Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE Interior Paint

Posted by Tommy Ekstrand on 11/20/2025

Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE: Which Premium Interior Paint Fits Your Project?

Benjamin Moore Aura is one of the most recognized premium interior paints in North America. It’s known for strong coverage, durable finishes, and Benjamin Moore’s huge color library, all wrapped in a low-VOC, 100% acrylic formula designed for demanding residential and light commercial work.

C2 LUXE is C2 Paint’s flagship interior line: a boutique, small-batch acrylic paint with a strong focus on artisan color, smooth application, and a refined, durable finish. C2 as a brand is dealer-owned and independent, built around full-spectrum, multi-pigment color with a 16-colorant system and no black in its full-spectrum formulas.

If you’re new to C2 entirely: C2 Paint is an ultra-premium, designer-forward brand founded by paint chemist Thomas (Tom) Hill III and a group of independent dealers who wanted a “microbrewery of paint” instead of another big-box line. Colors are crafted with artist-grade pigments, low-VOC chemistry, and real-paint sampling tools, and the line is distributed through independent retailers and select online partners like us.

In this guide, we’ll compare Benjamin Moore Aura and C2 LUXE on the things that matter most: coverage and number of coats, color depth, VOCs and odor, durability and washability, finishes and application feel, price/value, and which projects each excels at. Our goal is to help you decide which paint actually fits your project—whether that leads you to Aura, C2 LUXE, or something else entirely.

Quick Comparison Table: Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE

Brand & line Typical use cases Coverage (sq ft/gal) VOC level Finish options Paint type Sheen range & where it’s strongest Approximate price tier Key differentiator
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior High-end residential interiors, busy family homes, light commercial, areas needing strong color retention and washability. Approx. 350–400 sq ft/gal (recommended two coats). Low VOC (<50 g/L; check current TDS for exact numbers). Matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss. Waterborne 100% acrylic interior paint & primer. Excels in matte and eggshell on walls; semi-gloss popular for trim/doors. $$$ premium (top-tier architectural line; pricing varies by dealer). Color Lock® technology, long track record, widely available through a large dealer network.
C2 LUXE Interior Design-driven residential interiors, boutique commercial spaces, projects prioritizing nuanced color and a refined hand. Up to ~450 sq ft/gal, depending on surface and sheen. Low VOC (spec’d as <50 g/L across sheens). Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss. Premium interior acrylic / co-polymer latex, small-batch production. Strong across matte and eggshell walls; satin–gloss options give a unified look on trim and doors. $$$ premium (similar tier to Aura; exact pricing varies by dealer and region). Full-spectrum, multi-pigment color system with no black in full-spectrum colors; boutique, dealer-owned brand.

Key Takeaways: Aura vs C2 LUXE

On paper, Benjamin Moore Aura and C2 LUXE live in the same “ultra-premium interior paint” tier: low-VOC, high-hide, washable finishes with excellent durability. The main differences come down to color philosophy, application feel, availability, and some technical details like coverage and sheen range.

  • Where C2 LUXE shines: Full-spectrum, no-black color system with a curated 496-color palette; small-batch production; proven durability, generous coverage (up to ~450 sq ft/gal); and a buttery, refined hand that painters and designers love.
  • Where Benjamin Moore Aura shines: Extremely broad color library (3,500+ BM colors), strong certifications and track record, proven durability, and a large dealer network that makes it easy to find in a pinch.
  • C2 LUXE is ideal if you care deeply about nuanced, luminous color, care about supporting smaller businesses/brands, and appreciate a more curated palette and real-paint sampling tools.
  • Aura is ideal if you want widely available premium paint with excellent performance, especially when you’re already working within Benjamin Moore specifications or need local same-day pickup(if not near a C2 dealer).

Our verdict: both are excellent. If your project is color-led or design-driven, C2 LUXE often earns the edge. If logistics, availability, or staying inside a Benjamin Moore spec are your primary constraints, Aura is usually the practical choice.

Brand & Line Overview

Overview of Benjamin Moore Aura Interior

Benjamin Moore Aura is the company’s flagship interior line, positioned at the very top of their "good-better-best" ladder. It’s a waterborne 100% acrylic paint-and-primer designed for maximum color depth, washability, and long-term durability, using Benjamin Moore’s proprietary Color Lock® technology to keep color rich over time.

  • Marketed as offering unparalleled color depth and richness with extreme hide.
  • Self-priming on most properly prepared surfaces (though many pros still use dedicated primers on problem substrates).
  • Low-VOC and eligible for several green building criteria when used as directed.

Typical Aura buyers include designers, homeowners investing in long-term finishes, and painting contractors who want a recognizable premium brand with broad color support and specification history.

