In this guide, I’ll break down the main types of easels, what to look for, and share the best painting easels I’ve personally tested, so you can find the perfect one for your art and workspace.
Overview: Best Easels for Painting and Drawing
Best Mid-Priced A-Frame Easel
Solid Beech Wood Studio Easel with Brush Holder, Holds Canvas up to 48"
Best Budget A-Frame Easel
Extra Thick Aluminum Metal Tripod Display Easel 21" to 66" | Adjustable Height with Portable Bag for Floor/Table-Top Drawing and Displaying
Best Mid-Priced H-Frame Easel
Master H-Frame Studio Easel, Heavy Duty Artist Easel, Display Easel, Rosewood Finished, Holds Canvas Art up to 83" High
Best Budget / Student Grade H-Frame Easel
Adjustable H-Frame Studio Easel with Artist Storage Tray - Tilts Flat, Sturdy Wooden Beech Wood Painting Canvas Holder Stand - Locking Caster Wheels
Best Premium Single Mast Easel / Giant Easel
Professional Artist Easel, Heavy Duty Floor Easel, Tilts Flat Easily, Rosewood Finished, Holds Canvas Art up to 71” High
Best Budget Single Mast Easel
69" High Aluminum Single Mast Artists Studio Easel and Floor Display Stand - Professional Heavy Duty Adjustable Extra Large Canvas Height Up To 47"
Best Budget Tabletop Easel
Artists Adjustable Beechwood Painting and Display Easel, Holds Up To 27" Canvas, Portable Sturdy Table Desktop Holder Stand
Best Budget Convertible Easel
Multi-Angle Convertible Wood Art Easel - Elm Wood Oil Finish 24x28" Base Footprint 70" H 34" Table Height
Best Budget Giant Easel
75" to 146", Holds Canvas up to 93", Adjustable Solid Beech Wood Artist Easel with Storage Tray, Wheels
Best Budget Portable Easel
21"to 60"Adjustable Easel for Painting Canvases Aluminum Art Easel with Paintbrush Tray Display Stand
Best Premium Easel for Kids
2-Sided A-Frame Art Easel with Chalk Board, Magnetic Dry Erase, Storage, Paper Feed and Accessories for Toddlers
Best Budget Easel for Kids
With Extra Letters and Numbers Magnets, Adjustable Double Sided Drawing Board Whiteboard & Chalkboard Dry Easel Board, Children Art Easel for Painting Drawing
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A-Frame Easels
Best Premium A-Frame Easel
The Richeson Lyptus Wood A-Frame Easel is a premium-quality easel at a surprisingly affordable price. Sturdy, beautifully made, and fully adjustable, it securely holds canvases up to 49 inches and stays rock solid while you work, ideal for serious students and fine artists alike.
Best Mid-Priced A-Frame Easel
Best Mid-Priced A-Frame Easel
Solid Beech Wood Studio Easel with Brush Holder, Holds Canvas up to 48"
The Meeden Large Painter’s Easel may not have the same visual appeal as the Richeson lyptus wood model, but it offers equally impressive quality, adjustability, and stability, perhaps even more value for the price. Made from solid beechwood with a premium finish, it’s a sturdy, beautifully built easel that’s perfect for artists of any level.
Best Budget A-Frame Easel
Best Budget A-Frame Easel
Extra Thick Aluminum Metal Tripod Display Easel 21" to 66" | Adjustable Height with Portable Bag for Floor/Table-Top Drawing and Displaying
Despite its low price, the T-Sign easel is surprisingly sturdy, highly adjustable, and looks great too. It holds canvases up to 31 inches securely, works well for home or studio use, and folds up for easy storage or portability—making it a top budget-friendly pick.
H-Frame Easels
Best Premium H-Frame Easel
The Mabef Master H-frame easel is a top choice for serious artists, solid, strong, and ultra-stable even with large canvases (up to 92″). It’s fully adjustable, built with premium hardware, and features locking casters for easy movement. Many top artists swear by it, and it’s likely the best you’ll find without spending significantly more.
Best Mid-Priced H-Frame Easel
Best Mid-Priced H-Frame Easel
Master H-Frame Studio Easel, Heavy Duty Artist Easel, Display Easel, Rosewood Finished, Holds Canvas Art up to 83" High
Meeden Master studio easel offers a solid mid-priced alternative. It holds canvases up to 83″, stays steady at any angle, and lets you work sitting or standing. Well-built and beautifully finished, it’s a great value for serious artists and students.
