Interior Paint Brands Compared: SW, BM, Behr, Farrow & Ball, C2 & More

Posted by Tommy Ekstrand on 11/24/2025

Paint Brand Comparison Chart

We'll just get down to brass tacks right away. If you want more info, read after these tables.

This first table gives a fast overview of how each brand is structured, where you'll find it, and how large its color system is.

Brand Ownership / Type Color Palette Primary Distribution Avail. Price Tiers Brand Personality
ACE / Clark+Kensington Private-label brand of ACE Hardware 3000+ colors ACE Hardware Budget, Value, Premium Homeowner-focused brand distributed through ACE Hardware stores.
Behr Owned by Masco Corporation 1,000+ colors The Home Depot Budget, Value, Premium, & Ultra Premium Retail-oriented brand serving both DIY customers and contractors through Home Depot.
Benjamin Moore Owned by Berkshire Hathaway 3,500+ colors Independent paint stores Budget, Value, Premium, & Ultra Premium Dealer-focused brand with a broad color offering and established professional usage.
C2 Paint Independent dealer-owned cooperative 496 colors Independent paint stores; Online Value, Premium, & Ultra Premium Dealer-partner cooperative brand with an intentionally curated, multi-pigment color palette.
California Paints Owned by ICP Group 1,500+ colors Independent paint stores Value, Premium Dealer-focused brand with an emphasis on quality and traditional architectural coatings.
Farrow & Ball Owned by Hempel Group ~130 colors Brand showrooms, Independent stores; Online Ultra Pemium Design-oriented brand known for a limited, curated color range.
Fine Paints of Europe Independent U.S. importer of Dutch coatings 4000+ colors Independent paint stores Ultra-premium Specialty retailer-focused brand offering imported European coatings.
Glidden Owned by PPG 1200+ colors Home Depot; Walmart; Some independent dealers Budget, Value, Premium Value-oriented brand serving cost-conscious homeowners and contractors.
PPG Public company 2000+ colors PPG company-owned stores; Independent paint stores Budget, Value, Premium Pro-focused, multi-channel brand with a strong commercial and contractor presence.
Sherwin-Williams Public company 1,700+ colors 4,700+ company-owned stores; some independent channels Budget, Value, Premium, & Ultra Premium Pro-focused brand with an extensive store network and strong specification presence.
Valspar Owned by Sherwin-Williams 2600+ colors Lowe’s Budget, Value, Premium Retail-focused brand offering widely accessible coatings through Lowe’s.

How to read this:

  • Ownership affects how the brand behaves (public-company growth vs. cooperative dealer model, etc.).
  • Palette size matters if you need either maximum choice (Benjamin Moore/Sherwin/Behr) or highly curated color (Farrow & Ball/C2).
  • Distribution often decides what you'll actually use - it's hard to specify a brand you can't get locally or on your timeline.

Paint Brand Tier Comparison - Interior Paints

Each brand has multiple interior lines. To make sense of them, it helps to group them into four practical tiers based primarily on cost:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: Production work, new construction, and basic rental repaints where cost per gallon matters most.
  • Value: Budget-conscious owner-occupied homes and nicer rentals that still need decent washability.
  • Premium: Everyday go-to paints for busy households and professional repaints where longevity and touch-ups matter.
  • Ultra Premium: Top-of-the-line and boutique products focused on maximum performance, color richness, and/or brand story.

The table below maps representative interior wall/ceiling lines into those tiers. Within each brand there are more nuances, but this gives you a realistic "apples to apples" starting point.

