Amazon Select Paint Reviews: The Shocking Truth Before You Buy!
The allure of Amazon is undeniable. With a few clicks, you can order anything from groceries to electronics, and have it on your doorstep in days. Now, that convenience extends to home improvement, with Amazon offering its own line of interior paint.
But this raises a critical question for any homeowner or DIY enthusiast: is it actually any good? The fear of choosing the wrong paint is real—visions of endless coats, scuff marks appearing out of nowhere, and a finish that looks cheap can haunt any project. This guide breaks down the real story behind Amazon Select paint.
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What Exactly is Amazon Select Paint?
Amazon Select paint is a private label brand, meaning it’s manufactured by an established paint company but sold under the Amazon name. This is a common practice for major retailers, allowing them to offer products at a competitive price point. The paint is typically a water-based acrylic formula with low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), making it a safer choice for indoor air quality.
The primary appeal is its integration into the Amazon ecosystem. You get the convenience of Prime shipping and the simplicity of ordering paint alongside your other household needs, completely eliminating a trip to the hardware store.
The Ultimate Showdown: Amazon Select vs. Top Brands
Seeing how a budget paint stacks up against industry leaders is crucial for making an informed decision. Price isn’t the only factor; coverage, durability, and color selection play significant roles in the overall value of a gallon of paint.
| Feature | Amazon Select Interior | Behr Premium Plus | Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Price per Gallon | $25 – $35 | $30 – $45 | $60 – $80 |
| Coverage (sq. ft.) | Up to 400 | Up to 400 | 350 – 400 |
| Durability & Washability | Low to Medium | High | Very High |
| VOC Level | Low VOC | Low VOC | Low VOC |
| Color Selection | Limited pre-mixed colors | Extensive (2,000+ tintable) | Extensive (1,700+ tintable) |
| Availability | Online (Amazon) | In-Store (Home Depot) | In-Store (Sherwin-Williams) |
Unboxing the Hype: The Pros of Choosing Amazon Paint
While skepticism about a retailer-branded paint is healthy, Amazon Select does bring some compelling advantages to the table, especially for specific types of projects and buyers.
Unbeatable Convenience and Speed
The number one reason to consider Amazon paint is the sheer convenience. Having gallons of paint delivered directly to your home, often with two-day Prime shipping, is a game-changer. This eliminates the time spent driving to a store, waiting for colors to be mixed, and hauling heavy cans.
A Price That’s Hard to Ignore
There’s no denying the budget-friendly nature of this paint. For projects where cost is the primary driver, Amazon Select presents a viable option. It’s an attractive choice for landlords painting between tenants, house flippers managing a tight budget, or for refreshing a room that doesn’t see much daily wear and tear.
Surprisingly Good Coverage
When used correctly, many users report that the coverage is adequate. The key lies in proper surface preparation and the expectation that two coats will be necessary for a uniform finish, which is standard for most paint jobs anyway. For its price bracket, the opacity is respectable.
Low VOC for a Healthier Home
Amazon has ensured its paint meets modern standards for indoor air quality. The low-VOC and low-odor formula means less off-gassing and a more pleasant painting experience without the harsh fumes associated with older, oil-based paints.
The Hidden Flaws: What Most Amazon Select Paint Reviews Miss
The attractive price and convenience come with trade-offs. It’s the areas where this paint falls short that are most critical to understand before you commit to using it on your walls.
Durability and Scuff Resistance Concerns
This is arguably the biggest drawback. Budget paints often contain fewer high-quality resins and binders, which are the ingredients that make a paint film tough and scrubbable. As a result, Amazon Select paint is more susceptible to scuffs, scratches, and marks from everyday life.
This makes it a poor choice for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, or children’s rooms. A simple bump from a vacuum cleaner or a chair could leave a mark that is difficult to remove without damaging the finish.
