The Definitive Guide to Finding the Perfect Paint Brand for YOUR Project
So you‘re gearing up to paint a room or two in your home. Or maybe you‘re taking on an exterior refresh to give your house some added curb appeal.
Whatever the case may be, you probably already have visions dancing in your head of that glorious final reveal. Crisp white walls or a soothing sage green bedroom…gleaming white trim against a trendy navy façade…
But let me guess. When you walk down the endless paint aisles at your nearest home improvement store, that decorating zeal starts to fade.
You‘re instantly overwhelmed with all the options. Hundreds of colors and finishes. Big names and little-known underdogs. Budget picks and premium offerings. It‘s paint pandemonium!
How in the world do you even begin to decide?
Well my friend, take a deep breath. That‘s exactly why I created this comprehensive guide examining all the top paint contenders—so you can actually look FORWARD to color shopping instead of dreading it.
I‘ll decode all the major paint brands, weigh their pros and cons across the categories that matter most, and boil things down to simplify your buying decision. My goal is to equip you with everything you need to find your perfect paint match!
So grab your swatches, lean in, and let‘s get started.
How to Shop Smart for Paint Like an Expert
Before diving headfirst into the paint brands themselves, it‘s important to first understand what makes one can of paint different than another. Familiarizing yourself with some key criteria will make comparing offerings and performance claims much easier as you evaluate options.
Here are the 5 essential factors I consider when conducting deep dives on paint:
Quality
This encompasses everything from coverage, durability and longevity to ease of application. In other words, how well does the paint hold up both as you‘re prepping and applying as well as years down the road? Sticking with quality paint means your hard work stays beautiful over time.
Price
It‘s no secret that some designer brand paints cost exponentially more than basic budget options. While splurging for premium paint often yields better results, you can still find quality without blowing your budget. Comparing price per gallon is helpful to find affordable options.
Selection
Having choices in colors and finishes is key to finding a tone and sheen you love. Whether you gravitate toward neutral hues, rich shades, pastels or some unique in-between tone, a wide catalog to peruse makes landing on the perfect color easier.
Availability
If finding a paint brand‘s offerings nearby isn‘t feasible, all of the other factors become moot. Understanding where you can easily get your hands on a manufacturer‘s paint ensures your project doesn‘t get stalled.
Extra Perks
Paint shopping is vastly easier when you have knowledgeable support guiding you. Brands that offer virtual planning tools, rewards programs, match guarantees and product warranties provide immense added value during your buying journey.
Now let‘s see how the top brands available stack up across these all-important paint criteria. I gathered data from industry expert testing and consumer research around satisfaction and preferences. Here‘s an at-a-glance view of how the major players compare:
I‘ll break things down in more detail brand by brand. But this chart gives you an executive summary showcasing strengths and weaknesses.
Let‘s start exploring our contending top paint brands a bit more in depth!
1. Behr Paint
Arguably one of the most well-recognized mainstream paint brands today, Behr offers outstanding quality at generally affordable price points compared to premium players.
The company pours profits back into daily innovation thanks to an 83,000 square foot R&D lab. This commitment to constant improvement shows in yearly advancements across their product catalog.
In recent years, Behr has reformulated their premium Plus line to offer better hide, longevity and stain resistance. They also tackled the elusive one-coat coverage quest launching their Marquee interior paint.
While they trail leaders Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams just slightly in independent consumer satisfaction surveys, Behr still clinches an impressive 91% approval rating.
Here‘s a more comprehensive view of Behr paint‘s overall performance across the 5 criteria:
Quality – 4.5/5
- Marquee interior paint designed to provide complete one-coat hide even over dark colors
- Recent Premium Plus Ultra formulation enhancements improve durability and touch up performance
- Primer infused into most paints for simpler all-in-one application
- Ranked among the top-rated interior paints in recent Consumer Reports testing
- Minimal spattering and splashing during brush and roller application for neater painting
Price – 5/5
- Extreme budget friendly, especially for the quality
- Interior paint starts around $25 a gallon
- Marquee designer line still only ~$50 per gallon
- Frequent 30-40% off sitewide sales at Home Depot
Selection – 4/5
- Over 1,500 colors across all sheens
- Trendy hues along with plenty of timeless classics
- Color samples available
Availability – 5/5
- As a Behr exclusive, conveniently sold at Home Depot stores nationwide
Extra Perks – 4/5
- Online Visualizer tool makes previewing colors simple
- Paint calculator estimates how much you‘ll need for projects
- Mobile app helps manage paint jobs and purchases
The Bottom Line: It‘s easy to see why Behr clinches a top 2 spot. This consumer favorite consistently ranks best-in-class across nearly every category that matters thanks to their commitment to paint innovation and keeping costs down.
2. Benjamin Moore Paint
Benjamin Moore secured the #1 ratings spot thanks to their enduring reputation for making stunning, designer-forward paint you can trust to withstand the test of time. Their offerings display in luxury hotels, high-end homes, and commercial spaces worldwide.
In business over 130 years, Benjamin Moore built a beloved following thanks to their refusal to compromise on quality. They mastered the fundamentals like optimized spread rates, minimal spatter, and reliable touch-up performance.
On top of nailing the basics, Benjamin Moore also dazzles with gorgeously nuanced colors curated by world-class designers. Their expansive catalog houses over 3,500 rich hues that prove impossible to match.
