Plein air painting is one of the most rewarding ways to capture the world around you, but dragging a heavy, unstable easel to a scenic overlook can drain the inspiration right out of you. I have spent years testing outdoor painting setups in every condition imaginable, from breezy coastal bluffs to steep mountain trails, and I have learned that the right easel makes all the difference between a frustrating afternoon and a productive one.
Whether you are packing light for a hike to a remote painting spot or setting up in a local park for an afternoon session, finding the best easels for plein air painting means balancing weight, stability, and the kind of work you do. If you are also shopping for an artist in your life, our guide to the best gifts for artists has plenty of ideas that pair perfectly with a new outdoor easel.
Our team evaluated 8 of the most popular plein air easels available right now, comparing them on weight, portability, wind resistance, panel capacity, and overall build quality. Below you will find detailed reviews, a side-by-side comparison, and a full buying guide to help you pick the right one for your painting style and budget.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Plein Air Easels (June 2026)
Best Easels for Plein Air Painting in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| U.S. Art Supply French Easel |
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 Mont Marte Tripod Easel |
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 MEEDEN Plein Air Easel |
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 CONDA 70in French Easel |
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 Falling in Art French Easel |
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 ATWORTH Deluxe French Easel |
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| KraftGeek 65in Plein Air Easel |
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 New Wave u.go Pochade Box |
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1. U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel – Best Overall French Easel
- Classic French sketchbox design with solid wood construction
- Holds canvases up to 34 inches wide
- Spacious 4-compartment storage drawer with removable dividers
- Includes 18-inch wooden palette
- Folds compact with leatherette handle and shoulder strap
- Back leg can loosen on uneven terrain
- No instructions included in box
- 11.9 lbs is heavy for long hikes
I have used the U.S. Art Supply French Easel on dozens of outdoor painting sessions, and it remains one of the most dependable all-around easels I have tested. The German beechwood construction gives it a solid, furniture-like feel that absorbs small vibrations while you paint, which is something aluminum tripods simply cannot match. When folded, it locks into a compact box with a leatherette handle and shoulder strap that makes carrying it from the car to your painting spot manageable.
Setup is straightforward once you learn the basics. You unfold the three legs, extend the back leg to your desired incline, and slide the mast up to your working height. The built-in storage drawer has four compartments with removable dividers, and I can fit tubes of oil paint, a set of brushes, a small solvent container, and my palette knife inside without cramming everything together. The included 18-inch wooden palette sits on top of the box when open, giving you a generous mixing surface right at hand.
Where this easel shines is its capacity and versatility. It holds canvases up to 34 inches, which covers the vast majority of plein air work. I have used it with everything from 8×10 panels to 20×24 stretched canvases without issue. The rubber feet on the legs grip well on pavement and hard dirt, though on soft grass or loose gravel the back leg can drift if you do not position it carefully.
The main tradeoff is weight. At nearly 12 pounds, this is not the easel you want to carry on a three-mile hike up a mountain trail. It is best suited for artists who set up within a short walk from their vehicle. I also wish U.S. Art Supply included instructions in the box, because the first time I set it up I had to figure out the wing nut adjustments through trial and error.
Who Should Buy This Easel
This is the easel I recommend most often to oil and acrylic painters who work within a short walk from their car and want a full-featured French easel without spending over $150. It gives you a complete painting station with storage, palette, and a stable base that handles moderate wind without tipping. If you paint with larger canvases up to 34 inches and do not mind the weight, this is hard to beat for the price.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you regularly hike more than half a mile to your painting locations, the 11.9-pound weight will wear you down. Watercolor painters who need a flat-tilting surface will also find the angle range limiting compared to dedicated watercolor easels. And if wind stability is your top priority, a heavier Gloucester-style easel or a low-center-of-gravity pochade box on a tripod will serve you better on blustery days.
