For artists working with large canvases, making sure you pick one of the best art easels out there can significantly enhance your work.
Although unimportant or more optional for many, easels allow users versatility in location and also flexibility when it comes to natural lighting.
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Other than this, you should make use of the best art cameras to capture artwork and help enhance your portfolio.
Creating spectacular artwork is often a messy process, and unlike tables, easels offer artists the freedom to make a mess.
Whether you’re a newbie to the art world or have artwork hanging in galleries, you’ll find using the best art easel can take you far.
And for those building a workspace, looking at the best art desks can enhance your creative process immensely.
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10 Best Art Easels for Paintings and Artwork in 2022
- US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame — Best art easel overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Mont Marte Tilting Studio Wooden Floor Easel — Best art easel for sturdiness
- Mont Marte Heavy Duty Tripod Easel — Best portable wooden art easel
- T-Sign 66″ Reinforced Artist Easel Stand — Best lightweight and portable art easel
- MEEDEN Forward Tilt Studio H-Frame Easel — Best studio art easel for storage space
- Grandink Premium Artist Wooden Easel Stand — Best premium studio easel
- Ohuhu 66″ aluminum field easel — Best premium outdoor easel
- U.S. Art Supply Aluminum Tabletop Display Easel — Best easel for art shows
- Louise Maelys Tabletop Easel — Best Budget-Friendly Tabletop Easel
- MEEDEN Heavy-Duty Tabletop Studio H-Frame — Best Tabletop Art Easel for Painting
Best Art Easels for Paintings Compared
What is the best art easel for artists? The US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame is our top pick overall. That said, we’ve also listed some alternatives that may be more suitable for your art needs.
How to Pick the Best Art Easel
Most easels come with distinct features that can enhance the way you work with certain types of art mediums. Other than this, your creative process and art style can also be affected by your art setup. That’s why, to make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of things you’ll need to keep an eye out for.
Build and Design
For many artists, the aesthetic and reliability of their space are of utmost importance. The importance of build quality can be seen when artists work deep edge canvases. To delve into this more, deep edge canvases or canvases that are larger than 3 feet (height or width) tend to pull or weigh the easel down.
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Other than this, when painting outdoors, the breeze can knock over your painting causing smudges or even tearing your canvas! So to prevent this from being an issue, making sure your easel is slightly on the heavier side is a smart move to make.
Aesthetically speaking, art easels come both in metal and wooden builds. There are distinct differences but it’s not that significant. At the end of the day, your preference will determine which one you’ll get.
Customizability and Storage
Customizability in canvases depends on your ability to adjust the height on the lower handle and top handle. This helps secure your painting and prevent any tumbles that can occur with your canvas. This, along with the adjustability of your easel’s rear leg, is something to keep in mind.
When it comes to storage, it’s more a question of priorities. For all artists working a wide range of paints, mediums, and brushes having an art table is mandatory. However, these days, some easels come with slots to store your brush washbowl and even hold brushes.
Storing paints or brushes on your easel also has several limitations. It’s not something you should pay too much attention to. That said, If you’re looking for an art table, you should check out our Top 10 Art Desks article.
Size
For size, it’s all a question of what canvas size you feel comfortable working with or whether you like to work standing or seated. If you’re someone looking to sell art professionally, buying a larger easel is something you should consider.
However, working with a more medium-sized easel is a safe spot, to begin with. Once you feel more familiar with working with canvases you can always switch to a larger sized canvas.
Other than this, some artists feel more comfortable working on ground level, and easels offer them a good angle. In these cases, there are several smaller easels that can get the job done quite well.
Price
The price of most easels ranges from anywhere from $10 to even $1,000. For the artist with more budget, we’d strongly recommend you stick around the $100 price range. Despite some easels being sturdy and fancy, at the end of the day, build quality and adjustability are what it boils down to. For those with a limited budget, there are several $50 options that fair quite well.
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Within the price range of $100 – $200, artists can meet both their aesthetic and functional needs.
