In the vast world of paint, choosing the right brand can feel as crucial as selecting the perfect color. The brand you choose impacts everything from the application process to the final look and long-term durability of your finish. Two names that frequently come up, often in very different conversations, are Dunn-Edwards and Behr. This isn’t just a simple comparison of two paint brands; it’s a look at two different philosophies of paint manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
On one side, you have Dunn-Edwards, a brand revered by professionals in the Southwest, known for its premium quality and a legacy of reliability. On the other, you have Behr, the undisputed champion of the DIY world, a household name thanks to its exclusive partnership with The Home Depot. Is one definitively better than the other? The answer is more nuanced and depends entirely on your project’s needs, your budget, and your priorities. This in-depth guide will break down the Dunn-Edwards vs. Behr debate, helping you decide which can of paint is the right one to grab for your next job.
The Tale of Two Brands: A Quick Overview
Dunn-Edwards: The Professional’s Choice
Founded in Los Angeles in 1925, Dunn-Edwards has built its reputation on quality, performance, and a deep relationship with the professional painting community. It’s a regional powerhouse, with its presence heavily concentrated in the Southwestern United States. You won’t find Dunn-Edwards at a big-box store; they are sold exclusively through their own dedicated stores. This model allows them to provide a higher level of customer service and expert advice, catering to contractors who rely on consistent, high-performing products. The brand is also known for its commitment to environmental responsibility, having introduced one of the first zero-VOC colorant systems.
Behr: The DIY Powerhouse
Behr, in contrast, has built an empire on accessibility. Since its founding in 1947, Behr has focused on the homeowner and the DIY enthusiast. Their exclusive partnership with The Home Depot means you can find their products in thousands of locations across North America. Behr’s marketing is brilliant, with extensive in-store displays, a massive range of colors, and a tiered product system (like Premium Plus, Ultra, and Marquee) that is designed to be easily understood by the average consumer. They have made quality paint accessible to everyone, without the need to visit a specialty paint store.
Quality and Performance: A Look Inside the Can
This is the core of the debate. While both brands offer a range of quality levels, there are fundamental differences in their formulation that professionals often highlight.
Paint Composition: The Importance of Solids
The quality of a paint is largely determined by its percentage of solids (pigments and binders) by volume. A higher solids content generally means better coverage, a more durable finish, and a thicker, more workable paint. This is where Dunn-Edwards often has the edge, particularly in their higher-end lines like Everest and Aristoshield.
- Dunn-Edwards paints are frequently praised by professionals for their high solids content. This results in a paint that feels substantial, goes on smoothly, and covers exceptionally well, often requiring fewer coats. This saves time and labor, which is a critical factor for professional painters.
- Behr, while having greatly improved its formulations over the years, especially with the Marquee line, sometimes has a lower solids content compared to Dunn-Edwards’ premium offerings. While their “one-coat coverage” guarantee for Marquee is a strong marketing point, many professional painters find that in real-world applications, especially with drastic color changes, two coats are still necessary.
Workability and Application
“Workability” refers to how the paint feels and behaves during application. This includes factors like flow (how easily it spreads), leveling (its ability to smooth out and hide brush or roller marks), and resistance to splattering.
“With Dunn-Edwards, the paint just lays down beautifully. It has a great flow, and it levels out to a really uniform finish. It makes my job easier and the results more consistent.”– Professional Painter Forum
Professionals often prefer Dunn-Edwards for its superior workability. The paint is known for being smooth, less prone to dripping and splattering, and for leveling exceptionally well, resulting in a more professional-looking finish with minimal effort. This is particularly noticeable with their trim paints like Aristoshield, which is renowned for its hard, smooth, factory-like finish on doors and baseboards.
Behr’s workability is generally considered good, especially for the price point. However, some users report that it can be a bit thicker or stickier than professional-grade paints, which can make it slightly more challenging to achieve a perfectly smooth finish without some practice. Their top-tier Marquee line has a much-improved feel, but the consensus among many pros is that Dunn-Edwards still has a slight edge in this department.
Durability and Longevity
Both brands offer paints that are highly durable and washable, especially in their premium lines. Behr Ultra and Marquee are known for their excellent stain resistance and scrubbability, making them a great choice for high-traffic areas in a family home. However, many professionals stand by the long-term durability of Dunn-Edwards, claiming that it holds up better over time to wear and tear, and that its color retention, particularly in exterior applications, is superior.
The Color Palette: Curation vs. Proliferation
Dunn-Edwards and Behr take very different approaches to their color offerings.
Dunn-Edwards has a more curated and designer-focused color palette. Their “Perfect Palette” collection is extensive but feels more intentional and sophisticated. They are known for their historically accurate color collections and their “Then, Now & Forever” collection, which features 300 colors that have been popular for decades. This curated approach is often preferred by designers who are looking for timeless, nuanced hues.
Behr, on the other hand, offers a seemingly endless array of colors. Their massive wall of paint chips at The Home Depot is both a strength and a weakness. While the sheer number of options can be overwhelming, it also means there is truly a color for every taste. Behr is also very adept at marketing color trends and has a user-friendly system for Browse and selecting colors. Their computer color-matching system is also excellent, allowing you to match almost any item you bring into the store.
Price and Value: What’s the Real Cost?
On a simple price-per-gallon basis, Behr is almost always the more affordable option. A gallon of Behr’s top-of-the-line Marquee interior paint will typically cost less than a gallon of Dunn-Edwards’ premium Everest line.
- Behr Premium Plus: $25-$35 per gallon
- Behr Ultra: $35-$45 per gallon
- Behr Marquee: $45-$55 per gallon
- Dunn-Edwards (various lines): $40-$75+ per gallon (with professional discounts available)
However, the concept of “value” is more complex. A professional painter might argue that the superior coverage and workability of Dunn-Edwards save them money in the long run on labor and the need for additional coats. For a DIYer painting a single room, the upfront cost savings of Behr might be the more important factor. The “value” proposition really depends on who is doing the painting and what their priorities are.
The Verdict: Which Paint Brand Should You Choose?
Choose Dunn-Edwards If:
- You are a professional painter or hiring one. The superior workability and coverage are often worth the premium price for professionals.
- Quality is your absolute top priority. If you want one of the best-performing paints on the market and are willing to pay for it, Dunn-Edwards is an excellent choice.
- You are looking for a sophisticated, curated color palette. If you appreciate a designer’s touch and want timeless, nuanced colors, the Dunn-Edwards collection is hard to beat.
- You live in the Southwestern US. Given their regional focus, they are a convenient and reliable option in this part of the country.
Choose Behr If:
- You are a DIYer. Behr’s products are designed with the homeowner in mind. They are easy to find, relatively affordable, and offer good performance for most residential projects.
- Budget and convenience are major factors. The ability to pick up a gallon of quality paint at The Home Depot while you’re already there for other supplies is a huge advantage. The price is also very competitive.
- You want a huge selection of colors. If you want to explore thousands of color options, Behr’s extensive palette is a great place to start.
- You need a durable, washable paint for a busy household. Behr’s Ultra and Marquee lines hold up very well to the rigors of daily life, making them a practical choice for families.
Ultimately, both Dunn-Edwards and Behr are capable of producing a beautiful and lasting finish. Dunn-Edwards has earned its reputation as a premium, professional-grade product with exceptional quality and workability. Behr has rightfully earned its place as the king of the DIY market, offering impressive performance and convenience at an affordable price. The best choice for you lies at the intersection of your budget, your experience level, and your ultimate goal for your space.