I actually if money is no issue choose Farrow and Ball paint but I do believe BM is much better quality than SW.. Waht is your reasoning for your choice? I also really like the colors from C2 paint and IMO better than BM in quality not up to F&B but very nice.

We’ve used SW and BM. Very pleased with both.

I do my own painting and prefer to use Benjamin Moore Aura.

I do have 2 gallons of Farrow and Ball paint to try out in a guest bedroom, but haven't used that brand before.

I’ve had professional painters in different houses. One liked only BM, my current team only likes SW. They’re both good products so pick whatever has the color you like best, or the closest store.

I think it varies by city. Different cities I have lived in have more retail locations of one vs the other and it sways painters' perception of which to use. BM seems more east coast. I have always and only used Benjamin Moore and what is now Aura. The coverage is amazing, its is low odor.

The second home we recently purchased is in a SW market area. Few BM stores. The painters could not get over the cost different between the two. I just stick with BM.

Either company can color match and do it well. What you are paying for is the base paint not the color.

This question comes up from time to time.

I also, do all my own painting, and will NOT use anything other than Benjamin Moore and their upper level paint lines (retail $$ 85 per gallon and up).

There is an east coast cabinet finisher on FB who has detailed out how Sherwin Williams works behind the scenes. According to his research, SW corporate will try to buy out any company it can to reduce its competition. Once they do that, they either discontinue the product or modify it to increase profits - all at the expense of quality.

For example, SW Scrub Tuff is a "copy cat" of BM's Scuff X.

• IMO, when you compare SW to BM in their similar levels of paint, BM always has a better "feel" (due to higher quality of ingredients)
• Depending on how "picky" you are, color matching between the 2 is close, but because the bases are different, it's never really exact.
• I've never tried Farrow & Ball, as the nearest retailer is 90 minutes away.

Again, for a lot of people, once the paint is on the wall, they're happy.

I have painted our last three homes from top to bottom (can’t believe!) and only used nothing but BM. I had tried other brands previously, but was disappointed in coverage and durability. Their consultants have also been very knowledgeable, so helped a great deal.

My two nieces bought their homes at about the same time. One painted with SW Emerald, the other with BM Regal Select. Walking into their homes you don't see a difference. Both look nice and are holding up well.

I like to support small business and for me the fact that BM sells their paint through independent retail stores and SW sells through company owned retail stores makes a difference. Near me, you purchase BM through the local Ace Hardware Store. The owner owns 2 locations and I have met him at both locations. I have the feeling that he treats his staff like family. They are always willing to go the extra mile. When I bought a generator from them they put it together, put in some gas and showed me how to start it rather than just sending me out the door with a box. The people working in the store all have expertise in some area of construction, design . . . The woman who I usually find in the paint area knows color. She can tweak the formulas when a match isn't coming out just right.

The local SW store has someone there, but the advice on Monday may be different than the advice on Tuesday. I don't get that feeling that they are invested in anything more than their paycheck. On the other hand, they have a large distribution center in my area that employs a lot of people.

I picked BM for my home, but it wasn't the paint that made the difference, it was the customer service and local business aspect that won out for me.

What should YOU choose?

Ask yourself:
✔ Are you painting interior walls where hide and easy touch-ups matter?
→ BM Aura or Regal Select = great choice.

✔ Is exterior performance and durability in tough weather a priority?
→ SW Emerald Exterior / Duration = strong contender.

✔ Do you want easy cleanliness (stain/wash)?
→ Both premium lines deliver.

✔ Are you on a budget but still want quality?
→ Some builder/contractor grade lines from both brands offer good value without premium price.

Emerald launched to compete with Aura.

Duration intent is to compete with Regal Select.

Those are the big 4.

SW Cashmere is the outlier - it is aesthetics forward, performance second. I think it's a great value for what you get in the can, but it is not a "performance" film and it doesn't claim or try to be. It's wipeable, full stop.

Industry comparison convos usually have Regal Select overlapping both Cashmere + Duration.

I've seen all of them installed. Different colors. Different sheens. Mostly interior, less exterior.

If you have the budget, Aura Matte, no hesitation. If not, Cashmere lo-lustre.

If durability performance is the main priority, that's a different conversation and it has to start with why - why does the film have to be durable, what problem is it helping to solve.

As SW has been gobbling up competitors, they have been reducing the quality of their paint and charging more money per gallon. Someone did a video expose' about this but I don't have the link. Because of the formulation there are colors that SW cannot match from the other companies.

Pratt & Lambert, though owned now by SW, is supposed to still be a very good paint. There was a time when it was the only paint architectural firms would specify until Benjamin Moore came on the market.

Valspar is a paint I used for decades, though they are also now owned by SW. I thought it was an easy paint to install. Not all paints are easy to apply.

That is interesting about SW -- wasn't aware of what they are doing.

I've used Pratt & Lambert in the past, and I must say it was terrific paint -- rich, luscious colors and excellent quality. There were few distributors in my area back then but I was able to get it locally, I don't even know if I could find it now. I had no idea they are now owned by SW.