Top 10 Best Art Easels for Paintings
1. US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame (Editor’s Choice)
The best art easel overall
Weight: 9.73 Pounds | Height: 6 feet | Color: Tan | Material: Wood | Features: Storage tray | Portability: No
For a sturdy and adjustable painting solution, the US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame is the best art easel overall. With three knobs to secure and adjust the easel angle, this h-frame easel works well for heavier artwork.
Despite the more portable options out there, this easel is one of the more popular choices.
It also has a reasonable price point and appealing design. This makes the US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame an excellent choice for any art studio.
With multiple height choices and a trigger lock height system, it’s easy to use regardless of canvas size. This one has both a top and bottom handle for canvases ensuring your artwork is fastened to the frame of your easel.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Good Price Point | ➖ Not very portable |
| ➕ Excellent build quality and height adjustability | |
| ➕ Comes with a storage tray for brushes or paints |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- A professional medium wooden Studio H-Frame Easel with an artist storage supply tray. A natural wood colored easel that's oil finished, and made with high quality aged Beechwood that's grown in...
- A solid and sturdy easel with an adjustable height mast that allows it to accommodate a canvas up to 48" high. The artist supply tray has a metal ratchet adjustment to raise it from 6" to 42" high off...
- The easel can be adjusted past a full vertical incline or depending on the need it can be tilted back. The easels large point knobs that allow for quick and accurate easel adjustments. Includes wooden...
- Easel Dimensions: 22" wide by 22" deep by 67.5" high, easel adjusts up to 96" in total maximum height. It's a durable user-friendly easel that's perfect for kids, students, professionals and advanced...
- Risk-Free Purchase with our 100% Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee. U.S. Art Supply is an industry leader in Art Supplies, so purchase our products with the confidence that we'll offer you a 100%...
2. Mont Marte Tilting Studio Wooden Floor Easel
Best art easel for sturdiness
Weight: 19 kilograms | Height: 80 inches | Material: Wood | Features: Storage Tray | Portability: Moderate
The Mont Marte Tilting Easel is a tilting easel that comes with wheels. If you’re the kind of artist that likes to move your setup around based on lighting, this sturdy art easel is a great option. What makes this easel stand out is that it can be tilted until lateral, which is useful for watercolors and even glazes.
One of the most sturdy options out there, the Easel from Monte Martel also comes with a storage tray to keep your brushes. Other than this, its birch construction ensures stability from strong wind. This piece from Mont Marte is one of the best easels for artists looking for a versatile studio setup.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Affordable price | ➖ Instructions could be clearer |
| ➕ Heavy and sturdy build | |
| ➕ Has castor wheels for easy portability |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Approximate dimensions: Studio Easel Size: 26"Wide x 27-1/2"Deep x 80"High, (Adjusts to 139"High)
- Large tilt range: has the ability to tilt completely flat, allowing the easel to be used for watercolors, pastels, gesso, varnish and glazes
- Sturdy construction: wooden easel made with a stable square base
- Easy adjustment: adjustable central column and a trigger action height adjustment
- Easy to move: castor wheels allow the easel to be moved around the studio and can be locked into place when you catch the perfect angle of light
3. Mont Marte Heavy Duty Tripod Easel
Best portable wooden art easel
Weight: 7 lbs | Height: 226 cms | Material: Wood | Features: Storage tray | Portability: Yes
This classic A-frame easel can be used at home, in your studio, or even outdoors. This beechwood easel is comparatively light when compared to most wooden easels on the market. The lightweight build and the fact that it can be folded in on itself for better portability helps it stand out.
For the most part, this easel requires no assembly, however, users are required to attach the storage tray and metal screws for fastening it. This Monte Marte easel can be adjusted in several angles and positions, making working with it practical.
