Best Overall Painting Tool
Bates Paint Brushes
A quality paint brush is a must-have for any painting project. Our overall pick for best painting tools on Amazon are these Bates paint brushes. This four-pack set is not only a top-rated option at an affordable price, but you’ll be able to tackle any painting project, including trim work. All four brushes—including three flat brushes and one angled brush, ranging in size from 1.5 to 3 inches—have synthetic bristles, as well as durable solid wood handles and stainless steel ferrule. These brushes are guaranteed long-lasting, and will have you ready to get started on your next DIY project.
Pros
- Comes in a pack of four with various sizes
- Affordable
- Lightweight handles
- Work well for corners and trims
Cons
- May only be good for one use
Best Budget Painting Tool
ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
When it comes to must-have painting tools, a roll of painter’s tape will save you from many headaches. This ScotchBlue multi-surface painter’s tape allows you to achieve ultra-sharp paint lines and cover areas where you don’t want to get paint. It’s easy to apply, and even seals paint out on lightly textured walls, as well as on trim, baseboards, tile and glass.
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Includes 135 feet of tape
- Doesn’t leave behind sticky residue
Cons
- May not work on heavily textured walls
Best Painting Tool for Touch-Ups
Bercom Handy Roller Cup
When it comes time to cleaning up smudges, painting touch-ups and removing scuffs around the house, this roller cup makes the job easy. It’s a handheld bucket and tray combination that holds up to 1 pint of paint or stain, and can be used with a brush or mini roller up to 6 inches long. This best painting tool on Amazon has a comfortable handle and a wide base, so you won’t have to worry about it tipping over.
Pros
- Made for brushes or mini rollers
- Holds up to 1 pint of paint
- Has a comfortable handle and wide base
Cons
- Roller cup liner sold separately
Best Painting Tool for Outdoor Projects
Wagner Spraytech Stain Sprayer
If you have a big outdoor painting project, such painting patio furniture or staining a deck, Wagner’s stain sprayer will get you the finished you’re looking for. This high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) paint sprayer utilizes a two-stage, indoor/outdoor-rated air turbine to provide a fine finish on most surfaces. All you have to do is adjust the spray pattern to horizontal, vertical or round. The variable flow trigger then gives you just the right amount of coverage.
Pros
- Can spray in horizontal, vertical or round patterns
- Includes 1- and 1.5-quart material cups
- Has an adjustable airflow
Cons
- On the pricey side
Best Painting Tool to Prevent Messes
CoverGrip Canvas Safety Drop Cloth
To prevent messes and make cleanup easy after any painting project, this drop cloth is a game changer. There’s no slipping or sliding on non-carpeted areas, thanks to little rubberized dots on the underside that keep this drop cloth firmly in place. It comes in two weights and various sizes, and will come in handy for a range of projects.
Pros
- Rubberized dots hold drop cloth in place
- Machine washable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- May need multiple cloths for larger projects
Best Painting Tool for High Ceilings
Wooster Brush Convertible Extension Pole
If your painting project includes hard-to-reach high ceilings and walls, the Wooster brush extension pole is a useful tool to have. It holds most threaded tools in place, so you won’t have to worry about a roller twisting and loosening while you’re painting those high spots. The pole weighs just 1 pound and adjusts easily in 6-inch increments with a touch of the thumb. Then, it locks firmly in place so you can get right back to painting.
Pros
- Extends from 4 to 8 feet
- Only weighs 1 pound
- One-handed operation
Cons
- Not a quick-release head
Best Painting Tool for Prep Work
3M High-Strength Small Hole Repair Tool
Chances are you have some prep work to do before you start painting, like patching drywall, and a high-strength small hole repair tool will save time. This all-in-one hole filler smooths, fills and sands nail holes, screw holes and nicks up to 3 inches in diameter. The primer-enhanced spackling compound won’t crack, sag or shrink, and makes repairs quick and easy so you can start painting like a pro.
Pros
- Smooths, fills and sands all in one
- Easy to use
- Won’t break the bank
Cons
- Not meant for large hole repairs
What to Consider When Buying Painting Tools on Amazon
When buying the best painting tools on Amazon, you’ll want to consider a few things, such as how big your painting project is, your budget and what tools may help you complete the work with minimal frustrations. While there are many tools out there that can help you with any size painting project, not all tools may be worthwhile.
Types of Painting Tools on Amazon
- Paint brushes and rollers: These apply paint to everything from walls and ceilings to doors, trim and baseboards.
- Buckets: There are several sizes of paint buckets. Large buckets make sense for when you’re dealing with a lot of paint in the same color while smaller, handheld cups are better for painting trim and doing touch-up work.
- Paint sprayers: Paint sprayers come in handy when you’re looking to get an even coat on a larger area.
- Painter’s tape and drop cloths: These tools are designed to prevent messes and make for easy cleanup.
How We Found the Best Painting Tools on Amazon
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What tools do professional painters use?
Professional painters use a variety of tools, and those tools vary depending on the job. In general, you’re likely to see professional painters using a mix of paint brushes, rollers and sprayers for applying paint. They’ll also use painter’s tape to get precise lines where needed, as well as drop cloths and tarps to prevent messes. Buckets and cups are needed to hold the paint, and ladders and step stools are used for high areas, such as ceilings.
What painting tools do I need?
Depending on the project, you’ll likely need a paint brush at minimum, but paint rollers, painter’s tape and a drop cloth will also come in handy. If you have high ceilings and walls, consider a step ladder and an extender. If you have a large area to cover, consider a paint sprayer.
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