The Best Interior Paints, According to Expert Testing

We updated this story in January 2023 with all-new picks and information based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab.

There's an old saying in the paint business: A bucket of paint is a bucket of compromises. The ingredients a manufacturer uses for a new formulation will determine that paint's performance. Including a new additive might increase durability, but at the expense of stain resistance. A change in pigments will affect depth of color. Different binders might improve adhesion but not smoothness. Adding or removing solvents will impact odors and off-gassing.

The best paints on the market hit the sweet spot, combining performance, appearance, ease of application and sustainability, all while keeping costs in check. That's what we at the Good Housekeeping Institute looked for in our latest interior paint report. After more than 100 hours of rigorous testing — including applying, scrubbing, analyzing and, yes, watching the paint dry — we arrived at the following list of winners for a slew of interior spaces, ranging from bedroom accent walls to statement kitchens.

Our top picks:

Keep in mind that the best paint will depend on the project and where you like to shop for supplies. Once you've read through our picks, keep scrolling for more advice on the paint-purchasing process, along with insider details on how we test paint. Want even more inspiration for your next at-home DIY paint job? Check out our experts' choices for the best cabinet paint brands, the best painter's tapes and the best paint sprayers for every painting project.