For painting haunted houses, spooky tabletop figures, pumpkins, and other Halloween miniatures, I’d start with the Nicpro 18-Color Kit with Wet Palette if keeping paint workable during a longer session matters most. The Nicpro 32-Piece Kit is my strongest all-around choice for its broad brush selection and color-mixing tools, while the Smallbudi 20-Color Set gives color-first painters two extra shades and a simple beginner guide. These are general model-painting kits rather than Halloween-specific assortments, so the main choice is between palette and handling accessories, brush-and-mixing support, and maximum color count.
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I ranked them by how well their contents support the small-scale work Halloween projects often demand: controlled details, varied surface materials, and the ability to create dark shadows alongside vivid accents. None includes miniatures, and their accessory packages differ enough that a bigger color count does not automatically make a set the better buy for every painter. I’m weighing the practical tradeoffs so you can choose a kit that suits your models and painting habits rather than simply picking the longest contents list.
Key Takeaways
- Best all-around balance: The Nicpro 32-piece kit pairs 18 paints with eight detail brushes, three drybrushes, thinner, a palette, and a color wheel.
- Best for extended painting sessions: The Nicpro wet-palette kit adds a 9.6 × 6.2-inch palette and a rotating miniature handle, but its setup takes more effort.
- Most colors in this lineup: Smallbudi supplies 20 shades, two more than either Nicpro set, but includes only three detail brushes.
- Halloween colors are not guaranteed: These are general model acrylic sets, so check the included color range if you need specific orange, purple, or metallic shades.
- Miniatures are sold separately: Each kit supplies painting materials and tools, not Halloween figures, scenery, or models.
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit, 18-Color Acrylic Model Paint Set |  | Best Overall | Brand: Nicpro | Model number: MG1260 | Paint type: Water-based acrylic | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit with 18 Model Paints and Wet Palette |  | Best for Longer Painting Sessions | Brand: Nicpro | Model: MG1126 | Paint type: Pre-thinned acrylic | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Smallbudi 20-Color Acrylic Model Paint Set with Brushes and Thinner |  | Best for Color Variety | Brand: Smallbudi | Model number: BD112 | Paint type: Model acrylic paint | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Halloween miniature painting set | Brand | Paint type | Model number | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit | Nicpro | Water-based acrylic | MG1260 | 18 |
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit | Nicpro | Pre-thinned acrylic | — | — |
| Smallbudi 20-Color Acrylic Mod | Smallbudi | Model acrylic paint | BD112 | 20 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit, 18-Color Acrylic Model Paint Set
For a Halloween miniature painter who wants a broad starter bundle without committing to a wet-palette setup, this is my best overall pick. The 32-piece kit combines 18 water-based acrylic paints with eight detail brushes, three drybrushes, thinner, a plastic palette, and a color wheel. That spread suits projects ranging from a small ghost’s eyes to drybrushed stonework on a haunted ruin. Compared with the Smallbudi set, Nicpro trades two paint colors for a much fuller brush selection and more mixing support.
The three drybrushes stand out for Halloween scenery and textured figures. They can help pick out raised details on cobwebbed terrain, bark, bones, or masonry without treating every surface like a smooth base coat. The eight detail brushes give a beginner more sizes to try, although a brush count alone cannot guarantee the right tip shape or quality for every miniature. The included color wheel may also help new painters plan combinations for eerie schemes, such as contrasting muted surfaces with brighter accents.
Its acrylics are listed for plastic, resin, wood, and metal and dry to a matte finish. That material range makes the kit flexible if a Halloween project combines a plastic figure with resin scenery or wooden props. Thinner is included for adjusting paint for techniques such as washes, glazes, and airbrush use, according to the product details. I would still expect a painter to practice dilution on a spare surface; the kit does not remove the need to learn how paint behaves at different consistencies.
