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Walking into a paint aisle without a plan is how most homeowners end up with the wrong product on their walls. There are dozens of paint brands on the market, each promising richer color and longer life than the last. The problem is not a lack of options. The problem is knowing which claims hold up once everything dries.
This guide breaks down what actually matters when choosing an interior paint: coverage, durability, finish type, and cost over the long run. The advice comes from the team at Paint Outlets, a Benjamin Moore authorized dealer that works with contractors and homeowners across three Michigan stores and ships nationally to the 48 contiguous states.
What Makes the Best Interior Paint Worth the Money?
The difference between a quality paint and a budget option is not the color on the swatch card. It is what happens six months after you roll it on. Premium paint uses higher concentrations of resins, pigments, and raw materials that create a thicker film, better coverage, and stronger resistance to stains, scuffs, and fading. The same logic applies to specialty products like ceiling paint, where a quality formula hides imperfections that a cheap flat cannot.
A quality paint with higher volume solids needs fewer coats to hide what is underneath, saving time on the ladder and money on extra product. Premium indoor paint also resists peeling, fading, and washing damage far longer than cheaper alternatives. A higher price now almost always beats the cost of repainting sooner.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select covers up to 450 square feet per gallon in a single coat on properly primed walls. A contractor-grade product might need two coats for the same result, doubling both material and labor costs. Quality paint is an investment, not an expense.
Top Paint Brands: How Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr Compare
Two brands dominate the market for serious painting projects: Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. Both companies offer paint lines from contractor-grade to ultra-premium for interior and exterior work. Where they differ is in the resin technology, coverage, and where you like to shop.
Benjamin Moore paint uses the proprietary Gennex colorant system, a waterbased zero-VOC tinting platform that produces rich, fade-resistant color across both interior and exterior lines. Benjamin Moore Aura, the brand’s top-tier indoor paint, features Color Lock technology for consistent color from wet to dry. It is a premium paint that experienced painters reach for when the finish needs to be flawless on the first coat, helping save time on touch-ups and callbacks. Benjamin Moore Stores are also independently owned and operated, and you're treated like family.
Sherwin Williams anchors its lineup with Emerald, a zero VOC paint with good stain resistance. For homeowners shopping at Lowe’s, Sherwin Williams also supplies the HGTV Home line, though color selection at Lowe’s is more limited. Emerald is the closest equivalent to Benjamin Moore Regal in quality and price. Remember that Sherwin Williams are all corporate locations, where you are treated like a number.
Behr rounds out the big-box market with Dynasty and Marquee, sold exclusively at Home Depot. Behr paint has improved significantly, and independent testing gives its premium lines strong marks for hiding and stain resistance. However, Behr is not what most experienced painters stock on their trucks. Pros shop at dedicated paint stores, not at Lowe’s or Home Depot, because the staff can advise on primers and the right product for each job.
The best advice for picking a brand? Match the paint line to the surface and the room, not just the price on the gallon. When in doubt, go with a Benjamin Moore product that fits your budget, so you know it's done right the first time.
Choosing the Right Interior Paint for Walls, Trim, Doors, and Cabinets
Not every part of your house needs the same product. The right strategy uses different paints for walls, ceiling, trim, doors, and cabinets based on how each area handles daily contact. The same principle applies to exterior work, where weather resistance and UV protection matter more than washability.
For interior walls, Benjamin Moore Regal Select is the workhorse. It comes in flat, matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, covers in fewer coats than most competitors, and resists stains well enough for dining rooms, living rooms, and hallways. For higher-traffic areas like kids’ rooms or stairwells, SCUFF-X resists scuff marks on contact.
For ceilings, Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne Ceiling Paint dries to an ultra-flat finish that hides imperfections without lap marks.
For trim and doors, Benjamin Moore ADVANCE waterborne alkyd delivers the smooth, hard finish that oil based paint was known for, without the fumes. ADVANCE levels out brush marks and dries to a durable shell on baseboards, window casings, and door faces.
