10 Best Acrylic Palettes in 2026

Seventeen paint wells give you room to separate colors while still having a large central mixing area, which matters when you are layering acrylics or switching between gouache and oil in one sitting. The non-porous surface is the real draw here: dried paint peels off cleanly, so you can spend more time painting and less time scrubbing. That ease of cleanup, paired with the lightweight oval shape and a thumb hole that works for left- or right-handed artists, makes this a straightforward daily palette for anyone who paints often.

The trade-off is that this is an open palette, so acrylic paint will dry out during long sessions unless you mist it or work fast. If you prefer to keep paint workable for hours, the Kreapa Stay Wet Palette includes a sponge and paper to slow evaporation, though it adds steps to setup and cleanup.

Forty-two individual wells give you room to keep a full palette of watercolors, gouache, or acrylics organized without muddying colors between sessions. That many wells plus four generous mixing areas mean you can work on complex pieces without constantly cleaning or refilling. The snap-on lid doubles as a secondary mixing surface, so you can keep your paints moist during breaks and still have a flat tray for blending. Lightweight at just 0.7 pounds and thin enough to slide into a bag, this palette suits studio painters who want a lot of color options and plein air artists who need to pack light.

Artists who want a straightforward palette with plenty of paint storage and simple maintenance will appreciate the layout here. Forty-two individual deep wells keep watercolor, gouache, or acrylic paints separated to prevent color contamination during a session. Four large mixing areas provide ample room for blending washes or working up custom hues. The snap-on lid doubles as a secondary flat mixing surface, and the whole unit weighs just 0.7 pounds, making it easy to carry between studio and outdoor locations. Reviewers note that the durable white plastic cleans up quickly, so you spend less time scrubbing and more time painting.

The Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette relies on a damp sponge and special paper to actively keep paint moist, whereas the Mijello achieves the same result through a passive airtight seal alone. That means no need to replace paper or sponge over time, just a clean, dry surface every time. Reviewers note that the Mijello’s approach works especially well for artists who prefer not to introduce extra moisture into their paint consistency. The catch is that the Mijello does not offer the same controlled humidity environment as a wet palette system, but for those who value simplicity and easy maintenance, the seal-based design is a practical alternative.

A two-pack of clear acrylic palettes at 11.8 by 7.9 inches each gives you both a rectangular and an oval surface for mixing, all in a package that weighs just half a pound. That lightness makes it easy to toss into a backpack or tote for outdoor painting sessions, and the transparent material lets you see your color mixes against whatever surface you’re working on. The smooth edges and non-toxic build keep it comfortable and safe, which matters when you’re painting for hours or sharing with students.

These palettes are flat mixing surfaces without any wells or compartments, so you’ll need to manage your paint puddles carefully, especially if you work with many colors at once. Compared to the U.S. Art Supply Clear Oval Acrylic Palette 2-Pack, which includes 17 paint wells, the Tamaki palettes offer a simpler, more open layout that suits broad washes and quick color blending but less organization.

This palette includes 100 sheets of hydro paper and two reusable sponges, so you can keep acrylic paint moist during a painting session and reduce waste. The 8.8 x 6.6 inch tray weighs 0.6 pounds, making it easy to carry in a bag for outdoor painting or travel. It is designed for painters who want a compact, portable system that saves paint, especially for smaller projects or on-the-go use.

The Kreapa palette measures 8.8 by 6.6 inches, which is considerably smaller than the Masterson Sta-Wet Premier at 12.6 by 16.6 inches. That compact size makes it easy to slip into a bag for outdoor painting, but artists who want a large mixing area might find it cramped. For someone who values portability and a reusable system that keeps acrylic paint moist and cuts down on waste, this kit does exactly what it promises.

