Top 5 Best Watercolor Palettes 2026: Expert Picks for Quality
Welcome, fellow art enthusiasts! If you’re passionate about watercolors, you know that the right tools can truly elevate your creative journey. Finding the best watercolor palette isn’t just about having a range of colors; it’s about pigment quality, mixability, portability, and how well it inspires your artistic flow. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just dipping your brush into the world of watercolor, choosing a high-quality set can make all the difference in the vibrancy and longevity of your artwork. We’ve explored some fantastic options to help you discover the perfect palette to unleash your inner artist.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 5 Best Watercolor Palette Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. MEEDEN Watercolor Paint Set 96 Colors in Portable Box, Paint Kit with Brush, Palette, Art Supplie…
The MEEDEN Watercolor Paint Set offers an expansive range of 96 colors, making it an incredible choice for artists seeking variety and quality. This comprehensive kit comes in a convenient portable box, packed with everything you need to start painting right away. Its thoughtful design and vibrant pigments make it a standout contender for the best watercolor palette on the market.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 96 Diverse Colors: Includes 48 classic, 30 metallic, 6 fluorescent, and 12 macaron shades for endless creative possibilities.
- ✓ Complete Art Kit: Comes with a brush, sketch pencil, 2 sponges, an eraser, and a detachable mixing palette.
- ✓ Customizable Color Blocks: Removable and rearrangeable color blocks allow for personalized palette arrangement.
- ✓ Portable Design: All supplies are neatly organized in a durable, portable box, perfect for travel.
Why We Recommend It
We absolutely recommend the MEEDEN 96-color set for its incredible versatility and completeness. The sheer variety of colors, including special metallic and fluorescent shades, truly inspires experimentation. It’s an all-in-one solution that delivers exceptional pigment and ensures you have all the necessary tools at hand, making it a fantastic value for any artist looking for a truly comprehensive watercolor paint set.
Best For
This set is ideal for both beginners and intermediate artists who desire a broad spectrum of colors and a portable, all-inclusive kit for studio work or painting on the go.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide array of vibrant and specialty colors.
- Includes all essential accessories, making it a complete kit.
- Modular design allows for custom palette organization.
- Highly pigmented colors that blend smoothly.
Cons:
- The large number of colors might be overwhelming for absolute beginners.
- The case, while sturdy, can be a bit heavy when fully packed.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: Perfect for a beginner or even intermediate. Very pigmented colors. Looks and feels professional. Using for a beginner college art class and it’s exactly what I needed.Has everything you need (brush, sponge, eraser, pencil, sample paper for testing colors).Case is thick, heavier than you’d expect, I
Customer Review: I saw this advertised on Tik Tok so naturally I came here to compare prices. Obviously bought it here and it there. I am so glad I bought this. I’m a beginner painter and I just love the colors you have to choose from here. So many for the cost of what you’re getting. The colors are vibrant and beau
2. Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Palette Set, with a Detail Paint Brush, for Artists….
The Grabie 50-Color Watercolor Palette Set is a thoughtfully assembled collection, perfect for artists who value a broad yet manageable color range. It comes complete with high-quality brushes, removing the guesswork from finding accompanying tools. This watercolor palette delivers vibrant, rich pigments, making it a strong contender for anyone serious about their art.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 50 Essential Colors: A curated palette of vibrant, rich pigments suitable for various artistic styles.
- ✓ 6 Premium Brushes: Includes high-quality detail brushes (sizes 3/0 to 3) with fine-pointed tips for precision.
- ✓ Built-In Mixing Tray: An integrated mixing space allows for effortless custom color creation.
- ✓ High Pigmentation: Colors are highly concentrated, providing excellent coverage and vibrancy with just a little water.
Why We Recommend It
This Grabie set earns our Editor’s Choice for its balanced offering of color variety and essential tools. The inclusion of quality brushes is a huge bonus, ensuring a cohesive painting experience right out of the box. Its vibrant pigments and easy-to-use mixing tray make it a joy for any artist, cementing its place as a top-tier watercolor paint set.
