Paint Brands Guide

Ultimate Paint Brand Showdown: A Professional Comparison of Quality, Performance & Value

Sep 4, 2025

Choosing the right paint brand can mean the difference between a flawless finish that lasts a decade and a disappointing job that needs redoing in just a few years. As professional painters serving Oklahoma homes, we've tested every major brand in real-world conditions. Here's our brutally honest comparison of the top paint manufacturers, including pricing analysis and best-use recommendations.

Sherwin-Williams

Flagship Product: Emerald® Interior Acrylic Latex Paint ($75–$90/gallon)

The industry gold standard for a reason. Sherwin-Williams Emerald is engineered for unparalleled performance and is a favorite among professional painters and discerning homeowners alike.

Pros:
• Best Durability and Scrub Resistance: Its advanced formula creates an incredibly tough film that stands up to repeated scrubbing, making it ideal for wiping away fingerprints, scuffs, and stains in high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and kids' rooms.
• Self-Priming in Most Cases: On many previously painted surfaces, you can skip the primer. It has exceptional hide and adhesion, saving you time and money on your project.
• Ultra-Smooth Application: The paint flows beautifully from the brush or roller, leveling out perfectly to minimize brush marks and roller stipple for a flawless, professional-looking finish.

Cons:
• Priciest Retail Option: This is a top-shelf product with a top-shelf price. It's a significant investment, though many find the long-term performance justifies the cost.
• Requires Skill for Best Results: Its fast-setting formula can be challenging for beginners. Working in small sections is key to avoiding lap marks.

Best For: High-traffic areas, homes with kids and pets, and anyone who wants a durable, long-lasting finish that won’t need a repaint for many years.

Benjamin Moore

Flagship Product: Aura® Interior Paint ($80–$95/gallon)

The designer's choice. Benjamin Moore Aura is renowned for its revolutionary color lock technology, which provides incredible color depth and consistency.

Pros:
• Exceptional Color Depth and Fade Resistance: The proprietary Gennex® colorant system ensures the color you see on the wall is incredibly rich and vibrant, and it resists fading from UV exposure better than almost any other paint.
• One-Coat Coverage on Many Surfaces: Thanks to its high hiding pigments, Aura often achieves complete, uniform coverage in just a single coat, even over deep or bold colors.
• Low VOC Despite Premium Performance: t delivers top-tier performance while maintaining very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), meaning less odor and a more environmentally friendly option.

Cons:
• Limited Retailer Availability: : Primarily sold at independently owned Benjamin Moore dealers, which may not be as convenient as a big-box store for some shoppers.
• Long Drying Time Between Coats: While it dries to the touch quickly, it requires a longer wait (often 4-6 hours) before a second coat can be applied, which can slow down a project.

Best For: Designer projects where color accuracy is paramount, historic homes, and rooms with large windows where fade resistance is critical.

Behr (Available at The Home Depot)

Flagship Product: MARQUEE® Interior One-Coat Paint ($45–$60/gallon)

A powerhouse value champion. Behr Marquee is aggressively marketed for its one-coat coverage guarantee and delivers impressive performance for its price point.

Pros:
• Most Affordable One-Coat Coverage: It lives up to its name, providing exceptional hide that often eliminates the need for a second coat, saving you both time and money on paint.
• Excellent Hide on Dark Colors: Its thick, pigment-rich formula is particularly effective at covering dark walls with lighter colors, a task that often requires multiple coats with other brands.
• Good Mildew Resistance: Many of Behr's formulations include mildewcide protection, making them a strong choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Cons:
• Thicker Consistency Requires Experienced Application: : Its density can make it feel heavy on a roller and may require more effort to spread smoothly, which can be tiring for beginners and lead to a textured finish if not applied carefully.
• Less Durable Than Premium Brands: While good, its scrub resistance and long-term durability don't quite match that of Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore.

Best For: DIY homeowners, rental properties, and anyone tackling a large project who needs reliable coverage without breaking the bank.

PPG (Pittsburgh Paints, Available at Lowe's and independent dealers)

Flagship Product: Diamond® Interior Paint ($50–$65/gallon)

The versatile workhorse. PPG, a massive global coatings company, brings its commercial-grade technology to this consumer line, resulting in a paint known for its tenacious adhesion and durability.

