The Best Tabletop Easel: Buyer’s Guide and Product Reviews

Do you need a tabletop easel for your art projects? If so, which one should you buy? In this article, we will discuss the different types of tabletop easels and provide reviews of the best ones on the market. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right one for your needs. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, read on for the information you need to make an informed purchase!

Best Choice
Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel
Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel
The best tabletop easel
Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel is a great option for those who require an easel that can handle heavy materials. It’s ideal for professionals, but it would also make a nice gift to give someone just starting out in their artistic career as well!
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Do You Need an Easel?

An easel is a great tool for artists of all levels. It can be used to hold paintings or drawings while you work, or it can be employed as a support to keep your artwork in place. There are many different types of easels available, from tabletop easels to floor-standing models. And if you’re an artist who travels frequently, there are even portable easels that can be taken with you wherever you go!

Things You Will Need From a Tabletop Easel

Durability

Your easel should be sturdy enough to support whatever is placed on it, whether that’s a canvas or drawing board. It’s also important that your easel will not break down after repeated use over time. Many tabletop easels are made out of wood and other materials like steel; however, some models feature lightweight aluminum construction which makes them less prone to damage by heavy weights (such as paintings).

Portability

Not all artists work in one specific location. Some prefer to move around and find inspiration from different surroundings. If you’re this type of artist, you’ll need a tabletop easel that is easy to transport.

Thankfully, there are many models on the market today that are both lightweight and compact. This way, you can take your easel with you wherever you go!

Angles And Postures

You will need an easel that can be adjusted to different angles, especially if you’re working on large canvases. In addition, some models feature a tilt mechanism so your artwork won’t fall over when tilted backward or forward – this helps prevent accidents caused by tipping over! The angle of the tabletop is also important because it allows for more comfortable postures while painting or drawing at an easel.

Stability

Even if you’re not working on a large canvas, it’s important that your easel be stable. This prevents the artwork from wobbling or shifting while you’re working, which can cause unwanted smudges and mistakes. Look for an easel that has a wide base so it won’t easily topple over, and make sure the materials used are heavy-duty to withstand regular use.

Functionality

Besides the basic requirements of durability, portability, and stability, there are other features you may want to consider when purchasing a tabletop easel. Some models come with storage compartments for your brushes, paints, or other supplies. Others have built-in lights that provide extra illumination while you’re working. And finally, if you like to listen to music or watch TV while you work, there are even easels with integrated speakers!

Types of Tabletop Easels

There are many different types of tabletop easels, and each one has its own purpose. Some models feature a tilt mechanism for those who work on large canvases, while others have an adjustable height so you can raise or lower the easel depending on how tall you are sitting at it!

There are three main types of tabletop easels: tripod, parallel, and collapsible.
  • Tripod easels are the most common type. They have three legs that support the tabletop surface, and they are usually made of wood or metal. Tripod easels are generally more stable than parallel easels, but they can take up a lot of space.
  • Parallel easels are similar to tripod easels, but instead of having three legs, they have two long supports that run parallel to each other. This type is not as common as the tripod model. Parallel easels are more portable and compact but less stable than tripod models because they have fewer legs, which means you’ll be able to move them around easier if necessary.
  • Collapsible easels are exactly what they sound like – easels that can be folded down for easy transport and storage. They typically have a metal or wooden frame with a wooden or plastic tabletop surface. Collapsible easels are great for artists who travel frequently or just don’t have room in their home studio to store an oversized table-top model!

Which Type is Best for You?

The type of easel that’s best for you depends on your needs and preferences. If you need a lot of stability, then a tripod model is the way to go. If you’re looking for something more compact, a parallel or collapsible easel would be better suited to your needs.

What to Look For When Buying a Tabletop Easel and Painting Desk

When you are looking to buy a tabletop easel or painting desk, there are some factors that you should consider before making your purchase.

Size

The size of the easel is important to consider because you want to be sure that it will fit comfortably in the space you have designated for it. You want to make sure that it is not too large or too small for your needs.

If you are a beginner, you may want to purchase an easel stand and painting desk that is on the smaller side so that it is easier for you to use. If you are limited on space, there are collapsible and miniature easels available that can be easily stored when not in use.

Construction

When you are looking at tabletop easels, you want to make sure that the construction is of high quality. You don’t want an easel that will easily break or fall apart when you are using it.

The construction material of the tabletop easel is also important. You want to make sure that it is made from high-quality materials so that it will last longer. The construction material should also be easy to clean so that you can keep it in good condition.

If you plan on using your easel outdoors, you will want to get a model made with weather-resistant materials.

Storage

Another factor to consider is the amount of storage space that is available. Some models come with built-in storage or holders for your supplies, while others do not.

If you need a place to store your brushes or paints, be sure to look for the best tabletop easel that has built-in storage. This will make it easier for you to keep all of your supplies together in one place.

Accessories

Some easels come with a variety of accessories that can be used to help you with your artwork. These accessories can include pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, and more.

If you are looking for extra tools to help you with your art, be sure to check and see if the easel stand or painting desk comes with any extras. This can save you from having to purchase these items separately.

