The quality of your tools can make or break the finished look of your paint job. Ahead, learn the key considerations involved in choosing the right roller frame and cover for your next project.

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There are many do-it-yourself projects that allow for scrimping on costs without any negative effects on your results—painting, however, is not one of them. For a professional-looking paint job, you need to start with quality tools.

You’ll likely reach for a paintbrush when cutting in or painting trim, but covering the bulk of the wall or ceiling with paint becomes a much simpler, speedier job when you use a paint roller. Not only that, but the right roller-and-cover combination works to spreads paint smoothly and evenly, so you aren’t left with brushstrokes, patchy spots, or other imperfections.

The Paint Brush Cover is like tupperware for your paint brushes. And if you are going to spend money on good brushes, you better make sure that you don’t let the paint dry out in them! I was truly pleased when after a week with pneumonia, I returned to the room I had to abandon painting, to find that the brush I had stored in the Paint Brush.

Paint rollers and covers are simple and generally quite affordable tools, but there are many options to choose from. Ahead, our guide explains what to consider and what to look for, and it offers details on our top-favorite picks among the best paint roller and cover options available.

3/4-inch nap is best for heavily textured surfaces such as bare brick or concrete or textured interior walls like popcorn-textured ceilings. 1-inch nap and above is useful for painting stucco. Since two inch brushes are among the most common types of paint brushes, you will find a lot of different options in this category. For the best brush, you should find one like the Wooster Brush Q3108-2 with soft brush tips.

1. BEST ROLLER FRAME:Wooster Brush 9-Inch Roller Frame
2. BEST ROLLER COVER:Purdy Dove Cover
3. BEST VALUE ROLLER COVER:True Blue Professional Paint Roller Covers

Finding the Right Paint Roller for the Job

1. Select an easy-to-grip roller frame.

A roller frame—the skeleton of this reusable painting tool—is basically a comfortable plastic handle connected to a roller cage (the part of the frame that slips inside the roller cover). Typically, roller cages have plastic caps at either end supporting the compression metal “ribs” that fit inside a cover and hold it securely in place, but you’ll also find roller frames with sturdy plastic cages.

Roller frames are sold in sets with covers for convenience, but you have more control over the quality of your supplies when you purchase it separately. When comparing frames, look for these optional features:

• Ergonomic handle. If you expect to spend a lot of time painting, even just more than one room, it’s worth paying a little more for an ergonomic handle that is shaped to reduce strain on your wrist.
• Ball bearings. Quality roller frames have ball bearings to provide smooth rolling movement and a more perfect paint finish.
• Threaded handle. While it comes on most roller frames, do check for threads or clips at the bottom of the handle so you can attach an extension pole for tackling ceilings or the tops of walls.

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2. Narrow down to your options for roller length.

Roller frames and covers come in several different lengths (and while most frames come in a fixed roller width, some of the large ones are adjustable in size, using small clips or prongs to secure the cover instead of a cage). You’ll need to match the lengths of your roller frame and cover if you want to do the job right.

• 9-inch rollers are the best size for the majority of projects tackled by DIYers. For starters, these paint rollers fit easily into a 5-gallon paint bucket. Plus, these are large enough to cover a good size swatch of wall in one roll yet not so long that they are difficult to control around trim and other details.
• 12-inch or longer rollers can be somewhat heavy and unwieldy and, therefore, are more often used by professionals than DIYers. If you really need to cover a stretch of wall in a hurry, however, you might want to choose one of these oversize rollers.
• 6- or 7-inch rollers are a good size for painting baseboard molding or small furnishings. These rollers are also useful for getting into corners or reaching behind the toilet to paint the wall.
• 4-inch mini rollers are great for touchups, small furnishings, tight spaces, or careful work around fixtures, windowsills, or other obstacles. They also come in handy for painting the insides of cabinets or bookcases.

3. Choose the right roller cover material based on your paint and project.

Covers come in five common material options, which vary in terms of what paint they work best with, how much they hold, and the texture they create.

