Benjamin Moore is one of the most popular and trusted paint brands in North America. They offer a wide variety of interior and exterior paints to suit different needs and budgets. Benjamin Moore paints come in different grades or quality levels. The grade indicates the quality and price point of the paint. Benjamin Moore offers three main grades of paint: Economy, Mid-Tier, and Premium.
Economy Grade Benjamin Moore Paints
The Economy grade includes Benjamin Moore’s most affordable paints. These paints provide decent quality and coverage at a lower price point. Some of the most popular Economy grade Benjamin Moore paint lines include:
- Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec
- Benjamin Moore Super Spec
- Benjamin Moore Eco Spec
Ultra Spec is a commercial-grade acrylic paint that provides good durability and hide. It dries to a smooth, uniform finish and resists spattering when rolled. Ultra Spec is available in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss sheens. It covers approximately 400-450 sq ft per gallon.
Super Spec is a professional-quality interior latex paint. It provides good coverage and an even, smooth application. Super Spec is a budget-friendly option for painting interior walls and ceilings in bedrooms, hallways, and living spaces. It comes in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes.
Eco Spec is Benjamin Moore’s most affordable line of zero VOC interior latex paints. It’s a low-odor, environmentally-friendly option that provides decent hide and coverage. Eco Spec only comes in a flat finish and covers approximately 400 sq ft per gallon.
Mid-Tier Benjamin Moore Paints
The Mid-Tier grade offers a step up in quality and price from Benjamin Moore’s base paints. Mid-Tier paints provide very good coverage and performance. Popular Mid-Tier Benjamin Moore paint lines include:
- Benjamin Moore Regal
- Benjamin Moore Ben
- Benjamin Moore Coronado
Regal is Benjamin Moore’s standard for interior paint. It offers excellent hide and a uniform finish that makes touch-ups easy. Regal dries to a smooth, velvety look and feel. It’s available in flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, and high gloss sheens. Regal covers approximately 400-450 sq ft per gallon.
Ben is a quality acrylic latex interior paint that flows and levels nicely for a smooth finish. It provides great coverage and durability at a moderate price point. Ben is available in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes and covers around 400-450 sq ft per gallon.
Coronado is Benjamin Moore’s line of versatile latex paints for interior and exterior use. Coronado provides excellent coverage and color retention. It’s a great choice for painting trim, doors, cabinets, and more. Coronado is available in flat, eggshell, and gloss finishes.
Premium Benjamin Moore Paints
Premium grade offers Benjamin Moore’s highest quality paints with premium coverage and performance. These paints utilize advanced resins and pigments to provide exceptional durability, hide, application, and appearance. Some examples of Premium Benjamin Moore paint lines include:
- Benjamin Moore Aura
- Benjamin Moore Natura
- Benjamin Moore Advance
- Benjamin Moore Grand Entrance
Aura is Benjamin Moore’s top of the line interior paint. It utilizes proprietary resins and color technology for a rich, deep color with exceptional hide and a smooth uniform finish. Aura is virtually odorless and zero VOC. It’s available in flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, and high gloss.
Natura is Benjamin Moore’s premium zero VOC interior paint line. It provides incredible hide and coverage with an ultra smooth finish. Natura contains zero VOCs, formaldehyde, solvents or other harmful ingredients. It’s GreenGuard Gold certified and available in various sheens.
Advance is a premium alkyd latex paint engineered to provide a tough, high-build finish while still allowing for easy cleanup and low odor compared to oil-based paints. Advance levels smoothly and dries to a hard, durable finish. It’s ideal for cabinets, trim, doors and furniture.
Grand Entrance is Benjamin Moore’s premium paint for front doors. It creates an extremely hard, durable finish that withstands the elements. Grand Entrance provides maximum resistance to scuffs, scratches, and stains while retaining color integrity. It’s available in flat, satin, and high gloss sheens.
Benjamin Moore Paint Grades Comparison
Here is a breakdown comparing the key differences between the Economy, Mid-Tier and Premium grades of Benjamin Moore paint:
| Paint Grade | Price Range | Quality Level | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $$ | Decent | Secondary rooms, walls and ceilings |
| Mid-Tier | $$$ | Very Good | Primary rooms, offices, hallways |
| Premium | $$$$ | Excellent | Accent walls, cabinets, trim, doors |
Factors That Determine Benjamin Moore Paint Grade
There are a few key factors that determine the grade and quality level of Benjamin Moore paints:
- Resin Type – Higher quality Benjamin Moore paints use advanced acrylic or proprietary resins that provide better adhesion, durability, and appearance.
- Pigment Quality – More expensive paint grades use higher quality pigments that provide superior hide and color retention.
- Volume Solids – Higher volume solids mean the paint contains more resin, binders, and pigments and less thinners.
- Finish Quality – Premium grades are formulated for smoother, more uniform finishes.
- Additives – Higher grades use additives like silica for better scrub resistance and flow.
- VOC/Odor – Better grades use zero or low VOC formulas and odor-blocking additives.
Price Differences Between Grades
There are significant price differences between the Economy, Mid-Tier and Premium grades of Benjamin Moore paints. On average:
- Economy paints range from $25-$45 per gallon.
- Mid-Tier paints range from $40-$60 per gallon.
- Premium paints range from $60-$85+ per gallon.
Prices can also vary based on the type of finish. For example, flat finishes are less expensive than gloss finishes. Specific colors may also cost more if they require more expensive pigments. Professional painters may receive discounts when purchasing large volumes of paint.
How Long Do Different Grades Last?
Higher grade Benjamin Moore paints will generally last longer than lower grades before needing to be repainted. Here are some estimates on how long different Benjamin Moore grades may last:
- Economy – 3 to 5 years
- Mid-Tier – 5 to 7 years
- Premium – 7 to 10+ years
However, many factors affect how long paint will last before needing to be repainted. These include the quality of surface prep, weather and sun exposure, wear and tear, and quality of application. Following best practices for surface prep and application is key for maximize the lifespan of any grade of Benjamin Moore paint.
Conclusion
When choosing a Benjamin Moore paint, consider the level of durability, appearance, and performance you want. Economy grades provide decent quality at the lowest prices. Mid-Tier grades offer very good performance for most rooms and applications. Premium grades deliver the highest quality results for key accent surfaces. Understanding the differences between Benjamin Moore paint grades will help you select the right product for your specific project needs and budget.
