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Palette cups for oil painting are small, clip-on containers that sit on the edge of your palette and hold solvent and medium within reach of your brush. They seem minor until you knock over a jar of linseed oil or watch your odorless mineral spirits evaporate during a long session. A good cup clips on firmly, seals tightly and opens wide enough for your largest brush.
The differences between models come down to a few details: single or double wells, mouth width, lid seal and how the clip grips your palette. Below are seven stainless steel options, each suited to a different painting habit, from studio work with one medium to plein air setups juggling three liquids.
Quick answer: The MyLifeUNIT Large Mouth Double Dipper is the best fit for most oil painters, with two wide wells, silicone-gasket screw lids and a built-in metal clip. If you only use one medium, the U.S. Art Supply Large Mouth Single Dipper is simpler. For spares or a two-palette setup, the QWORK 2-pack gives you two double cups.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- MyLifeUNIT Large Mouth Double Dipper Palette Cup — Best overall for oil painters
- U.S. Art Supply Large Mouth Single Dipper Palette Cup — Best single cup for one medium
- QWORK 2 Pack Stainless Steel Double Palette Cup — Best value two-pack
- Aliotech Stainless Steel Double Dipper — Best for wider, roomier wells
- LEIFIDE 3 Pcs Drum-Shape Palette Cups — Best for painters who use three liquids
- AUEAR 2 Pack Double Palette Cup — Best budget backup pair
- Skybooly Brush Cleaner Set with Palette Cup — Best combo with a brush washer
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyLifeUNIT Double Dipper | Most oil painters | 2 wells, 1.6″ dia each, 3.5″ wide | Silicone-gasket lids; built-in clip | $ |
| U.S. Art Supply Single Dipper | One medium or solvent | 1 oz / 30 ml, 1.5″ opening | Light and simple; leakproof screw cap | $ |
| QWORK 2-Pack Double | Spares, two palettes | 2 double units, 1.6″ dia, 1.5″ tall | Rubber-gasket lids; heavy-duty clip | $ |
| Aliotech Double Dipper | Roomier wells | 3.8″ long, 1.8″ well diameter | Sealed lids for storage | $ |
| LEIFIDE 3 Drum Cups | Three liquids at once | 3 cups, 1.75″ dia, 1.2″ deep | Rubber washers; clip on lid | $ |
| AUEAR 2-Pack Double | Budget backups | 2 double cups, stainless | Two units at a low entry cost | $ |
| Skybooly Cleaner + Cup | Complete cleaning setup | Brush washer 3.4 x 4″ + double cup | Airtight washer with filter screen | $$ |
How We Chose
We didn’t use these cups on our own palettes for this guide. The picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each cup’s size, seal, clip and well count fit common oil painting workflows, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. Newer listings with few reviews are flagged where relevant.
What mattered most:
- Material: stainless steel, which resists rust and doesn’t react with solvents or oils.
- Seal: screw lids with a rubber or silicone gasket to slow evaporation and stop leaks in transport.
- Mouth width: a wide opening that accepts larger filberts and flats without scraping.
- Clip design: a firm bottom clip that grips palettes of different thicknesses.
- Well count: single for one medium, double for medium plus solvent, three for more complex setups.
- Portability: compact size for plein air kits and pochade boxes.
Best Palette Cups for Oil Painting Reviewed
1. MyLifeUNIT Large Mouth Double Dipper Palette Cup — Best Overall
The double dipper format is the classic oil painter’s setup: medium in one well, solvent or thinner in the other. MyLifeUNIT’s version has two wide-mouth stainless steel wells, each with a screw-on lid and silicone gasket to prevent leaks when you move your palette between rooms or carry it outdoors.
Dimensions are listed at about 3.5 inches wide overall, 1.6 inches in diameter per cup and 1.2 inches high. That’s intentionally compact. It keeps clutter off the palette while still giving room for a medium-size brush to dip without scraping the rim.
Best suited for: studio and plein air oil painters who keep one medium and one solvent going at the same time.
