Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-Williams: Which Paint Is Right for Your Home?

Homeowners ask us this question every week: Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams? Both brands have been making premium paint for well over a century, and both are miles ahead of the bargain brands at big-box hardware stores. The truthful answer is that you'll get a great result with either one — but there are real differences that can tilt the decision one way or the other.

The Quick Summary

Benjamin Moore's color library is larger and, in our experience, a bit more refined on the subtle warm neutrals that suit coastal California homes. Their Regal Select and Aura lines cover extremely well and level out to a smooth finish. Sherwin-Williams has an edge on exterior durability — their Emerald line is one of the most weather-resistant paints on the market — and their customer service at local pro desks is consistently excellent.

For Interior Walls

This is where Benjamin Moore shines. The Regal Select and Aura lines cover most colors in two coats, dry quickly, and have almost no odor. The low-VOC formulas are safe for homes with kids and pets. Aura in particular is what we reach for on deep accent walls — blacks, navies, and saturated greens — because it covers bold colors with two coats where cheaper paints take three or four.

For Exterior Work

Orange County exteriors take a real beating from the sun. UV breaks down paint, salt air accelerates corrosion on metal surfaces, and the occasional Santa Ana wind pushes dust into every pore of the stucco. For exterior jobs we often lean on Sherwin-Williams Emerald or Duration — they're formulated to resist UV fade, flex with temperature swings, and hold color for years longer than budget paints. Benjamin Moore's Aura Exterior is also a great product, slightly warmer in tone, and a great choice if you want exact color matching between interior and exterior.

For Cabinets and Trim

For cabinet refinishing and trim work, we look for a hard, washable finish that won't chip. Benjamin Moore Advance (a waterborne alkyd) is a favorite because it levels out like an oil-based paint but cleans up with water. Sherwin-Williams ProClassic is the comparable product — also excellent, slightly faster drying. Either one will give you a smooth, factory-like finish on shaker cabinets.

What We Actually Use

On most Yellow Painting projects we match the paint to the job, not the brand loyalty. A typical Orange County home might get Benjamin Moore Regal Select inside, Sherwin-Williams Emerald outside, and Benjamin Moore Advance on cabinets. Both brands are sold at authorized pro suppliers across the county, and we pass our contractor discount on to the client as a line item in every estimate.

The Bottom Line

Don't stress about the brand — stress about the quality tier. Skip the bargain lines (Benjamin Moore Ben, Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint) if you want the job to last. Stick to the top tier (Regal Select/Aura or Emerald/Duration), and you'll get a finish that looks great and holds up for 7–10 years on interiors and 8–12 years on exteriors in the OC climate.