Choosing between model paints, airbrushes & tools usually comes down to project focus. The Army Painter Starter Selection Model Paint Set 18 Paints Warhammer (#5111 is aimed at a named plastic and Warhammer 40k use case, while the Nicpro set takes a broader approach with ready-to-use acrylic paints and brush-and-airbrush compatibility. The better choice depends on whether you want a focused miniature-painting selection or more color and application flexibility.
Quick verdict
Choose The Army Painter for a plastic Warhammer 40k project or a starter selection built around that kind of miniature work. Choose Nicpro if you want one set that covers hand-brush and airbrush workflows, with a broader color assortment and included thinners. Nicpro also has the lower listed price, but the main difference is how each set matches your painting plans.
Price and attribute snapshot
| Set | Price | Standout details |
|---|---|---|
| The Army Painter Starter Selection | $45.00 | 18 paints; suitable for plastic and Warhammer 40k |
| Nicpro 30 Colors Model Paint Set | $35.09 | 30 colors; 20ml ready-to-use acrylics; brush and airbrush compatible; 3 thinners |
Where each wins
- The Army Painter wins for a focused Warhammer 40k brief. Its suitability details name both plastic and Warhammer 40k, giving it the clearer project match for that specific use.
- Nicpro wins for a mixed painting workflow. Brush and airbrush compatibility, along with its 30-color format and three included acrylic paint thinners, make its intended flexibility more apparent.
Product notes
The Army Painter Starter Selection Model Paint Set
The Army Painter Starter Selection Model Paint Set 18 Paints Warhammer (#5111 suits shoppers who want a clearly defined starting point for miniature painting. The phrase "Starter Selection" in the title makes the set easy to place: it is intended as a concentrated paint assortment rather than a general-purpose collection for every craft. That focus is useful when your project is already organized around the plastic Warhammer 40k category named in its suitability details. The limitation is the assortment size: 18 paints is narrower than Nicpro's 30-color set. Shoppers prioritizing a larger color range may therefore prefer Nicpro, while those who want a project-specific starter selection can reasonably favor The Army Painter.
Nicpro 30 Colors Model Paint Set
Nicpro 30 Colors Model Paint Set is the more adaptable choice for shoppers who move between miniature, scale-figure, and craft projects. Its 20ml ready-to-use modeling acrylic paints give the set a clearly defined format, and the package also includes three acrylic paint thinners. That combination makes the contents more useful for someone planning both straightforward brush work and paint preparation for an airbrush. The limitation is project specificity: for a Warhammer 40k brief, The Army Painter is the set that names that suitability directly. Nicpro's description instead focuses on models, scale figures, crafts, and brush-and-airbrush use, so its strongest fit is breadth across painting tasks rather than a named franchise focus.
Final choice by use case
- For a plastic Warhammer 40k project: Choose The Army Painter, because that use is named directly.
- For a broader color-and-application setup: Choose Nicpro, whose title and description combine 30 colors with brush-and-airbrush compatibility.
- For the lower price: Choose Nicpro; the absolute price spread is $9.91.
- For a focused starter selection: Choose The Army Painter, whose title identifies it as a Starter Selection.
Neither set is the universal answer. The Army Painter is the more direct project match when Warhammer 40k and plastic are central; Nicpro is the more fitting choice when color range, 20ml ready-to-use acrylics, and airbrush flexibility matter more.
