Finding the best gouache sets in 2026 got a lot harder after I opened ten boxes in my studio and started swatching them side by side. Gouache (pronounced “gwash”) is an opaque, water-based paint that dries to a velvety matte finish, giving you the coverage of acrylic with the re-wettability of watercolor. It’s the secret weapon behind most editorial illustration, comic art, and design work you admire online.
A curated gouache set saves you from buying 30 individual tubes and guessing which pigments actually mix cleanly together. I tested each set across four weeks of mixed-media sketching, portrait studies, and landscape washes. Below is the honest ranking, the brands I’d skip, and the sets I’d buy again with my own money.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks at a Glance (September 2026)
HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache…
- 24 vibrant colors
- Opaque matte finish
- Portable jelly-cup case
ARTEZA 24-Tube Gouache Set
- 24 colors in 12ml tubes
- Creamy opaque texture
- Pigment data on tubes
The Best Gouache Sets in 2026: Full Comparison
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache |
|
Check Latest Price |
| ARTEZA 24-Tube Gouache Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
| HIMI 18-Color Jelly Gouache |
|
Check Latest Price |
 ARTEZA 60-Color Gouache Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Intro |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Turner Acrylic Gouache 24-Color Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
 MyArtscape 12-Color Gouache Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
 U.S. Art Supply 36-Color Gouache Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
 MEEDEN 48-Color Gouache Set |
|
Check Latest Price |
 ARTME 36-Color Twin Jelly Gouache |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set Overall
HIMI Gouache Paint Set, 24 Colors x 1 oz, Jelly Cup, Non-Toxic(Green)
24 colors in 30ml jelly cups
Opaque matte finish
Portable case with brushes
Pros
- Highly pigmented with rich coverage
- Creamy consistency that rewets well after drying
- Dries to flat matte finish supporting clean layering
- Beginner-friendly and versatile across surfaces
- Non-toxic and ASTM D-4236 certified
Cons
- Included brushes are low quality
- Color names sometimes don't match actual paint
I pulled this set out first because it has more than 5,000 reviews and the price undercuts almost every professional brand. After four weeks of daily use, I get why it’s the editor’s choice. Each jelly cup holds about 30ml of paint, and the pigment load is genuinely impressive for the price point. One coat covered the swatch card cleanly, and the matte finish layered without muddying.
The standout feature for me was the carrying case. The airtight seal kept every cup wet between sessions, even when I forgot to close the lid for a day. Reddit users on r/Gouache consistently recommend HIMI as the budget-friendly upgrade from student-grade sets, and my testing backs that up.
Where this set really earns its ranking is the re-wettability. I left a couple of cups open overnight and reactivated the paint with three drops of water. No crumbling, no chalky residue. That’s a real problem with cheaper gouache, and HIMI handles it cleanly.
The downsides are real but mild. The brushes included are basic — plan on swapping them out. Some color names on the labels don’t perfectly match the dried paint, so swatch your set before committing to a palette plan. Neither issue is a deal-breaker at this price.
Set size and format
Twenty-four 30ml jelly cups give you roughly 720ml of paint total. That’s enough for dozens of small studies or several larger illustrations. The jelly-cup format keeps paint wet longer than open tubes on a palette, which makes this set ideal if you sketch in short bursts.
Who should buy it
Beginners who want maximum color variety without breaking the bank. Students building a sketchbook practice. Anyone who values portability over open-stock tubes. If you’re stepping into gouache for the first time, this is the safest starting point I tested.
2. ARTEZA 24-Tube Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Transparency
ARTEZA Gouache Paint, Set of 24, 12ml/0.4 US fl oz Gouache Paint Tubes, Gouache Set for Adults and Students
24 colors in 12ml tubes
Opaque matte finish
Creamy blendable texture
Pros
- Creamy and opaque with vibrant color payoff
- Pigment numbers and lightfastness printed on tubes
- Rewets well for blending and corrections
- Includes storage trays
- Works for beginners and advanced users
Cons
- Color names not printed directly on tubes
- Darker tints may fade with heavy dilution
ARTEZA is one of the few budget gouache brands that actually prints pigment numbers, lightfastness ratings, and transparency data on every tube. After testing it against premium brands costing three times more, I can tell you that opacity and blendability held their own. The 12ml tubes fit comfortably in my hand and the storage trays keep everything organized.
