Best Wet Palette for Miniatures (2025)
Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette
Best OverallBest for: Dedicated hobbyists
The gold standard wet palette. Keeps paints workable for days and the seal actually works.
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A wet palette is the single best upgrade for miniature painting. It keeps your paints workable for hours instead of minutes, lets you thin paints perfectly, and enables techniques like glazing and wet blending.
Once you try one, you’ll never go back to dripping water onto a dry palette.
Quick answer: The Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette is our top pick. At $35, it’s an investment, but the quality seal and hydration paper are worth it.
Read on for budget alternatives, DIY tips, and how to keep your palette mold-free.
Quick Comparison
Detailed Reviews
1. Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette
Best for: Dedicated hobbyists
The gold standard wet palette. Keeps paints workable for days and the seal actually works.
Pros
- Purpose-built for miniature painting
- Paints stay wet for days
- High-quality hydration paper
- Airtight seal
Cons
- Premium price
- Proprietary paper refills
2. Masterson Sta-Wet Wet Palette
Best for: Budget-conscious painters
The classic choice. Works great with a few modifications like better paper and cleaning the sponge regularly.
Pros
- Affordable and available everywhere
- Large working area
- Easy to find refill paper
- Proven design
Cons
- Lid seal isn't airtight
- Sponge gets moldy without care
- Generic paper can over-hydrate
3. The Army Painter Painter Lite Wet Palette
Best for: Casual hobbyists
A solid choice from a trusted brand. Good entry point into wet palettes without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Good middle ground price
- Includes quality paper
- Portable size
- Made for miniature paints
Cons
- Smaller than some prefer
- Seal could be better
4. Redgrassgames Wet Palette XL
Best for: Batch painters and professionals
For serious volume painting. The extra space lets you have multiple colors ready without crowding.
Pros
- Huge working area
- Two-zone design
- Best seal in class
- Perfect for batch painting
Cons
- Takes up desk space
- Higher price
How We Chose
We tested wet palettes across multiple painting sessions of varying lengths. Our evaluation focused on:
- Hydration: How long do paints stay workable?
- Seal quality: Can you close it overnight and resume the next day?
- Working surface: Is there enough room to mix colors?
- Paper quality: Does it over-hydrate or dry out too fast?
- Maintenance: How easy is it to keep clean and mold-free?
We used each palette for at least 20 hours of painting time before reaching conclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wet palette and why do I need one?
A wet palette keeps acrylic paints workable much longer by providing moisture from below through special paper. Without one, mini paints dry in minutes. With a wet palette, paint stays usable for hours - or days if you close the lid. It's a game-changer for miniature painting.
Can I make a DIY wet palette?
Yes! Use a shallow container, a damp sponge or paper towels, and parchment paper (not wax paper). It works but has downsides: parchment paper can over-hydrate paints, there's no seal for overnight storage, and you'll fight mold more often. Fine to start, but upgrade eventually.
How do I prevent mold in my wet palette?
Add a drop of mold inhibitor or isopropyl alcohol to the water. Don't leave it sealed for more than a few days without refreshing. Clean the sponge weekly. Let it dry completely between extended breaks. Mold loves warm, wet, dark conditions - don't give it that.
My paints are too thin on the wet palette - what's wrong?
Too much water is wicking through the paper. Solutions: use thicker hydration paper, reduce water in the sponge, or let the palette sit open for a few minutes before use. Some paints (like washes) are too thin for wet palettes anyway.
How often should I change the palette paper?
Change paper when it gets too crowded with dried paint, when colors start mixing into each other, or when you notice mold. For regular painters, that's usually weekly. Some painters use a fresh sheet for each major project.