Search Categories

What Are The Best Paints in 2025

Unlocking the Palette: Expert Insights on Selecting the Best Paints for Every Artist's Needs When it comes to choosing the best paints, understanding the nuances of different types and brands can elevate your art to new heights. Acrylics, oils, and watercolors each offer unique properties that can influence your creative process. As a seasoned professional, I recommend starting with high-quality pigments to ensure vibrant colors and longevity in your work. Don't overlook student-grade paints; they can be a cost-effective option for practice without compromising too much on quality. Always check for lightfastness ratings to ensure your masterpieces withstand the test of time. When shopping, consider purchasing smaller tubes or sets initially, allowing you to experiment without breaking the bank. Lastly, don't be afraid to seek out local art supply stores where you can often find knowledgeable staff willing to share their expertise and provide samples. Remember, the best paint is one that inspires you and complements your individual style!

1

Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors/Tubes

Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors/Tubes
Buy Now $14.97

Why We Love It

Users and experts rave about Arteza's Acrylic Paint Set for its vibrant, high-pigment colors and impressive blendability. The vast array of 60 different shades allows for endless creativity and color mixing possibilities. Many also appreciate that these paints are non-toxic, making them safe for artists of all ages. The quick-drying formula and the versatility to work on various surfaces make this set a favorite among both beginners and professionals.

Pros

  • Wide variety of colors
  • High-pigment and blendable
  • Non-toxic and safe

Cons

  • Paints may dry out if not used regularly
  • Some tubes may have inconsistent thickness

60-color set of non-toxic, high-pigment acrylic paints by Arteza

Arteza's Acrylic Paint Set offers 60 unique, vibrant colors, each in a 22ml tube. These high-pigment paints are non-toxic and safe for artists of all ages. They are easy to mix and blend, and dry quickly to a semi-gloss finish. They are also ACMI-certified safe and great for a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, fabric, wood, and ceramics.

2

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box
Buy Now $20.99

Why We Love It

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box receives high praise for its portability and professional-quality paints. Users love the compact design that allows them to paint anywhere, anytime. The vibrancy and tinting strength of the colors, along with their blending capabilities, are also highly commended. The inclusion of a brush and mixing palette adds value and convenience to this set.

Pros

  • Compact and portable
  • High-quality, vibrant colors
  • Includes a brush and mixing palette

Cons

  • Paints may be hard to remove from pans
  • Brush may be too small for some users

12-color set of professional-quality watercolors in a pocket-sized box

Winsor & Newton's Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box is designed for artists on the go. This compact set includes 12 half pans of vibrant, high-quality watercolors, a pocket brush, and a mixing palette. The paints are formulated to create beautiful, transparent washes and have excellent tinting strength. They are also easy to mix and blend.

3

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box

Buy Now $28.00

Why We Love It

Users love the compact size of the Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box, making it ideal for on-the-go sketching. They have praised the vibrant colors and the easy-to-mix nature of the paints. Its high-quality pigments are also a hit among artists, providing excellent color performance with every stroke.

Pros

  • Compact size
  • Easy to mix colors
  • High-quality pigments

Cons

  • Limited color selection
  • Small paint pans

Pocket-sized watercolor paint set

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box is a compact set of 12 half pans of watercolor paints. The colors are vibrant and easy to mix, providing a wide color range. The set also includes a pocket brush and a mixing palette. The paints are made from high-quality pigments for excellent color performance.

4

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 48 Piece Set

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 48 Piece Set
Buy Now $61.59

Why We Love It

Artists and reviewers alike praise the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set for its wide range of colors and high pigment load. The paints' ability to retain peaks and brush strokes is applauded, offering artists a lot of flexibility in their work. The smooth consistency of the paints and their intermixability with other Liquitex products are also features that users appreciate.

