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The Masterson vs Mijello wet palette question usually starts from a misunderstanding: the two brands make different kinds of palettes. Masterson Sta-Wet is a true wet palette, a sponge under a sheet of membrane paper that keeps acrylic and other water-based paint moist. Mijello’s best-known palettes are airtight well palettes, built mainly for watercolor, where you squeeze tube paint into slanted wells and seal the lid between sessions.
So the right pick depends on your medium. If you paint with acrylics, gouache or miniature paints and want mixes to stay workable, Masterson is the wet palette. If you paint watercolor and want a sealed, portable home for your colors, Mijello is the better tool. Below we compare them directly, then cover other stay-wet palettes worth considering.
Quick answer: For acrylics, choose the Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette; its sponge-and-paper system is a real wet palette and keeps paint workable for days. For watercolor, choose the Mijello Airtight 18-Well Palette or the larger Mijello Bulletproof 36-well. Miniature painters who want a modern stay-wet tray should also look at the Nicpro Stay Wet Palette.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette, 8.5 x 7 in — Best Masterson wet palette for acrylics
- Mijello Airtight Watercolor 18-Well Palette — Best Mijello palette for watercolor
- Mijello Bulletproof 36-Well Palette — Best large, durable watercolor palette
- Masterson Palette Seal, 12 x 16 in — Best studio-size palette storage
- Nicpro Stay Wet Palette — Best wet/dry combo for miniatures
- The Army Painter Wet Palette, Wargamers Edition — Best extra-large miniature wet palette
- Kreapa Stay Wet Palette — Best budget wet palette
Masterson vs Mijello: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Masterson Sta-Wet | Mijello Airtight |
|---|---|---|
| Palette type | Wet palette (sponge + membrane paper) | Airtight well palette |
| Main medium | Acrylic and other water-based paint | Watercolor (Mijello also mentions oil) |
| How paint stays usable | Moisture wicks up through paper from a damp sponge | Sealed lid slows evaporation; watercolor can be rewetted anyway |
| Mixing surface | Flat sheet of palette paper | Mixing areas plus slanted wells |
| Size options here | 8.5 x 7 in Handy; 12 x 16 in Palette Seal | 13 x 10 in, 18 wells; 14.17 x 6.18 in, 36 wells |
| Ongoing costs | Replacement paper and sponges | Essentially none |
| Portability | Handy size travels well; keep it level | Leakproof lid, built for travel and plein air |
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masterson Sta-Wet Handy | Acrylic painters | 8.5 x 7 x 1 in, sponge + paper | Keeps paint wet for days | $$ |
| Mijello Airtight 18-Well | Watercolor travel | 18 slanted wells, 2 mixing areas | Removable clear tray | $ |
| Mijello Bulletproof 36 | Large watercolor palettes | 36 wells, 4 mixing areas | Shock-proof clear material | $$ |
| Masterson Palette Seal | Studio storage | 12 x 16 in tray and lid | Fits full-size palettes | $$ |
| Nicpro Stay Wet | Miniatures, wet + dry | 9.6 x 6.2 in, 100 sheets, 4 sponges | Triple-tray design | $$ |
| Army Painter Wargamers | Big miniature projects | 10.6 x 7.8 in surface, 30-well insert | Brush storage built in | $$$ |
| Kreapa Stay Wet | Budget, beginners | 8.8 x 6.6 in, 2 sponges, 100 sheets | Lowest entry tier | $ |
How We Chose
We did not paint with these palettes. Our comparison is based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each palette’s design fits the medium it is meant for, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. Where a listing makes a claim we report it as the listing’s claim.
Criteria we weighed:
- Mechanism: sponge-and-membrane wet palette versus sealed well palette, matched to medium.
- Working area: enough flat space for mixing without crowding.
- Seal quality: airtight or snap lids that slow drying between sessions.
- Consumables: what has to be replaced and whether it is included.
- Portability and durability: leakproof claims, materials and footprint.
