Head-to-head comparison
Behr vs. Sherwin-Williams vs. Benjamin Moore
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Comparing paint by price per gallon is like comparing cars by price per pound. The metric that matters is cost per square foot actually covered — and it reshuffles the ranking.
The numbers (September 2026)
Shelf prices verified Sept 23, 2026 · Coverage = manufacturer-published specs
| Paint (interior flagship line) | Price / gal | Coverage / gal | True cost per 100 sq ft* | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behr Premium Plus | $43.98 | 400 sq ft | $21.99 | Home Depot |
| Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint | $70.00 | 350–400 sq ft | $37.33 | SW stores |
| Benjamin Moore Regal Select | $74.00 | 400–450 sq ft | $34.82 | Ace / BM retailers |
*True cost = (price × 2 coats ÷ coverage) × 100, using mid-range coverage. This isolates material cost per finished area — the number your wallet actually feels.
What the real metric reveals
- Benjamin Moore beats Sherwin-Williams on value despite the higher sticker price — Regal's superior coverage (up to 450 sq ft/gal) makes it ~7% cheaper per finished square foot than SuperPaint at list prices.
- Behr is the clear value winner at ~$22 per 100 sq ft — roughly 40% cheaper per finished square foot than either premium brand.
- The Sherwin-Williams sale changes everything. SW runs 30–40% off sales several times a year. At 40% off ($42/gal), SuperPaint's true cost drops to ~$22.40 per 100 sq ft — dead even with Behr. Never buy SuperPaint at full price if a sale is within a few weeks.
Beyond the math: what each brand does best
| Behr Premium Plus | SW SuperPaint | BM Regal Select | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | DIY value; whole-house repaints | Durability; high-traffic areas | Color depth; flawless finish |
| Hide / coverage | Good (paint+primer in one) | Very good | Excellent |
| Durability | Good | Excellent (top scrub-test ratings) | Excellent |
| Availability | Home Depot, everywhere | SW stores only | Independent retailers, Ace |
| Sale strategy | 5-gal buckets ($39.20/gal) | Wait for 30–40% off events | Occasional retailer promos |
Put it to work
Run your own room through the paint cost calculator — switch the brand dropdown to see exactly how each choice changes your total. The calculator does the coverage-adjusted math automatically.
Cost by project size: what each brand costs on a real job
October 2026 · materials only, 2 coats, mid-range coverage · ±25% planning range
Gallons = (wall sq ft × 2 coats) ÷ coverage per gallon, rounded up to whole gallons. This is where the coverage math compounds: on a whole house, Benjamin Moore's extra coverage nearly pays for its premium over Sherwin-Williams.
| Project | Behr Premium Plus $43.98/gal · 400 sq ft | SW SuperPaint $70/gal · 375 sq ft | BM Regal Select $74/gal · 425 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 400 sq ft walls | 2 gal → $88 | 2.2 gal → $154 | 1.9 gal → $141 |
| Whole house interior 2,000 sq ft walls | 10 gal → $440 | 10.7 gal → $749 | 9.4 gal → $696 |
| House exterior 2,500 sq ft siding | 12.5 gal → $550 | 13.3 gal → $933 | 11.8 gal → $871 |
Illustrative material math using the shelf prices and coverages above — budgeting estimates, not quotes. Real jobs need ±10% extra for waste, touch-ups, and the half-gallon that always goes missing. Exterior work adds prep costs that dwarf paint choice; see the exterior painting cost guide.
Two takeaways. First, scale compresses the brand gap: on a bedroom the Behr-to-BM spread is $53; on a whole house it's $256 — real money, but a smaller share of a $3,000–$6,000 pro job. Second, Regal's coverage is doing quiet work: it needs a full gallon less than SuperPaint on the whole house, which is why its per-project total lands below SW's despite the higher sticker price.
Each brand's lineup: budget, mid, and premium tiers
October 2026 · typical shelf ranges — verify current prices; ranges, not quotes
| Tier | Behr (Home Depot) | Sherwin-Williams | Benjamin Moore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ~$25–$35/gal | ~$30–$40/gal | ~$30–$45/gal |
| Mid (compared above) | Premium Plus ~$44/gal | SuperPaint ~$70/gal | Regal Select ~$74/gal |
| Premium | ~$50–$60/gal | ~$80–$95/gal | ~$85–$100/gal |
Budget/premium rows are labeled typical ranges (methodological convention for planning), not verified shelf prices — the mid row uses the verified September 2026 prices from the table above. The pattern holds across brands: each step up buys better hide, richer color, and longer life; each step down saves ~30% per gallon and costs you coverage and durability.
