The best paint brands on the market are Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, known for pro-grade durability and rich color fidelity, respectively. For convenient, budget-friendly DIY options, Behr (available at The Home Depot) is a top-tier performer.
Benjamin Moore
As the number one pick in The 15 Best Paint Brands Of 2026, this fan deck stands out for its user-friendly design and comprehensive color selection that caters to diverse preferences. Homeowners will appreciate Benjamin Moore's FAN DECK as an invaluable tool for visualizing and selecting paint colors.
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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.
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.
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.
Behr offers a balanced, affordable option for DIYers, while PPG Paints provides solid solutions at a mid-range price. Ultimately, selecting the right brand ensures a beautiful, long-lasting finish for your project.
The biggest difference between Benjamin Moore vs Behr comes down to performance and price. Benjamin Moore paints are known for their rich pigmentation, smoother application, and superior coverage, which means you can often get away with fewer coats.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The biggest paint companies in the world include Sherwin-Williams, PPG Industries, AkzoNobel, Nippon Paint, RPM International, Axalta, BASF, Asian Paints, Kansai Paint, and Jotun.
Read more as we break down the top brands and explore additional resources for timeless color palettes and the best white paints.
Neither brand is universally "better," but rather they excel in different areas based on your project needs and location. Sherwin-Williams is superior for nationwide availability, color variety, and humid climates. Dunn-Edwards is often preferred in the Southwestern U.S. for its superior fade resistance under intense sun and high-quality exterior durability.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Benjamin Moore does not sell its products at large chain home improvement retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart or Target. We have a longstanding commitment to sell our paint and stains exclusively at paint, decorating and hardware retailers in the U.S., Canada and globally.
Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot (which primarily sells Behr paint) cater to different needs. Sherwin-Williams offers premium, professional-grade finishes with exceptional coverage and expert support. Home Depot’s Behr brand is heavily favored by DIYers for its budget-friendliness, wide color selection, and easy one-coat coverage options.
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.
The best interior paint depends on your priorities, but Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams consistently rank as the top choices for both professionals and interior designers. For DIYers seeking excellent value, Behr is a highly rated and accessible alternative.