Where this set shines is honest labeling. Most cheap gouache hides its pigment load behind vague color names. ARTEZA tells you exactly what’s in the tube, which matters if you plan to do any fine art or sell your work. The colors rewet cleanly on the palette after a few hours, so you can blend large areas without rushing.
For my landscape studies, the earth tones and greens were particularly strong. I mixed a forest range using sap green, burnt umber, and a touch of ivory black — the resulting hues were nuanced and held their chroma after drying.
The trade-off is that color names aren’t printed on the tubes themselves. You’ll want to keep the box lid nearby or label your tubes with a paint pen. A few darker pinks and purples also showed slight fading in my dilution tests, so if you’re working with those shades, lay them down a touch more concentrated.
Tubes vs jelly cups
The tube format lets you dispense only what you need, which reduces waste. If you paint in long sessions and prefer a traditional palette workflow, this format beats jelly cups. Tubes also fit standard gouache tube racks.
Who should buy it
Intermediate artists who care about pigment transparency. Students learning color theory who want honest labeling. Illustrators who already know which colors they use most and just want reliable refills at a fair price.
3. HIMI 18-Color Jelly Gouache — Best Portable Gouache Set
HIMI Gouache Paints Set, 18 Colors, 30g, jelly gouache paint set, Non Toxic Paint for Canvas and Paper, Art Supplies for Professionals, and More (Green Case
18 colors in 30g jelly cups
Sealed carrying case
Includes brushes and palette
Pros
- Thick
- creamy paint with excellent coverage
- Highly opaque with minimal coats needed
- Easy water cleanup and rewets well
- Durable carrying case with airtight seal
- Non-toxic and odorless for all ages
Cons
- Jelly cups open to one another and may mix when handled
- No guidance or tips included for beginners
This 18-color HIMI set is the one I’d grab for travel sketching or plein air work. The jelly cups sit in a sturdy green case that snaps shut, and the airtight seal kept every color workable after a week of leaving the case closed on my shelf. At 30g per cup, you get more paint per color than the typical 12ml tube.
Coverage was excellent in my tests. One pass on watercolor paper covered cleanly with rich pigment, and the matte finish layered without streaking. The included brushes and mixing palette are functional, though I’d upgrade the brushes if you paint often.
What I appreciated most was how forgiving this set is for beginners. The colors don’t dry chalky, they rewet reliably, and you don’t need to be precise with water ratios. If you’ve ever struggled with gouache cracking on your palette, this format avoids that problem entirely.
The main quirk is the jelly-cup design. The cups sit close together, so if you tip the case aggressively or drop it, colors can mix across cups. Handle with care, and you’ll avoid the mess. The set also doesn’t include any how-to guidance, so absolute beginners may need a separate tutorial.
Beginner-friendly format
Jelly cups make this beginner-friendly format because they don’t dry out the way open tubes do. You can leave the case open during a session, snap it shut, and come back days later to find the paint still workable. That’s a real advantage for casual painters.
Who should buy it
Traveling artists who need a portable studio. Parents buying for kids or teens who want a forgiving medium. Beginners who sketch in short sessions and want to avoid palette waste. Anyone who values the jelly-cup format over tubes.
4. ARTEZA 60-Color Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Color Variety
ARTEZA Gouache Paint Set, 60 Colors, 12 ml / 0.4 fl oz Tubes, 12 Metallics
60 colors including 12 metallics
12ml tubes
Includes organized trays
Pros
- Wide selection including 12 metallics and pearls
- Smooth creamy texture for layering and blending
- Highly opaque matte coverage
- Excellent value for a 60-color set
- Tube format dispenses only what you need
Cons
- Lacks core colors like cyan and Payne's gray
- Only two tubes of white — runs out fast
- Some supplied colors are not useful
If you want maximum color range in a single purchase, this 60-color ARTEZA set is hard to beat. Twelve metallics and pearls add real value for illustration work, and the creaminess matches the smaller 24-tube set I tested earlier. Across my swatching sessions, every tube delivered the same buttery consistency — no batch inconsistency.
The color chart included in the box is genuinely useful. I used it to plan a portrait palette, picking flesh tones, neutrals, and accent shades before I even opened the tubes. Coverage was opaque and matte, with clean edges when I laid down flat shapes.
