Stuck between Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams for your renovation project? Makes sense — these two giants have been battling it out at the top of the paint industry for years, and both have their die-hard fans.
Everything matters when it comes to paint, from the quality itself to how easily you can buy and apply it — and all these details can make or break your renovation’s durability and looks. Though both brands are known for premium quality, each has its own slight edge in different areas.
In this detailed comparison, I’ll walk you through all the key features of both brands to help you pick the perfect paint for your project!
Key Points
- Both brands offer premium, high-quality paints, and honestly, only professional painters would spot the differences in their formulas and properties. I’ve worked with both, and they consistently deliver great results.
- The main difference comes down to business structure: Benjamin Moore works through locally-owned stores (franchises), while Sherwin-Williams runs a corporate chain of over 3,000 stores across the country. This actually matters quite a bit to some customers.
- Price-wise, they’re both in the premium range – running from $30+ to $90+ per gallon, depending on the line. Both brands regularly run sales, and you can buy their products at their official online stores.
So Which Paint is Better – Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams?
Here’s the truth – they’re both fantastic! Most homeowners won’t see any difference in the final result between these brands. Personally, I lean toward Benjamin Moore (though I regularly use Sherwin-Williams, Farrow & Ball, and other brands too) – but that’s just my preference.
When picking between the two, focus on what makes more sense for you: which store is closer, who’s got better deals running, and whether supporting local business matters to you. Quality-wise, BM and SW are neck and neck for most paint jobs.
I’ve put together comparison tables of their main lines below. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty – keep reading for all the details and differences.
Benjamin Moore Paints:
| Features | Aura | Regal Select | Ben | Ultra Spec 500 | Super Hide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | Superior | Excellent | Great | Good | Fair |
| Cleanability | Scrubbable, no color rub off | Stain-release technology | Poor | Washable | Poor |
| VOC | 0 | < 50 g/L | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coverage | 350-450 sq. ft. | 400-450 sq. ft. | 400-450 sq. ft. | 350-450 sq. ft. | 400-450 sq. ft. |
| Volume of Solids | 37.2-49.3% | 36.1-46.8% | 30.8-44% | 38.2-44.3% | 27-35.5 |
| Mildew Resistant | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Primer Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Price/Gallon | $95 | $80 | $50 | $50 | $30 |
Sherwin Williams Paints:
| Features | Emerald | Duration | Cashmere | SuperPaint | Captivate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Fair |
| Cleanability | Advanced stain blocking technology | Antimicrobial agents and stain-fighting technology | Poor | Washable | Poor |
| VOC | < 50 g/L | < 50 g/L | < 50 g/L | < 50 g/L | < 50 g/L |
| Coverage | 350-400 | 350-400 | 350-400 | 350-400 | 350-400 |
| Volume of Solids | 37-41% | 33-40% | 38-41% | 37-41% | 34-40% |
| Mildew Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Primer Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price/Gallon | $95 | $80 | $70 | $70 | $45 |
Paint Quality Comparison
When it comes to paint quality, comparing Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams is like comparing two luxury cars – you really can’t go wrong with either.
After working with both brands for years, I can say they’re definitely at the top of their game. The real differences usually come down to specific product lines and what painters personally prefer. Let’s break down what each brand does best:
Durability and Coverage
Benjamin Moore stands out with its thick consistency and impressive tech specs. Their Regal Select and Aura lines, with about 45% solid content, give you great coverage – up to 450 square feet per gallon. The creamy texture does a great job hiding wall flaws, and it doesn’t splatter or drip when you’re rolling – that’s why they’re my go-to for living rooms and bedrooms where you want that perfect finish.
Their Gennex technology means zero VOC across all products, making them super safe for kids’ rooms. The Color Lock feature in their premium Aura line keeps colors looking fresh for years – perfect for bold accent walls – and the anti-fungal additives make it great for damp spaces too.
One small heads-up – their budget Ben line can be a bit tricky to work with since it’s pretty thick.
Sherwin Williams’ Duration line is perfect for high-traffic areas – it fights fading and stands up really well to wear and tear.
Their ColorLast technology isn’t just marketing talk – I painted my hallway with it three years ago, and it still looks fresh. Their Emerald line with antimicrobial properties is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, and it’s amazing how well it resists stains and chemicals – I haven’t seen any mold or damage after years of use.
Finish Consistency
Benjamin Moore really shines with their color matching system – it nails even the trickiest shades perfectly. This is super important in open floor plans, where you need the color to look the same on every wall.
Their color selection is huge, and thanks to their Gennex technology, they’ve got some unique shades that other brands just can’t match!
Sherwin Williams keeps things consistent with their ColorSnap® Precision system – you can buy more paint months later, and the color will still match perfectly.
One thing to note – their satin finish tends to be a bit more glossy than you might expect. But with over 1,700 colors to choose from and stores everywhere, it’s still a really practical choice.
Cost Analysis
Paint prices keep climbing these days, but Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams’ quality makes them worth the investment. You’ll save money in the long run since you need fewer coats, and the paint lasts longer.
I can tell you from experience that even their budget lines outperform premium products from lower-quality brands.
Benjamin Moore prices run high across their entire line. Their top-tier Aura paint costs $95 per gallon, putting it at the higher end of the market.