Best Budget H-Frame Easel
Best Budget / Student Grade H-Frame Easel
Adjustable H-Frame Studio Easel with Artist Storage Tray - Tilts Flat, Sturdy Wooden Beech Wood Painting Canvas Holder Stand - Locking Caster Wheels
The US Art Supply Malibu studio easel is nearly $1,000 cheaper than the Mabef, yet still high-quality, solid, and adjustable. It handles large canvases, tilts vertical to flat, and works for sitting or standing. Not as heavy as top-tier H-frames, but a stable, budget-friendly choice for any artist.
Single Mast Easels
Best Premium Single Mast Easel
Best Premium Single Mast Easel / Giant Easel
Professional Artist Easel, Heavy Duty Floor Easel, Tilts Flat Easily, Rosewood Finished, Holds Canvas Art up to 71” High
The Meeden Extra Large Studio Easel defies the idea that single mast easels lack stability. It’s beautifully finished, fully adjustable, holds canvases up to 6 feet, and is lighter, easier to move, and more affordable than bulkier H-frames. Not quite as solid as premium models, but a great value for artists at any level.
Best Mid-Priced Single Mast Easel
The Mabef MBM-25 is a simple, lightweight single mast easel with legendary Mabef quality at a surprisingly low price. It holds canvases up to 78 inches (or 39 inches flat), is steadier than expected, and easy to move and use anywhere, a smart, affordable alternative to heavy studio easels.
Best Budget Single Mast Easel
Best Budget Single Mast Easel
69" High Aluminum Single Mast Artists Studio Easel and Floor Display Stand - Professional Heavy Duty Adjustable Extra Large Canvas Height Up To 47"
The US Art Supply Del Mar may look light with its thin aluminum frame, but it’s actually surprisingly solid and steady. It’s extremely lightweight, easy to move and store, and handles canvases up to 52 inches. At around $60, it’s one of the best values out there.
Tabletop Easels
Best Premium Tabletop Easel
The Mabef MBM-24 is a premium table easel with finely finished beechwood, brass hardware, and metal-lined storage. It holds canvases up to 34 inches, folds down compactly, and is perfect for painting anywhere.
Best Mid-Priced Tabletop Easel
At about half the price of the Mabef, the Jack Richeson lyptus wood table easel offers similar quality and stability. It’s a simple adjustable easel without storage, but easy to assemble and use, an affordable choice for artists at any level.
Best Budget Tabletop Easel
Best Budget Tabletop Easel
Artists Adjustable Beechwood Painting and Display Easel, Holds Up To 27" Canvas, Portable Sturdy Table Desktop Holder Stand
US Art Supply tabletop easel won’t match the premium Mabef in beauty or build, but it’s still a solid, usable, and nice-looking easel for canvases up to 27 inches.
Convertible Easels
Best Premium Convertible Easel
Many easels on our list are convertible, but few match the stability and quality of the Mabef MBM-18D, especially at this price. It’s a professional-grade easel with precise adjustability and rock-solid support for even giant canvases, a serious value for serious artists.
Best Budget Convertible Easel
Best Budget Convertible Easel
Multi-Angle Convertible Wood Art Easel - Elm Wood Oil Finish 24x28" Base Footprint 70" H 34" Table Height
Most super-cheap convertible easels fall short in stability and strength, especially when laid flat. But the Creative Mark Da Vinci is a rare exception, well-designed, sturdy, and handles larger canvases with ease. A high-quality, versatile easel at a great price.
Giant Easels
Best Premium Giant Easel
Best Premium Single Mast Easel / Giant Easel
Professional Artist Easel, Heavy Duty Floor Easel, Tilts Flat Easily, Rosewood Finished, Holds Canvas Art up to 71” High
The Meeden Extra Large Studio Easel stands out not just as a top single mast easel, but also for handling canvases up to 6 feet with strength and stability. Beautifully finished and high quality, it feels premium without the premium price, a smart save so you can spend more on paints and brushes.
Best Budget Giant Easel
Best Budget Giant Easel
75" to 146", Holds Canvas up to 93", Adjustable Solid Beech Wood Artist Easel with Storage Tray, Wheels
Another great value from Meeden, this extra large H-frame easel may lack the premium finish of pricier models but is strong, stable, and handles canvases up to 93 inches. Just over $100, it’s an excellent studio easel for students or budget-conscious artists.
Portable Easels
Best Premium Portable Easel
The Mont Marte tripod easel is a premium pick under $100. It’s simple, solid, lightweight, and easy to fold and carry, a smart choice for outdoor work, students, or anyone needing a portable, budget-friendly easel.
Best Budget Portable Easel
Best Budget Portable Easel
21"to 60"Adjustable Easel for Painting Canvases Aluminum Art Easel with Paintbrush Tray Display Stand
The Coestai portable easel is our top budget pick, light, solid, and surprisingly steady for the ultra-low price. It adjusts for standing, sitting, or tabletop use, and comes in high-grade aluminum with a quality carry bag. For an even cheaper option, check out the T-Sign A-frame easel mentioned above.
