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Benjamin Moore vs. Budget Paint Brands: Quality & Value Comparison

Is Benjamin Moore worth the extra cost?

It depends on the line you buy and the room you are painting. Benjamin Moore ranked first for interior paint satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study. Consumer Reports' lab tests tell a more mixed story. Its top-performing paints cost $43 to $66 per gallon, and several Benjamin Moore lines did not lead on stain resistance. Comparing the specific line against its test results will tell you more than comparing brand names.

What the lab tests show

Consumer Reports rated 20 interior paints as of January 2026, scoring each one out of 5 for hiding and for stain resistance. Three Benjamin Moore lines were included:

  • Aura: 5 out of 5 for hiding, 3 out of 5 for stain resistance
  • Regal Select: 5 out of 5 for hiding, 2 out of 5 for stain resistance
  • Ben: 4 out of 5 for hiding, 1 out of 5 for stain resistance

Behr Dynasty, sold at Home Depot, ranked first overall, and Valspar Reserve, sold at Lowe's, ranked second. Behr Dynasty is Behr's most expensive line, so a higher price did not guarantee a stronger result on its own, and a lower price did not rule out a good one.

Where Benjamin Moore earns its price

  • Customer satisfaction: Benjamin Moore scored 742 for interior paint in J.D. Power's 2026 study, ahead of Behr at 719 and Sherwin-Williams at 718. The study surveyed 7,027 customers who had bought and applied interior paint, exterior paint or exterior stain in the past year.
  • Colour range: Benjamin Moore describes its palette as more than 3,500 colours, which matters when you need one exact shade.
  • Low odour and zero VOC: Eco Spec is zero VOC with minimal odour.
  • Washability: Aura uses Colour Lock technology to keep colours from fading or rubbing off with repeated washing, and Regal Select uses stain release technology to clean with less scrubbing.

Matching the line to the job

  • Aura: extreme hide and coverage for fewer coats, and it performs well in high-traffic areas.
  • Regal Select: a paint and primer in one, with a mildew-resistant finish and a range of sheens.
  • Advance: built for cabinets, mouldings, doors and furniture, with a hard, furniture-quality finish once cured.
  • Ultra Spec Scuff-X: designed for high-traffic commercial spaces such as hallways, stairwells and bathrooms.
  • Eco Spec: zero VOCs, minimal odour and quick return to service.

These product details come from the Interior Paint & Finishes page, where you can compare each line's sheens and features.

Test before you buy

Paint a sample patch on the actual wall, in the light the room gets in the morning and at night, before you commit to a full project. Our sales staff are dedicated to matching products to job requirements and customer needs at any of our four stores.

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Sources

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