Next in line is Regal Select at $80, while Ben and Ultra Spec 500 sit at $50. Even their basic Super Hide paint goes for $30 – pretty standard for budget paint.
Sherwin-Williams runs in a similar price range. Their high-end Emerald line costs $80-90 per gallon, with Duration and Cashmere hovering around $75-80. Their more budget-friendly SuperPaint goes for $65-70.
The best thing about SW is their frequent sales with 30-40% off. If you’re not in a hurry, you can save quite a bit by waiting for one of their promotions.
Color Selection
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When it comes to colors, Benjamin Moore really shines with their rich, deep shades – they remind me of Farrow & Ball in this way. You can really see it in their dark and bright colors – their reds and blues are stunning. And don’t even get me started on their whites and creams! The interior examples above really show it off.
They offer decent-sized sample patches (9×12 inches) for $5.95 each – big enough to actually see how the color works on your wall.
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Sherwin-Williams holds its own with colors too – they’ve got tons of shades and a great color-matching system. Their samples run a bit smaller at 8×8 inches and cost $3.95.
What I really like about SW is how they’ve picked up on designer favorites. When you don’t want to spend ages testing colors, you can just grab one of their tried-and-true shades.
Worth noting – both brands can match most colors perfectly, so you’re not stuck with one brand or the other.
Color Consultations and Online Tools
Benjamin Moore’s color consultation service is pretty comprehensive.
- For $50, you get a 30-minute Zoom session for one room, and they’ll send you five color samples to your door.
- It’s $60 for exterior projects for a 45-minute consultation plus eight samples.
- Here’s a cool feature – you can add 3D visualization for $30, showing your house in three different color schemes.
I’ve found their Personal Color Viewer tool really handy – just upload your photo and try different colors on your walls, ceilings, and trim. The visualizations look pretty realistic – you can still see all the details under the virtual paint.
Sherwin-Williams does things a bit differently – they offer free 30-minute virtual sessions with their color experts.
Their ColorSnap Visualizer works like Benjamin Moore’s tool, though the results aren’t quite as polished.
But they’ve got a neat feature called the Snap It Button – it pulls color palettes from any photo and matches them to their paint colors. It’s not perfect, but it’s excellent for getting color ideas.
Store Experience
When it comes to stores, there’s quite a big difference between these brands.
Benjamin Moore partners with local businesses – all their 6000+ stores are independently owned (franchises). I’ve noticed this gives each store its own unique vibe, though it does come with some downsides.
You never quite know when a store will be open, and what you’ll find varies a lot between locations. In smaller towns, BM stores might stock only basic items, which can be a letdown.
Sherwin-Williams does things differently – they run about 3,925 corporate stores across the country. This means you get what you’d expect: reliable hours (yes, they’re open on weekends), consistent stock, and standardized service.
When it comes to customer service – well, it’s a mixed bag. From my experience and what other painters tell me, it really comes down to individual staff and managers, not the brand name.
You might get fantastic advice at one SW store and barely any help at another. Same goes for Benjamin Moore.
Benjamin Moore Paint Options
Benjamin Moore has several paint lines, each designed for different needs. Here are their three most popular ones:
Aura is their top-shelf option at about $95 per gallon. The standout feature is their Color Lock technology, and I can tell you – those colors do stay true for years.
They’ve added anti-fungal ingredients, which makes it perfect for bathrooms and other damp spaces.
It’s pretty thick stuff and takes some know-how to work with, but it’s worth the effort – you’ll only need two coats for perfect coverage.
Regal Select has become my go-to for most jobs. At around $80 per gallon, you get great coverage – up to 450 square feet from one gallon. It comes with built-in primer and stain blocking, which makes life easier.
DIYers will love this one – it’s forgiving if you make small mistakes and helps hide wall imperfections.
Ben is their budget-friendly line at about $50 per gallon. While it’s their cheaper option, you still get decent coverage and built-in primer.
It’s perfect for projects where you need to watch your spending and don’t need super-tough paint – think ceilings or walls in rooms you don’t use much.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Options
Sherwin-Williams also has tons of paint lines for different purposes. Here are their three customer favorites:
Emerald is their premium line, and you can really tell the difference when using it. Coverage is fantastic, and their stain-blocking technology actually works – even pencil marks wipe right off.
At about $95 per gallon, it’s worth considering if you want the best and don’t mind paying for it. It’s especially good for damp areas since it fights off mold.
Duration hits the sweet spot at $80 per gallon with great bang for your buck. It fights bacteria and primes as it paints – saving you from buying primer separately.
It goes on smoothly without patchy spots. Works great in bedrooms and living rooms where you want that perfect finish.
SuperPaint is their more wallet-friendly option that really shines in sunny spaces. Even at a lower price point, it covers well and cleans up nicely.
I often point people toward this one for basic jobs – you get solid quality without breaking the bank.
Final Recommendations
Here’s my bottom line: both companies make excellent paint, and picking between them usually comes down to what works best for you and your situation.
What matters more is picking the right paint line for your specific project (check out the previous section and comparison charts above). Choose whichever brand has a store nearby or has a good sale going. I tend to use BM more often, but I know plenty of contractors who swear by SW – honestly, you can’t go wrong either way 🤷
Just don’t try to save money by skimping on paint quality. Cheap paint usually means painting twice, which costs more in the long run. Get the best you can afford from either brand, and you’ll be happy with how it looks years down the road.