Pros:
• Superior Adhesion to Difficult Surfaces: It excels at sticking to tricky surfaces like vinyl, glossy trim, and previously painted cabinetry without sanding or priming (always check the label!).
• Wide Temperature Application Range: Its formula is more forgiving when applied in less-than-ideal conditions (slightly higher humidity or cooler temperatures) compared to other paints.
• Commercial-Grade Formulations: PPG's technology is used in industrial and commercial settings, trickling down to make their consumer products exceptionally tough and stain-resistant.

Cons:
• Limited Color Selection Compared to Others: : While you can have any color matched, PPG's proprietary color collections (like the Voice of Color) are not as extensive as those from Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore.
• Can Show Brush Marks if Improperly Applied:  It doesn't always level as smoothly as premium paints, so using high-quality brushes and rollers and proper technique is important to avoid visible application marks.

Best For: Painting exteriors, metal and wood surfaces, trim, and areas where strong adhesion is the top priority.

Valspar (Available at Lowe's)

Flagship Product: Signature® Interior Paint ($35–$50/gallon)

The comfortable beginner's choice. Valspar Signature is known for its user-friendly application and low odor, making it a pleasant paint to work with.

Pros:
• Low Odor Formulations: Many of their paints are low-VOC, which is a major advantage for those sensitive to smells or who want to occupy a room shortly after painting.
• Good Flow and Leveling: It has a thinner consistency that makes it easy to spread and helps it level out smoothly, reducing the appearance of brush strokes for a cleaner finish.
• Frequent Sales/Coupons: Lowe's often runs "Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off" or other significant promotions on Valspar paint, making it very affordable.

Cons:
• Requires Multiple Coats for Full Coverage: : Its thinner formula means it often lacks the hiding power of thicker paints. Plan on applying two (or even three) coats for solid, uniform color.
• Less Fade Resistance Over Time:  Especially in sunny rooms, the color may fade more noticeably than with premium paints.

Best For: Low-budget projects, temporary spaces like guest rooms, and first-time DIYers who want an easy-to-apply product.

Glidden (Available at The Home Depot and Walmart)

Flagship Product: Glidden Premium™ Interior Paint ($25–$40/gallon)

The ultimate budget big-brand option. Glidden is owned by PPG and offers the most affordable price point among nationally recognized brands.

Pros:
• Most Affordable Big-Brand Option: It is consistently the lowest-priced paint from a major manufacturer, making it the go-to for the tightest of budgets.
• Decent Color Selection: As part of the PPG family, it has access to a wide array of colors that can be matched at any retailer.

Cons:
• Thin Consistency: : This is the trade-off for the low price. The paint is watery and will almost certainly require multiple coats (and a primer on new drywall or dramatic color changes).
• Poor Stain Resistance:  The finish is not very durable. Spills need to be wiped up immediately, as the paint will absorb stains easily and can be difficult to clean without damaging the finish.

Best For: Low-visibility areas where durability isn't a concern, such as garage interiors, closets, ceilings, and temporary staging projects.

5 Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Paint

1. Don't Overbuy Quality – Be Strategic

You don't need to paint your entire house with $90/gallon paint. Use premium paints like Emerald or Aura in high-traffic areas (hallways, kitchens, kids' rooms) and on trim. Use quality mid-tier paints for bedrooms and living areas. Save budget paints for closets, ceilings, and the garage.

2. Sheen Matters More Than Brand – A good eggshell beats cheap semi-gloss 

The sheen (flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss) directly impacts durability and cleanability. A high-quality paint in an eggshell sheen will often be more durable and look better than a budget paint in a semi-gloss. Need a refresher? Check out our in-depth [Guide to Paint Sheens].

3. Buy All Your Paint at Once – Avoid lot-to-lot variance

Color batches can have slight variations between production runs. Even if you've calculated the exact number of gallons, always buy a little extra from the same lot number to have for touch-ups. It's cheaper to return an unopened can than to try to match a color weeks later.

4. Contractors Get Better Prices – Ask about discounts

If you're hiring a painter, they likely get a professional discount (often 25-50% off retail at stores like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore). This can sometimes make the cost of a premium paint through a pro comparable to buying a mid-tier paint yourself.

5. Invest in Primer – Don't let your paint fail over poor prep

Primer exists to seal surfaces, promote adhesion, and block stains. Skipping primer on new drywall, over patched areas, or when making a dramatic color change is a surefire way to compromise your topcoat. Even the best paint will fail if applied over an unprepared surface. A good primer ensures your paint job looks better and lasts longer.

Ready for a Fresh Interior Paint Job?

📍 Proudly serving Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Newcastle, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang