Best paint brushes and rollers 2026
Tackle those interior and exterior paint jobs with ease using one of the best paint brushes or rollers available.
Our experts independently review everything we recommend. If you buy through our links, we may earn commission.
With so many paintbrushes and paint rollers on the market, choosing the right tools for the job can be daunting. Depending on the painting surface, some tools may serve you better than others. For instance, large brushes are great for covering larger areas but are less effective at cutting in lines and edging. For this, you need a smaller brush with stiffer bristles.
Similarly, paint rollers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are ideal for interior walls and spaces, whereas larger paint rollers with longer fibers (or "piles") are better for exterior walls, where the surface area may be rougher and less smooth.
If you're not sure what to look for, you might find the wealth of choice out there a little off-putting. Luckily, we're here to help. We shortlisted some of the best paintbrushes and paint rollers so you can shop with confidence and get the professional finish you want.
Best paintbrushes for your next paint job
Purdy has a reputation for producing high-quality paintbrushes that professional painters and decorators trust. This clear-cut series 2.5-inch angular trim paintbrush is ideal for achieving a smooth-edged finish for those parts that paint rollers cannot reach.
Designed for a precision cut-in, this angled brush easily handles wall trims, corners, and ceilings. The stiff Tynex nylon and Orel polyester-blend bristles work well with any latex paint or primers, producing excellent results from a single application.
If you don't want the hassle of messing with inferior brushes and want to get the job done right the first time, it's a worthy investment. Plus, with a build quality like this, this edging brush will last for years.
- Smooth, professional finish for cut-ins and edging
- Works well with most types of paints and primers
- Excellent durability
- Expensive
This five-piece paintbrush set offers a great value and is well-rated. It has a 4.6-star Amazon rating from more than 67,000 reviews. One customer notes that the set is " by far the best brushes I have ever used and to get a whole set for this price is amazing ," comparing the quality to more expensive brushes. The set comes with a one-inch flat brush, a 1.5-inch angle brush, a two-inch stubby angle brush, a two-inch flat brush and a 2.5-inch angle brush. It claims to have an ergonomic wood handle to reduce hand fatigue. The fibers are an SRT filament blend, which should hold more paint and reduce streaks.
- Great value
- Suitable for a variety of jobs
- Five different sizes
- Lacks some of the precision of premium brushes
Wooster is arguably one of Purdy's biggest competitors in any discussion about which company makes the best paintbrushes . This 2.5-inch angled paintbrush can certainly hold its own compared to its rival from Purdy.
Its bristles are made from chisel trim polyester, which stays stiff enough to maintain tight control. It provides a good shine on the finish, is well-suited for smooth cut-ins, and won't cause drips. A brushed steel ferrule adds to the overall quality, and its smooth wooden handle is comfortable enough to be used for extended periods.
Angled brushes are excellent for edging work, and for the budget-conscious buyer, the Wooster Silver Tip is one of the best alternatives to the Purdy Clearcut brush.
- Affordable
- Suitable for cut-ins
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Doesn’t provide the same smooth finish as Purdy brushes
Best paint rollers for you
Different types of paint rollers suit different types of jobs, so knowing which style you need is essential. Paint roller sleeves can be made from different materials and are manufactured with varying levels of "nap" or pile. Again, the pile of a paint roller refers to the length of the fibers the sleeve is made from.
Short pile rollers are best suited to smooth surfaces, such as doors and furniture, and provide the smoothest possible finish. Medium pile rollers are a good option for general use, but work especially well on interior walls. Long pile rollers should be used on tougher, more textured surfaces, such as exterior walls; the longer fibers are more effective at covering up gaps and cracks along the surface.
The type of decorating work you are undertaking should determine the level of pile that you need, which in turn will help you choose the best paint roller for the job. Here are some of the best paint rollers available today.
Medium-pile paint rollers are the best choice for interior walls and ceilings, providing a smooth finish and a good degree of paint pickup. Hamilton delivers the goods with this Perfection 9-inch medium pile roller, which provides excellent coverage with less splatter.
This roller uses a microfibre blended fabric that's thermo-bonded to the roller sleeve, and this lends it greater longevity, as there's no glue to break down throughout repeated washes. It can be soaked and cleaned repeatedly and won't unwind from its sleeve. It uses a bearing system that prevents skidding, offering you a smooth and satisfying finish.
- Non-splatter
- Provides a smooth finish for interior walls
- Anti-skid
- Not suitable for exterior walls or rougher surfaces
Short-pile paint rollers are one of the best options for achieving a smoother finish, particularly when used on interior furniture and doors. This Wooster Jumbo-Koter Red Feather is a mini roller sleeve that's perfect for use on doors, cabinets, and metals, delivering a nice smooth finish with no bumps.
It measures 4.5 inches long and can be used with any eggshell, gloss, or semi-gloss paints, as well as enamels. It has a quarter-inch nap and its striking red velour is shed-resistant, making it a durable option. It's ideal for smaller interior surfaces, leaving little to no roller marks behind once the paintwork has dried.
- Ideal for doors, cabinets, and metals
- Works with a variety of different paint types
- Excellent value for money
- Not ideal for interior walls
This three-pack of Wooster Super Fab rollers says it's made of "shed-resistant" materials that can tackle flat, eggshell and satin paint on rough surfaces. It has Wooster's HydroFlow technology for a controlled release. It has a double-thick polypropylene core that is water-, solvent- and cracking-resistant. One reviewer said these paint rollers " worked great for sealing my stamped concrete ." It's also sold in packs of 10 and 60.
- Fabric is “shed-resistant"
- Good for rough surfaces
- Versatile for certain finishes
- Not ideal for super fine detail or trim work
Best paintbrush and paint roller for most people
A woman painting a bedroom with a paint brush
When tackling any type of paint job around the home, you're likely going to need a combination of paint brushes and rollers.
Knowing which type of paintbrush to use and which paint roller is best for the job is the key to success, so it's worth familiarizing yourself with the available options. As a general rule of thumb, smaller paintbrushes are best for tackling tight areas and painting trims, and larger brushes are better for covering large areas more efficiently.
When choosing the best paint roller, stick with large pile rollers for your exterior walls, and a medium pile roller sleeve for interior walls and spaces. And if you're upscaling old furniture pieces, a short pile roller is likely the most effective choice.
For a smooth and professional finish, we recommend a combination of the Purdy 144152125 Clearcut Series and the Hamilton Perfection Medium Pile Roller for great all-around coverage on your interiors.
