BEHR VS SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
The two most popular paint brands in America — but they serve different buyers. Here's how they actually compare on price, coverage, durability, and which to pick for your project.
Which is better — Behr or Sherwin-Williams?
- Behr is the smart pick for DIY homeowners painting bedrooms, living rooms, and guest bathrooms on a budget.
- Sherwin-Williams is worth the premium for high-traffic areas, exteriors, cabinets, and trim work where long-term durability matters.
- Behr is sold exclusively at Home Depot; Sherwin-Williams is sold only at Sherwin-Williams stores.
- Most professional painters use Sherwin-Williams exclusively; most homeowners are better off mixing both brands by room.
BEHR
Best for budget-conscious DIYers
- Lower price (about $35–$70/gal across all tiers)
- One-coat coverage in Marquee and Dynasty lines
- Available at Home Depot — easy to grab same day
- Thick formula hides imperfections well
- Thicker formula can cause drips with brushes
- Fewer professional-grade options
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Best for pros and long-term results
- Superior coverage per gallon (350–400 sq ft)
- ProMar 200 in every color and six sheens
- More durable against scuffs, fading, and moisture
- Paint and primer in one on SuperPaint, Cashmere and Emerald
- Higher list price ($83–$106/gal for retail lines, before sales)
- Only sold at SW stores — fewer locations
- Premium lines are overkill for low-traffic rooms
Which one wins feature-by-feature?
Side-by-side on every metric that matters when choosing between these two brands. For help estimating how much paint you need, use our paint calculator — coverage per gallon is one of the biggest differences.
| FEATURE | BEHR | SHERWIN-WILLIAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price Per Gallon | About $35 – $70 (varies by sheen and promotion) | $83 – $106 list (frequent 30–40% sales) |
| Coverage (sq ft/gal) | 250 – 400 | 350 – 400 |
| One-Coat Coverage | Marquee & Dynasty only | No one-coat claim (Emerald: exceptional hide; SuperPaint: excellent hide) |
| Built-In Primer | Most lines | SuperPaint, Cashmere and Emerald |
| Durability | Good for residential | Excellent — pro-grade wear resistance |
| Washability | Scrubbable in premium lines | Scrubbable across all lines |
| UV / Fade Resistance | Moderate | Superior — rated for harsh sun |
| Dry Time | 1 – 2 hours | 30 min – 1 hour |
| Application Ease | Thick — sprayer recommended | Smoother — brush or roller |
| Where to Buy | Home Depot (exclusive) | Sherwin-Williams stores only |
| Color Selection | Thousands of colors (ColorSmart) | ~1,700 colors |
Which is cheaper per gallon?
Behr is consistently cheaper across every tier. But Sherwin-Williams runs major sales (30-40% off) several times a year, which narrows the gap significantly. If you can time your purchase, SW on sale beats Behr at full price. Use our interior painting cost calculator to see how paint choice affects your total project budget.
Behr prices are approximate Home Depot ranges that move with sheen and promotion; check the current listing before you buy. Sherwin-Williams list prices checked October 2026 on sherwin-williams.com — SW discounts them often (40% off when we checked), so the shelf price moves.
PRICE PER GALLON — TIER BY TIER
Typical retail price per gallon (interior). Sherwin-Williams list prices from sherwin-williams.com, October 2026. Behr bars are the midpoints of approximate Home Depot ranges, which vary by sheen and promotion. ProMar 200 (PRO-priced, not listed online) is approximate.
BUDGET
Behr saves $2/gal (5% less)
MID-RANGE
Behr saves $36/gal (42% less)
PREMIUM
Behr saves $31/gal (36% less)
TOP-TIER
Behr saves $39/gal (38% less)
Sherwin-Williams runs 30-40% off sales several times a year (40% off list when we checked in October 2026). At sale prices, SuperPaint competes directly with Behr Marquee at full price.
How do their product lines stack up?
Both brands sell multiple product lines at different price points. The comparison that matters isn't “Behr vs Sherwin-Williams” — it's which specific product line matches your project. Behr Dynasty competes with SW SuperPaint, not with SW Emerald.
BEHR PRODUCT LINES
Best for: Low-traffic rooms, rentals, quick refreshes
Solid entry-level paint. Two coats needed for full coverage.
Best for: General interior/exterior, good all-around
Paint + primer combo. Better coverage than Premium Plus.
Best for: One-coat projects, accent walls, bold colors
True one-coat coverage in most colors. Thick formula.
Best for: High-traffic areas, kitchens, kids' rooms
Most durable Behr line. Stain-blocking technology.
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS PRODUCT LINES
Best for: New construction, rental turnovers, large jobs
Pro-only workhorse. Good coverage, fast dry time.
Best for: Most residential interiors and exteriors
Paint + primer. Excellent coverage and durability.
Best for: Feature walls, smooth finishes, fine surfaces
Buttery application. Levels beautifully with no marks.
Best for: High-end projects, cabinets, trim, exteriors
Top-tier. Antimicrobial, extreme washability, UV-resistant.
Which brand should you use for your project?
The right brand depends entirely on what you're painting. Here's the breakdown by project type. If you need to paint a room or refinish kitchen cabinets, the brand choice matters less than the product line and finish.
Behr Premium Plus or Ultra delivers solid results at half the cost. Two coats get you full coverage in bedrooms and living rooms without breaking the budget.
Behr Ultra for walls (fast, cheap, good enough). Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 if you paint rentals regularly — pros prefer the consistency and speed.
SuperPaint or Duration in kitchens, hallways, and kids' rooms. The scrubbability and stain resistance pay for themselves in fewer repaints.
Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is the gold standard. Self-leveling, rock-hard cure, no brush marks. Behr has no real equivalent in this category.
Duration or Emerald Exterior outperform Behr on UV resistance, peeling, and chalking. Behr Ultra Exterior is acceptable if budget is the top priority.
ProMar 200 and 400 are contractor staples. Bulk pricing, fast dry. Most commercial specs name Sherwin-Williams by default.
The Bottom Line
THE RULE
Behr for budget rooms.
Sherwin-Williams for everything else.
Use Behr Ultra or Dynasty on low-traffic walls where you want good coverage without spending $70+ per gallon. Switch to Sherwin-Williams for kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, cabinets, and trim — anywhere durability, fade resistance, or professional finish quality actually matters.
Still deciding on finishes? The satin vs semi-gloss choice and the eggshell vs satin decision will have more impact on your final result than which brand you buy. For full house painting costs, paint is typically only 15-20% of total project expense — labor is the bigger factor.