Sherwin-Williams vs Benjamin Moore: how do they compare?
Dario’s PaintingSep 30, 20266 min readLast updated: Sep 30, 2026
Neither brand wins on every job: both make premium lines for walls, trim and exteriors, and each line is built for a different use. Consumer Reports’ lab tests found that paints from the same brand don’t always perform the same, so the line and the surface matter more than the logo. Dario uses premium lines from both, matched to the surface and the room. This guide names the main interior and exterior lines, compares their data sheets and shows how pros pick. Dario’s Painting uses premium lines from both on interior painting and exterior painting jobs in Memphis.
The Two Brands at a Glance
| Sherwin-Williams | Benjamin Moore | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is sold | Its own paint is sold only through more than 5,000 company-operated stores and facilities. | Sold only through independent retailers. |
| In Memphis | Company paint stores, including one on Summer Avenue. | Independent retailers, including Memphis Paints. |
| Main interior lines | Emerald Symmetry, Emerald, Duration Home, SuperPaint, Cashmere | Aura, Regal Select, ben |
| Trim and cabinets | Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel | Advance |
| Main exterior lines | Emerald, Duration, SuperPaint, A-100 | Aura Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, Element Guard |
| Professional lines | ProMar 200 Zero VOC | Ultra Spec 500, Ultra Spec Exterior |
Interior Paint Lines by Name
These are the brands’ own descriptions, not test results.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Symmetry
Its most premium paint, GREENGUARD Gold certified and formulated with zero-VOC plant-based technology.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald
Its finest paint. Interior formulas are described as washable, with paint and primer in one.
Sherwin-Williams Duration Home
Paint and primer in one for busy spaces such as playrooms and kitchens, with stain-blocking technology. Its data sheet adds Moisture Resistant Technology for moist rooms like bathrooms.
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint
Paint and primer in one that applies easily, dries quickly and holds up to scrubbing.
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere
An ultra-smooth paint with a silky finish and a scrubbable surface.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel
A water-based enamel for cabinets, doors and trim that resists yellowing compared with traditional oil-based coatings.
Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero VOC
A professional line with zero VOCs in six sheens and every color.
Benjamin Moore Aura
Its highest performing paint, with Color Lock technology. Aura Bath & Spa is the version for high-humidity rooms.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Its most popular paint, and its premium line with the most extensive sheen options.
Benjamin Moore ben
Pitched on easy application.
Benjamin Moore Advance
A durable, smooth finish in satin, semi-gloss and high gloss. Benjamin Moore points to its semi-gloss for kitchen cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 and Scuff-X
Ultra Spec 500 is described as professional-quality, zero-VOC interior paint for painting contractors. Scuff-X is engineered for scuff resistance in high-traffic areas.
Exterior Paint Lines by Name
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior
Premium paint and primer in one, pitched on good results in fewer coats.
Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior
Formulated with PermaLast technology. Self-priming, with one coat for repaints and two for new work.
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior
Goes on smooth, resists fading and peeling, and gives a dirt- and mildew-resistant coating.
Also from Sherwin-Williams
A-100, Latitude and Emerald Rain Refresh exterior paints are on its exterior list.
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior
Its ultimate exterior paint. The data sheet calls it a super premium 100% acrylic that can be applied as low as 40°F.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior
A premium 100% acrylic with CleanGuard Technology, also sold as a high-build paint.
Benjamin Moore Element Guard
Described as paint for exteriors that stand up to the elements.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Exterior
Pitched on reliable, professional results for any exterior job.
Interior Data Sheets Side by Side
Data sheets list test conditions, not results on your house, and these lines are not matched pairs. Here is a mid-to-upper interior line from each brand.
| On the data sheet | Sherwin-Williams Duration Home | Benjamin Moore Regal Select |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage per gallon | 350–400 sq ft | 400–450 sq ft |
| Dry to touch, 77°F and 50% humidity | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Recoat, same conditions | 4 hours | 1–2 hours (3 in semi-gloss) |
| Lowest application temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| VOC | Under 50 g/L | Under 50 g/L (under 100 in semi-gloss) |
Exterior Data Sheets Side by Side
The same comparison for each brand’s low lustre exterior finish.
| On the data sheet | Sherwin-Williams Duration | Benjamin Moore Regal Select |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage per gallon | 250–300 sq ft | 300–400 sq ft |
| Dry to touch | 1 hour at 45°F and up | 1 hour at 77°F |
| Recoat | 4 hours at 45°F and up; 24–48 hours at 35–45°F | 4 hours at 77°F |
| Lowest application temperature | 35°F | 35°F |
| Coats | 1 to repaint, 2 on new bare surfaces | 1 or 2 |
Benjamin Moore’s top exterior line, Aura Exterior, lists 250–350 sq ft per gallon, a 4-hour recoat at 77°F, a 40°F minimum and 1 or 2 coats.
Both brands say humidity and temperature change dry and recoat times, which matters in humid Memphis. See when to paint outside in Memphis, and how the brands’ sheen names line up in our paint sheen guide.