The closest comparison to this easel would be a french box easel, however, this one takes up less space when it comes to width. With a balanced design and portable build, this art easel is a great option to opt for.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Lightweight with foldable design | ➖ The top clamp does not come with a groove to help secure your board |
| ➕ Easy to set up | |
| ➕ Durable build |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Classic A-frame easel suitable for all levels of artists. Perfect for home or studio use
- Beautifully handcrafted from seasoned beech wood with high-quality steel fittings to ensure the ultimate in stability and durability.
- Includes a ledge for brushes and paints. Easily adjustable to a multitude of positions to suit your painting style.
- Folds away for easy transport or storage.
- Holds canvas approx 52" high. Approx. Dimensions of Assembled Easel - width - 31 1/2", depth - 39 1/2", height - 89"
4. T-Sign 66″ Reinforced Artist Easel Stand
Best lightweight and portable art easel
Weight: 2 lbs | Height: 66 inches | Material: Aluminum | Features: Carry bag | Portability: Yes
When it comes to an affordable easel that is portable, the T-sign 66” is an impressive easel to work with. One of the most popular options currently available, this easel comes at a low price but also has a lightweight design-build.
With its aluminum build, The T-sign is an art easel you can carry with you while not burning a hole in your pocket. It’s worth mentioning that the easel is quite adjustable, making it suitable for tabletop, floor level, and regular positions. Capable of being adjusted on uneven grounds as well, the T-sign is the best art easel when it comes to affordability.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Outstanding price | ➖ The legs are slightly flimsy |
| ➕Lightweight build | |
| ➕ Capable of staying level on uneven ground |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝟯𝟮𝟳 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦 & 𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦: Artists love our easel stand for its ADAPTABILITY. Height adjusts from 21in...
- 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 & 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘: Wooden easels are heavy, weighing up to 16lbs. At 2.15lbs, our stand is made from 7075 ALUMINUM ALLOY, favored by the aerospace industry for...
- 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝟴𝟮% 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗥: No more wobbling! Unlike flimsy imports that topple over easily, our easel has been DESIGNED WITH STABILITY IN MIND. With ADJUSTABLE LEGS...
- 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝟮.𝟱𝗫 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥: Generic easels have a big drawback: they only support 9lbs or less, making them useless for presentations. Ours ACCOMMODATES DISPLAYS...
- 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗗: At T-Sign we combine PRACTICALITY and QUALITY with EXPERT INPUT from our Creator Panel testers. Whether you’re...
5. MEEDEN Forward Tilt Studio H-Frame Easel
Best studio art easel for storage space
Weight: 16.28 lbs | Max Canvas height: 35 inches | Material: Wood | Features: Storage drawer, paintbrush holder | Portability: No
Another excellent option, the Meeden Forward Tilt Easel has impressive adjustability. While most easels allow for limited tilt backward, this one allows users to tilt the canvas forwards. This easel’s adjustability can come in handy when working with specific light settings.
Unlike most of the art easels on the market, this one comes with a reasonably large pull-out shelf. Also, the drawer on this easel is large enough to store quite a few paint tubes and several palette knives. When it comes to brushes, these can be laid out on the grooves on the top of this storage space.
While this easel does require a bit of assembly, it does come with a screwdriver and detailed instructions to keep things easy. With a sturdy build created with durable beech wood, this multifunctional option is the best art easel for storage capacity.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Sturdy build | ➖ Slightly on the smaller side |
| ➕ Impressive storage space | |
| ➕ Has forwards tilt |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Solid Wooden Easel - The art easel specially designed for artists, made of beechwood grown from Germany, natural and sturdy, wood texture clearly in use. Anti-rust galvanized hardware is durable and...
- Adjustable Floor Easel - The painting easel with adjustable height from 58"~75", good for painting no matter sitting or standing. The forward tiltable angle brings the top of the canvas with easy...
- Art Easel with Large Drawer - The studio easel with a large drawer under the canvas for storage kinds of art stuff. The top of the drawer could be a palette or paints supply station for painting,...
- Artist Easel for Painting - Here's a back-to-basics studio easel at a practical price. Just the right size for drawing, super functional and lightweight, easy to move around for the best light
- Easy to Assemble - All the wood pieces and hardware are labeled, and packed with tools and step-by-step assembly illustrations, what's amazing, there is still an assembly video in the video area for...