Pros

  • Wide range of colors
  • High pigment load
  • Retains peaks and brush strokes

Cons

  • Paints may dry quickly in tube
  • Consistency may vary between colors

48-color set of high-quality acrylic paints by Liquitex

Liquitex's BASICS Acrylic Paint Set comes with 48 different colors, each in a 22ml tube. These paints are high-quality, richly pigmented, and have a smooth, pre-filtered consistency. They retain peaks and brush strokes and are ideal for learning color theory and color mixing. The paints are also intermixable with all Liquitex Professional Acrylic Paints and Mediums.

5

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, 72 Pack

Buy Now $55.00

Why We Love It

Artists love the soft core of the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, which allows for smooth coloring and excellent blending. The vibrant pigments and wide range of colors are also highly praised. Users have commented on their durability, noting that they resist cracking and chipping, ensuring long-lasting use.

Pros

  • Soft core for smooth coloring
  • Vibrant pigments
  • Resistant to cracking and chipping

Cons

  • Pencils can be difficult to sharpen
  • Some colors may be too similar

72 pack of soft core colored pencils

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils feature soft, thick cores perfect for shading and shadows. The set includes 72 premium colored pencils with rich, vibrant pigments. The pencils have a smooth, wax-based lead for smooth coloring and resist cracking and chipping.

6

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set
Buy Now $61.59

Why We Love It

Artists highly recommend the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set for its vast color range and quality. The excellent pigment load ensures vibrant artworks and the versatility of these paints is appreciated by both beginners and professionals. Many users also value the safety of these paints as they hold the AP Seal from ACMI.

Pros

  • Wide color range
  • Great pigment load
  • Versatile and intermixable

Cons

  • Satin finish may not suit all projects
  • Some colors may be too transparent

48-piece set of high-quality, versatile acrylic paints.

The Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set includes a vast array of vibrant colors, each in a 22ml tube. These paints are thick and creamy with a satin finish, and offer excellent pigment load. They are intermixable with all Liquitex Professional Acrylic Paint Colors and Mediums. All colors hold the AP Seal from ACMI and are safe for educational use.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 7 Products Updated Oct 03, 2025
Product Non-toxic Color Variety Pigment Load Consistency Drying Time Included Accessories
1 Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors
Yes 60 colors High High viscosity Quick-drying None
1 Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors/Tubes
Yes 60 colors High Blendable Quick-drying None
2 Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box
Yes 12 colors High Transparent washes Medium Brush and mixing palette
3 Golden Fluid Acrylic Paint 1 Ounce-Set Of 10
Yes 10 colors Very high Fluid Quick-drying None
3 Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 48 Piece Set
Yes 48 colors High Smooth Medium None
4 Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set
Yes 48 colors High Thick and creamy Medium None
5 Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 15ml Paint Tube, Cobalt Teal Blue
Yes 1 color Very high Rich and creamy Varies with dilution None
1

Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
60 colors
Pigment Load
High
Consistency
High viscosity
Drying Time
Quick-drying
Included Accessories
None
1

Arteza Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors/Tubes

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
60 colors
Pigment Load
High
Consistency
Blendable
Drying Time
Quick-drying
Included Accessories
None
2

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
12 colors
Pigment Load
High
Consistency
Transparent washes
Drying Time
Medium
Included Accessories
Brush and mixing palette
3

Golden Fluid Acrylic Paint 1 Ounce-Set Of 10

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
10 colors
Pigment Load
Very high
Consistency
Fluid
Drying Time
Quick-drying
Included Accessories
None
3

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 48 Piece Set

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
48 colors
Pigment Load
High
Consistency
Smooth
Drying Time
Medium
Included Accessories
None
4

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
48 colors
Pigment Load
High
Consistency
Thick and creamy
Drying Time
Medium
Included Accessories
None
5

Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 15ml Paint Tube, Cobalt Teal Blue

Non-toxic
Yes
Color Variety
1 color
Pigment Load
Very high
Consistency
Rich and creamy
Drying Time
Varies with dilution
Included Accessories
None

Frequently Asked Questions About Paints

What makes a paints the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your paints recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of paints?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.