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A small palette earns its place when you are painting details, working at a desk, or carrying a kit to class. You only squeeze out a pea-sized amount of each color, the wells keep mixes separate, and the whole thing fits beside your sketchbook instead of taking over the table.
The best small palette depends on two things: material (ceramic or plastic) and layout (a few deep wells, or many wells around a mixing center). Below are six compact options, from a glazed ceramic mini palette for watercolor and gouache detail work to stackable plastic trays that make sense for classrooms.
Quick answer: For detail painting in watercolor, gouache or ink, the HWSDSGO Mini Ceramic Palette with Brush Rest is the pick: glazed ceramic does not stain or bead paint the way plastic can, and it measures just 2.76 x 4.21 inches. For a cheap, lightweight option with more room, the LNAUJS 6-Well Rectangular Palettes come eight to a pack, and the Mr. Pen Round Palettes add a central mixing well.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- HWSDSGO 2-Pack Mini Ceramic Paint Palette with Brush Rest — Best for detail work and watercolor
- LNAUJS 8-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best small plastic palette for one-handed use
- Tamaki 8-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best ultra-compact 6-well tray
- Mr. Pen Round Paint Tray Palettes, 4-Pack — Best small palette with a mixing reservoir
- LNAUJS 15-Pack Round Paint Tray Palettes — Best for classrooms and groups
- Hulameda 4-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best for kids’ parties
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HWSDSGO Mini Ceramic | Watercolor, gouache, ink detail | 2.76 x 4.21 in, glazed ceramic, 2 pack | Built-in brush rest, stain resistant | $ |
| LNAUJS 6-Well Rectangular | Desk and travel painting | 3.4 x 5 in, 6 wells, 8 pack | Light, stackable, one-handed | $ |
| Tamaki 8-Piece | Small color sets | 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.5 in, 6 deep wells | Very compact footprint | $ |
| Mr. Pen Round 4-Pack | Mixing as well as holding | 6.7 in round, 10 wells + center | Central reservoir for mixing | $ |
| LNAUJS 15-Pack Round | Classrooms, groups | 6.69 in round, 10 wells + 3.07 in center | Detailed well dimensions, bulk count | $ |
| Hulameda 4-Piece | Kids, parties | Molded plastic tray | Break-proof, easy to wash | $ |
How We Chose
We did not paint on these palettes. The picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each palette’s size, material and well layout fit small-scale and detail painting, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers.
A “small” palette means different things to different painters, so we judged each one on:
- Footprint: how much desk or lap space it takes. We kept everything under about 7 inches across.
- Material: glazed ceramic resists staining and lets watercolor sit in smooth pools; plastic is lighter, cheaper and harder to break.
- Well count and depth: deep wells hold fluid paint and ink without spilling; more wells suit a wider color set.
- Mixing space: a central reservoir or flat area for blending, separate from the color wells.
- Pack size: multi-packs let you dedicate one palette per medium or per student.
Best Small Palettes Reviewed
1. HWSDSGO Mini Ceramic Paint Palette with Brush Rest — Best for Detail Work
Ceramic is the traditional choice for watercolor and gouache because the glazed surface is non-porous and heavy enough to stay put. On plastic, watercolor often beads into droplets; on glazed ceramic it settles into an even pool, which makes it easier to judge how much pigment is on the brush. That matters most when you are painting fine details and loading a small round brush with exactly the right amount of color.
This two-pack measures about 2.76 x 4.21 inches per palette, with recessed mixing wells, raised dividers and a brush rest along the top. The listing positions it for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, ink and journaling. It is small enough to sit next to an open sketchbook or slip into an art bag, though ceramic is breakable, so wrap it before travel.
Best suited for: Watercolor and gouache painters, illustrators working in sketchbooks, and anyone painting small details with ink or fluid paint.
Key features:
- Two mini palettes, approx. 2.76 x 4.21 inches each
- White glazed ceramic with rounded edges
- Recessed wells with raised dividers
- Built-in brush rest
Pros:
- Ceramic surface resists staining and keeps watercolor pooling evenly
- Brush rest keeps a loaded brush off the table
- Heavier than plastic, so it does not slide around
Cons and limitations:
- Breakable if dropped
- Small mixing area limits big washes
- Higher cost per palette than plastic trays
Buying consideration: Choose ceramic if you paint with watercolor, gouache or ink and value clean color. For acrylics that dry hard in the wells, plastic is easier to peel clean.
2. LNAUJS 8-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best Small Plastic Palette
Each of these palettes is 3.4 x 5 inches with six wells about 1.3 inches across. The listing describes them as designed for one-handed use, which suits painters who hold the palette near the work while painting small pieces such as miniatures, cards or ornaments.
