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10 Best Acrylic Paint Sets 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 12 x 118ml (4-oz) Tube Paint Set

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,311
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Consistency

Most important from
13555 reviews

Color Range
The color range is impressive, offering everything from vibrant primaries to subtle neutrals that blend seamlessly and spread smoothly.
Pigment Quality
Coverage is surprisingly good for a student-grade paint, delivering rich pigment that holds up well on the canvas.
Consistency
The paint's buttery texture layers beautifully without becoming stiff or flaky, making it easy to work with for various techniques.
Packaging
Packaging is sturdy and functional, though serious artists might prefer investing in a dedicated storage case for their supplies.

The Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set offers a solid choice for beginner to intermediate artists looking for good-quality acrylic paints without a high price tag. It includes 12 colors, each in a generous 118ml tube, giving you a decent color range to start with. The pigments are made using the same quality standards as professional lines, ensuring bright colors that spread evenly and mix well. The paint has a smooth, creamy consistency that is easy to work with, making it suitable for layering or blending.

One of its advantages is the quick drying time—about 30 minutes—which helps speed up projects but still allows enough time to adjust your work. The satin finish provides a nice balance without being too shiny or dull. However, these paints are not waterproof once dry, so they may not be ideal for outdoor pieces or items exposed to water. Lightfastness, which affects how well colors resist fading over time, is decent but might not match professional artist-grade paints, so your artwork may need some care to preserve. The packaging in tubes keeps the paints fresh and easy to store.

While this set is labeled as student quality, it benefits from Liquitex’s long experience with acrylics, making it a reliable and versatile option for art students, hobbyists, or anyone wanting to explore acrylic painting without investing in costly professional sets.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,311
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Consistency

Most important from
13555 reviews

Color Range
The color range is impressive, offering everything from vibrant primaries to subtle neutrals that blend seamlessly and spread smoothly.
Pigment Quality
Coverage is surprisingly good for a student-grade paint, delivering rich pigment that holds up well on the canvas.
Consistency
The paint's buttery texture layers beautifully without becoming stiff or flaky, making it easy to work with for various techniques.
Packaging
Packaging is sturdy and functional, though serious artists might prefer investing in a dedicated storage case for their supplies.
#2

72 Pack Acrylic Paint Set, Shuttle Art 60 Colors Acrylic Paint Including Extra White Black & 12 Brushes, 2oz/60ml, Rich Pigmented, Water Proof, Ideal for Artists, Beginners on Canvas Rock Wood Ceramic

Rating
8.2
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Drying Time

Most important from
9471 reviews

Color Range
A broad palette with many color options, including metallic and fluorescent shades, inspires creativity and suits both beginners and advanced users.
Pigment Quality
The paint offers vibrant, true-to-color coverage with a creamy texture that isn’t watery and dries quickly.
Drying Time
The paint offers vibrant, true-to-color coverage with a creamy texture that isn’t watery and dries quickly.

The Shuttle Art 72 Pack Acrylic Paint Set offers a broad and vibrant color range, featuring 58 unique colors plus white and black tones, including metallic and fluorescent shades that can inspire creativity. Each bottle contains 2 oz of paint with a creamy texture that mixes well and provides good coverage, making it user-friendly for both beginners and more experienced artists. The paint dries quickly and becomes waterproof and permanent, which is helpful for projects on various surfaces like canvas, ceramics, wood, glass, and leather.

These paints are non-toxic and safe to use, certified under relevant safety standards, which adds peace of mind for artists of all ages. In terms of packaging, the set comes in easy-to-use bottles with included brushes, making it a convenient all-in-one option. While the colors are rich and lightfast, some users might find the included brushes basic or prefer more specialized ones for fine details.

Although the paint dries quickly, layering too fast might require some patience to avoid mixing unintentionally. This set is particularly well suited for hobbyists, students, and anyone looking to explore acrylic painting with a wide palette and reliable performance without having to invest in separate tools.

