I’m standing in the paint aisle, overwhelmed by cans promising durability, vibrant colors, and easy application. My mission? To pick between Dunn-Edwards and Behr for my home’s next paint job. Both brands have loyal fans, but which one truly delivers?
In this article, I’ll share my hands-on experience, breaking down the pros and cons, key features, and real-world performance of these paints. My goal is to help you make an informed choice for your project, whether you’re refreshing a room or tackling an exterior overhaul.
Let’s find the perfect paint together.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Dunn-Edwards | Behr |
| Price per Gallon | $50-$80 | $30-$60 |
| Color Selection | 2,000+ colors, curated for professionals | 3,000+ colors, vibrant and DIY-friendly |
| Durability | Exceptional, up to 10-15 years | Good, 5-10 years with proper care |
| Coverage | 350-400 sq ft/gallon, often 1-2 coats | 250-400 sq ft/gallon, often 2-3 coats |
| VOC Content | Zero or low VOC, eco-conscious | Low VOC, some lines zero VOC |
| Application | Smooth, professional-grade flow | Thick, can be sticky, DIY-friendly |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime or 10-year warranty |
| Availability | 149 stores, Southwest focus | Nationwide at Home Depot |
| Best For | Professionals, high-end projects | DIYers, budget-conscious homeowners |
Why I’m Comparing These Two Brands?
Walking through a paint store feels like navigating a maze of promises.
Dunn-Edwards and Behr kept catching my eye, each with bold claims about quality and performance.
As a homeowner who’s painted a few rooms (and made a few mistakes), I wanted to understand what sets these brands apart.
Dunn-Edwards is a staple in the Southwest, loved by pros for its durability.
Behr, available at Home Depot, is a go-to for DIYers like me who want affordability without sacrificing too much quality.
My journey involved testing both brands, talking to painters, and weighing what matters most for my projects.
My Experience With Dunn-Edwards: A Professional’s Choice
Dunn-Edwards has been around since 1925, and it’s earned a reputation as a premium paint brand, especially in the Southwest. I first encountered it when a contractor recommended their Spartawall for my living room. The paint’s thick, buttery consistency impressed me right away. It glided onto the walls with minimal effort, and the coverage was phenomenal—one coat was often enough, even over a darker base color.
Pros of Dunn-Edwards
- Unmatched Durability: Dunn-Edwards paints, like their Evershield exterior line, are engineered for harsh climates. I painted my patio walls with Spartashield, and after three years of scorching summers, the color hasn’t faded a bit. They claim a lifespan of 10-15 years, and I believe it.
- Superior Coverage: With 350-400 square feet per gallon, I used less paint than expected. The high solid content means fewer coats, saving time and money.
- Eco-Friendly Formulations: Their zero or low VOC options, like Everest, are a godsend for my allergy-prone household. No harsh odors, just clean air.
- Smooth Application: Whether brushing, rolling, or spraying, Dunn-Edwards flows like a dream. My roller didn’t leave streaks, and cleanup was a breeze.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty: Knowing my investment is backed for as long as I own my home gives me peace of mind.
- Professional-Grade Quality: Contractors I spoke with rave about Dunn-Edwards’ consistency. It’s formulated for pros, so the results look polished.
Cons of Dunn-Edwards
- Higher Price Point: At $50-$80 per gallon, it’s not cheap. For a budget-conscious project, this gave me sticker shock.
- Limited Availability: With only 149 stores, mostly in the Southwest, I had to plan my purchases carefully. No last-minute runs to a big-box store.
- Fewer Color Options: While 2,000+ colors sound like plenty, some competitors offer more. I missed having bolder, trendier shades for accent walls.
- Not DIYer-Focused: The brand caters to pros, so beginners might find the product lines intimidating without guidance.
Key Features of Dunn-Edwards
- ChromaStay Technology: Found in their Exquisite line, this keeps colors vibrant and resists scuffs and stains. My kitchen walls still look fresh after two years of cooking splatters.
- Climate-Specific Formulations: Designed for intense sun and heat, paints like Spartashield are perfect for desert climates.
- Wide Sheen Range: From matte to high-gloss, there’s a finish for every project. I loved the soft luster of their eggshell for my bedroom.
- LEED-Certified Manufacturing: Their Phoenix plant is eco-friendly, which aligns with my green values.
My Experience With Behr: The DIYer’s Darling
Behr is the household name I found at Home Depot, and its accessibility is hard to beat. I used their Premium Plus Ultra for my guest room and Marquee for an exterior fence.
The paint’s thickness was noticeable—almost like molasses—but it covered well enough with two coats. Behr’s vibrant color palette made it fun to experiment with bold shades, and the price was kinder to my wallet.
Pros of Behr
- Affordable Pricing: At $30-$60 per gallon, Behr fits tight budgets. I painted my entire garage for under $100.
- Nationwide Availability: Home Depot’s everywhere, so I could grab paint whenever inspiration struck.
- Vast Color Selection: With over 3,000 colors, I found the perfect teal for my accent wall. Their color-matching tech is spot-on.
- Good Durability: My fence, painted with Marquee, has held up through rain and sun for two years with minimal fading.
- DIY-Friendly: Behr’s lines, like Premium Plus, are forgiving for non-pros. Even my uneven rolling didn’t ruin the finish.
- Warranty Options: Limited lifetime or 10-year warranties cover most lines, giving me confidence in my purchase.
Cons of Behr
- Thicker, Stickier Application: The paint’s heavy texture made rolling tedious. I had to work harder to avoid streaks.
- More Coats Needed: Coverage is 250-400 square feet per gallon, but I often needed three coats for darker colors.