With eight in the pack, you can keep one for acrylic, one for watercolor and one for ink, or hand them out at a craft session. They stack flat for storage. Six wells is enough for a limited palette of primaries plus white and an earth tone.
Best suited for: Hobby painters working small, crafters, and anyone who wants inexpensive palettes they can dedicate to different media.
Key features:
- 8 palettes, 3.4 x 5 inches each
- Six wells about 1.3 inches in diameter
- Smooth white plastic
- Stackable
Pros:
- Light and easy to hold in one hand
- Enough palettes to separate media
- Very low cost per piece
Cons and limitations:
- No separate mixing reservoir
- Watercolor may bead on plastic
- Lighter plastic can slide on a smooth table
Buying consideration: Ideal as a working palette for small projects. If you mix a lot of custom colors, pick a round palette with a center well instead.
3. Tamaki 8-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best Ultra-Compact Tray
Tamaki’s trays are 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.5 inches with six deep wells meant to keep colors separate. The half-inch depth is useful when you work with fluid acrylics, inks or diluted paint that would slosh out of shallower wells.
One caution: the product title calls these plastic, while the listing bullets and details describe ceramic. Treat the material as unconfirmed and assume a lightweight tray until it arrives. Either way, the size and well layout are clear, and eight pieces is a generous count.
Best suited for: Painters who need very small, deep-welled trays for fluid paint, ink or a short list of colors.
Key features:
- 8 trays, 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.5 inches
- Six deep wells
- Stackable and space saving
- White finish
Pros:
- Deep wells hold fluid media securely
- Tiny footprint fits crowded desks
- Good count per pack
Cons and limitations:
- Listing is inconsistent about whether the material is plastic or ceramic
- No mixing area beyond the wells
- Limited to six colors at a time
Buying consideration: Buy for the size and depth, not for a specific material. If you need guaranteed ceramic, the HWSDSGO palette is clearly listed as glazed ceramic.
4. Mr. Pen Round Paint Tray Palettes, 4-Pack — Best With a Mixing Reservoir
If you want small but still need somewhere to mix, a round tray with a center reservoir is the classic compromise. Mr. Pen’s palettes are 6.7 inches across with ten wells and one central reservoir, and the wells are 0.4 inches deep.
The ten wells hold a full color set, and the center is where you blend. The listing notes the trays are light enough for children to hold. Four in the pack lets you keep one per medium.
Best suited for: Students and hobby painters who mix custom colors but still want a palette that fits on a small desk.
Key features:
- 4 round palettes, 6.7 inches diameter
- 10 wells plus a central reservoir
- 0.4 inch well depth
- Smooth, easy-clean plastic
Pros:
- Dedicated mixing space in the middle
- Ten wells handle a wide color set
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
Cons and limitations:
- Largest footprint in this list
- Shallow-ish wells for very fluid paint
- Plastic can stain with strong pigments
Buying consideration: A good all-round small palette. If you only use three to six colors, the rectangular 6-well trays take up less room.
5. LNAUJS 15-Pack Round Paint Tray Palettes — Best for Classrooms and Groups
This is the bulk version of the round 10-well tray, with unusually precise specs in the listing. Each palette has an outer diameter of 6.69 inches, a central mixing area 3.07 inches across and 0.34 inches deep, and ten wells 1.25 inches across and 0.41 inches deep.
Fifteen palettes cover a classroom table, a scout troop or a paint party. Teachers can pre-fill the wells with the same set of colors for every student, which speeds up setup and keeps kids from fighting over a shared tray.
Best suited for: Art teachers, homeschool groups, workshops and parents who host painting parties.
Key features:
- 15 round palettes
- 6.69 inch diameter with 3.07 inch center well
- 10 wells, 1.25 inches across
- Stackable white plastic
Pros:
- Lowest cost per palette for group use
- Clear, detailed dimensions
- Separate mixing center
Cons and limitations:
- More palettes than a solo painter needs
- Plastic surface can bead watercolor
- Larger than the rectangular trays
Buying consideration: If you paint alone, the 4-pack from Mr. Pen is the same format with less storage burden.
6. Hulameda 4-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best for Kids’ Parties
Hulameda markets these molded plastic trays as break-proof, sturdy and easy to wash, with a size light enough for children to hold. The listing even suggests using them to decorate cupcakes at a birthday art party, which tells you the intended use: casual, messy, fun.
The listing does not give exact dimensions or well count, which is a drawback if you need a specific size. For kids’ sessions, though, the main requirement is that the tray survives being dropped, and break-proof plastic does that job.
Best suited for: Young kids, birthday art parties and anyone who needs a few inexpensive, durable trays.
