The Top 5 Paint Brands in the US
What makes the top interior paint brands the best?
You might think paint is paint; that one paint brand is the same as another and so long as they have your color, that is what matters. However, the quality of the paint you choose will quickly reveal itself through the color opacity, the number of coats you need, the paint coverage, how well it adheres, and then, once it is dry, how long the finish lasts before it yellows, fades, or begins to flake. Ultimately, going for the budget paint brands may seem like a good idea at the time but it will cost you in the end.
That’s why we have made this list of the best interior paint brands in the US! Use our guide to determine which paint brand is the right one for your home.
The Top 5 Best Interior Paint Brands in the US
Ultimately, the best interior paint is the one that gives you the colour, finish, and quality that you want. What qualifies as “the best” comes down to the paint that provides the best finish, value for money, range, and overall satisfaction. The American home improvement market includes a range of products from the best paint manufacturers from around the world. Below we have listed the best interior paint brands in the US.
#1. Benjamin Moore – Customer satisfaction and luxury
Just about every top interior paint brands list includes Benjamin Moore at the top spot, with good reason. The award-winning paint brand is a favorite among designers, decorators, and homeowners alike for its range of rich and beautiful colors, but color alone does not determine top spot. It is also durable, hard-wearing, has good coverage and opacity, and is easy to work with for professionals and the DIYer. And it isn’t all bright colors like 2018’s heart red Color of the Year, Caliente. Their Color of the Year for 2019 is Metropolitan; a sophisticated and glamorous neutral soft gray. Though more expensive than other paint brands, you certainly get what you pay for.
Paint types: Aura Interior Paint (in matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss), Aura Bath and Spa Paint (a matte finish for high-humidity environments), Natura Paint (waterborne in flat, eggshell, semi-gloss), Regal Select Interior Paint (formulated for easy cleaning in a variety of sheens), ben Interior Paint (user friendly for flawless results), and ADVANCE Interior Paint (a waterborne alkyd for durable trim, doors and cabinetry).
Available at: Widely available at specialty paint stores and some hardware stores. Not found at home improvement centers or mass merchant retailers.
Benjamin Moore Aura
Benjamin Moore Natura
Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Benjamin Moore Advance
Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa
#2. Sherwin-Williams – 150 years strong
Sherwin-Williams is the largest paint producer in America with over 150 years of history. Their color range includes more than 1,500 colors so you can find the perfect shade for every space, every mood, every project. They are dedicated to using high quality ingredients to ensure their paints are easy to apply, look better, and last longer than those who cut corners. Top quality ingredients also ensure an easier and smoother application and coverage.
Paint types: A wide range of paints for any application including Emerald Interior Acrylic (for best-in-class overall performance), Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, Duration Home Interior Acrylic (paint and primer in one with advanced stain blocking technology), and more.
Available at: Sold almost exclusively at Sherwin-Williams franchise painting and decorating outlets.
#3. Behr – Quality at a Reasonable Price
If price point puts the top 2 out of your range, Behr Paints is a reasonable and quality number 3. They are a top choice for coverage, opacity, cleanability, and durability while not having the price tag of some of the other manufacturers. Their paint lines also include a Lifetime Limited Warranty for the performance of their paint for as long as you reside in your home (so long as you have applied it to instructions).
Paint types: Behr Premium Plus (paint and primer in one with best-in-class performance at a reasonable price), Behr Premium Plus Ultra (premium performance with an extra durable finish that resists stains, scuffs, and mildew), and Behr Marquee (their most advanced interior option with one coat hide).
Available at: Exclusively at Home Depot
BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Paint & Primer
BEHR Premium Weatherproofing Wood Stain
BEHR Premium Granite Grip Concrete Coating
BEHR Premium Waterproofing Wood Finish
BEHR Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel
#4. Valspar – Color, color, and more color
For good coverage and finish quality with a dedication to color, Valspar is your brand. Though the quality may not match the top 3, it is still a top option with decorators and homeowners alike. They offer literally thousands of colors, so you can be sure to find the right shade for you. Valspar was recently bought by Sherwin-Williams, so it now has the backing of one of the biggest paint manufacturers in the world.
Paint types: Valspar Signature (highly durable and resistant to fade and mildew), Valspar Simplicity (ultra-low emission certification with a durable finish), Valspar Ultra (everyday washable with a built in primer), Valspar PRO, Valspar Perfect White, and more.
Available at: Lowes home improvement centers and franchise hardware stores.
Valspar Latex Enamel
Valspar Anti-Rust Armor
Valspar Tractor & Implement
Valspar Zone Marking Paint
Valspar Antiquing Wax
#5. Farrow & Ball – Richly pigmented English tradition
Farrow & Ball has made a name for itself through its extensive range of gorgeous, rich, highly pigmented colors. From Hague Blue to India Yellow and Arsenic, their colors are deep, vibrant, and complex due to the traditional methods used to formulate the paint. Their interior paints are available for wood, metal, walls, and floors but they do not come cheap. In 132 shades, their paint makes a real statement with a luxury feel.
Paint types: Estate Emulsion (chalky matte finish for walls and ceilings), Estate Eggshell (silk finish for interior wood and metal), Modern Emulsion (washable and mold resistant matte finish for walls and ceilings), Modern Eggshell (mid sheen finish for wood and metal), Full Gloss (for interior and exterior wood and metal).
Available at: Widely available at specialty paint stores.
The best house paint brand is the one that covers all your needs
One of the biggest choices – and commitments – you make when you buy or update a building is the interior paint. Whether you are setting up a home, an office, a store, a restaurant, or some other interior space, choosing the best interior paint is the fastest way to get the feel and style you want in a space. You may want to follow current trends, or perhaps create a space that is just for you; no matter what you are after, there is a paint for the job. The right preparation, the right finish, the right colour palette and, above all, quality is what makes the difference between an interior design success and a failure.
Don’t finish last – understanding finishes
While ‘gloss’ and ‘flat’ may be self explanatory, things get a bit hazier when the eggshells and satins start appearing. Not only that, but there are ways in which these finishes are used and ways in which they are not – unless you want to be unconventional it helps to understand which surfaces normally use which paint. These conventions also apply for outdoor paints. The different sheens (based on the percentage of light reflectance) and uses of these paints are:
| Sheen Level | Gloss Percentage | Properties | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt or Flat | Up to 10% | A flat, non-reflective finish that hides imperfections on the walls but get dirty more easily than other gloss levels. | Ceilings and walls in low traffic areas like bedrooms. |
| Eggshell | 10-25% | Washable and elegant at the same time. More durable than matt. | Living spaces like dining or living rooms. |
| Satin | 25-35% | Higher sheen and therefore more durable than eggshell, they are the middle ground – both low sheen and wearable. | High traffic areas and areas with moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. |
| Semi-Gloss | 35-70% | A sleek, radiant finish that is highly washable with good scuff resistance. | High traffic areas and wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundries. Trim and cabinetry. |
| High Gloss | More than 80% | Highly reflective and dramatic. Highlights surface irregularities. | Trim, doors, moldings, furniture. |
