10 Best Acrylic Paint in 2026
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Our pick for the best overall acrylic paint set is the Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors, chosen for its vibrant 36-color range including metallics, creamy blendability, and non-toxic, acid-free formula that works for all ages. For those who need the widest color selection, the Artbreezing Professional Acrylic Paint Set 48 Colors delivers. The Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set offers professional-grade pigments for serious beginners.
Starting a new painting project often means facing a wall of paint tubes and wondering which ones are worth buying. The right set balances color variety, paint quality, and safety, especially if you’re sharing with family or teaching.
This guide is built from manufacturer specifications, expert round-ups, and patterns in owner feedback. We’ve organized the top acrylic paint sets by what matters most: color range, paint body, finish, and value, so you can find the right match for your next canvas, craft, or sketchbook session.
Top 10 Acrylic Paints in the Market
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The Best Acrylic Paints, Reviewed
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors
What We Like
- 36 vibrant colors including metallic gold and silver
- Creamy paint blends, mixes, and layers easily
- Water-based, cleans with soap and water
- Non-toxic and acid-free for all ages
Trade-offs
- Only 2 oz per color, less than some bulk sets
- No individual replacement bottles available in set
Thirty-six unique colors in 2-ounce bottles mean you get a wide palette without needing to mix every shade from scratch, and the included metallic gold and silver add instant pop for highlights or accents. This set is ideal for beginners who want to explore acrylics on multiple surfaces, canvas, wood, rock, ceramic, even fabric, without worrying about toxicity, since it meets ASTM-D4236 standards for non-toxic materials. The creamy consistency makes blending and layering straightforward, so you can build opacity or create smooth gradients right out of the bottle, and the twelve brushes and palette let you start painting immediately.
The trade-off is that each color is only 2 ounces, which is generous for a starter set but not enough for large-scale projects or heavy use of a single hue. Compared to the Artbreezing 48-color set with 22 ml tubes, Shuttle Art gives you more paint per color but fewer total colors and no tube format for easy dispensing. The strengthened cardboard package protects paints well and works as an organizer, safe and convenient for storage. This is a thoughtful all-in-one kit for someone building their first acrylic studio.
Product photos

Caliart Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors
What We Like
- 36 colors including metallic gold and silver
- Non-toxic and acid-free certified
- 12 paint brushes included
- Waterproof and fade-resistant finish
Trade-offs
- 2 oz bottles are smaller than bulk sets
- No palette included in the kit
A 36-color range with metallic gold and silver gives you vibrant, consistent shades straight out of the box, so you can jump into layered projects without mixing every hue yourself. This set is built for safety first, certified non-toxic and acid-free under ASTM-D4236, which makes it a natural fit for families, classrooms, or anyone who wants to paint worry-free around kids. The included 12 brushes mean you can start painting on canvas, wood, rocks, or pumpkins the moment you open the sturdy storage box. And the creamy, fast-drying formula lets you add coats or details without long waits.
Each 2 oz bottle is smaller than the 8.45 oz bottles in the Shuttle Art Bulk Acrylic Paint Set 18 Colors, so heavy users may run through favorite colors faster. There is no palette included in the box, which means you will need to supply your own for mixing. If your priority is a safe, versatile starter kit with a generous color palette and brushes included, this delivers real value without compromising on quality or peace of mind.
Artbreezing Professional Acrylic Paint Set 48 Colors
What We Like
- 48 colors for broad creative range
- Heavy body for thick, crack-free layers
- Non-toxic and safe for all ages
Trade-offs
- 22 ml tubes smaller than 60 ml bottles in Shuttle Art set
Forty-eight colors in one set give you a palette that spans warm to cool tones without needing to hunt for extra tubes. This makes it a natural pick for artists who love mixing and matching shades on canvas, wood, or clay without worrying about fading.
The trade-off here is tube size. At 22 ml per color, you get variety over volume. The Shuttle Art 36 Colors set offers 60 ml bottles, so if you use a lot of a single color, you might prefer that option. For sheer color range and reliable lightfastness, this set delivers where it counts.
Product photos

Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set 24 Colors
What We Like
- 24 colors with 12 brushes and palette
- Fast-drying and fade-resistant paint
Trade-offs
- Only 24 colors, fewer than some sets
- Inner seal must be removed before use
The creamy, pigmented formula blends smoothly and dries fast, which is ideal when you’re layering colors or working on a project that needs to move along. Each 60ml bottle delivers true, consistent shades for detailing, texturing, or bold strokes on surfaces like wood, canvas, and fabric. The water-based paint cleans up easily with soap and water before it fully sets, and the set includes 12 brushes, a palette, and a beginner’s guide with a color wheel. Users report the colors resist fading and smudging when layered, keeping projects bright over time.