6. Grandink Premium Artist Wooden Easel Stand
Best premium studio easel
Weight: 1.8 kgs | Height: 5 feet | Material: Pinewood | Portability: Moderate
Grandink is known for its high-quality art-related products, and this wooden art easel is no different. Made from pinewood this art easel is both durable and classy to look at. With polished textured wood, this one is a great option for the more classy artists.
That said, it should be known that this easel comes with a premium price tag and isn’t the most recommended for newbie artists. It’s more lightweight when compared to the more hefty beechwood easels. This option from Grandlink is one that professionals will find worthwhile.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Premium design | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Durable build | |
| ➕ Reasonable height |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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7. Ohuhu 66″ Aluminum Field Easel 2 Pack
Best premium outdoor easel
Weight: 780 g | Height: 66 inches | Material: Aluminum | Features: Comes with carrying bag | Portability: Yes
By far the lightest durable easel on this list, the Ohuhu aluminum easel is the best choice for artists on the go. Although this easel does come with a hefty price tag, if your sales are doing well, it definitely is worth the investment.
When it comes to adjustability, the height can be adjusted to floor level. The legs can even be adjusted to stay level even on uneven ground. With spring clamps that hold the canvas in place, the Ohuhu 66″ definitely keeps things fastened.
Besides this, if you’re an art student that needs to run around for classes, this lightweight easel presents an outstanding solution. Weighing only 780 grams, and with an adjustable height of up to 66 inches, this aluminum easel is likely the best lightweight easel out there.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Outstanding lightweight | ➖ Quite pricey |
| ➕ Durable aluminum build | |
| ➕ Can stay level on uneven ground |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT：The easel stand is perfect for floor stand or table top display with adjustable height from 21” to 66”
- SPRING CLAMP FIXING THE CANVASES: With the spring clamp on the top of the tabletop easel stand, the canvases is hard to slide from the place
- ADJUSTABLE KNOBS: This artist easel has easy turn adjustable knobs for quick height & angle adjustments
- ADJUSTABLE LEGS: Even the ground is uneven, the Aluminum Field Easel Stand legs can be adjusted to adapt to the floor
- FOLDABLE & PORTABLITY, GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR BACK TO SCHOOL ART SUPPLIES: It can be folded to only 21’’ for easy storage and it comes with a carry bag for easy transportation
8. U.S. Art Supply 66″ High Showroom Black Aluminum Display Easel
Best easel for art shows
Weight: 2.25 lbs| Height: 66 inches | Material: Aluminum | Features: | Portability: Yes
While not the most sturdy art easel, the U.S. Art Supply 66″ is a great choice for art shows and exhibitions. As artists, getting sales can be daunting if you don’t have a strong social media presence. So for the artists that work the more old-fashioned way, the US Art Supply Easel presents a great option.
One of the more affordable ones out there, these make an excellent choice when displaying multiple art pieces in a manner that is cohesive. Weighing only 2 pounds but capable of supporting up to 25, the legs for these are retractable and the easel itself is easy to store.
Besides art shows, this does also make for a reasonable choice for painting. That said, it can be difficult to steady the legs at first.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Affordable price | ➖ Difficult to steady the legs |
| ➕ Lightweight build | |
| ➕ Minimalist design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Showroom model heavy duty use 66" high large black aluminum display and presentation easel stand with an adjustable telescoping tripod frame that supports up to 25 pounds. A premium lightweight 2...
- Sets up quickly varying from 36" up to 66" high for instant use as a floor, tabletop or an artists field and display easel. Easel has easy turn adjustable locking knobs for quick and easy height and...
- It's made with premium quality 3/4" diameter reinforced lightweight tubular aluminum metal that makes it tough and sturdy. The interior aluminum leg separators keep the easel very stable, while also...