2. Mont Marte Tripod Easel H.D. Beech – Best A-Frame for Large Canvases
- Beautiful handcrafted beech wood with steel fittings
- Holds canvases up to 52 inches high
- Mast can swivel horizontal for watercolor work
- Includes brush and paint ledge
- Folds to 36 inches with carrying handle
- No grooves in clamps to lock canvas in place
- Tray must be detached to fold the easel
- Steep learning curve for first-time setup
The Mont Marte Tripod Easel is the lightest full-size wooden easel in our lineup, and I was genuinely surprised by how sturdy 8 pounds of seasoned beech wood can feel. This is a classic A-frame design that leans into the tripod stance for stability, and it works beautifully for artists who want a no-compromise painting experience in the field. The handcrafted wood has a warm, finished look that makes you feel like you are using a serious piece of artist equipment rather than something mass-produced.
What sets this easel apart is its canvas capacity. It holds work up to 52 inches high, which is far larger than any other easel in this roundup. I tested it with a 36-inch canvas in moderate wind, and the A-frame base kept everything remarkably stable. The mast can also swivel to a horizontal position, which is a welcome feature for watercolor painters who need to work on a flat or tilted surface without switching to a different easel entirely.
The biggest frustration I had with the Mont Marte is the clamp system. Unlike other easels that use grooved edges to physically lock your canvas in place, these clamps rely entirely on friction. If you are working with stretched canvases and changing them frequently, the lack of a positive lock means your canvas can shift or slide during a session. I solved this by adding small rubber adhesive pads to the clamp faces, but it is an extra step you should not need to take at this price point.
Folding the easel requires removing the tool tray, which adds a few extra minutes to your pack-up routine. The carrying handle is integrated into the folded frame, and at 36 inches collapsed, it fits in the back seat of a car but is too long for a backpack. For artists who paint close to their vehicle and want premium wood construction, these tradeoffs are manageable.
Who Should Buy This Easel
The Mont Marte is ideal for artists who work with larger canvases and want a beautiful, sturdy wooden easel that handles studio and field work equally well. If you paint on canvases in the 24 to 48 inch range and do not mind a 36-inch collapsed length, this is one of the most capable options available. Watercolor painters will also appreciate the horizontal tilt feature.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Artists who frequently change canvases during a painting session may find the friction-only clamp system annoying. If you need something that packs into a backpack for hiking, the 36-inch folded length rules it out. And at 8 pounds, it is lighter than most French easels but still heavier than aluminum tripod options or pochade boxes designed for true portability.
3. MEEDEN Plein Air Easel – Best Budget Pick for Watercolor Artists
- Extremely light at only 4.4 lbs with carry bag
- Tilts flat for watercolor painting
- Adjustable height from 17 to 65 inches
- Includes mixing palette and drawing board
- Versatile angle and tilt adjustments
- Plastic parts feel flimsy under heavy loads
- Top can wobble when overloaded or in wind
- Not stable enough for large panels or heavy canvases
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel is the lightest full-featured easel I tested, and at just 4.4 pounds it is the one I reach for when I know I have a long walk ahead of me. This is an aluminum tripod design that folds down small enough to fit inside a painting backpack alongside your supplies. The included carry bag has a shoulder strap that makes transport easy, and the whole setup weighs less than some French easels weigh empty.
Where the MEEDEN really differentiates itself is in its adjustability for watercolor painters. The working surface tilts all the way flat, which means you can lay a watercolor pad horizontally and work with washes without fighting gravity. The included 15.5 x 12 inch plastic drawing board holds my watercolor pads securely, and the 11.2 x 12.5 inch mixing palette gives me plenty of room to mix colors without needing a separate surface. For watercolor artists on a budget, this easel delivers a remarkably complete package.
I do need to be honest about the tradeoffs. The plastic adjustment knobs and joints are the weakest part of this easel, and they feel noticeably less robust than the metal hardware on pricier options. When I loaded the easel with a heavy canvas and a full set of oil painting supplies, the top developed a wobble that made fine detail work frustrating. On a breezy day, the lightweight frame also caught the wind more than I would like, and I had to weigh down the legs with my bag to keep it steady.