Best For
This palette is excellent for artists of all levels, especially those looking for a comprehensive set with quality brushes and a good range of colors without being overwhelming.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent range of 50 vibrant, well-pigmented colors.
- Comes with six high-quality detail brushes, a significant value.
- Integrated mixing tray adds convenience and portability.
- Colors blend smoothly and are easy to reactivate.
Cons:
- May not offer as many specialty colors (metallics, fluorescents) as larger sets.
- Some artists might prefer a different selection of brush sizes.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: Great colors and good quality paint. I got this as a beginner watercolor kit but can see my self using it for the long haul. Easy to use, color card really helps and just the right size for on the go painting. Works well!!
Customer Review: Run, don’t walk, to add this gorgeous collection of watercolors to your collection. The colors are stunning and the quality is outstanding. Don’t miss out in these.
3. Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Folding Watercolor Palette with 2 Mixing Areas and Lid….
For artists who already have their preferred watercolor paints but need a reliable and functional mixing space, the Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Folding Watercolor Palette is an exceptional choice. This palette focuses on practicality, offering ample wells and mixing areas while keeping your paints fresh. It’s an indispensable accessory for any watercolor artist palette collection, especially if you’re mindful of your budget.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 18 Deep Wells: Provides plenty of space for individual paint colors, preventing accidental mixing.
- ✓ 2 Large Mixing Areas: Offers generous surfaces for blending custom colors seamlessly.
- ✓ Airtight Lid: Keeps paints moist for longer periods, preventing them from drying out quickly.
- ✓ Sturdy Plastic Construction: Made from durable white plastic that is easy to clean and maintain.
Why We Recommend It
The Mr. Pen palette is our top budget pick because it excels at its core function: providing an organized, airtight space for your watercolors. Its thoughtful design, with deep wells and large mixing areas, enhances efficiency and reduces waste. This is an essential accessory for any watercolor painter, allowing them to truly make the most of their existing watercolor paints.
Best For
This palette is perfect for artists who prefer tube paints or want to customize their own pan palette, and need an efficient, airtight, and portable container for mixing and storing colors.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent airtight seal keeps paints moist for extended periods.
- Generous number of wells and large mixing surfaces.
- Durable and easy-to-clean plastic construction.
- Compact and portable for studio or outdoor use.
Cons:
- Does not include paints, requiring separate purchase.
- The white plastic might stain slightly over time with certain pigments.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: This is an AWESOME little palette! It’s compact but still has plenty of room, closes tightly and really does keep even watercolor moist. It’s perfectly portable. I love it and consider it one of my best art supply buys in a long time! Thanks for making a great palette for a great price!
Customer Review: What a great size paint palette!! The wells are just the right depth – they match the wells that came with my paint set – there’s just a LOT MORE of them in this palette. I found that when working on more elaborate projects, I needed more space for my watercolor mixing. This palette is easy to us
4. Artecho 100-Color Portable Watercolor Palette Set, with Metallic Paints, Papers, and Brushes….
The Artecho 100-Color Portable Watercolor Palette Set is an expansive collection designed to ignite creativity with a huge spectrum of hues. This comprehensive set includes not only a vast range of vibrant colors but also metallic paints, watercolor papers, and brushes, making it a fantastic all-in-one package. It truly represents a versatile option for finding your best watercolor palette.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 100 Diverse Colors: Features 51 regular, 4 fluorescent, 35 metallic, and 10 macaron/candy colors for endless artistic expression.
- ✓ Portable Design: Housed in a travel-friendly metal case, making it easy to create art anywhere.
- ✓ Complete Art Kit: Comes with watercolor papers and brushes, providing everything needed to start painting immediately.
- ✓ Elegant Presentation: Packaged in a velvet bag, ideal for gifting or professional presentation.
