Our readers keep the lights on and the weekend projects moving. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
You want to learn watercolor, not learn how to mix the same three browns over and over again. A good beginner set gives you a real variety of colors that actually work the first time, plus the tools to put them on paper without guessing. This guide covers seven sets that skip the frustrating trial-and-error phase and get you painting right away.
I’m Rikta — the co-founder and writer behind FitlyFast. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You will find the right best beginner watercolor set for your skill level and budget by focusing on color range, portability, and the extras that actually matter, not the ones that just fill a box.
How To Choose The Best Beginner Watercolor Set
Your personal style decides the right set — where you paint, how often, and whether you prefer squeezing paint from a tube or dipping a brush into a pan. Ask yourself these three questions before buying.
Pan vs. Tube: Which paint form fits your style?
You activate solid pan paints with a damp brush — they stay in a compact box and travel cleanly, great for parks or cafés. Tube paints come as a liquid you squeeze onto a palette, giving you full control over the amount and making it easier to mix large washes. If you paint at a desk most of the time, tubes offer more flexibility. If you want to sketch on the go, pans win.
How many colors do you really need?
More colors do not automatically mean better results, but a wider palette saves you the frustration of trying to mix a bright turquoise from just red, yellow, and blue. For a true beginner, a set with at least 24 colors gives you enough variety to learn what each hue does. Sets with 48 or 100 colors include specialty shades like metallics and fluorescents, which are fun but not essential for learning the basics.
What extras are worth having in one box?
A brush or two, a mixing palette (a flat surface for combining paints), and a sponge are genuinely useful. A paper pad is a nice bonus, but the paper included in most kits is basic — you may still want to buy a separate pad of 100% cotton watercolor paper for better results. A color swatch chart (a sheet showing every paint color in the set after it dries) is a very helpful reference for beginners who have not yet learned to identify paints by sight.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taotree 100 Colors | Pan | Color variety explorers | 100 colors (50 regular + 35 metallic + 10 macaron + 5 fluorescent) | $15.99$24.99Amazon |
| Amazon Basics 24 Tubes | Tube | Bleed-free layering | 24 tubes at 0.4 oz each | $15.11Amazon |
| ARTISTRO 50 Color | Pan | Travel-ready compact case | 50 pans in a sturdy metal tin | $16.99$27.99PrimeAmazon |
| Nicpro 24 Tubes | Tube | Full kit with paper and brushes | 24 tubes + 25 paper sheets + 8 brushes | $17.99$25.99Amazon |
| MEEDEN 48 Colors | Pan | Customizable palette | 48 removable color blocks + 6 metallics | $24.95$26.95PrimeAmazon |
| Funto 48 Color Set | Pan | All-in-one with paper pad | 48 pans + 30-sheet pad (9″x12″) + 10 brushes | $29.99Amazon |
| CHROMATEK 128 Colors | Pan | Massive color selection | 128 pans with metallic, fluorescent, pastel, and opaque shades | $32.99Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Taotree Watercolor Paint Set, 100 Colors
$15.99$24.99as of Jul 14, 7:02 AMYou get 100 colors — 50 regular, 35 metallic, 10 macaron, and 5 fluorescent — which is a 4.2x larger palette than a standard 24-color set like the Amazon Basics. That means you can paint a shimmery gold leaf or a soft pastel sky without buying separate specialty paints. The solid pans dissolve with just a few drops of water, so you do not need to fight dry, crumbly blocks. Included are 3 water brush pens (brushes with refillable water reservoirs inside the handle) and a detail brush, so you start painting right away. Buyers report the “large color variety” is perfect for novice watercolorists. The portable tin box keeps everything organized, and the set meets the non-toxic ASTM D-4236 standard (a US safety standard), so it is safe if younger artists share the paints. A beginner who wants maximum color variety and a ready-to-go kit will appreciate this set more than any other here. But if you paint large washes often, the smaller pans mean you will refill favorite colors sooner.
Why it’s great
- 100 colors (including metallics and fluorescents) for maximum variety.
- Includes 3 water brush pens and 3 detail brushes.
- Non-toxic, conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards.
Good to know
- Pans are small — heavy use of one color will deplete it quickly.
- No paper pad is included in the kit.
