The 11 Best Paint Brushes of 2024

Best Overall

Purdy XL Sprig Paint Brush

$17 At Amazon $24 At Walmart $17 At Lowe's

Even professional painters love Purdy paint brushes; these high-quality brushes perform. The Purdy XL Sprig ("sprig" refers to the handle's shape, which is a traditional "beaver tail" design) and the brush's ferrule (where it connects to the handle) is copper, and the handle is made from alder wood.

The brush has nylon/polyester bristles tapered just right to pick up a good amount of paint, and then deposit it evenly across most surfaces without annoying drag or stroke marks. You'll appreciate the just-right stiffness of the bristles. They're firm enough to hold up to a wide range of surfaces, temperatures, and humidity levels, but soft enough to hold a lot of paint and lay it down smoothly.

Use the brush with any water-based, latex, or oil-based paint, primer, shellac, lacquer, varnish, or sealant. Once you're done with your project, the brush cleans up easily for use on further painting tasks. It comes in several sizes, including 2-inch, 2.5-inch, and 4-inch, but for painting walls or other large, flat surfaces, the 3-inch brush is big enough to get the job done quickly, but not so large that it's difficult to control.

_{Bristles: Nylon/polyester | Available Sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 4 inches | Available Shapes: Flat, angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best Budget

Bates Professional Brush Set

$9 At Amazon $14 At Walmart View On Bateschoice.com

If you just want a set of brushes to tackle a quick paint job, look no further than the Bates Professional Brush Set. For one low price, you get four synthetic-bristled paint brushes: one 1.5-inch sash brush, and three flat brushes in sizes 2-inch, 2.5-inch, and 3-inch. Armed with these brushes and a can of paint, you'll be ready to tackle any common DIY projects.

The brushes are suited to any type of paint, whether water-based or oil-based. And at such a low price, if you aren't in the mood to clean them, they can be considered disposable. They do clean up well, but because of the affordability, slight shedding may occur.

_{Bristles: Synthetic | Available Sizes: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 inches | Available Shapes: Flat, angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best for Exteriors

Purdy Pro Extra Monarch

$27 At Amazon $30 At Walmart $22 At Lowe's

Exterior painting often means rough surfaces, such as wood, stucco, concrete, brick, or siding. That calls for a brush with stiff, durable bristles capable of picking up and holding a great deal of paint, and then laying it down smoothly and evenly without fraying or splitting. And that's the kind of performance you can expect from a Purdy Pro Extra Monarch Paint Brush.

While the 3-inch brush is ideal for large, flat surfaces such as walls, you'll also find the brush in sizes 1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch. All have nylon/Chinex/polyester bristles suited to any oil-based or water-based product. The moisture-wicking alder wood handle is a traditional beaver tail shape, but Purdy makes the same brush with other styles of handle as well. While this paintbrush is the most expensive on our list, it's an excellent option for rough surfaces.

_{Bristles: Nylon/Chinex/polyester | Available Sizes: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 inches | Available Shapes: Flat, angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best for Trim

Wooster Silver Tip Sash Brush

$11 At Amazon $11 At Home Depot $12 At Walmart

Painting trim calls for an angled brush, which smooths along edges and angles easily and precisely. The Wooster Silver Tip Sash Brush is one of the best you'll find for the task, and it is a favorite of professionals and DIYers alike.

Unlike most polyester bristles, these Wooster-exclusive bristles are extra-fine and soft, making it easy to achieve perfectly smooth results, even when painting with difficult semi-gloss or gloss finishes, and the thin, angled edge lays down clean lines, even when working in small or tight areas. Just be aware that thinner bristles mean the brush holds less paint, so you'll have to continually dip into the paint.

While the 2.5-inch angle brush is ideal for most trim jobs, you'll also find the same brush in 1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch sizes. It can be used with any type of paint.

_{Bristles: Polyester | Available Sizes: 1, 2, 2.5, 3 inches | Available Shapes: Flat, angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best for Corners and Tight Spots

Wooster Shortcut Angled Brush

$7 At Amazon $7 At Home Depot $9 At Walmart

Most paint brushes have fairly long handles, which makes it easy to paint in long, smooth strokes. But there are times when you need a more focused approach, such as when tackling a corner, painting between two closely spaced windows, painting narrow trim or other details, or painting a tightly confined area. For those situations, you can't beat the easy-to-hold and easy-to-maneuver Wooster Shortcut.

This 2-inch sash brush has nylon/polyester bristles that handle any paint, stain, or finish, producing a smooth coat of paint, even over rough surfaces. But what really sets the Shortcut apart from other paintbrushes is its short, stubby handle. At only around 2 inches in length, and with a rubbery easy-to-grip coating, the handle fits securely within your grip, making it very easy to control the brush movements precisely.

_{Bristles: Nylon/polyester | Available Sizes: 2 inches | Available Shapes: Angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best Flexible Handle

Richard Goose Neck Paint Brush

$19 At Amazon $24 At Walmart View On Hydestore.com

The rigid handles of most paint brushes are perfectly adequate when painting an easily reached spot. But when working up high, especially when painting the ceiling, the top of the wall, or an awkward spot above a window or other obstacle, you'll appreciate the ingenious design of the Richard Goose Neck Paint Brush.