• Wool or mohair roller covers, with natural fibers, are the best choices for applying oil-based paint, but they work well with any finish and cover a variety of surfaces smoothly. Wool picks up a lot of paint, and so provides excellent coverage with just one coat.
• Synthetic roller covers—including polyester, nylon, or Dacron—are the right choice for water-based latex paint because they resist matting. You can use a synthetic cover with any paint finish and on most surfaces. Though synthetics don’t pick up and hold as much paint as wool does, they are generally very durable.
• Roller covers that blend wool and polyester can be used with either type of paint and any paint finish, so are a great choice if you often switch between oil-based and water-based products. These versatile roller covers give the best of both worlds: They pick up a lot of paint and last a long time if cared for properly.
• Newer to the painting scene, microfiber roller covers (identifiable by the diagonal stripes on the plush cover) work with latex as well as oil-based paints with a matte, eggshell, or satin finish. These rollers provide a very smooth finish, almost as if sprayed on, and are suitable only on surfaces without much texture. However, there’s a bit of a learning curve to achieving an even finish with a microfiber roller because they pick up and release more paint than the average cover, so practice on cardboard or another throwaway surface before tackling your walls.
• Foam roller covers don’t last as long as the other options and, for that reason, are sometimes considered “single use” covers. They are best for rolling semi-gloss or high-gloss latex paint over smooth—not heavily textured—surfaces. Use them for quick touchups on trim, baseboards, furniture, or other small projects.

You’ll also want to consider the core of the roller cover; a good one is made from some type of resin or plastic. Cheap rollers have cardboard cores, which don’t hold well and often come apart after just a few uses.

4. Know what nap you need for your surface.

Best Acrylic Paint Brushes

The nap of a roller cover refers to the length of its fibers—yet another important decision to make based on the project at hand. Different naps are good for different surfaces. As a general rule, the shorter the nap, the smoother the surface you’ll use it on. Using a long nap on a smooth surface tends to create a bumpy finish, while a short nap on a rough surface will often tear apart or shed fibers into the paint.

• 1/4-inch nap is best for very smooth walls, ceilings, cabinetry, and other surfaces without texture, including metal.
• 3/8-inch nap is good for lightly textured surfaces, including most interior walls.
• 1/2-inch nap is a good length for moderately textured walls, paneling, and painted brick or concrete.
• 3/4-inch nap is best for heavily textured surfaces such as bare brick or concrete or textured interior walls like popcorn-textured ceilings.
• 1-inch nap and above is useful for painting stucco, cinder blocks, or rough brick.

Our Top Picks

Turn to one of these top-rated brands to achieve a perfect interior paint finish.

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Which Paint Brushes Are The Best

Whether you plan on painting walls, furnishings, cabinets, or trim, you’ll need a quality interior paint to achieve good-looking, long-lasting results. But the sheer variety of interior paints on offer at home centers and hardware stores can be confusing. Purchasing the wrong one could negatively impact the ease, speed, and durability of your project and even impair indoor air quality. Use these shopping tips and recommendations—based on satisfied consumers’ reviews—to find the best interior paint for the job.

Short on time? Skip right to the favorites.

Important Qualities in Interior Paints

Weigh these factors in any paint product to avoid common pitfalls:

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• Suitability for the surface:Interior paints come in a few varieties: acrylic or latex (water-based), alkyd (oil-based), and newer water-based alkyd varieties that perform like oil paints but emit less harmful fumes. Choose the variety that holds up best on the surface you plan to paint. Opt for the more consistent finish and fade resistance of latex or acrylic paint for walls, seldom-used furnishings, and cabinetry in dry areas. Consider the more impact- and rot-resistant oil-based or water-based alkyd paint for trim work, doors, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and everyday furnishings.
• Low or no VOCs: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in many oil- and water-based paint products that easily evaporate and can emit toxins into the surrounding air. VOC exposure can induce headaches, nausea, or liver and kidney damage, so the lower the VOC content of the paint, the better for your health. Seek out paints labeled “Zero-VOC” or “Low-VOC” to minimize your exposure to harmful fumes.
• Short dry time: Because VOCs can be emitted into the air from the time of paint application up to a few months after the paint cures, choosing a paint that dries and cures quickly can help minimize your VOC exposure. Look for water-based paints that dry to the touch in one hour and cure within 30 days. Oil-based paints should optimally dry to the touch in six to eight hours and cure within seven days.
• Paint and primer in one: Self-priming interior paints, usually labeled “paint and primer,” are worth considering as they have a built-in binding agent that improves adhesion to the surface, no separate primer coat required. One can of quality self-priming paint often cost half as much as separate cans of primer and paint, yet yield a more consistent finish for the average DIYer.

