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Best Acrylic Paint Set (2026): 8 Sets Compared

By Daniel CarterUpdated 5 Nov 2026

Best acrylic paint set, compared on color count, bottle size and included extras, based on current Amazon listings.

The best acrylic paint set for you depends on how many colors you need, what container size you prefer, and whether brushes or a palette come in the box. Based on the details stated in the listings, our top three picks are the Shuttle Art 36-color set with brushes and palette, the Nicpro 24-color set with 12 brushes and a palette, and the 48-color professional acrylic paint set. We have not tested these products ourselves.

Our top picks

#1Top pick

Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set, 36 Colors with Brushes and Palette

Best for: Buyers who want 36 colors with brushes and a palette in one set

• 36 colors, 2 oz / 60 ml bottles, brushes and palette

Check Price on Amazon → Full review

#2Largest color count

48 Colors Professional Acrylic Paint Set

Best for: Buyers who want the most colors in one set from this list

• 48 colors
• container size specification not stated

Check Price on Amazon → Full review

#3Brushes and palette with 24 colors

Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set 24 Colors 2oz with 12 Brushes and Palette

Best for: Buyers who want 24 colors plus brushes and a palette

• 24 colors, 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette

Check Price on Amazon → Full review

Other awards:

• Brushes included without a palette: Caliart Acrylic Paint Set of 36 Colors with 12 Brushes, 36 colors and 12 brushes.
• Tube format: Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set, 30 x 12ml Tubes, 30 colors in 12 ml tubes.
• Matte finish: Apple Barrel Vibrant Spectrum Collection Acrylic Craft Paint, 16 assorted matte colors in 2 fl oz units.
• Largest container size stated: Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set, 14 Colors Large Bulk (500 ml), 500 ml (16.9 oz).

Quick comparison table

"Specification not stated" means the listing title did not give that detail. Prices and customer ratings are not included in this comparison.

How we researched these acrylic paint sets

We searched within the Arts & Crafts > Paint category and worked from Amazon listing titles and ASINs accessed on November 5, 2026. We started with a wider set of candidate listings and selected eight that differ from each other in color count, container type or size, or included extras.

What we verified: each ASIN and title, as supplied for this article. What we did not verify: full listing bullets, manufacturer documents, current prices, or independent reviews. We did not test these sets ourselves. This article quotes no prices, and any spec missing from a title is marked "specification not stated."

Shuttle Art 36-Color Acrylic Paint Set with Brushes and Palette: Top pick

Real-world scenario: A family project on canvas, rocks or wood would have the colors and brushes in one box, based on the surfaces the title lists.

Compared with alternatives: It has the same 36-color count as the Caliart set. Its title also states a palette and the 2 oz / 60 ml bottle size, while the Caliart title lists 12 brushes but no palette or bottle size.

What we like:

• Brushes and a palette are both stated in the title.
• The title lists canvas, rocks, ceramic and wood as surfaces.
• The bottle size is stated as 2 oz / 60 ml.

Keep in mind:

• Brush count and palette type are specification not stated.

Caliart Acrylic Paint Set of 36 Colors with 12 Brushes: Brushes included

Real-world scenario: A buyer who wants a 36-color set with brushes, and does not need a stated bottle size or surface list, fits this listing's details.

Compared with alternatives: It matches the Shuttle Art 36-color set on color count. Its title states brushes but not a palette, and it does not state a bottle size.

What we like:

• 36 colors and 12 brushes are both stated in the title.
• Its color count matches the top pick.

Keep in mind:

• Container size, pigment type and surfaces are specification not stated.

Shuttle Art 30-Tube Acrylic Paint Set: Tube format

Real-world scenario: A buyer who wants many colors in small amounts across the listed surfaces would consider the tube format.

Compared with alternatives: It has six fewer colors than the top pick, and its 12 ml tubes are one-fifth the 60 ml size of that set's bottles. Both titles state non-toxic and rich pigments.

What we like:

• The tube format is stated as 30 x 12 ml.
• The title lists seven surface types.
• Non-toxic and rich pigments are both stated.

Keep in mind:

• Brushes and palette are specification not stated.

Apple Barrel Vibrant Spectrum Collection Acrylic Craft Paint: Matte finish

Real-world scenario: A crafter who wants a matte look across 16 assorted colors would look at this listing.

Compared with alternatives: It has fewer colors than the 18-, 24- and 36-color sets. It is the only title in this list that states a matte finish, and its title calls it craft paint rather than artist paint.

What we like:

• The matte finish is stated.
• The title gives a clear count of 16.
• The unit size of 2 fl oz is stated.

Keep in mind:

• Non-toxic status, pigment type and surfaces are specification not stated.

Shuttle Art 18-Color Acrylic Paint Bottle Set: 250 ml bottles

Real-world scenario: A beginner who wants larger bottles of fewer colors would consider this set.