Masterson and Mijello Palettes Reviewed
1. Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette — Best Masterson Wet Palette for Acrylics
Masterson’s Sta-Wet system is the original consumer wet palette, and the Handy size is its compact version: 8.5 x 7 x 1 inches, made in the USA. A damp sponge sits in the tray, a sheet of Sta-Wet palette paper goes on top, and water moves up through the paper to keep acrylic paint moist while you work. Close the airtight lid and the listing says paint stays workable for days or even weeks.
This matters most with acrylics, which can skin over on a dry palette within minutes. With a wet palette, a carefully mixed skin tone or sky color is still usable the next day. The Handy size suits small paintings, classroom sets and miniature painters; larger canvases need more room.
Best suited for: Acrylic painters working small to medium, students, and miniature painters who want a proven, simple wet palette.
Key features:
- Sponge and palette paper wet system
- Airtight lid
- 8.5 x 7 x 1 inches
- Made in USA
Pros:
- True wet palette that keeps acrylics workable
- Compact and light
- Lower tier than larger wet palettes
Cons and limitations:
- Small mixing area for big canvases
- Paper and sponge need periodic replacement
- Not designed for watercolor wells
Buying consideration: Soak the paper in water before use, as Masterson recommends for its membrane sheets, and change sponges if they start to smell.
2. Mijello Airtight Watercolor 18-Well Palette — Best Mijello Palette for Watercolor
Mijello’s 18-well palette is what most painters mean when they say “Mijello palette.” It has 18 ergonomically slanted wells, two generous mixing areas and a completely removable clear tray. The listing says colors look the same on the palette as on watercolor paper, which helps when judging mixes, and it describes the case as leakproof and airtight to keep colors fresh for weeks.
It is not a wet palette in the Masterson sense; there is no sponge. Watercolor dries in the wells and simply reactivates with a wet brush, so the airtight seal mainly prevents tube paint from drying rock-hard too fast and protects it during travel. At 13 x 10 inches, it is a full home for a watercolor palette.
Best suited for: Watercolor painters, including students, plein air painters and travelers who keep tube colors set up in a palette.
Key features:
- 18 slanted wells
- Two large mixing areas
- Removable clear tray
- Leakproof, airtight case
- 13 x 10 inches
Pros:
- Purpose-built for watercolor
- Clear tray shows true color
- Lower tier than the 36-well model
Cons and limitations:
- Not a wet palette for acrylics
- Larger footprint than a pocket palette
- Blue case is plastic, not metal
Buying consideration: Fill wells a day before travel so tube paint can firm up and will not slide when the palette is tipped.
3. Mijello Bulletproof Watercolor Palette, 36 Wells — Best Large, Durable Watercolor Palette
The Bulletproof palette doubles the color count: 36 wells and four mixing areas, arranged for easy access by left- or right-handed painters. Mijello says it is made from the same shock-proof material used in bulletproof applications, crystal clear so colors show as they will on paper.
This is the palette for watercolorists with large color collections or those who keep warm and cool versions of each hue. At 14.17 x 6.18 inches, it is long and slim, easier to fit in a bag than a square palette of similar capacity.
Best suited for: Watercolor painters with large color collections who want a durable, clear palette that lasts.
Key features:
- 36 wells, 4 mixing areas
- Shock-proof clear material
- Left- and right-hand friendly layout
- 14.17 x 6.18 inches
Pros:
- Huge color capacity
- Durable material
- Clear surface for accurate color reading
Cons and limitations:
- Mid price tier
- Listing does not specifically claim airtight seal, unlike the 18-well
- Overkill for small palettes
Buying consideration: If you use 12 colors or fewer, the 18-well model is easier to manage; choose this for broad palettes.
4. Masterson Palette Seal, 12 x 16 in — Best Studio-Size Palette Storage
The Palette Seal is Masterson’s studio-size storage box: one tray and one sealing lid at 12 x 16 inches. The listing is clear that palette paper and sponge are sold separately, so it is a container that becomes a large wet palette when you add compatible Sta-Wet sponge and paper, or a sealed box for a palette you already use.