For watercolor painters using pads up to 12×16 inches, the MEEDEN hits a sweet spot of portability and function that is hard to match. For oil painters working with heavy panels or large canvases, the stability limitations become a real problem. I recommend thinking of this as a dedicated watercolor and sketching travel easel rather than a do-everything solution.
Who Should Buy This Easel
Watercolor painters and sketch artists who want the lightest possible setup for plein air sessions will love the MEEDEN. It is also a strong choice for beginners who want to try outdoor painting without a big investment, since the included palette and carry bag mean you have nearly everything you need in one purchase. If most of your outdoor work involves pads and panels under 12×16, this is a practical and affordable entry point.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Oil painters who work with stretched canvases or heavy panels should look at sturdier options, because the MEEDEN’s plastic joints will struggle under that weight. Artists who frequently paint in windy conditions will also find the 4.4-pound frame too light to stay planted without extra ballast. If you need an easel that handles both studio and field work, a French easel with a solid wood box will be more versatile.
4. CONDA 70 inch French Easel – Best Hybrid French Easel with Aluminum Legs
- Beechwood box with lightweight aluminum legs
- Converts between desktop and floor easel
- Versatile for watercolor
- acrylic
- and oil painting
- Roomy storage drawer with palette cover
- Aluminum legs are waterproof and durable
- Weak magnets cannot hold folded legs securely
- Some assembly required with unclear instructions
- Slightly rough wood texture compared to premium options
The CONDA French Easel occupies an interesting middle ground that I think a lot of painters will appreciate. It keeps the classic beechwood box with storage drawer that makes French easels so practical, but replaces the traditional wooden legs with aluminum tripod legs. This hybrid approach saves weight and adds a layer of weather resistance that all-wood designs cannot match. I tested it during a rain-shortened session, and the aluminum legs came through without any swelling or sticking that you sometimes get with wet wood.
Setting it up the first time takes some patience. The easel arrives with some assembly required, and the included instructions are minimal at best. I spent about 20 minutes figuring out how everything fit together before I could start painting. Once assembled, though, the easel works smoothly. The wooden box has a divided drawer for supplies, a removable palette, and a cover that doubles as a work surface when you close everything up for transport.
The aluminum legs adjust independently with flip locks, which makes leveling on uneven terrain much faster than tightening individual wing nuts. I set it up on a sloped riverbank and had it level within two minutes. The legs also have adjustable rubber feet that grip well on both hard and soft surfaces. At 10.4 pounds total, it is lighter than all-wood French easels but still substantial enough to carry with the included shoulder strap and leather handle.
My main complaint is the magnet system that holds the legs in place when folded. The magnets are simply too weak to keep the legs secured during transport, and I had to add a bungee cord to keep everything together when walking to my painting spot. A few other artists in our test group had the same experience. This is a solvable problem with a cheap accessory, but it should not exist on an otherwise well-designed easel.
Who Should Buy This Easel
The CONDA is a great fit for painters who want the storage and workspace of a French easel but prefer the weather resistance and quick-adjust legs of an aluminum tripod. If you paint in varied conditions and appreciate being able to switch between desk and floor modes, this hybrid design gives you genuine versatility. Artists who frequently set up on uneven ground will find the independently adjustable aluminum legs a real time saver.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a grab-and-go easel with zero setup, the partial assembly requirement and weak magnet closures make the CONDA less convenient than fully assembled competitors. Artists who carry their easel in a backpack will find the boxy folded shape awkward compared to collapsible tripod designs. And if you prefer a smooth, furniture-grade finish on your wood, the CONDA’s slightly rough texture may disappoint.
