Finding dependable oil paint on a budget is easier when you compare more than the number of colors in the box. Tube size, pigment strength, handling, and included accessories can make a major difference in how useful a set feels once you start painting.
We’ve gathered 10 oil paint sets under $50 for beginners, students, hobbyists, and experienced artists who want an affordable way to expand their palette. The options range from compact starter kits to larger sets with more generous tubes for frequent practice and canvas work.
Best 10 Oil Paint Sets Under 50 Picks for 2026
Best Value Classic
Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set
- 10 assorted 21ml oil color tubes
- Lightfast and permanent colors
- Intermixable with other brands
Best For: Beginners and compact starter palettes
Large-Tube Impressionist Pick
- Eight generous 50ml oil paint tubes
- Highly pigmented and lightfast
- Non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free
Best For: Impressionist and wet-on-wet painting
Beginner Color Variety
- 24 assorted 12ml oil paint tubes
- Thick, creamy consistency
- Suitable for classes and beginners
Best For: Learning color mixing and oil techniques
Largest Color Selection
- 48 assorted 12ml oil paint tubes
- Rich pigments and smooth application
- Suitable for varied painting techniques
Best For: Classes, studios, and broad color exploration
Best for Large Paint Quantities
PHOENIX 10-Color Oil Paint Set
- 10 colors in generous 50ml tubes
- Thick, creamy consistency for texture
- Lightfast formula with strong saturation
Best For: Beginners and painters who use larger amounts of paint
Best for Smooth Mixing
- 12 colors in 22ml tubes
- Buttery, finely ground consistency
- Suitable for layering and glazing
Best For: Technique practice and clear color mixing
Best Color Variety
Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
- 40 colors with metallic gold and silver
- Includes two extra white tubes
- Thick paint with smooth coverage
Best For: Artists who want a broad palette for varied projects
Best Value Color Range
- 24 oil-based colors in 12 ml tubes
- Non-toxic and ASTM/EN71-3 compliant
- Includes brush and palette
Best For: Beginners seeking a versatile color selection
Rich Pigment Pick
RoseArt Premium 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- Maximum-strength pigments
- Smooth, buttery texture
- Supports blending, layering, and texture
Best For: Artists wanting concentrated color and a rich consistency
Beginner-Friendly Mini Tubes
Elan Professional 24-Color Set
- 24 smooth, highly pigmented colors
- Color-coded 12 ml tubes
- Waterproof paint for canvas and paper
Best For: Artists wanting an organized set without included accessories
Best Value Classic – Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set
For shoppers comparing oil paint sets under 50, the Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set offers 10 individually formulated colors in convenient 21ml tubes. Its lightfast, permanent colors can be intermixed with other brands, making it a practical starting palette for everyday oil painting.
Best For: Beginners and artists seeking a compact, dependable starter palette.
Pros:
- Includes 10 assorted oil colors.
- Lightfast and permanent formulation.
- Intermixable with other oil paint brands.
- Moderately priced with convenient 21ml tubes.
Cons:
- Offers fewer colors than larger sets.
- Listed as suitable for indoor and outdoor use, but the supplied details do not specify a broader accessory selection.
This is a sensible choice when you want recognized-brand oil colors without committing to a large collection. The 10-color format keeps the set manageable while leaving room to expand with individual tubes.
Large-Tube Impressionist Pick – ZenART Old Masters Colors
Among oil paint sets under 50, the ZenART Professional set stands out for its eight large 50ml tubes and carefully chosen Impressionist palette. The highly pigmented, buttery colors are designed for direct alla prima painting and can be used on primed canvas, boards, and oil paper.
Best For: Artists who prioritize generous tube sizes, Impressionist color mixing, and wet-on-wet work.
Pros:
- Includes eight large 50ml tubes.
- Highly pigmented, lightfast colors with buttery consistency.
- Suitable for beginners and professional artists.
- Non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free formulation.
Cons:
- Provides eight colors rather than a broad 24- or 48-color range.
- Not water-mixable.
- Designed as an Impressionist palette, so additional colors may be needed for broader coverage.
The large tubes make this set appealing for artists who use paint generously or want a curated palette with substantial volume. Its focus on Impressionist colors and wet-on-wet painting is more specialized than a general-purpose multicolor kit.
Beginner Color Variety – PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Set
If you want oil paint sets under 50 with plenty of color options, the PHOENIX set supplies 24 non-toxic colors in 12ml tubes. The thick, creamy formula is intended for canvas, oil color pads, wood panels, and other painting surfaces, supporting techniques from wet-into-wet work to glazing.
Best For: Beginners, classes, paint parties, and artists learning color theory.
Pros:
- Offers 24 colors for broad mixing practice.