Key features:
- 4 molded plastic trays
- Listed as break-proof
- Smooth surface for quick washing
Pros:
- Durable for kids
- Low cost
- Easy to rinse
Cons and limitations:
- No dimensions or well count in the listing
- Only four pieces
- Not designed for precise detail work
Buying consideration: Fine for kids and parties. For serious detail painting, choose a palette with documented dimensions.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Small Palette
Ceramic vs Plastic
Ceramic is heavier, does not stain easily, and lets watercolor and gouache pool smoothly. Plastic is light, cheap and nearly unbreakable, and dried acrylic often peels right off. For detail watercolor work, ceramic is worth it; for acrylic, kids and travel, plastic usually wins. If you are weighing a handheld option, our comparison of thumb palettes and table palettes covers the tradeoff in more depth.
Well Count Should Match Your Color List
Count the colors you actually use. A limited palette of five or six pigments fits a 6-well tray perfectly. If you are not sure which colors to start with, see what colors to put on a painting palette and our guide to setting up a limited palette. Portrait painters working with a four-color Zorn palette can manage with even fewer wells; here is how to set up a Zorn palette.
Mixing Space
Small palettes trade mixing room for compactness. If you mix most colors yourself, choose a round tray with a center reservoir. If you work from tube colors with light adjustments, wells alone are enough. Our tips on mixing colors directly on the palette help you get more out of limited space.
Well Depth for Fluid Media
Ink, fluid acrylic and diluted watercolor need wells at least 0.4 inches deep, or they spill when the palette tilts. The Tamaki trays and the LNAUJS round trays list the deepest wells here.
Keeping Paint Workable
Small amounts of acrylic dry fast on any open palette. A wet palette solves that for long sessions; read what a wet palette is and how the Masterson and Mijello wet palettes compare. For an open palette, you can also learn how to keep paint from drying out and how to cover a palette to save paint between sessions.
Cleaning and Care
Small palettes get dirty quickly because colors sit close together. Rinse watercolor and gouache palettes after each session, and let acrylic dry fully on plastic so it peels away. Our guides on how to clean a painting palette and removing dried paint from a plastic palette walk through each material.
More Palette Guides
New to arranging colors? Start with how to set up a color palette for painting, then build your first working set with our guide on making a color palette for beginners. If you paint acrylics for hours at a time, using a stay-wet palette correctly can save a lot of wasted paint.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Squeezing out too much paint: on a small palette, a pea-sized dab of each color is plenty. Extra paint just dries and gets wasted.
- Using one palette for every medium: dried acrylic flakes contaminate watercolor. Keep separate palettes.
- Choosing shallow wells for ink: fluid media spills from shallow wells. Check well depth.
- Packing ceramic loose: wrap ceramic palettes in a cloth before putting them in a bag.
- Skipping a mixing area: mixing in a color well muddies the original paint. Use the center reservoir or a separate tray.
- Letting acrylic dry in ceramic wells: it is harder to remove from textured glaze than from smooth plastic. Clean ceramic while paint is wet.
FAQs
What size is a small paint palette?
Most small palettes are between about 3 and 7 inches across. Mini ceramic palettes can be under 5 inches long, while round plastic trays with ten wells usually measure around 6.7 inches.
Is ceramic or plastic better for a small palette?
Ceramic is better for watercolor, gouache and ink because the glazed surface does not stain and lets paint pool evenly. Plastic is better for acrylic, kids and travel because it is light, cheap and hard to break.
How many wells does a palette need?
Match the well count to your colors. Six wells handle a limited palette of primaries plus white and an earth tone. Ten wells suit a broader set or a classroom where everyone gets the same colors.
Can I use a small palette for acrylic paint?
Yes. Use small amounts and work quickly, or mist the paint lightly with water to slow drying. Plastic palettes make dried acrylic easier to peel off.
Why does watercolor bead up on my plastic palette?
New plastic is slick and slightly water-repellent, so watercolor gathers into droplets. Ceramic avoids this. Some painters gently scrub new plastic with a mild abrasive cleaner to reduce beading.
What is the best small palette for kids?
Inexpensive, break-proof plastic trays such as the Hulameda or LNAUJS round palettes work well. Multi-packs let each child have their own.
Final Recommendation
For detail painting in watercolor, gouache or ink, the HWSDSGO Mini Ceramic Palette is the best small palette here. Its glazed ceramic surface, compact size and brush rest suit precise, sketchbook-scale work.
If you want light and inexpensive, the LNAUJS 6-Well Rectangular Palettes are easy to hold and come eight to a pack. Painters who mix lots of custom colors should go with the Mr. Pen Round Palettes for their center reservoir, and teachers will get the most value from the LNAUJS 15-pack.
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