Eight wells and a 7-inch square of smooth white ceramic give you a dedicated mixing surface that won’t absorb paint or let it bead up. That means watercolor and acrylic washes stay where you put them, blending cleanly instead of pooling into droplets. For artists who value easy cleanup and accurate color matching, this porcelain palette offers a durable, stain-resistant workspace that wipes clean with water and a tissue. It suits painters who prefer a compact, stable tray over flimsy plastic or stay-wet systems, and the white background helps you judge hue and value without distraction.

Capacity is the main limitation here. With only eight wells, you’ll run out of room if you’re working with a broad palette or mixing multiple gradients at once. A plastic palette like the U.S. Art Supply Clear Oval gives you 17 wells and weighs half as much, making it easier to hold for long sessions and better suited for complex acrylic work. But the MEEDEN’s ceramic body is durable and easy to clean, and its weight makes it stable on a tabletop. If you prefer a small, no-fuss palette that prioritizes mixing quality over quantity, this is a refined choice.

A 12 x 16 inch working area gives you plenty of room to mix large batches of acrylic without crowding your colors. The real story here is the stay-wet system: a unique sponge and palette paper combination that, with the airtight lid closed, keeps your paint workable for days or even weeks. That makes this palette ideal for artists who work slowly, layer gradually, or hate wasting paint between sessions.

Weight and dependency are the main drawbacks here. At 1.7 pounds, this palette is noticeably heavier than a lightweight plastic option like the Creative Mark Watercolor Palette, which comes in at 0.7 pounds. And unlike a simple tray, you’ll need to buy replacement sponges and palette paper to keep the system working. But if your priority is keeping acrylics moist for extended periods, this palette delivers that capability straight out of the box.

A pair of 12 by 16 inch tempered glass slabs gives you a large, uninterrupted mixing surface that a razor blade can scrape clean without leaving scratches. The neutral grey background helps ensure accurate color judgment, which is useful for mixing acrylics. Artists who work with multiple paints at once will appreciate having two identical palettes, and the included non-slip pads keep everything steady on your tabletop. The smooth round edges mean you won’t worry about cuts during a long painting session.

The ELFULLY palette gives you a flat tempered glass surface with no wells or compartments. So if you need to keep individual colors separate while mixing, you will have to supply your own cups or manage paint puddles on an open field. Compare that to the Creative Mark Watercolor Palette with Cover, which offers 42 wells and a lid, but its plastic surface may not be as durable as tempered glass. For acrylic artists who mix large batches or pour paint, that open field is exactly the point. The generous 12 by 16 inch working area provides ample room for blending and pouring without feeling cramped.

A 1-inch wall height means you can sling acrylics without worrying about drips running off the edge, and the triple-coated white enamel keeps colors true while resisting stains. This tray suits painters who mix large batches of color and want a surface that cleans up fast with just a wipe or rinse. Its lightweight metal frame makes it easy to carry from table to sink, and the white background helps you judge value and tint accurately as you blend.

This is an open tray with no lid, so paint is exposed to air during use. Compared to the Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette, which includes an airtight lid and a sponge system for keeping paint moist, the Butcher Tray is better suited for painters who mix and clean up between colors rather than keeping paint workable over long periods. No wells means you blend freely across the whole surface, but you lose the convenience of separate compartments for keeping unmixed paint ready.

A 15.7 by 11.8 inch surface gives you room to mix several colors at once without crowding. That is exactly what acrylic painters need when blending large washes or working on multiple sections of a canvas. The clear acrylic lets you see accurate color representation before painting, and the non-stick coating means dried paint wipes off with hot water and a rag. This two-pack is a practical choice for artists who want a spacious, no-fuss palette that weighs 0.8 pounds.

This palette has no individual wells, so you cannot keep unmixed colors separated the way you can with a compartmented tray like the Creative Mark Watercolor Palette with Cover. That design works best if you prefer to lay out puddles of paint and mix freely on the open surface. For acrylic painters who value a big, clean mixing field and easy cleanup over color organization, this clear palette delivers exactly what the name promises.