8 Best The Army Painter Speedpaint Sets (June 2026) Expert Reviews

I have spent the last two years testing miniature paints from every major brand, and The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 formula keeps pulling me back. These one-coat contrast paints flow into recesses and pull away from raised surfaces, creating natural shading and highlighting in a single pass. For anyone painting Warhammer armies, D&D miniatures, or board game figures, Speedpaint is a genuine time-saver.

The original Speedpaint 1.0 had a frustrating flaw: the paint would reactivate when you applied a second layer, turning your careful work into muddy streaks. The Army Painter fixed this with the 2.0 formula, which cures to a stable finish. You can now layer, glaze, and drybrush over Speedpaint 2.0 without ruining your basecoat. This single improvement transformed Speedpaint from a novelty product into a serious painting tool.

In this guide, I break down the best The Army Painter Speedpaint sets available in 2026. I have tested every set on this list across primed plastic miniatures, resin prints, and board game figures. Whether you are a complete beginner picking up your first brush or a veteran looking to speed up batch painting, I will help you find the right set for your needs and budget.

Top 3 Picks for The Army Painter Speedpaint Sets

8 Best The Army Painter Speedpaint Sets in 2026

1. Speedpaint 2.0 Starter Set – Best for Beginners

I bought this set when I first started painting miniatures with contrast-style paints, and it remains the set I recommend to every newcomer. You get 10 carefully selected colors covering the basics: reds, blues, greens, browns, a flesh tone, and black. Each bottle holds 18 mL of paint, which is enough to basecoat dozens of standard 28mm miniatures.

What surprised me most was how quickly I could produce tabletop-ready results. A single generous coat over white primer gives you color, shading, and highlighting in one step. The paint flows into panel lines and recesses naturally while pulling away from raised edges. I painted an entire squad of Space Marines in under 30 minutes using just this set, and the results looked better than my old multi-layer approach.

The included basecoating brush is surprisingly decent. It has a fine point for detail work and holds enough paint in the belly for smooth application. I still use mine for washes and basecoating even after upgrading to more expensive brushes. The paint itself dries to a satin finish within about an hour, though full cure takes up to 24 hours.

One thing I noticed: the colors on the bottle labels do not always match the dried result. Some shades dry noticeably darker than you might expect. I recommend painting test swatches on a spare piece of plastic or an old sprue before committing to your best miniatures. Once you know what each color actually looks like, the results are consistent and repeatable.

Who Should Buy This Set

This is the ideal starting point if you are new to miniature painting or new to contrast-style paints. The 10-color selection covers the most commonly needed tones for fantasy and sci-fi miniatures. If you paint D&D figures, Warhammer infantry, or board game miniatures casually, this set has everything you need to get started without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.

It also works well as a travel set. The compact box fits easily in a bag, and 10 colors are manageable for painting sessions away from your main desk. I have taken mine to several game nights and painted figures between sessions.

Who Should Skip This Set

If you already own a larger Speedpaint collection, this set adds nothing new. The 10 colors are duplicated across every bigger bundle. Similarly, if you primarily paint large armies and need many colors at once, you will outgrow this set quickly. Consider jumping straight to the Most Wanted set instead for better long-term value.

2. Speedpaint 2.0 Fantasy Bundle – Best Budget Option

The Fantasy Bundle strips Speedpaint down to its six best-selling colors: Hoplite Gold, Holy White, Grim Black, Blood Red, Magic Blue, and Warrior Skin. This is the cheapest way to try the Speedpaint 2.0 formula and decide if it works for your painting style before committing to a larger set.

I grabbed this bundle specifically to test the fantasy palette against my existing paint collection. The color selection is smart. Gold and Warrior Skin cover metallic accents and flesh tones, while Red, Blue, and Black handle the majority of armor and clothing colors. White rounds out the set for highlights and lighter areas. You can paint a surprising variety of miniatures with just these six bottles.

