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Quick Guide

PAINTS, INTERIOR

Many recommended paints are self-priming, so you can paint directly over old nishes and wallboard. While one coat might do, a second coat will give a richer, more even nish. What to look for

Flat paint for a formal living room, dining room, or other space that doesnt see heavy use, because it isnt the most stain resistant Eggshell or satin for family rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, kids rooms, hallways, and the like Semi-gloss for windowsills, trim, and other woodwork to add contrast. (While typically stain resistant, many semigloss paints will dull when cleaned.)

What to skip

Bright greens and yellows for sun-drenched rooms, because these colors tend to fade a lot; whites and browns are better choices
What youll pay

Shopping tip
Manufacturer and retailer websites offer color-choosing tools, rebates, and deals.

About $20 to $68 per gallon. Each gallon covers about 400 square feet of smooth wall; rougher surfaces will require a bit more paint.
For more buying advice, go to ConsumerReports.org/paint
Scan this or see how, page 11

Recommended models only From 65 tested.

Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results Surface smoothness Hiding Staining Gloss change Scrubbing

Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 50 50 50 0

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

n 1 d

FLAt & mAttE

Valspar Signature Matte (Lowes) Behr Premium Plus Ultra Flat Enamel (Home Depot) Benjamin Moore Aura Matte Behr Premium Plus Flat Enamel (Home Depot) $32 32 68 26
82 82 77 76

&N &N &C &N &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &M &C &N &M &M &N &N &N &M

n 2 d n 3 d n 4 c

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PAINTS, INTeRIOR

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Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results Scrubbing Hiding Staining Surface smoothness Gloss change

Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 0 50 50 0 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

n 5 d n c n c n c

FLAt & mAttE continued

Benjamin Moore Natura Flat Clark + Kensington Flat Enamel (Ace) Olympic One Flat Enamel (Lowes) Valspar Ultra Flat (Lowes) Glidden Premium Flat (Home Depot) $57 30 25 25 20
75 75 75 74 73

&M &M &M &N &C &M &N &C &N &M &M &N &C &N &C &M &M &V &N &M &M &C &N &C &M

n 6 d
7 8 9

n 1 d

Clark + Kensington Satin Enamel (Ace) Moore Aura n 2 Benjamin d Satin n 3 Kilz Casual Colors Satin d Premium Satin n 4 Glidden c (Home Depot) Premium Plus Ultra n 5 Behr d Satin Enamel (Home Depot) One Satin n 6 Olympic c Enamel (Lowes) n 7 Glidden Duo Eggshell c Signature Satin n 8 Valspar d (Lowes) Moore Regal n 9 Benjamin d Select Eggshell n 10 Ace Royal Interiors Satin c n 11 Valspar + Satin (Lowes) d

SAtIN & EggsHELL

32 68 30 24 34 27 26 34 51 27 42
86 84 82 80 77 77 76 75 75 74 74

&N &N &M &N &N &N &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &N &C &M &N &N &N &C &M &N &C &N &M &M &N &N &N &C &M &N &N &N &V &M &N &C &N &C &M &N &M &N &V &M &N &C &N &N &M &N &N &N &C

Ratings Key NExcellent MVery good 3Good 2Fair 1Poor c CR Best Buy These models offer the best combination of performance and price. All are recommended. d Recommended These are high-performing models that stand out.

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Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results Scrubbing Hiding Staining Surface smoothness Gloss change

Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 50 50 50 50 50 0 50 0 50 0

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

n 1 d

Clark + Kensington Semi-Gloss Enamel (Ace) Premium Plus Ultra n 2 Behr d Semi-Gloss Enamel (Home Depot) Signature n 3 Valspar d Semi-Gloss (Lowes) Moore Aura n 4 Benjamin d Semi-Gloss Royal Interiors n 5 Ace c Semi-Gloss Brilliance n 6 Glidden c Semi-Gloss (Walmart) Premium n 7 Glidden c Semi-Gloss (Home Depot) Homes and n 8 Better c Gardens Semi-Gloss (Walmart) n 9 Glidden Duo Semi-Gloss c Moore Natura n 10 Benjamin d Semi-Gloss

SEmI-gLoss
$33 34 35 68 28 26 26 26 27 57
85 84 82 80 77 77 76 76 75 75

&N &N &C &N &N &M &N &N &N &N &N &N &V &N &M &N &N &C &N &M &M &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &N &C &M &N &C &N &C &M &N &N &N &V &M &N &N &N &C & N M & C & N & N &

Guide to the Ratings

Overall score is mainly hiding, surface smoothness, and resistance to staining, scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew, and fading. Volatile organic compounds arent scored. Most results reect white, pastel, and medium-tint bases. Hiding is coverage of contrasting color with one and two coats (with one-coat coverage weighted most heavily). Staining is resistance to greasy stains. Gloss change is appearance after cleaning with an abrasive cleaner. Scrubbing is ability to resist abrasive cleaner. Surface smoothness is the absence of roller marks when dry. Resists mildew is the ability to inhibit mildew growth. Resists sticking indicates lack of tackiness when dry. Resists fading is the ability to maintain color in strong sunlight. Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) is the manufacturers stated level of volatile organic compounds in the untinted base coat measured in grams per liter. Price is approximate retail.

