Buying guide
Compare watercolor brush sets by what is inside
Count the jobs each brush can do. A kit with several sizes of one shape gives you a range of scale, while a mixed kit gives you different edges and marks.
What to compare
Compare set codes and the role of each brush
Princeton's Aqua Elite 4850SET400 combines rounds in sizes 2 and 8 with an angle shader and a wash brush. Its 4850TRSET has four sizes of travel round. The first gives you different shapes, and the second gives you more choices within a single compact shape.
Check what the artist set adds
Escoda's 8605-1 combines two standard Perla pointed rounds with a travel round. Its 8605-2 instead contains two Aquario round mops. Even sets named for the same artist can serve different jobs, so compare the contents line by line.
Consider a single brush when you already own a kit
Write down the shapes you use and the one you reach for but do not have. If you own several rounds and want a straight sky edge, a wash flat may add more than another round set. If you paint outdoors with a small palette, one travel round can give you a compact replacement for your most-used size.
Questions before buying
Does a four-piece set give me four brush shapes?
Some sets contain four sizes of the same shape. Look for an itemized contents list and count the distinct shapes you will use.
Do both Neptune four-brush sets contain a quill?
The Neptune Professional Box Set lists a quill. The Neptune Professional 4-Piece Set lists an aquarelle, two rounds and an oval wash. Match the actual model code.
Should I count a case as one of the brushes?
Count the actual brush heads from the contents list. Treat a wallet, roll or case as its own item when it is included.