Why We Recommend It
We recommend the Artecho 100-color set for its incredible variety and thoughtful inclusion of metallic and macaron shades, which add unique dimensions to artwork. Its portability and completeness, right down to the paper and brushes, make it an outstanding value. This set is perfect for exploring a wide range of styles and techniques, confirming its status as a versatile artist palette.
Best For
This set is perfect for artists who love experimenting with a massive color range, including special effects, and need a portable, gift-ready complete watercolor kit.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extensive color selection, including unique metallic and fluorescent options.
- Highly portable metal case with all necessary accessories.
- Good pigment quality for the price point, offering vibrant results.
- Makes an excellent gift due to its comprehensive nature and elegant packaging.
Cons:
- Some artists might find the included brushes to be basic.
- The vast number of colors might be daunting for absolute beginners.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: I’m new to watercolor so this is really my first adult pan set. I love the variety of colors and find the pigments to be very pleasing. The metallic are a bit lighter than I’d like but the rest of the colors are very nice. They work for my amateur purposes. I’m a beginner but would say that the qual
Customer Review: Get on painting! This beautiful set comes with flat and sparkly watercolor paint, easy to use and great colors. Also comesWith a pencil, a brush and an amazing eraser.My first buy as a watercolor beginner, it provides me with great and refreshing colors! What a beautiful set!
5. Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI 24-Color Watercolor Palette Set, Professional, Non-Toxic, Made in Japan….
The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI 24-Color Watercolor Palette Set offers a truly professional and unique watercolor experience rooted in traditional Japanese art. Known for its vivid, opaque colors and large pan sizes, this set is beloved by artists for its ease of use and striking results. If you’re looking for a distinctive and high-quality professional watercolor palette, this Japanese-made set is a fantastic option.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Traditional Japanese Watercolors: Colors are vivid, opaque, and based on natural hues, offering a unique artistic aesthetic.
- ✓ Unique Pigment Ink Technology: Allows for easy flat washes and smooth blending, ideal for various techniques.
- ✓ Large Pan Sizes: Pans are significantly larger than typical watercolor pans, accommodating both small and large brushes effortlessly.
- ✓ Professional Quality: Formulated for artists, ensuring rich saturation and excellent lightfastness.
Why We Recommend It
We highly recommend the Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI set for its exceptional pigment quality and the unique, vibrant finish it provides. The larger pan sizes are a huge advantage, especially for artists who enjoy working with broader strokes or larger brushes. This professional watercolor set truly stands out for its unique blend of traditional artistry and modern performance.
Best For
This palette is ideal for professional artists, calligraphers, illustrators, and anyone seeking high-quality, opaque, and vibrant Japanese watercolors with ample mixing space.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Incredibly vibrant and often opaque colors for strong coverage.
- Large pan sizes make it easy to pick up paint with any brush.
- Excellent for both detailed work and broad washes.
- Non-toxic and high-quality, made in Japan.
Cons:
- The color selection, while beautiful, is limited to 24 shades.
- Can be more expensive than student-grade watercolor sets.
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: I think the easiest way to do this is to just list off a bunch of pros and cons…Note, I’m still learning and growing as an artist. I’m not a professional. I have provided some of the pieces I’ve created using almost exclusively these watercolors (and sometimes some pens/markers, purchased separa
Customer Review: This is my second time purchasing this product, this time as a gift for my younger sister, who’s just starting to get into watercolour.I’ve done my own professional work with these, and they’re an amazing product that I’d absolutely recommend to anyone looking for either professional or beginner wat
Complete Buying Guide for Best Watercolor Palette
Essential Factors We Consider
When searching for the best watercolor palette, several key factors come into play. First and foremost, pigment quality is crucial. Professional-grade paints typically have a higher concentration of pigment, leading to more vibrant colors and better lightfastness (resistance to fading over time). For beginners, student-grade paints are a great starting point, offering good color at a more affordable price.
