Home Depot is generally the best place for budget-conscious DIYers and convenient one-stop shopping. However, if you are looking for maximum coverage, durability, or professional-grade advice, dedicated retailers like Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore are often preferred.
Choosing between Lowe’s and Home Depot paint largely comes down to your preferred brand and the specific formulation you need. Lowe’s is the home of Valspar and lines by Sherwin-Williams, while Home Depot is the exclusive retailer for Behr and Glidden.
Home Depot offers a range of high-quality paints, but in my professional opinion, the two best premium options are: Behr Dynasty. Pittsburgh UltraLast.
Whether you should buy paint from Sherwin-Williams or Home Depot depends on your budget, experience level, and project scale.
To get 20% off paint at Home Depot, sign up for the free Pro Xtra Loyalty Program. While entry-level members start at 10% off after $1,000 in paint purchases, you automatically hit the 20% discount tier once you spend $6,500 on paint, stains, and primers.
The "7-minute rule" at Home Depot refers to the attendance grace period, which dictates that you can clock in up to 7 minutes after your scheduled start time without being marked tardy. If you clock in at the 8-minute mark or later, you will receive an attendance occurrence (or half-point penalty).
Paint most frequently goes on sale during the spring and summer months, with the best discounts generally aligning with three-day holiday weekends like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
Neither Lowe’s nor Home Depot is consistently cheaper across all categories. They have similar pricing overall, but specific items often vary in price. To secure the lowest price, check both options, as one store's item A may be cheaper than the other's, and vice versa.
Behr is highly competitive and offers better value for budget-conscious DIYers, while Sherwin-Williams is the gold standard for professionals due to its superior durability, smoother workability, and better long-term coverage. Both brands produce top-tier paints, but they cater to slightly different needs.
Home Depot does not sell direct equivalents of Sherwin-Williams paints, as the formulations and colorant systems are brand-specific. Instead, you can achieve identical colors using The Home Depot's Paint Department color-matching services, or opt for Behr's premium lines, which are direct quality competitors to Sherwin-Williams.
Home Depot is generally favored over Lowe's by contractors and heavy DIYers due to its industrial-style store layouts, superior bulk building materials, and robust inventory of professional-grade tools.
When painting contractors seek out quality paint for their jobs, they often choose Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams – two of the best selling brands on the market. Professional painters the world over have used these paints to great success for many years.
Home Depot offers a daily 10% discount to all active-duty military members, veterans, and their spouses. To receive the discount, eligible individuals must first verify their military status through a free Home Depot Account.
Home Depot’s highest-rated and best-selling paint lines are Behr Dynasty for maximum coverage and Behr Marquee for durability. For a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality, Behr Premium Plus and Glidden Premium provide reliable, smooth finishes.
Home Depot’s undisputed biggest rival is Lowe's, the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States. While Home Depot commands the lion's share of the market (over 50%) and focuses heavily on professional contractors, Lowe's captures about 28% of the market and primarily targets everyday DIY homeowners.
Neither brand is universally "better," as both depend heavily on the specific paint line you choose and your personal DIY experience. Behr is generally favored for superior coverage and durability in high-traffic areas, while Valspar is preferred for being budget-friendly and offering a smoother application.
The top five paint brands—highly favored by both professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts for their durability, coverage, and color selection—are Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, Valspar, and PPG.
The BEHR® Professional Products & Services Program is committed to meeting the nationwide needs of professional painters, contractors, remodelers, and property owners/managers through high-quality products and services.
Benjamin Moore is the gold standard for rich color depth and professional-grade durability, making it the favorite for designers. Behr is a budget-friendly, highly accessible option sold exclusively at Home Depot, praised by DIYers for its convenience, ease of application, and solid one-coat coverage.
Lowe's and Home Depot have very similar paint prices, but they cater to different project needs.
The most reliable way to get 20% off at Lowe's is by opening a new credit card or taking advantage of specific Pro and moving perks.
At Lowe's, "Code 5" typically refers to an in-store overhead announcement for a manager to come to a specific department or register. Depending on your local store's specific lingo, it can also occasionally mean that a manager override is needed.
To get 20% off paint at Home Depot, sign up for the free Pro Xtra Loyalty Program. You will automatically unlock tiered discounts and Paint Rewards on paints, stains, and primers after hitting specific spending thresholds.
To get better prices at Home Depot, scan item barcodes using the Home Depot mobile app for online-exclusive deals, decode yellow clearance tags, and leverage the "Bid Room" for bulk orders over $1,500. Additionally, you can request price matches against local competitors and check for discounted "oops" paint.
Sherwin-Williams runs their major 40% off paint and stain sales about 4 to 5 times a year. These sales typically last for a weekend or up to a week and are concentrated around the spring, summer, and fall seasons (e.g., April, June, August, and October).