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Almost all the artists around the globe can agree that paint brushes are one of the most – if not the most – important thing of a painting kit.
So, it’s a no brainer that if you are a painter who is serious about your art then you should be looking for brushes that can help you bring your ideas to life without any hassle.
Especially, for acrylic painting brushes have to be of impeccable quality because acrylic paint on its own is a very harsh medium and if the brushes are not suited for it then they won’t last long.
For that reason, we have gathered some of the best brushes that we think are great to be used with acrylic paint.
And just to help you out a little more, we have also added a small guide about how to care for your brushes at the end.
So, let’s get on with the best acrylic paint brushes, shall we?
Best Acrylic Paint Brushes
Grumbacher is one of the most famous brands when it comes to art supplies. Many of their other products have impressed our artists and these acrylic paint brushes are no slouch either. Goldenedge paint brushes are made out of synthetic fiber that is great for acrylic painting as they last really long and perform fantastically.
Experience
Goldenedge paintbrushes are available in 9 different sizes and all of them give a quality painting experience while still being budget friendly – especially for students.
The synthetic fiber used in its making is of top-notch quality and it can withstand the harsh treatment of acrylic paint without any problem.
Don’t be afraid to repeatedly wash it with water because even after soaking it several times, in our testing, the bristles stayed intact and performed flawlessly.
Its durability is also aided by its quality brass ferrule which holds the bristles tight together and doesn’t let them wither away easily.
The brass ferrule is also very comfortable to use and didn’t cause any sort of fatigue for us in our long acrylic painting sessions.
Even if these brushes are affordable and geared more towards beginner and intermediate artists, we recommend it for professional to professionals as well because they perform really well and will last you ages if maintained properly.
Pros
Performs really well with acrylic paint, the paint holds well and the finish is really smooth and even
Synthetic fibers are super durable and they give an excellent spring to it, it can be washed repeatedly without any signs of wear and tear
Brass ferrule is of incredible quality and holds the bristles really well together. It is also very comfortable to use
Cons
Size option is very limiting as it only has 9 different sizes
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This offering from Princeton has enough merits to please any acrylic painter – even professionals. With great hog fiber bristles that are also synthetic, these brushes perform more than just fine for acrylic as well as oil painting. Available in a huge variety of shapes, if you decide to vouch for these brushes you’ll never need another one.
Experience
The hog fiber bristles have multiple splits at the end of each bristle, making them way more color than other bristles and giving a more smooth and even coat of paint.
And the bristles are also very durable as they are synthetic and even after soaking them several times, there was no sign of any kind of wear and tear.
Apart from that the brushes also come in various sizes and kinds – Round, Flat, Filbert, Bright, Fan and Angle bright – so, if you love these brushes then you’ll have to never go for anything else if you don’t want to.
And it is possible because not only these brushes are durable and perform really well, but they also are very comfortable to use for longer sessions of work.
It performs better than most other brands and we recommend it for intermediate and professional artistry.
But you’ll have to shell out a few extra dollars to get all of these merits.
Pros
Has a plethora of sizes and shapes to provide for every need
Great quality hog bristles that perform really well
Synthetic form makes the bristles extra durable and wear and tear proof
Handle is incredibly comfortable to use
Cons
It is kind of expensive
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If you are an absolute beginner and looking for a brush set to just get started then Mont Marte Gallery series Acrylic Paint Brush Set is our top recommendation for you. In the kit, you get two round, two flat and two filbert brushes that is good enough for getting started with acrylic painting.
Mont Marte Gallery Series Brush Set Acrylic 6pceExperience
The Taklon synthetic bristles used in the making of these brushes are extremely durable and with proper maintenance, it will last you years of use.
They don’t frail or wither with repeated washing and soaking in water.
The bristles also give a nice spring to the brush and hold acrylic paint fantastically providing a smooth and seamless acrylic painting experience.
In the box, you get 2 Round (#6 and #16), 2 Flat (#8 and #10) and 2 Filbert (#8 and #10) brushes that are great for getting started with painting.
