10 Best Paints For Miniatures 2026 in the United States

The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Mega Combo Set is a great choice for miniature enthusiasts, offering a robust selection of 50 paints at a competitive price. The set includes 36 vibrant acrylic colors, various skin tones, metallics, effects paints, and washes that cater to a wide range of painting needs. Its high-quality acrylic formulation provides impressive coverage and pigmentation, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced painters, enabling users to achieve professional-looking results with relative ease.

One notable strength of this combo set is the inclusion of additional tools like a character brush, basecoating brush, and a convenient paint station that helps keep your workspace organized. This makes it an attractive option for gamers who appreciate the practicality of having everything they need in one package.

However, there are some aspects to consider. While the paints are generally easy to use, beginners may still find some techniques challenging, particularly when working with washes and effects for shading. Additionally, the matte finish might not suit every painter's preferences, especially those who enjoy glossy or textured surfaces. Another point to note is that while the paints are designed for plastic surfaces, they might require proper priming for best results on different materials. Lastly, the set is designed for indoor use, which might limit options for those looking to paint outdoors.

The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Washes Paint Set is a collection of 10 acrylic paints designed specifically for shading and adding depth to miniature models. These paints are formulated as washes, featuring a thinner consistency with extra-heavy pigment that flows smoothly into the recesses of miniatures, making it easier to create natural shadows and color tones. This set covers a good color range for shading needs, and since the washes are mixable, you can customize your shades if needed.

The paints come in easy-to-squeeze 18ml dropper bottles, which help control paint usage and prevent drying out, even if the bottle is left open during a painting session. This packaging is convenient for both beginners and experienced painters. The paints can be applied directly over a primed and base-coated miniature, saving preparation time. These specialized washes are best suited for adding shading and tonal depth rather than full coverage or bright colors. The drying time is typical for acrylics, allowing enough time to work without requiring long waits. The finish adds subtle shading effects without creating a glossy or matte surface change.

This set provides a straightforward and effective way to add professional-looking shading to miniatures without complicated mixing or layering. However, if full coverage paints or a wider color palette are needed, additional products will be required. The 18ml bottle size is standard but may run out quickly for larger projects. This set is a solid choice for hobbyists focused on enhancing miniature details with washes.

The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Most Wanted Set offers a well-rounded selection of 22 carefully chosen paints, including 14 acrylic colors, skin tones, metallics, effects, a wash, and a brush-on primer, making it a versatile choice for miniature painters. These are high-quality acrylic paints known for their strong pigmentation and smooth consistency, which helps with good coverage and detail work on miniatures. The paints dry to a matte finish, which is preferred by many hobbyists for realistic and subtle effects on models. The included wash and effects allow for easy shading and adding special touches like rust or magical glows, enriching the final look without complex techniques. The flexible color triad system is a smart feature that groups colors by tone gradients for natural transitions, simplifying color selection and blending, especially helpful for beginners. Drying time is reasonably quick, letting you work efficiently without long waits. The set's washable nature is convenient for clean-up, and the brush-on primer included helps prepare surfaces well before painting.

This set is beginner-friendly while also meeting the standards of experienced painters, making it suitable for gamers and hobbyists who want to expand their palette with reliable, vibrant paints. One potential downside is the relatively small bottle size (18 mL), which might run out faster for those painting many miniatures. Also, the matte finish, while preferred by many, might not suit those seeking glossier effects without additional products. This set represents a strong choice for those looking for a handy, quality paint collection that covers most miniature painting needs with a good balance of ease, performance, and variety.