We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
More
Top 7 Paint Brushes | Buyer&#;s Guide | Frequently Asked Questions | Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
High-quality paintbrushes are just as important if not more important than the paint itself when it comes to making sure your paint job comes out the way you want it to. They need to be both comfortable to hold and efficient at applying paint. To help you select the application tool that&#;s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best paintbrushes on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Bates Foam Paintbrushes
Prices taken at time of publishing.
These foam brushes are versatile tools for touching up wall paint jobs, applying paint to a canvas, and more. These brushes are designed to cover surfaces with minimal strokes and they work with most surfaces and paints. Their foam heads absorb paint to prevent dripping.
&#; Has absorbent foam cells
&#; Measures two inches wide to paint small areas
&#; Has a sturdy wooden handle
&#; Not efficient for large paint jobs
&#; Can become floppy after excessive use
Customers said that these brushes were easy to clean and made from high-quality materials. They also praised them for being non-drip. However, dissatisfied customers claimed that these paintbrushes were flimsy and produced patchy results.
Courtesy Amazon
perdura Deck Stain Brush Applicator
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This paintbrush head can be attached to a pole to reach your deck, patio, porch, or other floor. It has a width of seven inches with bristles that are two inches high, making painting both fast and easy. Plus, your purchase comes with a case for storing the head.
&#; Works with all types of paints and stains
&#; Comes with a bristle comb and a paint can opener
&#; Paints on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and concrete
&#; More expensive than other paintbrushes
&#; Not the best option for small projects
Those who liked this paintbrush said that it was simple to use and finished large jobs quickly. However, some customers struggled to get it to paint between wood panels. Others said that cleaning its bristles was difficult even with the included tool.
Courtesy Amazon
Purdy Sprig Paintbrush
Prices taken at time of publishing.
If you need to make crisp lines with your paint, this brush will make your life easier. Its stiff bristles don&#;t wander as you drag it across a surface, ensuring that you get straight lines around outlets, door frames, and other areas that require special attention. The brush also works with all types of paints.
&#; Has a natural hardwood handle
&#; Has bristles made from a combination of nylon and polyester
&#; Works for both indoor and outdoor paint jobs
&#; Doesn&#;t always pick up a sufficient amount of paint
&#; Has a thin handle
Customers who were happy with this product said that it didn&#;t leave brush lines or shed bristles and that it was easy to clean. However, those who were unhappy with this paintbrush claimed that it didn&#;t hold paint well, which meant that they had to dip back into the paint frequently.
Courtesy Amazon
Benicci Professional Artist Paintbrush Set
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This brush set is meant for artistic painting and comesith a fan brush, four pointed brushes, and seven other brushes with different sizes. All of these brushes work for watercolor, acrylic paints, and oil painting. They also feature a ribbed texture between the handle and the bristles.
&#; Has soft, durable nylon bristles
&#; Works on fabric, canvas, and wood
&#; Comes with brushes of different sizes and shapes
&#; Not meant for household painting
&#; Has bristles that shed easily
Happy customers said that these brushes were easy to hold. They also liked how they were designed with beginners in mind and came in a variety of sizes. However, a common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that the bristles shed easily.
Courtesy Amazon
Richard Goose-Neck Angular Paintbrush
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Painting hard-to-reach areas is a hassle with a standard paintbrush, but this angled brush makes it a breeze. It has a flexible brush handle that bends to any shape to paint around objects and attaches to an extension pole if you need more reach.
&#; Has angled bristles
&#; Works with oil- and latex-based paint
&#; Has a flexible handle that bends to any shape
&#; Can&#;t replace the head because it&#;s attached to the handle
&#; Has soft bristles that may not produce the cleanest edges
Satisfied customers felt that this paintbrush was easy and comfortable to hold, made from sturdy materials, and useful for painting up high. However, those who left negative reviews said that this product&#;s bristles were soft and didn&#;t hold enough paint.
Courtesy Amazon
Wooster Sash Paint Brush
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This angled sash brush is ideal for painting trim. It has soft, fine bristles which create smooth, feathery brush strokes. It features a stainless steel ferrule and a wood handle that&#;s easy to grip. This brush is great for applying enamels to metal, varnish or polyurethane on wood.
&#; Has thin filaments that reduce brush marks
&#; Works on a variety of paint types
&#; Comes in multiple pack sizes
&#; Not ideal for applying stains
&#; Some customers claimed it rusted easily
Customers who gave this paintbrush positive reviews on Amazon liked that it had smooth, easy strokes, worked well on odd angles, and that it was built with sturdy materials. However, there were some customers that felt as though this brush was heavy, and others had issues with bristles falling out.
