Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore – Which Is Best?
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to live in, own, and remodel all kinds of homes. And with all that moving around, I’ve gained a ton of experience with paint! Honestly, I feel like I’ve tried just about every top brand out there. When it comes to color and convenience, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are definitely my go-to favorite paint brands. But when it’s time to pick the best interior paint, how do you decide between the two?
Well, during one of my home remodels, I happened to use both for the interior paint which gave me a great opportunity to see them both up close and next to each other.
Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin Williams
I knew I wanted an all white interior but there were soooo many options. I was overwhelmed trying to choose the right interior paint. In the past we’d always used big box store brands but I heard great things about Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. These two brands really emerged as some of the best latex paints with their sheen options, colors, and availability.
Ultimately, I ended up using both of these throughout my home, giving us a little side by side comparison. After painting the entire interior, wood trim, exterior, cabinets, and fireplace I think I’ve learned a thing or two about house paint.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Sherwin Williams | Benjamin Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
| Coverage | Good | Excellent |
| Durability | Very good | Excellent |
| Color selection | Huge | Huge |
| Availability | Very easy (stores everywhere) | Slightly more limited |
| Best for | Budget-friendly projects | Premium finish & coverage |
Best Paint Lines
When it comes to the Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore debate, both are fantastic, high-quality paints that I’d pick over store brands any day. I’m more drawn to Benjamin Moore’s colors, but I love how easy it is to find Sherwin-Williams. Both lines offer a fantastic matte finish that I prefer over semi-gloss that looks high end and not like primer.
This is the exact type of paint I have used (and continue to use):
- Sherwin Williams – Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Line in Matte
- Benjamin Moore – Regal Select or Aura Line in Matte or Eggshell
Benjamin Moore Wall Paint
We used Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace in a matte finish for the entire interior walls of both our new remodel home and our beach cottage. It went on really smoothly, covering up darker colors like maroon and pink. This is a crisp, bright, neutral white and one of my all time favorites. We also used this low voc paint for the ceiling paint which created a clean modern look.
What I love about Benjamin Moore Paint:
- Benjamin Moore offers dozens of rich, designer colors – they have many of my favorite colors like Chantilly Lace and Hale Navy
- Compared with a lot of other brands, their paint goes on like butter – especially their Emerald series, it’s so smooth and thick, we often needed only one coat
- They are relatively easy to find at my local Ace Hardware store
- Their Paint Color App is interactive, helpful, and fun – lets you explore and keep track of colors
- They offer a special matte paint for bathrooms with their Aura collection – this gives the flat look but still easy to clean and mold resistant
Downside to Benjamin Moore Paint:
- Not as readily available as others: Ok, so it’s fairly easy for me to find living just outside of Portland. It’s sold at their name brand shops and a few select stores, making it difficult to find (and purchase more if needed!) but other brands are definitely easier to obtain
- Cannot be color-matched – this is by design and while people try, it’s not always an exact match
- More expensive than hardware store brands (but worth it!)
- It doesn’t seem to be the top choice for painters—I spoke with three house painters, and they said they avoid Benjamin Moore paints because it’s not always easy to find in stores.
Sherwin Williams Paint
During our home improvement remodel, we also used Sherwin Williams Pure White for our new trim work and doors. Its a beautiful neutral white with just a touch of warmth. We hired a professional painter to get the smooth durable finish on the trim. This was definitely more expensive than doing it on our own – but the end result was worth it for a nice smooth finish.
Overall, the Sherwin Williams paint went on really easily. As a side note, we also used Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black for the exterior house paint color. It held seemed to apply well and held up over the harsh winter. It’s a deep, neutral black that I’m now obsessed with.
What I love about Sherwin Williams Paint:
- Hundreds of popular paint colors, many the top choices of designers so it’s easy to grab an idea and actually apply it in your home
- Easy to locate – available at Sherwin Williams stores which, at least in my area are pretty numerous. Also, more recently it is available at Lowe’s
- First choice of many professional painters in my experience. When I painted my interior walls and kitchen cabinets, Sherwin Williams was the preferred brand
Downside of Sherwin Williams Paint:
- Great quality, but not as smooth or with as much coverage as Benjamin Moore—we needed extra coats. (This remains true after many different painting projects I’ve completed)
- The satin finish was shinier than we expected based on the description and other satin finishes I’ve used
Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore: Which Should You Choose?
Ok, if you want the quick breakdown, here’s how I would decide between the two interior paint brands.
Choose Sherwin Williams if:
- you want easier access
- you’re on a budget
- you’re DIY-ing multiple rooms
Choose Benjamin Moore if:
- you want premium coverage
- fewer coats matter
- you’re doing a high-end space
Paint Samples
Even though I think both brands are one of the best interior wall paint brands, the biggest drawback for each of them is the price and size of their samples. If it’s in my budget, I usually choose Benjamin Moore. For larger projects, I have opted for Sherwin Williams. In both cases, I’ve been super happy with the results and each brand is a good choice.
Gone are the days of those little messy paint sample jars – and good riddance! Little known fact, they are not the same formula as regular paint so they didn’t always give a good color reading and couldn’t be used for other projects. Instead, I’m a big fan of peel and stick paint sample options. Samplize has a huge assortment of both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore samples.
Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore FAQs
Technically, yes. Most big box stores can color match using a paint sample or swatch number but the actual paint color results can vary. The formula and base paints are different, so a matched version might not look exactly the same. If you’re after a very specific designer color, it’s usually best to buy from the original brand.
Yes. Premium paint often provides better coverage, a smoother finish, and longer-lasting results. These might not sound as important but it also usually requires fewer coats, which can save time and effort in the long run.
Both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore primarily sell their paint in their independent stores. Sherwin-Williams offers a value option with limited colors at Lowe’s. Benjamin Moore is also available at locally owned, smaller hardware stores like Ace and Parkrose Hardware.
Free Paint Color Scheme
Ok, so we’ve gone over some of the technical details – how about paint colors? I’ve created a simple paint color palette with some of my favorite organic modern colors and put them in a simple guide. I’ve labeled where to use them along with links for samples. Simply download and print for your next project!
Final Thoughts
After all my years of trying different paints and working on countless home projects, I can confidently say that if you’re looking for the best interior paint for your home, you can’t go wrong with either of these brands. When it comes to Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams, both are high-quality, dependable options with beautiful colors that I’ve trusted time and time again! For me, it usually comes down to accessibility, color option, and size of project.
If you’re curious to know how these how these white interior paint colors line up, check out my post comparing Chantilly Lace vs Pure White for more details. I’ve also got a line up of the Top Black Paint Colors – most are in the Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore lines.
