(Keep in mind that interior paints hold up to common household wear and tear and should be used indoors only. We test dozens of interior and exterior paints in a variety of finishes to help you find the best one for the job and your budget. The good news is that the perfect paint for your needs is out there, and CR can help lead you to it. When prices jump by $5 to $20 per gallon, you can’t help but wonder: Which paints deliver? And are the more affordable options just as efficient? According to the National Association of Home Builders, the price of interior paint climbed 21 percent and that of exterior paint soared 30 percent between January 2020 and January 2022. But walk into any home center or paint store and you’ll quickly discover that it can be quite daunting: wall-to-wall options and multiple formulations and finishes, not to mention some sky-high prices. Buying a can of paint should be an easy task.
