Choosing the best paint brand can be overwhelming with so many options. This comprehensive paint brand comparison breaks down the pros, cons, and best uses for Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, PPG, and Farrow & Ball. Whether you're a DIYer or hiring professionals, understanding the differences helps you invest wisely.
🏆 Quick Brand Rankings
Sherwin-Williams Paint Review
Sherwin-Williams is the largest paint manufacturer in North America and a top choice among professional painters. With over 4,700 stores, it offers the most convenient access and widest product selection.
Sherwin-Williams Overview
✅ Pros
- Widest retail network (4,700+ stores)
- Excellent professional/contractor pricing
- Huge color selection (1,700+ colors)
- Wide range of price points
- Frequent sales (30-40% off)
- Excellent self-leveling properties
❌ Cons
- Only sold at SW stores (not big box)
- Color matching can be inconsistent across stores
- Lower-tier products underwhelm
Best Sherwin-Williams Paints
SW Duration
Their premium line. Exceptional coverage (often one-coat), extreme durability, stain-resistant. Best for high-traffic areas and exterior.
SW Emerald
Highest quality interior. Self-leveling, washable, low-VOC. Excellent for living spaces.
SW Superpaint
Excellent mid-range option. Great coverage and durability. Most popular SW paint.
SW ProMar 200
Professional contractor favorite. Good value for rental properties and repainting projects.
Benjamin Moore Paint Review
Benjamin Moore is considered by many to be the highest-quality paint on the market. Known for exceptional color accuracy, smooth application, and durability, it's a favorite among designers and painters.
Benjamin Moore Overview
✅ Pros
- Exceptional color accuracy and consistency
- Superior self-leveling (fewer brush marks)
- Excellent coverage
- Low VOC formulas across most lines
- Color of the Year trendsetting
- Designer-preferred brand
❌ Cons
- Higher price point
- Fewer retail locations than SW
- Rarely goes on significant sale
- Not sold at big box stores
Best Benjamin Moore Paints
BM Regal Select
Flagship interior paint. Excellent coverage, washable, durable. Best overall interior choice.
BM Advance
Best paint for cabinets, trim, and doors. Self-leveling alkyd hybrid dries hard as enamel.
BM Aura
Premium interior/exterior. Color Lock technology for deep, vibrant colors. Best for bold colors.
BM ben
Entry-level but still good quality. Zero VOC, easy application. Good for budget-conscious projects.
Behr Paint Review
Behr is exclusively sold at Home Depot and offers excellent value for DIY projects. While not quite matching SW or BM quality, their premium lines have improved significantly.
Behr Overview
✅ Pros
- Convenient Home Depot availability
- Lower price than premium brands
- Good quality for DIY projects
- Marquee and Dynasty lines are solid
- Easy returns
❌ Cons
- Less consistent than BM/SW
- Not as smooth-leveling
- Professional painters often avoid
- More variation in color accuracy
Best Behr Paints
Behr Dynasty
Their new premium interior. One-coat coverage, stain-blocking. Best Behr for interiors.
Behr Marquee
One-coat guarantee (if done correctly). Good coverage and durability. Interior or exterior.
Behr Ultra
Solid mid-range option. Good value for standard rooms and rentals.
PPG & Pittsburgh Paints Review
PPG is the second-largest paint company globally and owns Pittsburgh Paints, Glidden, and Olympic. Their professional lines are excellent and often overlooked.
PPG Overview
✅ Pros
- Professional-grade quality
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent coverage
- Available at PPG stores and some paint retailers
- Voice of Color system is well-designed
❌ Cons
- Less retail presence than SW/BM
- Lower brand recognition
- Fewer locations for color matching
Best PPG Paints
PPG Diamond
Premium interior with excellent durability. Competes well with SW Superpaint.
Pittsburgh Timeless
One-coat, paint + primer. Excellent coverage. Available at Menards.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here's how the best paint brands compare across key factors:
| Factor | Sherwin-Williams | Benjamin Moore | Behr | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Price | $35-95/gal | $45-95/gal | $30-65/gal | $35-70/gal |
| Coverage | Excellent | Excellent | Good-Very Good | Very Good |
| Self-Leveling | Excellent | Best | Good | Very Good |
| Color Selection | 1,700+ | 3,500+ | 1,100+ | 1,500+ |
| Availability | SW stores only | BM stores, select dealers | Home Depot | PPG stores, select retailers |
| Pro Favorite | Yes | Yes | No | Some |
Which Paint Should You Choose?
Here are our recommendations based on your situation:
🔨 For DIY Homeowners
Best: Benjamin Moore Regal Select or SW Superpaint
Budget: Behr Dynasty or Behr Marquee
🏠 For Whole-House Repainting
Best value: Sherwin-Williams Duration (wait for 40% off sales)
Premium: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
🚪 For Cabinets & Trim
Best: Benjamin Moore Advance
Alternative: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane
🏢 For Exterior
Best: Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior
Premium: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior
🏘️ For Rental Properties
Value: Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200
Budget: Behr Ultra or PPG Diamond
👷 Professional Painters Use
Most common: SW Duration, SW ProMar, BM Regal
Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Advance
When to Invest in Premium Paint
Premium paint ($60-95/gallon) is worth it for:
- High-traffic areas: Hallways, kitchens, kids' rooms — durability matters
- Cabinets and trim: Self-leveling properties eliminate brush marks
- Bold or dark colors: Premium paints need fewer coats for full coverage
- Exterior: Weather resistance and longevity justify the cost
- Planning to stay 5+ years: Amortized over time, premium paint costs less
Save with mid-range paint ($40-55/gallon) for:
- Closets and low-traffic bedrooms
- Rental properties (turnover frequency)
- Ceilings (flat paint hides imperfections anyway)
- Pre-sale refreshes (maximizing ROI)
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are premium professional-grade paints with excellent quality. Sherwin-Williams offers more locations and lower prices (especially during sales), while Benjamin Moore tends to have a slight edge in color accuracy and self-leveling. Either is excellent for any project.
Yes, premium paint ($40-$80/gallon) covers better (often in one coat), lasts longer (10-15 years), and is more washable. Over a project's lifetime, premium paint typically costs less because you need fewer gallons and repaint less often.
Most professional painters use Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore. Popular pro lines include SW Duration, SW ProMar 200, BM Regal Select, and BM Advance for cabinets. They choose these for consistent quality, contractor pricing, and extensive color selection.
Behr has improved significantly and offers good value. However, professional-grade SW paints (Duration, Emerald) typically outperform Behr in coverage, durability, and self-leveling. For DIY projects, Behr Marquee and Dynasty are solid choices at a lower price point.
Ready for a Professional Painting Project?
Carolina Renew Painting & Finishes uses premium Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore paints on every project. We'll help you choose the right paint for your budget and needs. Get your free estimate today!
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