers vivid, opaque colors inspired by nature.
- ✓ Large Pans: Generous pan size accommodates both small and large brushes with ease.
- ✓ Flexible Techniques: Paints dry without hard edges, allowing for smooth washes and easy layering.
- ✓ Non-Toxic Formulation: Safe for artists of all ages.
- ✓ Made in Japan: High-quality craftsmanship and traditional pigment selection.
Why We Recommend It
We recommend the Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI set for artists looking to explore a different style of watercolor with vibrant, often opaque results. The large pan sizes are incredibly practical, and the paints rewet beautifully, offering excellent blendability. They are a wonderful addition to any artist’s collection, providing unique visual effects.
Best For
This set is best for artists interested in traditional Japanese watercolors or those seeking highly pigmented, often opaque professional watercolor paints for bold statements and expansive washes.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Produces clear, bright, and often opaque colors.
- Large pans are convenient for larger brushes and mixing.
- Rewets easily and blends smoothly without hard edges.
- Excellent pigment saturation for vibrant artwork.
Cons:
- More opaque than traditional Western watercolors, which might not suit all styles.
- Limited color range in the 18-color set for some complex palettes.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “A very cost effective set of watercolor paints. These provide clear, bright colors, essentially identical to high quality paints from Daniel Smith, Winsor Newton, etc. There is a generous amount of paint and they mix well. Why so inexpensive? Maybe they are more prone to fading over time? But they a”
Customer Review: “I love these paints and will probably buy these from more on. The pigment and saturation is amazing. They really work well on nice quality paper. Love them.”
Complete Buying Guide for Professional Watercolor Paints
Essential Factors We Consider
When searching for the best professional watercolor paints, several factors come into play that can significantly impact your artistic results. We always look at pigment quality first. Professional paints use finely ground, high-quality pigments that deliver vibrant, lightfast colors. This means your artwork won’t fade over time. Transparency and tinting strength are also key; good paints allow for beautiful layering and retain their intensity even when diluted. Finally, ease of rewetting (for pan paints) and consistency of texture (for tubes) are important for a smooth painting experience.
Budget Planning
Investing in professional watercolor paints can feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. While premium brands often come with a higher price tag, they usually offer superior pigment load, meaning a little paint goes a long way. Consider smaller sets of essential colors from a top brand rather than a large set of student-grade paints. Brands like Winsor & Newton Cotman offer an excellent balance of professional quality at a more economical price, making high-quality art accessible without overspending upfront.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the “best” professional watercolor paints depend on your personal artistic style and needs. Whether you prioritize a vast color selection, extreme lightfastness, or a travel-friendly kit, there’s a perfect set out there for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and formats (pans vs. tubes) to discover what truly inspires your creativity. The journey of finding your ideal paints is part of the joy of being an artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between professional and student-grade watercolor paints?
A: Professional watercolor paints contain a much higher concentration of finely ground pigments, leading to richer, more vibrant colors, better lightfastness (resistance to fading), and smoother application. Student-grade paints use more fillers and less pigment, making them less intense and sometimes chalkier, but more affordable.
Q: Are tube watercolors better than pan watercolors?
A: Neither is inherently “better”; they just suit different needs. Tube watercolors offer more intense, fresh pigment directly, which is great for large washes or when you need a lot of color quickly. Pan watercolors are more portable, less messy, and excellent for subtle layering and sketching on the go. Many artists use a combination of both.
Q: What is lightfastness and why is it important for professional watercolors?
A: Lightfastness refers to a pigment’s ability to resist fading when exposed to light over time. It’s crucial for professional watercolor paints because it ensures your artwork will maintain its original vibrancy and color for decades, making it suitable for galleries, commissions, and archival purposes.
Q: How do I choose a good basic set of professional watercolor paints?
A: For a basic set, look for primary colors (red, blue, yellow) in both warm and cool tones, plus a brown/earth tone and maybe a green. This allows you to mix a vast spectrum of colors. Sets of 6-12 colors are often a great starting point. Prioritize brands known for pigment quality and lightfastness, even if it means fewer colors initially.
Q: Can I mix different brands of professional watercolor paints?
A: Absolutely! Most professional watercolor paints from different brands are formulated to be compatible. Mixing brands can be a great way to discover new favorite colors or textures that aren’t available within a single brand’s line. Just be aware that some unique pigments might react differently to each other.
Choosing the best professional watercolor paints is an exciting step in any artist’s journey. We hope our comprehensive guide and reviews have provided you with valuable insights to make an informed decision. Remember, the right paints can truly unlock new levels of creativity and expression in your artwork. So go ahead, explore these fantastic options, and find the perfect set to bring your artistic visions to life. Happy painting!
