Best Acrylic Paint Sets
Top acrylic paint sets ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic 48-Color Set
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Professional pigments at student price
- Professional pigments at student price
- 48-color comprehensive palette
Cons
- Lower pigment concentration than pro line
- Lower pigment concentration than pro line
- Small 22mL tube sizes
Don't buy this if…
- The 22mL tubes run out quickly if painting large canvases so consider buying key colors in larger tubes separately.
- The 22mL tubes run out quickly if painting large canvases so consider buying key colors in larger tubes separately.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Highest pigment concentration available
- Highest pigment concentration available
- Single-pigment clean mixing
Cons
- Only 6 colors in starter set
- Only 6 colors in starter set
- Premium price per tube
Don't buy this if…
- Golden Heavy Body acrylics dry darker than they appear wet so test colors on a scrap surface before committing.
- Golden Heavy Body acrylics dry darker than they appear wet so test colors on a scrap surface before committing.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Royal Talens quality brand
- Royal Talens quality brand
- Excellent coverage and intensity
Cons
- 20mL tubes are small
- 20mL tubes are small
- Some colors less lightfast
Don't buy this if…
- Check the lightfastness rating on each tube as some colors like certain reds and purples may fade in direct sunlight.
- Check the lightfastness rating on each tube as some colors like certain reds and purples may fade in direct sunlight.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 60 colors including metallics and neons
- 60 colors including metallics and neons
- ACMI non-toxic certification
Cons
- Some colors less opaque
- Some colors less opaque
- Consistency varies between batches
Don't buy this if…
- Metallic and neon colors have lower pigment density and may require 2 to 3 coats for full coverage.
- Metallic and neon colors have lower pigment density and may require 2 to 3 coats for full coverage.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Generous 60mL tube sizes
- Generous 60mL tube sizes
- Trusted artist brand heritage
Cons
- Only 10 colors in set
- Only 10 colors in set
- Student grade not professional
Don't buy this if…
- Galeria paints dry slightly lighter and more matte than professional Winsor & Newton ranges.
- Galeria paints dry slightly lighter and more matte than professional Winsor & Newton ranges.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Very affordable craft paint
- Very affordable craft paint
- 2 oz bottles for generous volume
Cons
- Not suitable for fine art canvas work
- Not suitable for fine art canvas work
- Lower pigment concentration
Don't buy this if…
- Apple Barrel is a craft paint and lacks the pigment quality and lightfastness needed for gallery artwork.
- Apple Barrel is a craft paint and lacks the pigment quality and lightfastness needed for gallery artwork.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Good value 36mL tube sizes
- Good value 36mL tube sizes
- Balanced quality and price
Cons
- Limited availability in some regions
- Limited availability in some regions
- Packaging can crack in shipping
Don't buy this if…
- Store tubes upright with caps tightened as the paint dries quickly once exposed to air.
- Store tubes upright with caps tightened as the paint dries quickly once exposed to air.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 48 curated colors for various genres
- 48 curated colors for various genres
- Color mixing guide included
Cons
- Tube quality feels thin
- Tube quality feels thin
- Some colors overly similar in hue
Don't buy this if…
- Several colors in the 48-pack are very close in hue and could be mixed from primaries so the range is less diverse than it appears.
- Several colors in the 48-pack are very close in hue and could be mixed from primaries so the range is less diverse than it appears.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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