Which Behr Paint Line Is the Best? (With Comparison Chart) (2024)

Are you preparing for a project but can’t decide which Behr paint to use?

How do you choose between Dynasty, Marquee, Ultra, Premium Plus, and many other options? What are the key differences between each line?

In this guide, I break down the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of the best Behr paints. You’ll learn how each paint line differs in price, finishes, durability, VOCs, color ranges, and more.

I also reveal what paint experts say about Behr’s lineup and share their most recommended option.

Use the links below to navigate the guide:

• Best Behr Paint: Comparison Chart
• Behr Dynasty
• Behr Marquee
• Behr Ultra
• Behr Premium Plus
• Behr Copper Force
• FAQs About Behr Paint Lines
• What Paint Experts Say
• Bottom Line: Which Behr Paint Is the Best?

Best Behr Paint: Comparison Chart

If you’re in a hurry, the chart below provides a quick comparison of Behr’s paint lines.

Swipe to view the entire chart on mobile.

Behr Dynasty

The Behr Dynasty paint line is a premium choice for interior and exterior painting projects— its high-quality formula achieves excellent coverage and a remarkably smooth surface.

Behr Dynasty’s interior line has four finishes: Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss. This line offers three finishes for exterior projects: Flat, Satin, and Semi-Gloss.

Behr Dynasty is a premium paint line and the most expensive option of Behr’s core offerings. This paint will set you back between $60-$70 per gallon for interior paint and about $75-80 for exterior.

However, this is an instance where you get what you pay for — the paint is incredibly durable. It will remain vibrant longer, even when exposed to weather, sunlight, and daily wear and tear. Its longevity makes it an excellent value in the long run.

Dynasty promises to fully cover any surface with one coat when you use specific Behr colors. However, this One-Coat Hide Guarantee doesn’t apply to Ultra Pure White and colors that aren’t labeled as one-coat hide.

There are also cases when more than one coat is necessary. You’ll need extra coats when painting over uncoated, porous, heavily textured surfaces or when dealing with woods like redwood or cedar. When covering heavy stains, you may need to use a spot primer, apply extra coats, or let the paint dry for longer.

Two coats are necessary for exterior surfaces to ensure the paint lasts against the weather.

Because of the paint’s durability and staining resistance, it’s ideal for areas like kitchens prone to spills, scuffs, and heat. The exterior line is excellent if you need quick-drying paint or plan to paint your home in a location with cooler temperatures. It can be applied in temperatures ranging anywhere from 35°F up to 90°F.

Behr Marquee

At about $50-$60 per gallon for interior paint and $65-$70 for exterior, Behr Marquee is more expensive than the brand’s Ultra and Premium Plus lines but more affordable than Dynasty.

The interior version of Behr Marquee is available in four finishes: Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss, while the exterior line has three finishes: Flat, Satin, and Semi-Gloss.

Like Dynasty, Marquee paint comes with a one-coat coverage guarantee, which helps to save you time and money. With just one coat, you can complete your painting project hours faster since you don’t have to wait for the paint to dry before applying another coat. And if you’re painting a large room, you may not have to buy as much paint as you would with other lines.

Another advantage of Behr Marquee is its long-lasting quality. The interior paint is especially durable, and the exterior version resists fading and dirt, making it a good choice for an exterior door or shutters.

This paint is ideal for high-traffic areas of the home, like kitchens, family rooms, living rooms, and entryways that need better protection and defense against scuffs, scrapes, and marks. Plus, Behr Marquee’s pricing makes this paint line a good choice if you’re looking for a mid-range to high-end option while still providing excellent durability.

If there is one drawback to this paint line, it’s the texture and thickness. Because the formula has a relatively high percentage of solids (pigments and binders), it’s thicker and stickier than most paints. And because of that, it can be challenging to apply and takes more time to wash out of brushes and rollers.

Behr Ultra

Behr Ultra is more affordable than Dynasty and Marquee — the interior option ranges from $40-$50 per gallon, and the exterior paint is about $50-$55 per gallon.

The interior paint line balances quality and affordability and comes in four distinct finishes: Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss. The exterior paint is available in Flat, Satin, and Semi-Gloss finishes.

The key feature that sets Ultra apart from Behr’s other lines is its advanced scuff resistance. In other words, if you rub furniture against the wall or your toddler crashes their toy truck into the baseboard, the paint won’t scuff easily. And if scuffs happen, it’s easy to wash them out without fading the color.

The exterior version has excellent durability and coverage. It resists stains, dirt, sun exposure, and weather changes, making it a good value for the price.

Behr Ultra paint is ideal for various projects inside and outside your home. Its extra scuff-proof feature protects the paint from everyday wear and tear and keeps it looking new for years. It’s perfect for high-traffic areas of your home, like entryways, hallways, mudrooms, or kids’ rooms.

Behr Ultra Exterior paint is best suited to outdoor projects where durability is essential. It stands up to the weather and has excellent color retention, which makes it a great choice for outdoor furniture like swings or benches.

Behr Premium Plus

Of Behr’s core paint lines, Premium Plus is the least expensive. It’s a budget-friendly choice ranging from $30-$40 per gallon for the interior version and $44-48 for the exterior.

