Behr Ultra Vs. Dynasty: Which Interior Paint Is Best?

When it comes time to paint the interior of your home, choosing the right paint is crucial for getting the look and durability you want. Two popular premium interior paint options are Behr Ultra and Behr Dynasty.

But what’s the difference between these two paints, and which is better?

In this comprehensive comparison guide, we’ll break down the pros, cons, features and differences between Behr Ultra and Dynasty paint so you can decide which is the best option for your next interior painting project.

A Brief Comparison Table

Here is a helpful comparison chart summarizing the key differences between Behr Ultra and Dynasty paint:

Paint FeatureBehr UltraBehr Dynasty
Hide and CoverageExcellentExcellent
Durability/Wear ResistanceVery GoodExcellent
Washability/ScrubbabilityVery GoodExcellent
Stain & Scuff ResistanceVery GoodExcellent
Sheen & Finish QualityExcellentExcellent
PrimerYesYes
Formula100% Acrylic Latex100% Acrylic Latex
Mildew ResistanceYesYes
VOC/OdorLow VOC, Low OdorLow VOC, Low Odor
Cost per Gallon$30-$50$60-$80+
AvailabilityAll Home DepotsSelect Home Depots

Overview of Behr Ultra Paint

Behr Ultra is Behr’s most premium, high-quality interior paint line. It’s designed to provide excellent hide, durability, stain resistance and a beautiful smooth uniform matte finish.

Some key features of Behr Ultra Paint:

behr ultra scuff defense
  • Proprietary stain-blocking paint and primer in one formula
  • Provides great hide and coverage with less coats needed
  • Durable, scrubbable, and washable finish
  • Stain, scuff and mar resistant
  • Low VOC, low odor and antimicrobial-mildew resistant
  • Advanced tinting technology for superior, longer-lasting color
  • Available in flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and high-gloss sheens

Behr Ultra is a great choice for nearly any room in your home but really shines for high-traffic areas, kids’ rooms, and accent walls. It provides a flawless, uniform finish and the stain and scuff resistance helps maintain the freshly-painted look longer.

Overview of Behr Dynasty Paint

Dynasty is Behr’s newest high-end interior offering, designed to be extremely durable, budge-proof and luxurious. It’s marketed as Behr’s “most stain repellent” and “scuff resistant” paint ever.

Some key features of Behr Dynasty Paint:

BEHR Dynasty Paint
  • Extremely durable, scratch and scuff resistant finish
  • Unmatched stain repellency and stain resistance
  • High-hiding formula provides excellent coverage
  • Proprietary SHIELD technology for maximum durability
  • Built-in primer for easier 1-coat coverage
  • Antimicrobial-mildew resistant
  • 100% acrylic latex formula
  • Low VOC, low odor and great flow and leveling
  • Available in flat, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss finishes

Dynasty is optimized for high-traffic areas prone to messes, accidents and abuse.

The budge-proof finish is ideal for kids’ rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, trim and furniture. It’s the most scrubbable and washable Behr paint available.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of each, let’s do a detailed comparison of Behr Ultra vs. Dynasty paint.

Behr Ultra And Dynasty Comparison

Here’s an in-depth look at how Behr Ultra and Dynasty paints stack up against each other:

Hide and Coverage

  • Behr Ultra provides great hide and coverage, typically only needing 1-2 coats. The flat finish hides imperfections exceptionally well.
  • Dynasty also offers excellent hide and coverage due to its high-hiding formula and built-in primer. It can often be applied in 1 thick coat.
  • Both paints offer superior hiding power and require less coats compared to standard paints. Dynasty may have a slight edge, but the coverage of Behr Ultra is still excellent.

Durability and Wear Resistance

  • Behr Ultra is a very durable paint that resists stains, scuffs and mars. The scrubbable finish stands up well to washing and everyday wear and tear.
  • Dynasty is engineered for maximum durability. It’s marketed as Behr’s most scuff, stain and burnish resistant interior paint, making it the most scratch and mar resistant.
  • Dynasty seems to have a noticeable advantage and outperforms Behr Ultra when it comes to durability and stain/scuff defense.