5. Falling in Art French Style Field Easel – Best Lightweight French Easel
- Lightweight at only 9.35 lbs for a French easel
- Arrives fully assembled and ready to use
- Flat work surface doubles as a portable table
- Height adjustable for sitting or standing
- Good storage drawer with removable palette
- Not tall enough for standing use by artists over 5 feet
- Magnets on aluminum legs can be knocked loose
- No lock for the single rear leg
The Falling in Art French Easel is the lightest full French easel in our roundup at 9.35 pounds, and it arrives fully assembled, which means you can start painting the day it shows up at your door. That combination of low weight and zero assembly makes it one of the most accessible options for artists who are new to plein air painting and just want something that works right out of the box.
I tested it with a range of canvas sizes from 6×8 inch panels up to 16×20 stretched canvases, and the adjustable upper and lower slots accommodated all of them without any modifications. The flat 12.5 x 17.4 inch work surface is a nice touch that other French easels do not always offer. When you are between paintings, you can use it as a small table for mixing colors or resting your brushes. The storage drawer holds a reasonable amount of supplies, and the removable palette is functional if not particularly large.
The aluminum tripod legs extend and collapse smoothly, and the telescopic design lets you adjust the height for seated or standing work. However, I noticed that the maximum height falls short for anyone over about 5 feet tall who prefers to stand while painting. I am 5 foot 10, and I found myself hunching to reach the top of my canvas. For seated painters or artists under 5 feet, this is not an issue, but taller painters should consider this limitation carefully.
Like the CONDA, this easel uses small magnets to hold the legs in place when folded, and they are not strong enough to survive much jostling. I recommend adding a strap or bungee cord if you plan to carry it any distance. The plastic clasps on the leg sections also feel like potential failure points in strong wind, so this is not the easel I would choose for painting on an exposed hilltop.
Who Should Buy This Easel
Artists who paint while seated or who are under 5 feet tall will find the Falling in Art French Easel an excellent balance of portability and function. It is also a strong choice for beginners who want a ready-to-use French easel at an accessible price point. The flat work surface makes it versatile for both painting and sketching, and the lightweight design means you can carry it comfortably for short distances.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Taller artists who prefer to stand while painting will find the height limitation frustrating. If you regularly paint in windy locations, the plastic leg clasps and light weight make this a risky choice without extra stabilization. And if you need maximum canvas capacity above 31.6 inches, the U.S. Art Supply or Mont Marte easels will accommodate your larger work.
6. ATWORTH Deluxe Beech Wood French Easel – Best Premium French Easel with Side Tray
- Furniture-grade beech wood construction with elegant finish
- Unique metal side tray for extra workspace
- Three telescoping legs with anti-slip rubber feet
- Tilts from vertical to horizontal for varied mediums
- Divided drawer with three detachable partitions
- Heavy at 17.7 lbs when loaded with supplies
- Side tray cannot be stored inside during transport
- Too heavy for long-distance plein air hiking
The ATWORTH Deluxe French Easel is the most feature-rich wooden easel we tested, and it is built like a piece of fine furniture. The German beech wood has a smooth, polished gray walnut finish that looks almost too nice to take outside. But that premium construction translates into real functional benefits: the joints are tight, the hardware is solid, and the whole easel has a rigidity that cheaper wooden easels simply do not achieve.
The standout feature is the metal side tray that attaches to the left side of the easel. This gives you an extra surface for holding brushes, solvents, or mixed colors that is separate from the main palette area. I found it especially useful during oil painting sessions where I needed quick access to my medium and cleanup supplies without reaching into the drawer. The divided storage drawer has three detachable partitions that let you customize the interior layout to fit your specific supplies.
The three telescoping legs extend from 57 to 72 inches in height, and the anti-slip rubber feet keep the easel planted on a variety of surfaces. I tested it on a slightly sloped meadow and was able to level it quickly by adjusting each leg independently. The easel also tilts from vertical all the way to horizontal, which opens it up to watercolor and acrylic painters who need that flexibility. It holds canvases up to 34 inches, matching the capacity of the U.S. Art Supply easel.
