Address
304 North Cardinal
St. Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
7 Best Paint Trays for 2026
A row of clean paint trays on a bright worktable can make even a simple art project feel organized and ready. You want trays that fit your space, hold colors well, and clean up quickly, whether you are working with kids or tackling detailed blends. The seven best options for 2026 each solve a different problem, and a few may surprise you.
More Details on Our Top Picks
Tamaki White Plastic Paint Tray Palettes (8 Pack)
[zw asin=”B0BV1MLQXJ” alt=”Tamaki White Plastic Paint Tray Palettes (8 Pack)”]Best for Kids
View Latest PriceIf you are looking for a compact, easy to use option for painting party setups, DIY crafts, or art classes, the Tamaki White Plastic Paint Tray Palettes 8 pack is a smart choice. You get eight white, rectangular palettes with six deep wells that keep your pigments separated by color. Their 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.5 inch size makes them light, small, and easy to stack. You can carry them anywhere and save space after use. Made from durable, eco friendly materials, they work well for school projects, art painting, and lessons while helping you stay organized.
- Shape:Rectangle
- Well Count:6 wells
- Material:Plastic
- Pack Size:8-pack
- Portability:Lightweight
- Reusability:Durable
- Additional Feature:6 deep wells
- Additional Feature:Eco-friendly ceramic material
- Additional Feature:Keeps pigments separated
FANDAMEI Oval Plastic Paint Tray Palettes (20 PCS)
[zw asin=”B0BXW8RLZT” alt=”FANDAMEI Oval Plastic Paint Tray Palettes (20 PCS)”]Best Multi-Pack
View Latest PriceFANDAMEI’s 20-piece oval plastic paint tray set is a great choice for kids, beginners, art students, and group classes because each lightweight palette has a secure thumb hole, deep color wells, and plenty of mixing space in one easy-to-carry design. You get 6 wells plus 4 irregular mixing areas, so you can separate paints and blend shades quickly. The smooth white plastic surface works with watercolor, acrylic, gouache, oil, and makeup mixing. Stack the trays for easy storage, rinse them by hand, and use the extra palettes for camps, studios, DIY projects, or classroom work.
- Shape:Oval
- Well Count:6 wells + mix areas
- Material:Plastic/acrylic
- Pack Size:20-pack
- Portability:Lightweight
- Reusability:Reusable
- Additional Feature:Thumb hole grip
- Additional Feature:4 mixing areas
- Additional Feature:Smooth edge finish
15 Pack Plastic Paint Tray Palettes for Kids
[zw asin=”B09Y2SN93L” alt=”15 Pack Plastic Paint Tray Palettes for Kids”]Best Round Tray
View Latest PriceNeed a simple, kid-friendly paint palette set for group art time? This 15-pack of round plastic trays gives you plenty of space for classrooms, art clubs, or busy home projects. Each palette measures 170 mm across and includes a roomy 78 mm center mixing area with 10 wells around the edge. You can keep colors separate, blend shades easily, and make cleanup simple. The white, high-quality plastic feels light yet sturdy. Because the trays are compact, stackable, and easy to carry, you can use them for indoor lessons, outdoor sketching, or any creative project.
- Shape:Round
- Well Count:10 wells
- Material:Plastic
- Pack Size:15-pack
- Portability:Stackable
- Reusability:Stackable/reusable
- Additional Feature:Central mixing area
- Additional Feature:10 wells per palette
- Additional Feature:170 mm diameter
20 Well Watercolor Paint Tray Palette
Sweaty Pony’s 20-well watercolor paint tray palette is a smart choice whenever you need a compact, easy-to-clean mixing surface with plenty of room to blend colors. It includes 20 wells, 8 squares, 4 large circles, and 8 small circles, plus a roomy center for mixing multiple shades. Its 13 x 10-inch square body feels sturdy, yet it weighs just 0.35 pounds, so you can carry it in a backpack or hold it one-handed. The glossy white plastic rinses clean with water, and you should wash acrylic paint off right away.