Top Picks for the Best Interior Paints

Below, excellent choices from interior paint product lines that factor in the above criteria and received high ratings from consumers like you.

Note: All of the following are middle of the sheen spectrum, either eggshell or satin. These finishes are the most popular ones for your average bedroom, living room, or dining room thanks to how they balance durability of glossier paint finishes with the forgiveness of more matte ones—meaning they aren’t so glossy that they highlight imperfections in the wall. If you’re painting a bathroom or a kitchen, consider bumping up the sheen one level to a semi-gloss for extra resistance to water.

Photo: benjaminmoore.com

1. Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior

Paint pick: Regal Select Interior Eggshell ($44.99-$54.99/gal)

Neither bacteria nor direct sunlight will mar a coat of this mildew- and fade-resistant line of paints dubbed the best interior paint by The Wirecutter. Rated five stars by Duval Paint & Decorating customers, the zero-VOC water-based acrylic paint and primer combo comes in a wide variety of colors and is formulated with stain release technology that makes it easy to wipe clean with minimal scrubbing. You’re all but guaranteed an effortless and beautiful paint job whether painting walls or furnishings as the paint dries in one hour, cures in 14 days, and leaves virtually no brush strokes behind.

Available at Benjamin Moore and its authorized dealers, like Duval Paint & Decorating.

Photo: homedepot.com

2. BEHR Premium Plus Ultra

Paint pick: Ultra Satin Enamel ($30.98/gal)

Foul-smelling paint jobs are a thing of the past when you pick up a can from this water-based acrylic line of interior paints rated 4.3 out of five stars by Home Depot customers for its uniform coverage on walls, furnishings, and cabinetry. The zero-VOC product emits negligible VOCs into the air, making it an ideal pick for DIY painters with allergies, respiratory ailments, or odor sensitivity. The built-in primer means walls are ready for paint from the moment you sand them. Paint from this line dries within an hour of painting and cures in four weeks.

Available at The Home Depot.

Photo: lowes.com

3. Valspar Signature

Paint pick: Signature Satin Latex Paint ($35.98/124 oz)

Rated 4.5 out of five stars by Lowe’s customers, this “high-hide” water-based acrylic-latex paint-and-primer line gives walls and furnishings a richly colored coat while masking imperfections such as scratches or divots. Low in VOCs and GreenGuard Gold-certified for air quality, the paint keeps your exposure to pesky fumes to a minimum. The fast-drying paint dries in 30 to 60 minutes and cures in seven days. ScuffShield
technology makes the cured paint impervious to moderate impacts and everyday spills.

Available at Lowe’s.

Wirecast 6.0 8 mac. Photo: homedepot.com

4. PPG Diamond

Paint pick: Satin Interior ($25.98/gal)

This water-based acrylic paint-and-primer line garnered 4.5 out of five stars from Home Depot customers for its scrubbable, washable, and stain-resistant qualities ideal for low-traffic spaces like dining and formal living rooms. PPG Diamond is available in more than 1,000 colors, making it the perfect choice when looking for unconventional shades or hoping to match an existing hue. Once the low-fume zero-VOC paint goes on, it dries in 30 to 60 minutes and cures in 14 days.

Available at The Home Depot.

Photo: homedepot.com

5. BEHR Alkyd Enamel

Paint pick: Satin Enamel ($35.98/gal)

Perfect for trim work, doors, and heavily used cabinets in high-traffic spaces, this indoor-friendly paint boasts an innovative water-based alkyd formula that emits less VOCs and fumes than traditional oil-based paints but still affords a ding- and stain-resistant finish. It also dries faster than oil-based paints—within two to four hours—and cures in seven days. Home Depot customers gave it 4.1 out of five stars, commenting that it “flows and levels beautifully” and leaves “no obnoxious odors.”

Available at The Home Depot.