Courtesy Amazon
Wooster Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush
Prices taken at time of publishing.
If you need to paint challenging angles and corners, this paintbrush from Wooster can do the job. This brush has a flexible handle that allows for more maneuverability so you can fit into tight spaces. It also features a durable bass-plated steel ferrule.
&#; Has a white nylon and gold polyester blend that works with all paints
&#; Fits neatly into the palm of your hand as you brush
&#; Has an ergonomic, comfortable design
&#; Paint can sometimes pull easily
&#; Short handle may not be good for those with larger hands
Goto Cohwa to know more.
Those who gave this brush positive reviews on Amazon pointed out that it had a durable, flexible design that was easy to grip. Others liked that it was easy to control and that it made cleanup easy. On the other hand, there were others that felt this brush rusted and discolored after minimal use, and some found that the bristles clumped and lost their shape.
From staining a deck to covering a wall, there are different uses for a paintbrush. To help you determine which one you need for your next project, read our guide below on how to pick a paintbrush.
The bristles on your brush are either natural or synthetic. Natural bristles are usually made from animal hair. They work well with oil-based paints, top coats, and varnishes. The bristles on synthetic brushes are typically made from polyester, nylon, or a combination of the two. They&#;re best for water-based paints as well as low- or non-VOC paints.
The larger the area you need to paint, the larger the brush should be. Brushes sizes typically range from one to six inches. Brushes that are smaller than two inches are best for touch-ups, while those in the three- or four-inch range can paint walls and ceilings. Brushes larger than five inches are usually used for painting a large surface, such as a deck, fence, or garage door.
Two common brush shapes are square and sash. Square-cut brushes can paint large, flat surfaces. Sash brushes are better for painting corners or other places at an awkward angle. If your brushes are for artistic painting, you may also see round brushes, pointed brushes, or fanned brushes.
To clean a paintbrush, follow the below steps:
Make sure the bristles of your brush are compatible with the type of paint you&#;re using. It&#;s also important to paint in the same direction as the grain when applicable.
Wetting a paintbrush before its first use can help the paint glide more smoothly across a surface. However, be sure that the brush is only damp and not dripping with water. Also, if you&#;re using an oil-based paint, dampen your brush with mineral spirits instead of water.
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at .
Standing in the paintbrush aisle in your local DIY store, it can be daunting trying to decide which type of brush to choose for your painting project.
Firstly, you need to consider whether you&#;re going to use gloss or emulsion paint, as natural bristle brushes are better for solvent- or oil-based paints, such as gloss. Synthetic bristles are better for water-based paints as they are less likely to absorb water and swell. If you&#;re planning to paint woodwork, such as skirting boards or window frames, consider buying an angled brush that&#;s ideal for cutting in and giving a neat finish.
However, most DIYers start with a multipack of brushes for their everyday painting projects, so that&#;s what we focussed on in this test.
Ideally, you should look for a pack containing a 25mm brush for cutting in corners, a 38-40mm brush for painting along skirting boards and door frames, and a 50mm brush for large, flat areas of wall. We tested packs of three brushes from the major suppliers to find out which gave the best results.
For more DIY paint tips and advice, we've put together expert buyer's guides about the best chalk paint brushes for your upcycling projects, 10 of the best painting tools and how to paint and gloss a door.
Score 10/10
Pros
Cons
The coverage was very good and we didn&#;t experience any bristle loss during painting.
Kit contains 25mm, 40mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This general purpose paint brush set is suitable for any surface or paint type, but we felt it was ideal for emulsion paints due to its deep, dense synthetic bristles. After combing through the synthetic brush with our fingers before starting work, we were pleased to see there was no bristle loss.
The polypropylene handle and nylon ferrule are made using 100% post consumer recycled plastic, and the contemporary design was noticeably different form the other brushes we tested. The handle was rounded, quite chunky and was very comfy to hold over long periods of time, although if you&#;re a messy painter, the lack of textured grips on the handle make it slippery to hold!
What we really loved about this brush was the resting feature - a raised lip on one side of the ferrule (see picture above) - which is designed to allow the brush to be placed onto flat surfaces whilst minimising paint transfer. It&#;s perfect for when you need to put your brush down when you go to make a cuppa. There's also a hole in the handle for hanging it up.
Are these brushes any good?
The dense bristles meant this brush had a high paint hold and release capacity, meaning we needed to re-load the brush less frequently. The coverage was very good and we didn&#;t experience any bristle loss during painting. Due to its streamlined design, the brush was really easy to clean with no tricky grooves where paint could build up.
Does this set offer value for money
Costing £9 for three, we felt these brushes offered great performance and comfort for the price.