Washability and Scrubbability

  • Behr Ultra has a scrubbable finish that allows stains to be removed by washing the paint without damaging the finish.
  • Dynasty is Behr’s most washable paint offering. The extremely durable finish allows walls to be scrubbed vigorously to remove stains and scuffs without wearing down the paint.
  • Dynasty is the winner when it comes to scrubbability and washability, but Behr Ultra still performs well.

Stain and Scuff Resistance

Behr Ultra Paint
  • Behr Ultra resists stains from common household stains like coffee, ketchup, wine and more. The scuff-resistant finish prevents everyday scuffs from shoes, toys etc.
  • Dynasty has unrivaled stain repellency and stain resistance due to Behr’s innovative SHIELD technology. It’s virtually indestructible against common household stains. The scuff defense also exceeds Behr Ultra.
  • Dynasty dominates when it comes to stain and scuff resistance, living up to its billing as Behr’s most stain proof interior paint.

Sheen and Finish Quality

  • Behr Ultra has a beautiful matte finish that hides imperfections well. The flat sheen provides excellent touch up and a uniform appearance.
  • Dynasty offers a luxurious appearance and velvety matte finish with great flow and leveling. The flat finish provides a pristine, polished look.
  • Both paints deliver a high-quality, smooth consistent finish. Ultra has a slight edge for uniformity and hiding imperfections.

Primer

  • Behr Ultra has a built-in paint and primer in one formula, offering great adhesion and eliminating the need for a separate primer coat.
  • Dynasty also incorporates a primer into the paint, allowing for faster 1-coat application in most cases.
  • The built-in primer in both Behr Ultra and Dynasty makes the painting process easier by reducing the steps and coats needed. It’s a wash here.

Formula and Coverage

  • Behr Ultra has a 100% acrylic latex formula that provides excellent coverage and color retention.
  • Dynasty also features a 100% acrylic latex formula like Behr Ultra. Both offer great coverage per coat.
  • The formulas used in Behr Ultra and Dynasty are very similar. Coverage is comparable between the two.

Mildew and Mold Resistance

  • Behr Ultra has antimicrobial-mildew resistant properties that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and algae on the paint film.
  • Dynasty also actively inhibits the growth of mold and mildew on the paint thanks to its antimicrobial properties.
  • Both Behr Ultra and Dynasty offer mold and mildew resistance, resulting in a tie for this category.

VOC and Odor

  • Behr Ultra is low VOC and low odor during application and drying. It meets the most stringent VOC regulations.
  • Dynasty is also low VOC and low odor, passing the same strict emissions standards as Behr Ultra.
  • The VOC levels and odor profile of these two Behr paint lines are very similar and both perform well.

Color Options

  • Behr Ultra is available in thousands of custom colors which can be color matched. It uses advanced colorants for better color accuracy.
  • Dynasty has access to the same unlimited color options and colorants as Ultra. All Behr colors can be matched in any finish.
  • Both Behr Ultra and Dynasty provide endless color options and use the same high-quality tinting technology.

Cost and Value

  • Behr Ultra ranges from $30-$50 per gallon depending on sheen. It provides very good durability and performance for the price.
  • Dynasty costs $60-$80+ per gallon making it one of Behr’s most expensive interior paints. The ultra premium performance justifies the higher cost.
  • Dynasty is noticeably more expensive than Ultra, but also outperforms Ultra in most regards, justifying the higher price tag.

Availability

  • Behr Ultra is sold exclusively at Home Depot stores nationwide. It’s widely available.
  • Dynasty is only available at select Home Depot locations and on the Home Depot website. It has less availability than Ultra currently.
  • Behr Ultra has much wider availability vs Dynasty which is still rolling out to stores in certain areas.

Which Is Better: Behr Ultra Or Dynasty?

Based on this detailed comparison, Behr Dynasty is the winner if you want the most durable, scuff and stain resistant interior paint.

Dynasty outperforms Ultra in nearly every category related to durability, scrubbability, stain resistance and washability.

The proprietary SHIELD technology gives Dynasty unrivaled burnish and stain resistance compared to every other Behr paint line, including the already excellent Behr Ultra.