A 24-color range is smaller than some competing kits offer, so if you crave a huge variety of shades right away, you might find yourself mixing more often than you’d like. For a first kit that balances quality, safety, and enough colors to learn and experiment, this is a thoughtful starting point.
Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set
What We Like
- Professional pigments for high tinting strength
- Excellent lightfastness and permanence
- Smooth, buttery texture for layering
- Works on multiple surfaces
Trade-offs
- Only 10 colors limits palette variety
- No brushes or palette included in set
The high tinting strength from professional pigments means each 60ml tube delivers bright, stable color that covers well, so beginners get rich results without needing to apply multiple coats. The smooth, satin finish flows easily for layering and blending, and once dry the paint resists fading, water, and weather, making it suitable for both studio pieces and outdoor projects. This introductory set lets new painters work with quality pigments at a lower cost than a full professional line.
With just ten 60ml tubes, the palette is limited compared to larger sets, so you’ll need to mix colors to reach a specific shade. Each tube uses single-pigment tones that blend cleanly, and the buttery texture makes mixing straightforward. For someone starting out, this set provides a reliable, focused foundation in acrylics.
ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set 60 Colors
What We Like
- 60 colors including 5 metallics
- Creamy, high-viscosity consistency
- Sorting trays keep tubes organized
- AP-certified non-toxic formula
Trade-offs
- 22 ml tubes are small for large projects
- No brushes or palette included
Sixty colors in one box, including five metallic shades, give you an enormous palette right out of the gate. That means less time mixing and more time painting, whether you are layering on canvas, adding accents to wood, or experimenting on paper. The creamy, high-viscosity formula holds brushstrokes cleanly and layers without dragging, so it suits both bold palette-knife work and controlled blending. The set includes 55 classic colors and 5 metallics, each tube holding 22 ml, and the trays keep colors sorted for easy access.
Tube size is the main consideration here. Each tube holds 22 ml, which is fine for detailed work and color studies, but if you are covering large canvases or doing heavy base coats, you will run through tubes quickly. The Shuttle Art 36-color set comes in 60 ml bottles, so it offers more paint per color but fewer colors overall. For someone who values color choice over volume, this set offers 60 colors in an organized package with trays that keep colors easy to sort and find. Just know you may need to restock your most-used shades sooner.
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FolkArt Acrylic Craft Paint Set 24 Bottles
What We Like
- 24 rich colors with matte finish
- Includes 10-piece brush set
- Works on wood, metal, glass, canvas
- Water-based, non-toxic, easy cleanup
Trade-offs
- Only 24 colors limits variety for large projects
- Brush set uses camel hair, not synthetic
Every bottle in this 24-piece set dries to a matte finish, so your work won’t have distracting glare. The kit includes ten brushes in flat, liner, and scruffy sizes, letting you tackle different techniques right away on surfaces like wood, metal, glass, canvas, paper, or plastic. FolkArt describes the paint as having a creamy consistency for blending and shading, which helps beginners get smooth results. For crafters who prefer a non-shiny look, this set delivers that across all 24 colors.
Color range is the main consideration: with 24 bottles you get basics like Wicker White, Baby Pink, Apple Red, and Classic Green, but fewer shades than the 36-color Shuttle Art set. The matte finish is consistent across all bottles, while some larger sets include glossy or satin paints. The included brushes use Gold Taklon and camel hair, which are soft enough for blending but may not hold a razor-sharp edge like stiffer synthetics. For matte-focused projects such as signs or decor, this kit gives you a coordinated palette without mixing finishes.
Shuttle Art Bulk Acrylic Paint Set 18 Colors
What We Like
- 18 colors at 250ml each for heavy use
- Thick, creamy, highly pigmented paint
- Non-toxic and acid-free certified
- Waterproof and fade-proof on many surfaces
Trade-offs
- At 12.9 pounds, it's heavy to move around
- Large 250ml bottles are bulky for small workspaces
Each of the 18 bottles holds 250ml of paint, over eight ounces per color, so this set is built for anyone who paints in volume. It covers large canvases, runs a community art class, or works through stacks of craft projects. The thick, creamy consistency means a little paint goes a long way, and the pigments stay vibrant and permanent on surfaces like glass, wood, ceramic, and canvas. Non-toxic and acid-free certification makes it safe for kids and beginners, too.