Tier Budget / Contractor / Builder Value Premium Ultra Premium
ACE / Clark+Kensington Contractor Pro Royal Premium
Behr PRO i100 / i300 Premium Plus ULTRA (Scuff Defense) Dynasty / Marquee
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 and similar commercial lines ben Regal Select Aura
C2 Paint Loft Studio LUXE
California Paints CalPro/ProPaint; Malibu; Ultra; Fres-Coat
Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion / Modern Emulsion
Fine Paints of Europe Eurolux; ECO Waterborne Enamel
Glidden Essentials; High Endurance Plus Premium; Total Diamond; One Coat
PPG SPEEDHIDE; MULTI-PRO Timeless; Advantage 900 Diamond UltraLast; Manor Hall
Sherwin-Williams ProMar series; builder-grade flats Captivate SuperPaint; Duration; Cashmere Emerald
Valspar Valspar 2000; Valspar 4000 Signature, Ultra Reserve

Important notes:

  • Blank cells just mean that the brand doesn't have a product offering in that tier. Brands like C2 and Farrow & Ball, and Fine Paints of Europe are essentially premium-only in the interior wall space.
  • This is a functional tiering based on performance, positioning, and common usage - not a strict technical ranking. Pros will disagree at the edges, and that's okay.
  • Within each tier you'll still see differences in application feel, color system, VOCs, and availability that might matter more than the label on the can.

What this paint brand comparison guide is for

This guide is an educational, big-picture comparison of the major U.S. paint brands, with a focus on interior wall paints. Instead of picking a "winner," we'll show you how each brand is positioned, where it's sold, how big its color system is, and which interior lines roughly line up across a four-tier ladder from contractor / builder grade up through flagship designer products.

For each tier in that ladder (budget, value, premium, and ultra premium), we'll also be publishing separate deep-dive comparison posts.

Table of contents

Behr: Big-Box Convenience with Multiple Tiers

Who they are: Behr is a major U.S. paint brand owned by Masco Corporation. Their long-standing partnership with The Home Depot makes Behr effectively a "house brand" there - Behr is sold exclusively through Home Depot stores and HomeDepot.com.

Where you'll find it: Any Home Depot in the U.S. and many Canadian locations, plus online ordering with in-store pickup or delivery.

Color & palette:

  • Over 1,000 colors in the Marquee collection alone and thousands across Behr's full system.
  • Well integrated into Home Depot's in-store displays and online tools.

Interior wall ladder (simplified):

  • Contractor / builder grade: BEHR PRO i100 and i300 - contractor-focused lines emphasizing coverage and price.
  • Value home / entry: Premium Plus Interior - a budget-friendly homeowner line for basic repaints.
  • Core premium / pro: Behr ULTRA and ULTRA Scuff Defense - step-up lines with better stain and scuff resistance.
  • Flagship / designer: Marquee and Dynasty - Behr's top-tier interior paints aimed at maximum hide and durability.

Best fit for:

  • DIYers and homeowners who want one-stop shopping for paint, tools, and materials at Home Depot.
  • Pro painters who are built around Home Depot's logistics and pricing, especially in markets without strong independent dealer networks.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Behr has a wide quality range; PRO i100/i300 and Premium Plus are not the same experience as Dynasty or Marquee.
  • Color support and sampling are improving, but may feel different compared to boutique brands or independent-dealer environments.

Benjamin Moore: Independent-Dealers with lots of colors

Who they are: Benjamin Moore is a long-standing architectural coatings brand that's now a wholly owned Berkshire Hathaway company, but still strongly aligned with independent dealers.

Where you'll find it: Benjamin Moore is not sold at Home Depot or Lowe's. Instead, it's distributed through a large network of independent paint and hardware retailers across North America.

Color & palette:

  • Over 3,500 colors in the BM system - one of the largest mainstream architectural palettes.
  • Very popular with designers; tons of online inspiration, spec history, and "famous colors."

Interior wall ladder (simplified):

  • Contractor / builder grade: Ultra Spec 500 and similar commercial lines used on price-sensitive projects.
  • Value home / entry: ben Interior - Benjamin Moore's simplified, more affordable homeowner line.
  • Core premium / pro: Regal Select Interior - a durable, washable paint that many contractors treat as their go-to BM wall paint.
  • Flagship / designer: Aura Interior - Benjamin Moore's flagship interior line with Color Lock® technology for color retention.