Overview of C2 LUXE Interior

C2 LUXE is C2 Paint’s flagship interior wall and ceiling line: a premium acrylic coating focused on exceptional hide, adhesion, washability, and an ultra-smooth finish. The LUXE line is available in flat, matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, making it flexible enough to handle walls, ceilings, trim, and doors with a single system.

  • Designed for exceptional hiding, adhesion, and washability with a rich, creamy formula that often covers in fewer coats.
  • Low-VOC, small-batch production with high-quality ingredients across the line.
  • Built on C2’s multi-pigment, no-black, full-spectrum color system for unusually nuanced color.

As C2 co-founder Tom Hill puts it, “We felt long-term the way we could compete is on color.” LUXE is where that color philosophy meets everyday interior performance.

Who These Paints Are For

  • Designers and color-obsessed homeowners: Either line can work, but C2 LUXE’s full-spectrum palette and real-paint samples are especially compelling if subtle color shifts matter to you.
  • Busy family homes and high-traffic spaces: Both Aura and LUXE deliver durable, washable finishes.
  • Pro painters and contractors: Aura offers the weight of a big brand and consistent specs across markets; LUXE offers a better hand(in our opinion) with strong performance and excellent coverage.

Detailed Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Coverage & Number of Coats: Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE

Benjamin Moore Aura: The Aura Interior TDS lists a spread rate of about 350-400 square feet per gallon and describes the product as self-priming on most surfaces, while still recommending two coats for full color development and performance. In practice, most pros treat Aura as a two-coat system, with the occasional near one-coat coverage in favorable situations.

C2 LUXE: LUXE sheens are spec’d to cover up to approximately 450 square feet per gallon, depending on surface and application method. Combined with C2’s emphasis on stronger colorants and high solids, that coverage can translate to fewer gallons for the same project size, especially in lighter and mid-tone colors. Tom Hill notes that C2’s palette was formulated so “every one of these colors will cover in a maximum of two coats—most of them would cover in one coat.”

Mini verdict: If you’re counting gallons, C2 LUXE has a slight advantage on paper in coverage per gallon. In real-world use, unless you're a pro, we’d treat both as two-coat systems, with LUXE typically stretching a bit further.

Color & Pigment Quality: Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura tries to take advantage of Benjamin Moore’s enormous color library—over 3,500 colors in their system—and its Gennex® colorant technology, which is marketed for color retention and consistency. For designers working in BM colors, Aura is a natural fit because so many specs and inspiration images assume that palette. In our opinion, 3,500 colors is too many, and only 10-20% are actually being used.

C2 LUXE: C2 takes a very different approach: a tightly curated 496-color palette built from a 16-colorant system, with many colors formulated from 5-8 pigments and no black colorant in its full-spectrum colors. That complexity yields colors that shift softly with changing light and feel more “luminous” compared to simpler formulas. Sales are distributed evenly across 60+% of the colors as they are all extremely strong.

Mini verdict: If sheer number of color options is your priority—or you’re locked into Benjamin Moore color specs—Aura wins easily. If you want fewer, more deliberately crafted, full-spectrum colors with a unique look on the wall, C2 LUXE has the edge.

VOCs, Odor & Health / Eco Considerations

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura Interior is listed at <50 g/L VOC and is part of Benjamin Moore’s Green Promise® program, with eligibility for several LEED-related criteria and Green Seal GS-11 compliance when used as directed. Odor is comparable to other modern low-VOC acrylics, and most projects can be re-occupied relatively quickly with reasonable ventilation.

C2 LUXE: LUXE sheens are also spec’d at under 50 g/L VOC and are described by C2 as low-odor, eco-conscious formulas that can qualify for LEED credits in many applications. C2’s broader brand story emphasizes low-VOC, small-batch manufacturing and eco-responsible chemistry without over-claiming health benefits.

Mini verdict: On VOCs and general indoor-air-friendliness, Aura and LUXE are in the same league: both are low-VOC, water-cleanup systems appropriate for most homes, nurseries, and occupied spaces when used as directed. Always check the latest data sheet and local regulations for your specific sheen and base.

Finishes, Sheens & Application Experience

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura Interior is available in matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. Pros often praise Aura’s ability to build film quickly and its relatively fast recoat times. On the flip side, some painters note that Aura can feel “thicker” and may require a bit of a learning curve for perfect leveling and cut lines, especially in deep colors.

C2 LUXE: LUXE offers a wider sheen range—flat, matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss - covering everything from ultra-soft, non-reflective walls to high-sheen trim. The line is designed around a “refined hand,” with very smooth flow and leveling and a finish that reads as more velvety than plasticky.

Mini verdict: If you want a single product family that can handle walls, ceilings, trim, and even glossy accents, C2 LUXE’s broader sheen range is a big plus. If you’re already comfortable with Aura’s application quirks and prefer a slightly faster film build, Aura will feel familiar and reliable.

