Choosing between Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-Williams feels like picking your favorite superhero; both are powerful, but which one wins?
These paint giants have battled for decades, each claiming to be the best choice for your walls.
Maybe you’ve stood in the paint aisle, totally confused by all the options and price differences.
Sound familiar?
Both brands promise amazing coverage, beautiful colors, and long-lasting results.
But here’s what really matters: which one gives you the most bang for your buck and the easiest painting experience?
Time to settle this colorful debate once and for all!
Brand Overview & History
Two paint legends: Benjamin Moore provides designer quality via local dealers, while Sherwin-Williams offers accessibility and pro-grade durability through its stores.
Benjamin Moore: A Legacy in Color
Founded in 1883 by brothers Benjamin and Robert Moore in Brooklyn, Benjamin Moore began as a small, family-run paint shop that focused on quality from start to finish.
Known for its rich colors and premium performance, the brand quickly earned a reputation for excellence.
In 2000, it was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, but it remained true to its roots through a network of independent dealers.
Today, Benjamin Moore remains a top choice for designers and homeowners seeking timeless color and trusted quality.
Sherwin-Williams: Innovation and Industry Reach
Founded in 1866 in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams revolutionized the paint industry by introducing the first ready-to-use paint.
Today, it’s one of the largest paint manufacturers globally, with over 4,700 stores in North America and strong ties to major U.S. homebuilders.
Known for its durability, accessibility, and professional-grade quality, Sherwin-Williams remains a top choice for both contractors and DIY enthusiasts.
Quality & Performance: What Sets Them Apart
Benjamin Moore is known for its excellent coverage. It often requires fewer coats, saving you time, effort, and paint.
Its paints have great self-leveling properties, which means fewer visible brush or roller marks for a smoother, more professional-looking finish.
Aura and Regal Select, two of Benjamin Moore’s premium lines, are praised for their rich, vibrant colors and easy touch-up ability.
Sherwin-Williams stands out for its durability, especially in high-moisture or high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
The Emerald and Duration lines are built to resist wear, stains, and moisture, making them perfect for busy homes.
Over time, Benjamin Moore tends to hold onto color a bit better, especially in areas exposed to sunlight.
On the other hand, Sherwin-Williams paints are often easier to clean, making them ideal for households with children, pets, or high levels of daily activity.
Technology & Innovation: Advancing Paint Performance
Benjamin Moore is known for its excellent coverage. It often requires fewer coats, saving you time, effort, and paint.
Its paints have great self-leveling properties, which means fewer visible brush or roller marks for a smoother, more professional-looking finish.
Aura and Regal Select, two of Benjamin Moore’s premium lines, are praised for their rich, vibrant colors and easy touch-up ability.
Sherwin-Williams stands out for durability, especially in high-moisture or high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
The Emerald and Duration lines are built to resist wear, stains, and moisture, making them perfect for busy homes.
Over time, Benjamin Moore tends to hold onto color a bit better, especially in areas exposed to sunlight.
On the flip side, Sherwin-Williams paints are often easier to clean, making them ideal for households with kids, pets, or lots of daily activity.
Top Paint Recommendations by Project Type
Selecting the right paint for each surface is essential for achieving lasting results and optimal performance.
Below is a curated guide highlighting the best options from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams based on application needs:
Interior Walls
Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Offers excellent coverage, a refined finish, and superior touch-up capability, ideal for achieving a professional look in fewer coats.
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint
A dependable and cost-effective option that strikes a balance between durability and washability, making it suitable for everyday use in the interior.
Trim & Doors
Benjamin Moore Advance
It is known for its smooth leveling, hard finish, and water-based cleanup, perfect for achieving crisp, elegant trim and door detailing.
Sherwin-Williams ProClassic
It delivers excellent flow and leveling with a faster dry time, making it a strong choice for trim work requiring a quick turnaround.
High-Traffic Areas
Benjamin Moore Scuff-X
Designed for commercial-grade durability, this paint offers outstanding resistance to scuffing and wear, ideal for hallways, entryways, and kid-friendly spaces.
Sherwin-Williams Duration Home
Provides exceptional scrub resistance and stain protection, making it well-suited for busy households and frequently cleaned areas.
Exterior Siding
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior
Exceptional color retention and fade resistance, even in intense sunlight, ideal for long-lasting exterior beauty.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior
Engineered for durability in harsh climates, with excellent resistance to peeling, blistering, and moisture damage.