Artistic Mediums

You want to consider the types of artistic mediums that the tabletop easel can be used with. Some models are limited to certain mediums, while others can be used with a variety of materials.

If you plan on using your easel for something other than paintings, be sure to check the specifications before purchasing it so that you know if it will work with what you need.

Price And Quality

The price of the easel is also important to consider. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something if you’re not sure that you will use it often. However, you also don’t want to purchase an inferior product just because it is cheap.

When looking at the price tag, make sure to consider the quality of the materials used in construction, as well as any extra features that the easel or painting desk may have.

If budget isn’t an issue go with whatever you feel is right for your needs. If you are looking to save money, then an easel that has fewer features may be a better option than one with more bells and whistles. There are plenty of options out there so make sure you compare prices before making a decision!

We’ve compiled the top five best tabletop easels on Amazon below so that you can see what options are available and make an informed purchase decision before buying one yourself. Each product is listed with its price range as well as key features.

Best Tabletop Easel Comparison Table

ImageProduct
Best for Professionals
Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel review
Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel
  • Maximum canvas height up to 40"
  • Made of eco-friendly Lyptus hardwood
  • Base width/depth is 18"x 18.25"

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Best for Artists
SoHo Urban Artist Easel review
SoHo Urban Artist Easel
  • Large, smooth drawing board
  • Angle from flat to 80 degrees
  • Surface measures 19.75" x 29.5"

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Best for Beginners
U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel review
U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel
  • Portable miniature desk
  • Accommodates canvas art and prints up to 11" by 14"
  • Induces a wooden painters palette

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Best Budget
Miratuso Tabletop Easel review
Miratuso Tabletop Easel
  • Sturdy lightweight tabletop sketchbox easel
  • Easy storage of paints, brushes and other painting tools
  • Max canvas height 20"

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Best Versatile
MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox review
MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox
  • Adjustable carriages accommodate artwork up to 34" high
  • The integrated drawer is lined with aluminum
  • Handmade of premium, sanded solid beechwood

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1. Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel – Best For Professionals

Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel

Unpacking And First Impressions

This tabletop easel from Jack Richeson is perfect for professional artists. It is made from Lyptus wood, which is a durable and environmentally friendly material. The stand can be adjusted to different angles, making it versatile for a variety of art mediums.

The price tag on this one may seem high at first glance, but when you consider the quality of the materials used in construction – along with all of its great features, this easel really is worth every penny!

Performance

This easel is designed to hold canvases up to 42″ tall, giving you plenty of space to work. Plus, the lyptus wood construction ensures a sturdy, reliable easel that will last for years. With its heavy construction, it can support even the heaviest of paintings.

The easel is attractive and functional and adjusts easily in height with the handy knob in the front. The side adjustment knobs make it easy to adjust the angle of your canvas, while the smooth operation ensures that you’ll be able to create beautiful works of art with ease.

Unlike most tabletop easels, the bottom and top canvas holders may be positioned upright. The plastic stoppers keep your whole canvas workable by preventing about a quarter inch of canvas from being lost when it’s tucked inside the top and bottom canvas holders.

It folds flat for easy transport, so you can take your artwork with you wherever you go.

Pros And Cons
Sturdy
Easy to assemble
Easy to adjust
Price

Verdict

This Jack Richeson Lyptus Wood Table Top Easel is the perfect addition to any artist’s toolkit! It is very solid and sturdy, so you can adjust it to huge canvases or small ones. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, this easel is a great addition to your studio.

2. SoHo Urban Artist Easel – Best For Artists On the Go

SoHo Urban Artist Easel

Unpacking And First Impressions

The SoHo Urban Artist Easel is a great addition to any artist’s toolkit. It can be used for painting, drawing, or even sculpting and will fit nicely on most desks with its compact design.

This easel is made of solid hardwood and measures 19.75″ x 29.5″. It weighs only 8.3 pounds, making it easy to transport and perfect for artists on the go!

The sturdy bottom ledge provides a place for sketchbooks, pads, panels, canvas, or pens and pencils.

Performance

This is the perfect drafting table for any artist working out of their home studio. The large, smooth drawing board provides plenty of space to work on your latest masterpiece. You can transform any tabletop into a professional drafting table with the SoHo Urban Artist Easel.

The large integrated base makes it easy to adjust the angle from flat to 80 degrees, while the 5 positions make it perfect for any project. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, this easel is sure to meet your needs.

Don’t let your artistic ambitions be hindered by a lack of storage space or equipment. The SoHo Urban Artist Easel is perfect for the on-the-go artist, as it easily folds up to a thin profile and only weighs 8.3 pounds. Whether you’re sketching in nature or working on a larger painting, this easel will make sure your work is well supported.

The SoHo Urban Artist Tabletop Easel features an easy-to-use adjustment system that lets you change the angle of your canvas quickly and easily. The hardwood construction is sturdy and reliable, making it perfect for artists of all levels.

Pros And Cons
Lightweight
Sturdy
Easy to adjust
Good price
Strong smell
The dowel rod used for the height is flimsy

Verdict

The SoHo Urban Artist Tabletop Easel is a great value for the price. It’s easy to assemble and adjust and is perfect for artists of all levels. You’ll love how portable this easel is – it’s the perfect addition to your studio or art supplies collection!