Durability, Washability & High-Traffic Performance

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura is marketed as highly durable, stain-resistant, and washable, with a mildew-resistant coating film and a long history in high-traffic residential applications. Many pros treat it as a “set it and forget it” wall paint for families with kids and pets.

C2 LUXE: LUXE is likewise designed for exceptional adhesion and washability, with a focus on maintaining color richness even under repeated cleaning. Third-party reviews frequently call out its balance of soft-looking finishes with robust washability, especially in matte and eggshell sheens.

Mini verdict: Strictly on durability and washability, we consider Aura and C2 LUXE peers. If you’re repainting a heavily used hallway or kids’ room, either will hold up well; your choice should come down more to color system and availability.

Price & Value for Money

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura is firmly in the premium price tier, with MSRP pricing that typically places it at or near the top of Benjamin Moore’s interior offerings. For many contractors and homeowners, the value comes from familiarity, specification momentum, and trusted long-term performance.

C2 LUXE: C2 LUXE is also a premium-priced interior paint. At US Paint Supply, we see it priced competitively with other ultra-premium lines, often in a similar band to Aura depending on market and promotions. When you factor in its generous coverage and small-batch production, many customers feel they’re paying for both performance and a distinctive color experience.

Mini verdict: Neither of these is a budget paint. If you’re already comfortable spending in the top tier, your value decision should focus on coverage, color experience, and how much you care about independent vs corporate brand stories rather than on a few dollars’ difference per gallon.

Color Palette & Designer Appeal

Benjamin Moore Aura: Aura can be tinted to the full Benjamin Moore color system—over 3,500 colors—giving designers virtually limitless options and an enormous back catalog of inspiration photos, Pinterest boards, and published specs. This breadth is particularly useful when matching existing Benjamin Moore colors in a multi-phase project.

C2 LUXE: C2’s palette is intentionally tighter: 496 individually crafted colors, built with a 16-colorant, full-spectrum system that avoids black. The brand pairs this with real-paint fan decks and oversized Ultimate Paint Chips so what you see in sampling is literally the same paint that goes on the wall.

Mini verdict: If you want infinite options or must match an existing Benjamin Moore spec, Aura is more flexible. If you prefer a curated set of colors that are hard to knock off and behave beautifully in changing light, we've never seen anything beat C2 LUXE.

Best Project Types for Each

Benjamin Moore Aura tends to be best for: projects where availability, broad color matching, and a long track record are the main concerns—think large multi-phase remodels, spec homes that already call for Benjamin Moore, or situations where a local BM dealer is the primary paint partner.

C2 LUXE tends to be best for: design-led residential projects, high end commercial interiors, and any space where color nuance and finish quality are front-and-center—especially when the client values independent brands and eco-focused stories.

Mini verdict: Pick Aura when the project ecosystem already revolves around Benjamin Moore or you need same-day local pickup. Pick C2 LUXE when you have a little more planning runway and want to lean into C2’s color and brand advantages.

When to Choose Each: Practical Scenarios

  • If you’re a designer specifying a high-end residence from scratch…
    You’ll likely appreciate C2 LUXE’s curated palette, full-spectrum color behavior, and real-paint sampling tools. This is where C2’s boutique approach really pays off.
  • If you’re repainting a busy family home with kids and pets…
    Both Aura and LUXE are excellent. If you lean on Benjamin Moore already, Aura is the safer choice. If your priority is color richness and a softer-looking finish without sacrificing washability, we’d steer you toward C2 LUXE.
  • If you need something widely available in a pinch…
    Benjamin Moore Aura wins. C2 is intentionally not in big-box stores and has a more limited dealer footprint. If your timeline is “this afternoon,” Aura is usually easier to source locally.
  • If you’re a pro painter looking to differentiate your offering…
    C2 LUXE gives you a unique color story and sampling tools your competitors probably aren’t using. That can help you stand out in proposals and design conversations.
  • If your project is already spec’d in Benjamin Moore colors and products…
    Sticking with Aura (or other specified BM lines) may be the path of least resistance, unless you’re prepared to coordinate a formal substitution with the designer or architect.

Pros & Cons Summary

Where Benjamin Moore Aura Shines / Where It Struggles

  • ✔ Extremely broad color system (3,500+ colors) and widespread spec support.
  • ✔ Proven durability, washability, and mildew-resistant film; widely trusted by pros.
  • ✔ Strong third-party and internal certifications for low VOC and green building programs.
  • ✔ Easy to find through a large network of independent dealers.
  • ✖ Higher price point than many “better” or “good” tier paints.
  • ✖ Application can feel thick or less forgiving for some painters, especially in tricky lighting or deep colors.
  • ✖ Standard BM color system isn’t full-spectrum; if you’re chasing that specific look, you may want to explore C2.