- Thick, creamy consistency supports textured application.
- Colors are described as lightfast with strong tinting strength.
- Certified by EN 71 and ASTM-4236 according to the supplied notes.
Cons:
- 12ml tubes provide less paint per color than larger-tube sets.
- Listed as not water-resistant.
- Coverage is specified as moderate.
PHOENIX is a practical learning set for anyone who wants a broad selection without buying many individual tubes. Its range of yellows, reds, blues, greens, earth tones, and whites makes it especially useful for experimenting with mixing and technique.
Largest Color Selection – MyArtscape 48-Color Set
For artists seeking oil paint sets under 50 with maximum color variety, the MyArtscape kit includes 48 artist-quality colors in 12ml tubes. The lightfast paints are designed for canvas, paper, wood, boards, and panels, with uses ranging from landscapes and portraits to impasto and wet-on-wet work.
Best For: Art classes, home studios, and artists who want an extensive ready-made palette.
Pros:
- Includes 48 assorted oil paint colors.
- Rich pigments with smooth application.
- Suitable for beginners and professionals.
- Lightfast colors are intended to resist fading.
Cons:
- All tubes are the smaller 12ml size.
- Listed as not water-resistant.
- The broad selection may be more than needed for artists who prefer a limited palette.
This set is a strong fit when color range matters more than large individual tubes. With 48 shades and support for several painting approaches, it can serve as a convenient shared or home-studio supply kit.
Best for Large Paint Quantities – PHOENIX 10-Color Oil Paint Set
If you want oil paint sets under 50 with generous tube sizes, the PHOENIX Studio set stands out with 10 colors in 50ml tubes. Its thick, creamy formula is suited to direct textural work, blending, and practice on canvas, wood panels, and other painting surfaces.
Best For: Beginners, amateurs, and painters who prefer larger tubes for color mixing, classes, or repeated projects.
Pros:
- Includes 10 colors in substantial 50ml tubes.
- Offers strong color saturation, tinting strength, and smooth application.
- Thick consistency supports textured brushwork or mixing with medium.
- Certified to EN 71 and ASTM-4236 standards and designed for adults.
Cons:
- Provides fewer color choices than larger multi-color sets.
- Its thick consistency may require medium for some techniques.
The PHOENIX set is a practical value choice when tube quantity matters more than having an extensive color range. Its lightfast, slow-drying formula is particularly useful for painters who want time to blend and build texture.
Best for Smooth Mixing – MEEDEN 12-Color Oil Paint Set
Among oil paint sets under 50, the MEEDEN set is a compact option for artists who prioritize smooth blending and color clarity. It includes 12 non-toxic 22ml tubes with a buttery consistency suited to wet-into-wet, layered painting, and glazing.
Best For: Beginners, students, and artists practicing traditional oil techniques with a smaller, mixable color set.
Pros:
- Provides 12 colors for learning color theory and mixing.
- Fine pigments support a buttery texture and clear color blends.
- Works well for wet-into-wet, layering, and glazing techniques.
- Certified to AP and ASTM D-4236 standards and described as non-toxic.
Cons:
- The 22ml tubes contain less paint than larger-format sets.
- The set is not waterproof after drying.
MEEDEN is a good fit if you want manageable tube sizes and a glossy, traditional oil-paint appearance. Its emphasis on fine grinding and mixability makes it especially approachable for technique practice.
Best Color Variety – Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
For shoppers comparing oil paint sets under 50, Magicfly offers an unusually broad palette with 40 18ml tubes, including metallic gold and silver. The thick, creamy paints are designed for canvas and other art media, making the set useful for experimenting with portraits, landscapes, abstracts, and wall art.
Best For: Artists, hobby painters, students, and teachers who want many colors for varied projects.
Pros:
- Includes 40 distinct colors, including metallic gold and silver.
- Provides two extra white tubes for frequent mixing and highlights.
- Thick, smooth paint offers good coverage and easy blending.
- ASTM D-4236 compliant and packaged in an attractive gift box.
Cons:
- The 18ml tubes are smaller than those in larger-format sets.
- It is not water resistant once applied.
Magicfly is the strongest choice here for palette variety. It trades tube size for breadth, giving beginners and hobbyists more premixed colors to explore without needing to blend every shade from a limited selection.
Best Value Color Range – Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set
If you want oil paint sets under 50 with a broad palette for practice and varied projects, the Ohuhu set offers 24 oil-based colors in portable 12 ml tubes. It is positioned for scenery, abstract, landscape, and portrait work, with brushes and a palette included.
Best For: Beginners, students, and artists who want a versatile 24-color set for canvas or paper.