- Shape:Square
- Well Count:20 wells
- Material:PP plastic
- Pack Size:1 pack
- Portability:Portable
- Reusability:Reusable
- Additional Feature:8 square wells
- Additional Feature:4 large circles
- Additional Feature:Large mixing space
Paint Tray Liner 12 Pack 9 Inch
A 12 pack of 9 inch paint tray liners is a smart choice when you want faster color changes and less cleanup on small to medium painting jobs. You can use them with any 9 inch tray or on their own, and they store neatly in a toolbox. Textured ribs help reduce drips and spread paint evenly, while the deep reservoir holds 30% more paint for better coverage. The thick, rigid plastic stands up to oil, latex, and epoxy. Reuse them for small jobs or discard them for fast cleanup on walls, trim, cabinets, furniture, and crafts.
- Shape:Tray liner
- Well Count:2 reservoirs
- Material:Solvent-resistant plastic
- Pack Size:12-pack
- Portability:Compact
- Reusability:Reusable/disposable
- Additional Feature:Textured rib design
- Additional Feature:2 reservoir layout
- Additional Feature:Solvent-resistant plastic
10 Pack Plastic Art Trays for Crafts and Organizing
[zw asin=”B0C2YNSWL5″ alt=”10 Pack Plastic Art Trays for Crafts and Organizing”]Best Organizing Tray
View Latest PriceThese 10 pack plastic art trays are a smart choice for kids, students, and anyone who needs a simple way to craft and stay organized. You get white PP trays that are lightweight, sturdy, and durable. Each tray measures about 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches. They are PVC free and BPA free, so you can use them with confidence. Stack them to save space in your study, office, or classroom. Use them for painting, mixing colors, puzzles, beads, slime, play dough, collaging, and science experiments.
- Shape:Square
- Well Count:Open tray
- Material:PP plastic
- Pack Size:10-pack
- Portability:Stackable
- Reusability:Durable
- Additional Feature:PVC-free material
- Additional Feature:BPA-free material
- Additional Feature:Low-profile design
Juvale 4-Inch Paint Tray Pans (12-Pack)
[zw asin=”B07Z8K3BTQ” alt=”Juvale 4-Inch Paint Tray Pans (12-Pack)”]Best Mini Roller Tray
View Latest PriceJuvale’s 4-inch paint tray pans are a practical choice when you need a compact, spill-resistant option for mini rollers and quick projects. You get 12 black plastic trays with dual wells. One holds paint, and the other helps remove excess from your roller. Their textured surface adds grip, while the sturdy rectangular design works well for walls, floors, touchups, crafts, and outdoor jobs. Because they are disposable, you can finish quickly and skip cleanup hassles. Measuring 11 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches, they fit mini rollers and suit detail work.
- Shape:Rectangular
- Well Count:2 wells
- Material:Plastic
- Pack Size:12-pack
- Portability:Disposable
- Reusability:Disposable
- Additional Feature:Dual well design
- Additional Feature:Excess-paint removal area
- Additional Feature:Fits mini rollers
Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint Trays
When choosing a paint tray, start with the size and shape that fit your roller and project. Check the well count and depth, the material and durability, and whether the tray gives you enough mixing space. You should also consider how easy it is to carry and store, because that can make cleanup and reuse much simpler.
Tray Size And Shape
Tray size and shape should match both your project and your tools. A compact palette, around 4.9 x 3.4 inches, works well for small portable jobs, while a larger tray, around 13 x 10 inches, gives you more room to mix multiple colors. Rectangle and square trays provide a stable, space efficient layout, which helps when you want clean organization. Oval or round trays can feel easier to hold and offer a central mixing area. When you use mini rollers or larger applicators, choose longer trays, such as 11 x 5.5 inches or 9 inch liners, so the tool moves naturally. You will also want a lightweight, low profile design whenever you plan to carry, stack, or store it easily in classrooms, studios, or outdoors.
Well Count And Depth
A tray with the right well count makes color sorting easier, so you can keep 20 hues separate for complex work or stick with 6 to 10 wells for simpler palettes. You should also consider depth. Deeper wells help prevent pigments from blending by accident, and they reduce spills when you move the tray or load your brush. Shallower wells work well when you only need small amounts of paint and want fast access. For longer painting sessions or when you use more paint, deeper wells provide more capacity. Mixing areas next to the wells add flexibility, letting you blend without dirtying separate colors. Match well count and depth to watercolor, acrylic, or craft projects, since each one has different paint-holding needs.
