Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison
Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison: Which Line is Right for Your Project?
Choosing the perfect paint can feel overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a premium brand like Benjamin Moore. They offer several excellent lines, but understanding the differences between them—Aura, Regal Select, and Ben—is crucial for maximizing your investment. This detailed Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison will cut through the confusion, helping you decide exactly which product will deliver the best results for your specific needs, whether you are tackling a quick refresh or a high-end renovation.
You're not just buying a can of paint; you are investing in color longevity, superior coverage, and durability. Let's dive in and compare the top tiers of Benjamin Moore to ensure your next painting project is a huge success.
Understanding the Benjamin Moore Tiers
Benjamin Moore strategically divides its core product offerings into distinct tiers based on technology, performance, and price point. Think of these tiers as good, better, and best. The higher the tier, generally the more advanced the proprietary technology, the richer the finish, and the better the coverage—which often means fewer coats required.
The differences truly lie in the resin formulation and the quality of the pigments used. Higher-end paints use finer pigments and advanced binding agents that resist fading, block stains better, and provide a remarkably smooth finish. Knowing where your chosen product sits in this hierarchy is the first step in a successful Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison.
Aura: The Premium Choice
Benjamin Moore Aura is the flagship product—the "best" tier. It utilizes proprietary Color Lock Technology®, which is a game-changer, especially when dealing with deep, saturated colors. This technology locks the color pigments into the film, providing unparalleled depth and superior color retention over time.
Aura is often chosen for high-traffic areas or spaces where only the highest quality finish will do. It offers excellent hide and is famous for requiring just one or two coats over existing paint, even when making significant color changes. While it is the most expensive line, the reduced labor time can sometimes offset the higher material cost.
Key Features of Aura Paint:
- Color Lock Technology®: Ensures truer, richer colors that resist fading.
- Unmatched Coverage: Excellent hide, often reducing the need for multiple coats.
- Superior Washability: Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and busy hallways.
- Mildew Resistant: Great for humid environments.
- Seamless Touch-Ups: Blends incredibly well if you need to fix minor damage later.
Regal Select: The Reliable Workhorse
Regal Select holds the sweet spot in the middle, offering a fantastic balance of quality, performance, and price. It's been a favorite among professional painters for decades, evolving over time to include advanced technologies like Gennex® Color Technology, ensuring consistent quality and rich color.
This line is the go-to choice for whole-house painting projects where you need dependable coverage without the premium price tag of Aura. It provides great washability and excellent flow and leveling, making it very user-friendly for both professionals and dedicated DIYers.
Why Choose Regal Select?
- Versatility: Available in a wide range of sheens and suitable for almost any indoor space.
- Stain Release: Features technologies that help stains wipe away easily.
- Mold and Mildew Resistance: Excellent for bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Self-Priming: Most Regal Select formulas can be used over properly prepared surfaces without a separate primer coat.
Ben: The Budget-Friendly Option
If you are looking for Benjamin Moore quality without breaking the bank, the Ben line is the ideal entry-level product. Designed primarily with the DIY homeowner in mind, Ben is known for being extremely forgiving and easy to apply. It provides good coverage and a reliable, uniform finish.
Ben is perfect for low-traffic areas like guest rooms, formal dining rooms, or when you are painting an investment property. While it might require an extra coat compared to Aura or Regal Select, the application process is smooth and relatively low-odor.
Keep in mind that while Ben is an excellent basic paint, it lacks the advanced stain-blocking and color-retention technologies found in the higher tiers. However, for sheer value and ease of use, it's hard to beat.
Interior Paint Comparison: Aura vs. Regal vs. Ben
When performing a side-by-side Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison, the main differences are noticeable in four key areas: coverage, durability, cost, and the quality of the finish. Consider where the paint is being applied before making your final decision.
For a child's bedroom or a kitchen (high-abuse areas), the extra investment in Aura or Regal Select is warranted due to their enhanced washability and stain resistance. If you are painting a ceiling or a rarely used office, Ben offers sufficient performance.
Key Differences in Application and Coverage
Coverage refers to the paint's ability to hide the underlying surface. Aura wins here hands down, offering spectacular hide and superior spread rate per gallon. This efficiency is achieved through the density of its pigments.
Regal Select still performs extremely well, usually requiring two coats for a perfect finish, even over contrasting colors. Ben often requires two full coats, and sometimes a third if the color change is dramatic, simply because its solid content is lower than the premium lines. You will notice that Aura dries faster and handles touch-ups with better seamlessness than the other lines.
Durability and Washability Test
Durability is often where the price difference truly justifies itself. Aura is incredibly durable, allowing you to scrub marks without worry that you will burnish or remove the color from the wall. This is a crucial factor in high-humidity or high-traffic zones.
Regal Select offers excellent washability—a significant upgrade over most standard paints on the market. While Ben is durable enough for most residential spaces, frequent scrubbing might cause the finish to dull or wear away prematurely. Always consider the level of wear and tear the surface will experience when comparing Benjamin Moore paints.
Exterior Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison
The outdoor paint lines generally mirror the indoor technology tiers. For exterior projects, the focus shifts heavily towards weather resistance, UV protection, and flexibility to prevent cracking from temperature fluctuations. The top tier is Aura Exterior, followed by Regal Select Exterior, and the mid-tier Moorgard.
Aura Exterior provides superior protection against fading and is highly mildew resistant, essential for maintaining curb appeal for years. Regal Select Exterior is a fantastic all-rounder, offering great adhesion and weather-proofing properties at a better price point. Always choose an exterior paint specifically designed for the type of surface you are coating (e.g., siding, decking, or trim).
When looking at an exterior Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison, pay close attention to the warranty and expected lifespan of the product. The advanced resins in Aura ensure maximum longevity, crucial for surfaces exposed to harsh elements.
Conclusion
Making a comprehensive Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison reveals that there is no single "best" option; rather, there is the best paint for your particular circumstances. If you demand the highest durability, the richest color, and minimal coats, Aura is the undisputed champion. For reliable performance, excellent washability, and great value, Regal Select is the perfect middle ground.
Finally, if budget is your main constraint and ease of application for low-traffic areas is paramount, the Ben line offers quality Benjamin Moore color at an accessible price point. Evaluate your space, estimate the wear and tear, and choose the line that aligns best with your project's needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison
- Is Aura worth the extra cost?
- Yes, especially if you are using deep, saturated colors or painting high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Aura's Color Lock Technology and superior durability minimize the need for future touch-ups or repainting, saving labor costs in the long run.
- Can I mix colors from different Benjamin Moore lines?
- While Benjamin Moore uses the proprietary Gennex colorant system across most lines, it is strongly recommended that you do not mix different paint formulas (Aura and Regal) as they use different resin bases. Stick to one line per project for optimal finish and performance.
- Is Regal Select self-priming?
- Yes, Regal Select is generally considered self-priming over previously painted or properly prepared surfaces. However, for porous surfaces or major color changes (light to dark), a dedicated primer is always recommended for the best results.
- Which Benjamin Moore line is best for contractors?
- Many professional contractors prefer Regal Select because it offers excellent coverage, washability, and flow properties at a price point that balances quality and competitive bidding. However, high-end jobs often require Aura.
- Does the Ben line offer the same color selection as Aura?
- All Benjamin Moore lines are typically tinted using the same Gennex colorant system, meaning the available color palette is the same. The difference is how well the paint base holds and displays the color; Aura's technology ensures the color appears richer and truer.
Benjamin Moore Paint Comparison
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