The 15 Best Paint Brands for Every Home Project

A painted pink wall in a home setting — Amazon

Painting your walls is a relatively simple way to refresh your space—not to mention an easy home improvement project under $100. Whether you choose the same color or opt for a new hue, a fresh coat can give the room a completely new look and feel.

To determine the best paint brands, we researched both name-brand and direct-to-consumer businesses and considered factors like paint types, certifications, color options, and more. We also tapped Bailey Carson, a home care expert at Angi, to provide a few tips on how to shop for paint—which is just as important as gathering the essential painting tools.

"High-quality paints have a higher percentage of solids, pigments, and resins which increases paint performance," says Carson. "Even though these paints are more expensive, they give more coverage and a better application than cheaper paints. You'll also want to be mindful of paints with high amounts of VOCs for any interior painting since they emit more toxic gasses."

Here are the best paint brands for your next home project.

Backdrop

View On Amazon View On Backdrophome.com

Who it's for: People who want to buy paint supplies in a fun, streamlined way.

Who it isn't for: People who don't want to pay for samples.

Backdrop is a small direct-to-consumer company designed to make paint selection less overwhelming with a straightforward shopping process and curated collection of colors. You can browse through the 69 different colors and shop by hue or schedule a color consultation with someone from the team for a little more hands-on help. You can order 12-by-12-inch adhesive samples for a few dollars to test out at home, and for larger projects, the brand also offers painting services with professional painters. Plus, shipping on paint and supplies (trays, spackle and sandpaper kits, touch-up kits, etc.) is free.

There are four different interior paints (standard, semi-gloss, cabinet and door, and primer) and three exterior paints (standard, semi-gloss, and primer). The reasonably priced acrylic paints are low VOC, and they're even Green Wise and Climate Neutral Certified. Bonus: For every can of paint sold, the company supports families who have been displaced due to conflict and disaster through its partnership with the International Rescue Committee.

Price at time of publish: $69 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, cabinet and door paint, exterior paint and primer | Certifications: Green Wise and Climate Neutral Certified

View On Clare.com

Who it's for: People who want to leverage an interior designer's curation skills without actually hiring an interior designer.

Who it isn't for: People who aren't sure how much paint they'll need.

Clare, a direct-to-consumer company founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons, is ideal for those who want to pick paint without ever stepping out of the house. For anyone who gets overwhelmed with too many choices, this paint brand makes it easier for you. Instead of thousands of options, there's a nicely curated selection of colors with fun names such as Like Buttah, Blue Ivy, Rosé Season, and Avocado Toast, and an online quiz can help narrow down the right hues for you. There are two finishes—eggshell and semi-gloss—and the paints are zero VOC, Greenguard Gold Certified, and formulated with sustainability in mind (the paint containers, trays, liners, and shipping and packaging materials are made from recycled materials).

Once you've found a color or two that you like, you can order peel-and-stick swatches for a small fee to try out before you commit to changing the whole wall. You can also order all the supplies you need, too, including trays, rollers, tape, drop cloths, and an extension pole to get those hard-to-reach spots.

Price at time of publish: from $64 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint, exterior paint, primer | Certifications: Greenguard Gold Certified

Best Paint Brands to Give Your Walls a Refresh

Farrow & Ball

View On Farrow-ball.com

Who it's for: People looking to splurge on something more unique than the standard big paint brands.

Who it isn't for: People on a budget.

Farrow & Ball is a boutique paint company based in England with gorgeously rich color collections—their Yellow India is one of our favorite foolproof yellow paint colors. The Californian Collection is created in partnership with designer Kelly Wearstler, and the Colour by Nature Collection is inspired by the Natural History Museum in London.

The interior and exterior paints are water-based and low-VOC, and there are eight different finishes such as Dead Flat, Modern Emulsion, and Full Gloss. If you live in select major cities, you can even schedule a virtual or in-home color consultancy to help personalize your colors. Prices are on the higher side, but it's a paint brand for anyone who is looking for something beyond mainstream choices.

Price at time of publish: from $115 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint, exterior paint, primer | Certifications: Not listed

View On Ecospaints.net View On Greenbuildingsupply.com

Who it's for: People looking for an environmentally friendly paint brand.

Who it isn't for: People looking for a lot of different finishes.