The brushes look very sleek and beautiful as well with their gunmetal ferrule. It holds the bristles extremely tightly while giving a comfortable painting experience.
We think that it’s a great starting kit for beginners of painting but we don’t recommend this to any intermediate or professional artists because the brushes are only available in sets. And there’s not enough variety of sizes.
Pros
Has great synthetic bristles that are very durable and hold paint well
Ferrule is also very comfortable to use and keeps the brush intact
Kit comes with a convenient set of brushes to get started with painting
Brushes look very sleek and gorgeous
Cons
Not meant for professional use because of the lack of variety and no individual availability
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Royal & Langnickel is a well-established art product manufacturer that has been in business since the 1950s. These short handle brushes are great for detailing and in general, a smaller scale of work. The set has 10 round brushes of various sizes – all meant for minute details – and a shader brush.
Experience
For detailing with acrylic paint, this brush set is our top recommendation.
The brushes have short handles because this set is designed for detail work but the overall body is girthy giving a comfortable experience while having a long work session.
The ferrule is made from a black coated brass right which gives it a sleek and elegant look while providing ample grip to the bristles. They also resist rust and any other form of depreciation really well.
Talking about the bristles, they are very stiff which is great for detailed work. They are also extremely durable due to their synthetic make and we didn’t notice any significant wear and tear even after washing them repeatedly.
In the case of small round brushes that are meant for detailing, the durability of bristles is even more important than regular brushes and we are glad to say that these bristles are plenty durable.
Pros
Synthetic bristles that are very durable and incredibly stiff which is great for minute details
Handle is extremely comfortable and causes no fatigue while working for longer sessions
Brass ferrule is really durable and gives these brushes a distinct sleek and elegant look
Cons
Brushes are only meant for working with minute details
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For the people who want to save a few bucks but still get a good quality set of brushes, Jerry Q is our recommendation. With nylon bristles and 12 different brushes in a single set, these brushes are good enough for beginners and new art students. Apart from performing decently with the acrylic medium, these brushes can also be used for watercolors.
Jerry Q Art 12 Pcs Detail Paint Brushes, Golden Synthetic...Experience
The best part about this brush set is its cheap price tag and the performance it can manage to deliver even after being so inexpensive.
With a sub $10 price for the set, you are only paying about $0.75 for each brush. And the quality of the brush makes it an amazing bargain.
The variety of brushes is actually pretty decent. As a beginner, you’ll easily be able to work on details as well as large blocks. The brushes have long handles that are comfortable to use for long work sessions.
The bristles are decent. They are made out of nylon and are very durable. Repeated washing showed no signs of damage and the color grip is decent.
Don’t expect too much from these brushes and you shall enjoy them. That is the main reason why we are not recommending it to professionals who have really honed their skills and need something very particular to work with.
Pros
In the set, you get 12 different brushes with a good variety
Extremely affordable, about #0.75 for each brush
The brushes have long handles and are very comfortable to use
Nylon brushes are very durable and have a decent grip on acrylic paint
Cons
These are not meant for professionals
Read Other Artist Feedback >>
Winsor & Newton is a beloved manufacturer in the art community because of their quality products and reasonable pricing. And Monarch Acrylic Paint Brushes live quite well to that reputation. The brushes have stiff bristles, long handles, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from.
Experience
The bristles are a little stiff because they are designed for acrylic paint. But they are not very hard, rather they have a live bounce and give good feedback while painting.
They showed no signs of withering in our testings and worked perfectly every time.
The long handles are comfortable to use for long sessions and if you usually do large scale acrylic painting then you’ll love these even more.
These brushes are sold individually, so, you have the liberty to expand your arsenal the way you want to with these brushes. And the fact that these brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes adds to that modularity even more.
The thing that we love about these brushes is that we can recommend them to everyone. These brushes are well suited for beginners and professionals alike. The brushes are moderately priced and have a good value for money.