3. U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel – Best For Beginners

U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel

Unpacking And First Impressions

The U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel is a great easel for artists of all levels, but especially beginners who need something that won’t break the bank!

This clever little device is perfect for beginners, as it quickly converts from a desk to an easel, allowing you to work anywhere you please. The sturdy construction makes it ideal for both painting and drawing, making it the perfect tool for artists of all levels.

It’s made out of high-quality wood and comes in at about $25 on Amazon. The solid wood panel top makes it easy to paint or draw on while still maintaining its compact size – an important consideration when space is limited. The easel also comes with a wooden painter’s palette.

Folded Dimensions: 13.25″ x 10.25″ x 2″. The easel adjusts to 11″ high.

Performance

This easel is perfect for artists who are just starting out and want to try a variety of different mediums. The lightweight design makes it easy to transport, and the four adjustable angle positions provide versatility for any project. The easel can accommodate canvas art and prints up to 11″ x 14″.

The easel can be adjusted from a flat 180° to an upright 90° angle, ensuring that you can adjust to your personal preference. It’s sturdy, easy to maintain, and doesn’t need any assembling.

It includes a versatile storage drawer with three compartments that can accommodate everything from paints and brushes to tools and other essential art supplies.

Pros And Cons
Fully assembled
Cleverly designed
Sturdy drawing surface
The drawer doesn't always slide smoothly
Flimsy hardware

Verdict

The U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Wood Table Easel is an excellent value for the price – you won’t find anything better at this price point! It’s perfect for beginners who need an adjustable easel that will last through many projects. This is a real step up for a young artist, and it feels like a real piece of equipment.

4. Miratuso Tabletop Easel – Best Budget

Miratuso Tabletop Easel

Unpacking And First Impressions

The Miratuso Tabletop Easel is a great budget option for artists who don’t want to spend a lot of money on an easel. It’s made out of high-quality wood and can be adjusted to accommodate different art projects.

This tabletop sketchbox easel is lightweight and sturdy, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. Plus, it converts to an art easel, so you can use it with larger canvases. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, this easel is sure to come in handy!

It’s made of hand-sanded beechwood for a smooth, consistent surface, and comes with electroplated hardware that resists rusting.

Performance

This convenient and lightweight easel is perfect for artists on the go. It’s easy to set up and folds down quickly for easy storage. The max canvas height of 20 inches ensures that you have plenty of space to work, while the folded dimensions of 14.5″ x 10.5″ x 3.5″ make it easy to take with you wherever you go.

The sketch box can be easily converted into an easel, and the internal partition can be removed to store paints, brushes, and other basic painting tools. It has rubber feet to protect your table surface and rounded corners for your safety.

Pros And Cons
Lightweight and sturdy
Easy to assemble
Easy to adjust
Good for storage
Flimsy hardware
Needs sanding

Verdict

If you’re looking for a quality tabletop easel on a budget, the Miratuso Tabletop Easel is definitely worth considering! It’s made out of high-quality materials and can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. This is a great option for artists who are just starting out or don’t want to spend a lot of money on an easel.

5. MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox – Best Versatile

MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox

Unpacking And First Impressions

The MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox is a versatile easel that offers plenty of space for all your supplies. It’s made out of high-quality wood and comes in at about $60 on Amazon.

With its sturdy construction and versatile design, the MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox Tabletop Easel is perfect for artists of all levels. Whether you’re a studio artist or plein air painter, this easel can hold all your supplies while you work. It’s great for art students and beginners who are just starting out. It’s also perfect for artists on the go, as it quickly converts into a travel case.

The handmade wooden box is made of premium, sanded solid beechwood and comes with brass-plated hardware and a leather carrying handle.

Fully folded, the easel measures 16.5″ × 14.5″ × 4.75″ and weighs 7.25 lb. It adjusts to 33.5″ high. No assembly is required.

Performance

This professional-grade easel is designed for use with artwork up to 34″ high, and its independently adjustable carriages make it perfect for all types of media.

The storage compartment is large enough for all of your art supplies. An aluminum-lined drawer is perfect for organizing your supplies just the way you like them. With adjustable dividers, it’s easy to create the perfect workspace for all of your needs. The drawer comes out on the side making it easy to access paints while painting.

The collapsible easel can be used as a wet canvas carrier, letting you transport artwork made out in the field. When collapsed, the sketch box is compact and easy to store. The drawer can be locked closed with clips so that it doesn’t open when being carried or in storage.

Pros And Cons
No assembly is required
Lightweight and sturdy
Holds canvases/boards securely
Folds very easily
The organizer is a bit flimsy

Verdict

The MEEDEN Studio Sketchbox is a great easel for artists who are looking for something compact yet versatile. It can be used as a sketch box and easel, making it perfect for plein air painting. The storage area is spacious enough to hold all of your supplies without taking up too much space in your studio.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! The best tabletop easels on the market today. Each of these easels has its own unique set of features and benefits, so be sure to choose the one that’s right for you. Happy painting!

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