Ecos has water-based, eco-friendly paints that are zero VOC while still providing great coverage across a variety of surfaces. In addition to wall/ceiling and exterior paints, Ecos also has unique specialty offerings, like air purifying paint that absorbs and neutralizes chemicals and pollutants, and feng shui paint designed for interior wood. You can shop by surface type or paint finish (matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss). Plus, if you have a specific color in mind, Ecos will color match it for free. The brand's best-selling paint is eggshell wall and ceiling paint, which is durable, washable, and has a medium sheen when dry.

Price at time of publish: from $86 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint, exterior paint, primer, stain and varnish, specialty paint | Certifications: Not listed

Sherwin-Williams

View On Sherwin-williams.com

Who it's for: People who want a trusted brand with plenty of options for paint types and colors.

Who it isn't for: People who need help deciding what paint to choose.

You've likely heard of Sherwin-Williams even if you haven't bought any of its paint. The brand has been around since 1866 and has a portfolio of brand and private label products sold all across the country. Whether you need interior or exterior paints, you can choose from a dizzying number of color options (including the latest color of the year) or create your own custom tint. You can order paint samples before committing to entire gallons of paint. Sherwin-Williams also has partnerships with brands like Pottery Barn and West Elm to provide color palettes that match your furniture.

The interior options include Sherwin-Williams Cashmere, which is an acrylic paint and primer combo with great coverage and a silky finish. It has a scrubbable surface so you can keep your walls and surfaces super clean, and it comes in three sheens: flat, pearl, and eggshell. If you're painting a room or area where moisture may be an issue, the Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint not only is resistant to stains and water spots, but it also has antimicrobial agents to help inhibit mold and mildew growth.

Price at time of publish: from $43 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, exterior paint and primers, interior and deck stains | Certifications: Greenguard Gold Certified (select paints)

Benjamin Moore

View On Ace Hardware View On Benjaminmoore.com

Who it's for: People who like to explore and customize paint options and don't mind doing it through an app.

Who it isn't for: People who want to shop from a small business or DTC brand.

Another classic and household name, Benjamin Moore was also started in the 1800s and has over 3,500 colors and products online. Indecisive about what colors to pick? Benjamin Moore has an app for that—you can use it to take photos and find similar colors to ones you see in the wild, as well as visualize paint colors on your walls. This is another brand that releases annual color trends and colors of the year.

You can find exterior and interior paints, including ones formulated for high-humidity rooms (e.g. bathrooms) or doors and cabinetry. The Regal Select Interior Paint is a paint and primer combo that provides uniform coverage, applies smoothly, and has zero VOCs. Depending on your preference, you can go for a flat, matte, eggshell, pearl, or semi-gloss finish.

Price at time of publish: from $48 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint, exterior paint, primer, exterior stain, specialty | Certifications: Master Painters Institute Standards (select paints)

amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kilz.com

Who it's for: People looking for an affordable but design-forward paint.

Who it isn't for: People who don't want two-in-one paint and primer.

Kilz has four different types of paint in its family, including a chalk-style paint that gives surfaces a vintage touch, and a collaboration with interior designer Joanna Gaines for Fixer Upper fans. The paints are sold at Amazon and Walmart, and the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines brand is available at Lowe's. The prices are wallet-friendly, which makes it a little easier to finally start that paint project you've had on your to-list.

A good place to start is the Complete Coat paint, which is both an interior and exterior primer paint. So whether you're looking to paint walls, ceilings, or outdoor shutters, this paint has got you covered. It's 100 percent acrylic and stain- and mildew-resistant. Plus, there are over 700 colors and three sheens (flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss).

Price at time of publish: from $31 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, exterior paint and primer | Certifications: Greenguard Gold Certified (select products)

Behr

View On Behr.com View On Home Depot

Who it's for: People who already do a lot of home renovation projects.

Who it isn't for: People who don't want to shop at Home Depot.

Behr paint is sold exclusively at Home Depot, which makes it easy to pick up a can or two while you're stocking up on supplies for your next home improvement project. The brand has three exterior and four interior paint and primer options. Behr's Premium Plus paint, for example, is stain-resistant and scrub-resistant so it can withstand even the highest-trafficked areas of your home (note you do need to use two coats, but other versions only need one coat of coverage).

The paint is also Greenguard Gold-certified and low-odor so you're not suffering through fumes while painting. For ceiling refreshes, Behr also makes a flat, non-reflective ceiling option. Handy tip: you can also pick up Behr's simple pour lid and spout to help you pour paint without excessive spilling and messes.