Caliart’s 36-color kit, for instance, gives you twice the variety in much smaller bottles. But if your priority is raw capacity per dollar and you don’t mind mixing your own shades, these bulk bottles will keep you painting for a long time without running out of your go-to colors.
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Nicpro Complete Acrylic Paint Canvas Set 80 Pieces
What We Like
- 36 vivid colors, 36ml each
- Includes table easel and 10 canvas panels
- 12 brush shapes for varied strokes
- Silicone cleaning cup doubles as brush holder
Trade-offs
- 36ml paint tubes smaller than some sets
- No metallic or specialty colors included
This Nicpro set includes 80 pieces: 36 acrylic paint tubes, 10 canvas panels in three sizes, a foldable wooden table easel, 12 brushes, a palette, a cleaning cup, a palette knife, a sponge, a color wheel, and a paper pad. The easel is lightweight and folds for carrying, so it works for tabletop painting or display. Beginners get a wide range of tools to start mixing colors and painting on canvas or paper without needing extra purchases.
Each paint tube holds 36ml, which is larger than the volume offered by some other sets. For most projects, that’s plenty of paint to work with, though if you frequently cover large areas you might want extra tubes. The kit includes 36 colors along with a table easel, 10 canvas panels, 12 brushes, a painting pad, palette, cleaning cup, palette knife, sponge, and color wheel. That’s everything a beginner needs to start painting right away.
Product photos

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set
What We Like
- Same high-quality pigments as professional range
- Medium viscosity for easy blending
- Quick drying with water cleanup
- Adheres to canvas, wood, metal, and more
Trade-offs
- Only 12 colors in the set
- 22ml tubes are smaller than many competitors
Liquitex invented artists’ acrylics in 1955, and this set uses the same high-quality pigments and ceramic bead grinding process as their professional line. That means you get fine color dispersion, strength, and brightness that student-grade paints often lack. The medium viscosity and satin finish make it versatile for layering, blending, and adjusting opacity, so you can use these as undertones, tints, or shades. This set suits anyone who wants reliable, lightfast paint that sticks to almost any surface without breaking the bank.
Set size is the main consideration: twelve 22ml tubes give you a focused palette, but you’ll have a smaller total volume compared to some other sets. If you’re just starting out or prefer to buy small quantities to test colors, this is a smart way to access quality ingredients at a student-friendly price. For someone who needs a broad color range right out of the box, a larger set might be more practical.
How We Evaluated Acrylic Paints
We reviewed acrylic paint sets by examining manufacturer specifications, expert round-ups, and common patterns in owner feedback across dozens of models. This approach helps us identify which sets consistently perform as described.
The four criteria that mattered most for this category were color variety, paint body and consistency, safety certifications, and included accessories. A wider color range lets you start painting immediately, while the paint body, heavy, creamy, or fluid, affects how it layers and blends. Non-toxic and acid-free certifications are essential for classrooms and family use, and extras like brushes or palettes can save a beginner a second purchase.
A research-led evaluation has honest limits: we can’t speak to long-term lightfastness or how a set performs after years of storage. What we can do is surface the specs and owner-reported patterns that help you compare confidently.
What To Look For In Acrylic Paints
Choosing an acrylic paint set comes down to understanding your surface, your skill level, and how much paint you actually need. Here’s what to check before you buy.
Look for a set with at least 24 colors if you want variety, non-toxic certification for safety, and a paint body, heavy or creamy, that matches your technique. Check bottle or tube size: 22 ml to 60 ml is standard, while 250 ml bottles suit high-volume projects.
Color Range and Variety
The number of colors in a set directly affects how ready you are to paint out of the box. Sets with 24 to 60 colors offer immediate variety, while smaller sets of 10 to 12 colors encourage color mixing. Look for sets that include metallic shades (gold, silver, bronze) if you want shimmer and highlights without mixing. For artists who prefer to mix custom hues, a smaller core palette with high pigment load is more efficient than a huge set of pre-mixed colors.
Paint Body and Consistency
Acrylic paint comes in three main consistencies: heavy body, medium viscosity, and fluid. Heavy body paints hold brush strokes and create texture, making them ideal for impasto techniques. Medium viscosity paints blend smoothly and work well for general painting. Fluid paints flow easily for glazes and fine details. Most hobby sets use a creamy medium body that works on canvas, wood, and paper.