Compared with alternatives: Its 250 ml bottles are much larger than the 2 oz / 60 ml bottles in the top pick and the 24-color Nicpro set. It has 18 colors compared with 36 in the top pick.

What we like:

• The 250 ml / 8.45 oz bottle size is stated.
• The title names artists, beginners and kids as users.
• Five surfaces are listed.

Keep in mind:

• Brushes and palette are specification not stated.
• It has fewer colors than most sets in this list.

Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set, 14 Colors Large Bulk: Largest container size stated

Real-world scenario: Someone who uses large amounts of a few colors would consider this set.

Compared with alternatives: Its 500 ml containers are twice the 250 ml size of the 18-color Shuttle Art set. It has four fewer colors than that set.

What we like:

• The 500 ml / 16.9 oz container size is stated.
• The bulk format is stated in the title.
• The title names artists as the target user.

Keep in mind:

• It has the fewest colors in this list.
• Container type is specification not stated.

48-Color Professional Acrylic Paint Set: Largest color count

Real-world scenario: An artist who wants the widest color range from one set would start with this listing.

Compared with alternatives: It has 12 more colors than the 36-color Shuttle Art and Caliart sets. Its title gives no bottle size or brush count, which those two titles do state.

What we like:

• The 48-color count is the highest in this list.
• The title positions it for professional and artist use.

Keep in mind:

• Container size, brushes and pigment type are specification not stated.

Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set 24 Colors 2oz with 12 Brushes and Palette: Brushes and palette

Real-world scenario: A buyer who wants brushes and a palette with a mid-range color count would look at this set.

Compared with alternatives: It uses the same 2 oz size as the top pick, with 12 fewer colors. Unlike the Caliart set, its title also names a palette.

What we like:

• 12 brushes and a palette are both stated in the title.
• The 2 oz size is stated.
• It sits between the smaller and larger color counts in this list.

Keep in mind:

• Pigment type, non-toxic status and surfaces are specification not stated.

How to choose the best acrylic paint set

Color count

Color counts in this list run from 14 to 48. A higher count gives more ready-made colors to mix from. A lower count in a larger container suits a buyer who mainly uses a few colors.

Container size and format

The listings state five formats: 12 ml tubes, 2 fl oz units, 2 oz / 60 ml bottles, 250 ml / 8.45 oz bottles and 500 ml / 16.9 oz containers. Larger containers hold more paint per color, while the 12 ml tubes hold the least.

Included brushes and palette

Only three titles state included extras: the top pick (brushes and palette), the Caliart set (12 brushes) and the 24-color Nicpro set (12 brushes and palette). For the other five, check the full listing before you buy.

Surfaces listed

Three titles list the surfaces they are meant for: the top pick, the 30-tube Shuttle Art set and the 18-color Shuttle Art set. Canvas, rocks, wood and ceramic appear in more than one title, so check that your surface is in the list.

Finish and pigment

Matte finish is stated only for the Apple Barrel set. Rich pigments are stated for three Shuttle Art sets, and non-toxic is stated for the 36-color and 30-tube Shuttle Art sets.

Price

Prices were not part of our source data, so this article does not rank these sets by cost. Compare current prices on the listing before you buy, since prices change.

Frequently asked questions

How many colors do I need in an acrylic paint set?

There is no single correct number. The sets here range from 14 to 48 colors. Smaller sets cover basic mixing, while larger sets give more ready-made colors.

Are these acrylic paint sets safe for kids?

Only two titles state non-toxic: the 36-color Shuttle Art set and the 30-tube Shuttle Art set. Check the product label before giving any set to children.

Can I paint on rocks, wood and ceramic with these sets?

Some titles say so. The top pick, the 30-tube Shuttle Art set and the 18-color Shuttle Art set list rocks, wood and ceramic among their surfaces. Other titles do not state surfaces, so check the listing or label.

Do I need brushes if the set does not include them?

Not always. Several titles do not state brushes, including the Apple Barrel, 48-color, 30-tube, 18-color and 14-color sets. Check the listing before you buy if you need brushes.

How does a 12 ml tube compare with a 2 oz bottle?

A 2 oz bottle is about 60 ml. A 12 ml tube is one-fifth of that, so each color in the tube set holds less paint than a 2 oz bottle.

Sources

• Amazon.com product listings for all eight sets, accessed November 5, 2026. Product titles and ASINs come from these listings.

Verified: 2026-11-05

Daniel Carter Staff Writer

I enjoy researching everyday products, comparing features, and finding options that offer real value. Here at 5 BESTPRO, I share practical buying guides and helpful product insights to make choosing the right product a little easier. My goal is to help you shop with confidence and spend your money wisely. Read our editorial policy.