The Premium Plus interior finishes include Flat/Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and High-Gloss. The exterior lineup includes Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and High-Gloss finishes. It’s worth noting that this line is the only Behr paint line that offers a High Gloss finish.

What truly separates this paint from Behr’s other lines is its value. You get decent coverage and durability at an excellent price.

And despite the low cost, it does a decent job of hiding imperfections and keeping a smooth finish. It’s also formulated to resist stains, ensuring that accidental spills or scuffs can be scrubbed away without leaving blemishes or streaks on the painted surface.

Premium Plus paint also has a low-odor formula, making it more comfortable to work with, especially in enclosed areas. With less than 5 g/l of volatile organic compounds in the formula, Premium Plus interior is considered a zero-VOC paint.

Consider this paint for low-traffic areas of your home, like bedrooms, offices, or closets, where you just want the job done and don’t necessarily need it to last forever.

It’s a great option if you’re painting a finished basem*nt or playroom or moving soon and need to refresh the paint without spending a fortune.

Behr Premium Plus is also an excellent choice for rental property owners. It offers good coverage and durability at a budget-friendly price.

The exterior paint is good for fences, downspouts, and wood, vinyl, or cement sidings.

Behr Copper Force

Behr Copper Force costs about the same as Behr Ultra. Unlike the other lines on this list, Copper Force is only available in an interior version and costs about $45-$48.

Copper force is available in two finish options: Eggshell and Semi-Gloss. The eggshell finish provides a subtle sheen and a smooth, velvety texture, while the semi-gloss is a good choice for areas that require regular cleanings, like kitchens and hallways.

Its smooth texture allows for easy application, resulting in a professional-looking outcome, whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a professional painter.

Most notably, Behr Copper Force is both virucidal and antibacterial. It’s designed with healthcare spaces, like hospitals and clinics, in mind. By harnessing the antimicrobial properties of copper, Copper Force kills up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on the painted surface in under two hours.

This unique formulation makes it ideal for areas where cleanliness and sterility are top priorities. From bathrooms to hospital rooms, this paint line is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to promote hygiene, and it’s especially suitable for individuals who may be immunocompromised.

FAQs About Behr Paint Lines

Do you still have questions? Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about Behr paint.

What Paint Experts Say

I interviewed the paint expert at The Home Depot in Natick, MA, to get a broader perspective on the best Behr paint. She’s been selling Behr paint for over a decade and knows each paint line inside and out.

She said, “The biggest differences between each Behr paint line are coverage, durability, washability, mildew resistance, and stain blocking.”

When I asked her to elaborate, she said, “Behr Premium Plus provides solid coverage, but since it’s the cheapest formula, it will fade quicker. With Ultra, you get added scuff defense, stain-blocking technology, and improved coverage. Marquee and Dynasty are the two most expensive lines, and both provide one-coat coverage within a range of colors.”

I asked about the difference between Marquee and Dynasty, and she said, “Marquee was the original one-coat paint, but when they created Dynasty, they added scuff defense. So Dynasty is like Marquee and Ultra in one paint. Also, Dynasty has better block resistance. In other words, it dries faster and won’t stick to itself. Let’s say you’re painting a door and trim; you’ll be able to close the door much sooner without the paint sticking.”

When I asked which Behr paint she recommends, she said, “The paint I recommend the most is Ultra. If you’re painting a light color over a really dark one, go with Marquee or Dynasty. But otherwise, Ultra is the best value. Customers have told me, and I’ve seen in my projects, that you often need two coats with Marquee and Dynasty. The second coat makes the sheen more consistent. It’s less noticeable with a flat finish, but a second coat is almost always necessary if you’re doing an eggshell or satin finish. And since the difference between two Dynasty and Marquee coats and two Ultra coats isn’t noticeable, you’re better off going with Ultra.

When I asked which Behr paint is best for kitchens and bathrooms, she said, “Ultra because it has built-in mildew resistance.”

Bottom Line: Which Behr Paint Is the Best?

Now that you know the similarities, differences, pros, and cons of each Behr paint line, it’s time to choose which is right for your painting project.

Behr Dynasty’s interior line is best for areas like kitchens that need to resist stains, scuffs, and heat. Dynasty provides excellent one-coat coverage and durability that will last years, even in high-traffic areas.

Behr Marquee is not as pricey as Dynasty, but it’s thicker and harder to work with. Its exterior version is fade and dirt resistant, perfect for shutters and accents.

Behr Ultra is a quality mid-range paint line that balances an affordable price point with smooth, easy-to-apply coverage. The Ultra paint line is best known for its durability — It’s best for entryways, hallways, living rooms, and other high–traffic areas.

Premium Plus is Behr’s most affordable paint line. If you need to repaint a rental property and are not worried about longevity, Premium Plus is the best value.

Copper Force is a durable and uniquely formulated paint designed for areas where a sterile environment is essential. It’s great for bathrooms, hospital rooms, or the homes of immunocompromised people.

Bottom line — Behr is a reliable paint brand that I highly recommend. You can’t go wrong with any of their offerings, but Dynasty provides the best coverage and durability if you can afford it.