This 2.5-inch angled brush has nylon/polyester bristles that pick up and deposit both oil-based and water-based paints evenly and smoothly.

But where this brush differs from the rest is in its handle, which is a flexible, soft-grip material that bends as much or as little as you'd like, making it easy to adjust the angle of the brush to the surface you are painting. Not only that, but the handle is also threaded, so you can attach any standard extension pole for painting way up high.

_{Bristles: Nylon/polyester | Available Sizes: 2.5 inches | Available Shapes: Angle | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best for Walls

Wooster Chinex FTP Flat Paint Brush

$23 At Amazon View On Paintsupply.com

Many painters today are reaching for paints with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). While low-VOC paints are friendlier to the environment and produce far less smelly fumes than older types of paints, they also dry much faster, which can leave streaked or blotchy results, especially if you are new to DIY painting.

However, the Wooster Chinex FTP brushes are specifically designed to handle paints with low or no VOCs, thanks to the very stiff bristles with full, soft tips. This decreases the "drag" on the brush, leaving a clean, even line of paint.

This 3-inch brush is the perfect size for painting walls, as the brush is big enough to handle large, flat surfaces quickly and easily, but not so large that it's hard to control. The DuPont Chinex bristles are extremely durable and wash up very easily, making this a brush you can use over and over again.

_{Bristles: Chinex | Available Sizes: 3 inches | Available Shapes: Flat | Best Use: Low-VOC water-based paints and stains}

Best Foam Paint Brush

Bates 16-Piece Foam Paint Brush Set

$6 At Amazon View On Bateschoice.com

You aren't likely to paint a wall with a foam paint brush, but these inexpensive tools are ideal for touching up chipped paint, smoothing paint along trim, painting furniture, or painting difficult-to-reach small spots like railings on staircases. And with the 16-pack from Bates, you'll always have a brush on hand when you need it.

The foam brush is 2 inches wide and has a slightly chiseled edge for smooth application of any type of paint, varnish, stain, or similar product. The foam holds up well, without shredding or tearing as many lesser foam brushes do, and it is securely glued to the wooden handle. However, this is not the best option for oil-based paints.

_{Bristles: Foam | Available Sizes: 2 inches | Available Shapes: Flat | Best Use: All types of water-based and oil-based products}

Best for Oil-Based Paint

Purdy White Bristle Sprig Paint Brush

$17 At Amazon $15 At Lowe's View On Hardwareworld.com

If you are working with an oil-based product, you'll find that natural bristles, with their slightly split ends and springy texture, do the best job. And among the many natural-bristled brushes available, it's hard to beat Purdy's white bristle brush. This high-quality paint brush has exceptionally soft bristles, providing the smoothest finish possible.

The 2.5-inch flat brush is perfect for applying oil-based products to walls, trim, furniture, or floors, but this brush is also available in 2-inch and 3-inch sizes, as well as angled. Use it for oil-based paints, shellacs, varnishes, lacquers, stains, and sealers.

_{Bristles: White China | Available Sizes: 2, 2.5, 3 inches | Available Shapes: Flat, angle | Best Use: Oil-based products}

Best for Decks and Fences

Perdura Deck Boss

$40 At Amazon View On Paintlifesupply.com

When painting interior walls, trim, wooden kitchen cabinets, or other common projects, you'll typically use a paintbrush that's 2-3 inches across. Some larger projects call for a brush as wide as 5 inches.

But for the biggest, most tedious jobs, such as staining, sealing, or painting a wooden deck, concrete floor, or wooden fence, you can get the task done as quickly as possible while still retaining professional-looking results with the Perdura Deck Boss, which boasts a whopping 7-inch-wide by 2-inch-thick head of polyester bristles.

You can use the brush with water-based or oil-based stain, sealer, or paint, and it's threaded to fit just about any universal extension pole to save wear and tear on your back. The Deck Boss lays down a thick, even coat of stain or paint on both wood and concrete, even over rough or irregular surfaces.

_{Bristles: Polyester | Available Sizes: 7 inches | Available Shapes: Flat | Best Use: Water-based and oil-based paint, sealer, and stain}

Best for Stain

Wooster Bravo Stainer

$15 At Amazon $19 At Home Depot View On Mscdirect.com

If your project involves stain, sealer, or wood toner, whether oil-based or water-based, you need a brush that is specifically designed to lay down a smooth, even coat of these thin products. And that's just what the Wooster Bravo Stainer is designed to do. With a blend of both white China and polyester bristles, you can paint even rough surfaces without fear of the brush becoming ragged or frayed.

The handle unscrews to allow you to substitute an extension pole if desired, making this a good choice for staining decks, siding, or other large surfaces. And while the 4-inch brush is perfect for most DIY projects, you'll also find the brush in sizes 2.75-inch, 4.75-inch, and 5.5-inch. However, as the brush gets larger, it becomes less precise and more messy.

_{Bristles: White China/polyester | Available Sizes: 2.75, 4, 4.75, 5.5 inches | Available Shapes: Flat | Best Use: Water-based and oil-based stain, sealer, wood toner}