Price at time of publish: from $60 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint, exterior paint, primer | Certifications: Greenguard Gold, Master Painters Institute Standards (select paints)

Glidden

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Glidden.com

Who it's for: People looking for affordable, one-coat paint.

Who it isn't for: People looking for a thinner paint.

Glidden makes 100-percent acrylic paints that can be found at Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, and independent retailers around the country. Now owned by PPG, Glidden has over 1,000 colors, interior and exterior paints, and spray paints. There's an online paint visualizer so you can upload your own photo or try different colors in sample rooms, as well as an app that matches Glidden colors to your favorite photos. You can also check out and order swatches of its 10 trending colors for the year.

For interior needs, the brand has a One Coat line that combines paint and primer all in one and requires fewer coats. There's also the Glidden Diamond paint, which is zero VOC, low odor, washable, and stain resistant.

Price at time of publish: from $17 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, exterior paint and primer, exterior stain, spray paint | Certifications: Not listed

Valspar 4000 Eggshell Pastel Tintable Latex Interior Paint

View On Lowe's

Who it's for: People who like to work with experts to personalize their space.

Who it isn't for: People who don't shop at Lowe's.

Valspar is a Sherwin-Williams-owned paint brand carried at Lowe's and independent retailers. It has plenty of interior and exterior paints and primers to choose from. For some guidance, you can use the online visualizer to virtually paint a room (including your own), connect with a color expert for personalized advice, and peruse the colors of the year. We especially appreciate that you can order up to 10 free chips to get delivered to your home.

The Signature Interior Paint + Primer is great for well-loved rooms: It's resistant to scuffs, stains, fading, and mildew, and it has smooth coverage that can go on walls, ceilings, plaster, masonry, and more. Choose between flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss finishes.

Price at time of publish: from $16 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, exterior paint and primer, exterior stains | Certifications: Greenguard Gold Certified (select paints)

Amazon

View On Amazon

Who it's for: People who love shopping on Amazon.

Who it isn't for: People who prefer to see paints in real life before buying them.

An Amazon-exclusive brand, Prestige paint has its own colors but can match major competitors' colors at more affordable prices. If you already have a Sherwin-Williams or Valspar paint color in mind, there's a good chance that Prestige has a matching hue. The only downside is that there's no option to order samples or swatches. The online-only paint brand has seven different finishes: flat, satin, and semi-gloss for exterior paints; and flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss for interior paints. Its products are all-in-one paint-and-primer, and they're washable and low VOC, too.

Price at time of publish: from $33 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior paint and primer, exterior paint and primer | Certifications: Not listed

HomeDepot

View On Home Depot

Who it's for: People looking for a wide range of paint types and colors.

Who it isn't for: People looking for a curated collection of colors.

For professionals and amateurs alike, PPG has no shortage of products (interior, exterior, and industrial paint) and colors (2,000+ options). The brand also has color consultants, a DIY color visualizer, and complimentary color swatches. In addition to ordering paint directly through PPG, you can also shop at Home Depot and independent retailers.

For anyone looking for a low-maintenance, durable paint they don't have to worry about, we recommend PPG UltraLast. It uses automotive and industrial coating technology to make it extra resistant to scuffs, stains, color loss, and gloss changes across all finishes. PPG has an antiviral and antibacterial interior paint that is EPA-registered and uses copper technology to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria within two hours of exposure.

Price at time of publish: from $20 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior, exterior, and industrial paint, stains | Certifications: Greenguard, Master Painters Institute Standards (select paints)

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Diamondbritepaint.com View On Home Depot

Who it's for: People looking for inexpensive interior or exterior paint.

Who it isn't for: People who want to customize their paint colors.

Diamond Brite is an independent paint company with both latex-based (great for walls, trims, and ceilings) and oil-based (industrial grade) paints. Even though there is a small selection of colors (the semi-gloss comes in 14 colors and the flat comes in eight), the cans are relatively inexpensive. This is useful when you're looking to do a simple makeover of your walls or interior surfaces.

For that bright and clean aesthetic, you can get a white flat ceiling paint or a semi-gloss kitchen & bath option that has a mildew protectant built-in. Diamond Brite paint is available through the brand's site, or you can purchase it from Amazon or Home Depot.