Score 9/10
Pros
Cons
These brushes felt and performed like expensive professional brushes
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
With a good variety of sizes included, this set is suitable for use with all type of paint and varnish, making it a great all rounder.
The fine-tipped flat brushes have solid, tapered synthetic filaments which help to reduce tramlines when painting.
The FSC-certified wooden beavertail handle was really smooth and comfy, making it easy top paint for long periods of time without any hand fatigue.
The long bristles, were firmly secured in the stainless steel ferrule and we experience no bristle loss when painting. Before painting, the manufacturer advices to wet the brush and spin it out before the first use.
The dense, yet fine bristles held a good amount of paint and gave a really smooth, even coverage with no bristle loss.
The bristles were very easy to clean, although the wooden handle may get stained with paint if you&#;re not careful, as it&#;s unvarnished, so the wood may absorb colour more easily.
These brushes felt and performed like expensive professional brushes, so we think they were a bargain at £7.69 for the set.
Score 8/10
Pros
Cons
At £17.99 for a set for three, these brushes were the most expensive we tested, however they had the added benefit of coming with a one-year guarantee.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This set included a good variety of brush sizes suitable for all types of paint and varnish. The fine, synthetic bristles were the longest ones on our test and gave a very smooth finish and controllable paint flow. They were held firmly in a stainless steel ferrule which joined them to the very comfortable beavertail handle which is made from FSC-certified beech.
Before use, we combed through the bristles with our fingers and we were pleased to see there was no bristle loss.
These brushes are designed to hold their sharp shape for easy and flawless cutting-in and they didn&#;t disappoint. The fine, yet dense bristles gave a smooth, even finish with reduced tramlines.
The bristles were very easy to clean, however, as its unvarnished, the wooden handle may get stained with paint if you&#;re not careful.
At £17.99 for a set for three, these brushes were the most expensive we tested, however they had the added benefit of coming with a one-year guarantee. We felt their comfort and performance meant they were well worth the money.
Score 7/10
Pros
Cons
This set included a good variety of brush sizes which have been specifically designed and engineered to give good results when painting woodwork with all gloss, eggshell and satin paints.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This set included a good variety of brush sizes which have been specifically designed and engineered to give good results when painting woodwork with all gloss, eggshell and satin paints.
Before we began painting, we simply combed the brush through with our fingers to make sure there were no loose bristles, which there weren&#;t!
The brushes were light to hold, however despite the rear grip being made of thermoplastic rubber for comfort, the front of the brush handle was made of harder polypropylene and was less comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The handle was also quite narrow, which meant we found ourselves gripping it more tightly which made our hands ache over time.
The synthetic bristles were soft and pliable and held the paint well. They applied the paint smoothly and evenly and there was no bristle loss, which was just as well as they come with a guaranteed no bristle loss.
The deep stainless steel ferrule held the bristles firmly and would withstand plenty of washing and cleaning. Although the bristles were easy to clean, the numerous grooves on the ferrule and handle are trickier to clean if you&#;re a messy painter and smear paint on the handle while working.
They also have a hole in the handle for hanging up.
At £10 for a set of three, we felt these brushes offered fair value for money if you have a lot of woodwork to paint.
Score 7/10
Pros
Cons
This brush did give a good, even finish, however due to the bristles not being very dense, we found we had to reload the brush with paint more often to get a good coverage.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This versatile, lightweight brush set is ideal for covering a wide range of painting jobs, from cutting in to general painting and can be used with all paint types.
Compared to the other brushes on our test, the bristles on these brushes were the shortest and least dense, meaning they needed to be reloaded with paint more often. However, it meant they were good for cutting in.
We combed through the bristles before use and were pleased that there was no bristle loss. The bristles were held firmly in place by a stainless steel ferrule which joined them to the plastic handle.
The handle had ridged side grips and raised dots on the thumb area to help give greater grip while painting - very handy if you&#;re a messy painter who often gets paint on the handle, making it slippery!
This brush did give a good, even finish, however due to the bristles not being very dense, we found we had to reload the brush with paint more often to get a good coverage.
When it came to cleaning, the bristles were easy to clean, however the grip grooves on the handle were fiddlier to clean if you&#;re a messy painter and get paint on the handle while working.
At under a fiver - £4.50, this set of brushes is ideal if you&#;re a first-time decorator on a budget.
Get more detailed tips on how to clean paintbrushes here.
Looking for something to paint? Check our roundup of the best decking paints, or why not give your shed an upgrade with the 6 stylish shades for sheds? We've also been busy with our tried-and-tested review of the best wood primer.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Paint Brush Manufacturer.