Top-Rated Interior Paints

Best paints cost more, but go on better

All professional painters and contractors say that you should buy the highest quality interior paint you can afford. Once you get beyond the initial cost of the paint, the biggest consideration is labor. Top-quality paints go on smoother, are less likely to show flaws such as brush marks and tend to cover in fewer coats.

Among professional painters and contractors, no current interior paint gets more overall recommendations than Benjamin Moore Aura (*Est. $55 per gallon). Reviews on the paint's quality range from generally positive with some reservations to absolute raves. Aura is one of the most expensive paints available, but the manufacturer says that since Aura is self-priming, one coat usually does the job. Critics say that one coat is not actually sufficient in many cases, but that the paint does cover better than virtually any other product. It is also easy to apply.

Popular Science magazine names Aura interior paint as one of its best new products of 2007. Nicole Dyer explains that Aura uses a unique chemistry to reinvent latex paint. She adds that among its benefits, it is fast drying and releases "fewer volatile organic compounds, a.k.a. noxious fumes, so you can paint in the afternoon and entertain that evening."

Benjamin Moore Aura paint is said to be a particularly outstanding performer when faced with difficult jobs, such as painting over a darker color or painting walls with a lot of imperfections. The paint is thicker than other paints, and even the flat paint can be scrubbed. (Scrubbing a wall painted with flat paint is usually a no-no.)

The biggest knock against this interior paint is its price. While everyone -- reviewers and professional painters -- indicate that Aura is a top performer, some wonder if the improvement over some other interior paints that do almost as well is worth the paint's premium price.

For example, Sherwin-Williams Duration Home interior paint (*Est. $45 per gallon) gets lots of recommendations by professional interior painters and designers. The paint is very durable. At AllExperts.com, a professional painter recommends Duration paints for families with youngsters because it is easy to clean. Most professional painters add that it is easy to apply. Like Benjamin Moore Aura, Duration Home uses a low-VOC formula. However, Duration Home did not fare very well in a simulated test for fade resistance, making it an iffy choice for sunny rooms.

Professionals say that one reason they like Sherwin-Williams interior paints is that they are exclusively available in Sherwin-Williams stores. That means you're more likely to be served by someone who's very knowledgeable about the brand's paints. In general, experts say you'll get more attention and better service in a paint store than in a big-box or chain hardware store.

Pratt & Lambert Accolade (*Est. $40 per gallon) also gets good feedback from painters and contractors. Accolade is lauded for its coverage ability and durability. While some paints are easier to work with, Accolade isn't bad in that regard either. Colors are also a strong point. "Rick," a moderator for the painting forum at DoItYourself.com, says that thanks to the line's especially clean bases, the colors can't be matched by any other maker. This includes Sherwin-Williams, which is Pratt & Lambert's parent company. We saw some complaints about availability, but Accolade is available at many Ace Hardware stores.