Color Selection & Services: Finding the Perfect Shade
Benjamin Moore offers a wide range of colors to play with, over 3,500 of which are beautifully layered neutrals and rich, complex tones that designers love.
Sherwin-Williams keeps things more focused with around 1,700 colors, which can actually make choosing a bit easier if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Need help picking the perfect shade? Sherwin-Williams offers free in-store color consultations, a great bonus if you want guidance without extra cost.
Benjamin Moore also offers color consultations, although they typically charge $40–$80, and availability may vary depending on the store.
Both brands make it easy to match colors across lines, so if you fall in love with one brand’s shade, the other can likely recreate it.
You can also explore colors at home using their digital tools:
In the end, your choice might come down to what you value more, a broader color selection or free professional help to narrow things down.
Shopping Experience: Store Models & Service Approach
Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are always finding new ways to make their paints smarter, safer, and more durable.
Benjamin Moore’s Gennex Color Technology and Color Lock help paint hold its color beautifully, even after years of sun exposure.
If you’re painting a space that gets a lot of natural light, this kind of fade resistance really pays off.
Sherwin-Williams, on the other hand, focuses on toughness.
Its Ceramic Microsphere Technology adds extra durability, great for high-traffic areas, and VinylSafe Technology lets you confidently use darker shades on vinyl siding without worrying about warping.
These innovations truly shine in challenging climates, high-traffic areas, and projects where you want the results to last for years without requiring constant touch-ups or repainting.
Environmental Considerations
Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams prioritize eco-conscious practices with a strong focus on health and sustainability.
They offer a range of low-VOC and zero-VOC paint options, which help reduce indoor air pollutants and improve air quality. This is particularly important for homes with children, pets, or individuals with sensitive health conditions.
Benjamin Moore’s Green Promise and Sherwin-Williams’ GreenSure programs reflect their broader commitment to environmentally responsible products.
Both companies also maintain industry certifications and continue to invest in sustainable manufacturing and recycling efforts, making them solid choices for eco-minded consumers.
Cost Considerations
When comparing paint brands, it’s important to look beyond the shelf price and consider the full value each product offers.
Benjamin Moore tends to be 5–10% more expensive at retail.
However, its superior coverage often means you’ll need fewer coats and less paint overall, which can help balance out the higher upfront cost.
Sherwin-Williams often provides seasonal promotions and contractor discounts, making premium lines more accessible during sales.
Both brands offer a range of options, from entry-level to top-of-the-line, allowing you to choose a product that fits your budget without compromising on performance.
Investing in higher-quality paint leads to fewer touch-ups, longer-lasting results, and reduced maintenance, making it worthwhile long-term.
Which Is Better: Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams?
Choosing between Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams ultimately depends on your needs and preferences.
If you appreciate designer colors, a rich finish, and personalized service from independent retailers, Benjamin Moore may be a better fit for high-end residential projects.
Sherwin-Williams provides excellent durability, extensive availability via its many stores, and strong appeal for professionals handling large-scale projects.
Both brands offer premium-quality, eco-friendly options and trusted performance.
Benjamin Moore edges ahead in color depth and boutique feel, while Sherwin-Williams stands out for convenience, consistent service, and pro-grade reliability.
In the end, it’s less about which is better overall and more about which is better for your project.
Final Thoughts
Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams aren’t just top paint brands; they’re trusted partners in helping you alter your house into a home that truly reflects your style.
Whether designing a cozy living room, updating a kitchen, or safeguarding your home’s exterior, both brands provide exceptional quality, beautiful colors, and lasting performance.
Their paints not only look great but also help hide imperfections and withstand everyday life.
While they may cost more than bargain options, the value becomes apparent over time, with better coverage, fewer touch-ups, and finishes that last for years.
Are you thinking about a paint upgrade?
Stop by both stores, test their premium lines, and see for yourself how much of a difference quality paint can make.
Which brand do you trust for your next project?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
If you’re looking for more tips, comparisons, or color inspiration, click here to explore our expert paint guides and home improvement resources.
Alex Guerrero, a graduate with a Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, has been a visionary in the world of color and design for over 15 years. His professional journey began in the heart of the fashion industry in Milan, where he developed an acute sense for color harmonies and trends. Alex joined our team in 2018, offering fresh and innovative perspectives on color utilization in various spaces. Renowned for his ability to blend contemporary trends with timeless elegance. Outside of work, Alex is an accomplished painter and a volunteer art therapist, his artistic talents further enriching his professional insights.
