Behr vs Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore: Which Wins?

Behr, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore each bring something different to the table. Behr is a go-to for budget-conscious DIYers, Sherwin-Williams shines in durability and pro performance, while Benjamin Moore delivers high-end color accuracy and designer-level finishes.

But how do they stack up when it comes to your home?

Let’s break down the key differences:

• Behr: Affordable and widely available, but less consistent in finish and durability, especially under Arizona sun.

• Sherwin-Williams: Trusted by pros for exterior and interior use; durable, fast-drying, and ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Benjamin Moore: Offers the most sophisticated color palette and smoothest finishes, especially on cabinets and trim.

If you’ve ever stood in the paint aisle wondering which brand is worth the money, you’re not alone, and that’s where ProSmart Painting comes in. We help homeowners make confident choices based on real-world performance, not just label promises.

Keep reading to see how these top paint brands compare, and learn which one will give you results that last in Arizona’s harsh climate.

Which Brand Is Best?

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• Budget DIY Projects → Behr

• Durability & Professional Results → Sherwin-Williams

• Designer Finishes & Rich Color → Benjamin Moore

Each brand serves a specific purpose. If you’re touching up a rental or flipping a property on a tight budget, Behr can get the job done. But if you want your paint job to last a decade, perform under intense sun, or stand up to daily cleaning, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are in a different league.

We choose Sherwin-Williams for the majority of our projects, especially exteriors, because of how well it handles Arizona’s harsh climate. For high-end interiors and cabinets, Benjamin Moore gives us unmatched color depth and finish consistency.

Paint Quality: Coverage, Durability & Finish

Paint quality is how well it covers, how long it lasts, and how well it stands up to life.

Sherwin-Williams Duration and Emerald paints are reliable workhorses. They go on smooth, cover well in one or two coats, and resist fading and wear over time. Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select are just as dependable, delivering a richer finish with slightly better touch-up capabilities.

Behr, particularly the Marquee and Premium Plus lines, claims one-coat coverage, but real-world performance says otherwise. Especially with lighter colors over dark walls or patchy surfaces, you’ll usually need two coats, and blending for touch-ups is where Behr falls short. Even when using the same can, patches often stand out.

Finish consistency is another concern. Behr’s sheen levels can vary, resulting in blotchy or uneven appearance, especially in eggshell and satin finishes. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore maintain a more consistent finish, even across different batches.

If you're painting in extreme heat like we see here in Phoenix, Behr tends to break down faster, UV rays degrade it more quickly, leading to chalking, fading, or peeling within a few years. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore simply hold up better in those conditions.

Color Selection & Accuracy

If color selection matters to you, there are clear differences among these brands.

• Benjamin Moore offers over 3,500 designer-curated colors.

• Sherwin-Williams provides a well-rounded 1,500+ options.

• Behr has a more limited palette, though its whites and bold tones stand out.

Benjamin Moore's range is incredible but can feel overwhelming without professional guidance. Sherwin-Williams strikes a nice balance between variety and usability. Behr’s selection is easier to navigate but may lack the nuance some homeowners or designers are looking for.

One common issue we see is color-matching across brands. Trying to replicate a Sherwin-Williams shade in Behr? It often comes out slightly off, especially in undertones and lighter colors. That’s why we always recommend tinting within the same brand for color accuracy.

ProSmart Painting relies on professional-grade tinting services at Sherwin-Williams stores to ensure precise results. Home improvement retailers like Home Depot may do their best, but even small tinting errors can throw off your entire project. Need help with colors? Feel free to contact us today.

Interior Projects: Which Paint Is Best for Walls, Trim & Cabinets?

For interiors, you want paint that applies cleanly, dries fast, resists odors, and stands up to everyday wear, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and homes with kids.

Sherwin-Williams Duration Home and Benjamin Moore Regal Select are both fantastic for walls in high-traffic areas. They resist staining, wash easily, and maintain their sheen and color even after repeated cleaning. Behr performs well initially, but tends to show wear sooner, especially around high-touch spots like door frames and baseboards.

Now let’s talk about cabinets, because not all paints are built for the job. We do not recommend Behr for cabinet painting. It simply doesn’t adhere or cure as hard as its competitors. Benjamin Moore Advance, on the other hand, is a professional favorite for cabinetry. It goes on smooth, levels beautifully, and dries to a hard, furniture-like finish.

Another consideration: odor and dry time. Sherwin-Williams dries the fastest, which is great in our dry Arizona air. Benjamin Moore takes longer but emits less odor, making it a better choice for homes where air circulation is limited. Behr tends to have the strongest odor of the three and can take longer to cure, especially in shaded or humid rooms.

For parents wondering what holds up best in active homes: Regal Select and Duration Home are your best bets for wipeable, scrubbable walls.

Exterior Performance in Harsh Climates

Painting the exterior of a home in Arizona isn’t the same as painting in the Midwest or Pacific Northwest. Here, UV exposure is relentless, surfaces bake under triple-digit heat, and inferior paints simply don’t last.

Sherwin-Williams Duration is specifically formulated for extreme environments like ours. It resists peeling, blistering, and fading even with full-sun exposure. Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior also performs exceptionally well, delivering rich color depth and long-term durability in dry heat.

Behr, however, struggles in these conditions. We’ve seen it start to chalk, fade, or discolor in as little as three years, sometimes sooner on south-facing stucco. That’s why we don’t recommend it for exterior use in Arizona; it just doesn’t meet our standards for longevity or finish quality.