For my color-theory demos, having 60 tubes on the table let me show students the full range of tertiary mixes without running out of options mid-exercise. That’s the kind of freedom a 12-color set simply can’t offer.
The trade-off is the color selection itself. Several reviewers and I noticed the set skips foundational mixing colors like cyan, magenta, and Payne’s gray. You’ll need to buy those separately or work around it. Also, only two white tubes means heavy white users will burn through them fast.
Is 60 colors too many?
Sixty colors feels like a lot, and for beginners it can be overwhelming. That said, if you paint frequently or work across multiple genres, having metallics, pastels, and earth tones in one box saves real money compared to buying open-stock tubes individually.
Who should buy it
Intermediate and advanced artists who want one set to cover most projects. Illustrators who need metallics and specialty shades. Teachers building a classroom supply. Anyone who has outgrown a 24-color set and wants the next step up.
5. Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache Introductory Set — Best Professional Gouache Brand
Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache Introductory 10-Tube Paint Set, 14ml,Blue,green,ivory,white
10-tube set in 14ml sizes
Professional matte opacity
Trusted artist brand
Pros
- Professional-grade pigmentation and opacity
- Buttery smooth texture with excellent blendability
- Rewets cleanly with water after drying
- High lightfastness with stable matte finish
- Trusted brand used in art schools worldwide
Cons
- Higher price point than student alternatives
- Only one white tube included
- Limited 10-color selection in this set
Winsor & Newton is the default recommendation on r/Gouache and across most artist forums for good reason. This introductory 10-tube set gives you the brand’s full pigmentation in a manageable starter size. Every color mixed cleanly in my testing, and the opacity outclassed every budget brand I compared it against.
The Designers’ Gouache line is technically formulated for graphic designers, not fine artists. That means some pigments lean toward vibrant, saturated tones rather than muted earth shades. For illustration and design work, that’s exactly what you want.
I used this set for a poster-style design project and the colors stayed true from palette to paper. No tonal shift after drying, which is the hallmark of a well-made gouache. Lightfastness ratings are published and competitive with artist-grade alternatives.
The price is the obvious trade-off. For what you get in tube size, this set costs more than 24-color budget alternatives. The introductory set also only ships 10 colors, so you’ll need to buy open-stock tubes if you want a fuller palette.
Why pros trust the brand
Winsor & Newton has been making paint since 1832, and their quality control is consistent across batches. For professional work where color accuracy matters, that’s worth paying for. The brand also publishes pigment data for every tube, which budget brands often skip.
Who should buy it
Serious beginners willing to invest more upfront. Design students building a professional kit. Illustrators who need lightfast, color-accurate gouache for client work. Anyone who values brand heritage and published pigment data.
6. Turner Acrylic Gouache 24-Color Set — Best Acrylic Gouache Set
Turner acrylic gouache 24 colors set school (japan import) by Turner color
24 colors in 11ml tubes
Water-resistant matte finish
Japan import
Pros
- Hybrid acrylic-gouache that dries water-resistant
- Matte finish with acrylic durability
- 24-color range suitable for studio and exterior
- Lightweight tubes with consistent pigment
- Trusted Japanese art-supply brand
Cons
- Once dry
- paint cannot be reactivated
- Smaller 11ml tubes than competitors
- Slight learning curve for the hybrid format
Acrylic gouache behaves differently from traditional gouache, and Turner’s Japanese-made set is the benchmark I tested against. Once dry, this paint is permanent and water-resistant — a real plus if you’re painting signs, outdoor murals, or any surface where rain is a concern. The matte finish still reads as gouache, not acrylic.
I tested this set on both paper and a primed wooden panel. Coverage was opaque on both, and the colors layered cleanly without the lifting you’d get with traditional gouache. For illustration work where mistakes are costly, that permanence is a genuine advantage.
The 24-color range covers the basics plus a useful mix of earth tones and chromatic shades. Tubes are smaller at 11ml, but the pigment is dense, so a little goes a long way. I found I used less paint per stroke than with traditional gouache.
The key trade-off is re-wettability. Traditional gouache lets you reactivate dried paint on the palette — acrylic gouache does not. If you like to mix large batches and keep them workable, plan your workflow accordingly. There’s also a mild learning curve for the hybrid format if you’ve only used traditional gouache.
When to choose acrylic gouache
Choose acrylic gouache when you need permanence: outdoor murals, sign painting, mixed-media pieces that will be sealed, or work that will be handled frequently. Stick with traditional gouache if you want to reactivate paint on the palette, blend over multiple sessions, or work in sketchbooks.
Who should buy it
Illustrators who need durable, water-resistant color. Muralists and sign painters. Art students exploring the acrylic-gouache hybrid format. Anyone who wants gouache aesthetics on surfaces where traditional gouache would fail.
7. MyArtscape 12-Color Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Absolute Beginners
MyArtscape Gouache Paint Set – 12 x 12ml Artist Gouache Paints
12 colors in 12ml tubes
Lightfast fade-resistant formula
ASTM certified safe
Pros
- High pigment load with accurate color when dry
- Excellent opacity for clean layering
- Rewets well for blending and corrections
- Non-toxic and ASTM D4236 certified
- Affordable entry into artist-quality gouache
Cons
- Limited 12-color selection
- No individual refill tubes available
If I had to recommend a starter gouache for an absolute beginner who wants tubes instead of jelly cups, this is the one. Twelve 12ml tubes cover the essential palette: titanium white, lemon yellow, yellow ochre, vermilion, crimson, sap green, deep green, cerulean blue, prussian blue, burnt sienna, burnt umber, and black. That’s enough to mix nearly any color you’ll need.
Coverage was impressive for the price. One coat on watercolor paper gave me clean, opaque color with no streaking. The paint rewets cleanly after drying on the palette, which is a real test of any gouache brand.
For my beginner tutorials, I used this set to teach color theory basics. Students appreciated how the 12 colors map cleanly onto a basic color wheel, making it easy to predict mixing results without being overwhelmed.
The trade-off is the limited selection. Twelve colors doesn’t include raw umber or ultramarine, which are useful for advanced mixing. Also, tubes aren’t sold individually for refills, so once you finish a color, you’ll need to buy another set.
Why this beats student sets
Most “student grade” gouache is chalky, low-pigment, and barely rewets. MyArtscape performs closer to artist grade while staying at a student-friendly price. For beginners who don’t want to fight their paint while learning technique, that matters.
Who should buy it
Absolute beginners starting their first gouache kit. Students on a tight budget who still want quality. Parents introducing kids to opaque watercolor. Anyone who wants a 12-color essentials palette without filler shades.
8. U.S. Art Supply 36-Color Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Color Theory
U.S. Art Supply Professional 36-Color Gouache Paint Set in Large 18ml Tubes
36 colors in 18ml tubes
Color mixing wheel included
ASTM certified
Pros
- 36 unique colors in larger 18ml tubes
- High-intensity pigments with smooth consistency
- Includes a color mixing wheel for learning
- Water-based and acid-free formula
- Suitable for students through professionals
Cons
- Made in China despite U.S. branding
- Some users prefer a smaller
- less overwhelming palette
The standout feature here is the larger 18ml tube size — that’s 50% more paint per color than the standard 12ml tubes most sets ship. For artists who paint frequently, that adds up to real value. The 36-color range covers the spectrum plus useful tertiary mixes.
I particularly appreciated the included color mixing wheel. It helped me visualize complementary and triadic relationships while I was painting, which is a teaching tool most sets skip. Pigment load was high, and the texture was creamy and consistent across all 36 tubes.
For my color-theory workshops, this set became a teaching staple. Students could grab any two adjacent colors on the wheel and predict the mix before they tried it. That’s the kind of hands-on learning a generic palette doesn’t enable.
The brand naming is a minor concern. Despite the “U.S. Art Supply” label, the tubes are manufactured overseas — the brand does disclose this, but it’s worth noting. Also, if 36 colors feels like too many, a smaller set might be a better starting point.
Tube size advantage
Eighteen-milliliter tubes matter more than you’d think. They give you enough paint to finish a series without running out mid-project. If you’ve ever squeezed a tube empty before completing a wash, you know the frustration.
Who should buy it
Students learning color theory who want the mixing wheel tool. Intermediate artists who paint frequently and want larger tubes. Teachers building a classroom supply. Anyone who wants a 36-color range without paying premium prices.
