You’re probably wondering why so many artists keep recommending the same palettes. It’s no coincidence that certain designs dominate studio spaces everywhere. Whether you’re a student stretching your budget or a professional seeking precision, you’ll find the perfect palette suits your needs. But which one’s actually worth your investment? The answer depends on factors you might not have considered yet.
Quick Overview
- Premium ceramic palettes offer non-beading surfaces and generous well spacing for seamless medium blending and professional-grade results.
- Large capacity watercolor palettes with 24 deep wells and multiple mixing areas accommodate various pigments and techniques efficiently.
- Compact ceramic palettes provide ample mixing space in a portable 7×7 inch format suitable for multiple medium types.
- Airtight lid designs on plastic palettes keep pigments fresh longer, essential for artists who invest in quality colors.
- Folding palettes with brush holes and thumb grips offer convenient portability without sacrificing capacity or functionality for professionals.
| Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid |
| Best For Travel | Number of Wells: 18 wells | Material: White plastic | Mixing Areas: 2 large mixing areas | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| 20 Well Watercolor Paint Tray Palette White |
| Most Versatile Wells | Number of Wells: 20 wells | Material: White plastic | Mixing Areas: Ample mixing space | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| MEEDEN 12-Well Round Porcelain Watercolor Paint Palette |
| Premium Ceramic Choice | Number of Wells: 12 wells | Material: White ceramic | Mixing Areas: Ample mixing space | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| MEEDEN 8-Well Ceramic Artist Paint Palette |
| Editor’s Choice | Number of Wells: 8 wells | Material: White ceramic | Mixing Areas: 8-well mixing area | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Junreox Watercolor Palette with 24 Wells and Mixing Areas |
| Best For Professionals | Number of Wells: 24 wells | Material: Plastic | Mixing Areas: 5 mixing areas | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| MEEDEN 18-Well Porcelain Artist Paint Palette |
| Best Overall | Number of Wells: 18 wells | Material: White ceramic | Mixing Areas: 1 large mixing area | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| SUNIY Watercolor Palette with 33 Compartments |
| Most Compartments | Number of Wells: 33 compartments | Material: White plastic | Mixing Areas: 5 central reservoirs | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid
The Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid offers you practical storage for your pigments. You’ll appreciate the sturdy white plastic construction and 18 wells designed for organizing different colors. The airtight lid keeps your paint pans moist between sessions, reducing waste and preparation time. Two large mixing areas give you ample space for blending. You can easily clean the palette after use, making maintenance hassle-free. This folding tray suits watercolor, acrylic, and water-based pigments, serving students, occasional users, and professionals alike. Whether you’re painting in your classroom, traveling, or working outdoors, this palette keeps your colors tidy and accessible.
- Number of Wells:18 wells
- Material:White plastic
- Mixing Areas:2 large mixing areas
- Portability:Folding tray, travel-suitable
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, acrylic, water-based pigments
- Intended Users:Students, occasional users, professional artists
- Additional Feature:Airtight lid keeps paints moist
- Additional Feature:Folding paint tray design
- Additional Feature:Two large mixing areas
20 Well Watercolor Paint Tray Palette White
If you’re juggling multiple colors across different projects, this 20-well palette won’t leave you scrambling for mixing space. The white plastic tray measures 13 x 10 inches—slightly larger than A4—yet weighs only 0.35 pounds, making it genuinely portable. You’ll find eight squares, four large circles, and eight small circles for organizing and blending your paints. Teachers, students, and professionals alike rely on this palette for watercolor, acrylic, and gouache work. Its sturdy construction verifies durability through countless projects, while cleanup takes seconds since paint washes off quickly. Whether you’re teaching art classes, crafting at home, or creating professionally, this reusable palette delivers functional design without compromise.
- Number of Wells:20 wells
- Material:White plastic
- Mixing Areas:Ample mixing space
- Portability:Lightweight (0.35 lb), portable
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, acrylic, gouache
- Intended Users:Teachers, students, amateurs, professionals
- Additional Feature:Varied well shapes/sizes
- Additional Feature:Lightweight at 0.35 lb
- Additional Feature:Quick paint washoff capability
MEEDEN 12-Well Round Porcelain Watercolor Paint Palette
For artists seeking a versatile palette that shifts effortlessly between studio and field work, MEEDEN’s 12-well round porcelain option delivers professional-grade functionality. You’ll appreciate the premium white eco-friendly ceramic construction that withstands regular use without compromising durability. The seven-inch diameter and generous well spacing give you ample room for mixing colors without overcrowding your workspace. Its smooth, non-beading surface lets you blend seamlessly across mediums—watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, and tempera all work beautifully here. Cleanup’s straightforward thanks to the glazed finish, and you’ll find the one-inch height provides just enough containment for your pigments. Whether you’re working in your studio or painting outdoors, this palette’s thoughtful design makes it an essential tool.
