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A Guerrilla Painter pochade box is a compact wooden painting box whose lid holds a panel upright and stores wet paintings, while a sliding palette covers a shallow storage well below. The current range on Amazon comes in three V 4.0 sizes, the 5×7 Pocket Box, the 6×8 ThumBox and the 8×10 Cigar Box, plus an earlier 8×10 Cigar Box still listed in beige. They all share the same idea: a box light enough to carry anywhere that mounts on a camera tripod and gets you painting in minutes.
The right choice comes down to panel size and how small you are willing to go. Below we compare the Guerrilla Painter boxes from their listings, explain who each suits, and look at three competing pochade boxes for painters who want a thinner profile, a tripod bundle or a watercolor setup.
Quick answer: The Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 is the pick for most oil and acrylic plein air painters: it holds 8×10 or larger panels, stores two wet 8x10s in the lid and weighs 2.25 pounds. The 6×8 ThumBox V 4.0 is the better choice if you want a smaller, 1.5-pound kit for quick studies. If you want a thinner box with magnetic closures, the New Wave u.go Anywhere is the alternative to compare.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 — Best overall Guerrilla Painter pochade box
- Guerrilla Painter 6×8 ThumBox V 4.0 — Best mid-size box for quick studies
- Guerrilla Painter 5×7 Pocket Box V 4.0 — Best ultra-compact box for travel
- Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Pochade Box (beige) — Best for lid extension clips for larger panels
- New Wave u.go Anywhere Pochade Box — Best slim alternative with magnetic hardware
- SoHo Urban Artist Pochade Box & Apex Tripod — Best bundle if you need a tripod too
- ACODE Walnut Travel Pochade Box — Best for watercolor sketching
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 | Most plein air painters | 2.25 lb; 12.5 x 10 x 3.25 in | Two wet 8x10s in lid | $$$ |
| 6×8 ThumBox V 4.0 | Quick studies | 1.5 lb; 9 x 7 x 3 in | Small and light | $$$ |
| 5×7 Pocket Box V 4.0 | Travel | 1.25 lb; 8 x 5.5 x 3 in | Fits a small bag | $$$ |
| 8×10 Cigar Box (beige) | Larger panels via clips | 2.25 lb; 1.5 in storage depth | Extension clips in lid | $$$ |
| New Wave u.go Anywhere | Slim profile | 2.1 lb; 8.4 x 11.25 x 1.25 in | Magnets, friction hinges | $$$ |
| SoHo Box + Apex Tripod | Complete setup | Panels to 9×12; tripod under 5 lb | Tripod included | $$$ |
| ACODE Walnut Box | Watercolor | 6.8 x 3.8 x 1.6 in closed | 16 paint wells, water cups | $$$ |
How We Chose
We have not carried or painted with these boxes. The picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each box’s panel size, weight, wet-panel storage and mounting fit plein air painting, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. All dimensions and weights below are quoted from the listings.
The criteria we compared:
- Panel size: the panel the lid holds, and whether larger panels fit.
- Wet panel storage: how many fresh paintings the box can carry home.
- Weight and closed size: what you will actually carry.
- Mounting: tripod mount, tabletop and lap use.
- Storage depth: room for paint tubes and brushes under the palette.
Guerrilla Painter Pochade Box Review
1. Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 — Best Overall
The 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 is the most versatile size in the range. Its lid holds an 8×10 or larger panel and stores up to two wet 8×10 panels, and it adjusts through a 180-degree arc so you can paint upright or flat. A universal tripod mount comes installed, and the box also works on your lap or a tabletop. D-rings let you attach a shoulder strap.
The listing gives a weight of 2.25 pounds and exterior dimensions of 12.5 by 10 by 3.25 inches. Under the sliding palette, a storage space of 8 by 10 by 1.5 inches holds paint tubes, a few brushes and a palette knife. For most oil and acrylic plein air painters, 8×10 is a sweet-spot size: big enough to capture a scene, small enough to finish before the light shifts.
Best suited for: oil and acrylic plein air painters working on 8×10 panels who want a light, all-in-one box.
Key features (from the listing):
- Holds 8×10 or larger panel; stores two wet 8×10 panels in the lid
- Lid adjusts through a 180-degree arc
- Universal tripod mount installed; lap or tabletop use
- 2.25 pounds; 12.5 x 10 x 3.25 inches
- Storage 8 x 10 x 1.5 inches under the sliding palette
Pros:
- Carries two wet paintings home safely
- Light for its panel size
- Three ways to use it: tripod, lap or table
- Strap-ready with D-rings
Cons / limitations:
- Tripod sold separately
- 1.5-inch storage depth limits what you can carry inside
- Highest price tier among the Guerrilla Painter sizes
Buying consideration: Pair it with a sturdy camera tripod. A lightweight travel tripod may wobble when you press a brush into the panel.