2. Amazon Basics Vibrant Watercolor Paint Set, 24 Tubes
$15.11as of Jul 14, 7:02 AMThe Taotree set beats this one on color count (100 vs. 24), but the Amazon Basics tubes give you a different advantage — you squeeze out exactly as much paint as you need. Each tube holds 0.4 oz of creamy liquid watercolor. Owners mention the colors are “vibrant” and “doesn’t bleed through” paper, so it is a solid choice for layering washes (thin, transparent layers of paint) on cards or in coloring books. The color range covers the essential rainbow without any novelty shades, which helps a beginner learn mixing without being distracted by glitter or neon. The 24 tubes fit inside a storage box. The manufacturer describes the paint as having “good transparency and excellent tinting strength.” Skip the Taotree if you prefer tube paint over pans, or if your main goal is learning to mix your own shades rather than having every color pre-made. Also pick this if you paint larger surfaces where squeezing out a puddle of paint is more efficient than scrubbing a small pan.
Where it shines
- Creamy tube paint with excellent transparency and tinting strength.
- Vibrant colors that customers note do not bleed through paper.
- Easy to control the amount of paint you use.
Worth noting
- Only 24 colors — no metallics or specialty shades.
- Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.
3. ARTISTRO 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set
$16.99$27.99Prime priceas of Jul 14, 7:02 AMYou are at a café table or on a park bench and want to paint what you see — you need a box that fits in your bag, stays closed, and opens to a ready-to-use palette. The ARTISTRO set packs 50 pans into a compact metal tin that buyers describe as “sturdy and portable.” Inside is a built-in mixing palette, a water brush pen, a sponge, a drawing pencil, an eraser, and a swatch sheet (a paper showing each color dried). Reviewers point out the colors are “vibrant” and “activate quickly,” and the creamy texture blends smoothly. The set is certified non-toxic under ASTM D-4236 and EN71, so it is safe for teens and adults. It has 50 colors — more than double a basic 24-set — but the case is noticeably lighter and more compact than the Taotree 100-color box. The water brush pen has a learning curve for controlling water flow, and some users recommend upgrading to separate brushes for finer detail work.
What stands out
- 50 pans in a compact, sturdy metal tin for easy carrying.
- Includes water brush pen, mixing palette, sponge, and pencil.
- Non-toxic and certified safe for all ages.
The trade-offs
- The water brush pen has a learning curve for controlling water flow.
- Some users recommend upgrading to separate brushes for finer detail work.
4. Nicpro Watercolor Paint Set, 24 Tubes
$17.99$25.99as of Jul 14, 7:02 AMThe single number that matters most in a beginner set is the number of useful extras you get for your money — this Nicpro kit scores high with 24 tubes of paint, 25 sheets of watercolor paper (a separate pad you do not have to buy), 8 synthetic squirrel brushes, a plastic mixing palette, and a color wheel (a tool that shows color relationships) to teach you color theory. That is more paper and brushes than any other tube set on this list. The catch you accept is that tube paints require more setup than pans — you squeeze and mix on the palette, then clean up — but the payoff is a buttery consistency and easy mixing. Shoppers say the paints are “vibrant, non-running” and have “no odor,” with a formula that blends nicely. A few users noted the orange and yellow tubes arrived slightly separated, but overall they describe it as “a very good value for the price.” This kit delivers paper, brushes, and a learning tool that most other sets skip entirely.
The upsides
- 24 tubes + 25 paper sheets + 8 brushes + palette + color wheel.
- Buttery, easy-to-blend formula with no odor.
- Non-toxic and certified safe.
Keep in mind
- Tube paint requires more cleanup than pan paint.
- A few users reported minor separation in some tubes.
5. MEEDEN Watercolor Paint Set, 48 Colors
$24.95$26.95Prime priceas of Jul 14, 7:02 AMNo other set on this list lets you physically pop out the color blocks you use most and rearrange them. The MEEDEN gives you 48 colors (36 classic, 6 metallic, 3 fluorescent, and 3 macaron) in removable blocks you can swap into a different order or carry in a smaller case. The manufacturer claims the paint has “excellent transparency and fade resistance,” meaning colors stay see-through and do not lose intensity over time. The set includes a detachable palette, a brush, a sketch pencil, two sponges, an eraser, and two color swatch sheets. Reviewers confirm the paints are “very pigmented” and have a “professional feel.” The plastic case is sturdy but heavy — not ideal for ultralight travel. A few buyers noted the top mixing tray was stuck on arrival. Choose this over the others if you value the modular pan system, which lets you curate your palette as you develop preferences.
