When it comes to choosing the best interior wall paint, there are a few key factors to consider: durability, coverage, finish, price, and brand reputation. The paint needs to stand up to wear and tear, provide good coverage to avoid having to apply multiple coats, have the desired glossy or matte finish, be affordable, and come from a trusted brand. With so many paint options on the market, it can be tricky to determine which company offers the highest quality paints for interior walls specifically. This article will compare the top paint brands and help identify the best paint for interior walls based on performance, value, and overall customer satisfaction.
Key Factors in Choosing Interior Wall Paint
Here are the main criteria to evaluate when selecting an interior wall paint:
- Durability – Withstands scrubbing and cleaning without fading or wearing away
- Coverage – Hides underlying paint and colours with one or two coats
- Finish – Options like flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss for desired shine level
- Price – Provides good value for cost per gallon
- Brand Reputation – Known for quality and customer service
For most homeowners, a durable acrylic latex paint is best for interior walls. The finish depends on the specific room – flat or matte is ideal for hiding imperfections on walls, while bathrooms and kitchens often benefit from some shine with an eggshell or satin. The brand offers clues into the quality of the paint based on consumer reports and third party testing. Price should not be the only deciding factor, as cheaper paints often require more coats or wear down faster. The goal is to find an affordable paint from a reliable brand that checks off the other boxes for lasting finish and coverage.
Comparing the Top Paint Brands
The top national paint brands consistently ranked high for interior paint include Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Valspar. Here is an overview of each brand:
Behr
Behr paints are sold exclusively at Home Depot. They are known for offering quality paints at mid-range prices. Behr is a leader in innovation and frequently updates their paint formulas. Highlights of Behr interior paint include:
- Large selection of colors and sheens
- Excellent hide and coverage
- Durable finishes that stand up to scrubbing
- Antimicrobial-enhanced paints available
- Lifetime warranty
- Frequent sales make their paint even more budget-friendly
Behr offers several interior paint lines including Behr Premium Plus, Marquee, and Premium Plus Ultra. Premium Plus is their standard line providing good durability and hide. Marquee is a top of the line option engineered for maximum stain resistance and coverage. Premium Plus Ultra has the best hide and coverage of all Behr paints.
Benjamin Moore
With over 50,000 color options, Benjamin Moore is known as the paint expert when it comes to color. Their paints offer amazing hide, coverage, and longevity thanks to proprietary colorants and resins. Here are some benefits of Benjamin Moore interior paint:
- Industry best hide and coverage
- Ultra durable finishes
- Zero VOCs, low odor
- Superior fade resistance
- Lifetime warranty
- Stunning, accurate colors
Some of their most popular interior paint lines include Regal Select, Aura, and Ben. Regal Select has excellent hide and a durable finish. Aura is their flagship line, providing the best longevity and stain resistance. Ben is a quality budget-friendly option.
Sherwin-Williams
Known for professional-quality paints, Sherwin-Williams manufactures innovative paints with exceptional color accuracy and coverage. Here are some key benefits of Sherwin-Williams interior paints:
- Excellent durability and stain resistance
- Provide amazing hide and coverage
- High-quality, uniform finishes
- Include antimicrobial additives
- Covered by lifetime warranty
Their most popular interior paint lines include Duration, Emerald, and SuperPaint. Duration offers great durability and longevity. Emerald is their premium line with extraordinary hide and stain resistance. SuperPaint is designed to provide quality results at a mid-range price point.
Valspar
Offering quality paints at budget-friendly price points, Valspar interior paints are sold at Lowe’s stores. Some benefits of Valspar interior paint include:
- Affordably-priced
- Provide decent durability and hide
- Zero VOCs and low odor
- Variety of sheens available
- Covered by lifetime warranty
Their most popular interior paint lines are Reserve, Signature, and Ultra. Reserve is their highest quality line, providing amazing hide. Signature is their mid-range option balancing quality and affordability. Ultra is a budget-friendly line with decent durability.
Recommendations for Best Interior Wall Paint
Based on product performance, value, and brand reputation, here are my top recommendations for the best paint brands for interior walls in different categories:
Overall Best
Benjamin Moore – Provides the highest quality paint with industry-leading hide, coverage, and longevity across all their interior paint lines. Worth investing a little more for a durable, long-lasting paint job.
Best Value
Behr Premium Plus – Offers tremendous value for quality paint that covers well and stands up to wear and tear over time.
Best Durability
Sherwin-Williams Emerald – Their most advanced interior paint engineered for maximum stain resistance and easy cleaning.
Best Budget
Valspar Reserve – Delivers excellent coverage and durability at a very reasonable price point.
| Paint Brand | Price Per Gallon | Hide | Coverage | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behr | $25-45 | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good |
| Benjamin Moore | $45-70 | Outstanding | Outstanding | Excellent |
| Sherwin-Williams | $40-80 | Excellent | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Valspar | $20-40 | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
Conclusion
When considering all the critical factors of hide, coverage, durability, price, and brand reputation, Benjamin Moore emerges as the best paint for interior walls with their industry-leading performance across all metrics. Behr Premium Plus also offers tremendous quality for the price as a great value option. Sherwin-Williams is the brand of choice for maximum stain resistance and washability. For those on a tight budget, Valspar Reserve provides decent quality for very affordable prices. Choosing the right interior wall paint involves balancing these considerations based on your needs and preferences. Any of these top brands are sure to provide a quality paint job and durable finish.
