Whether you are an art student, a seasonal painter, or a veteran artist, youāll need a good easel to bring your ideas to life.
Even if you are not new to buying an easel, it can get pretty confusing when you are out and about in the market.
From the type of easel to the price and quality, buying an easel can turn into quite an ordeal really fast.
To help such artists out, in this article we aim to list our top picks for easels for various uses. And to help you judge which one is the right easel for you, we have also added a comprehensive buyerās guide at the end.
So, stick around till the end, and letās get on with it.
Best Painting Easels
Table of Contents

From beginner to professional, there are so many options to choose from. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the 5 best painting easels available on the market.
1. American Easel Oak Yazhi Easel – Best for Beginner Artists
American Easel Oak Yazhi Easel is an affordable full-wood A-Frame easel that is made out of quality Red Oakwood. It weighs about 11 lb. and it can accommodate up to 44ā of canvas length. A great bonus is its non-skid rubber feet. Itās a great option overall but exceptionally good for beginners.
- Stands 60 inches tall with a 21 inch by 20 inch...
- Manufactured with Northern red oak with a golden...
Experience
After using it, we believe that this easel is best suited for students (beginners).
First, it is very nicely manufactured. It is made out of quality Red Oakwood that feels like it would last ages before it finally gives in.
Second, it covers all the basics of a good easel with a sturdy, long-lasting structure and it selectively skims on features that only a professional would miss.
It has good quality non-skid rubber feet and it can be conveniently tucked away when not in use, with its fold-flat design.
Even if we highly recommend this for new artists, we still believe veteran artists should stay away from it because it isnāt made for painters with an established workflow and tight schedules.
It doesnāt have a tray, which is a serious red flag for many professionals. Also, it canāt accommodate large canvases.
But finally, itās still on our list because itās a great quality budget option retailing at only around $80 or so.
- Made out of great quality Red Oakwood – sturdy and durable
- Has a fold-flat design making it easy to be stored
- Good non-skid rubber feet
- Extremely affordable
- Not suited for professional artists because it lacks certain vital features
2. US Art Supply Tabletop Easel – Best for Hobbyist Painters
US Art Supply is a renowned company when it comes to art-related products and this tabletop easel is another one of their excellent products. Itās a great easel for hobbyist painters with a surface limit of 18-31.5ā. And its casual use is also supported by its extremely low price.
- A professional solid wooden adjustable tabletop...
- Sturdy adjustable desktop easel that extends to...
Experience
Itās a durable easel made out of good-quality beechwood. It has an A-frame design which can support up to 31ā of the canvas surface.
We love the fact that it can also double as a painting showcase because it is ultra cheap and it sits on your table.
But we only recommend it for casual painters or people who only paint as a hobby. If you are in any shape or form serious about painting, steer away from this right away.
It is meant to be used on a table so it doesnāt come with any storage facility. Youāll have to use your table to keep your brushes, solvents, and colors while painting.
And if you want to paint while standing then youāll have to come up with ad-hoc solutions to bring it to your standing height – which, honestly, isnāt a legitimate solution according to us.
Ultimately, itās an excellent quality product at a dirt cheap price but it is only meant to cater to hobbyists.
- Extremely cheap and ideal for amateur painters
- Made out of good quality beechwood and itās extremely durable
- Can also double as a showcase for your finished painting
- Not meant for anything other than casual painting purposes
3. Mabef Convertible Easel M-18 – Best for Professional Artists
Mabef Convertible Easel M-18 is a decked-out heavy-duty easel that will impress any painting enthusiast. Mabef is famous for creating some of the best easels in the world and as expected M-18 is no slouch. It can support up to 88ā canvas surface which is the largest on this list. And with its oiled beechwood built, itās not just a utilitarian perfection but is also a sight to behold.
- Premium quality studio easel for multi-media...
- Adjustable canvas holder can be angled from...
Experience
It has a convertible design that allows you to set up your canvas either horizontally or vertically. And the adjustment mechanism allows you to get the perfect tilt while painting every time.
You also get a very large tray that provides more than just ample space for conveniently putting all of your gear while painting.
The impeccably oiled beechwood construct is more durable than any other easel on this list and looks gorgeous.
It is also one of the heaviest easels we have ever seen – about 52 lb. – so, donāt expect a lot of portability from it.
You can still move it around now and then in the studio with its 4 wheels at the bottom which also lock down to provide a sturdy structure while painting expressively.
Itās a professional-grade easel for serious artists who have ample floor space in their studio and the price matches its quality.
- Quality of the beechwood use to make this is extraordinary and it is not only sturdy but also beautiful
- Highly adjustable with its convertible design and its mechanism to provide the user with any desired tilt
- Can support huge canvases – up to 88ā – and it also has a massive tray to hold all your gears
- It has 4 wheels that make this hefty easel easier to move around and they lock down to give a sturdy structure
- It is very expensive
4. US Art Supply 72-Piece Deluxe Acrylic Painting Set
This painting set by US supply is an excellent bargain for the absolute beginner. The set has two easels, 24 tubes of acrylic paint, a palette, a color mixing well, and various kinds of acrylic paint brushes. With this set, you are ready for painting right out of the box. Itās an incredible buy for any new painter.