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PAINTS, EXTeRIOR

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Quick Guide

PAINTS, EXTERIOR

Home centers are the go-to place for top paints, with Home Depots Behr and Lowes Valspar leading our Ratings. But independent brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams also make our recommended list.

Shopping tip
Pros often get special rates from independent retailers, but make sure the brand they like aced our tests.

What to look for

Flat and satin finishes for siding. Flat hides flaws while satin adds a touch of gloss Shinier semi-gloss for doors, windows, trim, and shutters for visual contrast Mildew resistance for shady spots; fade resistance for sunny ones; dirt resistance for urban areas
What to skip

as top-of-the-line products from the same brand . Many top paints are low-priced Buying strictly by brand, since manufacturers often reformulate paints to comply with tougher regulations
What youll pay

Scan this or see how, page 11

Economy grades of paints, which dont weather as well

The best values range from about $25 to $40 per gallon; buying 5-gallon containers can save you even more.
For more buying advice, go to ConsumerReports.org/paint

All tested models In performance order, within types.

Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results

Features VOCs (grams/liter) 100 92 100 Resists dirt Resists mildew

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

A FLAt n 1 Behr Premium Plus Ultra Flat d

Enamel (Home Depot) Paints Fres-Coat n 2 California d Velvet Flat n 3 Sherwin-Williams d Duration Flat n 4 Glidden Spred Flat c Premium Flat n 5 Glidden c (Home Depot)

Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change

$37 80 44 79 67 79 25 77 22 77

&N &N &N &N &N

&N &N &N &M &M

&M &M &M &M &M

100

100

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Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results

Features Resists dirt Resists mildew VOCs (grams/liter) 100 100 48 107 50 50 150 53 48

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

A FLAt continued n 6 Behr Premium Plus Flat c

7 8 9

(Home Depot) Valspar Ultra Flat (Lowes) Valspar DuraMax Flat (Lowes) Sherwin-Williams Resilience Flat

$26 76 28 75 37 74 59 70

n 1 d

SAtIN
Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel (Home Depot) Behr Premium Plus Satin Enamel (Home Depot) Benjamin Moore Aura Low Lustre Sherwin-Williams Duration Satin Glidden Premium Satin (Home Depot) Glidden Spred Satin Valspar DuraMax Satin (Lowes) California Paints Fres-Coat Satin Gloss Sears WeatherBeater Ultra Satin Sherwin-Williams Resilience Satin Valspar Ultra Satin (Lowes) Kilz Casual Colors Satin 39 82 28 79 68 79 68 78 25 75 27 75 39 72 48
72

n 2 c n 3 d n 4 d n 5 c n 6 c
7 8 9 10 11 12

Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change

&N &N & N &M

&M &M & M &M

&M &M & M &M

100

&N &N &N &N &N &N &M &N &M &M &N & N

&N &M &M &N &M &M &M &M &M &M &M & M

&M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M &C &C & V

50 100 50

150

44 71 63 70 30 70 30 63

150 50

Ratings Key NExcellent MVery good 3Good 2Fair 1Poor c CR Best Buy These models offer the best combination of performance and price. All are recommended. d Recommended These are high-performing models that stand out.

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PAINTS, eXTeRIOR

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Brand & model Recommended Rank

Price

Overall score

Test results

Features Resists dirt Resists mildew VOCs (grams/liter) 50 50 41 50 50 50 150 50

0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E

C SEmI-gLoss n 1 Valspar DuraMax Semi-Gloss d

(Lowes) Premium Plus n 2 Behr d Ultra Semi-Gloss Enamel (Home Depot) n 3 Sherwin-Williams d Duration Semi-Gloss Premium Plus Semi-Gloss n 4 Behr c Enamel (Home Depot) n 5 Glidden Spred Semi-Gloss c 6 Benjamin Moore Aura Semi-Gloss 7 Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss (Home Depot) 8 Valspar Ultra Semi-Gloss (Lowes) 9 Kilz Casual Colors Semi-Gloss

$40 80 40 79 69 76 29 75 28 74 68 70 27 69 31 66 31
63

Guide to the Ratings

Overall score is a weighted average of each years appearance for up to 3 years of testing. Appearance after 3 years summarizes performance after 1 year of our accelerated weathering (i.e., equivalent to 3 years on a vertical wall). Testing stops when appearance falls to Fair or Poor, at which time the product must be reapplied. Appearance after 6 years summarizes performance after 2 years of our accelerated weathering (i.e., equivalent to 6 years on a vertical wall). Testing stops when appearance falls to Fair or Poor, at which time the product must be reapplied. Appearance after 9 years summarizes performance after 3 years of our accelerated weathering (i.e., equivalent to 9 years on a vertical wall). Testing stops after 3 years, regardless of whether appearance falls to Fair or Poor. Products that at this point still rate at least Good for appearance are considered superior products. VOCs (grams/liter) indicates the level of volatile organic compounds as stated on the can. Price is approximate retail per gallon.

Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change

&N &N &N &N &N &N &M &M &N

&M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M

&M &M &M &M &M &M &M &C &V

150

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