Neither brand is universally "better," as both lead the industry. However, they excel in different areas: Benjamin Moore is generally preferred for its richer colors, superior coverage, and smooth application. Sherwin-Williams is often favored for its accessibility, frequent sales, and expansive product range.
Both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are top-tier paint brands favored by professionals and designers. Benjamin Moore is generally celebrated for superior color depth, clarity, and ease of touch-up. Sherwin-Williams excels in overall durability, ease of application for DIYers, and frequent promotional sales.
Legendary Benjamin Moore Interior Paint provides better coverage, Zero VOCs, and high fade resistance. They stand out from their competition by manufacturing Gennex colorant, a formula that ensures their deepest colors are just as durable and washable as their white paints.
Based on 2026 industry ratings, Benjamin Moore is frequently ranked the highest overall for quality, durability, and color, with their Aura line often cited as best-in-class. Sherwin-Williams (especially Emerald) is a top competitor often ranked #1 for consumer satisfaction, while Behr (at The Home Depot) is highly rated for performance and value.
Commercial painting contractors generally purchase Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paints in 2-gallon cans, which brings cost savings to clients. Each brand charges roughly the same amount for their paint, including their top-quality premium paint.
1. Behr. Behr is a favorite among DIY homeowners due to its availability at Home Depot and its reliable performance. Behr's Premium Plus and Marquee lines are praised for their strong coverage and reasonable price point.
The most popular interior paint colors are soft, warm whites (like Sherwin-Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore White Dove) and cozy warm neutrals like greige and sandy beige. Stark cool grays are currently being replaced by earthy undertones, deep charcoals, and muted sages.
Eggshell is generally better for high-traffic areas (living rooms, hallways) because it is durable and easy to clean, while matte is superior for hiding wall imperfections in lower-traffic rooms (bedrooms, dining rooms) due to its non-reflective, soft finish. Eggshell offers a slight, subtle sheen, whereas matte absorbs light.
Sherwin-Williams is generally considered the better, professional-grade paint due to its superior durability, better coverage, and color consistency. However, Behr is an excellent, more budget-friendly DIY option. Sherwin-Williams is typically sold at standalone stores, while Behr is exclusive to Home Depot.
Benjamin Moore exterior paints are known for their premium finish, excellent color retention, and outstanding durability. These high-grade products are loved by painting contractors and homeowners alike.
With our acquisition in 2000 by Berkshire Hathaway, Benjamin Moore joined a family of companies under the direction of Warren Buffett, which embodies success and is distinguished by sustainable brands that shine through the clutter of competition.
No, the Sherwin-Williams paint sold at Lowe's is not the same quality as the paint sold at physical Sherwin-Williams retail stores. While manufactured by the same company, they feature different chemical formulations and are produced in different “good, better, best” tiers.
Yes, on average, Benjamin Moore paints are slightly more expensive than Sherwin-Williams. However, prices fluctuate based on the specific product lines and the frequent sales events Sherwin-Williams offers.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Benjamin Moore revealed their customers' number one choice is White Dove. According to Arianna Barone, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore, it's regularly topped their best-selling list for years. “White Dove is a go-to for homeowners, contractors and designers alike,” Barone says.
When Would you Not Use Eggshell Paint? It would help if you did not use this finish in high-traffic areas or on constantly touched objects—for example, kitchen cabinets and bathrooms. Instead, you would use a gloss because it's washable and withstands moisture better.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Builders use flat (or matte) paint primarily because its lack of shine hides drywall imperfections, scuffs, and texture flaws. It is also highly forgiving for quick touch-ups without leaving visible overlap or roller marks. This makes it a highly cost-effective and efficient way to deliver a uniform finish.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Gray: Gray has become a popular neutral recently, and for a good reason. It's a sophisticated color that can work with various decor styles. Whether you choose a light or dark gray, it's a timeless color that will never go out of style.
The best interior paint for the money is generally considered to be Behr Premium Plus or Behr Ultra from Home Depot, offering top-tier durability and coverage at a mid-range price point. For a professional-grade balance of cost and performance, Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is highly recommended, often considered better value than higher-end, more expensive lines.
Weather considerations are key to ensure proper paint adhesion and drying. It's important to pay attention to temperature guidelines to avoid any issues. Seasonal painting tips recommend early summer and early fall as ideal times for painting due to favorable weather conditions.
Professional Painter Prices. Most professional painters charge $2 to $6 per square foot of paintable area. Less commonly, they'll charge anywhere from $20 to $50 an hour. In some areas with high costs of living, you might even pay upwards of $100 an hour.
How can you tell if an interior paint job is bad?