The Color Consistency Gamble
Unlike major brands that have rigorous quality control for their tinting formulas, pre-mixed paints like Amazon Select can sometimes have slight variations between batches. If you underestimate how much paint you need and have to order more later, you run the risk of the new gallon not being a perfect match to the first.
It is absolutely critical to purchase all the paint you’ll need for a single room in one order to ensure a consistent color across all your walls.
The Achilles’ Heel: Limited Sheen and Color Options
Your creative freedom is significantly limited with this paint line. You are confined to a small, curated palette of pre-mixed colors and a few basic sheens like eggshell or semi-gloss. If you’re trying to match existing decor or have a very specific color in mind, you will not find it here. This contrasts sharply with brands like Behr or Sherwin-Williams, which offer thousands of custom-tintable colors.
Pro Secrets for Getting a Flawless Finish with Budget Paint
You can get a great result from a budget-friendly paint, but you cannot cut corners. The money you save on the paint itself should be reinvested in proper preparation and high-quality tools.
Never Skip the Prep Work
This is the golden rule of painting. A pristine surface is essential for paint adhesion and a smooth final appearance. This means thoroughly cleaning the walls with a degreasing cleaner, patching any holes or cracks with spackle, and lightly sanding any rough patches for a uniform texture.
The Power of a High-Quality Primer
Using a good quality primer is non-negotiable when working with budget paint. Primer serves three critical functions: it seals the wall for an even finish, improves adhesion, and can drastically help the paint cover in fewer coats. A dedicated stain-blocking primer is essential if you’re covering dark colors or stains.
Choose the Right Tools for the Job
Do not pair a cheap paint with a cheap roller. A high-quality roller cover will hold more paint and apply it more evenly, minimizing streaks and roller marks. Just as using the right roller is crucial for paint, choosing between top brands for other home components is vital; our Leviton vs Legrand showdown highlights this for your home’s electrical safety.
Application Technique: Thin Coats are Key
Resist the urge to apply one thick coat to get the job done faster. This often leads to drips, an uneven texture, and longer drying times. The professional approach is to apply two or even three thin, even coats, allowing each to dry completely before applying the next. This builds a stronger, more durable finish.
Is Amazon Select Paint Right for Your Project?
The decision to use Amazon Select paint should be made on a case-by-case basis. It’s a tool that is perfect for some jobs and completely wrong for others.
YES, If…
This paint is a smart choice if you are on a very tight budget or time is your biggest concern. It’s ideal for low-traffic spaces like guest bedrooms, closets, or ceilings. Landlords find it useful for quick, cost-effective refreshes of rental units between tenants.
NO, If…
You should absolutely avoid this paint for high-traffic or high-moisture areas. Do not use it in your kitchen, bathrooms, hallways, or kids’ rooms. If you demand long-term durability, washability, and a specific custom color, you will be much happier investing in a premium paint from a dedicated paint brand.
Beyond Amazon: Exploring Alternative Budget-Friendly Paints
If you’re looking for affordable paint but want the ability to choose from a wider range of colors, consider other store brands. Options like Glidden Essentials, Valspar ExpressCoat, or ColorPlace are comparable in price but give you access to in-store tinting services. When searching for these alternatives, you may find yourself on various online supplier sites. It’s always important to verify their credibility, which is why we investigated the question: Is SupplyHouse.com Legit?
The Final Verdict: Is Amazon Select Paint a Smart Buy?
Amazon Select paint is a product of compromise. You trade top-tier durability and unlimited color choice for an unbeatable price and incredible convenience. It is not a “bad” paint, but its limitations are significant.
For the right project—a low-traffic room, a rental refresh, or a quick fix on a tight budget—it can be a perfectly adequate and intelligent purchase. A successful paint job can often inspire more ambitious DIY projects around the house, like learning how to convert an outdoor light to an outlet to add more functionality to your outdoor space. However, for the main living areas of your home where life happens, investing in a higher-quality, more durable paint will always be the smarter long-term decision.
