Does Lowe’s Sell Behr Paint in 2026? (Try These Top-Rated Alternatives Instead)
If you’re a dedicated do-it-yourselfer gearing up for a big home painting project, you may be wondering: “Does Lowe’s sell Behr paint?”
The short answer is no. Here in 2024, Lowe’s still does not carry Behr paints.
I know how popular Behr paint is—so why doesn’t Lowe’s sell it? And what are some comparable alternatives you can shop at Lowe’s instead?
As a former paint specialist at Lowe’s, I’ve helped hundreds of customers find the perfect paint for their project when Behr wasn’t an option.
In this detailed guide, I’ll explain:
- Why you won’t find Behr paint at Lowe’s
- Which major retailers do sell Behr
- All the top-quality paint brands Lowe’s offers instead
- How Lowe’s paint compares to Behr for quality, features, and price
- Expert tips for choosing the best Behr paint alternative at Lowe‘s
Let’s start by looking at why Behr paint hasn’t made it onto Lowe’s shelves.
Why Doesn‘t Lowe‘s Sell Behr Paint?
As you probably know, Lowe’s and Home Depot are bitter rivals in the home improvement market. They’re constantly competing for customers and racing to offer the best products.
Behr paint has been the signature in-house brand at Home Depot since 1978. So naturally, Home Depot isn’t going to share its star paint line with arch-competitor Lowe’s!
Let’s look at some key stats that illustrate the fierce competition between these two retail giants:
- Home Depot’s total sales were $108 billion in 2020, compared to Lowe’s at $89 billion
- Lowe’s operates 1,974 U.S. stores, while Home Depot has 2,298 locations
- Each company has ~40% market share of home improvement sales
As you can see, they’re neck-and-neck. Home Depot struts Behr paint as one of its prime advantages over Lowe’s. And there’s no indication that the retailer plans to authorize Lowe’s to sell Behr anytime soon.
Which National Retailers Actually Sell Behr Paint?
The only place you can reliably buy Behr paint across the U.S. is at Home Depot.
Occasionally small independent hardware stores may sell Behr. But for most DIYers, Home Depot is the go-to destination for picking up Behr paint.
Some key facts about Behr paint’s relationship with Home Depot:
- Behr paint is available at all 2,298 Home Depot locations in the U.S.
- Home Depot has sold Behr paint exclusively for over 40 years
- 20% of Home Depot’s annual paint revenue comes from Behr sales
So while Lowe’s may not offer Behr, one trip to Home Depot will give you access to the complete Behr product lineup.
Lowe’s Top Paint Brands as Alternatives to Behr
Just because you can’t get Behr doesn’t mean Lowe’s doesn’t have amazing paint options! Here are some of the top Lowe’s paint brands that can beautifully cover your walls:
Valspar: Long-lasting paint known for uniform finishes and rich colors. Valspar offers many lines similar to Behr.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Only sold at Lowe’s, provides Behr-quality at budget prices.
Kilz: Specializes in top-performing primers ideal for problem surfaces.
Rust-Oleum: Leader in specialty coatings like wood & deck stains, floor paints.
Thompson’s WaterSeal: Trusted for waterproofing paints and outdoor stains.
Lowe’s has cultivated exclusive partnerships with brands like HGTV and Kilz to stand out from Home Depot. Let’s compare these paints to Behr.
How Does Lowe‘s Paint Compare to Behr Paint?
While Behr isn’t sold at Lowe’s, some of their alternative paint brands offer exceptional performance and quality on par with Behr.
Valspar vs. Behr
Valspar is considered Lowe’s flagship paint brand to compete with Behr. Let‘s see how they stack up:
| Paint Feature | Valspar | Behr |
|---|---|---|
| Hide | Excellent | Excellent |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sheen consistency | Excellent | Excellent |
| Texture/consistency | Slightly thinner | Slightly thicker |
| Price per gallon | $25-$60 | $25-$70 |
Overall, Valspar gives a comparable finish to Behr across sheen options like flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss. It performs well for coverage and durability. The main difference is Valspar applies more smoothly thanks to a thinner consistency.
“Valspar’s silicone-enhanced paints flow and level better than Behr for a pro-quality finish,” says Maria, owner of Blue Paintbrush Painting Company.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams vs. Behr
This affordably-priced Lowe’s paint line delivers excellent quality rivaling Behr.
“In my experience, HGTV Home paint covers and hides as well as Behr for most projects,” shares Chris, an interior painter for over 15 years. “It provides reliable results for all painting needs at a lower cost than Behr.”
While not marketed as a top-tier paint, HGTV Home punches above its weight class when tested against Behr. If you want Behr-caliber paint for less, it’s a great option exclusive to Lowe’s.
Kilz Primers vs. Behr Primers
Kilz primers available at Lowe’s are considered leaders in the industry—often outperforming Behr products.
In my experience, Kilz bonding primers like Kilz Max provide unbeatable adhesion on slick surfaces where Behr primers struggle. For covering dark colors or damaged walls in one coat, Kilz Complete Primer also exceeds Behr’s performance.
While Behr offers decent primers, the Kilz brand at Lowe’s is hard to beat for flawless foundation coverage.
Lowe’s vs. Behr Paint Prices: Which Is Cheaper?
How do the costs of Lowe’s paint brands stack up against Behr products? Here’s an overview:
- Lowe’s: Interior paint starting at $10/gallon for budget lines, $20-$60 for premium Valspar and HGTV Home (based on sheen and quality tier)
- Behr: Interior paint ranging $17-$40+/gallon depending on sheen, premium status, custom colors
On average, comparable Valspar and HGTV Home paints cost $5-$15 less per gallon than similar Behr products. While pricing fluctuates, you’ll generally spend less at Lowe’s for paint meeting Behr performance.
Tips for Choosing the Best Lowe’s Paint
Here are my pro tips for selecting a top-notch Lowe’s paint brand as an alternative for your Behr needs:
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Consider Valspar Reserve or HGTV Home for best Behr substitute: For paint closest to Behr quality, try these premium lines.
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Use Kilz for problem primer/sealer tasks: Kilz outperforms Behr for adhesion and stain-blocking.
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Get help matching sheens: Ask staff to ensure you get the right sheen for your room’s lighting.
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Check consumer reviews: Sites like Consumer Reports let you compare real feedback on paint options.
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Buy during sales or with coupons: Sign up for Lowe’s email list to get the best deals on paint.
No matter what paint project you’re taking on, Lowe’s has the products you need to get professional-looking results without having to hunt down Behr. With the right prep work and application technique, Lowe’s paints will exceed your expectations and save you money compared to Behr.
The Bottom Line
While Behr paints aren’t stocked at Lowe’s due to the retailer‘s long-standing rivalry with Home Depot, you have plenty of excellent Behr alternatives to choose from at Lowe’s.
Top-rated Lowe’s brands like Valspar and HGTV Home offer performance and quality on par with Behr for less cost. And specialized products from Kilz surpass Behr when it comes to primers and sealers.
So next time your painting plans call for Behr, resist the temptation to visit Home Depot. Instead, head to Lowe’s to discover how their lineup of paints can provide beautiful, long-lasting results for your walls and ceilings.
With a little guidance from thepaint experts there, you’re sure to find the perfect Behr substitute to make your paint project a success.