The best interior wall paints offer a balance of exceptional coverage, scrubbability, and long-lasting finish. Industry experts and independent reviews consistently rank Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Behr as the top brands, each catering to different budgets and project scopes.
Both paint brands are excellent, but they excel in different areas: Sherwin-Williams is generally favored by professionals for its durability, smooth application, and longevity, while Behr is the top choice for DIYers due to its budget-friendly price and convenient availability at The Home Depot.
For interior walls, the best overall choice is Benjamin Moore Regal Select, widely praised for its exceptional coverage, washability, and smooth finish. For a more accessible or budget-friendly option, BEHR Premium Plus provides excellent stain resistance and zero-VOC coverage for various room types.
Professional painters predominantly use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. Contractors rely on these brands for their superior coverage, durability, workability, and extensive professional-grade product lines. They typically purchase directly from local trade stores rather than retail centers.
Yes, Sherwin-Williams is generally considered on par with Benjamin Moore, and both are top-tier, premium paint brands. While professional opinions vary, Sherwin-Williams is often favored for its application and frequent sales, whereas Benjamin Moore is praised for superior color depth and long-term durability.
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.
Painters prefer Sherwin-Williams because of its superior coverage, high durability, and excellent color consistency, which allows for seamless touch-ups over the years. Professionals rely on their dedicated commercial stores, lucrative contractor loyalty programs, and vast array of specialized primers and formulas.
There is no single "number one" paint brand, as the top pick depends on whether you prioritize professional quality, overall sales, or ease of purchase. The three leading brands in the US excel in different categories:
Hiring a professional to paint a 12x12 room typically costs between $400 and $950 for labor and materials. This generally covers two coats of paint on the walls and standard surface preparation.
Both Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel are premium choices, but they excel in different areas. Advance is an alkyd-hybrid known for a softer, furniture-like finish and incredible self-leveling, though it has long dry times. Emerald Urethane dries faster, resists yellowing, and offers higher durability against chemicals.
Interior house paints are either latex- or oil/alkyd-based. Today, most oil-based paints are made with synthetic resins (alkyds), which makes them the best type of paint for interior walls when compared to paints based comprised on natural oils.
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.
Wash the walls thoroughly with sugar soap and rinse them with clean water to remove any residue. Then give them a good check over for cracks or holes before painting. Preparing cracked walls for painting can be tricky.
Sherwin-Williams is generally better for premium quality, superior coverage, and expert advice. Home Depot is better for affordability, convenience, and large project bundles.
The hardest colors to paint over are red, black, and deep, dark blues or greens. Because of their strong, saturated pigments, these colors easily bleed through lighter topcoats. Attempting to cover them without proper preparation often results in streaks and requires many frustrating, time-consuming coats of paint.
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.
The best time to paint is generally spring and early fall. During these seasons, temperatures and humidity levels are moderate, allowing paint to adhere and dry properly. However, the ideal timing depends largely on whether you are painting inside or outside.
No, $25 an hour is not expensive for painting; in fact, it is on the very low end of the spectrum for professional services. Labor typically makes up 70% to 90% of a project's total cost.
Yes, you can absolutely paint over old paint without stripping the walls. However, success depends on proper preparation: clean the walls, patch any holes, sand glossy surfaces, and use a high-quality primer if you are switching from oil to latex or making a drastic color change.
The top-rated paint brands for residential interiors and exteriors are Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, PPG, and Valspar. These industry leaders are widely favored by both professionals and DIYers for their durability, superior coverage, scuff resistance, and color accuracy.
Premium quality paints are defined by higher concentrations of high-grade prime pigments and superior binders (like 100% acrylic). This formulation results in smoother application, fewer brushstrokes, excellent coverage that hides previous colors in fewer coats, and superior durability against scuffs, stains, and fading.
Behr holds the title as the most trusted paint brand in America, according to the Lifestory Research America's Most Trusted Paint Brand Study. For painters and homeowners looking for other top-tier options, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are highly rated for premium quality, coverage, and professional use.
Yes, certain paint lines at Lowe’s—such as the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams and Valspar brands—are manufactured by The Sherwin-Williams Company. However, they are formulated differently and are not the exact same products you buy at dedicated Sherwin-Williams retail stores.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
To get a discount on Sherwin-Williams paint, join their PaintPerks program for a $10 coupon, shop during major holiday sales for 30% to 40% off, or register a free PRO+ account if you have a business.