EASEL REVIEW
Top Pick
Surfaces really show off artwork; unbeatable quality at the price; smaller than expected.
MSRP: $79.99​ (typical retail $65)
Mfr. Recommended Age: 3 Years+
Total score: 92 points
Assembly: Excellent (85 points)
Artistic potential: Excellent (93 points)
Quality: Excellent (80 points)
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THE SCOOP
The Fun​
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Displays chalk vibrantly
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Good quality
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Height adjustable
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Small footprint
The Frustration
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Smaller than expected
Overview
The All-in-1 is our top pick for kids easels. It's standout feature is the potential it offers for little artists, which of course is what an easel is all about. The All-in-1 surfaces show off a range of chalk and marker colors to their full effect (unlike some of the other easels we reviewed). While a bit smaller than expected, the All-in-1 offers a mid-sized work space for artistic expression. It's also a beautiful product. At this price point, you can't beat the All-in-1 for quality.
Assembly
Score: Excellent
Time
Less than 30 minutes.
Ease
Assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow. The only hitch came when our reviewer attached the legs to the body of the easel and the easel was initially a bit wobbly. Though the four legs appear indistinguishable, swapping two of the legs solved the problem.
Artistic Potential
Score: Excellent
Features
The All-in-1 has all the classic easel features: chalkboard, magnetic dry erase board, and a paper holder.
How well it works
The All-in-1 steals the show when it comes to chalk vibrancy. Among the easels we tested, it displays chalk most vibrantly and it's the easel on which it's easiest to distinguish between colors. Like our other easels, erasing with a dry eraser doesn't wipe the board fully clean, but wiping it down with a wet cloth does the trick. The dry erase side of the All-in-1 works equally well; colors, even relatively faint ones, show up on the board. Even in an overnight test in which we left the dry erase marker on the board nearly 24 hours, the board wiped clean with a dry eraser.
The All-in-1 includes a paper dowel. The paper feeds down through a set of slats at the top and the bottom. When the paper is positioned, tighten the knobs on the slats. This process holds the paper very securely in place though it's a fairly involved process that seems like a bit of overkill.
The All-in-1 is smaller overall than expected, but it falls in the middle of the pack when it comes to working surfaces. While the chalkboard and dry erase boards are larger than those found on some of our other top models, it doesn't offer the same expansive working spaces as others.
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Quality
Score: Average
Accessories
The All-in-1 comes with:
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Paper
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Paint Containers
Components
The All-in-1 is a beautiful, well-executed easel. There was a bit of wood splintering, but the easel was primarily smooth. It's height adjustable, though it doesn't extend to as tall a height as some of the larger models.