It truly lives up to its billing as Behr’s most durable interior paint.

However, Behr Ultra is still an outstanding quality paint in its own right. If you don’t need the absolute highest stain and scuff resistance, Behr Ultra provides nearly equal coverage and hide with great durability for significantly less cost.

Ultra is the best choice if you want excellent performance without paying Dynasty’s ultra premium price.

You can feel confident with either Behr Ultra or Behr Dynasty for a high-quality interior paint job. Both will provide beautiful, long-lasting results. Pick Dynasty if maximum durability is critical for your project or Ultra if you want great durability and value.

With proper prep work and application, both paints will enhance and protect your interior spaces beautifully.

Behr Paint Line Comparison

To help decide between not just Behr Ultra and Dynasty but all of Behr’s interior paint lines, here is a complete overview comparing Behr’s offering from lowest to highest quality:

  • Premium Plus – Behr’s low-cost contractor-grade paint. Provides decent durability and hide for the very low price point. More prone to flaws in application and color accuracy.
  • Premium Plus Ultra – A slight step up from Premium Plus at a few dollars more per gallon. Better durability, hide and color accuracy. Still very affordably priced.
  • Marquee – Behr’s mid-tier offering. Much improved durability, hide and stain resistance over Premium Plus. A good choice for most DIYers.
  • Ultra – Behr’s original premium, top-tier paint. Excellent durability and coverage with great stain and scuff defense. Ideal for high-traffic areas.
  • Dynasty – Behr’s newest ultra-premium paint. Unmatched stain, burnish and scuff resistance. The most durable and long-lasting Behr paint overall.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Behr Dynasty the best?

Behr Dynasty is Behr’s top-of-the-line interior paint and objectively the “best” Behr paint in terms of performance, durability, and stain resistance. The proprietary SHIELD technology makes Dynasty extremely resistant to stains, scuffs, and abrasion. So for maximum durability, Dynasty is the ideal choice.

What is Behr Ultra paint used for?

Behr Ultra is an excellent all-purpose interior paint ideal for nearly any room in your home. It’s specially designed for high-traffic areas that see a lot of wear and tear like hallways, family rooms, kids’ rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, doors and trim. The scrubbable stain-resistant finish maintains its freshly painted look for longer.

What is Behr Dynasty paint?

Behr Dynasty is Behr’s newest top-tier interior paint designed to provide unmatched durability, stain repellency, and performance. Key features include proprietary SHIELD technology for maximum stain and scuff defense, a scrubbable washable finish, built-in primer, antimicrobial properties, and premium 100% acrylic latex formula. It’s engineered for high-traffic areas prone to messes and abuse.

What are the different levels of Behr paint?

Behr offers interior paints ranging from contractor-grade to top-of-the-line ultra premium. From lowest to highest quality, the levels are:
1. Premium Plus (Low cost, decent durability)
2. Premium Plus Ultra (Slightly better than Premium Plus)
3. Marquee (Mid-range offering with improved durability)
4. Ultra (Excellent hide and stain resistance)
5. Dynasty (Ultra premium, extremely durable and stain repellent)
Behr Dynasty and Ultra are the highest quality paints Behr offers. Marquee is a good mid-level option combining value and performance. Premium Plus Ultra and Premium Plus are the most affordable options best for lower-traffic areas.

Closing Remarks

When comparing Behr Ultra and Dynasty interior paint, Dynasty is the clear winner in terms of durability, stain and scuff defense, and washability. The proprietary SHIELD technology gives Dynasty unrivaled resistance to household stains and abrasion.

However, Behr Ultra still offers outstanding performance and quality with great hide, coverage and durability for significantly less cost.

Both Behr Ultra and Dynasty will provide a beautiful, long-lasting finish for your interior spaces. Choose Dynasty if maximum resistance and durability is critical for high-traffic areas or where stains are likely.

Choose Ultra if you want excellent quality and durability without paying top dollar. With proper prep and application, you can’t go wrong with either of these top Behr paint lines.

Ralph Wade

Hey...Ralph is here! So, did you find this article useful? If so, please leave a comment and let me know. If not, please tell me how I can improve this article. Your feedback is always appreciated. Take love :)

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