Masterson lists it for both acrylic and oil workflows. For oil painters, the sealed lid slows skinning between sessions on a glass or paper palette; for acrylic painters, the big footprint gives room for a full palette of mixes on larger canvases.
Best suited for: Studio painters working larger who want a big sealed box for acrylic or oil palettes between sessions.
Key features:
- 12 x 16 inch tray and sealing lid
- Snap-style closure
- Compatible with Masterson Sta-Wet sponge and paper (sold separately)
- Listed for acrylic and oil
Pros:
- Large studio footprint
- Works with oil palettes as well as acrylic
- Simple, durable design
Cons and limitations:
- Sponge and paper not included
- Too big for travel
- Mid price tier for a tray and lid
Buying consideration: Budget for Sta-Wet sponge and paper if you want it to work as a wet palette.
Other Wet Palettes Worth Comparing
If neither brand fits exactly, these stay-wet palettes from the same search target acrylic and miniature painters with more included accessories.
5. Nicpro Stay Wet Palette — Best Wet/Dry Combo for Miniatures
Nicpro bundles a lot into one box: a triple-tray palette, four gray sponges, 100 palette sheets, a brush rest and an elastic band. The cover and bottom tray work as a wet palette; the middle tray has 16 deep sloping wells and two corner water wells for use as a dry palette. Gray sponges help you judge true paint color better than white ones.
The palette paper is described as double-sided and silicone-coated, and the working area is listed at 9.6 x 6.2 inches.
Best suited for: Miniature and model painters who want wet and dry wells in one kit.
Key features:
- Triple-tray wet and dry design
- 4 gray sponges, 100 palette sheets
- 16 sloping wells plus 2 water wells
- Brush rest and elastic band
Pros:
- Lots of consumables included
- Gray sponge aids color judgment
- Dry wells for washes and inks
Cons and limitations:
- More parts to clean
- Mid price tier
- Smaller than studio wet palettes
Buying consideration: A strong all-in-one if you paint miniatures; acrylic canvas painters may prefer a larger flat area.
6. The Army Painter Wet Palette, Wargamers Edition — Best Extra-Large Miniature Wet Palette
Built for tabletop painters, this palette has a 10.6 x 7.8 inch working surface with Hydro Foam and Hydro Sheets, a hard-plastic insert with 30 wells for washes and speedpaints, storage for up to 16 brushes, a hard lid and a safety strap. Army Painter sells a Hydro Pack with 50 sheets and two foams for refills.
It is the most complete setup here and the top price tier, aimed at people painting whole armies or large models.
Best suited for: Wargamers and miniature painters with big projects and many paints in rotation.
Key features:
- 10.6 x 7.8 inch working surface
- Hydro Foam and Hydro Sheets
- 30-well paint insert
- Storage for 16 brushes
- Airtight lid with strap
Pros:
- Largest working area of the miniature palettes
- Integrated brush storage
- Well insert separates thin paints
Cons and limitations:
- Top price tier
- Bulky compared with simple trays
- Branded refills cost extra
Buying consideration: Worth it for heavy miniature painters; casual painters will be fine with a simpler tray.
7. Kreapa Stay Wet Palette — Best Budget Wet Palette
Kreapa covers the basics at the lowest tier: an 8.8 x 6.6 inch box, two gray sponges and 100 sheets of hydro paper, with instructions for moisturizing. The sponges are reusable; you replace the paper as needed.
It does exactly what a wet palette needs to do without extras, making it a good way to find out whether you like painting from a wet palette.
Best suited for: Beginners and budget-minded acrylic or miniature painters trying a wet palette for the first time.
