10 Best Watercolor Paints 2026 in the United States

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is designed for students and hobbyists who want good quality paints without a high price tag. These paints come in 45 half pans, which are small, dry blocks of color that are easy to use and tidy, making this set very portable and neat for working on paper. The Cotman range uses some more affordable pigments, so while the colors have good transparency and excellent tinting strength (meaning they mix well and layer nicely), they are not quite as vibrant or long-lasting as professional-grade paints.

The color selection is broad, covering a variety of yellows, greens, blues, reds, and purples, giving artists plenty of options to mix and create different shades. The lightfastness—how well the colors resist fading over time—is decent for student use but may not meet the higher standards professionals look for in archival work. This set also includes a basic round brush and a mixing tray inside a compact case, which adds convenience.

These paints are not waterproof once dry, but they perform well for typical watercolor techniques and are best suited for indoor and outdoor use on watercolor paper. For beginners or art students seeking an affordable, reliable set with a wide range of colors and good working properties, this set is a strong choice. More advanced artists who require the highest lightfastness and pigment quality might find it less suitable for long-term or professional projects.

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Studio Set with 24 whole pans is a solid choice for beginners and hobbyists who want quality paints without a high price tag. These paints are student-grade, meaning they use some cost-effective pigments, but they still maintain good transparency and strong color intensity, which helps create vibrant artwork. The set includes a wide color range with common and useful shades, allowing for a versatile palette that covers many painting needs.

Because these come in pans, they are convenient for travel and easy to use without mess. The lightweight plastic box also doubles as a palette, which is practical for mixing colors. One downside is that the paints are not waterproof once dry and may lack some of the durability and lightfastness professional artists look for, so colors might fade faster if exposed to strong sunlight over time.

Though not designed for professional work, this set provides good value and quality for students, beginners, and casual painters who want a reliable, easy-to-handle watercolor experience.

The Daniel Smith Color Hand Poured Pan Set offers 24 high-quality watercolor half pans that are well-suited for artists looking for professional-grade paints. These pans come filled with richly pigmented, hand-poured colors known for their excellent transparency and strong lightfastness, meaning your artwork will maintain its vibrancy over time without fading easily. The set includes a broad color range, featuring unique hues like Buff Titanium, Quinacridone Gold, and Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), which provides a lot of creative flexibility. The included empty half pans and sturdy metal box add convenience for organizing and customizing your palette.

Since these are half pans, they’re compact and portable, ideal if you prefer using dry paints that can be reactivated with water. This form also helps in controlling the amount of paint you use. However, if you often work on larger pieces requiring lots of paint, tubes might be better for you, as pans hold a limited amount. This set is mainly designed for paper surfaces and indoor use, which fits most watercolor painting needs but may not be suitable for other surfaces or outdoor applications.

While the paints are labeled as waterproof once dry, the set is not water-resistant in terms of packaging, so care is needed to avoid spills. For beginners willing to invest in quality or seasoned artists wanting a reliable, versatile palette, this set represents an excellent balance of pigment quality and a convenient, portable format.