Next, consider the type of palette. Do you prefer pan sets, which are convenient and portable, or do you work with tube paints that require a separate mixing palette? Pan sets are ready to use with water, while tube paints offer higher pigment concentration and allow for more intense washes. The material of the palette itself is also important; ceramic, porcelain, and high-quality plastic are popular choices for mixing, as they allow colors to remain vibrant and prevent staining.
Color selection and variety are also significant. A wider range of colors offers more flexibility, but a smaller, well-chosen set of primary and secondary colors can teach you more about color mixing. Think about whether you need specialty colors like metallics or fluorescents to complement your artistic style. Lastly, portability and accessories can enhance your painting experience. Many palettes come in compact cases, often including brushes, sponges, and mixing areas, making them ideal for artists on the go.
Budget Planning
Finding the best watercolor palette doesn’t always mean breaking the bank. Your budget will largely determine the quality and quantity of paints you can acquire. For beginners or those on a tighter budget, student-grade sets like the Artecho or MEEDEN options offer excellent value, providing a wide range of colors and often including essential accessories at an accessible price point. These sets allow you to explore the medium without a significant investment.
If you’re an intermediate or aspiring professional artist, investing a bit more in a professional-grade set, such as the Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI, can significantly impact the richness and longevity of your artwork. These palettes tend to have higher quality pigments and better lightfastness, justifying the higher cost. Consider your current skill level and how frequently you paint when deciding how much to spend. Remember, sometimes a smaller set of high-quality paints is more beneficial than a large set of lower-quality ones for developing your skills.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best watercolor palette for you will depend on your individual needs, artistic goals, and budget. There’s a perfect set out there whether you’re prioritizing a vast color spectrum, superior pigment quality, portable design, or affordability. Experimentation is key in watercolor, so don’t be afraid to try different brands and formats to see what truly resonates with your creative process. Happy painting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between pan watercolors and tube watercolors?
A: Pan watercolors are solid, dried cakes of paint that are activated by adding water with a brush. They are very convenient and portable, making them great for travel or sketching. Tube watercolors are liquid, concentrated pigments that come in tubes. They offer more intense, vibrant colors and are often preferred for larger washes or when strong color saturation is needed. Many artists use a combination of both.
Q: How do I choose the right number of colors for my watercolor palette?
A: For beginners, a set of 12-24 colors is often sufficient, as it teaches you the fundamentals of color mixing. As you advance, you might expand to 36, 50, or even 100+ colors to avoid frequent mixing or to have access to specialty shades like metallics or fluorescents. Consider what types of subjects you paint and your preferred style.
Q: What makes a watercolor palette “professional grade”?
A: Professional-grade watercolors typically use higher quality, purer pigments that offer superior lightfastness (resistance to fading), richer saturation, and smoother application. They often have fewer fillers and binders compared to student-grade paints. While more expensive, they produce more archival and vibrant artwork.
Q: How do I clean my watercolor palette?
A: For plastic palettes, simply rinse them with water immediately after use. If paint has dried, a soft sponge or cloth can help remove it. For ceramic or porcelain palettes, dried paint usually wipes away easily with water. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the surface. Some artists prefer to let certain pigments dry on the mixing wells, only cleaning the deep wells for fresh colors.
Q: Can I mix different brands of watercolors in my palette?
A: Yes, absolutely! Many artists enjoy mixing and matching colors from different brands to create their ideal custom palette. Just be aware that different brands might have slight variations in pigment intensity, granulation, or transparency, which can lead to interesting effects when combined.
Choosing the best watercolor palette is a personal journey, and we hope this guide has illuminated the path for you. From comprehensive sets perfect for beginners to professional-grade options cherished by experienced artists, there’s a palette out there waiting to inspire your next masterpiece. Don’t hesitate to click through our recommendations and find the perfect set that speaks to your artistic soul. Happy painting!
