Paints

Buying a can of paint should be easy. But walk into any home center or paint store and you’ll see just how confusing the choices can get. Brand lines keep expanding, and the price might jump by $5 to $20 per gallon.

The good news is that the perfect paint for your needs is out there, and this buying guide will lead you to it. We test dozens of interior and exterior paints in a variety of finishes to help you find the best one for the job and your budget.

One note about painting the exterior of your house if that’s a project you have on your list this spring: Make sure that outdoor temperatures are at least 50° F when applying the paint and that they don’t drop below 32° F at night. When the temperature dips, it can cause dew to form on the paint, making it harder for the paint to dry the way it should. That could make the paint susceptible to cracking and affect how long the paint lasts. While you’re painting, it’s also best to make sure there’s little to no wind, so you don’t mess up your paint job.