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Best Wood stains

Which Wood stains performed best in our tests?

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We tested 32 wood stains to determine the best-performing models. Our expert lab technicians tested each Wood stain based on the following criteria:

  • Appearance after 9 years
  • Appearance after 3 years
  • Appearance after 6 years

Below lists the Wood stains that rated best in each of the tests our experts looked for. Learn about how these tests were performed and find out which Wood stain is rated best when you subscribe.

Consumer Reports Ratings for Best Wood stains

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Appearance after nine years summarizes performance after three years of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to three years on a deck or nine years on a vertical surface). Testing stops after three years, whether or not the product appearance falls to fair or poor. Products that at this point still rate at least good for appearance are considered superior products.


This Wood stain which tested best for Appearance after 9 years has the following features: Resists cracking, Resists color change, Resists dirt, Resists mildew and VOCs (grams/liter).

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Appearance after three years summarizes performance after one year of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to one year on a deck or three years on a vertical surface). Testing stops when appearance falls to fair or poor at which time, the product must be reapplied.


This Wood stain which tested best for Appearance after 3 years has the following features: VOCs (grams/liter).

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Appearance after six years summarizes performance after two years of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to two years on a deck or six years on a vertical surface). Testing stops when appearance falls to fair or poor at which time, the product must be reapplied.


This Wood stain which tested best for Appearance after 6 years has the following features: Resists cracking, Resists color change, Resists dirt, Resists mildew and VOCs (grams/liter).