Rating
8.2
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Drying Time

Most important from
9471 reviews

Color Range
A broad palette with many color options, including metallic and fluorescent shades, inspires creativity and suits both beginners and advanced users.
Pigment Quality
The paint offers vibrant, true-to-color coverage with a creamy texture that isn’t watery and dries quickly.
Drying Time
The paint offers vibrant, true-to-color coverage with a creamy texture that isn’t watery and dries quickly.
#3

Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Color Paint Set, 33.8oz (1L), Semi-Matte Finish, 12 Colors, Suitable for Canvas, Wood, Fabric, Leather, Cardboard, Paper, MDF and Crafts

Rating
8.2
Pigment Quality
Packaging

Most important from
3954 reviews

Pigment Quality
Comparable to pricey professional paints, this set delivers exceptional pigmentation at a great price point.
Packaging
Art teachers will find this set indispensable for everyday use with its excellent color coverage and leak-proof bottles, perfect for large projects.

The Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Color Paint Set includes 12 vibrant colors in large 1-liter bottles, making it a great choice for extensive projects. The color range offers fundamental hues such as Titanium White, Black, and various shades of yellow, blue, red, and green. The paint's semi-matte finish provides a subtle sheen, which is suitable for various surfaces like canvas, wood, fabric, leather, cardboard, and paper.

This versatility makes it ideal for arts and crafts, home decor, and DIY projects. The pigment quality appears to be good, ensuring solid coverage and a creamy texture that facilitates smooth application. Additionally, the fast drying time is advantageous for artists who like to work in layers without risking color muddiness. The packaging of this set is practical, with each bottle featuring a pump for easy dispensing and minimizing waste.

Despite the good performance, the set might lack advanced lightfastness, making it less suitable for works intended for long-term display. Also, it is not water-resistant, meaning it might not be ideal for outdoor use. Those looking for a budget-friendly, high-volume paint set for general artistic and crafting purposes will find this product quite appealing.

Rating
8.2
Pigment Quality
Packaging

Most important from
3954 reviews

Pigment Quality
Comparable to pricey professional paints, this set delivers exceptional pigmentation at a great price point.
Packaging
Art teachers will find this set indispensable for everyday use with its excellent color coverage and leak-proof bottles, perfect for large projects.

Buying Guide for the Best Acrylic Paint Sets

Choosing the right acrylic paint set can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you know what to look for. Acrylic paints are versatile, fast-drying, and can be used on a variety of surfaces, making them a popular choice for artists of all levels. When selecting an acrylic paint set, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Understanding these specs will help you make an informed decision and enhance your painting experience.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors included in the paint set. This is important because a wider range of colors allows for more creative freedom and the ability to mix and match to achieve the desired hues. Paint sets can range from basic sets with primary colors to extensive sets with dozens of shades. If you're a beginner, a basic set with primary colors might be sufficient as you can mix them to create other colors. For more advanced artists, a set with a broader range of colors can save time and provide more options for detailed work.
Pigment QualityPigment quality determines the vibrancy and longevity of the paint. High-quality pigments result in more vibrant and long-lasting colors, while lower-quality pigments may fade over time. Pigment quality is often indicated by terms like 'student grade' or 'artist grade.' Student grade paints are more affordable and suitable for beginners or practice, while artist grade paints offer superior pigment quality and are ideal for professional work or when color accuracy is crucial.
ConsistencyConsistency refers to the thickness or viscosity of the paint. This is important because it affects how the paint handles and the techniques you can use. Acrylic paints can range from heavy body (thick) to fluid (thin). Heavy body paints are great for techniques that require texture and visible brush strokes, while fluid acrylics are better for smooth, detailed work and techniques like pouring. Choose a consistency that matches your preferred painting style and techniques.
Drying TimeDrying time is the amount of time it takes for the paint to dry. Acrylic paints are known for their fast drying times, which can be both an advantage and a challenge. Fast drying times allow for quicker layering and less waiting, but they can also make blending more difficult. Some acrylic paints have retarders added to slow down the drying process. If you prefer to work quickly and layer your paints, fast-drying acrylics are ideal. If you need more time to blend and work with the paint, look for sets with slower drying times or use a retarder.
LightfastnessLightfastness refers to the paint's resistance to fading when exposed to light. This is important for the longevity of your artwork, especially if it will be displayed in well-lit areas. Lightfastness is usually rated on a scale, with higher ratings indicating better resistance to fading. If you want your artwork to maintain its original appearance over time, choose paints with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less of a concern.
PackagingPackaging refers to how the paint is contained and presented. Acrylic paints can come in tubes, jars, or bottles, and the packaging can affect ease of use and storage. Tubes are convenient for squeezing out small amounts of paint and are easy to transport. Jars and bottles may hold larger quantities and are better for studio use. Consider how you plan to use and store your paints when choosing the packaging that best suits your needs.

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