Best fit for:

  • Designers and homeowners who want a massive color library and strong spec history.
  • Projects where you have a trusted local Benjamin Moore dealer and value that relationship.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Like Sherwin, BM's true "sweet spot" is Regal and Aura. Lower priced contractor lines may feel underwhelming outside of very budget-driven work.
  • If you're used to independent dealer service, big-box paint shopping (like Behr at Home Depot) can feel different - and vice versa.

California Paints: Traditional, Dealer-Focused, Architecturally Oriented

Who they are: California Paints is an established architectural coatings brand now owned by ICP Group. The company has long been known for heritage color collections and durable acrylic formulas, particularly in the Northeast where the brand has deep roots. Their portfolio leans toward traditional architectural coatings with an emphasis on color accuracy and long-term performance.

Where you'll find it: Primarily at independent paint stores and regional dealers. California Paints does not have national big-box distribution, making it a brand you’ll mainly encounter through local retailers with strong professional and homeowner relationships.

Color & palette:

  • More than 1,500 colors across their standard palette.
  • Known for the Historic Colors of America collection—an architecturally significant series created in partnership with historic preservation specialists.
  • Color offering is broad without being overwhelming; well suited to traditional architecture, coastal regions, and restoration work.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: (No true contractor-grade equivalent; contractor pricing often relies on CalPro/ProPaint.)
  • Value: CalPro / ProPaint (contractor-oriented) and Malibu (homeowner-friendly, step-up value line).
  • Premium: Ultra (premium interior acrylic) and Fres-Coat (higher-performance wall finish depending on region).
  • Ultra-Premium: —

Best fit for:

  • Homeowners and pros working on older homes, restorations, and historic properties where color accuracy matters.
  • Projects that want reliable, traditional acrylic performance without boutique pricing.
  • Designers or builders who prefer independent dealer service over big-box retail environments.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Availability may be regional—outside of the Northeast.
  • California Paints does not offer a true “flagship” ultra-premium tier like Aura, Emerald, or C2 LUXE.
  • The brand’s strengths lean toward color heritage and dependable acrylics more than cutting-edge resin technology or specialty finishes.

C2 Paint: Partner-Dealer Cooperative, Curated Colors

Who they are: C2 Paint is produced by The Coatings Alliance, a cooperative of independent paint retailers in the U.S. and Canada. It's a dealer-owned brand built around a "microbrewery of paint" idea: small-batch production, premium ingredients, and an unusually sophisticated approach to color.

Where you'll find it: A network of independent C2 dealers plus select online partners like US Paint Supply. C2 is intentionally not in big-box stores; that's part of the model.

Color & palette:

  • 496 carefully crafted colors, built with a 16-colorant system and no black tint in full-spectrum colors.
  • Many colors use 5-8 pigments, which helps them shift gently with light and feel more "luminous" on the wall compared to simpler formulas.
  • Sampling is based on real-paint fan decks and oversized chips made from the actual product, not ink approximations.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget: C2 does not produce a budget tier paint, they focus on the higher quality and price point tiers.
  • Value: C2 Loft is C2's more accessible interior wall paint for projects that still want full-spectrum/complex paint colors at a lower price point.
  • Premium: C2 Studio is a premium interior line used in busy residential spaces and light commercial work.
  • Ultra-Premium: C2 LUXE is the flagship interior finish with market leading hide, washability, and a refined application feel.

Best fit for:

  • Individuals who care about supporting independent paint brands vs a large publically traded or private equity owned companies.
  • Homeowners and designers who care deeply about nuanced, full-spectrum color more than raw brand name recognition.
  • Contractors who want to differentiate themselves with a boutique, dealer-owned brand and high-impact color story.