9. MEEDEN 48-Color Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Convenience Colors
MEEDEN Gouache Paint Tube Set: 48 x 12ml (0.4 oz) Colors Art Paint
48 colors in 12ml tubes
Certified non-toxic
Wide variety of premixed shades
Pros
- Rich opaque pigments with smooth blending
- Excellent coverage competing with pricier brands
- Dries to true matte finish suitable for layering
- Most colors are highly lightfast
- Wide variety including convenient premixed shades
Cons
- Paint dries quickly on the palette
- Limited white and black tube count
- Some colors may feel slightly granular
MEEDEN’s 48-color set fills a niche that most other brands skip: convenience colors. Beyond the basics, you get premixed skin tones, foliage greens, sky blues, and earth shades that would otherwise take five tubes and ten minutes to replicate. For portrait and landscape painters, that time savings matters.
I tested this set across a landscape study and a portrait exercise. The convenience colors saved real mixing time, and the creaminess held up against more expensive brands. Coverage was opaque, and the matte finish layered cleanly without streaking.
For my portrait studies, the skin tone range was the highlight. I picked three warm tones, two cool shadows, and a lip tint directly from the box. No mixing required, and the results looked natural.
The trade-off is paint drying time on the palette. MEEDEN’s formula dries faster than some competitors, so work in smaller puddles and rewet as needed. Also, only two white and one black tube means heavy users will need to refill those first.
Premixed shades worth using
Premixed skin tones, foliage mixes, and atmospheric shades save mixing time without looking flat. The MEEDEN set maintains what many convenience sets lose — the colors still mix well with each other and don’t feel artificial.
Who should buy it
Portrait and landscape painters who want premixed convenience colors. Illustrators working on quick studies. Intermediate painters who have outgrown a 24-color palette. Anyone who values variety over brand pedigree.
10. ARTME 36-Color Twin Jelly Gouache Set — Best Gouache Set for Sketchbooks
HIMI Gouache Paint Set, 36 Colors x 12ml Twin Jelly Cup Design with 3 Paint Brushes and a Palette in a Carrying Case Perfect for Artists, Students, Gouache Opaque Painting
36 colors in 12ml twin jelly cups
Portable carrying case
Includes 3 brushes
Pros
- 36 vibrant colors via twin jelly-cup design
- Thick creamy paint that doesn't crack when dry
- Includes 3 brushes and a palette in carrying case
- No chemical smell and easy to thin with water
- Affordable entry into gouache with many colors
Cons
- Twin cups can shift and create mess when moving case
- Some colors not lightfast in direct sun
- Prone to mold if kept moist for extended periods
- Included brushes are weak
- with ferrules that may detach
This ARTME twin jelly-cup set is purpose-built for sketchbook work. Thirty-six colors in a portable case, with three brushes and a palette built in. I took this set on a sketching outing and the portability won me over — everything I needed fit in one small case.
The twin jelly-cup design holds twice as many colors as a single-cup layout, which is why 36 colors fit in a case this compact. Coverage was opaque and creamy in my testing, and the matte finish worked well on mixed-media paper.
For my sketchbook pages, the color variety was the highlight. I could lay down a landscape, a portrait study, and a color study without changing palettes. The case stayed closed in my bag and the cups didn’t leak.
The trade-offs are real. Twin cups can be fiddly when you need to swap positions, and the included brushes are weak — I upgraded to my own. Some colors aren’t lightfast, so avoid direct sunlight. And like all jelly-cup sets, store the case properly to prevent mold.
Sketchbook-friendly format
The compact case makes this sketchbook-friendly format a real advantage for travel and outdoor work. The jelly-cup sealing keeps paint wet between sessions, and the twin design maximizes color count without expanding the case footprint.
Who should buy it
Sketchbook artists who want maximum color in a portable format. Travel painters who need a self-contained studio. Students who want variety at a low price. Anyone who prefers the jelly-cup format over tubes.
How to Choose the Best Gouache Set for You?
Choosing a gouache set comes down to format, set size, and skill level. Below is the framework I used while testing these ten sets.
Gouache set sizes: how many colors do you actually need?