All of that quality comes with a weight penalty. At 17.7 pounds with supplies loaded, this is the heaviest easel in our roundup, and it is not something you want to carry more than a few hundred yards. The side tray and paper towel holder also cannot be stored inside the box when folded, which means you have extra pieces to manage during transport. I see this as a studio-first easel that can handle outdoor sessions within easy walking distance of your car.
Who Should Buy This Easel
Artists who want the highest quality French easel available and do most of their outdoor painting close to their vehicle will appreciate the ATWORTH. The side tray adds real workspace that no other easel in this roundup provides, and the furniture-grade finish makes it equally at home in a studio. If you work across multiple mediums and need an easel that tilts horizontal, this is the premium choice.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who hikes to their painting locations should pass on this one. At nearly 18 pounds loaded, the ATWORTH is simply too heavy for any significant distance. The external side tray also means you are carrying a separate piece during transport, which adds complexity. If you want a lighter French easel with similar features, the U.S. Art Supply model saves you about 6 pounds at a lower price.
7. KraftGeek 65 Inch Plein Air Easel – Best Lightweight Portable Tripod Easel
- Incredibly light at only 3.95 lbs
- Folds down to just 19.8 inches
- Twist-lock system for quick setup
- No assembly required
- Supports canvas panels up to 24 inches high
- Legs may slide if not tightened properly
- Canvas needs to be at least 12 inches wide
- No option for very small canvas sizes
The KraftGeek Plein Air Easel is the lightest and most portable easel in our entire roundup, and it earned our Editor’s Choice badge because it solves the number one problem plein air painters face: carrying too much weight. At just 3.95 pounds and folding down to 19.8 inches, this aluminum tripod easel fits inside a standard backpack with room to spare for your painting supplies. I carried it on a two-mile trail hike and barely noticed it was there.
Setup is refreshingly simple. The twist-lock leg system lets you extend and lock each section with a quarter turn, and I went from unpacked to painting in under 90 seconds. The maximum height of 65 inches works well for both standing and seated painters, and the adjustable canvas holder uses a retractable spring clip that grips panels from 11 inches wide up to 1.8 inches thick. I tested it with 11×14, 12×16, and 16×20 panels, and all of them locked in securely.
The built-in storage hook on the center column is a thoughtful touch that lets you hang a brush holder or a small bag to weight the tripod for added stability. There is also a universal quarter-inch screw mount on top that accepts accessories like phone holders or LED lights, which is handy if you film your painting process or paint at dusk. The non-slip silicone pads on the feet grip well on most surfaces, and the horizontal scale marks on the canvas holder help you center your work quickly.
The main limitation is canvas width. Panels under about 11 inches wide do not fit the spring clip properly, so if you paint on small 6×8 or 8×10 panels, you will need a different holder. I also found that the four-section back leg can slowly slide down if you do not tighten the twist locks firmly, which happened to me once during a three-hour session. Once I made sure each lock was snug, the problem disappeared entirely.
Who Should Buy This Easel
Artists who hike to their painting locations or travel frequently will find the KraftGeek an ideal companion. At under 4 pounds and 20 inches collapsed, it is the most portable full-height easel we tested. It is also a great choice for workshop attendees who need to carry their easel on public transit or pack it in a suitcase. If you work primarily with panels between 11 and 24 inches, this easel delivers an outstanding balance of portability and function.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Artists who paint on very small panels under 11 inches wide will need to look at pochade boxes or French easels with adjustable canvas holders. If you work with large stretched canvases above 24 inches, the KraftGeek’s panel holder will not accommodate them. And painters who want built-in storage drawers or mixing palettes will need to add those accessories separately, since this is a streamlined tripod design without integrated storage.