Key features:
- Two wide-mouth stainless steel wells
- Screw-on lids with silicone gaskets
- Built-in metal clip for the palette edge
- Approx. 3.5″ W, 1.6″ diameter per cup, 1.2″ H
Pros:
- Leak-resistant lids for travel
- Rust- and crack-resistant stainless steel
- Well-known listing with a solid buyer review history
Cons:
- Shallow wells need topping up during long sessions
- Very large brushes may still feel cramped
Buying consideration: If you paint with big brushes or use a lot of solvent for washes, pair this with a separate brush washer jar rather than expecting the small wells to do everything.
2. U.S. Art Supply Large Mouth Single Dipper Palette Cup — Best Single Cup
Plenty of oil painters use just one liquid at the palette, whether that’s a solvent-free medium, straight linseed oil or a premixed painting medium. For that workflow, a single cup is cleaner and lighter. U.S. Art Supply’s version holds about 1 oz (30 ml), has a 1-1/2 inch opening and closes with a leakproof screw cap.
The listing describes it as plated stainless steel with a bottom clip that slides over the palette edge, and it specifically mentions holding turpentine, linseed oil and other mediums for painting in the field.
Best suited for: painters who work with a single medium, or who want a lightweight cup for a compact plein air kit.
Key features:
- Single well, approx. 1 oz / 30 ml capacity
- 1-1/2″ opening, about 1-3/5″ diameter
- Leakproof screw cap
- Bottom clip for palette edge
Pros:
- Lightweight and minimal
- Wide mouth relative to its size
- Easy to clean with just one well
Cons:
- Only one liquid at a time
- The listing’s depth figures are inconsistent, so exact depth is unclear
Buying consideration: If you might add a second medium later, two singles give you flexible placement on the palette, while a double dipper keeps everything in one spot.
3. QWORK 2 Pack Stainless Steel Double Palette Cup — Best Value Two-Pack
QWORK packs two double-dipper units into one order, which is handy if you keep separate palettes for studio and field work, or want a spare while one set soaks clean. Each cup is listed at 1.6 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches tall, slightly taller than many double dippers, so it should hold a bit more liquid per well.
The listing highlights a heavy-duty bottom clip, rust-resistant stainless steel and threaded caps with integrated rubber gaskets to stop spills and slow evaporation. It’s a new listing with essentially no buyer reviews yet, so the specs are promising but unproven by a track record.
Best suited for: painters who want two double cups for multiple palettes or setups.
Key features:
- 2 double-dipper units
- 1.6″ diameter, 1.5″ height per cup
- Rubber-gasket screw lids
- Heavy-duty bottom clip
Pros:
- Two full double units in one pack
- Taller cups than typical double dippers
- Gasketed lids for transport
Cons:
- Very little buyer feedback so far
- Unknown long-term clip and thread durability
Buying consideration: Choose QWORK if you value quantity and taller wells and are comfortable with a newer listing; choose MyLifeUNIT if a longer review history matters more.
4. Aliotech Stainless Steel Double Dipper Palette Cup — Best for Roomier Wells
Aliotech’s double dipper lists a container diameter of 1.8 inches, a touch wider than most cups here, with an overall length of 3.8 inches and a height of 1.2 inches. That extra width is helpful if you use larger flats or filberts and dislike scraping bristles on the rim.
It comes with sealed lids, so you can leave medium in the wells between sessions, and a bottom clip that slides over the palette edge. The listing notes it is suited to linseed oil or other mediums, and to both acrylic and oil painting.
Best suited for: oil painters using larger brushes who want a bit more room in each well.
Key features:
- Two wells, 1.8″ diameter each
- 3.8″ L x 1.2″ H overall
- Sealed screw lids for storage
- Bottom palette clip
Pros:
- Wider wells than most competitors
- Lids allow storage between sessions
- Low entry cost for a single unit
Cons:
- Listing doesn’t mention a gasket material
- Longer footprint takes more palette edge
Buying consideration: Leaving medium in a cup for days can let it thicken or skin over. Lids help, but plan to refresh medium regularly.