Material And Durability
Choose paint trays made from sturdy materials like polypropylene, acrylic, or rigid plastic if you want something that can withstand repeated use, stacking, and carrying. Look for a tray that resists cracking, bending, and warping, especially if you use watercolors, acrylics, oils, or craft materials. Thicker plastic and reinforced edges usually last longer, so they are a smart choice for classrooms, studios, or group projects. If easy cleanup matters, choose a surface you can rinse easily and that will not stain badly from paint buildup, though many plastic trays are not dishwasher safe. You can also look for PVC-free or BPA-free options if you want safer materials without sacrificing durability.
Mixing Space Design
Whenever it comes to mixing space design, you will want a paint tray that gives each color its own well so pigments do not bleed together, especially when you work with 6, 10, 20, or more shades at once. Choose a layout with enough separate wells for your palette size, then look for a larger central mixing area so you can blend multiple hues at the same time. This setup works well with watercolor, acrylic, gouache, and oil paint. Trays that pair deep wells with open spaces let you store paint neatly and mix efficiently on one surface. Textured ribs or divided sections help control flow, limit drips, and improve application. If you switch colors often, pick a design that rinses quickly and will not crowd your mixtures.
Portability And Storage
Whenever portability matters, choose a paint tray that is lightweight and compact so you can carry it to class, the studio, outdoor sketching sessions, or craft events without hassle. Smaller trays are especially useful when space is tight, particularly models around 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.5 inches. If you need more room, select a larger tray that still stays slim and light. Some weigh only 0.35 pounds and fit easily in a backpack. Look for stackable designs so you can store several trays in a drawer, toolbox, or on a shelf without clutter. Simple shapes and smooth edges also make packing easier and help the tray slide into your bag neatly. That way, you can travel light and keep storage organized.
Paint Type Compatibility
Matching your tray to the paint you use helps keep colors clean and makes mixing easier. Choose deep wells and separate compartments for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, or latex so colors do not bleed together. If you work with thicker acrylic or oil paints, pick a rigid plastic tray with larger reservoirs; some designs hold multiple ounces, even around 7 ounces. When you use mini rollers or wall paint, make sure the tray fits 4-inch or 9-inch rollers and has textured areas that help spread paint evenly and remove excess. For detailed color blending, select trays with 6, 10, 20, or more wells, plus a mixing zone. Also, confirm the tray matches your paint’s material needs and any cleanup limits.
Ease Of Cleaning
Ease of cleaning matters because a tray that rinses quickly saves time and reduces buildup between painting sessions. You will get better results from smooth, nonporous plastic trays with rounded edges, since paint lifts off more easily than it does from textured or porous surfaces. Deep wells also help keep colors separated, so you do not spend extra time scrubbing mixed residue. If you want faster cleanup, choose stackable, lightweight trays that you can carry and dry with one hand. Reusable trays work best when you rinse them right after use, especially with fast-drying acrylics. If you switch colors often, disposable trays or liner-style inserts can eliminate washing altogether, making cleanup nearly effortless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Paint Trays Reusable After Latex Paint Dries?
Yes, you can reuse paint trays after latex paint dries if you scrape and peel off the residue. For tougher buildup, soak and scrub the tray, then dry it before your next painting job.
Can Paint Trays Fit Standard Roller Sizes?
Yes, most paint trays fit standard roller sizes, usually 9-inch rollers and smaller. You’ll want to check tray width and liner compatibility first, since oversized or specialty rollers might need a larger tray.
Which Tray Material Resists Solvents Best?
You’ll get the best solvent resistance from metal trays, especially aluminum or steel. They handle harsh thinners better than plastic, last longer, and will not soften or warp when you clean them with strong solvents.
How Do I Prevent Paint From Drying Too Quickly?
Like a lid on a jar, you can slow drying by covering the tray, using a damp tray liner, adding a paint extender, and keeping it out of sun and wind so your paint stays workable longer.
Are Paint Tray Liners Environmentally Friendly?
Paint tray liners can be environmentally friendly if you choose recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable options. You can reduce waste by washing and reusing them, and you can skip disposable liners when they are not needed.