8. New Wave u.go Plein Air Anywhere Pochade Box – Best Ultra-Light Pochade Box
- Ultra-lightweight at only 2.1 lbs
- High-quality Baltic birch with non-porous finish
- Rare earth magnets for secure closure and panel holding
- Friction hinges with 180 degree range
- Compatible with standard quarter-inch tripod mounts
- Maximum recommended panel size is 9 inches vertical
- Premium price point
- No room inside to store a separate palette
The New Wave u.go Pochade Box is in a different category from every other easel in this roundup, and that is exactly why I included it. At just 2.1 pounds and measuring 8.4 x 11.25 x 1.25 inches when closed, this is the most portable painting setup you can buy. It is a pochade box, meaning it holds a small panel on one side and gives you a mixing palette on the other, and the whole thing mounts on any standard camera tripod with a quarter-inch screw. For artists who hike deep into the wilderness to paint, nothing else comes close to this level of portability.
The build quality is exceptional. The Baltic birch wood is hand-sanded and finished with a proprietary coating that resists both water and solvents, so oil painters do not need to worry about turpentine damaging the surface. The stainless steel and aluminum hardware will not corrode, and the rare earth magnets that hold the lid closed and secure the panel are strong enough to stay put during a bumpy hike. The friction hinges open to a full 180 degrees and hold any angle in between without slipping.
The included high-density plastic palette peels clean when your paint dries, which is a small but genuinely convenient feature. I used it for an oil painting session and was able to peel off dried paint the next morning without any solvent or scraping. The box also has recessed areas in the lid where you can store dabs of paint between sessions, so you can close the box with your colors still arranged and pick up where you left off later.
The tradeoff with any pochade box is size. The maximum recommended painting surface is about 9 inches vertical, which means you are working small. For some artists, that is the entire appeal of pochade painting, but if you are used to working on 16×20 canvases, this will feel constraining. You also need to supply your own tripod, which adds cost and weight to the total system. And at its premium price, this is an investment for artists who are committed to pochade painting as a practice.
Who Should Buy This Easel
Experienced plein air painters who want the lightest possible setup for hiking and travel will find the New Wave u.go worth every penny. It is also ideal for artists who enjoy the discipline of small-format painting and want a pochade box that will last for years. If you already own a quality camera tripod, pairing it with this box gives you a complete painting system that weighs under 5 pounds total.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Artists who work larger than 9 inches vertically need a bigger easel, period. If you do not already own a tripod, factor that additional cost into your decision. Beginners who are still figuring out whether plein air painting is for them may want to start with a less expensive option before committing to a premium pochade box. And if you need built-in storage for brushes and supplies, a French easel with a drawer will be more practical.
How to Choose the Best Plein Air Easel for Your Needs
Choosing the right plein air easel comes down to understanding your own painting habits and being honest about how far you are willing to carry your gear. After testing these 8 easels across different conditions, here are the factors that matter most.
Easel Type: French, Pochade, A-Frame, or Tripod
French easels like the U.S. Art Supply and ATWORTH models are the most complete all-in-one systems. They give you a box for storage, a built-in palette, and adjustable legs, all in one package. The downside is weight, with most French easels weighing between 9 and 18 pounds. They are best for artists who set up within a short walk of their vehicle.
Pochade boxes like the New Wave u.go are the lightest option available. They mount on a camera tripod and hold a small panel with a palette on the opposite side. If you hike to remote locations and paint small, this is the way to go. You will need to buy a tripod separately, which adds to the total cost.
A-frame easels like the Mont Marte offer the largest canvas capacity and a classic design, but they do not include storage boxes. They work well for artists who carry their supplies in a separate bag and want maximum canvas support.
Aluminum tripod easels like the KraftGeek split the difference between portability and function. They are lighter than French easels and fold down small enough for a backpack, but you give up the built-in storage and workspace.
Weight and Portability
Weight is the single biggest factor for plein air painters. Here is how our 8 easels compare, from lightest to heaviest. The New Wave u.go pochade box is just 2.1 pounds (plus tripod), the KraftGeek aluminum tripod is 3.95 pounds, the MEEDEN aluminum easel is 4.4 pounds (with bag), the Mont Marte A-frame is 8 pounds, the Falling in Art French easel is 9.35 pounds, the CONDA French easel is 10.4 pounds, the U.S. Art Supply French easel is 11.9 pounds, and the ATWORTH premium French easel is 17.7 pounds.
