10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States

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.

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set offers 20 essential colors in convenient 5ml tubes, making it a solid choice for beginners or hobbyists exploring watercolor painting. These paints fall into the student-quality category, which means they provide good color and transparency but use some more affordable pigments to keep costs lower than professional-grade paints. The tube form is handy for mixing and controlling paint amount, especially for those new to watercolors.

This set covers a good range of basic hues, including yellows, reds, blues, greens, and earth tones, allowing you to mix many shades for different projects. The paints emphasize high transparency, which is great for layering colors and achieving that classic watercolor look. They also offer strong lightfastness, so your artwork is less likely to fade over time when displayed indoors.

Because it’s a student set, some colors may not be as vibrant or permanent as professional options, and the pigment quality is slightly compromised to keep the price economical. For those looking for a starter kit balancing quality and value, this Cotman set suits beginners or casual painters who want reliable, easy-to-use watercolors without a steep investment. Professional artists or those needing the highest pigment intensity and permanence might prefer upgrading to a professional line.