Key features:
- 8.8 x 6.6 inch box
- 2 gray sponges
- 100 hydro paper sheets
- Lightweight and portable
Pros:
- Lowest price tier
- 100 sheets included
- Compact for travel
Cons and limitations:
- No dry wells or brush storage
- Smaller working area
- Less established brand than Masterson
Buying consideration: A smart first wet palette; upgrade later if you need more space or features.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Between a Wet Palette and an Airtight Palette
Match the palette to your paint
Acrylics dry by evaporation and become permanent, so they need constant moisture to stay workable; that is what a sponge-and-paper wet palette provides. Watercolor can be rewetted after drying, so it benefits more from organized wells and a sealed lid than from a sponge. Gouache sits in between and works with either.
Working area
Small palettes around 8 x 7 inches suit miniatures and small paintings. Canvases 16 x 20 inches and up need room for bigger piles and mixes, so look at 12 x 16 inch options or larger.
Seal and storage
Airtight lids slow evaporation between sessions. For wet palettes, a good seal can keep acrylic usable for days; refrigerating a sealed wet palette can extend that, though some painters report mold if sponges are not refreshed.
Consumables and running costs
Wet palettes need palette paper or membrane sheets and occasional new sponges. Kits that include 100 sheets lower the startup cost. Well palettes like Mijello’s have essentially no running costs.
Sponge color and mixing surface
Gray sponges and clear trays help you judge true color. White sponges can make light mixes hard to read. A clear Mijello tray shows watercolor much as it appears on white paper.
Portability
For travel, look for leakproof claims and keep wet palettes level so water does not pool. Mijello’s airtight design is built for plein air; compact wet palettes like the Masterson Handy travel well in a flat bag.
Learn More About Wet Palettes
New to the concept? Start with our explainer on what a wet palette is and why painters use one. If you already own one, our guide to using a stay-wet palette correctly covers soaking paper, sponge moisture and avoiding mold.
And if you want to try the idea before buying, you can make a DIY wet palette for acrylics with a food container, a sponge and baking parchment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a Mijello watercolor palette expecting a wet palette: it has no sponge and will not keep acrylic wet the same way.
- Using dry Sta-Wet paper: membrane paper should be soaked before use or moisture will not wick up.
- Overwatering the sponge: too much water makes paint runny; damp, not dripping, is the goal.
- Leaving a sealed wet palette for weeks without airing: sponges can develop mold or odor.
- Choosing too small a palette: large canvases need a large mixing area.
- Using white sponges with light colors: gray sponges make value judgments easier.
FAQs
Is Mijello a wet palette?
Not in the traditional sense. Mijello’s popular palettes are airtight well palettes designed mainly for watercolor. They seal paint in slanted wells but do not use a sponge and membrane paper to keep acrylic moist.
Which is better for acrylics, Masterson or Mijello?
Masterson. Its Sta-Wet system is a true wet palette that keeps acrylic workable for days. Mijello palettes are better suited to watercolor.
How long does paint stay wet in a Masterson Sta-Wet palette?
Masterson says paint stays workable for days or even weeks with the lid closed, depending on how damp the sponge is and the room conditions.
Can I use a Mijello palette for gouache?
Yes. Gouache can be squeezed into wells and rewetted like watercolor, though it can crack when fully dry. The airtight lid helps slow that drying.
Do I need special paper for a wet palette?
Wet palettes need membrane or parchment-style paper that lets moisture pass through slowly. Masterson sells Sta-Wet paper; kits like Nicpro and Kreapa include their own sheets.
What is the best wet palette for miniatures?
The Nicpro Stay Wet Palette suits most miniature painters with its wet and dry trays. The Army Painter Wargamers Edition is the bigger, more feature-rich option for large projects.
Final Recommendation
Choose by medium. For acrylic painting, the Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette is the classic wet palette, and the Masterson Palette Seal is the studio-size box if you work larger. For watercolor, the Mijello Airtight 18-Well is the practical everyday palette and the Mijello Bulletproof 36-well suits big color collections.
Miniature painters get more out of the Nicpro Stay Wet Palette or the larger Army Painter Wargamers Edition, and anyone testing the waters can start with the Kreapa Stay Wet Palette.
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