- It's an ideal heavy duty display easel for trade shows, office presentations, event and store signs, large posters, dry erase boards, white-boards, artwork paintings and framed pictures. Easel is...
- Easel Dimensions: 36" wide by 34" deep by 66" high as a floor easel; 20.5" wide by 19" deep by 36" high as a table easel. The display holder arms accommodate panels up to 2.2" in depth. Black anodized...
9. Louise Maelys Tabletop Easel
Most Budget-Friendly Tabletop Easel
Weight: 3 pounds | Height: 20 inches| Material: Beechwood | Portability: Easy
Louise Maelys is known for its trendy fashion products and classy art supplies. In search of a budget-friendly art easel, this beechwood art easel stands as a unique choice with its reasonable price. Lousie Maelys’ easel made of brass hardware and solid European beech is corrosion-resistant and durable.
The L-shaped frame comes with a leather handle that makes it comfortable to carry. Being a tabletop art easel it fits for both indoor and outdoor sketching. These easels are widely applicable for studios, painting classes, and travel art. The spacious storage compartment and the 0 to 90-degree adjustable frames help artists with easy adjustments. Louise Maelys Art Easel is best suited for both beginners and professionals.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Budget-friendly | ➖ Not suitable for bigger art pieces |
| ➕Corrosion-resistant | |
| ➕ Spacious internal storage | |
| ➕ Adjustable frames | |
| ➕ Portable |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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10. MEEDEN Heavy-Duty Tabletop Studio H-Frame
Best Tabletop Art Easel for Painting
Weight: 3.6 pounds | Height: 23 inches| Material: Beechwood | Portability: Moderate
Meeden is quite popular among art lovers for its adhoc artistic services. Their well-designed and fully assembled Easel meets all your painting needs. This Meeden Heavy Duty Tabletop is perfect for Plein air artists as its foldable feature makes it easy to carry outdoors. Being an easy-to-assemble tabletop product, it goes well with both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts.
This simple yet attractive tabletop easel is made of sanded solid beechwood. Its sturdiness and lightweight characteristics together help you set up your studio wherever you want. Its firm and flexible settings let you tilt the frames at 7 adjustable angles from 41 degrees to 78 degrees.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Stable base | ➖ Not suitable for bigger art pieces |
| ➕ Lightweight | ➖ Limited adjustable degrees |
| ➕ Easy to carry | |
| ➕ Fits on table | |
| ➕ Portable |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best art easel overall?
We’ve picked the US Art Supply Medium Wooden H-Frame as the best art easel overall. This art easel comes at a reasonable price range and a durable build.
What is the most affordable art easel?
The most affordable art easel on this list is the T-Sign 66" Reinforced Artist Easel Stand. This art easel is lightweight and comes at a low price point.
Which is the best art easel for painting outdoors?
The French Easels Portable Art Easel and the Ohuhu 66" aluminum field easel are two of the best options for artists looking to paint outdoors. These two are portable but also have an overall durable build.
What is the most portable art easel?
T-Sign 66" Reinforced Artist Easel Stand and the Ohuhu 66" aluminum field easel are the two most portable art kits available. These two are lightweight and compact due to their aluminum build.
Which is better: a wooden easel or an aluminum easel?
This depends largely on the type of art you want to create. Generally speaking, the wood easels have more storage space and remain steady. For artists on the go, however, aluminum easels are both lightweight and compact.
How much do art easels cost?
A reasonable price for an art easel is anywhere from $100-$200 dollars. If you’re willing to compromise on certain features, there are a few options below $50. However, for those looking for more premium models, these can sometimes go up to as much as $1,200.
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10 Best Art Easels for Paintings and Artwork in 2022
For most artists, easels are usually bought once every few decades. While paints, palettes, and brushes are replaced regularly, your easel along with your set-up, stays the same.
And although it may seem like an exaggeration, there’s a good chance your art easel will stay with you for the majority of your life. That’s why it’s quite an important decision to make. As an artist, you should make sure you pick the easel that suits your art style best. Did you agree with this list? Let us know in the comments below!