Things to keep in mind:

  • C2's palette is intentionally smaller and more curated than all other paint manufacturers(except F&B) - this is a strength for some, a limitation for others.
  • Availability requires either a local dealer or online ordering; you won't find it on a late-night Home Depot run.

Farrow & Ball: Boutique, Design-Led, and Highly Curated

Who they are: Farrow & Ball is a UK-born decorative paint and wallpaper company known for its highly curated color palette and matte, "chalky" finishes. In recent years it was acquired by Hempel, a global coatings group, but it still operates as a premium boutique brand.

Where you'll find it: Brand showrooms, independent premium stockists, and online ordering, including U.S. distribution through select retailers and e-commerce.

Color & palette:

  • A relatively small palette (around ~130–140 colors), frequently updated but always tightly curated.
  • Strong reputation among designers for specific, very recognizable colors and a certain "look."

Interior wall finishes:

  • Estate Emulsion: Very flat, chalky finish for low-traffic interior walls and ceilings; beautiful but less robust for heavy scrubbing.
  • Modern Emulsion: Washable, scuff-resistant matte for higher-traffic spaces like kitchens and baths.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget: -
  • Value: -
  • Premium: -
  • Ultra-Premium: Estate Emulsion / Modern Emulsion

Best fit for:

  • Design-led projects where matching specific F&B colors (and their aesthetic) is a priority.
  • Clients who value the brand story, heritage, and curated palette over raw technical specs or budget.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Estate Emulsion's ultra-matte look comes with durability tradeoffs; many pros now lean on Modern Emulsion for busy areas.
  • Pricing and availability can be more challenging depending on your market compared to Sherwin/BM/Behr.

Fine Paints of Europe: Imported Dutch Coatings for Luxury Finishes

Who they are: Fine Paints of Europe (FPE) is a U.S. based importer and distributor of premium Dutch-made architectural coatings. While not a manufacturer themselves, they are known for bringing exceptionally high-performance European enamels, varnishes, and interior wall paints to the U.S. market. The brand has a strong following among high-end contractors, millworkers, cabinet shops, and designers who prioritize refined finishes and long-term durability.

Where you'll find it: Independent specialty paint retailers, premium design showrooms, and a smaller network of dealers familiar with technical European coatings. Availability varies by region—FPE is not a mass-market brand and is not found in big box stores.

Color & palette:

  • Access to 4,000+ colors, including the FPE Classic European palette and the full RAL system.
  • Many users also tint FPE products to designer palettes such as C2 or Benjamin Moore, though accuracy depends on the dealer's tinting system.
  • Colors are typically matched with high precision to support cabinetry, millwork, and fine interior detailing.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: -
  • Value: -
  • Premium: -
  • Ultra-Premium: Eurolux Matte / Eurolux Satin, ECO Waterborne Enamel (high-durability interior enamel often used on trim, cabinetry, and premium walls). Although ECO is frequently used as a trim/cabinet enamel, many designers treat it as a top-tier interior wall finish for feature spaces.

Best fit for:

  • Design-driven projects where finish quality, depth, and longevity are more important than cost.
  • High-end residential interiors, premium rentals, and commercial spaces that demand European-style enamel hardness and precision.
  • Cabinetry, millwork, and trim where glass-smooth finishes and durability are essential.

Things to keep in mind:

  • FPE is generally significantly more expensive than mainstream U.S. brands—comparable to boutique or specialty coatings rather than big-box paint.
  • The products have a steeper learning curve, especially for pros used to domestic acrylic-enamel systems.
  • Availability is limited; finding a local dealer with proper tinting and product knowledge is important for best results.
  • FPE offers exceptional finishes but is not typically used for whole-home repainting unless the project is entirely high-end.

PPG: Pro-Focused, Commercially Strong, and Widely Available

Who they are: PPG is a large global coatings company with a major presence in both consumer and professional markets. Their architectural coatings division includes PPG-branded paints as well as Glidden, Olympic, and several specialty lines. PPG’s identity leans heavily toward professional and commercial work, with strong appeal among contractors who want predictable performance and access to company-owned paint stores.

