Best Overall
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint
BENJAMIN MOORE
- It has excellent coverage and almost no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
It has excellent coverage and almost no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- It is very costly per gallon.
It is very costly per gallon.
The Benjamin Moore Aura line is a consistent favorite among DIYers and contractors that comes highly recommended by our featured experts. It offers superb coverage for walls, doors, baseboards, and trims. The formula is designed to be long-lasting and fade-resistant. There is also primer included in the formula so you use less paint (and save some money).
All the paints in the Aura line are mildew-resistant. The formula is low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), meaning the paint will not harm the environment or have a strong odor. Still, you should always ensure that your room is well-ventilated before painting. The paint takes about an hour to dry. However, you do have to wait a second hour if you need to apply another coat.
The paint is available in matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss finishes. The line also offers a special moisture-resistant option for high-humidity areas like bathrooms or spas. The only downside is that prices start at $90 per gallon, which is quite high. But, if you’re looking for outstanding results with thousands of colors to choose from, it’s the best interior paint you can buy.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1-hour dry time, 1-hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 3,500 | Sheens: Matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, non-ferrous metal
Key Terms to Know
- Sheen: Sheen refers to how much light is reflected from the paint's surface, or how shiny the paint is.
Best Budget
PPG Paint Multi-Pro Interior Paint
THE HOME DEPOT
- The paint is dry to the touch in 30 to 60 minutes.
The paint is dry to the touch in 30 to 60 minutes.
- Primer is not incorporated into the formula.
Primer is not incorporated into the formula.
This paint is the best option for interiors when you need a lot of coverage but want to stay within budget. PPG Paint Multi-Pro is extremely affordable per gallon and provides smooth coverage with a brush or roller. It’s also quite effective for hiding wall imperfections or repainting walls or cabinets.
The paint can be used on surfaces such as wood, concrete, plaster, or metal. However, you’ll have to apply a primer first before you start painting because it’s not included in the formula. The paint is quite thick, which makes it suitable for layering over another color if you’re redoing a previous paint job. Although, in that case, you might have to apply several coats to the surface. We appreciate that the paint is quick-drying—it’s dry to the touch within 30 to 60 minutes.
It comes in four sheens: flat/matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. Additionally, its formula has low levels of VOCs, so it doesn't have a strong odor. However, if color tints are added, the VOC level will increase. The paint is available in 1-gallon and 5-gallon cans.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 4 hours re-coat time | Color Selection: 2,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Wood, concrete, plaster, metal
Best Splurge
Fine Paints Of Europe EuroLux Interior Matte
FINE PAINTS OF EUROPE
- The paint is available in a whopping 10,000 colors with unlimited options for tints.
The paint is available in a whopping 10,000 colors with unlimited options for tints.
- It’s best for walls and ceilings, and can only adhere with primer from the same brand.
It’s best for walls and ceilings, and can only adhere with primer from the same brand.
When your room needs a little drama, a high-sheen paint like the Eurolux Satin from Fine Paints of Europe might be your ticket. “This is one of my favorite paints because it has a good reputation for coverage, color retention, and durability,” Caldwell says. Despite the name, it’s actually an American brand (from Vermont) that imports its paint directly from Holland.
We should warn you that your pocket will take a hit, as it is one of the most expensive paints on the market. That’s because the paint has no cheap fillers or extenders and only uses high-quality pigments and resins. It’s the best option for interior walls and ceilings. However, you cannot use it on cabinetry, doors, baseboards, windows, or molding (the brand recommends other enamel paints for that).
It’s available in over 10,000 colors, plus you can also get any custom tint your heart desires. The paint comes in two sizes: 1 liter (covers about 134 square feet) and 2.5 liters (which is about half a gallon and covers about 335 square feet). If you prefer less sheen, the paint is also available in flat and matte finishes as well. Be aware that you can’t use any old primer with this paint—it will only adhere with a primer from the same brand.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time and re-coat time | Color Selection: 10,000 | Sheens: Satin, flat, matte | Coverage: 400 square feet per 2.5 liters | Recommended Surface: Plaster, wallboard, wood, metal, plastic
Best Fast Drying
Valspar Express Coat Interior Paint
LOWE'S
- You can use the paint as a primer for its base coat if the starting surface is a similar color.
You can use the paint as a primer for its base coat if the starting surface is a similar color.
- It doesn’t contain stain blockers, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas.
It doesn’t contain stain blockers, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas.
While there are hacks to make paint dry faster, you can buy a fast-drying formula to speed things up. The Valspar Express Coat is one of the best interior paints because it typically dries within 30 minutes to 60 minutes. A quick-drying paint like this is pretty handy if you’re painting walls and trims in rental properties. It’s also a great option for touch-ups and spot-painting jobs.