- A complete premium quality professional 72-piece...
- This supply-packed 72-piece painting set contains...
Experience
It can be a huge ordeal sometimes to get started with painting. Youāll need a lot of things – like paints, brushes, mediums, palettes, etc. – just to get started with painting.
But with this convenient little painting package, you get all the stuff that youāll need for just about $110. The art supply material is pretty good for an absolute beginner.
In the supply kit, you also get two easels. One is made out of aluminum with a portable camera tripod-like design that can fit about 32ā of canvas surface and the other one is a wooden tabletop easel that can hold canvases up to 11×14ā in size.
The wooden tabletop easel also has a tray to hold all the art supplies that come with the kit.
We agree that any intermediate or professional artist will never even think about settling with this and we donāt recommend it to them.
Itās a great deal only for the absolute beginners who want to learn painting as a hobby in their free time.
- Convenient kit for people who are just getting started with painting
- Comes with 24 acrylic paint tubes, brushes, a palette, and a color mixing well
- Comes with page numbers to reference earlier notes/drawings/entries
- Has two good quality easels that are good enough for a new painter
5. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel [For Children]
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is a great easel that is designed to be used by kids from ages 3 to 7. Itās a great buy if you are looking for an easel that brings out your kidsā creative side. Itās made out of good material unlike some of the other plastic easels for kids. Thatās why itās our top recommendation for kids.
- MULTI-USE ART EASEL: This art easel is a multiple...
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE: Our kids art easel features a...
Experience
The quality and functionality of this easel are top-notch. Itās made out of excellent material ensuring that itāll last for quite a long time.
One side of this easel is a chalkboard and the other side is a dry-erase board. Both of the boards are of good quality and we found no blemish even after testing them for quite some time.
Because of this double-sided design, it can be used by two children comfortably at once. You can also use paper for drawing as it also has clips and a dowel.
The easel has conveniently placed trays – one on each side – to hold brushes, paint, pens, etc. And the easel is also height adjustable. So, you can keep using this easel as your kids grow up.
Itās super easy to clean as well because both the trays and the boards are detachable and can be washed in a sink without any hassle. When not in use, you can also fold it and tuck it away for a clutter-free experience.
- Made out of long-lasting material that is completely safe for kids
- Has two boards – chalkboard and dry erase board – and clips for using paper as well
- Two trays for convenient storage of art supplies
- Itās height adjustable, so, itāll be comfortable to use for your kids for a long time
- All of its parts are detachable for comfortable cleaning and itās fordable
- The parts can be a little clunky to detach and put back together sometimes
Best Paint Easels Comparison Table
Product | Material | Max Canvas Size | Weight | Adjustable Height | Max Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Easel Oak Yazhi Easel | Oak | 44″ | 11 lbs | Yes | 60″ |
US Art Supply Tabletop Easel | Wood | 23.5″ | 4.3 lbs | Yes | 27″ |
Mabef Convertible Easel M-18 | Beech | 88″ | 11 lbs | Yes | 147.5″ |
US Art Supply 72-Piece Deluxe Acrylic Painting Set | Aluminum | n/a | 7 lbs | N/A | 66″ |
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel [For Children] | Wood | 24″ | 21 lbs | Yes | 49.5″ |

Best Easel Buyerās Guide
We have decided to include some parameters in this section, considering which you can decide whether or not an easel is good for you.
Types of Easels
There is a wide variety of easels that are available in the market. Some easels are compact while others are portable or heavy-duty.
Therefore, it can be confusing when buying one for your own. To help you out here are some kinds of easels that you should know about:
Compact Easels
If you donāt have a lot of floor space to dedicate to painting then compact easels are the best for you. They are a great alternative to heavy-duty easels and bring most of the features while still having a small footprint.
The following are the different kinds of compact easels that you can find.
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Bench Easel
In a bench easel, you get a small to medium-sized canvas holder and, of course, a bench. You can usually find one in an art class as it is suited for drawing and painting while looking at a live subject. It is a straightforward easel to use but hogs quite a lot of floor space.
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Single Mast Easel
Single Mast easels have a single central backbone to support the canvas. Of course, for that reason, it also has a very small footprint. And itās also very affordable.
Even with a small footprint, this easel is capable of accommodating canvases of large sizes. That is why many artists love this kind of easel.
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A-Frame Easel
A-Frame easels are one of the most popular kinds of easels. Typically used by students or intermediate artists, these frames are capable of holding a variety of canvas sizes due to their sliding bar design.
The reason these are called A-Frame is that the backbone resembles the English letter āAā in looks.
One bonus is that A-Frame easels can also be stowed away when not in use.
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Table-top Easel
Table-top easels are just shrunken-down versions of A-Frame easels. Itās a great choice for those who donāt paint regularly or do the large-scale painting.
If you only paint occasionally or you donāt have a lot of room to have an easel stand on the floor, a table-top easel will be the right thing for you.

Portable Easels
For painting on the go, portable easels are the best. For artists who love to capture the real world while being out and about, a portable easel is the best companion. With the capability of being āpackedā and conveniently carried, these easels are the best friends of many painters around the globe.