Where you'll find it: PPG Paints stores (company-owned), independent paint shops, and some hardware retailers. Their footprint isn’t as large as Sherwin-Williams’ network, but they maintain strong regional coverage and pro support.

Color & palette:

  • 2,000+ colors across the PPG Color System.
  • Known for their Voice of Color collection, which includes curated designer sets and trend forecasts.
  • Strong commercial and architectural specifications make the palette easy to match for renovations, maintenance, and multi-unit work.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: SPEEDHIDE and MULTI-PRO — go-to contractor lines for production repaints, commercial maintenance, and new construction.
  • Value: Timeless and Advantage 900 — economical step-up options for residential projects needing better hide and durability.
  • Premium: PPG Diamond — a mid-premium interior line known for solid washability and scrubbability.
  • Ultra-Premium: Manor Hall and UltraLast — top-tier offerings with improved hide, stain resistance, and premium application feel suitable for busy homes and commercial interiors.

Best fit for:

  • Contractors who want a strong mix of price tiers and reliable supply across multiple store types.
  • Commercial maintenance teams and property managers who benefit from consistent color matches and predictable performance.

Things to keep in mind:

  • PPG's lineup is broad—many lines overlap in price and performance, so choosing the right tier matters.
  • Store experience can vary by region depending on whether you’re at a company-owned PPG Paints store or an independent dealer.
  • While PPG has strong high-end offerings, their true sweet spot is often mid-tier commercial and pro-focused residential work.

Glidden: Budget-Friendly, Big-Box Workhorse

Who they are: Glidden is a long(my dad sold Glidden back in the 70s)-standing American paint brand now owned by PPG. Historically sold through a mix of retail and pro channels, Glidden has evolved into a broadly accessible, value-focused line that serves cost-conscious homeowners, landlords, and light commercial work.

Where you'll find it: Primarily at Home Depot and Walmart, with some presence at independent hardware and paint dealers in certain regions. Glidden often sits alongside higher-tier brands (like Behr at Home Depot or PPG at independents), giving shoppers a lower-priced alternative on the same shelf.

Color & palette:

  • Roughly 1,200+ colors in the Glidden system, plus common matches to popular competitor colors.
  • Color offering is broad enough for most everyday projects, but not as deep or design-focused as boutique or ultra-premium brands.
  • Positioned more around value and simplicity than highly curated designer palettes.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: Essentials; High Endurance Plus are basic lines for rental turns, quick refreshes, and cost-driven work.
  • Value: Premium; Total are both step-up options with better hide and durability for budget-conscious owner-occupied homes.
  • Premium: Diamond; One Coat are marketed for improved coverage and washability while still staying below ultra-premium pricing.
  • Ultra-Premium: —

Best fit for:

  • Landlords and property managers doing frequent repaints where cost per gallon and speed matter more than ultra-high-end performance.
  • Homeowners who want a recognizable national brand at a lower price point from retailers they already shop at (Home Depot, Walmart).
  • Projects where paint is part of a larger budget-sensitive renovation and "good enough" is the target rather than flagship performance.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Glidden spans multiple tiers, but even its better lines are generally positioned as value-forward, not boutique or luxury.
  • Store staff expertise can vary widely at big-box locations, so application guidance and color help may not match what you’d get at an independent dealer.
  • If you’re comparing against premium brands, make sure you’re lining up the right tier (for example, Glidden Diamond vs. Behr ULTRA or BM Regal, not Aura or C2 LUXE).

Sherwin-Williams: Big Network, Broad Ladder

Who they are: Sherwin-Williams is a large, publicly traded coatings company with thousands of company-owned paint stores and a significant global footprint. Their "Paint Stores Group" operates a controlled-distribution model, meaning most Sherwin architectural paints are sold through Sherwin-branded stores rather than big-box chains.