The main limitation is that its palette is better suited to practice and small projects, rather than extended work across a large batch of figures. The wet-palette Nicpro kit is a better match if keeping paint usable during a longer session is the priority, and its rotating handle is more specialized for painting miniatures. This set also does not include any figures, so it is a painting supply bundle, not a complete Halloween craft project. My ranking puts it first because its mix of brushes, paints, and basic mixing tools makes it the most balanced starting point in this lineup.
Pros:- Includes 18 paints, thinner, eight detail brushes, and three drybrushes.
- Covers plastic, resin, wood, and metal surfaces.
- Includes a palette and color wheel to support mixing and practice.
- Thinner can support adjustments for washes, glazes, and airbrush use.
Cons:- Miniatures are not included.
- The plastic palette is described as better for practice and small projects than extended sessions.
- The set has two fewer colors than the Smallbudi option.
Best for: New and intermediate miniature painters who want a balanced brush, paint, and mixing bundle for Halloween figures and small scenery.
Not ideal for: Painters who need a wet palette for longer sessions, already own a full brush collection, or expect a miniature to be included.
- Brand:Nicpro
- Model number:MG1260
- Paint type:Water-based acrylic
- Colors:18
- Paint volume:20 ml (0.68 fl oz) each
- Brushes:8 detail brushes and 3 drybrushes
- Other kit contents:Thinner, plastic palette, and color wheel
- Compatible surfaces:Plastic, resin, wood, and metal
- Finish and stated dry time:Matte; 0.5 hours
Our verdict“I’d choose this balanced kit for broad miniature-painting support, unless a wet palette or the largest color selection is your main priority.”
Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit with 18 Model Paints and Wet Palette
This Nicpro kit takes the most miniature-focused approach of the three. Alongside 18 pre-thinned acrylic paints in 20 ml dropper bottles, it includes eight detail brushes, three drybrushes, thinner, a wet palette, two sponges, 50 palette papers, a brush rest, an elastic band, an instruction booklet, and a rotating painting handle with swappable caps and a magnetic dock. For someone planning a longer Halloween painting session, that work surface and handle are more directly useful than simply adding two more colors.
The 9.6 × 6.2-inch wet palette is its clearest distinction from the standard Nicpro kit’s plastic palette and Smallbudi’s color-focused package. A wet palette can help keep paint workable while a painter handles careful details or moves between several small figures. The pre-thinned formula is also described as designed for smooth application, which may reduce some initial adjustment for brush painting. That does not remove the value of practice, though, and the included thinner gives room for further changes.
The rotating handle helps hold a miniature while the painter changes its angle, which can be useful for reaching undersides or working around small Halloween accessories. Compared with the other kits, this package is the one I’d favor when the painting process itself needs support, not simply a selection of paints. Its brush count matches the 32-piece Nicpro set, and it also provides drybrushes, so it does not sacrifice basic brush variety to make room for the palette gear.
There are practical compromises. The palette’s elastic bands need to be tied for a complete seal, adding a setup step before painting. Its many components may also be more than a beginner wants to organize; a newcomer painting one figure may get simpler value from the standard Nicpro kit, while a painter who prioritizes color count may prefer Smallbudi’s 20 shades. As with every option here, the miniatures are not included. I rank this second because it has the strongest work-session accessories, but that advantage matters most to painters who will actually use the wet palette and handle.
Pros:- Includes a 9.6 × 6.2-inch wet palette with sponges and 50 palette papers.
- Supplies a rotating handle with swappable caps and a magnetic dock.
- Pre-thinned acrylic paints are described as suited to smooth application.
- Includes 18 paints, eight detail brushes, and three drybrushes.
Cons:- Elastic bands must be tied to complete the palette seal.
- The large number of accessories may feel excessive for a first, single-figure project.
- It has fewer colors than Smallbudi’s 20-color set.
Best for: Miniature painters who work on multiple figures or prefer a wet palette and a dedicated handle for controlling models during detail work.
Not ideal for: Casual beginners who want the fewest setup steps, painters who do not need palette accessories, or anyone expecting figures in the box.