The following are some types of portable easels that you can find in the market.
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French Easel
Nothing tops the classic French easel when it comes to portability. The ability to fold this easel in a small briefcase gives it unmatched versatility. Itās an excellent choice for artists who like to paint outdoors or who paint on the go because you can virtually carry this anywhere you want.
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Field Easel
The Field easel is almost like a cut-down version of the French Easel. It doesnāt give you a lot of versatility because it lacks things like the drawer, storage, palette resting area, etc. and youāll have to carry all of the gears in a separate backpack. But itās a very light easel giving it some advantage in terms of portability.
Heavy-duty Easels
For established and professional artists who have a tight schedule and a commitment to never bother their art with anything but inspiration, a heavy-duty easel is the best way to go. These easels have it all when it comes to painting anything with the most hassle-free experience.
Here are some of the common kinds of heavy-duty easels that you can find in the market.
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H-Frame Easel
The H-Frame easel is a fully decked option for professional artists. It is great for artists who produce commissioned art because it can accommodate large-size canvases very easily and gives an array of features like cups, non-skid grips, trays, etc.
Although this easel has a large footprint, many artists are willing to make that sacrifice for increased productivity because most of them have room for painting already.
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Wall Mount Easel
Wall Mount Easel is a better alternative to a single mast easel when it comes to saving floor space in your apartment. It does need a wall to mount and is not portable at all but it can accommodate a huge variety of canvas sizes.

Budget
When it comes to easels, like other art products, the higher the price the better the quality. But the price can vary a lot also because of how many kinds of them are available.
Good easels should at least have a way to stay steady when drawing with locked wheels or rubber feet.
Usually, youāll find good quality easels in the price range of $80-200 but thereās always an option for super expensive easels if one desires to.
Material
Easels are made up of either wood or metal. You may prefer one over the other depending on your needs and preferences.
For people who like the classic style, wood is a great choice. Usually, in wood easels, beech wood is used and it is very long-lasting and durable.
Beechwood is also very sturdy and wonāt budge easily. But it is heavier than metal variants.
For those who want something light and portable, an aluminum easel is a great option. Itās great for occasional painters because of how lightweight it is.
But aluminum easels donāt have great structural rigidity like beechwood. So, if you are a serious artist, we recommend you go for wood easels instead of metal ones.
Weight
Heavier easels are sturdier and more long-lasting than lighter easels but youāll have to compromise on portability.
On the other hand, lighter easels are, of course, easy to carry but are not that rigid or durable.
We recommend you get a heavy easel if you are a professional artist or a regular user and get a lighter one if you are a casual painter or do painting only occasionally.
Other Factors
These are some various factors to keep in mind while buying an easel.
Adjustments
Almost all kinds of easels have some sort of adjustment mechanism. Most easels give the option to adjust height and tilt but some easels are convertible – that is, they give you the option to move the canvas horizontally.
But the most important thing to consider is whether your easel is for standing or sitting. A good easel might even give you the option for both.
Mediums
While some easel manufacturers like to advertise their easels specifically designed for a medium – like acrylic or oil; in reality, it is not that important.
Most easels allow you to use any medium of your liking anyway. Itās more of a marketing ploy of art supply manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best painting easel for beginners?
Tabletop easels are typically the best option for beginning painters because they are lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
What materials are painting easels made of?
Painting easels are usually made of wood, metal, or plastic.
What size painting easel do I need?
The size of easel that you need will depend on the size of the canvases you plan to use.
What is the difference between a studio and a French easel?
A studio easel is designed for use in a stationary workspace, while a French easel is a lightweight, portable option that is ideal for outdoor painting.
Conclusion
Choosing the right painting easel can greatly impact your overall painting experience. It is essential to consider aspects like material, durability, adjustability, and suitability to your artistic needs. By examining these factors, you will be able to find the perfect easel to support your artistic endeavors, whether you are a beginner, a casual hobbyist, or a seasoned professional.
From the 5 painting easels we discussed above, here are our top three expert recommendations. If you are a beginner or a student artist, the American Easel Oak Yazhi Easel is an ideal option. This full-wood A-frame easel is made out of quality Red Oakwood, offering durability and stability while practicing your craft. However, if you are a professional artist, this may not be your best choice due to its lack of certain essential features.
For hobbyist painters or those who are just starting out, the US Art Supply Tabletop Easel is a good option. Made from durable beechwood, this A-frame design easel is perfect for casual painting sessions. While it is not suitable for professional artists, it does provide a space-efficient and cost-effective solution for those who want to explore the world of painting.
Lastly, those seeking a more professional-grade easel should consider the Mabef Convertible Easel M-18. This robust, heavy-duty easel, crafted from beautifully oiled beechwood, is the right choice for serious artists. Capable of supporting up to 88″ of canvas and featuring a high degree of adjustability, this easel ensures that your creative potential reaches new heights.
Ultimately, finding the perfect easel for your artistic needs requires an understanding of your preferences, as well as a consideration of the various features offered by different easels. The three recommendations above will cater to a range of artists and can be a stepping stone to a more fulfilling artistic journey.
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