Tobio's Kits Review: Is This Viral Watercolor Set Worth It?
Tobio's is all over Instagram: the walnut palette that snaps shut on magnets, the pen filled with water, the mini sketchbook. I thought it might be a gimmick. It isn't. Here's my honest take after buying one with my own money.
I bought this kit with my own money in May 2026. The brand didn't pay me and hasn't sponsored me. I may earn a small commission if you use the links in this post, but that doesn't change my opinion.
Watercolor kits such as Tobio's are all over Instagram these days, and it's hard not to get mesmerized by the walnut case that snaps shut and the pen that's filled with water, not to mention the mini-sized workbook. I'll be honest: I thought it might be a gimmick. It looks cute, but unlike the ones you find on Amazon or Temu, it's actually made with great materials. And it doesn't break after 15 minutes either.
If you're a beginner or a gift-buyer who wants to start painting without the fuss, you'll love it. Tobio's is excellent for beginners and anyone at a hobbyist level. If you're a professional artist, you might feel slightly limited, but for everyone else, it's a fun and easy kit to start with.
I was skeptical. A lot of these kits aren't the best quality, and I was worried this one would end up in a drawer. As a hobbyist painter, I still gave it a go, and I'm so happy I did.
Everything you need in one kit
The whole thing is tiny (about 8.86 by 4.13 by 1.77 inches and roughly 0.75 pounds), which makes it easy to bring everywhere.
What exactly is the Tobio's kit?
It's a beginner-friendly, portable kit built around a walnut magnetic palette, the kind of thing that's genuinely easy to bring anywhere and paint on the go.
A portable kit you can bring anywhere
The walnut palette closes with magnets and stays shut, so nothing leaks in your bag. The water brush keeps its own water in the handle, and the whole kit (about 8.86 by 4.13 by 1.77 inches, roughly 0.75 pounds) fits in the palm of your hand.
Note: It's small enough to live in a jacket pocket or the side of a tote, which means it actually gets used.
Beginner-friendly and easy to use
You get both a physical manual and an easy-to-follow e-book with step-by-step instructions. There's no setup ritual and no guesswork: open the walnut palette, load the brush and start.
Note: The e-book exercises are genuinely useful, not filler. They're the fastest way to get comfortable with wet-on-wet.
Everything in one box
The brush, the thick cotton paper in the hardcover sketchbook, the 12 paints, the walnut palette, the wristband and the learning resources are all included. There's nothing else to buy before your first painting.
Note: This is what separates it from an empty palette. You don't have to source pans, paper and a brush separately.
High-quality materials
Real walnut wood palette with strong magnets, thick cotton paper, a hardcover sketchbook with an embossed logo, and vibrant paints that blend easily. It doesn't feel disposable the way most sub-$15 kits do.
Note: The walnut palette is the standout piece. It feels like a keepsake, not a throwaway plastic tin.
How to use the Tobio's water brush
I thought this would be the most gimmicky thing ever, but I was wrong. I love it. I fill up the pen before a session and it lasts a few sessions. A gentle squeeze and the water drips out of the tip. It never leaks in my bag.
For wet-on-wet, load more water and let two colors bleed together. For layering, let the first wash dry before going over it. You can also mix colors right in the little mixing plate on the walnut palette.
Quality test: are the Tobio's paints good?
Better than I expected. Some kits are chalky, but these were great, even though they're student-grade. For most people, it's more than enough. Good to know if you have kids: the kit is certified to EN71 and CPSC standards and is safe for children aged 6 and up. Just don't eat the paint.
Is Tobio's a scam or legit?
It's 100% the real deal. The walnut wood is genuine quality and the magnets hold everything in place. I was worried I'd get a wood-looking plastic case, but I didn't. Tobio's has a large number of reviews online and a 4.1 rating on Trustpilot, which tells me customers are happy. The more upset reviews tend to appear on cheaper copies that look similar to Tobio's but are sold by Amazon marketplace resellers.
A female-founded company
Mel, Tobio's founder, created the brand (named after her cat) because she couldn't find a kit she could use to paint anywhere. She loves painting in cafes, parks and even on boats, and it shows in how portable the whole thing is.
Tobio's vs. Arteza vs. Winsor & Newton
I compared Tobio's against a budget Amazon-style kit (Arteza) and the classic, pricier Winsor & Newton Cotman.
| Budget kit (Arteza) | Tobio's Kit | W&N Cotman | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough price | $10–15 | $34 | $28–60+ |
| Paint grade | Student, often chalky | Student, blends smoothly | Student, strong tinting |
| Palette | Plastic, weak magnets | Walnut wood, powerful magnets | Plastic field box, not magnetic |
| Paper included | Thin/flimsy or none | 300gsm cotton, 60 pages | Buy separately |
| Setup to paint | Fairly quick | Less than a minute | Unwrap and seat each pan first |
| Best for | Testing if you like it | Beginners and gifting | Artists and professionals |
Tobio's lands right in the middle on price. At around $34 it costs more than a $10 Amazon kit and less than a full Cotman set once you add the paper Cotman leaves out. For the quality, it's worth it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- +Small, cute and genuinely easy to carry
- +High-quality materials, especially the walnut palette
- +Thick cotton paper that doesn't bubble
- +An excellent beginner e-book
- +All the paints you need, already included
- +Makes a lovely gift
Cons
- −Student-grade pigment, not artist-grade
- −Too small for large-format painting
- −Pricier than bargain Amazon kits (but you get what you pay for)
The verdict
I genuinely loved it, and I think you might too. It's perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to sit down and relax while doing something fun. The portable size makes it easy to paint anywhere, and the walnut palette makes it one of the cutest gifts you can give a beginner.
If the walnut palette and grab-and-go format sound like your thing, it's easy to see why this one went viral. Check current price and availability on Amazon.
Check Price on Amazonarrow_forwardCommon questions
Is the Tobio's watercolor kit worth it?
Is the Tobio's watercolor kit a scam or legit?
Who makes the Tobio's watercolor kits?
What's included in the Tobio's watercolor kit?
How do you use the Tobio's water brush?
Are the Tobio's paints good quality?
How does Tobio's compare to Winsor & Newton or Arteza?
About the author:I'm a casual hobbyist painter, not a trained artist. I've spent a few years picking up and putting down watercolor, which makes me a decent test case for a beginner kit.