Price at time of publish: from $25 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior and exterior paint | Certifications: Not listed

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Rustoleum.com

Who it's for: People working on smaller home projects (like repainting furniture or single walls).

Who it isn't for: People who want a ton of color options.

You might be familiar with Rust-Oleum's range of products besides paint, including automotive products, spray paint, rust treatments, and more. If you're looking for an easy way to spruce up old furniture or home decor, the Interior Chalked Paint requires no primer or prepping and gives an ultra-matte finish with just one coat. To add some glam to your home or to create a statement wall, the Glitter Interior Wall Paint can add shimmer to surfaces without the mess getting glitter everywhere. Most paint types are available in smaller cans, so this brand is probably better for small DIY projects rather than repainting your entire home.

Price at time of publish: from $43 per gallon

Paint Types: Interior and exterior paint, specialty paint, spray paint | Certifications: Not listed

Acehardware

View On Ace Hardware

Who it's for: People who like to have a lot of different options for paint types and colors.

Who it isn't for: People who don't shop at Ace Hardware.

Royal Ace is Ace Hardware's paint brand, and it's scuff resistant, washable, and low VOC. You can choose between flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss finishes. The paint is bought as a base and then can be tinted to almost any color, either a customized shade of your choosing or one of the thousands available through Ace's Paint Studio.

Price at time of publish: from $31 per gallon

Paint Types: interior paint, exterior paint, primer, specialty paint | Certifications: Not listed

How to Shop for Paint Like a Pro

Paint Types

Because the inside and outside of your house have different surfaces and environmental factors, the requirements for paint vary between the two. For inside the home, Carson says to look for paints specifically formulated for interiors and with minimal or no VOCs. "Latex paint is the standard for most homeowners due to its easy application and clean-up," she says.

You can stick to latex paint for kitchen and living room walls, but you should consider acrylic for other areas: "For bathrooms and other rooms exposed to water, acrylic paint is a great option since it naturally keeps moisture away," adds Carson.

And if you're painting the outside of your home, acrylic latex paint is best for exterior surfaces. "It's versatile, can work on water or oil-based primers, prevents blistering, and is better for the environment," Carson says.

Primer

If you've looked into how to paint a wall before, then you're likely familiar with primer. "Paint primer contains certain chemicals that help your paint bond better to whatever surface you're working on, and can make your overall paint job more durable and uniform," says Carson. Putting on primer is one of the important things to do before you start painting.

You can either buy a separate primer or a two-in-one paint and primer combination, but note that the latter is "essentially just high-quality, super thick paint that only works when two coats are applied," according to Carson.

Certifications

When shopping for paint, you should also consider whether the brand has any certifications. Two of the most common certifications are Greenguard and Greenguard Gold, the latter of which ensures that the paint meets rigorous standards for chemicals and requires low VOC and emissions levels.

"VOC stands for volatile organic compounds and can be found in many paints, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, and pesticides," says Carson. Indoor paints should be low- or zero-VOC (because you'll be inhaling more of those VOCs inside), but it's usually fine to have VOCs in exterior paints because the chemicals and odors will be dissipated into the air. "This is why it's important to save exterior paint for your home's exterior and interior paint for your home's interior," adds Carson.

Finish

Choosing a paint's finish is partly an aesthetic choice, but it can also impact the paint's durability. Satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes hold up against moisture and temperature changes, so they're good for trims and rooms with moisture, but they are not as good as hiding surface imperfections, says Carson.

On the other hand, matte and eggshell finishes tend to be cheaper and hide surface bumps, but they're less durable and harder to clean. "Flat or matte paint is often the top pick for ceilings, while eggshell or satin typically makes it on the walls," she adds.

Color

Color comes down to personal preferences and what ambiance you want to create in your home. "You can turn to fabrics, trends, and even your home's architecture for inspiration, but ultimately you'll want to pick a color that brings you joy and helps to highlight your space," says Carson.

Don't be afraid to try a few samples (either swatches or paint small patches on the wall) and look at them at different times of the day, as colors can change depending on light conditions. If you can't decide, you can also consult a local interior designer to share recommendations on the colors that will work best in your home. You can also check out our list of the best paint colors, according to the designers of the Real Simple Home.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple who covers home and lifestyle content. To compile this list, she spent hours researching paint brands and narrowing down the options based on paint types, certifications, and more. She also received tips from Bailey Carson, a home care expert at Angi.