Where you'll find it: Dedicated Sherwin-Williams stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, plus some independent retailers and professional channels.

Color & palette:

  • 1,700+ colors in the ColorSnap system (the fan deck you'll see in store).
  • Very broad, with lots of spec history in residential and commercial work.

Interior wall ladder (simplified):

  • Budget: ProMar series for cost-driven jobs and maintenance repaints.
  • Value: Captivate is Sherwin-Williams' more affordable homeowner line above basic contractor paints.
  • Premium: SuperPaint, Cashmere, and Duration are all common choices for owner-occupied homes.
  • Ultra-Premium: Emerald Interior is Sherwin-Williams' flagship interior line with advanced hide and washability.

Best fit for:

  • Contractors who like one brand from contractor-grade to premium with strong spec support.
  • Homeowners who have easy access to a Sherwin store and want pro guidance at the counter.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Most of the Sherwin "magic" is in the value and premium tiers; their entry level products are fine, but not special.
  • Pricing will vary significantly by account - pros with discounts may see a very different value equation than walk-in homeowners.

Valspar: Accessible, Retail-Focused, and Broadly Distributed

Who they are: Valspar is a long-established American paint brand now owned by Sherwin-Williams. It operates as Sherwin’s primary retail brand, positioned to serve homeowners, DIYers, and light-duty pros who shop at big-box stores rather than dedicated paint stores. While Valspar once had a larger independent-dealer presence, its modern identity is tied closely to retail convenience and nationwide accessibility.

Where you'll find it: Nearly all Valspar architectural paints are sold at Lowe's stores across the U.S. and Canada, as well as on Lowes.com. Some independent hardware dealers carry select lines, but Valspar's flagship distribution channel is Lowe’s. This makes it one of the most widely accessible retail paint brands in North America.

Color & palette:

  • Over 2,600 colors in the current Valspar color system.
  • Strong emphasis on trend-forward palettes with annual “Color of the Year” releases, often promoted through Lowe's marketing programs.
  • Colors tend to be homeowner-friendly, broad, and easy to navigate, though less curated than boutique palettes like Farrow & Ball or C2.

Interior wall ladder:

  • Budget / Contractor / Builder: Valspar 2000; Valspar 4000 are both economical lines designed for rental turns, production work, and budget-sensitive repaints.
  • Value: Valspar Signature and Ultra are an affordable step-up product focused on hide, washability, and stain resistance for owner-occupied homes.
  • Premium: Valspar Reserve is positioned as the top-of-the-line retail offering with better hide, stain resistance, and scuff performance.
  • Ultra-Premium: -

Best fit for:

  • Homeowners who want a convenient, affordable option during a Lowe’s run for other project supplies.
  • DIYers doing whole-home repaints or smaller projects where convenience outweighs the need for boutique-level performance.
  • Rental property owners who want predictable, widely available paint with consistent tinting across many store locations.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Valspar’s performance varies significantly by tier—Reserve and Signature outperform the lower lines by a wide margin, similar to Behr’s tier spread.
  • Because Valspar is retail-focused, contractor-specific services and technical advice aren't as robust as what you’d get at a pro-focused brand store like Sherwin or PPG.
  • Great accessibility, but not generally regarded as a "designer" brand. Color and finish options favor broad consumer appeal.

Which Brand Is "Best" for Interior Walls?