Pros:
- Includes 24 vibrant colors, including multiple blues, greens, earth tones, and reds.
- Non-toxic formula conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 (CE).
- Includes a brush and palette, with portable tubes suited to indoor or outdoor painting.
Cons:
- Paint is not water-resistant.
- The listed dry time is approximately 24 hours, so it is not an instant-drying option.
Ohuhu is a practical pick when color variety and included accessories matter most. Its 12 ml tubes provide a useful amount for learning techniques and exploring different subjects.
Rich Pigment Pick – RoseArt Premium 24-Color Oil Paint Set
Among oil paint sets under 50, RoseArt’s 24-color set stands out for its maximum-strength pigments and buttery texture. The paints are designed to glide smoothly across canvas, wood, and paper while supporting blending, layering, and texture work.
Best For: Casual to professional artists who prioritize concentrated color and a smooth working texture.
Pros:
- Uses maximum-strength pigments for concentrated, vibrant color.
- Buttery consistency supports blending, layering, and texture creation.
- Includes 24 colors in 12 ml tubes, plus a brush and palette.
Cons:
- Not waterproof or water-resistant.
- The supplied details list paper as the surface recommendation, although the product description also mentions canvas and wood.
RoseArt makes a strong choice for painters who want a traditional oil-paint feel and a broad color selection. Its pigment-focused formula is especially useful for artists working with layered or textured techniques.
Beginner-Friendly Mini Tubes – Elan Professional 24-Color Set
For shoppers comparing oil paint sets under 50, the Elan Professional set offers 24 color-coded 12 ml tubes in a compact format. Its highly pigmented, smooth formula is intended for canvas and paper and is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.
Best For: Adults and artists who want an organized, portable 24-color set for canvas painting and crafts.
Pros:
- Provides 24 vibrant colors with smooth, highly pigmented paint.
- Color-coded tubes make colors easier to identify while working.
- Suitable for multiple skill levels and listed as waterproof.
Cons:
- No brush, palette, or other accessories are included.
- Each mini tube contains 12 ml, and the listed coverage varies by tube.
- Dry time is listed as up to 72 hours.
Elan is a convenient option if organization and color variety are more important than included tools. Plan to supply your own brushes and palette, and allow ample time for the paint to dry.
How We Picked the Best Oil Paint Sets Under 50
We focused on sets priced below $50 that offer a practical balance of color selection, paint quantity, usability, and overall value. The lineup includes compact beginner kits, larger multipacks, and artist-oriented options with bigger tubes. We also considered whether each set appears suited to casual crafts, structured practice, or more serious oil painting.
Because product formulas and packaging can vary, check the current listing for exact tube sizes, included colors, safety information, and whether accessories are included before ordering.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Beginners | Balanced colors, manageable tube sizes, and simple cleanup guidance |
| Frequent practice | Larger tubes and a palette with useful mixing colors |
| Color variety | 24 or more shades, especially useful earth tones and bright accents |
| Professional-style work | Higher pigment concentration, smooth consistency, and dependable mixing |
| Gifting or crafts | Complete-looking kits with broad color coverage and accessible pricing |
Key Buying Factors for Oil Paint Sets Under $50
Tube Size and Total Paint
A set with many colors is not always the best value if every tube is very small. Compare the total amount of paint as well as the color count. Larger 50ml tubes may suit artists who paint often, while 12ml to 22ml tubes are convenient for testing oil painting or building a varied palette without a large upfront cost.
Pigment and Paint Handling
Look for clear information about pigment quality, opacity, permanence, and consistency. Student-grade paint can be a sensible choice for learning and studies, but artists selling work or requiring predictable color mixing may prefer an artist-grade option. A smooth, workable texture is generally easier for blending and layering.
Palette Selection
More colors can reduce initial mixing demands, but a thoughtfully chosen palette is often more useful than a random collection of shades. Titanium white, black or a dark neutral, primary colors, earth tones, and at least one warm and cool option provide a strong foundation.
Safety and Supplies
“Non-toxic” labeling does not eliminate the need for ventilation, careful brush cleaning, and safe storage. Confirm whether the set includes brushes, a palette, or mediums; many paint-only sets require separate purchases for these essentials.
Who Should Buy Which Oil Paint Sets Under 50?
Choose a compact, lower-count set if you are learning basic mixing, taking an art class, or want a low-risk introduction. A 24-color set is better for hobbyists who want immediate variety for landscapes, portraits, and crafts. Artists who use paint regularly should prioritize larger tubes and stronger pigment performance over the highest color count. For gifting, a broader set with clearly labeled colors is usually the easiest choice, while experienced painters may prefer a focused artist-grade palette that complements the colors already in their studio.