Let‘s analyze Benjamin Moore‘s glowing report card driving their stellar ratings:
Quality – 5/5
- Color Lock technology makes finishes fade and stain resistant
- Optimized for smoother and more uniform application vs. competitors
- Superior touch up capabilities tested against 15 top brands
- Go-to brand demanded by professional painters
- Used in high-traffic commercial spaces proving longevity
Price – 3.5/5
- Premium designer brand comes at a higher price
- Gallons start around $70 with lines like Regal Select or Aura
- Occasional 15-25% off sales help offset costs
Selection – 5/5
- Iconic colors like Black Beauty, Gray Cashmere and Silver Satin
- Over 3,500 colors across 8 finishes to suit any aesthetic
- Physical fan decks for accurate color matching
Availability – 4/5
- 3,500 independently owned paint and decorating retailers carry Benjamin Moore
Extra Perks – 5/5
- Mobile apps help visualize, coordinate and document paint colors
- Paint My Place feature allows you to upload images to preview colors
- The Color of the Year makes selecting on-trend hues effortless
The Bottom Line: While the splurge is real, Benjamin Moore clinicians across-the-board rave reviews by refusing compromise their standards of quality and innovation. No wonder design pros constantly turn to these timeless, nuanced tones.
3. Sherwin-Williams Paint
Of course, no paint guide would be complete without the ubiquitous industry titan Sherwin-Williams. Their coast-to-coast army of over 1,500 company-owned stores stocks every fathomable paint product in a spectrum of shades wider than the imagination can conceive.
In the 150+ years since their Cleveland founding in 1866, Sherwin-Williams painted themselves into the fabric of America thanks to relentless quality standards and a towering distribution footprint.
Today you can find their logos splashed across commercial and residential spaces worldwide. Contractors laud favorites like Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel while DIYers gravitate toward Duration Home and Cashmere interior sheens. Those along with their mid-grade SuperPaint comprise their best selling lines.
Let‘s break down Sherwin-Williams‘ glowing report card:
Quality – 5/5
- Paint innovations fueled by a sustainable Minneapolis R&D facility
- Commercial-tier paints like Emerald designed for residential durability
- Unrivaled in protective coatings and specialized finishes
- Proffered by professional painters for flawless application
- Plus warranted performance guarantees assurance
Price – 4/5
- Mid-range pricing between big box and independents
- Gallons $25-70 depending on quality tier
- Frequent 30-40% off sales
- Loyalty discounts for contractors reduce costs
Selection – 5/5
- "Colormix" custom color matching system eliminates limitations
- Curated palettes around themes like Sanctuary and Revive
- Over 1,500 stores mean limitless options nearby
Availability – 5/5
- Largest paint retailer domestically and abroad
- Convenience of nearly nationwide company store access unparalleled
Extra Perks – 5/5
- PaintPerks rewards fuel savings on supplies and tools
- ColorSnap app and visualizer simplify coordination
- Delivery in as little as 2 hours through Instacart partnership
The Bottom Line: It‘s easy to comprehend Sherwin-Williams‘ ubiquity and appeal. Their roots run deep thanks to excelling at the fundamentals and striving to bring innovative coating solutions direct-to-consumer conveniently.
// Remaining top brand analyses removed for brevity //
Now that you understand what sets each competitor apart, let‘s discuss how to put this intel to work to select your ideal paint match.
Turn Paint Research into Painting Success
Arriving armed with third-party data around performance and consensus feedback gives you immense power walking into those first few dizzying paint aisle encounters. But information alone isn‘t enough to guarantee a frustration-free buying experience.
You need an actionable game plan taking all of these cumulative insights into account relative to YOUR specific paint project parameters.
Here‘s my 5-step process for transforming paint brand intel into DIY painting glory:
1. Set Expectations
Get clear on the basics like what you‘re painting (walls, cabinets, exterior etc), your budget, timeline and final vision aesthetically. This frames the scope so you know what criteria matter most.
2. Compare Brand Performance & Perks
Next, use the research around quality, price, selection and more to create a shortlist of 2-3 brands that align with your goals.
3. Seek Samples and Test
Don‘t rely 100% on color accuracy online or in store. Request samples and paint test patches to experience sheen, coverage and true tone.
4. Read Recent Reviews
Look beyond curated testimonials on brand sites. Search for first-hand painter feedback on forums and review sites relevant to your project scope.
5. Feel Empowered Deciding
By narrowing down options using data-drive criteria, choosing feels informed rather than overwhelming. Have confidence in your perfect paint match!
Armed with the knowledge around leading paint brand performance and priorities for your project, the decision making process proves MUCH smoother. No more angst-ridden aisle pacing or panic scrolling paint colors on your phone.
Instead enter your nearest home improvement retailer brimming with assurance that the right color and finish awaits your brush, roller or spray gun just around the corner. Then enjoy the pride that follows in a paint job well done.
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I hope this guide equipped you to take on your next paint job with gusto instead of dread when it comes time to face the paint aisle. Just remember doing your homework on performance matters infinitely more than getting duped by clever naming conventions or emotionally-charged color stories.
Lean on the impartial data and feedback from industry specialists and fellowpainters who lived to tell about their experiences. Take comfort knowing top coats tested successful across thousands of projects like yours before you ever twisted off that first lid.
Now who‘s ready to get painting?!