- Brand:Nicpro
- Model:MG1126
- Paint type:Pre-thinned acrylic
- Paint colors:18
- Bottle size:20 ml each
- Brushes:8 detail brushes and 3 drybrushes
- Palette size:9.6 × 6.2 inches
- Included accessories:Thinner, rotating handle, wet palette, 2 sponges, 50 palette papers, brush rest, elastic band, and instruction booklet
Our verdict“I’d pick this Nicpro set over the others for palette management and model handling, provided you are willing to set up and use the extra gear.”
Smallbudi 20-Color Acrylic Model Paint Set with Brushes and Thinner
Smallbudi is the clearest choice here for painters who want the largest stated color selection in one package. It provides 20 acrylic paints in 20 ml bottles, two more than either Nicpro set, plus three detail brushes, acrylic thinner, an instruction sheet, and a color wheel. That makes it an appealing route for someone who wants more starting shades for Halloween palettes without buying a broader accessory kit. The extra colors can offer more options for building a varied cast of ghosts, monsters, pumpkins, and haunted scenery, though the listed details do not identify which exact hues are included.
The set is described for plastic, resin, metal, and wood, so it can support mixed-material projects. Its matte finish suits painters who want subdued surfaces for cloaks, stone, or old props, while the metallic shades are noted as providing metal effects. Compared with the Nicpro wet-palette kit, Smallbudi offers more colors but less support for keeping paint workable or holding a model. Compared with the 32-piece Nicpro kit, it gives up most of the brush variety in favor of two extra paints.
For a newer painter, the color wheel and instruction sheet are useful additions: they offer a basic starting point for thinking about combinations and paint handling. The paints are described as ready to use for brush painting, with thinner available for more advanced techniques such as layering, blending, or airbrushing. That is a straightforward setup for someone who wants to begin with brushes, though thinning remains a skill to learn rather than a guaranteed shortcut to smooth results.
The most noticeable limitation is the three-brush selection. That may cover basic tasks, but it gives less choice for switching between fine details and textured drybrushing than either Nicpro bundle, each of which includes eight detail brushes and three drybrushes. Smallbudi also lacks a palette and miniature handle in the listed contents. Its two-year manufacturer warranty is a useful stated support detail, but it does not replace missing tools. I rank it third overall because the extra colors are attractive, yet Halloween miniature painting often benefits from brush and palette support as much as from the number of bottles.
Pros:- Includes 20 colors, the largest stated selection in this comparison.
- Paints are intended for plastic, resin, metal, and wood.
- Includes thinner, a color wheel, and an instruction sheet.
- Metallic shades are included for metal effects, and the set lists a two-year manufacturer warranty.
Cons:- Only three detail brushes are included.
- No palette or miniature painting handle is listed.
- Thinner is needed to adjust paint for some advanced techniques.
Best for: Painters who prioritize a wider starting color selection and want a simple paint-and-thinner kit with beginner-oriented guidance.
Not ideal for: Painters who want several brush types, a wet palette, a model handle, or a fully equipped workstation in one box.
- Brand:Smallbudi
- Model number:BD112
- Paint type:Model acrylic paint
- Colors:20
- Bottle size:20 ml (0.6 oz) each
- Included tools:3 detail brushes, acrylic thinner, instruction sheet, and color wheel
- Recommended surfaces:Resin, plastic, metal, and wood
- Finish:Matte; metallic shades provide metal effects
- Warranty:2-year manufacturer warranty
Our verdict“I’d choose Smallbudi when extra paint colors matter more than brush variety, palette management, or a dedicated miniature handle.”
How We Picked
I compared these three sets as Halloween miniature painting kits, not as general craft-paint collections. Halloween themes often call for tiny facial details, sharp contrasts, dark recesses, weathered surfaces, and bright color accents. I therefore focused on the practical support each kit offers for detail work and varied miniature materials, while avoiding assumptions about exact color shades where the product information does not list them.