The practical move: match the tier to the room's job description. Budget paint for closets and low-visibility walls, mid-tier for living spaces, premium for the front door, kitchen, and anywhere you'll stare at the finish daily. Whole-house premium is a luxury; whole-house budget is a false economy — the repaint comes years sooner.
The pro painter angle: why contractors don't buy like you do
Two things change the math when a pro buys the paint. First, contractor pricing: painters with store accounts typically pay 15–30% below list, and Sherwin-Williams in particular is built around this — its list prices are high partly because its contractor prices are not. A painter paying $50/gal for SuperPaint has a true cost near Behr's retail, which is one reason SW dominates pro trucks.
Second, labor dwarfs materials. On a $4,000 interior job, the paint might be $400–$600 — 10–15% of the bill. A pro will happily spend $200 more on paint that covers in two guaranteed coats instead of three, because the third coat costs them $800 in labor. When your painter insists on a brand, it's usually about their economics (reliable coverage, accurate color matching, store support) rather than yours — and it's usually correct.
Contractor discount ranges are industry estimates. If you're supplying your own paint to save money, ask the painter which line they want — then buy exactly that during a sale.
Primer and supplies: the hidden 30%
| Item | Typical cost | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | $20–$35/gal | Bare drywall, dramatic color changes, stain blocking — skip it and the topcoat works twice as hard |
| Brushes, rollers, trays | $50–$100 per room | Quality tools are reusable; cheap ones shed fibers into your finish |
| Tape, drop cloths, caulk | $30–$60 per room | The unglamorous half of every paint job |
Ranges are planning conventions. Brand comparisons that ignore primer and supplies flatter expensive paint: a $74 gallon that needs no primer can beat a $44 gallon that needs a $30 primer coat underneath it. "Paint and primer in one" products (like Behr Premium Plus) genuinely save a step on previously painted walls in similar colors — on bare drywall, use real primer regardless of the label.
Sources & further reading
- Sherwin-Williams — Sherwin-Williams publishes technical data sheets with the per-gallon coverage rates used in the cost-per-square-foot math on this page.
- U.S. EPA — Lead-safe renovation — EPA's lead-paint rules require disclosure and lead-safe work practices when repainting pre-1978 homes — factor certified renovators into the labor cost.
- Consumer Reports — Consumer Reports' independent paint testing scores coverage, hiding, staining resistance, and durability across brands and tiers.
FAQs
Is Benjamin Moore worth it over Behr?
Per finished square foot, Regal Select (~$34.82/100 sq ft) costs about 58% more than Behr Premium Plus (~$21.99). You're paying for better hide, richer color, and durability — worth it for showcase rooms, harder to justify for a rental refresh.
Is Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint better than Behr Premium Plus?
It's more durable with excellent hide — a contractor favorite for good reason. But at list price it's ~70% more per finished square foot than Behr. The smart move: buy SuperPaint only during 30–40% off sales, when the value gap disappears.
Which covers the most square feet per gallon?
Benjamin Moore Regal Select (400–450 sq ft/gal), then Behr Premium Plus (400), then SW SuperPaint (350–400) — all manufacturer specs. Real-world coverage runs lower on textured or porous surfaces.
Should I buy the premium tier or the mid-tier?
Match the tier to the room: budget for closets and low-visibility walls, mid-tier for living spaces, premium for kitchens, front doors, and anywhere you'll study the finish daily. Whole-house premium is a luxury; whole-house budget is usually a false economy — the repaint arrives years sooner.
Do I still need primer with "paint and primer in one"?
On previously painted walls in a similar color: usually not — that's what the products are formulated for. On bare drywall, dramatic color changes, or stain blocking: yes, use real primer regardless of the label. A $25 primer gallon under a $44 topcoat often outperforms a $74 topcoat struggling alone.
Why do painters insist on Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore?
Mostly their economics, and it's usually sound: contractor pricing (15–30% off list), reliable two-coat coverage, accurate color matching, and store support. Since labor dwarfs materials on a pro job, a painter will spend more on paint that saves them a coat — that third coat costs them far more in labor than the paint upgrade costs you.
How much extra paint should I buy?
About 10% over the calculated gallons — for waste, cutting-in, and touch-ups. A leftover quart of the exact batch is worth more than its price when you need to touch up a scuff in two years; paint mixed later never matches perfectly.