Painting isn’t just about color; it’s about quality, durability, and the transformative power it brings to spaces. As we navigate the landscape of paint brands, discerning homeowners, decorators, and professionals seek not just hues, but finishes that stand the test of time. In our quest to uncover the most exceptional offerings in the realm of paints, we turned to the experts behind New York City’s Pristine Painters, those with an eye for detail and a commitment to excellence. Check out our FAQs with the company’s own Jose Ortez to unpack more of what goes into shopping for the best paint brands.
From vibrant accents to serene neutrals, the choices in paint brands can be overwhelming. However, amidst the myriad options, certain brands rise above the rest, earning the trust and admiration of professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Through meticulous research and consultation with experts, we’ve distilled a selection of paint brands that excel not only in pigment quality but also in formulation, coverage, and durability. Join us as we embark on a journey through the top contenders in the world of paints, uncovering the brands that continue to set the standard for excellence in 2024.
- Best overall: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
- Best splurge: Farrow & Ball
- Best for single coats and self-priming: Benjamin Moore Aura
- Best stain-resistant: Benjamin Moore Scuff X
- Best color selection: Backdrop Paint
Best overall: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Renowned for its superior quality and timeless appeal, Benjamin Moore Regal Select stands as the epitome of excellence in the realm of paints. With its advanced formula, Regal Select effortlessly delivers rich, vibrant colors that endure the test of time. “I paint my own house with this paint,” Ortez said. When compared to other options vying for the best overall paint brand, Regal Select has the “best cost with the most benefits.”
Whether adorning walls, ceilings, or trim, this paint boasts exceptional durability and smooth application, ensuring a flawless finish in every stroke. Backed by Benjamin Moore’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship, Regal Select transcends expectations, elevating spaces with its unmatched beauty and resilience.
Best splurge: Farrow & Ball
Reviewed by the New York Post team on small accent walls and creative home decor projects, Farrow & Ball is an excellent brand for such ventures. At a luxurious price point for a reason, Farrow & Ball offers expert color and finish consultancy for whatever project you’re working on and offers hundreds of highly considered hues to choose from.
Each hue is meticulously crafted to evoke depth and character, reflecting the brand’s commitment to timeless elegance. With its rich pigments and velvety texture, Farrow & Ball paints grace walls with a sumptuous finish, imbuing spaces with a sense of opulence and refinement that is simply unparalleled. The brand also offers wallpaper from scenic to striped, geometric, solid, and more.
Best for single coats and self-priming: Benjamin Moore Aura
Engineered for unparalleled coverage and effortless application, Aura boasts a self-priming formula that eliminates the need for multiple coats, saving time and effort without compromising on quality. Whether covering dark hues or uneven surfaces, Aura’s advanced technology ensures a smooth, uniform finish in a single coat, leaving walls looking flawless and radiant.
“This paint is wonderful in self-leveling,” Ortez raved. “I never recommend only putting one coat (2 coats minimum) to any surface, but [this paint] gives the best one-coat coverage.” With its exceptional durability and fade-resistant properties, Benjamin Moore Aura redefines the painting experience, making perfection more attainable than ever before.
Best stain-resistant: Benjamin Moore Scuff X
Meet the ultimate solution for high-traffic areas and busy households: Benjamin Moore Scuff X. Engineered to withstand the rigors of everyday life, Scuff X combines unparalleled durability with advanced stain resistance, ensuring walls remain pristine and blemish-free for years to come. Whether facing the onslaught of scuffs, stains, or marks, Scuff X repels damage with ease, maintaining its flawless finish even in the most demanding environments.
Of course, even Ortez calls this paint “great for high-traffic areas.” Backed by Benjamin Moore’s legacy of quality and performance, Scuff X stands as a testament to innovation, offering peace of mind and lasting attractiveness in every application.
Best color selection: Backdrop Paint
When it comes to paint brands that offer pre-mixed colors available for selection, Backdrop is a New York Post favorite. Tried and true, the paint is high quality and the colors — wow! Inspired by moods, environments, eras, and trends, the Backdrop color selection is inspiring enough just to scroll through, much less use to reinvigorate your space. From dainty pastels to vibrant brights, the brand has it all and is constantly adding new colors.
From timeless classics to trendsetting hues, each shade is thoughtfully crafted to inspire creativity and elevate interiors with effortless sophistication. Backdrop’s commitment to quality extends beyond color, with its premium, low-odor formula ensuring smooth application and stunning results every time.
FAQs
What are some key differences between brands of paint? Why shop one over the other?
“As professional painters, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have the formulation figured out,” Ortez stated. “In brands like Behr paints, pigments are weaker which leads to [needing to] repaint after 2 to 3 years as opposed to Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, which would be 8 to14 years.”
Are ingredients ever a factor when considering different paint brands?
“There are three main ingredients that determine the paint qualities of paint,” Ortez explained:
- Pigments: Give the color consistency when rolled or sprayed on any surface
- Binders: Give the paint its durability
- Solvents: Bases in which the paint is mixed; can be water-based or oil-based
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