Kit completeness mattered because a buyer starting from scratch may need brushes, thinner, and a way to mix or manage paint, not just bottles. The Nicpro 32-piece set supplies a palette and color wheel, the other Nicpro set adds a wet palette and a miniature handle, and Smallbudi focuses on a larger paint selection with a compact brush bundle. I gave each package credit for a distinct use rather than treating every extra accessory as equally useful.
I also considered paint handling and surface compatibility. All three are acrylic-based sets intended for model or miniature painting and list compatibility with common materials such as plastic, resin, wood, or metal. The wet-palette Nicpro paint is described as pre-thinned; the other kits include thinner for adjustment. That difference can affect setup and paint control, but it does not mean one formula is right for every painter or every technique.
Finally, I weighed tradeoffs and likely buyer fit. More colors can reduce the need to mix every shade, but extra brushes and palette tools can be more helpful when painting several figures. A wet palette can support longer work sessions, yet needs assembly and care. Because the sets do not include miniatures and none is identified as a Halloween-only palette, I treat theme-specific colors and figure choice as separate decisions. My ranking favors useful, clearly described support for miniature painting, then recognizes the kits that serve narrower priorities.
| Halloween miniature painting set | Brand | Model number | Paint type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit | Nicpro | MG1260 | Water-based acrylic |
| Nicpro Miniature Painting Kit | Nicpro | — | Pre-thinned acrylic |
| Smallbudi 20-Color Acrylic Mod | Smallbudi | BD112 | Model acrylic paint |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Halloween Miniature Painting Sets
For Halloween miniatures, I’d choose by the kind of painting session and figure you expect to tackle, not by the number of bottles alone. A kit that suits one small pumpkin may not be the best fit for a batch of tabletop figures or a detailed haunted-house scene. These distinctions can help narrow the choice.
Match the tools to your Halloween project
Fine detail and small figures benefit from having brush options and a way to hold a model securely. Both Nicpro sets include eight detail brushes and three drybrushes, while the wet-palette version also adds a rotating handle. Smallbudi has only three detail brushes, so it is the simpler pick if you already own other brushes or do not mind a smaller selection. For terrain with rough stone, wood, or raised texture, drybrushes are a useful inclusion; for faces, tiny props, and crisp accents, having multiple detail brushes gives you more sizes to try.
If your project is mainly a batch of figures, the wet-palette Nicpro kit is geared toward longer sessions. A single quick project may not make its added palette parts and handle worthwhile, making the standard Nicpro set less involved. For scenic Halloween pieces made from different materials, all three list broad surface compatibility, but check the specific model or paint instructions if your project uses an unusual coating or material.
Choose between a regular palette and a wet palette
The 32-piece Nicpro set supplies a plastic palette, a straightforward place to mix colors and practice. Its product details describe the palette as best for practice and small projects, a useful limit if you intend to paint for a long stretch. Smallbudi does not list a palette, so buyers may need to provide their own mixing surface.
The wet-palette Nicpro kit is the only one here with a dedicated way to help keep paint workable during painting. It also includes sponges and palette papers, though its elastic bands need to be tied for a full seal. That makes it a more involved setup than the standard palette. If you prefer to paint in short sessions or already own a palette, the extra equipment may not add much; if you regularly pause to handle several miniatures, it is a more relevant feature.
Think about paint adjustment and technique
All three sets use acrylic model paints, but their descriptions differ. The wet-palette Nicpro paint is described as pre-thinned for smooth application, while the other two kits include thinner for adjusting paint. Smallbudi says its paints are ready for brush painting and that thinner supports techniques such as layering, blending, and airbrushing. The 32-piece Nicpro description also mentions possible adjustment for washes, glazes, and airbrush use.
For a beginner, these details point to different levels of involvement rather than a guaranteed result. Ready-to-use or pre-thinned paint can simplify a first brush session, while separate thinner gives you a tool to experiment with consistency. If you want to try airbrushing, confirm that the paint, thinner, and your equipment work together before starting; the included thinner alone does not establish that every kit is ready for every airbrush setup.
