10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States

The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set offers professional-quality watercolor paints that are ideal for artists and serious hobbyists. With 48 colors, this set provides a broad color range, ensuring you have plenty of options for your artwork. The paints are in pans, which is convenient for mixing and using with both small and large brushes, thanks to their larger-than-average size. This flexibility is a significant advantage for various painting techniques.

The colors are vivid and opaque, which is typical of traditional Japanese Gansai watercolors, making them suitable for bold and expressive artwork. However, this opacity might not be the best fit if you prefer more transparent layers in your paintings. Additionally, the paints dry to a slight shiny finish, which some artists may appreciate, while others might not. The set includes a protective sheet that doubles as a palette mixer and a color chart for easy swatching, making it user-friendly.

The packaging is beautiful and suitable for gift-giving, adding an aesthetic touch. The paints are non-toxic and made in Japan, ensuring safety and quality. The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set is a versatile and high-quality option for those who enjoy vibrant, easy-to-use watercolors but may not be the best choice if you need highly transparent colors.

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is a solid choice for both beginners and hobbyists looking for quality at a reasonable price. The set includes 12 vibrant 8ml tubes, which cover a good range of colors necessary for various projects. One of its strengths is the good transparency and tinting strength, allowing users to create beautiful washes and layers in their artwork. Additionally, the paint is rated AA and A for lightfastness, meaning your artwork will retain its vibrancy over time, which is a significant plus for any artist.

However, since these paints are categorized as student-grade, they may not meet the expectations of professional artists who prefer higher pigment concentrations and richer hues found in professional-grade paints. The use of less expensive pigments does mean a slight compromise in some color richness compared to premium options.

In terms of form, the paint comes in tubes, which is convenient for mixing and controlling the amount used, especially for those who appreciate the flexibility of squeezing out the desired amount. However, some users might prefer pans for easier portability or storage. This watercolor set is particularly beneficial for artists working on paper and those who are learning the craft, as the user-friendly characteristics and vibrant colors help foster creativity. The Winsor & Newton Cotman set serves well for those looking to explore or enhance their watercolor skills without breaking the bank.

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.