- Number of Wells:12 wells
- Material:White ceramic
- Mixing Areas:Ample mixing space
- Portability:Studio or field use
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, tempera
- Intended Users:All skill levels
- Additional Feature:Premium eco-friendly ceramic material
- Additional Feature:Round 7-inch diameter design
- Additional Feature:No paint beading surface
MEEDEN 8-Well Ceramic Artist Paint Palette
MEEDEN’s 8-well ceramic palette stands out as an excellent choice for artists who value versatility and durability. This eco-friendly white ceramic palette accommodates watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, and tempera painting, giving you flexibility across mediums. Its smooth surface cleans effortlessly, saving you time between sessions. At 7″ x 7″, the compact size fits comfortably in your studio or travel kit while providing ample mixing space. With 4.9 stars from over 1,200 reviews, users consistently praise its quality. You’ll appreciate the 100% satisfaction guarantee backing your investment, ensuring you can paint confidently knowing MEEDEN stands behind their product.
- Number of Wells:8 wells
- Material:White ceramic
- Mixing Areas:8-well mixing area
- Portability:Studio or field use
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, tempera
- Intended Users:Artists, professionals, students, teachers
- Additional Feature:4.9/5 star rating (1,224 reviews)
- Additional Feature:100% satisfaction guarantee
- Additional Feature:Premium eco-friendly ceramic material
Junreox Watercolor Palette with 24 Wells and Mixing Areas
The Junreox palette’s 24 deep wells and five dedicated mixing areas make it an excellent choice for artists who work with multiple pigments simultaneously. You’ll appreciate its practical design—it folds compactly to 11.8×5.35×0.78 inches for travel but unfolds flat for comfortable painting sessions. The five brush holes keep your tools within reach, while the thumb hole guarantees a secure grip. This lightweight palette works beautifully with watercolors, gouache, acrylics, and pigments, making it versatile for students and professionals alike. Just remember it isn’t airtight, so empty it before traveling or use solid paints to prevent drying issues.
- Number of Wells:24 wells
- Material:Plastic
- Mixing Areas:5 mixing areas
- Portability:Lightweight, foldable, travel-friendly
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, gouache, acrylics, pigments
- Intended Users:Students to professionals
- Additional Feature:Five brush hole compartments
- Additional Feature:Opens flat for painting
- Additional Feature:Travel-friendly folding design
MEEDEN 18-Well Porcelain Artist Paint Palette
If you’re serious about mixing vibrant, layered watercolors, you’ll appreciate the MEEDEN 18-Well Porcelain Artist Paint Palette‘s thoughtful design. This premium ceramic palette features 18 deep wells and a spacious mixing area, giving you plenty of room to experiment with color combinations. The smooth white surface lets paint spread effortlessly and wipes clean without residue. At 8×5.5×0.75 inches, it’s substantial enough to resist tipping during studio sessions or fieldwork. Beyond watercolor, you can use it for gouache, acrylic, oil, and tempera. The eco-friendly construction guarantees durability while supporting your artistic practice and color-mixing development.
- Number of Wells:18 wells
- Material:White ceramic
- Mixing Areas:1 large mixing area
- Portability:Studio or field work
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, tempera
- Intended Users:All skill levels
- Additional Feature:Sufficient weight prevents flipping
- Additional Feature:Deep wells for paint
- Additional Feature:One large mixing area
SUNIY Watercolor Palette with 33 Compartments
You’ll appreciate SUNIY’s foldable design if you’re an artist or student who values portability without sacrificing workspace. This palette unfolds to 26 x 27 cm, giving you ample room for 28 small wells, 5 central reservoirs, and multiple brush holders. The thumbhole accommodates both right and left-handed painters, while the premium plastic construction maintains paints moist throughout your session. Though the lid doesn’t close easily, the compact folded size halves for convenient storage and transport. You’ll find this palette ideal for workshops, art classes, and painting parties. Its durable, easy-to-clean material guarantees longevity across countless creative projects.