Pros
Bristles are great, they have a nice spring and give good feedback while painting
Sold individually which gives a great amount of liberty when it comes to personalizing your kit
Brushes have long handles that are very comfortable to use
Cons
A little more expensive than starter sets but the quality is worth it for many people
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When it comes to quality and premium experience, there’s hardly any other brand that can top Blick. With Master Bristle Brushes you get a lifetime guarantee and if anywhere down the road your brush gives in and you order the same one again, it’ll give exactly (and we can’t stress this enough) the same experience.
Experience
Blick brushes are made with master molds. Hence, each brush of a specific character set is manufactured completely ditto to another. There’s nothing that can top its consistency.
As for its endurance, each bristle of the brush is patiently planted inside the ferrule by hand. This provides immense durability and the brushes never even show a hint of shedding – which is very common with machine-made brushes.
Obviously, the handle is also crafted with extreme care and they are immensely comfortable to use.
On the other hand, Blick also has one of the widest – if not the widest – selection of brushes. So, however specific your desired brush may be, we are sure that you can find one from Blick.
Blick provides professional artists around the globe with the utmost satisfaction and if you are a professional and you aren’t satisfied with your current brush set, try Blick (or da Vinci). You’ll love it!
Pros
Impeccable quality and consistency with these brushes
Performance is outstanding and many professional artists vouch for these brushes
Brushes come with lifetime guarantee
Selection range is one of the widest we have ever seen
Cons
Of course, these brushes are also super expensive
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Da Vinci is one of the most respected art companies in the world. It’s been established for over 110 years at this point and their products have been faithful to many professionals around the world for. All their products have impeccable quality and their brushes have been professionals’ favorite for many years – including these acrylic brushes.
Experience
Unlike Da Vinci’s oil paint brushes that are made from kolinsky sable fibers, these acrylic brushes have synthetic bristles. This reduces the price drastically as an acrylic paint brush set of 3 will cost you only $40 in comparison of $300 for a single oil paint brush.
But the choice of synthetic brushes is a good one not only in terms of price but also in terms of durability. Natural fibers can withstand the harshness of acrylic paint.
The performance of the brush is nothing but flawless. The slight bounce of the bristles gives a good control of the brush as well as makes it easy to wash.
The body of the brush has a comfortable grip and is made from sustainable wood that has the least possible ecological impact.
Da Vinci has one of the widest selection of brushes. There’s nothing better than Da Vinci for professional artists. It is only second-bested by Blick in our opinion.
Pros
Bristles that have a good bounce and smooth application
Body is comfortable to hold and is made from sustainable wood
One of the most reputed brands in the art industry
Widest selection of brushes and are sold individually
Cons
Slightly expensive but totally worth the price, especially, for professionals
Read Other Artist Feedback >>
Loew Cornell has made a good reputation in the industry by making reliable and well performing products. Their products have always been of great quality at a reasonable price and these Golden Taklon brushes are no exception. According to us, these brushes will be a perfect match for you if you an intermediate level artist.
Experience
The best thing about Golden Taklon brushes is that these brushes are multi-medium brushes. You can use these for acrylic paint as well as watercolors.
The bristles are very durable and will not wither away because of the harsh treatment of acrylic paint. They have a nice spring which gives a good control and feedback. The brushes also soak up color pretty well.
The ferrule is of good quality as well. It has a nice grip on the bristles and shows no signs of shedding. It also gives a nice feel in the hand and is comfortable to use for long work sessions.
These brushes are more geared towards beginners and intermediate artists. Even though these are a little more expensive than other beginner brushes but the extra money is totally worth it for the better quality.
Hence, it is our top recommendation for beginners and intermediate artists.
Pros
Bristles can soak up color pretty well and perform smoothly
Ferrule is well-built and has a strong grip on the bristles with no signs of shedding
Extremely durable and the tip will be intact for a long time
Cons
A little more expensive than other beginner and intermediate brushes
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LorDac Acrylic Paint Brush Set is a great affordable option for the artists on the go. The brushes are well made and the performance is pretty decent. In the set, you get 7 different brushes in total – 3 Round, 2 Flat, 1 Filbert, and 1 Angular.