5. LEIFIDE 3 Pcs Stainless Steel Drum-Shape Palette Cups — Best for Three Liquids
Some oil painters run more than two liquids: a lean medium for underpainting, a fatter medium for later layers and a solvent for cleaning. LEIFIDE’s set of three individual drum-shaped cups covers that without stacking double dippers.
Each cup is listed at 1-3/4 inches in diameter and 1-3/16 inches deep, with a 1-3/8 inch opening. The lids use rubber washers to block dust and leaks, and the clip is built into the lid assembly to hold the cup on the palette edge. The listing frames them as well suited to outdoor painting.
Best suited for: painters following fat-over-lean layering with separate mediums, or anyone who wants modular cup placement.
Key features:
- 3 separate stainless steel cups
- 1-3/4″ diameter, 1-3/16″ deep, 1-3/8″ opening
- Rubber washers in lids
- Palette clip on each cup
Pros:
- Three wells for complex medium setups
- Place cups wherever suits your palette layout
- Deeper than many double dippers
Cons:
- Opening is narrower than the cup body
- Small listing with limited buyer feedback
Buying consideration: The 1-3/8 inch opening is fine for most rounds and small filberts, but check it against your largest brush before buying.
6. AUEAR 2 Pack Stainless Steel Double Palette Cup — Best Budget Backup Pair
AUEAR’s listing is short and to the point: two stainless steel double palette cups with screw lids and a bottom clip that slides over the palette edge. It is described as rust resistant and intended for holding turpentine, linseed oil and other mediums.
The listing provides few measurements, so it is best treated as an affordable backup pair, a second set for a travel kit or a student setup rather than a precisely specified primary cup.
Best suited for: students, beginners and painters who want spare double cups at low cost.
Key features:
- 2 double palette cups
- Stainless steel, rust resistant
- Screw lids and bottom clip
Pros:
- Two double units at a low entry cost
- Good as backups or for a second palette
Cons:
- Sparse specifications on the listing
- No gasket mentioned for the lids
Buying consideration: Without stated gaskets, don’t rely on these for leak-proof transport of solvent. Empty them before packing up.
7. Skybooly Paint Brush Cleaner Set with Palette Cup — Best Combo with a Brush Washer
Palette cups hold small amounts of medium; they aren’t great for rinsing brushes between colors. Skybooly’s set pairs a double palette cup with an airtight stainless steel brush washer that has a removable filter screen. The screen gives bristles a surface to rub against while pigment sludge settles below.
The brush cleaner measures about 3.4 x 3.4 x 4.0 inches and seals with a rubber-ringed lid to hold in odors. The palette cup is listed at roughly 3.5 x 1.6 x 1.2 inches. The listing mentions use with water, alcohol or turpentine.
Best suited for: painters building a complete solvent setup who want the washer and palette cup to match.
Key features:
- Airtight stainless brush washer with rubber-ring seal
- Removable filter screen
- Double palette cup with clip included
- Washer approx. 3.4″ x 3.4″ x 4.0″
Pros:
- Solves both medium storage and brush rinsing
- Sealed washer helps contain solvent odor
- Compact enough for outdoor kits
Cons:
- Highest cost on this list
- Medium-size washer may be small for large brushes
Buying consideration: If you already own a brush washer, a standalone double dipper is the better buy. This set makes the most sense when you are starting from scratch.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Palette Cups for Oil Painting
All seven cups above are stainless steel, so the decision comes down to fit with your painting process. Work through these points before you buy.
Single, double or triple wells
Count the liquids you actually use at the palette. One medium means a single cup. Medium plus solvent is the classic double dipper. Separate lean and fat mediums plus solvent points toward three cups or a double plus a single.
Mouth width versus brush size
A narrow opening makes you tilt brushes and scrape bristles. Check the opening diameter against your largest brush. Cups with an opening around 1.5 inches or more suit most filberts and flats used in oil painting.