How Can You Find the Best Easel for You and Your Art?
The right easel holds your work steady, sets you at a healthy posture, and fits your space + medium. Start with type, then check stability, adjustability, and capacity.
Easel Type (Match to Your Workflow)
Pick the form that supports how and where you paint.
- A-frame/Lyre (studio): lighter footprint; folds to store; stable for small–medium canvases.
- H-frame (studio): widest stance, most rigid; best for large canvases and heavy impasto.
- Convertible (studio): tilts from vertical to fully flat—great for watercolor, acrylic glazing, and mixed media.
- French easel (portable): box + legs + palette; classic plein-air kit.
- Pochade box (ultra-portable): mounts on a tripod; tiny footprint, fast setup.
- Tabletop easel: compact, seated work, classes; limited height.
- Display easel: for shows only—not for painting.
Stability & Build Quality
No wobble = cleaner marks and less fatigue.
- Look for: broad base, solid cross-bracing, tight hardware, anti-slip feet.
- Watch out for: spindly legs, thin stamped parts, trays that flex under pressure.
- Tip: H-frames win for stability; A-frames win for quick folding.
Adjustability (Tilt, Height, Rotation)
Angle control should match your medium and posture.
- Oil/Acrylic: near-vertical to ~15° back reduces glare/drip.
- Pastel/Charcoal: forward tilt 5–15° to shed dust.
- Watercolor/Gouache: flat or near-flat on a convertible/tabletop.
- Check for: one-hand micro-adjust, tall mast, optional canvas rotation (portrait/landscape).
Size & Capacity (Canvas Height/Depth)
Make sure it fits today’s work—and tomorrow’s.
- Look for: stated max canvas height with room to spare; deep canvas holder for thick frames/panels.
- Studio ceilings: confirm mast height at full extension.
- Weight rating: impasto + large canvases need beefier frames.
Footprint, Storage & Mobility
Balance space with stability.
- Small studios: A-frame or compact H-frame with locking casters.
- Shared spaces: quick-fold A-frame or tabletop; stash behind a door.
- Plein air: weight under ~6–7 kg (French) or ~3–4 kg (pochade + tripod).
Materials & Finish
Affects longevity, weight, and feel.
- Beech/oak: sturdy, vibration-damping; heavier, classic.
- Aluminum/composite: light, weather-resistant; great outdoors.
- Finish: sealed wood resists stains and warping; raw wood needs care.
Tray, Shelf & Tool Management
Keep brushes/paints where you need them.
- Look for: wide sliding tray, brush wells, paper towel bar, side shelves (studio).
- Plein air: palette space, solvent/medium cup mounts, quick-release for panels.
Hardware & Usability Details
Small parts make a big difference.
- Look for: metal gears/ratcheting locks, real knobs (not wing nuts), smooth rack teeth, dust guards on sliders.
- Watch out for: plastic clamps on heavy studio easels; trays that tilt under load.
Cleaning, Safety & Studio Practicalities
- Oil rags: metal safety can (fire risk).
- Pastel dust: forward tilt + easy-wipe finish.
- Kids/pets: wide stance and anti-tip options.
Budget & Value
Pay for stability and adjustment first; extras later.
- Good value: solid A-frame for most canvases or a well-built pochade for travel.
- Invest: H-frame/convertible if you work large or switch media often.
2-Minute Store (or At-Home) Tests
- Wobble check: press at top corners—no rattle or twist.
- Angle sweep: move from flat → upright one-handed; locks should bite securely.
- Height test: mount your tallest panel; can you still reach the center comfortably?
- Tray test: load with a few tubes/solvent—no sagging; knobs stay tight after a minute.
Quick Picks by Use Case
- Small studio, medium canvases: A-frame with locking tray + casters.
- Large canvases/impasto: H-frame with tall mast and deep canvas clamps.
- Mixed media / watercolor & acrylic: convertible studio easel (goes fully flat).
- Travel/plein air (oil/acrylic): pochade box + tripod (carbon or sturdy aluminum).
- Classroom/seated work: tabletop with forward tilt option.
Choose by type, then confirm stability, tilt/height range, and canvas capacity. If those four align with your space and medium, you’ve found your easel.
Other articles in the Watercolor, Acrylic, Gouache, and Oils series:
- Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paint for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paper for Artists
- Artist’s Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners
- Essential Oil Painting Supplies for Artists
- Best Oil Paints and Oil Paint Set
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Brushes
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Palette
- Choosing the Best Canvas for Oil Painting
- Best Oil Pastels for Artists
- Best Gouche Paint Sets
- Best Palette Knives and Pallete Knife Set
- Best Professional Artist Kits
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
