Benjamin Moore and Behr are familiar paint brands but in Consumer Reports' latest tests of 65 interior paints, it was a newcomer that earned the highest score. Clark+Kensington bested Behr and Benjamin, shaking things up in the paint aisle.
New from Ace Hardware, Clark+Kensington paints earned spots in each of our top pick lists—satin, flat, and semi-gloss—and its satin paint had the highest score of all tested paints. It was superb at hiding, leaving a smooth finish, and resisted stains and scrubbing with little change in gloss after cleaning. The semi-gloss tops its category and the flat paint was impressive overall. All three finishes are self-priming and were fade resistant, making them ideal for sunny rooms. They're sold at most Ace stores and be sure to check Ace's Facebook page from time to time for offers for a free quart.
Our paint Ratings offer details on how all 65 paints performed in our tests. You'll find out how good a paint is at hiding and whether its finish is smooth. Discover its resistance to stains, scrubbing, and gloss change after cleaning. Painting a bathroom? Note if the paint resisted mildew in our tests. And for painting tips, see our buying guide.