Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams: Finding the Right Paint for Every Type of Home Decorator
When it comes to breathing new life into your home, nothing can compare to a fresh coat of paint. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are two of the leading paint brands in the industry, and each has a loyal following. Both brands have a reputation for providing high-quality interior and exterior paints, offering seemingly countless color options. But is one brand better than the other?
Let’s dive into what sets these two paint powerhouses apart, comparing them across different metrics to help you choose the right paint for your home.
How We Compared Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams
To compare Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, we took an in-depth look at their product ranges, color selection, price points, durability, and overall performance. Both brands were tested for our article on the best interior paints, and we considered the results of those tests for this comparison. We surveyed professional and consumer reviews and looked at feedback from designers to determine which brand performed best across a variety of metrics. This approach allowed us to present a balanced and unbiased view of what each brand has to offer.
Benjamin Moore
Photo: benjaminmoore.com
Price Range: $$–$$$
Our Top Picks: Aura Interior Paint—($98.99 at Benjamin Moore) and Ben Interior Paint—($53.99 at Benjamin Moore)
Benjamin Moore is renowned for its exceptional quality and durability, offering a wide range of colors and finishes to suit any decorating style. What sets it apart is its focus on innovative technologies, such as the Color Lock Technology in Aura paints, ensuring vibrant colors and long-lasting finishes. While it may be pricier than some competitors, its products are often seen as an investment for your home. Benjamin Moore’s paints generally aren’t sold at big box stores but can be purchased from the brand’s specialty paint stores (with 6,640 stores across the country) or local hardware stores.
Pros
Unmatched color richness and depth
Long-lasting durability
Eco-friendly options
Wide availability across retail and specialty stores
Cons
The brand’s most popular paints come at a high price point
Shop Benjamin Moore paint at:
Local hardware stores
Sherwin-Williams
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Price Range: $$–$$$
Our Top Picks: Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint—($85.49 at Sherwin-Williams) and SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex—($69.99 at Sherwin-Williams)
Sherwin-Williams is celebrated for its comprehensive product line, catering to both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. The paints are known for excellent coverage, ease of application, and durability. The brand's commitment to innovation is evident in products like the Emerald line, which offers exceptional resistance to weathering and staining. Some of the brands under the Sherwin-Williams umbrella include Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, and Thompson’s WaterSeal.
Like Benjamin Moore, the Sherwin-Williams line isn’t carried at major retailers and can instead be found at specialty stores, with the brand having 3,923 stores across the country.
Pros
Wide availability across retail and specialty stores
Frequent sales and discounts
Extensive product range for every project
Strong commitment to sustainability
Cons
Fewer stores across the country than Benjamin Moore
Touch-ups may be obvious with higher-sheen paints
Shop Sherwin-Williams paint at:
Local hardware stores
Color Selection and Quality
Benjamin Moore is known for having some of the deepest and richest paint colors on the market, offering a wide palette that includes both saturated, vibrant hues and sophisticated neutrals. While both brands offer a vast color selection, Benjamin Moore wins for sheer variety. It offers over 3,500 colors compared to the approximately 1,700 colors offered by Sherwin-Williams. Although the HGTV Home paints sold at Lowe’s are made by Sherwin-Williams, it is not the same formulation as Sherwin-Williams products supplied directly from the manufacturer.
Sherwin-Williams also has an impressive color selection and focuses on color trends and partnerships with designers to create exclusive collections. Both brands offer color-matching services, meaning they can match paint colors from other brands. Since Benjamin Moore’s colors are so rich, they can be trickier to match from another brand. On the other hand, Sherwin-Williams is known for its superior color-matching technology, making it a good choice if you’re looking for a paint color from a higher-end brand like Farrow and Ball.
Performance
When it comes to coverage and durability, Sherwin-Williams' SuperPaint line stands out, offering exceptional resistance to fading and staining, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and harsh weather conditions. We ranked it the best overall pick among the interior paints we tested, covering a circle we drew with a thick black marker with just one coat of paint. We tested a color called Berry Frappe in a satin finish, and were impressed with the high amount of pigment in this acrylic paint. Benjamin Moore's Aura line is a close competitor, with Color Lock Technology ensuring long-lasting vibrancy and wear resistance.
Both brands offer products that claim to offer a flawless finish with just a single coat of paint, but you’ll likely get better results across the board if you take the time to do two coats. When it comes to touch-ups, Benjamin Moore has a slight advantage. Sherwin-Williams paints tend to get glossier with each coat, making it obvious if an area has been touched up.
Environmental Impact
In terms of environmental impact and sustainability, Benjamin Moore shines with its commitment to eco-friendly products, such as its Eco Spec line, which is certified asthma- and allergy-friendly. The company focuses on reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across its product range, aiming to minimize its environmental footprint. When it comes to low-VOC paint, Benjamin Moore Regal Select interior paint is one of the top options on the market.
Sherwin-Williams also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, with products like the Harmony line that are zero VOC. Both brands are dedicated to creating safer, more sustainable products, but Benjamin Moore's extensive range of eco-certified paints will appeal more to environmentally conscious consumers.
Our Verdict
For those prioritizing color selection and depth, Benjamin Moore is the standout choice, offering unmatched shade options and innovative technologies. However, for decorators seeking the best paint quality, Sherwin-Williams emerges as the preferred option.