Safety and Non-Toxic Certification
If you’re painting with children, in a classroom, or in a small space without strong ventilation, non-toxic and acid-free certification is critical. Look for sets that are AP-certified (Approved Product) by the Art and Creative Materials Institute. This certification means the paint has been tested and found to contain no materials in quantities sufficient to be toxic or cause injury.
- Check the bottle label for “non-toxic” and “acid-free” wording.
- Confirm the set is AP-certified if you need the highest safety standard.
- Look for water-based formulas that clean up with soap and water.
- Avoid sets with strong chemical odors, which may indicate solvents.
- Verify that the paint is suitable for the surface you plan to use (canvas, wood, fabric, paper).
A good rule of thumb: if the set is labeled for all ages and carries a certification logo, it’s safe for shared use.
Acrylic Paints Compared
The table below compares the key specs of our top acrylic paint sets, including color count, bottle size, paint body, and included extras, so you can see at a glance which set fits your needs.
| Product | Color Count | Bottle/Tube Size | Surfaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors | 36 colors | 2 oz / 60 ml | Wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, plastic |
| Caliart Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors | 36 colors | 2 oz | N/A |
| Artbreezing Professional Acrylic Paint Set 48 Colors | 48 colors | 22 ml each | canvas, wood, fabric, clay, rock |
| Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set 24 Colors | 24 | 60ml / 2oz | Wood, rock, canvas, fabric, glass, clay, leather, plastic |
| Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set | 10 x 60ml | 60ml (2–oz) | Canvas, paper, wood, board |
| ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set 60 Colors | 60 (55 classic + 5 metallic) | 22 ml / 0.74 fl oz | canvas, wood, paper |
| FolkArt Acrylic Craft Paint Set 24 Bottles | 24 bottles | 2 oz each | wood, metal, glass, canvas, paper, plastic |
| Shuttle Art Bulk Acrylic Paint Set 18 Colors | 18 | 250ml / 8.45oz | Glass, rocks, canvas, wood, ceramic, clay |
| Nicpro Complete Acrylic Paint Canvas Set 80 Pieces | 36 colors | 36ml | N/A |
| Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set | 12 x 22ml | 22ml (0.74-oz) | canvas, paper |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best acrylic paint for beginners?
The Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors is a strong choice for beginners because it includes 36 vibrant colors, brushes, and a palette in one box. The paint is non-toxic, water-based, and cleans up with soap and water, which makes it easy to learn without worrying about harsh chemicals.
How many colors do I need in an acrylic paint set?
For most beginners and hobbyists, a set of 24 to 36 colors provides plenty of variety for canvas, craft, and mixed-media projects. If you enjoy mixing your own shades, a smaller 12-color set with high pigment load is more practical. Artists who want the widest ready-to-use palette may prefer a 48- or 60-color set.
Are acrylic paints safe for kids?
Yes, many acrylic paint sets are non-toxic and AP-certified, meaning they have been tested and found safe for children. Look for water-based formulas labeled “non-toxic” and “acid-free.” Always supervise young children during painting and ensure good ventilation.
What is the difference between heavy body and fluid acrylic paint?
Heavy body acrylic paint has a thick, buttery consistency that holds brush strokes and creates texture, ideal for impasto techniques. Fluid acrylic paint is thinner and flows easily, making it better for glazes, washes, and fine details. Medium viscosity paints fall in between and work well for general painting.
Can I use acrylic paint on fabric and wood?
Yes, most acrylic paints adhere well to fabric, wood, canvas, paper, and many other surfaces. For fabric, heat-setting the paint with an iron after it dries improves durability. For wood, a primer or gesso layer helps the paint stick and prevents absorption. Always check the paint label for surface recommendations.
The Bottom Line
For most artists, the Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colors offers the best balance of color variety, safety, and included tools at a reasonable value. It’s the set we recommend for beginners, hobbyists, and families who want to start painting immediately without hunting for extra supplies.
If you need the widest color selection for mixing and experimenting, the Artbreezing Professional Acrylic Paint Set 48 Colors delivers 48 hues in a heavy-body formula. Budget-conscious shoppers or those who go through paint quickly should look at the Shuttle Art Bulk Acrylic Paint Set 18 Colors for its large 250 ml bottles.
The single most important factor when buying acrylic paint is matching the paint body and color count to your project. A heavy body set for textured canvas work, a creamy medium set for general painting, or a fluid set for detail work, choose the consistency that fits your style, and the colors will follow.