- Surfactant Leaching in Humid Areas: In my bathroom, Premium Plus Ultra showed streaky marks after showers, a common issue in high-moisture spaces.
- Inconsistent Quality: Some lines, like Premium Plus, feel watered-down compared to top-tier Marquee or Dynasty.
- Less Professional Appeal: Many contractors I spoke with prefer other brands for high-end jobs, citing better flow and longevity.
Key Features of Behr
- Nanoguard Technology: Used in Marquee, this boosts resistance to mildew and fading, ideal for exterior projects.
- Stain-Blocking Primers: Built into lines like Premium Plus Ultra, these reduce prep time for stained or porous surfaces.
- Wide Sheen Variety: From flat to high-gloss, Behr offers flexibility. I used semi-gloss for my trim, and it’s easy to clean.
- Low VOC Options: Most lines meet strict air-quality standards, though some have a slight odor during application.
Key Differences Between Dunn-Edwards And Behr Paint
To get a clear picture, I tested both brands on similar surfaces: interior drywall and exterior stucco. Here’s what I found.
- Durability and Longevity
Dunn-Edwards shines in harsh conditions.
My patio’s Spartashield paint still looks pristine, resisting UV rays and monsoon rains.
Behr’s Marquee held up well on my fence but showed slight chalking after two years.
For long-term projects, Dunn-Edwards’ 10-15 year lifespan outpaces Behr’s 5-10 years, especially in extreme climates.
- Coverage and Application
Dunn-Edwards’ high solid content means better hide and fewer coats. My living room needed one coat of Suprema, while Behr’s Premium Plus Ultra took two, sometimes three, for full opacity.
However, Behr’s thickness helped cover imperfections on my garage’s rough walls. Application-wise, Dunn-Edwards felt smoother, while Behr required more elbow grease to avoid lap marks.
- Environmental Impact
Both brands offer low or zero VOC options, but Dunn-Edwards’ Everest and Exquisite lines have virtually no odor, making them ideal for indoor projects. Behr’s low VOC paints sometimes had a faint smell, noticeable during my guest room repaint.
Dunn-Edwards’ LEED-certified plant also gives it an edge for eco-conscious buyers like me.
- Color Selection and Accuracy
Behr’s 3,000+ colors gave me more creative freedom, especially for trendy shades. Dunn-Edwards’ 2,000 colors are curated for professionals, with subtle, HOA-approved tones.
Color accuracy was excellent for both, but Dunn-Edwards’ swatches matched the final result more consistently in my tests.
- Price and Value
Behr is the budget winner. I spent 30% less on my garage project compared to using Dunn-Edwards. However, Dunn-Edwards’ superior coverage and durability meant I used less paint overall, balancing the cost over time.
For a one-off project, Behr’s price is tempting; for a forever home, Dunn-Edwards feels like a smarter investment.
- Availability and Convenience
Behr’s availability at Home Depot is a game-changer. I could pick up paint on a whim, unlike Dunn-Edwards, which required a trip to a specialty store.
For DIYers, Behr’s accessibility is a huge plus, but pros might prefer Dunn-Edwards’ dedicated service at their stores.
- Warranty and Support
Dunn-Edwards’ limited lifetime warranty is a standout, especially for exterior paints. Behr’s warranties vary by line, with Marquee offering lifetime coverage but Premium Plus limited to 10 years.
Dunn-Edwards’ contractor-focused support impressed me—staff answered my technical questions with ease. Behr’s customer service, via Home Depot, was solid but less personalized.
Who Should Buy What?
After years of living with both brands on my walls, my conclusion isn’t that one is “good” and one is “bad.”
They are two different products serving two different markets, and they both do their respective jobs very well.
I see Behr as the ultimate DIY paint.
It’s perfect if you’re on a tight budget, if you love to change your colors every few years to keep up with trends, or if you need the sheer convenience of grabbing paint during a weekend Home Depot run.
For the price, the quality you get from their Ultra and Marquee lines is impressive. It’s a fantastic value proposition.
I see Dunn-Edwards as the professional’s choice and the homeowner’s long-term investment. If you are painting your “forever home,” tackling high-traffic or high-moisture areas, or you simply want the best possible finish with maximum durability, Dunn-Edwards is worth every penny.
The ease of application can save you time and frustration, and the longevity means you won’t have to repaint for a very long time. It’s a buy-it-once, cry-once kind of product.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Think about your project, your budget, and your priorities. Are you looking for incredible value and convenience for a bedroom makeover?
Go with Behr. Are you looking for bulletproof durability and a flawless finish for your entire home? Invest in Dunn-Edwards. By understanding the true strengths and weaknesses of each, you can move beyond the marketing and choose the can of paint that will truly bring your vision to life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Behr is good for budget-friendly DIY projects, but Dunn-Edwards offers superior durability, coverage, and professional-grade quality, especially for long-term results.
Yes, Dunn-Edwards is renowned for its premium quality, with excellent coverage, durability, and eco-friendly formulations, making it a top choice for professionals.
Some do, especially for budget-conscious clients, but many prefer Dunn-Edwards or other premium brands for their smoother application and longevity.
Dunn-Edwards holds its own against Sherwin Williams, offering comparable durability and quality, especially in Southwest climates, though Sherwin Williams has wider availability.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Paint Awaits
Choosing between Dunn-Edwards and Behr depends on your project, budget, and priorities. If you’re after long-lasting, professional-grade results, Dunn-Edwards is your go-to—its durability and smooth application won me over for my forever home.
If you’re a DIYer on a budget or love experimenting with colors, Behr’s affordability and vast selection make it a solid choice. You can’t go wrong with either, but think about what matters most: longevity or cost, ease or accessibility.
Grab a brush, pick your paint, and transform your space into something you’ll love for years.