Watercolour Brushes: Best in Test

Watercolour Brushes: Best in Test

Which is the best watercolour brush? The answer depends on who you are and what you’re painting. There’s no single brush that suits everyone, but there is one that’s right for you. Are you looking for perfect control for fine details? A brush that holds lots of water? Or an affordable set to get started? In this guide, we’ll do our best to help you find the right one.

Best sable hair watercolour brushes

Sable hair is the most classic choice among watercolour artists. The natural hairs have a unique ability to hold water and pigment while maintaining a sharp point. The result? Smooth transitions, controlled lines and a flowing painting experience.

See all sable hair brushes →

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

Winsor & Newton

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

£7

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

£64.90

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

Aquafine

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

£19.90

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

£9.50

Best synthetic watercolour brushes

Synthetic brushes have come a long way in recent years. They are durable, affordable, and available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Plus, they’re easy to clean – perfect if you want to focus on your painting.

See all synthetic watercolour brushes →

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

Winsor & Newton

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

£7

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

£64.90

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

Aquafine

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

£19.90

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

£9.50

Best Kolinsky watercolour brushes

Kolinsky sable is the finest type of sable hair and often the most exclusive. These brushes offer exceptional spring, precision, and water-holding capacity. They’re more expensive, but for many, they’re a long-term investment that lasts for years.

See all Kolinsky watercolour brushes →

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 8

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 8

£134.90

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

£15.50

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

ZIG Kuretake

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

£13

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

£13

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

£48

Best vegan watercolour brushes

Want to paint without animal-based products? No problem. Today, synthetic alternatives can mimic sable hair impressively well. Vegan brushes hold their shape nicely and are excellent for both beginners and experienced artists.

See all watercolour brushes →

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Neptune Synthetic brush Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Professionnel 4-set

£104.90

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

£64.90

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Oval Mop St 1/2

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Oval Mop St 1/2

£12.90

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Aquarelle Flat size 1

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Aquarelle Flat size 1

£27.50

Best watercolour brushes for beginners

For beginners, it’s common to choose brushes that are easy to control and budget-friendly. Synthetic or mixed-material brushes are a smart choice. They handle frequent use well and are less delicate, while still giving you a good feel for technique.

See all watercolour brushes →

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

£6

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 12

Daler-Rowney

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 12

£3.80

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.50

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

Primo

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

£9.90

Best luxury watercolour brushes

If you're looking for the very best, we offer brushes with handcrafted details, the finest hair, and a truly luxurious feel. They provide maximum control and sensitivity with every brushstroke.

See all watercolour brushes →

Kazan Squirrel Quill Mop Brush 803 st 1

Raphaël

Kazan Squirrel Quill Mop Brush 803 st 1

£25

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 2

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 2

£21.50

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Quill size 6

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Quill size 6

£41.90

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Mini Spotter St 20/0

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Mini Spotter St 20/0

£6.90

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 1

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 1

£18.50

Best watercolour brush sets

A brush set is a great way to explore different sizes and shapes. It’s also a fantastic gift for a creative friend or a convenient starter kit for yourself.

See all watercolour brush sets →

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.50

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set XL

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set XL

£7

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set S

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set S

£3.70

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

£64.90

Most affordable watercolour brushes

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get great brushes. Here are our top budget-friendly options – carefully selected for their quality at a really good price.

See all watercolour brushes →

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

Pen Store Arts

Synthetic brushes Watercolour/Universal Set of 6

£16.90

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

£6

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set M

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set M

£4.50

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.50

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

Primo

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

£9.90

Best storage for watercolour brushes

Great brushes deserve great storage. With the right case, you can protect the tip, stay organised, and extend the life of your tools.

See all watercolour brush storage →

Brush Case Short brushes 17 pockets

Pen Store Arts

Brush Case Short brushes 17 pockets

£10.90

Brush Case Long brushes 17 pockets

Pen Store Arts

Brush Case Long brushes 17 pockets

£12.90

Multipurpose brush case 32 cm

Primo

Multipurpose brush case 32 cm

£3.19

T190 Trunk Shape Toolbox Blue

TOYO Steel Company

T190 Trunk Shape Toolbox Blue

£26.50

Dopp Pack Black

Ykra

Dopp Pack Black

£60

Brush Storage →

Brushes →

Watercolour Pads →

Watercolour Pencils →

Inspiration

Watercolour Brushes: Best in Test

Talens | Pantone Marker: How to Refill Your Pen

How to Clean Watercolour Brushes

Care Guide: Watercolour Brushes

Login

Forgot password?

Lowest price 1-30 days before price reduction:

The reference price is the lowest price applied to the product 1-30 days before the relevant price cut was implemented. The exception is if gradual reductions have been made, in which case the lowest price 1-30 days before the first price reduction is shown.