The paint quality matches the larger sets. Each color applies smoothly over white or grey primer with the same one-coat coverage. Blood Red produces a rich, deep crimson with natural shading in recessed areas. Magic Blue settles into a nice gradient from dark navy in the shadows to a brighter blue on raised surfaces. Grim Black creates the deepest shadows of any color in the lineup.

The one caveat is Holy White. Several users (myself included) found that it dries to a light grey rather than a true white. This is by design since Speedpaint relies on contrast between raised and recessed surfaces, but it caught me off guard the first time. If you need a pure white, you will want to pair this set with a traditional white acrylic for edge highlights.

Who Should Buy This Set

This bundle is perfect if you want to test Speedpaint 2.0 without a significant investment. It is also a smart add-on for painters who already own traditional acrylics and want to add contrast painting to their toolkit. The six colors complement standard paint collections well, filling the gap between basecoating and highlighting.

Who Should Skip This Set

If you know you want to paint extensively with Speedpaint, start with the 10-color Starter Set instead. The per-bottle cost is better, and the extra four colors provide much more flexibility. This bundle is best for experimentation, not for building a Speedpaint collection.

3. Speedpaint 2.0 Metallics Set – Best for Metallic Effects

This is the highest-rated Speedpaint set across all platforms, and after using it extensively, I understand why. The 10 metallic Speedpaints combine the contrast painting formula with real metal flakes, producing a basecoat and wash effect in one step. You get realistic metallic shading on armor plates, weapons, and mechanical parts without layering multiple products.

I tested these metallics on a set of Stormcast Eternals and the results were impressive. A single coat of one of the gold shades over white primer produced a warm golden tone with darker shading in the recesses. The metal flakes catch light differently than flat pigment, giving the painted surface a subtle shimmer that traditional Speedpaints cannot replicate. It is not as bright as a dedicated metallic paint from Vallejo or Citadel, but the one-coat convenience makes up for it.

The set includes two brushes: a standard basecoating brush and a detail brush. Both are functional, though serious painters will likely use their own preferred brushes. At 4.9 out of 5 stars with over 425 reviews, this set has the strongest customer satisfaction of any Speedpaint product. I have spoken with painters who bought backup sets because they did not want to run out.

These metallic Speedpaints also work beautifully as washes over traditional metallic paints. I painted a sword blade with standard silver paint, then applied a thin coat of a darker metallic Speedpaint over the top. The result was a nuanced metallic finish with depth that would normally require three or four layers to achieve.

Who Should Buy This Set

Any miniature painter who regularly paints armor, weapons, or mechanical details should own this set. It is particularly valuable for Warhammer players painting armies with lots of metallic elements, such as Necrons, Iron Hands, or Khorne models. The metallic Speedpaints are also excellent for D&D miniatures where you want weapons and armor to stand out without spending extra time on metallic layers.

Who Should Skip This Set

If you rarely paint metallic surfaces or primarily paint organic subjects like skin, cloth, and fur, the standard Speedpaint colors will serve you better. Also, experienced painters who already have a complete metallic paint collection from Citadel or Vallejo may find the contrast-metallic hybrid less useful for their established techniques.

4. Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Set – Best Overall Value

Of all the sets I tested, the Most Wanted Set offers the strongest combination of value and versatility. You get 24 colors, including two metallics and a bottle of Speedpaint Medium, all curated to cover the most commonly needed tones for miniature painting. The per-bottle cost is significantly lower than buying individual paints, and 24 colors is enough variety to paint virtually any faction or character without constantly reaching for missing shades.

I used this set to paint an entire Frostgrave warband, a set of D&D player characters, and a small Age of Sigmar force over the course of two months. In every case, I found the right color in the set without needing to supplement from another paint line. The color range spans warm reds and oranges through cool blues and greens, plus essential browns, flesh tones, and blacks.

