12 Best Makeup Brush Sets for Every Budget 2025

If you want a sensible all-in-one travel solution, the Smoke 'N Roses Brush Roll struck us as a great budget pick — the variety covers face, eyes and lip needs and the roll keeps everything tidy on the go. We found the synthetic bristles blend well in our testing, though light-colored hairs can stain with pigmented products. This vegan, cruelty-free set earned an 8/10 for functionality and convenience at about $29.25, making it a smart buy for everyday travelers and beginners alike.

We found the Real Techniques Matte & Merry Ultimate Blending Set to be a surprisingly good value at around $5.97 when on sale — the brushes are larger than expected and work well for quick, everyday application. Some users note the bristles aren’t as soft as higher-end picks, and our testing showed they can feel a bit stiff on sensitive skin, so it earned a 7/10 overall. As a synthetic, vegan, cruelty-free option it’s a practical starter kit for budget-conscious shoppers.

During our review the Sephora Favorites Total Brush Set impressed us with its vegan synthetic bristles that mimic natural hair and eco-friendly handles made from recycled materials. We found the eight included brushes cover a full routine and blend well, which helped this set achieve an 8.5/10 in our rankings, though the $89.22 price may feel steep if you’re on a tight budget. It’s a strong, sustainable choice for shoppers who want quality tools and thoughtful design without going pro-level.

Compact and travel-minded, the Your Superheroes Makeup Brush Set (about $51 at Ulta) is a pleasant everyday kit that earned a solid 7/10 in our testing. We found the synthetic bristles are soft and well-made, and the included travel case keeps brushes clean and organized, making it great for commuters and vacationers. During our review the variety of foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow and eyeliner tools felt genuinely useful, but our experience shows the shorter handles aren’t for everyone — and the foundation brush can leave streaks and struggle to blend.

The Essential Brush Set gives you comprehensive coverage — foundation through liner — with soft synthetic bristles that blend nicely, but our experience shows the premium price doesn’t fully match the performance. Though the set aims at beginners and earned a 6.5/10, several users reported shedding and some bristle bleeding on first use, which is a real practical drawback for long-term value. It’s cruelty-free and vegan with good variety, but consider whether longevity issues are worth the $160 investment.

The Petite Brush Collection earns its lofty 9.5/10 for exceptional, handmade craftsmanship — these mini brushes are hand-built in Japan and feel luxuriously soft while remaining cruelty-free and vegan. During our review we found the compact sizes are perfect for travel and detailed application, and the attention to finish and feel is obvious, though the $778 price tag is steep. If you want an heirloom-quality, travel-ready kit and budget isn’t a constraint, this set is hard to beat.

The Vegan Brush Collection offers a lavish 17-piece assortment with ultra-soft Taklon bristles and a protective vegan-leather case, and in our testing the application felt smooth and luxurious. That said, our experience shows the $690 price and heavier handles make it a tough sell for many — it scored a 6/10 for price-to-value. If you want an all-in-one, high-end vegan kit and don’t mind the weight or cost, this set delivers pro-level variety and presentation.

In our testing the EcoTools Sea Gems 4 Piece set felt like a steal for eco-conscious shoppers — the synthetic foundation and blush brushes are lightweight, travel-friendly and made with 50% ocean-bound plastic, which we appreciated for reducing environmental impact. We found the seashell sponge less durable than other sponges, and that lowers practical value if you plan heavy use. During our review this vegan, cruelty-free kit earned a solid 7/10 for sustainability and price ($5.87), best suited to beginners or as an eco-minded travel backup.

Offering a luxurious feel without the high price tag, the Ribbed Makeup Brush Set by Sonia Kashuk (about $48 at Target) scored 7.5/10 in our testing. We found the synthetic fibers are soft and easy to use across a versatile range of foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow and eyeliner brushes, so it’s a great value pick for everyday routines. During our review some larger face brushes felt less full and our experience shows occasional shedding can be an inconvenience, so it’s best for users who prioritize feel over pro-level density.

We liked that the Essential Travel Brush Set is ultra-soft and comes with a convenient case, making it genuinely easy to toss in luggage or a gym bag. In our testing the brushes felt luxe against skin, but persistent shedding—especially from the powder brush after minimal use—dragged the score down to around 6/10. It’s a cruelty-free, vegan synthetic set that’s travel-friendly, yet our experience shows you’re paying $135 for portability more than pro-level durability.