The paint also doubles as a primer if the surface is a similar color. However, if the area is badly stained, the brand recommends you apply a stain-blocking primer, as the paint contains no stain-blockers. For this reason, we don’t think it’s the paint you want in high-traffic areas like hallways or a kids’ bedroom.
Recoating time is longer than the initial dry time; expect to wait about two to four hours before you can add a top coat. It comes in three sheens—flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss— and in one-gallon and five-gallon sizes. The formula is not that thick, so you might want to avoid painting trims with it.
Product Details: Dry Time: 30 to 60 minute dry time, 2 to 4 hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,764 | Recommended Surface: Concrete, drywall, metal, plaster, wood
Best Single-Coat
Glidden Diamond Interior Paint
THE HOME DEPOT
- It’s an easily scrubbable paint that’s mildew-resistant, plus it covers dirt marks and stains.
It’s an easily scrubbable paint that’s mildew-resistant, plus it covers dirt marks and stains.
- Even though it offers one-coat coverage, you might need multiple coats for some surfaces.
Even though it offers one-coat coverage, you might need multiple coats for some surfaces.
Glidden Premium Interior Paint is the best paint to buy when you want to apply a single coat. Available in 1,200 colors, the paint offers one-coat coverage for any room in your home, and at a reasonable price. It’s mildew-resistant and designed to hide stains, so you naturally use less. Plus, it contains an advanced leveling formula which makes paint smoother to brush on surfaces. Because it’s scrubbable, you can easily wipe dirt marks and stains off walls and trims without damaging the paint or causing fading.
The paint is zero-VOC and doesn’t emit harmful chemicals which is especially beneficial if you have asthma or allergies. It also means that the paint does not have a strong odor. However, if you add color tints, expect the VOC levels to increase. It comes in flat/matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss sheens, which is good for walls, trims, and cabinetry.
Keep in mind that for some surfaces, you might have to apply more than one coat to get proper coverage. Also, in order to successfully paint cabinetry with one coat, it’s important to sand surfaces down first if they are high-gloss.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 4 hours re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,200 | Sheens: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet | Recommended Surface: Concrete, masonry, drywall, ferrous metal, plaster, wood
Best Self-Priming
Sherwin Williams Cashmere Paint
SHERWIN WILLIAMS
- The paint has a self-leveling formula that makes it easy to achieve a smooth finish without brush or roller marks.
The paint has a self-leveling formula that makes it easy to achieve a smooth finish without brush or roller marks.
- It’s only available at Sherwin-Williams.
It’s only available at Sherwin-Williams.
There are many advantages to using an all-in-one paint with a primer already in the formula, the main one being that it’s a huge time saver. But Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Paint has several other benefits. It offers a buttery-rich finish plus a self-leveling formula that evens out the surface, so you don’t have to stress about leaving behind brush strokes and roller marks. Plus, it’s scrubbable, which means that you can wipe it down without risking damage.
The Sherwin-Williams color catalog offers over 1,700 colors to choose from, giving you plenty of choices to set the mood of your room. The paint comes in five finishes: flat, low-luster, eggshell, pearl, and medium luster. Pearl is the equivalent of a standard semi-gloss paint, while medium luster is its high-gloss option. It’s also low-VOC, so you don’t have to worry too much about fumes and odors.
Within one hour, the paint will be dry to the touch (but the dry time can vary depending on temperature and humidity). Overall, if you’re looking for easy application and a gorgeous finish, it’s the best pick for DIY home renovation projects. Just keep in mind that you can only buy it from the Sherwin-Williams website or store.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Selection: 1,700+ | Sheens: Flat, low-luster, eggshell, pearl, medium luster | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Plaster, wood, masonry, drywall, block
Best for High Traffic Areas
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Scuff-X
MIRAMAR PAINT CENTER
- It’s a scuff-resistant formula that helps deflect stains and marks in high-traffic areas.
It’s a scuff-resistant formula that helps deflect stains and marks in high-traffic areas.
- It has a longer dry time than some options.
It has a longer dry time than some options.
No need to obsess about grubby fingers or muddy paws making imprints on your walls—the Benjamin Moore Scuff X paint can hide it all. While it’s primarily designed for commercial areas like offices and fitting rooms, you can also use it to paint walls and trims in residences. Its standout feature is a scuff-resistant formula that makes it difficult for unsightly marks and dirt to gain purchase.
It's our top interior pick for high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. The paint comes in satin, semi-gloss, eggshell, and matte finishes, which tend to be stain-resistant in varying degrees (satin has the highest stain resistance, while matte is on the lower end). And it’s spatter-resistant, so it’s less messy to apply.