A 5 to 12 color set covers a basic split-primary palette and forces you to mix everything else, which builds color-theory skills fast. A 24-color set is the most popular for a reason: it covers essentials plus convenience colors without overwhelming a small workspace. A 36 to 60 color set gives you maximum range but adds decision fatigue. Most beginners do best with 18 to 24 colors; intermediate and pro artists tend to prefer 24 to 48 plus open-stock refills.
Traditional vs acrylic gouache
Traditional gouache is water-soluble and can be reactivated with water after drying. That’s a major advantage for palette workflow and sketching in short bursts. Acrylic gouache dries permanently and is water-resistant, making it better for outdoor work, sign painting, and any application where rain or handling is a concern. Choose traditional gouache for sketchbooks, illustration, and learning. Choose acrylic gouache for murals, signs, and durable mixed-media pieces.
Tubes vs pans vs jelly cups
Tubes dispense only what you need and fit standard gouache tube racks. Pans are dried paint cakes you activate with water — portable but slower to load. Jelly cups are sealed plastic cups that keep paint wet for days, ideal for travel and beginners who paint in short sessions. If portability matters most, jelly cups win. If you prefer a traditional palette workflow, tubes are best.
Beginner vs professional grade
Beginner and student-grade gouache tends to be chalky, low in pigment, and harder to rewet. Artist-grade gouache uses higher pigment loads, better binders (gum arabic or dextrin), and publishes lightfastness ratings. As one forum thread on r/Gouache put it, “once you try artist grade, you can’t go back.” For a first set, mid-tier brands like ARTEZA or HIMI offer artist-grade performance at student-grade prices.
Paper and brushes to pair with gouache
Use 140 lb (300 gsm) cold-press watercolor paper for traditional work. Hot-press paper gives a smoother surface for illustration and design. Mixed-media paper works for sketches and studies. For brushes, a round size 6 or 8 and a flat size 8 cover most needs. Synthetic brushes are fine; natural hair holds slightly more water but costs more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gouache set for beginners?
For beginners, the HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache Set offers the best combination of price, opacity, and forgiving format. The sealed jelly cups keep paint wet between sessions, and the creamy consistency layers cleanly without advanced technique. The MyArtscape 12-Color Tube Set is the best tube-format choice if you prefer traditional palette work.
Which gouache brand is best overall?
Winsor u0026amp; Newton Designers’ Gouache is widely considered the best overall brand for its professional pigmentation, opacity, and lightfastness. For best value at a budget price, the HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache Set and ARTEZA 24-Tube Gouache Set both deliver artist-grade performance at student-friendly prices.
Is Holbein or Winsor u0026amp; Newton gouache better?
Both are top-tier choices. Holbein Artists’ Gouache is known for buttery texture and high opacity, while Winsor u0026amp; Newton Designers’ Gouache is praised for vibrant, color-accurate pigmentation and reliable lightfastness. For pure opacity, Holbein wins. For color range and brand consistency, Winsor u0026amp; Newton has the edge. Neither is a wrong choice.
What is the best gouache paint for professionals?
Professional artists typically choose Holbein Artists’ Gouache, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Designers’ Gouache, or Schmincke Horadam Gouache. All three offer high pigment loads, published lightfastness ratings, and consistent quality. For work that requires permanence (murals, signs), Turner Acrylic Gouache is the professional standard in the acrylic-gouache category.
Which brand of jelly gouache is considered the best?
HIMI is the most popular jelly-cup gouache brand, with multiple set sizes (18, 24, and 36 colors) and consistently high ratings. The sealed jelly cups keep paint wet for days, the colors are creamy and opaque, and the price is accessible for beginners. ARTME also makes a competitive twin jelly-cup format at similar prices.
Final Verdict: Which Gouache Set Should You Buy in 2026?
After four weeks of swatching, layering, and rewetting these ten sets, my top pick for the best gouache sets in 2026 is the HIMI 24-Color Jelly Gouache Set. It hits the sweet spot of price, opacity, pigment load, and beginner-friendly format — and it’s the set I’d hand to anyone starting out.
If you prefer tubes and published pigment data, the ARTEZA 24-Tube Gouache Set is the runner-up I’d buy with my own money. For professional work where brand pedigree matters, the Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache Introductory Set is the gold standard. Whatever your skill level, there’s a gouache set on this list that will help you paint with confidence.