Do not assume a color count means Halloween colors
Smallbudi has 20 colors, compared with 18 in each Nicpro kit. That is the largest stated selection in this group, but the supplied information does not name all of the shades. If your scheme depends on a particular orange, purple, green, skin tone, or metallic, check the set’s current color list before choosing. A larger count can give you more starting points, but it cannot confirm that a specific theme color is included.
Mixing tools help when a set does not supply an exact shade. Nicpro’s standard kit and Smallbudi both include a color wheel; the wet-palette Nicpro kit instead emphasizes palette and handling accessories in its listed contents. If you enjoy mixing, that difference may be minor. If you prefer a ready assortment of named Halloween hues, verify the exact colors rather than inferring them from the total.
Check what the box leaves out
None of these kits includes miniatures. You will need to source the figures, models, or scenery separately, and none is described as a dedicated Halloween paint range. Smallbudi lists three detail brushes, thinner, an instruction sheet, and a color wheel, but no palette or handle. The standard Nicpro kit includes a palette but not a wet palette or model handle. The second Nicpro kit supplies the most painting-session accessories, alongside the wet palette and rotating handle.
Before deciding, compare the contents against what you already have. Owning brushes makes Smallbudi’s smaller brush package less of a drawback; already having a wet palette makes the second Nicpro kit less distinctive. If you are starting with no tools, the 32-piece Nicpro set is the most balanced package, while the wet-palette version is more complete for model handling and paint management. A list of included items is useful only when those items match the way you plan to paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these sets made specifically for Halloween miniatures?
No. All three are general model or miniature acrylic paint sets, not Halloween-specific assortments. They can be used for spooky figures, haunted scenery, pumpkins, and related projects, but the listed information does not confirm that each kit includes particular Halloween colors. I’d check the current color list if a specific shade is central to your scheme.
Which set is the best starting point for a beginner?
I’d start with the 32-piece Nicpro kit if you want a balanced collection of paints, detail brushes, drybrushes, thinner, a palette, and a color wheel. Smallbudi is simpler if you mainly want a larger number of paint colors and a short instruction sheet. The wet-palette Nicpro set has more accessories, but its setup and component count may be unnecessary for someone learning on a single figure.
Which option has the most paint colors?
Smallbudi includes 20 colors, while both Nicpro kits include 18. That gives Smallbudi the largest stated selection, but the provided product details do not identify every shade. I would confirm the exact colors before choosing it for a Halloween scheme that depends on a particular orange, purple, green, or metallic effect.
Do any of these kits include Halloween miniatures?
No; the product descriptions identify paints and painting accessories, not figures or scenery. You’ll need to purchase or supply miniatures separately. Before starting, check that the selected kit’s listed compatible surfaces match the material of your models, especially if your project combines plastic, resin, wood, or metal pieces.
Is the wet-palette Nicpro set worth choosing over the other two?
I’d choose it when the wet palette, palette papers, and rotating miniature handle fit the way you paint, especially for longer sessions or several figures. It is less compelling if you want a simple starter bundle, need the largest color count, or already own similar tools. Its elastic bands also require setup to complete the palette seal, so the extra equipment brings a small amount of maintenance with it.
Conclusion
For most first-time Halloween miniature painters, I recommend the 32-piece Nicpro kit. It balances paints, several brush types, thinner, a palette, and a color wheel without leaning as heavily on specialized palette equipment. If your priority is keeping paint workable and holding figures at a better angle, choose the Nicpro wet-palette set instead, and accept its setup steps and larger accessory bundle. If you already have brushes and palette tools and want the most colors in this comparison, Smallbudi’s 20-color set is the more focused option.
Whichever set you choose, check its exact color list and remember that the figures are separate. The best fit comes down to whether your Halloween project needs balanced starter tools, paint-session accessories, or more starting colors—not simply which box contains the most pieces.
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