Da Vinci, Raphael, Escoda, Roman Szmal: I Tested 5 Mop Brushes for Watercolor Washes

If you’re chasing that perfect, dreamy watercolor wash, you’ve probably found yourself lost in the sea of options from Da Vinci, Raphael, Escoda, and Roman Szmal. Let’s be real—it’s a pricey and confusing choice. Do you splurge on a natural squirrel brush from Raphael, Escoda, or Da Vinci, or is a synthetic squirrel from Da Vinci or Roman Szmal just as good?

I’ve spent my own money and canvas space testing these top contenders to give you the straightforward, painter-to-painter breakdown you need. We’ll cut through the hype and focus on what happens when the brush meets the paper: the water flow, the sharpness of the point, and the all-important feel. (Quick heads-up: I’ve left Isabey mops out of this test for now, as I’ve seen some online reports about recent quality inconsistencies and decided not to purchase it at this time. I’ll possibly revisit them in a future)

Da Vinci, Raphael, Escoda, Princeton, Cobbia and Roman Szmal mop brush comparison for watercolor — The test subjects: Natural and synthetic mop brushes from Da Vinci, Raphael, Escoda, Princeton, Cobbia and Roman Szmal.

What Makes a Mop Brush Great? (My Personal Checklist)

It’s not just about being big and fluffy. A legendary mop brush needs to excel in a few key areas:

The Reservoir: The belly must be a thirsty beast, holding a ton of pigment and water.
The Point: This is the secret weapon. Can this giant, soft brush still deliver a hair-thin line? I’m always hunting for the largest belly with the tiniest, most resilient point.
The Stroke Feel: What’s the feedback like? Is it a soft whisper or does it have a bit of backbone?
The Recovery: After you press it down, does it spring right back to a point, or does it stay splayed out?
The Control: Ultimately, does it feel like a partner in the process, or am I just along for the ride?

💧 Pro Tip: Confused by brush sizes? Remember, sizing isn’t universal! A size 10 round is very different from a size 10 mop. Mop brushes are sized by their overall capacity and belly, not the fineness of their point. I’m planning a full guide next week on decoding watercolor brush sizes and shapes—it’s a topic that deserves its own post! Guide is finished and you can find it here: Guide to sizes of Mops and Round Brushes.

Natural Squirrel vs. Synthetic Squirrel: My Real-World Take

Natural Squirrel Hair: This is the classic luxury choice. They hold an astounding amount of color and release it in a slow, controlled flow. The sensation is incredibly soft. The trade-off? They require practiced water control, can feel less responsive, and command a higher price.
Synthetic Squirrel Hair: Modern versions are incredibly impressive. They hold slightly less water but are typically snappier and more resilient. They offer more tactile feedback, bounce back better, and are more affordable.

💧 Pro Tip: If your natural squirrel mop feels like it’s unleashing a flood, try using a more saturated pigment mix or gently dabbing the belly on a paper towel before painting.

Brush-by-Brush: My Hands-On Reviews

Here’s the unvarnished truth from my easel. I own and use every single one of these brushes.

Testing natural and synthetic mop and some round brushes: Raphael, Roman Szmal, Escoda, Da Vinci and Princeton

1. Escoda Aquario 1140 Squirrel Mop: The Precision Powerhouse

This is the most unique—and most expensive—brush in the lineup. The Escoda 1140 isn’t a traditional mop shape; it’s a huge round with what I call a “supernatural” point. It has the thinnest, most shockingly resilient point of them all.

The Feel: Unmatched control in a large-format brush. It carries a huge load of paint, and its point feels nearly indestructible.
The Catch: The price is steep, and even its smallest size is substantial (size 10 round).
My Verdict: My top pick for detailed landscapes and loose botanicals where I need vast skies and washes and fine, crisp lines. It’s a serious investment for dedicated artists. I love it! If you buy only one brush-it is it.

2. Roman Szmal Natural Squirrel Mop: The Fluid Dream

This brush is pure, soft luxury. The water capacity is immense, and the pigment flows onto the paper in a beautifully even, dreamy wash. You will not find this brand on Amazon, so it is a hidden gem. You CAN find it on Jackson’s Art in US and you will be amazed like me at the value and low price point of this brush. The bristle feel less dense than the rivals, but the stroke is amazing still!

The Feel: Effortlessly fluid and professional.
My Verdict: A superb natural squirrel brush and a favorite for pure wash work and the second in the point department.

3. Da Vinci Natural Squirrel Mop: The Reliable Classic

A beautifully made, traditional squirrel mop. It’s incredibly soft, holds a massive amount of water, and delivers a consistent, even wash.

The Feel: Dependable, soft, and classic. It lacks the extreme precision point of the Escoda but performs its core wash function beautifully.
My Verdict: A fantastic, no-surprises natural squirrel brush. It’s a solid choice if you want reliable luxury.

4. Raphael 8408 Squirrel Quill Mop: The Timeless Classic

The iconic lightweight quill ferrule and dependable soft hair make it a trustworthy workhorse.

The Feel: Familiar, soft, and dependable.
My Verdict: If you want the proven, authentic squirrel mop experience, this is your brush. It’s a reliable and lovely tool. I slightly prefer this one to the Da Vinci squirrel even though they are almost like twins. Why? I don’t really know. I feel it recovers from the stroke slightly better than Da Vinci and I just like feeling of this one sightly better.

5. Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic Squirrel Mop: The Consistent Value King

Their Raphael SoftAqua synthetic squirrel line stands out for its incredible value—it’s durable, has better snap, a decent point, and performs reliably as a mop.

The Feel: Dependable and well-crafted. It offers excellent feedback and control, which is perfect if you find natural hair too soft and unresponsive.
My Verdict: You simply cannot go wrong. It might not have the “wow” factor, but it is an outstanding, consistent workhorse and the best synthetic mop value on this list.

6. Roman Szmal Synthetic Squirrel Round: The Brilliant Mop/Round (Not a functional Mop, even though it looks like a mop)

Roman Szmal synthetic brushes are some of my favorite round brushes ever. They are snappy, hold a sublime point, and are wildly versatile. However, I do not recommend it as a traditional “mop.” It performs and feels like a top-tier, responsive round brush, not the flowing, thirsty reservoir tool we’re looking for here.

7. The Budget Wild Card: Cobbia Synthetic Set

I included a super cheap Cobbia synthetic set from Amazon. Honestly? It’s a decent-looking mop like brush with a good point.

The Feel: Snappy, not soft. It acts more like a round brush and was great for painting loose flowers with a lot of control.
My Verdict: It proves you can start for pennies. But upgrading to even the Raphael SoftAqua is a night-and-day difference in water capacity and the light touch of squirrel fiber. For a better budget mop experience, I’d suggest looking at the Princeton Neptune #afflink series instead.

My Final Verdict: Side-by-Side Comparison of Watercolor Mops

It’s one thing to read the reviews, but another to see them side-by-side. For a detailed, at-a-glance breakdown, I’ve put it all in a table.

Feature	Escoda Aquario 1140 Squirrel	Roman Szmal Squirrel	Da Vinci Natural Squirrel	Raphael 8408 Squirrel	Raphael SoftAqua (Synth)	Roman Szmal Synthetic	Cobbia Set (Synth)
Material	Natural Squirrel	Natural Squirrel	Natural Squirrel	Natural Squirrel	Synthetic Squirrel	Synthetic Squirrel	Synthetic
Best For	Precision Washes & Detail	Fluid, Dreamy Washes	Reliable Classic Washes	Classic Wash Feel	Best Value Synthetic Mop	Detail Rounds (Not Mops)	Acts like snappier Round
Point Quality	Best (Firm & Precise)	Good	Good	Good	Good	Excellent (As a Round)	Good
Water Capacity	Very High	Very High	Very High	Very High	High	Medium	Medium
Feel (During Stroke)	Precise & Fluid	Soft & Fluid	Soft & Dependable	Very Soft & Classic	Snappier, but still soft	Snappy & Controlled	Snappy & Controlled
Recovery (After)	Excellent (Very Resilient)	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Handle & Build	Excellent, Balanced, Heaviest	Excellent, feather light	Good	Good	Light, not best looking	Excellent, feather light	Basic, slightly heavy
Price Point	$$$$ (Premium)	$$	$$$	$$$	$$ (Great Value)	$	$ (Budget)
My Take	Luxury precision tool. Hands-down the winner.	Dreamy, fluid washes. Very light and elegant.	Reliable classic wash	Trustworthy classic	Best synthetic mop pick	Fantastic round brush ❤️	Bare-bones beginner, more like round brush

A quick summary of the winners:

For Precision & Performance: Escoda 1140
For Classic Wash Perfection: Roman Szmal Squirrel or Raphael Squirrel Mop
For the Best Value & Learning: Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic Mop

After rigorous testing the Escoda Aquario Gold 1140 and Roman Szmal Pure Squirrel Mop are the winners of the Mop Showdown — After rigorous testing The Escoda Aquario Gold 1140 and Roman Szmal Pure Squirrel Mop are the winners of the Mop Showdown

FAQ & Quick Solutions

Q: Are natural squirrel brushes like the Raphael or Escoda worth the money?
- A: If your style relies on ultra-soft, flowing washes and you have the budget, yes. The Escoda 1140 is in a league of its own for precision. But for most, a high-quality synthetic like the Raphael SoftAqua offers phenomenal performance at a much friendlier price.
Q: I struggle with control using soft mop brushes. Any tips?
- A: You’re not alone! First, try a synthetic like the Raphael SoftAqua for more snap. Second, practice loading less water and using a slightly thicker paint consistency to tame the flow.
Q: Can I use a mop brush for detailed work?
- A: Surprisingly, yes—if it has a great point. The Escoda 1140 and Roman Szmal natural squirrel are exceptional here. Their fine tips can handle detail, often eliminating the need to switch brushes.

My Final Recommendations

For Precision & Performance: The Escoda 1140 is the ultimate tool. Save up for this if detail within a wash is your goal.
For Classic Wash Perfection: The Roman Szmal Natural Squirrel or Raphael Squirrel mop delivers a flawless, fluid experience. Closest second is Da Vinci Squirrel.
For the Best Value & Learning: The Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic is the undisputed champion. It’s affordable, high-quality, and teaches superb control.
For an All-Star Round Brush: Remember the Roman Szmal Synthetic for everyday painting—just don’t buy it expecting a mop.
For a Tight Budget: The Cobbia will get paint on paper, but view it as a temporary starter brush. For a better budget mop experience, check out the Princeton Neptune #afflink round or their own mop brush.

The right brush should feel like a natural extension of your hand. Start with one that fits your current needs and budget. The most important thing is to paint, learn, and enjoy the process. Your perfect wash is out there!