Where C2 LUXE Shines / Where It Struggles

  • ✔ Full-spectrum, multi-pigment color system with no black in full-spectrum colors, designed for more nuanced, luminous color.
  • ✔ Generous coverage (up to ~450 sq ft/gal in many sheens), which can reduce gallons needed.
  • ✔ Very smooth, “buttery” application feel and refined finishes across a wide sheen range.
  • ✔ Low-VOC, small-batch production with a strong independent/dealer-owned brand story.
  • ✖ More limited retailer network; you usually need to plan ahead rather than grabbing a gallon at a big-box store.
  • ✖ Smaller, curated palette (496 colors) than Benjamin Moore’s 3,500+ options; that’s a strength for some users, a limitation for others.
  • ✖ Less “name recognition” with homeowners; you may need to explain what C2 is to clients who only know big-box brands.

FAQ: Benjamin Moore Aura vs C2 LUXE

Is C2 LUXE more expensive than Benjamin Moore Aura?
Both Benjamin Moore Aura and C2 LUXE are premium interior paints in a similar top-tier price band. Exact gallon prices vary by dealer and region, so we recommend comparing quotes locally. In many markets, you’ll find them within the same general range.
Does C2 LUXE cover in fewer coats than Benjamin Moore Aura?
On paper, C2 LUXE offers higher coverage per gallon (up to ~450 sq ft/gal) than Aura’s 350–400 sq ft/gal. In practice, we generally still recommend planning for two coats with either line, with potential savings in gallons when using LUXE on well-prepped surfaces.
Which is safer for nurseries: Benjamin Moore Aura or C2 LUXE?
Both Aura and C2 LUXE are low-VOC, waterborne acrylic paints designed for interior use and suitable for most nurseries when used as directed and allowed to dry with good ventilation. If you have specific health concerns, always review the latest TDS/SDS and consult your medical professional.
Can C2 LUXE match Benjamin Moore colors?
C2 dealers can often approximate Benjamin Moore colors, but because C2 uses a different, multi-pigment full-spectrum system, matches are interpretive rather than formula copies. If you must hit an exact BM spec, Aura (or another BM line) is the safer option.
Is C2 LUXE a good alternative to Benjamin Moore Aura for professional painters?
Yes. C2 specifically positions LUXE against top-tier lines like Aura on coverage, washability, color richness, and eco profile. Many pros appreciate the coverage and color story as a differentiating factor when bidding higher-end jobs.
How do VOC levels compare between Benjamin Moore Aura and C2 LUXE?
Both lines are spec’d at under 50 g/L VOC in most bases and sheens. That puts them into similar low-VOC territory. Always confirm the specific sheen and base you plan to use.
Which dries faster, Benjamin Moore Aura or C2 LUXE?
Aura and LUXE have comparable dry times, with touch-dry in about an hour and recoat windows typically around 2–4 hours under standard conditions. Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow) will matter more than brand in most real-world projects.
Where can I buy C2 LUXE compared to Benjamin Moore Aura?
Benjamin Moore Aura is available through Benjamin Moore’s large dealer network. C2 LUXE is carried by independent C2 dealers and select online partners like US Paint Supply; it is not sold in big-box chains.

Internal Links & Further Reading

If you’re still weighing your options—or just want to go deeper on color and finishes—these resources from US Paint Supply can help:

Where to Go From Here

Choosing between Benjamin Moore Aura and C2 LUXE comes down to your project, your priorities, and your timeline. If you’d like help sorting through those details, we’re here for that—not just to push one brand over another.

  • Browse and view C2 LUXE colors and order large paint chips to see full-spectrum color in your own light.
  • Email us your project details (room type, existing surfaces, kids/pets, timeline), and we’ll happily recommend a finish and product—C2 or not.
  • If you’re loyal to Benjamin Moore but curious about C2, consider ordering sample quarts from both Aura and C2 LUXE in the same color family and testing them side by side on your walls.

We’re an independent C2 dealer, not a conglomerate. If we genuinely think Benjamin Moore Aura is the better fit for your project, we’ll tell you that.

How We Compared These Paints (References)

We based this comparison on published technical data sheets from Benjamin Moore and C2 Paint, manufacturer product pages, and our experience as an independent C2 dealer working with homeowners, designers, and pro painters. Data was last checked in November 2025. Always consult the latest documentation before making final decisions.

  • C2 LUXE Technical Specifications PDF (L7000–L7500 series).
  • C2 Paint product and brand information, including LUXE positioning and color system details.
  • Benjamin Moore Aura Interior TDS (e.g., N522 Matte).
  • Benjamin Moore Aura Interior product page (sheen and pricing overview).
  • C2 LUXE and C2 brand overviews from C2Paint.com and independent dealer resources.

Please verify VOC levels, coverage numbers, and any program-specific requirements (such as LEED documentation) against the most current manufacturer technical data sheets before specifying products on sensitive or regulated projects.

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