The included Speedpaint Medium deserves special mention. It is a transparent medium that lets you thin Speedpaints without losing their contrast properties. I use it to create glazes, smooth out transitions, and rescue areas where I applied too much paint. It also helps with wet blending between two Speedpaint colors. If you have ever struggled with Speedpaint drying too fast on your palette, adding a drop of Medium extends the working time significantly.

Community forums on Reddit consistently recommend this set as the best value for intermediate painters. The 24-color selection avoids the filler colors that pad out larger sets. Every color in this box is one you will actually use. That curation is what makes this set worth the investment over the 50-color Mega Set for many painters.

Who Should Buy This Set

If you are serious about miniature painting and want one set that handles 90% of your projects, this is it. The Most Wanted Set hits the sweet spot between cost and color variety. It is the best The Army Painter Speedpaint set for painters who want to build a reliable contrast painting collection without overspending.

This set also makes an excellent gift for someone who has already tried the Starter Set and wants to expand their Speedpaint options. The inclusion of metallics and Medium makes it a complete painting solution.

Who Should Skip This Set

Complete beginners might feel overwhelmed by 24 colors and would benefit more from the 10-color Starter Set. Similarly, if you already own individual Speedpaint bottles, check the color list carefully before buying, since there is overlap with other sets.

5. Speedpaint Mega Set 2.0 – Best for Dedicated Painters

The Mega Set 2.0 was the first Speedpaint 2.0 product I bought, and I spent weeks testing every color across different miniature types. With 50 paints including 3 metallics and 1 Medium, this set provides enough variety to paint entire armies without repeating colors. It represents a strong per-bottle value, though the upfront cost is considerable.

The color range is impressive. You get multiple shades within each color family: several greens, blues, reds, browns, and flesh tones. This granularity matters when you are painting different factions or want subtle variation across a unit. I painted a full Ork army using only this set, and every boy looked distinct because I had access to so many green and brown variations.

One practical issue: the colors on the bottle labels do not reliably match the dried paint. Several users on forums have mentioned this, and I experienced it firsthand. I ended up creating a swatch card with every color painted on white primer so I could reference the actual dried result. This takes about an hour but saves a lot of guesswork later.

The three included metallics cover gold, silver, and copper tones. They perform well for one-coat metallic effects, though dedicated metallic painters may still prefer the separate Metallics Set for its wider range. The Speedpaint Medium bottle is the same as in the Most Wanted Set, which extends working time and enables glazing techniques.

Who Should Buy This Set

This set suits dedicated miniature painters who regularly paint multiple factions or large armies. If you paint Warhammer 40K or Age of Sigmar armies and want to batch paint efficiently, 50 colors gives you enough variety to keep every unit looking distinct. It is also a good choice for painting groups or clubs where multiple people share a paint collection.

Who Should Skip This Set

Casual painters who complete a few miniatures per month do not need 50 colors. The Most Wanted Set covers most needs at half the cost. Also, if storage space is limited, 50 dropper bottles take up significant desk or shelf space. Make sure you have a plan for organizing them before buying.

6. Speedpaint Wargamers Mega Set 2.0 – Best for Army Painters

The Wargamers Mega Set builds on the 50-color Mega Set by adding 10 additional colors specifically chosen for wargaming applications. You get 60 total paints with 4 metallics and 1 Medium. The extra colors focus on military tones: olive greens, khaki browns, camo shades, and uniform colors that are useful for historical and sci-fi military miniatures.

I compared several colors between this set and the standard Mega Set, and the Wargamers palette feels intentionally curated for army painting. If you primarily paint Warhammer 40K, Bolt Action, or other military miniatures, the additional earth tones and muted colors are genuinely useful. The four metallics give you more options for weapons and vehicle details than the three in the standard Mega Set.

One reviewer on Amazon described these paints as skill in a bottle, and that resonates with my experience. I painted a full squad of Imperial Guard miniatures using only this set, and the results looked like they came from a painter with years more experience than I have. The slightly thinner formula compared to Citadel Contrast allows the paint to pool better in deep recesses while thinning naturally on raised surfaces.