Why we’d pick it
- Removable color blocks let you customize your palette.
- 48 colors including metallics, fluorescents, and macaron shades.
- High pigmentation with good transparency and fade resistance.
A few caveats
- The plastic case is sturdy but heavy — not ideal for ultralight travel.
- A few buyers experienced minor issues with the mixing tray.
6. Funto Watercolor Set, 48 Colors
$29.99as of Jul 14, 7:02 AMYou open one box and everything is there — paints, brushes, paper, and accessories — without picking up a single extra item. The Funto set includes 48 pan colors, a glue-bound pad of 30 heavyweight sheets measuring 9 inches by 12 inches, 10 wooden brushes with nylon bristles, 4 refillable water brush pens, artist tape, a sponge, and a mixing tray. Buyers report the paper is “thick and heavy” enough to prevent warping through multiple washes. The cold-pressed surface (a slightly textured paper that grips pigment well) absorbs colors evenly. Buyers noted this kit works for a wide age range — one review described using it with a 5-year-old grandson, while another mentioned it provided “2 hours of engagement” for a dementia patient. The set does not include a sketching pencil, and the pans are standard size rather than jumbo, so heavy users of specific colors may need refills sooner. This is the most complete all-in-one option on the list.
Strong points
- 48 pans + 30-sheet heavyweight paper pad (9″x12″).
- 10 brushes and 4 refillable water brush pens included.
- Thick paper resists warping with multiple washes.
Before you buy
- No sketching pencil in the kit.
- Standard-size pans may run out faster for heavy users.
7. CHROMATEK Watercolor Paint Set, 128 Colors
$32.99as of Jul 14, 7:02 AMNo other set in this guide offers 128 distinct shades — including metallic, fluorescent, pastel, and opaque finishes. This is the set for a beginner who wants to experiment with color without ever reaching for a mixer. The 128 pans sit in a sturdy outer box that fits into a velvet carry bag. You also get a pencil, eraser, sharpener, aqua pen (a water brush with a refillable reservoir), a traditional brush, a sponge, a 10-page paper pad, 2 swatch sheets, and a plastic palette. Owners mention the colors are “vibrant” and “easy to use.” However, the metallic pans require more time soaking to reach full opacity because the pigment is less concentrated than the regular colors. The white paint is less opaque than the others — buying a separate white tube may help. This is ideal if you want to experiment with color without mixing, but the sheer number of pans means each one is small.
What we like
- 128 pans — the largest color selection in this guide.
- Includes velvet travel bag, water brush, pencil, paper, and swatch sheets.
- Non-toxic with a wide range of specialty finishes.
The downsides
- Metallic pigments need more time to saturate.
- White paint is less opaque than the other colors — buying a separate white tube may help.
Understanding the Specs
Pan vs. Tube: What each form does for you
Pan paints are solid blocks you activate with a wet brush — they are dry to the touch, travel without spilling, and let you see every color at a glance. Tube paints are a liquid you squeeze onto a palette, giving you full control over how much paint you use and making it easier to mix large puddles of wash. Pans are better for quick sketching and travel; tubes are better for sustained studio painting where you are layering many washes.
Pigment quality and lightfastness
Pigment quality determines how rich and permanent the color is once dry. Higher-quality paints contain more finely ground pigment and less binder (the substance that holds the pigment in the paint), which means the color stays vibrant even when diluted with a lot of water. Lightfastness refers to how well the paint resists fading when exposed to sunlight over time — beginner sets rarely list a lightfast rating, but any set that conforms to ASTM D-4236 has at least passed basic quality checks for non-toxicity and consistency.
FAQ
How many colors do I really need as a total beginner?
Are the brushes that come with beginner sets worth using?
Should I worry about the paint being non-toxic?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
The Taotree 100 Colors wins for most users because it gives you 100 shades and three water brush pens in a travel-friendly tin — far more variety than any 24-color set at a price that undercuts those smaller kits. If you prefer tube paint for easier mixing and bleed-free layering, grab the Amazon Basics 24 Tubes. And if you want a complete studio in a box with a paper pad and ten brushes, the Funto 48 Color Set is the most gear-rich all-in-one option.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.