2. Guerrilla Painter 6×8 ThumBox V 4.0 — Best for Quick Studies
The ThumBox scales the same design down to a 6×8 panel. It holds a 6×8 or larger panel, stores two wet 6×8 panels in the lid, has an adjustable lid angle, and comes with the universal tripod mount and D-rings. It weighs 1.5 pounds and measures 9 by 7 by 3 inches, with storage of 8 by 6 by 1.5 inches.
A 6×8 panel encourages simplification and speed, which is why many painters use small sizes for color studies and warm-up sketches.
Best suited for: painters who do quick studies, travel light or want a second, smaller box.
Key features:
- Holds 6×8 or larger; two wet 6×8 panels in the lid
- 1.5 pounds; 9 x 7 x 3 inches
- Storage 8 x 6 x 1.5 inches; tripod mount installed
Pros: lighter and smaller than the Cigar Box; same proven features.
Cons / limitations: smaller palette and storage; 6×8 can feel limiting for complex scenes.
Buying consideration: A good first box if you mostly walk or hike to your locations.
3. Guerrilla Painter 5×7 Pocket Box V 4.0 — Best Ultra-Compact
The Pocket Box is the smallest Guerrilla Painter box listed: it holds a 5×7 or larger panel, stores two wet 5×7 panels in the lid, and adjusts through 180 degrees. It weighs 1.25 pounds and measures 8 by 5.5 by 3 inches, with storage of 7 by 5 by 1.5 inches. The tripod mount and D-rings are included.
Best suited for: travelers, urban sketchers and painters who want a box small enough for a day bag.
Key features:
- Holds 5×7 or larger; two wet 5×7 panels in the lid
- 1.25 pounds; 8 x 5.5 x 3 inches
- Storage 7 x 5 x 1.5 inches
Pros: lightest Guerrilla Painter box; very packable.
Cons / limitations: tight palette area; small paintings only.
Buying consideration: Keep your palette limited, perhaps four or five colors, to make the most of the small mixing area.
4. Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Pochade Box (beige) — Best for Larger Panels via Clips
This earlier listing of the 8×10 Cigar Box shares the key features: laptop, tabletop or tripod use, two wet panels in the lid, a lid that adjusts to any position through 180 degrees, a universal tripod mount and a weight of 2.25 pounds. The bottom is 1.5 inches deep under the sliding palette. Its listing specifically mentions extension clips in the lid to hold larger panels.
Best suited for: painters who want the 8×10 Cigar Box format and like the option of extension clips.
Pros: same weight and core features as the V 4.0; extension clips noted.
Cons / limitations: the listing gives fewer dimensions than the V 4.0, and it is not clear how it differs in detail.
Buying consideration: Compare both 8×10 listings on the day you buy; choose based on availability and what each includes.
Which Guerrilla Painter size should you buy?
Choose by the panel you want to paint most often. If you are unsure, 8×10 is the most common plein air size and the most flexible box. Choose the 6×8 ThumBox if you prioritize weight and quick studies, and the 5×7 Pocket Box if you want something you can carry every day. Many painters eventually own two sizes: a larger box for planned outings and a small one for spontaneous painting.
Alternatives Worth Comparing
5. New Wave u.go Anywhere Pochade Box — Best Slim Alternative
The u.go Anywhere is a different design philosophy: a very slim Baltic birch box at 8.4 by 11.25 by 1.25 inches and 2.1 pounds with palette. It uses rare earth magnets for closure, the panel holder, a removable side wall and an accessory side tray, plus friction hinges with a 180-degree range. Hardware is non-corrosive stainless steel and aluminum.
The listing gives a maximum recommended painting surface of 9 inches vertical. Stainless-steel panel holders grip panels as thin as 1/16 inch and stretched canvas up to 3/4 inch, and the box is designed around 1/8-inch panels. A high density plastic palette is included and paint dabs can stay on it when closed thanks to a recessed design.
Best suited for: painters who value a slim profile and magnetic, tool-free adjustments.
Pros: very thin closed; stores paint on the palette; precise hinges.
Cons / limitations: 9-inch vertical limit; less internal storage than Guerrilla boxes; wet panel storage is not described in the same way.
Buying consideration: If you carry panels in a separate wet-panel carrier, the u.go’s slimness is a real advantage.
6. SoHo Urban Artist Pochade Box & Apex Tripod — Best Bundle
The SoHo bundle pairs a mahogany-finish pochade box with brass fittings, a hardwood palette, a magnetic brush tray and wet-panel storage, with a Creative Mark Apex aluminum camera tripod. The box holds up to six dry or two wet panels, maximum 9×12, and has a 1/4-inch tripod mount. The tripod offers 360-degree pan, 90-degree tilt, a quick-release plate and a counterweight hook, and folds to under 5 pounds; the box weighs just over 6 pounds.