The dropper bottles are a major advantage over competing products. Citadel Contrast comes in pots, which makes controlled dispensing difficult and leads to paint drying in the pot over time. Army Painter dropper bottles let you squeeze out exactly the amount you need, and the caps seal tightly to keep paint fresh for months.

Who Should Buy This Set

Wargamers who paint large armies regularly will get the most value from this set. The 60-color range with wargaming-specific tones means fewer trips to the paint rack for missing colors. If you paint Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, or historical wargames and want a comprehensive Speedpaint solution, this is your best option.

Who Should Skip This Set

Board game painters, D&D miniature collectors, and casual hobbyists do not need the wargaming-specific additions. The standard Mega Set or Most Wanted Set will serve you just as well at a lower cost. Also consider skipping this if you already own the 50-color Mega Set, since the 10 additional colors may not justify the price difference.

7. Speedpaint 2.0 Complete Set Combo – Best for Collectors

The Complete Set Combo is exactly what it sounds like: every Speedpaint 2.0 color in one box. You receive 90 dropper bottles, four brushes, and a mixing palette. This is the set for painters who want to eliminate color decisions entirely and have every option available at their fingertips.

One reviewer mentioned going from painting one or two miniatures per month to painting one to three per day after buying this set. I had a similar experience. When every color is within arm’s reach, you spend less time planning and more time painting. The convenience of having the full palette cannot be overstated if you paint frequently.

The four included brushes cover different painting needs from basecoating to fine detail work. The palette is a simple but functional mixing surface. Neither accessory is exceptional, but they are useful additions that save you from buying them separately. The real value is in the 90 colors themselves, which represent the complete Speedpaint 2.0 range including all standard colors, metallics, and specialty shades.

At this price point, you are paying for comprehensiveness. The per-bottle cost is actually the lowest in the entire Speedpaint lineup when you calculate it out. However, the total investment is substantial, so this set only makes financial sense if you genuinely paint enough to use a wide variety of colors over time.

Who Should Buy This Set

Professional miniature painters, painting studios, and extremely dedicated hobbyists will get the most from this set. If you paint daily or run a painting service, having all 90 colors eliminates delays and allows you to match any color reference quickly. It is also a smart purchase for painting groups who share resources, since the cost can be split among members.

Who Should Skip This Set

Nearly everyone else. If you are a casual painter, the Most Wanted Set or Mega Set provides 95% of the utility at a fraction of the cost. Most painters never need all 90 colors, and the set becomes a storage challenge. Buy this only if you are certain you will use the full range.

8. Speedpaint Marker Starter Set – Best for Paint on the Go

The Speedpaint Marker set takes the Speedpaint 2.0 formula and puts it into marker form. You get 10 markers: 9 contrast paint colors and 1 metallic. Each marker holds 6 mL of paint, which is less than the 18 mL bottles but still enough for several miniatures. The marker tip lets you apply paint directly without brushes, water, or a palette.

I was skeptical about markers for miniature painting, but they work better than I expected for larger areas. The chisel-tip applicator covers flat surfaces like shields, capes, and armor plates quickly. For tight detail work like eyes or tiny buckles, a traditional brush is still better. But for the bulk of a miniature, markers are surprisingly effective and very fast.

This set has been purchased over 400 times in the past month alone, making it one of the most popular Speedpaint products. The appeal is clear: it removes the intimidation factor for absolute beginners. You do not need to learn brush control, paint thinning, or palette management. Just uncap the marker and start painting.

One practical consideration is that the marker tips can fray over time with heavy use. The set includes replacement tips, which is a thoughtful inclusion. I recommend storing the markers horizontally rather than vertically to keep the tips saturated and prevent the paint from settling at one end.

