Choosing your first acrylic paint set is overwhelming — there are dozens of options at every price point, and not all of them are worth your money. We tested the most popular beginner sets to find which ones deliver real pigment quality, good color range, and value for money.
1. Arteza Premium Acrylic Paint Set — 60 Colors (Best Overall)
Arteza’s 60-color set consistently tops beginner recommendations for good reason. The pigmentation is strong, the colors are vibrant, and the set covers the full spectrum including earth tones, neutrals, and fluorescents. The tubes are generously sized and the price per color is hard to beat.
Best for: Complete beginners who want a full color range from day one.
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2. Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Set — 48 Colors (Best Mid-Range)
Liquitex BASICS is a student-grade paint from a professional brand. The pigment load is slightly lower than artist grade but significantly better than cheap craft paints. The colors mix predictably and the range is well thought out.
Best for: Beginners ready to invest slightly more for better color mixing behavior.
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3. Mont Marte Acrylic Paint Set — 36 Colors (Best Budget)
For absolute beginners on a tight budget, Mont Marte delivers surprisingly good results. The pigmentation is not as intense as Arteza or Liquitex, but the colors are workable and the price makes it easy to experiment without financial pressure.
Best for: First-time painters who want to try acrylics without a large investment.
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4. Golden Heavy Body Acrylics — Starter Set (Best Quality)
Golden is the gold standard for professional acrylic paint. Their Heavy Body formula has exceptional pigment density, buttery consistency, and the widest color range of any acrylic brand. The starter sets are small but every color is artist-grade.
Best for: Beginners who are serious about the craft and want to start with professional tools.
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5. Apple Barrel Craft Paint (Avoid for Fine Art)
Craft store acrylic paints like Apple Barrel are tempting at under $1 per bottle, but they are heavily diluted and lack the pigment load needed for real painting. They are fine for home crafts but frustrating for anyone learning painting seriously. Spend a little more — it makes a real difference.
Our Pick
For most beginners, the Arteza 60-color set hits the perfect balance of quality, range, and price. Once you have worked through it and understand which colors you reach for most, upgrading specific colors to artist-grade is the natural next step.