Best suited for: newcomers to plein air who need both a box and a tripod.
Pros: complete setup; larger panel capacity to 9×12; counterweight hook for wind.
Cons / limitations: much heavier than Guerrilla Painter boxes.
Buying consideration: Worth it if you have no tripod; otherwise a lighter box is easier to carry.
7. ACODE Walnut Travel Pochade Box — Best for Watercolor
ACODE’s small box is built for watercolor. It includes 16 built-in paint wells, two palettes, two stainless steel water cups and two plastic sinks. Closed, it measures 6.8 by 3.8 by 1.6 inches. The bullets state 1.32 pounds while the item details list 2.14 pounds. It has a standard 1/4-inch T-nut for camera tripods and rubber bumpers for tabletop use, and unfolds to fit 32k to 16k watercolor books.
Best suited for: watercolor and sketchbook painters.
Pros: integrated paint wells and water cups; tiny closed size.
Cons / limitations: not designed around oil or acrylic panels; conflicting weight figures.
Buying consideration: Choose this if you paint watercolor; choose a Guerrilla Painter box for oil and acrylic.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Guerrilla Painter Pochade Box
Start with panel size
Pochade boxes are sized around panels. Decide whether you paint 5×7, 6×8, 8×10 or larger, and choose the box built for it.
Wet panel storage
Carrying wet oil paintings home is a real problem. Guerrilla Painter boxes store two wet panels in the lid, and the SoHo box lists two wet panels too.
Weight and profile
Guerrilla Painter boxes range from 1.25 to 2.25 pounds. The u.go is slimmer at 1.25 inches thick. The SoHo box is heavier but includes more.
Tripod compatibility
Most of these boxes have a 1/4-inch tripod mount. Budget for a stable tripod with a quick-release plate and a center hook for a counterweight.
Storage under the palette
Guerrilla Painter boxes list 1.5 inches of depth, enough for paint tubes and a few short brushes. Long-handled brushes may need a separate holder.
Medium
Oil and acrylic painters need an upright panel holder and a mixing palette. Watercolorists benefit from paint wells and water cups like the ACODE box.
Plein Air Setup and Care Guides
Wooden pochade boxes last longer with a little maintenance; our guide to cleaning and maintaining a wooden easel applies to boxes too. Pochade boxes double as lap easels; see how to paint sitting with a lap easel for comfortable seated setups.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a flimsy tripod. The box is only as steady as its support.
- Buying a box bigger than your panels. Extra size adds weight without benefit.
- Overloading the storage well. A full well stops the palette sliding closed.
- Forgetting a counterweight. Hang your bag from the tripod hook on windy days.
- Packing panels touching wet paint. Use the lid slots so paintings do not smear.
- Leaving paint on wooden surfaces. Wipe the box down after each outing.
FAQs
What size Guerrilla Painter pochade box should I get?
For most plein air painters, the 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 is the most flexible. Choose the 6×8 ThumBox for lighter, quicker studies and the 5×7 Pocket Box for travel.
Do Guerrilla Painter boxes come with a tripod?
No. They include a universal tripod mount, but the tripod is separate. The SoHo bundle includes a tripod if you need one.
How many wet panels can a Guerrilla Painter box carry?
The listings for the Cigar Box, ThumBox and Pocket Box each say the lid stores up to two wet panels of the box’s size.
How much does the 8×10 Cigar Box weigh?
The listing gives 2.25 pounds.
Is the New Wave u.go better than a Guerrilla Painter box?
It suits different priorities. The u.go is slimmer with magnetic hardware and a 9-inch vertical limit. Guerrilla Painter boxes offer wet-panel storage in the lid and a choice of sizes.
Can I use a pochade box for watercolor?
Yes, if the lid opens flat. Guerrilla Painter boxes adjust through 180 degrees. For a watercolor-specific layout, the ACODE box adds paint wells and water cups.
Final Recommendation
The Guerrilla Painter 8×10 Cigar Box V 4.0 is the best all-round choice for oil and acrylic plein air painters, combining two-panel wet storage, a 180-degree lid and a 2.25-pound weight. The 6×8 ThumBox and 5×7 Pocket Box shrink the same design for faster studies and everyday carry, and the beige 8×10 Cigar Box is worth comparing for its lid extension clips.
If you prefer a slim profile, look at the New Wave u.go Anywhere. If you need a tripod as well, the SoHo bundle is complete. If you paint watercolor, the ACODE box suits you better. Pick the panel size you love to paint, and the right box follows.
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