Who Should Buy This Set

Absolute beginners who are intimidated by brush painting will find these markers approachable and fun. They are also excellent for painters who want a portable painting solution for conventions, game stores, or travel. If you want to paint board game miniatures quickly without setting up a full paint station, this is the most convenient option available.

Who Should Skip This Set

Experienced painters who already own Speedpaint bottles will not gain much from the marker format. The 6 mL volume runs out faster than bottles, and the limited color selection constrains your palette. If precision and fine detail work are your priorities, stick with brush-applied Speedpaints from any of the bottle sets.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Speedpaint Sets?

Choosing between Speedpaint sets comes down to three factors: your experience level, how much you paint, and what types of miniatures you paint. Here is how I think about it after testing all eight sets.

Skill Level Matters Most

Beginners should start with either the 10-color Starter Set or the 6-color Fantasy Bundle. Both give you enough paint to learn how contrast painting works without overwhelming you with choices. The marker set is another beginner-friendly option if you want to skip brush handling entirely. These smaller sets let you make mistakes and learn techniques without a big financial commitment.

Intermediate painters who have finished their first batch of miniatures should look at the Most Wanted Set. The 24 curated colors provide excellent variety, and the included Speedpaint Medium opens up glazing and blending techniques that smaller sets cannot support. This is the set most painters will use for years without needing to expand.

Advanced painters and professionals should consider the Mega Set (50 colors), Wargamers Mega Set (60 colors), or Complete Set (90 colors) depending on their specialization. Army painters benefit most from the Wargamers set, while generalists and studio painters may prefer the Complete Set for its full range.

Set Size vs. Paint Variety

More colors does not always mean better value if you never use half of them. I found that 24 colors in the Most Wanted Set covers roughly 90% of my painting needs. The jump from 24 to 50 colors adds useful variations, but many of those additional colors are close duplicates of existing shades. Going from 50 to 90 colors provides even more marginal variety.

Think about what you actually paint. If you primarily paint one or two factions, you need maybe 10 to 15 colors regularly. If you paint many different armies, characters, and genres, a larger set prevents you from constantly buying individual bottles to fill gaps.

Primer Makes a Difference

Speedpaint performs best over a white or light grey primer. The contrast effect depends on the paint flowing into recesses while pulling away from raised surfaces, and this works most dramatically on a light undercoat. A zenithal prime (black base with white sprayed from above) creates even more dramatic shading results. I tested Speedpaint on unprimed plastic and the results were noticeably worse, with poor adhesion and muted contrast.

Speedpaint vs. Citadel Contrast vs. Vallejo Xpress Color

This question comes up constantly in miniature painting forums, and I have used all three extensively. Speedpaint 2.0 sits in the middle of the road. It is slightly thinner than Citadel Contrast, which means it pools better in deep recesses but provides less coverage on raised surfaces. Vallejo Xpress Color is the thinnest of the three and produces the softest contrast effect.

Speedpaint wins on packaging (dropper bottles versus pots), price per milliliter, and color availability with 90 unique shades. Citadel Contrast wins on raw pigmentation and ease of use for absolute beginners. Vallejo Xpress Color is the most affordable option but has a more limited color range. For most painters, Speedpaint 2.0 offers the best overall balance of performance, convenience, and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

After testing all eight Speedpaint sets, my recommendations are straightforward. Beginners should grab the Starter Set for its approachable 10-color selection and included brush. Intermediate painters will get the best value from the Most Wanted Set, which balances color variety, cost, and practical utility better than any other option. Dedicated wargamers painting large armies should look at the Wargamers Mega Set for its 60-color range with military-focused tones.

The best The Army Painter Speedpaint sets in 2026 all share one thing: they make miniature painting faster and more accessible. Whether you are painting your first D&D figure or your fiftieth Warhammer squad, there is a Speedpaint set that matches your experience level and project scope. Pick the one that fits how you paint, not the biggest box on the shelf.