How Pros Pick a Paint
We found no survey of which brand pros prefer that we trust, so this sticks to what the brands’ guidance, their data sheets and an independent lab show.
The job first
Sherwin-Williams’ own advice is to pick the right product for the job first, then the sheen from what that line offers. Both brands offer lines aimed at trim and cabinets, ceilings, bathrooms, busy halls and exteriors.
The line, not the logo
Consumer Reports’ lab tests found that paints from the same brand don’t always perform the same. It tests how well each paint hides a dark color and resists stains, line by line.
The data sheet
Coverage, recoat time, lowest application temperature and VOC are on the sheet. Sherwin-Williams says dry and recoat times depend on temperature, humidity and film thickness, and Benjamin Moore says high humidity and cool temperatures make them longer.
The supply store
Where the paint comes from shapes how it is ordered: Sherwin-Williams through its company stores, Benjamin Moore through independent retailers that can advise on product and sheen.
The color
Each brand has its own color names and codes, so tell your painter the brand and code you chose.
What Dario does
Dario uses premium lines from both, matched to the surface and the room, and never thins paint to stretch a gallon. The paint is included in the quote, and the estimate names the paint for each surface. See interior painting and exterior painting.
Got questions?
Is Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore better?
Neither wins on every job. Consumer Reports’ lab tests found that paints from the same brand don’t always perform the same, so the line and the surface matter more than the name. Dario uses premium lines from both, matched to the surface and the room.
What are the main interior paints from each brand?
Sherwin-Williams lists Emerald Symmetry, Emerald, Duration Home, SuperPaint and Cashmere for walls, Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel for trim and cabinets, and ProMar 200 for professionals. Benjamin Moore lists Aura, Regal Select and ben for walls, Advance for trim and cabinets, Ultra Spec 500 for contractors, and Scuff-X for high-traffic areas.
What are the main exterior paints from each brand?
Sherwin-Williams lists Emerald, Duration and SuperPaint exterior paints, plus A-100. Benjamin Moore lists Aura Exterior, Regal Select Exterior, Element Guard and Ultra Spec Exterior.
Where can I buy each brand in Memphis?
Sherwin-Williams sells its own paint only through its company stores, and its store locator lists several in Memphis. Benjamin Moore sells only through independent retailers, and its locator lists Memphis Paints. If Dario paints your home, the paint is included in the quote.
Does the brand change the price of a painting job?
Paint is included in Dario’s quote, and the estimate names the paint for each surface, so you can see what you are paying for. List prices vary by line, size, color and store, so we don’t quote them here. Consumer Reports put the top performers in its interior paint tests at $43 to $66 per gallon. Our house painting cost guide covers what moves the price of a whole job.
Can I use paint I already bought?
Yes. If you already have paint you want used, tell Dario at the walkthrough and the quote is priced that way.
Sources
- Sherwin-Williams: Interior Paint (product list) — interior line names
- Sherwin-Williams: Exterior Paint (product list) — exterior line names
- Sherwin-Williams: Emerald Family — Emerald Symmetry and Emerald descriptions
- Sherwin-Williams: Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: ProMar 200 Zero VOC Interior Latex — professional line description
- Sherwin-Williams: Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: SuperPaint Exterior Acrylic Latex — brand description
- Sherwin-Williams: Duration Home Interior Latex Satin data sheet (A97) — coverage, dry times, temperature, VOC, moisture technology
- Sherwin-Williams: Duration Exterior Acrylic Low Lustre data sheet (K30) — coverage, dry times, temperature, coats
- Sherwin-Williams: Our Company — sold through more than 5,000 company-operated stores and facilities
- Sherwin-Williams: Paint Store, Memphis, TN #707284 — a Memphis company store
- Sherwin-Williams: Shedding Light on Gloss and Sheen (2019 guide, PDF) — pick the product for the job first, then the sheen
- Benjamin Moore: Interior Paint — interior line names and descriptions
- Benjamin Moore: Exterior Paint — exterior line names and descriptions
- Benjamin Moore: Aura Interior Paint — brand description, Aura Bath & Spa
- Benjamin Moore: Regal Select Interior Paint — brand description
- Benjamin Moore: How to Choose a Paint Finish — Advance for cabinets; sold only through independent retailers
- Benjamin Moore: Regal Select Interior Eggshell N549 data sheet — coverage, dry times, temperature, VOC
- Benjamin Moore: Regal Select Interior Semi-Gloss N551 data sheet — 3-hour recoat, VOC under 100 g/L
- Benjamin Moore: Regal Select Exterior Low Lustre 262 data sheet — coverage, dry times, temperature, CleanGuard, high build
- Benjamin Moore: Aura Exterior Low Lustre 634 data sheet — coverage, dry times, 40°F minimum
- Benjamin Moore: Memphis Paints store page — an independent Benjamin Moore retailer in Memphis
- Consumer Reports: 5 Best Interior Paints of 2026 — same-brand paints perform differently; hide and stain tests; top performers $43–$66 a gallon; updated Apr 2026
Checked September 2026. Prices and product details change; your written estimate has the numbers for your house.
