Last Updated on February 17, 2022 by OoS

We researched 25 different paint sets that are good for miniatures. In summary, we collected the top 3 best paints for Warhammer. If you want to know our top 1, it is The Army Painter Warpaints Mega Paint Set). Read here for more details.

Best paints for Warhammer 40K:

Best Paint for Warhammer 40K: The Army Painter Warpaints Mega Paint Set

The Army Painter Miniature Painting Kit with Wargamer Regiment Miniatures Paint Brush - Miniature Paint Set for Miniature Figures, 50 Nontoxic Model Paints - Mega Paint Set of 3
  • COMPREHENSIVE STARTER COLLECTION - Includes 50 Warpaints: 39 acrylic model paints, five metallics, four Quickshade washes and two Effects paints; one tr iangular-handled Regiment paint brush and a detail-rich painting guide. Perfect for the beginner or returning Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Star Wars Legion or Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying hobby miniature model painter
  • GREAT DEAL SAVINGS - The Army Painter Mega Paint Set offers excellent value for your money, getting you more Warpaints than you would get buying them individually. We have selected 50 great paints from our range to save you the time and money!
  • EXCELLENT COVERAGE AND CONSISTENCY – Our Warpaints are made with heavy pigments and a creamy consistency, allowing for excellent coverage and application. The extremely fine pigment makes our Warpaints excellent for use in an airbrush as well as with regular paint brushes.
  • NON-TOXIC AND ECO-FRIENDLY – Our acrylic Warpaints are marked with the Nordic Swan Eco-label, your guarantee that we have done our utmost to lower our emissions, reducing the overall environmental impact from production and consumption of goods. Furthermore, our paints are non-toxic and safe to use for anyone just starting out miniature painting, as well as for the advanced hobbyist concerned with their health without compromising on the quality of their tools.
  • BORN FROM GAMING – The Army Painter is the brainchild of wargaming and painting veterans of many years, Bo Penstoft and Jonas Færing : “We wanted to produce the paints and accessories that could have carried us all the way from the level of novice to experienced painters and gamers when we first started out. With The Army Painter, our aim is to help you get awesome painted models on the table, and still Get More Time for Gaming!

The Army Painter Warpaints Mega Paint Set is among almost everyone’s recommended list for so many good reasons. First of all, it has a very good number of colors to choose from whether you are planning to paint on Orks or color the Tau Empire. It has very good value for the price that you pay because of the various shades of one color along with being easy to use for both beginners and experts in the field. The only requirement you need here is a very strong spray primer or else the effect won’t be that much of high quality. We recommend the Citadel Primer Spray for this.

The Army Painter Miniature Painting Kit with Wargamer Regiment Miniatures Paint Brush - Miniature Paint Set for Miniature Figures, 50 Nontoxic Model Paints - Mega Paint Set of 3

Pros

  • Good starter kit
  • Great value
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Will require a very strong primer
  • Bulky

Best Value Paint for Warhammer 40K: Vallejo Basic Color Set

Sale
Vallejo Basic USA Colors Paint Set, 17ml
  • Model color has been formulated with permanent pigments for fine arts; all colors are completely lightfast and opaque
  • The consistency of Model color allows for an extremely smooth and uniform paint film, with no trace of brushstrokes
  • The water based formula of Model color has been specifically developed for adherence on difficult surfaces such as metal and plastic

If The Army Painter is too expensive for you, Vallejo Basic Color Set is great for both beginners and long-time hobbyists. Not only is it cheap but it offers a good number of colors as well. It doesn’t matter if you are painting bright-colored units or very dark ones: Vallejo has all the right basic colors you need. It also does not require a very strong primer in order to deliver high quality colors too. The only two gripes we have here are the thick consistency and the bubbling.

Vallejo Basic USA Colors Paint Set, 17ml

Pros

  • Highly recommended by hobbyists
  • Wide options of colors
  • Quick dry

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Bubbles up
  • Slightly thick

Best Premium Paint for Warhammer 40K: Citadel Paint Set

Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Citadel Base Paint Set
  • Citadel Base Paints for painting model miniatures.
  • Set contains 1 S Base brush and 11 pots of Citadel paint.
  • Officially licensed by Games Workshop.

You might be wondering why Citadel Paint Set is not at the number one in this list. Well, that is because it often runs out of stock and it is quite expensive. But if you ignore those two problems and you have one of the strongest paint sets ever made for miniatures. This is especially effective for Citadel-based miniatures which includes both Warhammer 40K and Warhammer Age of Sigmar models.

Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Citadel Base Paint Set

Pros

  • Official paint from Games Workshop
  • High-quality
  • Vivid colors

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited supplies
  • Only for professionals

Alternative Paints for Warhammer 40K

Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Citadel Base Paint Set
  • Citadel Base Paints for painting model miniatures.
  • Set contains 1 S Base brush and 11 pots of Citadel paint.
  • Officially licensed by Games Workshop.

Sale
Acylicos Vallejo - 72299 - Acrylic 16 Colors for Fantasy Figures
  • INCLUDES 16 DIFFERENT 17ML BOTTLES - Collection of 16 paints for painting models and miniatures.
  • EACH BOTTLE INCLUDES AN EYEDROPPER - This range has been specifically selected for fantasy miniatures.
  • THIS BOX SET INCLUDES A COLOUR CHART - The paints included are an ideal starter assortment.
  • ALL PAINTS CAN BE DILUTED WITH WATER - They are waterbased paints which are non-toxic and non-flammable.
  • ALL COLOURS CAN BE MIXED TOGETHER TO GIVE ENDLESS OPTIONS - Vallejo Game Color Introduction Acrylic Paint Set are designed for use by wargamers aged 15 and over.

What I Would Buy

If you ever want to buy a set that has very solid colors and great long-lasting quality, The Army Painter Warpaints Mega Paint Set is the best paint for Warhammer. If you prefer something cheaper, we recommend the Vallejo Basic Color Set instead. But if you want a premium choice, Citadel Paint Set is the most reliable option.

FAQs

Do you need primer for Warhammer?

Yes, you will need a spray or brush on primer in order to color your miniatures properly. without primer, your paints will look bad and the colors “melt” away.

What is the best primer for miniatures?

The most recommended primer is the Citadel Spray Primer but you may choose to go for something cheaper like Vallejo Primer.

Do I need to follow the faction colors?

Usually, it is best to follow the colors as recommended by GW. However, if you strictly play solo or you want your own custom army filled with various factions, you can paint them however you want.

How long does primer take to dry miniatures?

It only takes around 30 to 60 minutes depending on the brand you buy.

What is the best primer for painting plastic?

Citadel Primer Spray is best but as long as the primer product has a label that says it is good for plastic and metal, there is barely any difference in quality.