Turns out the painter might come next week, I'm on standby. So I'm going to have to make a decision.

If I go with the BM I'm going to have him bump up to at least Regal (he uses Ultra-Spec unless you specify otherwise) because this is a high-traffic area and I need a reasonable amount of light scrubbability. In certain lights where he used Ultra-Spec before I can see areas where I gently cleaned the surface, looks a little scuff-y if the light hits it just so. That won't do in the kitchen. The guy at the BM store told me it's not worth bumping up another level to Aura unless you're doing the bathroom or need high scrubability, for normal wear and tear the Regal is just fine.

Would you all agree or disagree with that?

ETA: I want a matte finish. I see Lori's comment about the Aura Matte. I'll suck it up and pay it if it's really worth it above the Regal. The bulk of the cost is in the labor.

@porkchop_z5b_MI, there is also the Scuff X line from Benjamin Moore.

It comes in matte, eggshell, satin & semi-gloss.

The matte is slightly higher in sheen than Aura (Aura matte is 3% and ScuffX matte is 8%) - barely noticeable.

I've used all but the semi-gloss, and love the finish! Goes on like a dream, wears like crazy!

I painted our entire lower level with it - about 5 years ago now. Walls in matte, trim in satin (closets in eggshell). We're on a lake, and summertime is endless guests - including 17 grandchildren, and a lot of their friends!

It was originally formulated for commercial spaces, but became extremely popular for home use.

Scuff-X® Interior Paint | Benjamin Moore

ETA: Not sure why your BM store didn't mention it?

Regal Select is the basic workhorse for BenM. Aura matte has all the things: application, hand (look and feel) and durability.

I'm hearing rumblings that Scuff-X started out really strong, there was a reformulation, painters noted a difference. Many say it's still amazing, but not as good as version 1.

I like BM paints more than SW but I have not tried SW Emerald.

My house interior is currently being painted using BM Regal Select flat. Normally I paint with BM Aura matte. I don’t see a noticeable difference aside from the Aura matte has a slightly higher sheen imo and Regal has a bit more odor while wet. It hasn't been up long to comment on durability.

Went with BM Advance satin for the trim rather than semi gloss. I am enjoying the more subtle sheen especially as the painter prepped the trim so well.

The painter quote was $$$$ higher for Aura over Regal. I didn’t decide based on price. The reputable painter didn’t feel Aura was much better than Regal.

Time will tell. A newly painted room looks so great, I am happy especially as I did not do the painting this time around!

Good luck with your paint job!

Ugh! I hate when they "reformulate"! Seems like it's never better!

I just used a gallon of the Scuff X Matte last month.

It didn't seem to be any different, although it's possible the store's inventory hasn't completely turned over yet.

As for Regal Select, IMO, it would not be my choice for any trim work.

Scuff X stands up to wear and tear much better!

Why would you not recommend the Regal Select for trim work?

Regal comes in semi-gloss and "pearl/satin".

Probably a moot point for most people, but the semi is too glossy for me, and the pearl/satin, a little too dull.

Depending on how much "wear & tear" your home is subject to, it may not be a factor for you.

The Scuff X Satin gives a beautiful sheen that has held up perfectly to our very rambunctious grandchildren.

yes, painters were searching shelves for the og version - but Scuff X even V2 has won a lot of people over.

The closest Ace Hardware to my home doesn't carry Scuff X , where the next closest store does. Not every store carries every line. If they don't carry Scuff X they are unlikely to recommend it.

Scuff X is generally shinier than Regal and even though it is rated at the same sheen level as Advance in the Satin sheen, I find it appears shinier than Advance. This was opposite of what I expected because Advance is better leveling - should be a flatter surface and should appear more reflective., but side by side I thought the Scuff X still appeared a bit shinier.

Advance has a "16 hour recoat time". It never seemed worth the trouble to me.

My husband sprayed the finish on all of our trim. He could do the primer and 2 or 3 coats of ScuffX in way less time.

Before ScuffX, our BM dealer sold a brand called Muralo, and in our experience, cured just as hard as Advance.

Ok, well he confirmed he's coming next week. I've decided I'm going to go with the BM. Now it's a matter of choosing Regal or Aura.

Oh heck it probably doesn't even make any difference, I'm over-analyzing the whole situation because I screwed up bad last time around (the ugly kitchen paint saga, if you recall...).

The good news is you can't make a mistake here. Both are amazing.

"Regal Select is the basic workhorse for BenM. Aura matte has all the things: application, hand (look and feel) and durability.".................

Agree with Lori above, all points, and to me? Sorry.......no comparison. I don't ever use SW. : )

Update: I told him to use the Regal Select. Work has commenced. :0)

Question for Mary Elizabeth. I saw one of your older posts where you talked about using ScuffX. You seem to have done exactly what I am planning to do - Scuffx Matte on the walls and Satin on Trim. Your comments were super reassuring! Did you also use matte for kitchen area. I am wondering about steam, splashing, and food byproducts from cooking. I would be so appreciative to know what you did and your recommendations.