Short answer: none of them wins across every project. The best choice depends on three things:

  1. Your tier (Budget, Value, Premium, Ultra-Premium)
  2. Your priorities (color system, washability, VOCs, brand story, availability)
  3. Your logistics (what's near you, what your painter already uses, your timeline)

Some common scenarios:

  • Budget-conscious rental repaint: A contractor-grade line like Behr PRO i300, Sherwin ProMar, or BM Ultra Spec can be perfectly appropriate. Spend on prep more than on ultra-premium paint.
  • Great color in a short lived space with low traffic: C2 Loft, BM ben, PPG timeless are just a few. We suggest looking at the table above under "Value".
  • Busy family home, you want "really good" but not exotic: C2 Studio, Sherwin Duration, or BM Regal Select are all realistic options depending on where you shop.
  • Busy family home, you want "the best" in both durability and color: C2 LUXE, Sherwin Emerald, PPG Ultralast, BM Aura, and Behr Dynasty are all going to be good options.
  • Design-driven project where color and finish are front-and-center: LUXE, Farrow & Ball's emulsions, and Fine Paints of Europe are the spaces you should be looking in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which paint brand has the most colors?

Benjamin Moore has one of the largest architectural color systems, with 3,500+ colors. Sherwin-Williams and Behr also offer very large palettes, while C2 (496 colors) and Farrow & Ball (~130–140 colors) intentionally keep their palettes tighter and more curated.

Is C2 Paint as "good" as the big brands?

In its intended tiers (Loft vs value lines; Studio vs mid-premium lines; LUXE vs Aura/Emerald/Dynasty), C2 competes directly on hide, washability, VOC levels, and coverage, while leaning harder into multi-pigment, full-spectrum color and small-batch manufacturing. The tradeoff is less name recognition and a smaller dealer network compared to Sherwin, Benjamin Moore, or Behr.

Is Behr "worse" because it's sold at Home Depot?

Behr's performance depends heavily on which line you choose. Their lower-tier products are price-driven and behave like other entry-level paints; their top-of-the-line Dynasty and Marquee are genuinely competitive with other premium lines. The main difference is the retail environment (big-box vs independent dealer), not that the brand is inherently "cheap."

Is Farrow & Ball actually better, or just more expensive?

Farrow & Ball is generally understood as a design brand first, paint brand second. You're paying for specific colors, a curated palette, and a recognizable aesthetic more than for dramatically better raw technical specs compared to other premium paints. Many pros now pair its colors with alternative products in some scenarios; others stick with the full F&B system for brand and warranty reasons.

What's the "best" premium interior paint line overall?

Within the flagship tier, Sherwin Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura, Behr Dynasty/Marquee, C2 LUXE, and Farrow & Ball Modern/ Estate Emulsion all belong in the conversation. The right answer often comes down to color system, availability, and which application feel you prefer, not a single universal winner.

Is C2 Paint good for contractors, or just for designers?

C2 is very contractor-friendly: it's a dealer-owned brand with strong coverage and durable finishes, plus good primer systems. Many pros adopt it specifically to differentiate themselves, especially when they want a strong color story and real-paint sampling.

Where US Paint Supply Fits In

At US Paint Supply, we don't carry every brand in this article - and that's intentional. Our focus is on C2 Paint and a curated set of supporting products (primers, colorants, tools) that we can stand behind technically and service well.

If you're curious about how C2 stacks up against the big names, a practical next step is to:

  • Explore our C2 Paint collection to see current lines, sheens, and specs.
  • Order C2 LUXE sample pots or large chips in a few colors and test them next to whatever you're used to (Aura, Emerald, Behr, etc.).
  • Read our in-depth brand comparison posts if you're trying to decide within a specific tier.

Whether you ultimately choose C2 or another brand, our goal is to help you understand the landscape so you can make a confident, informed decision for your project.

Sources

It would be impossible to list every source. This article has taken my entire life to learn about so far, and many hours/days of writing time. The overwhelming majority of this post comes from the following (in order):

  1. First hand knowledge from operating US Paint Supply
  2. Growing up working for my dad at Prather Paint
  3. Second hand knowledge obtained by soliciting feedback and input from r/paint
  4. Internet research via popular search engines and large language models

Disclaimers

Much of what is in this article is open for discussion. Paint is truly an art in many ways and thereby invites many opinions, views, and is based on personal experience. If you think that anything in this article is factually wrong, I absolutely invite suggested edits. Please use our contact page to reach out!

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