The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Starter Paint Set, 10 x 18 mL Acrylic Contrast Paints incl. 1 Basecoating Brush Review (2026)

Who this starter set suits

This set is aimed at painters who want fast, presentable results without learning traditional layering, since each Speedpaint bottle combines a base tone, a shade and a highlight effect in one application. It works well for someone starting a new army who wants a unit finished in an evening rather than over several sessions, or a returning hobbyist who tried the original Speedpaint formula and is curious whether the 2.0 reformulation solves its old problems. Painters chasing competition level freehand and layered highlights will eventually want a full traditional paint range alongside this set, but for tabletop ready miniatures at speed, ten Speedpaint colors and a basecoating brush cover a useful starting palette.

What changed in the Speedpaint 2.0 formula

The original Speedpaint line had a reputation for reactivating, meaning a second coat or a wash applied later could lift and smear the layer underneath. The 2.0 reformulation was built specifically to address that complaint, giving painters a paint that stays put once dry so additional coats or details can be added without disturbing earlier work. Each 18 mL dropper bottle also includes two stainless steel mixing balls sealed inside, which keep the pigment and medium blended evenly rather than settling, so a bottle performs consistently from the first use to the last. The set includes ten unique colors along with the one included basecoating brush suited to applying Speedpaint over broad miniature surfaces.

Getting good results day to day

Speedpaint works best over a light colored primer or zenithal undercoat, since the paint relies on white or pale grey showing through recesses to create its highlight effect, and a dark undercoat will mute that contrast significantly. A single generous coat brushed into all the recesses of a miniature is usually enough, letting the paint pool naturally into details rather than being worked like a traditional wash. Bottles should be shaken before use to redistribute the mixing balls and pigment, and the dropper cap should stay closed between sessions to stop the acrylic from drying at the tip. The included brush handles broad basecoating well but a separate fine brush is worth adding for touch ups on faces and small details.

How it compares with other Speedpaint and starter sets

Against The Army Painter's own larger Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set and Complete Set, which include far more colors, metallics and multiple brushes, this ten color starter is a smaller and cheaper entry point aimed at a single project rather than a full collection. Compared with the brand's Warpaints Air starter set and the Quickshade wash based approach in the Miniature Paint Set with 11 washes, Speedpaint replaces a separate base coat and wash workflow with one product per color, trading some control for speed. The main limitation inside this specific box is brush variety, since only one basecoating brush is included, so detail work still needs a separate purchase.

Verdict and who should consider a different set

For a painter who wants a fast route to finished looking miniatures and appreciates that the reactivation problems of the original formula have been addressed, this starter set is a solid entry point and lines up with our score of 8.6 out of 10 for value and fit for the job. It suits someone building a small force who wants results quickly rather than mastering traditional highlighting. A painter who already owns a full traditional paint collection, or who specifically wants maximum control over blending and layering, would get more long term use from a standard acrylic range like Vallejo Model Color instead of a contrast style Speedpaint set.

Frequently asked questions