Dunn-Edwards, our preferred partner for exterior projects, is another brand engineered with the Southwest in mind. Their exterior lines, like Evershield, offer excellent UV resistance, adhesion, and fade protection. It’s one of the few paints specifically designed for desert conditions, which is why ProSmart trusts it for HOA homes and full exterior repaints across Phoenix, Chandler, Queen Creek, and beyond.

We’ve repainted thousands of homes throughout Arizona, and time after time, the results are clear: homes painted with Dunn-Edwards last longer and look better years down the line.

Application Experience: DIY vs Pro-Friendly

Not all paints are created equal when it comes to how they apply, especially if you’re a DIYer. This is where the difference between entry-level and professional-grade paint really shows up.

Behr tends to be thicker and harder to roll, especially for non-pros. It doesn’t always spread evenly, and in our Arizona climate, it can start drying mid-stroke, leaving behind drag marks or uneven texture. Many homeowners describe Behr as “gummy” during application, especially in warm, dry air or low-light spaces.

On the flip side, Sherwin-Williams paints glide smoother, require less effort to spread, and dry faster without sacrificing workability. Benjamin Moore has a rich, buttery texture that many painters love, though it dries a bit slower, which gives more time for cutting in and blending, especially on detailed trim.

Another major difference is how these paints handle touch-ups. Even with proper prep, Behr struggles to blend seamlessly. Patches are noticeable, even from the same can. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore consistently produce cleaner touch-up results, which is critical for high-visibility areas or later maintenance.

If you’re spraying your paint (common for cabinets or exteriors), Behr’s thickness can clog sprayers, especially entry-level models. Sherwin and BM are more spray-friendly and flow better through a range of tips with minimal adjustment.

We’ve trained our crews to maximize performance from both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore products, ensuring a clean finish regardless of the method.

Pricing & Value: Upfront Cost vs Long-Term ROI

Here’s the straight price comparison:

• Behr: $30–$60 per gallon

• Sherwin-Williams & Benjamin Moore: $50–$90+ per gallon depending on the line

Behr looks like the budget winner, but price per gallon doesn’t tell the whole story. Lower-cost paints often require more coats, don’t last as long, and may require a full repaint sooner. For example, two coats of Behr with faster wear could cost more in materials and labor over time than one quality coat of Sherwin-Williams or BM.

Also, professional painters like ProSmart receive contractor discounts that we can pass along to homeowners, sometimes saving up to 40% on Sherwin-Williams products. That puts premium paint pricing much closer to Behr, making the pro-grade choice a better deal long-term.

When you factor in performance, longevity, and fewer repaints, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore consistently offer better ROI, especially in climates like Arizona, where harsh sun can turn cheap paint into a short-term solution.

How to Choose the Right Brand for Your Next Project

Still unsure which paint is best for you? Here's a quick comparison to guide your decision:

Is this a temporary update or a long-term investment?

• Do I care more about budget or durability?

• Will the paint face direct sunlight, scrubbing, or daily wear?

Whatever your answer, the smartest thing you can do is work with a painter who knows how to match the right product to the right surface.

That’s where ProSmart Painting comes in. We’ll help you choose the brand that works best for your project, and apply it with care, precision, and pride. Contact us today for help.

Trusting the Right Paint Partner: How ProSmart Painting Makes It Easy

We help homeowners make informed choices that lead to long-term satisfaction. That means:

• No deposits upfront: We don’t take a dime until the job is done and you’re thrilled with the result.

• No watered-down paint: We buy and use premium paints exactly as designed.

• No cutting corners: We prep every surface properly and never paint over unclean areas.

• No sales pressure: Just honest guidance and straightforward service.

We’re a locally owned, BBB A+ rated company that’s completed thousands of repaints across the Valley, earning trust one project at a time.

Quality Paint Deserves a Quality Finish

The right paint makes a difference, but only when it’s applied with the right prep, tools, and expertise. We protect your investment with premium products, skilled workmanship, and a no-shortcuts approach.

Whether it’s a sun-battered exterior or a statement interior, we’ll guide you to the best paint for your project and deliver a finish that lasts.

Get a free quote today and let ProSmart Painting help you love your space again, with results that speak for themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I mix different paint brands on the same wall or project?

It’s not recommended. Different brands have unique formulations, which can cause sheen inconsistencies, uneven drying, and unpredictable durability. For a seamless look, stick with one brand per surface.

Which brand is best for repainting over dark colors?

Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald and Behr’s Marquee both market one-coat coverage, but in practice, Benjamin Moore Aura performs best for covering deep or bold colors with fewer coats and better consistency.

How long should I wait between coats with each brand?

Dry time varies:

• Behr: 2–4 hours

• Sherwin-Williams: 1–2 hours

• Benjamin Moore: 2–3 hours

Always check the label and consider your climate. Arizona’s dry air speeds up dry time but can also affect how paint levels out.

What’s the best paint brand for ceiling coverage?

Sherwin-Williams CHB and Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint are top picks for smooth, flat finishes. Behr can work, but may require more coats and careful rolling to avoid streaks.

Do any of these brands offer truly odorless paint?

Benjamin Moore Natura and Sherwin-Williams Harmony are marketed as low-odor options, with Natura often preferred by sensitive homeowners or those painting nurseries or occupied rooms.