The latex paint can withstand repeated washings if you are tackling tough stains. The paint has a 48.4 VOC level, making it low VOC (but not the lowest on this list) and low-odor. It’s also moisture and mold resistant, which comes in handy if you plan on painting rooms that tend to get humid like a bathroom or basement. Overall, the paint provides industrial-level coverage for your home. One thing we will note is that the dry time, two to three hours, is a bit longer than with some other options.
Product Details: Dry Time: 2 to 3 hours | Color Selection: 3,500 | Sheens: Satin, semi-gloss, eggshell, matte | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Drywall, plaster, wood, metal, wallpaper
Best For Kitchens
Behr Dynasty Stain Blocking Paint and Primer
THE HOME DEPOT
- It features a stain-resistant and scuff-resistant formula.
It features a stain-resistant and scuff-resistant formula.
- You might have to apply multiple coats depending on the surface and color.
You might have to apply multiple coats depending on the surface and color.
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward making a kitchen look polished and inviting. Behr Dynasty is the best option for the kitchen because it’s washable, stain-repellent, and scuff-resistant. The formula is able to disguise old stains and prevent new ones from settling. It’s also a good paint to apply to kitchen cabinets and drawers—areas that tend to get splattered by food and liquid dripping from the countertops.
Although the paint is a one-coat formula with primer included, you still may end up needing to add a topcoat anyway, especially if you’re painting over a different color. Certain types of wood, such as redwood or cedar, may also require more coats of primer and/or paint. Additionally, the paint is anti-microbial and mildew resistant (which is always a plus in a steamy kitchen). It’s also low-VOC and Greenguard certified, so it's better for you and the environment.
The paint dries to the touch in one hour, and you can apply a topcoat in two hours. Available in eight-ounce, one-quart, one-gallon, and five-gallon sizes. It won’t leave any stickiness behind, which makes it a nice option for drawers and other high-touch surfaces. Just make sure glossy surfaces are sanded and completely dry before painting.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 2 hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Brick, composite, vinyl, concrete, stone, drywall, metal, plastic, wood
Best for Bathrooms
Rust-Oleum Studio Color Interior Wall Paint
WALMART
- It allows you to get the moisture-proof and mildew resistant benefits of glossier finishes in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss.
It allows you to get the moisture-proof and mildew resistant benefits of glossier finishes in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss.
- The color range is very limited compared to other picks.
The color range is very limited compared to other picks.
Our top bathroom paint pick is the Rust-Oleum Studio Color Interior Wall Paint. Like our top pick for the kitchen, it features a moisture and mildew-resistant formula that’s beneficial for more humid areas of your home, which the bathroom tends to be. In general, satin or glossy can prevent mildew from forming, but the paint’s formula allows you to get the same benefits with a flat sheen.
The paint line comes already premixed and has a limited color range (mostly light colors and pastels). Compared to other premium paints where there are thousands of options to choose from, the Rust-Oleum paint only has 14. Custom colors are also not available. There are also only three finishes—flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss.
In addition to bathrooms, you can paint other parts of the house with this formula, including bedroom, dining room, and kitchen walls. You can also use it on doors and trim. It’s available in one-gallon and two-gallon sizes.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Section: 14 | Sheens: Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss | Coverage: Not listed | Recommended Surface: Drywall, masonry, wood
Best Stain-Resistant
Behr Marquee Designer Collection Interior Paint and Primer
THE HOME DEPOT
- It’s specially designed to cover stains in high-traffic areas.
It’s specially designed to cover stains in high-traffic areas.
- It has low chemical emissions and is Greenguard Gold certified.
It has low chemical emissions and is Greenguard Gold certified.
From paw prints to grubby fingerprints, it seems like there are a million things that get in the way of pristine walls. That’s why using a stain-resistant option like Behr Marquee is essential when painting high-traffic areas in your home such as living rooms, kids' bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. It’s also an especially good option for kitchen cabinets, trims, and interior furniture, all of which tend to accumulate stains over time.
The formula is stain-blocking and designed to retain the paint's shine while repelling dirt and scuff marks. It's an all-in-one paint with a primer, giving you one-coat coverage in over 1000 colors. However, if the surface you’re painting over is heavily stained, we suggest adding a top coat for best results. One gallon covers about 400 square feet.
It’s acrylic-based, so it's quick drying—within an hour for one coat, two hours if you need to recoat. But if temperatures are cooler, expect longer dry times. The paint is Greenguard Gold certified which means it has low chemical emissions, and comes in flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss enamel sheens.
Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Section: 1,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, high gloss enamel | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Brick, drywall, masonry, plaster, stucco, vinyl, wood