Experience
The synthetic bristles are decent enough. They have a nice spring and give a smooth finish while acrylic painting.
They are also plenty durable and we saw no signs of damage after repeated washes. The ferrule is also good. It gives a nice grip and holds the acrylic brushes very well – no apparent shedding even after extensive use.
The brush set also comes with a cool traveling case. It’s a great option for artists on the go and students who have to travel a lot around with their equipment. An intelligent design choice allows the travel case to be reconfigured into a brush holder.
Ultimately, the set comes at a very reasonable price and perform pretty great for the money. It’s a great bargain for beginners and hence, makes it on our recommendation list.
Pros
Bristles are pretty decent, they are durable and perform really well
Brush set is extremely affordable, a great bargain for beginners
Comes with a travel case which can be transformed into a brush holder
The set comes with a healthy variety of brushes
Cons
The acrylic brushes are not sold individually
Read Other Artist Feedback >>
Acrylic Brushes Care Guide
Now that you have got your favorite acrylic paint brushes, here are some tips and tricks regarding washing and storing your acrylic brushes that should help you keep them in healthy shape for as long as possible.
Acrylic paint is extremely harsh on brushes and you’ll have to take good care of them if you want to keep using them for a long time.
Washing
The key takeaway from here is to remember to never let the paint dry on the brushes. Acrylic paint when left unwashed will seriously damage the brush no matter what is used to clean them afterwards.
The task can be a little tedious and annoying given how fast acrylic paint dries. But to wash them properly we advise you to use the double wash system.
It’s actually pretty simple. You’ll just have to keep two jars of solvents to properly clean the brushes.
The first jar should just have clean water to wash the initial pigments off the brush. This will make sure that the paint won’t quickly dry and damage the bristle.
The second jar should have some sort of a soapy mixture of water – or a brush cleaner solution – for a deeper rinse of the brush.
After washing, let the brushes dry up for a while or use a soft fabric to soak the remaining water from the bristles.
Storing
Apart from washing, proper storage of your acrylic brushes is also important for their good health.
It’s really not that hard. You’ll just have to be careful when storing them. Make sure that you’re storing the acrylic brushes with the tip facing upwards.
That way the bristles won’t be broken or bent when stored for a long time. Use a jar or a brush stand to store the brushes and make sure they are properly washed and dry before storing.
Don’t buy natural for acrylic paint
We all love acrylic brushes with animal hair fibers because they give a very smooth, elegant and satisfactory experience.
Even though they are a bit pricey, we do recommend animal hair fibers for oil paint and watercolors. But when it comes to acrylic paint, stay away from natural hair fibers.
Always buy synthetic fibers if you are planning to paint with acrylic paint. Apart from being way cheaper, there are other two good reasons for that.
First, natural fibers can’t withstand the abuse of acrylic paint. They will get severely damaged and will start to fall out even with careful washing and good storage practices.
And second, natural fibers don’t have a nice spring. When painting with acrylic paint, you’d want a good bounce from the bristles for smooth and accurate finishing. While synthetic fibers have that kind of a spring, natural ones are just soft and smooth with no bounce.
Like we already told, if you want brushes for acrylic paint that last a good amount of time and perform well, go for synthetic brushes. And as a bonus, you’ll also have to pay less for them.
Conclusion on Best Brushes for Acrylics
So, that’s all for this acrylic painting article. Hope you found it helpful!
We mentioned all the brushes that we think are best suited for acrylic painting. Keep in mind that the entries listed here are meant to cater to different needs and are not put in any order of ranking.
In the end, we also gave a short maintenance guide to keep your brushes healthy and make them last longer.
What do you think the best acrylic paint brushes are? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below!
Finally, we wish you well on your endeavors and happy painting!
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Dylla breathes illustrations and painting daily, as lead illustrator of Homesthetics & The Journey whilst studying architecture full time. She is also responsible for putting all brushes and papers to the test and fact-checking all the artistical content on the the platform.