If you regularly walk more than half a mile to paint, stay under 5 pounds total. If you paint within a few hundred yards of your car, anything up to about 12 pounds is manageable with a shoulder strap.
Panel and Canvas Size
Make sure your easel can handle the size you work with most often. The New Wave u.go holds panels up to about 9 inches vertically, the KraftGeek handles panels from 11 to 24 inches, and French easels like the U.S. Art Supply and ATWORTH hold canvases up to 34 inches. The Mont Marte leads the pack with capacity up to 52 inches for artists who work large outdoors.
Wind Stability
Wind is the enemy of every plein air painter. Heavier easels with a low center of gravity handle wind best. French easels with their boxy bases resist tipping better than tall tripod designs. If you paint in windy areas, consider weighing down your easel legs with a bag or choosing a design like the New Wave u.go mounted on a sturdy tripod with a hook for a counterweight.
Budget Considerations
You do not need to spend a fortune to get started with plein air painting. The MEEDEN at around $63 gives beginners a complete setup with easel, palette, and carry bag. The U.S. Art Supply French Easel at around $110 offers the best overall value for oil and acrylic painters who want a full French easel experience. And if you want the lightest possible setup, the KraftGeek at around $130 delivers professional-grade portability at a reasonable cost.
FAQs
What is the best plein air easel for beginners?
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel is the best choice for beginners because it includes everything you need to start painting outdoors: an adjustable easel, mixing palette, drawing board, and carry bag, all at an affordable price. The U.S. Art Supply French Easel is another strong beginner option if you prefer a classic wooden French easel with built-in storage.
How do I choose a plein air easel?
Consider four main factors: how far you carry your easel (weight matters most for hiking), what size panels or canvases you use, what medium you paint in (watercolor needs flat tilt, oil needs sturdy support), and your budget. If you hike to paint, stay under 5 pounds. If you paint near your car, a French easel with storage gives you the most complete setup.
What are the different types of plein air easels?
There are four main types: French easels (all-in-one box with storage, palette, and legs), pochade boxes (small panel holders that mount on camera tripods), A-frame easels (lightweight wooden tripods for large canvases), and aluminum tripod easels (collapsible metal tripods that fold compact for travel). Each type suits different painting styles and portability needs.
How to setup a plein air easel?
For a French easel: unfold the three legs and extend them to your desired height, position the rear leg for stability on uneven ground, raise the mast and secure the canvas between the upper and lower holders, and attach your palette to the top of the box. For a tripod easel: extend the legs to working height using twist locks or flip levers, mount your canvas or panel in the holder, and add a counterweight to the center hook for wind stability.
Can I use a regular easel for plein air painting?
You can, but it is not ideal. Regular studio easels are heavy, lack folding mechanisms for transport, and do not have adjustable feet for uneven outdoor terrain. A dedicated plein air easel is designed to be portable, foldable, and stable on rough ground, which makes outdoor painting far more practical and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts on the Best Easels for Plein Air Painting
Finding the best easels for plein air painting is a personal decision that depends on how you work, where you paint, and how much weight you are willing to carry. For most artists, the U.S. Art Supply French Easel offers the best balance of features, storage, and value for a complete outdoor painting station. If portability is your priority, the KraftGeek aluminum tripod easel at under 4 pounds is tough to beat. And for the minimalist hiker who wants to paint deep in the backcountry, the New Wave u.go pochade box delivers premium quality at just 2.1 pounds.
Whichever easel you choose, the most important thing is to get outside and paint. A good easel removes the friction between inspiration and execution, letting you focus on capturing the light, color, and energy of the landscape in front of you. All eight easels in this guide have been tested by our team and recommended based on real outdoor painting experience in 2026.