Best Interior Paints From Consumer Reports' Tests

We test nontinted base paints (paint before the color is added). Each base paint goes through two tests to determine how well it can cover dark colors and how well it resists stains.

To evaluate how well a paint hides darker colors, we apply one consistent coat to cardstock that has been painted black. After that coat dries, we use a colorimeter to measure how well the paint has covered the darker shade.

For stain resistance, our testers apply paint to a plastic panel. After it dries, we apply coffee and a substance similar to soot in a strip and allow them to dry. We wash the painted panels, then use a colorimeter to measure the color of the paint on the rinsed areas. The closer the cleaned portions are to the original coat, the more stain-resistant the paint.

These two tests are the most crucial when it comes to longevity and ease of application. If a paint hides well, there’s no need to prime.

“We don’t want you to get a paint with great hiding performance, which might be fantastic when you first apply the paint, but that then becomes a burden to live with. You constantly need to retouch it,” says Richard Handel, who runs CR’s paint test lab.

As you shop, you’ll notice that some paint lines come with claims such as “low odor” or “low chemical emissions.” In fact, some manufacturers claim their paints have “no chemical emissions.” Low- and zero-VOC paints first emerged in the 1990s and are now commonly sold at retailers throughout the country. High emissions and exposure to these chemicals—volatile organic compounds, or VOCs—can affect your health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

No matter what the can says, Handel recommends painting only in a well-ventilated area because any odors can still be unpleasant and distracting.