- Number of Wells:33 compartments
- Material:White plastic
- Mixing Areas:5 central reservoirs
- Portability:Foldable, compact storage
- Compatible Paint Types:Watercolor and various mediums
- Intended Users:Artists, students, crafters, enthusiasts
- Additional Feature:Ambidextrous thumb hole design
- Additional Feature:Five different sized brush holders
- Additional Feature:Maintains paint moisture retention
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Palette for Watercolor
You’ll want to evaluate several key factors when selecting your watercolor palette, including the number of paint wells that suit your color preferences and the material quality that’ll withstand regular use. Consider how much mixing space you need for blending colors and whether you prioritize portability for on-the-go painting or a larger setup for studio work. Finally, guarantee your chosen palette is compatible with your preferred paint medium, whether you’re using tubes, pans, or liquid watercolors.
Number of Paint Wells
Watercolor palettes typically feature anywhere from 8 to over 30 paint wells, each option offering distinct advantages depending on your needs. Fewer wells require you to mix more colors directly on the palette surface, which works well if you’re comfortable blending hues spontaneously. More wells give you superior color organization and separation, letting you maintain distinct pigments without constant mixing.
Your choice hinges on your painting style and portability requirements. If you work primarily in your studio, a larger palette with numerous wells provides excellent versatility and reduces mixing time. For plein air painting, you’ll appreciate a compact palette with fewer wells—it’s lightweight and easier to transport. Additionally, consider well depth and arrangement; deeper wells and strategically placed mixing areas considerably enhance functionality and workflow.
Material Quality and Durability
The material you choose makes or breaks your palette’s longevity and functionality. You’ll want a surface that’s durable, easy to clean, and non-porous so paint doesn’t seep in.
Ceramic and porcelain palettes deliver smooth, non-absorbent surfaces that resist stains and scratches exceptionally well. If you’re budget-conscious, plastic palettes offer affordability and lightweight portability, though they’re susceptible to warping and cracking over time. Metal options provide sturdy, long-lasting durability for heavy users, though they’re less common.
Consider thickness and weight too—heavier palettes stay stable and won’t tip easily. Thinner palettes wobble more, disrupting your workflow. Ultimately, ceramic or porcelain gives you the best balance of durability and functionality, making them worth the investment for serious artists.
Mixing Space Availability
Once you’ve settled on a durable palette material, it’s time to think about how much room you’ll actually need for blending colors. The size and number of mixing wells directly impact your creative flexibility. Larger palettes with expansive mixing areas let you experiment freely with multiple color combinations simultaneously. However, if you’re a traveling artist, compact palettes with deeper wells offer excellent portability without sacrificing functionality. Consider your painting style too. Abstract or experimental work benefits from generous mixing space, while detailed, controlled work might need less room. The layout and shape of wells also matter—thoughtfully arranged sections improve organization and workflow. Match your palette’s mixing capacity to your specific needs and habits for ideal results.
Portability and Size
Finding the right balance between capacity and convenience shapes your entire painting experience. You’ll want to evaluate how portability factors into your painting habits and lifestyle.
If you’re sketching outdoors or traveling frequently, you’ll benefit from a lightweight, compact palette that won’t burden your kit. These smaller designs offer practical folding mechanisms that maximize storage efficiency without sacrificing functionality.
Conversely, if you work primarily in your studio, a larger palette gives you expansive mixing space and numerous color wells. You won’t worry about transporting it regularly.
Consider the dimensions and weight carefully—they determine whether your palette fits comfortably in your bag or painting gear. The ideal choice aligns your mixing needs with realistic portability demands, ensuring you’ll actually carry it wherever you paint.
Paint Medium Compatibility
While size and portability determine where you’ll paint, your palette’s material composition determines how your paints will perform. You’ll want a palette compatible with water-based mediums like watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paints. The surface material—plastic, ceramic, or metal—directly impacts paint behavior and blending capabilities. Ceramic’s porous surface allows paint to spread and mix more smoothly than non-porous alternatives, giving you superior color shifts. Wells or depressions keep your colors separated, preventing unwanted mixing that compromises your work. The number and size of wells accommodate your specific needs, whether you’re creating small studies or laying down larger washes. Consider these compatibility factors carefully; they’ll considerably influence your painting experience and final results.