For cabinets, ADVANCE or Benjamin Moore Aura in a satin finish gives a factory-smooth look. Pair either with a bonding primer like Stix for best adhesion on previously finished cabinets and other hard-to-stick surfaces.
Which Paint Finish Is Best for Interior Walls: Flat or Satin?
The finish you choose changes how the color looks, how long the paint lasts, and how easy it is to clean. Picking the wrong sheen for the room is a common and costly mistake.
Flat and matte finishes absorb light and hide imperfections like patched nail holes and minor dings. They create a smooth, velvety look for bedrooms, dining rooms, and ceilings. The trade-off is that flat does not handle scrubbing well and shows marks in high-traffic spots.
Satin and eggshell reflect more light, making dark colors appear richer and rooms feel slightly larger. They are more durable, easier to wash, and better at resisting stains. Use satin in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and kids’ rooms.
Semi-gloss belongs on trim, doors, and cabinets. It is the most durable and easiest to clean, but it highlights every bump on a wall. Reserve it for millwork and details, not large areas.
What Brand Paint Do Professional Painters Use?
Most pros buy from dedicated paint stores, not from Lowe’s or Home Depot. The reason is product knowledge. Staff at a Benjamin Moore dealer or a Sherwin Williams store can recommend the right primer, sheen, and technique for each job.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Benjamin Moore Aura are top picks for residential interiors because they touch up easily and hold their color over time. Sherwin Williams Emerald and Duration fill a similar role at a competitive price point.
Any experienced painter will tell you that even premium paint needs proper prep. Skipping primer or using the wrong roller will undermine any product at any price. The brand matters, but so does every step before the first coat goes on.
How to Shop for Interior Paint Without Wasting Money
Price per gallon is not the same as cost per project. A gallon of premium indoor paint might carry a higher price at the register, but better coverage means fewer coats and fewer gallons. That saves time, saves money, and gives you a more durable finish so you will not need to redo in two years. Buying cheap paint at a lower price often costs more once you add extra gallons and extra labor.
The best advice for getting the most from your budget: buy enough to finish without mixing new batches mid-wall, invest in a quality roller cover with a 3/4-inch nap for better coverage, and do not skip primer when covering dark colors or new drywall. Primer helps the topcoat stick and cover evenly, which saves you a coat.
For large projects, Paint Outlets offers bulk pricing on orders of 48 gallons or more with delivery to your job site. You will not find that kind of hands-on service at Lowe’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which interior paint brand is the best?
Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams consistently rank as the top paint brands among experienced painters and independent testing organizations. Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select stand out for coverage, color accuracy, and longevity. Sherwin Williams Emerald is a strong competitor at a similar price point. The best brand depends on the surface, the room, and whether you prioritize coverage, durability, or price.
Which paint is the best for interior walls?
For most rooms, an eggshell or satin finish in a mid-to-premium paint line delivers the best balance of coverage, durability, and washability. Benjamin Moore Regal Select in eggshell is a popular choice because it resists stains and holds up to regular cleaning.
What brand paint do professional painters use?
Most use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. These brands are sold through dedicated retailers, not at Lowe’s or Home Depot, where staff provide expert advice on primers and finishes. Painters value lines like Aura, Regal Select, and Emerald for their coverage and touch-up performance over big-box alternatives.
What is the most durable paint for interior walls?
Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X is engineered for durability in high-traffic areas, resisting marks from shoes, furniture, and daily contact. For general durability, Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin Williams Emerald both offer strong resistance to stains, fading, and wear.
Is flat or satin better for interior walls?
It depends on the room. Flat hides imperfections and works well in bedrooms and ceilings. Satin is more durable and washable, making it better for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Many painters use both in the same house, choosing flat for low-traffic rooms and satin where wear is heavier.
Shop the Best Interior Paint at Paint Outlets
Paint Outlets carries the full Benjamin Moore paint lineup for interiors, from ben for budget-friendly projects to Benjamin Moore Aura for premium results. The team matches color, recommends primers, and helps you pick the right finish for every room.
Shop the full collection online, visit one of three Michigan locations in Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, and Macomb, or call 248.598.0311 to talk through your project with the color desk.