Lid seal and evaporation
Solvents evaporate quickly and mediums thicken in open air. Screw lids with a rubber or silicone gasket slow that down and let you carry a palette without spills. If a listing doesn’t mention a gasket, assume the seal is less reliable.
Clip strength and palette thickness
The bottom clip has to grip your palette firmly. Thin glass, wood and acrylic palettes vary in thickness, and a loose clip lets the cup slide or tip. Heavy-duty or spring-style clips handle more palette types.
Capacity and depth
Shallow cups are compact but need refilling. Deeper cups hold more but can make it harder to load a brush evenly. For long studio sessions, taller cups like QWORK’s or LEIFIDE’s drum cups reduce refills.
Portability for plein air
Outdoor painters need cups that fit a pochade box and survive transport. Compact size, secure lids and a clip that stays put in wind all matter more outside the studio.
Cleaning and safety
Stainless steel wipes clean easily, but residue builds up around threads. Wipe cups after each session and don’t pour solvent down the drain. Rags soaked with linseed oil can self-heat as they dry, so lay them flat to dry outdoors or store them in a sealed metal can filled with water.
Get More from Your Palette Cups
Once you’ve picked a cup, our guide on how to use a palette cup for oil painting explains what to put in each well and how to load your brush. When the session ends, follow these steps for cleaning palette cups after oil painting so medium doesn’t harden in the threads.
You may also want to rethink your whole layout with these oil painting palette setup tips, which cover color arrangement and where cups sit best.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filling the cup to the brim. Overfilled cups slosh when you dip. Fill halfway and top up as needed.
- Using the same well for solvent and medium. Mixing them changes your medium’s ratio and drying behavior.
- Leaving dirty solvent in the cup. Pigment sludge contaminates later colors. Rinse brushes in a separate washer jar.
- Ignoring the threads. Dried medium on the threads can lock a lid shut. Wipe threads after every session.
- Clipping to a palette that’s too thick. Check the clip opening against your palette before buying.
- Carrying solvent in ungasketed cups. Empty them before transport if the lid has no seal.
- Bunching up oily rags. Linseed-soaked rags can self-heat. Dry them flat or seal them in a metal can with water.
FAQs
What do you put in palette cups for oil painting?
Most painters keep a painting medium, such as linseed oil or a premixed alkyd medium, in one well and an odorless solvent in the other. Painters working solvent-free often use a single cup of oil or medium.
Is a single or double palette cup better?
A double cup is better if you use medium and solvent together. A single cup is simpler, lighter and easier to clean if you only use one liquid at the palette.
Are stainless steel palette cups safe for turpentine?
Yes. Stainless steel resists rust and doesn’t react with common solvents or oils, which is why it is the standard material for palette cups. Keep lids closed when not in use and ventilate your workspace.
How do I stop my palette cup from leaking?
Choose a cup with a screw lid and a rubber or silicone gasket, keep threads clean so the lid seats fully, and don’t overfill. For travel, empty solvent into a dedicated sealed container.
Can I use palette cups for acrylic or watercolor?
Yes. Many listings mention water, gouache and acrylic mediums as well as oil. A double cup can hold clean water on one side and a flow medium on the other.
How often should I clean oil painting palette cups?
Wipe them out at the end of each session. Medium left in a cup can thicken or skin over, and residue on the threads can make lids stick.
Final Recommendation
For most oil painters, a gasketed double dipper hits the sweet spot, and the MyLifeUNIT Large Mouth Double Dipper is the most balanced choice here. If your process uses a single medium, the U.S. Art Supply single cup keeps things light and simple. Need two units or a spare? QWORK’s 2-pack offers taller cups, with the caveat of a new listing.
Painters with larger brushes should look at Aliotech’s wider wells, while those juggling three liquids will appreciate LEIFIDE’s three-cup set. AUEAR suits budget backups, and the Skybooly combo is the easiest way to add a sealed brush washer at the same time. Match the well count and mouth width to how you paint, and keep those threads clean.
