The Best Emulsion Paints For Walls And Ceilings
Emulsions for everyday rooms and busy hallways as well as freshly plastered walls.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best emulsion paint is the Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint For Walls And Ceilings, because it rolled and brushed out easily in our testing and comes in enough colours for any everyday room. For a rental between tenants, the Crown Emulsion Brilliant White Emulsion Paint is the better choice, as it covers a lot of white wall without costing much.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint For Walls And Ceilings
Best White
Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint For Walls And CeilingsEveryday walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms and landings
- Check price of Crown Emulsion Brilliant White Emulsion Paint
Best Value
Crown Emulsion Brilliant White Emulsion PaintLarge areas of white wall and ceiling on a budget
- Check price of Leyland Matt White Emulsion Paint
Best All-Rounder
Leyland Matt White Emulsion PaintNew plaster and big refurbishment jobs bought by the tub
- Check price of Dulux Once Matt Emulsion Paint
Best Single Coat
Dulux Once Matt Emulsion PaintQuick room refreshes where you only have time for one coat
- Check price of Dulux Easycare Washable Emulsion Paint
Best For Durability
Dulux Easycare Washable Emulsion PaintHallways, stairs, playrooms and other walls that get grubby
- Check price of Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt
Best Coverage
Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl MattBig jobs over mixed surfaces where coverage per litre matters
Most emulsion choices come down to two things, the colour you're after and how hard the walls get treated. White on a big job, such as a new extension or a full repaint, is where a trade tub like Leyland or Covaplus gives you the most wall for the money. Retail ranges cost more but bring the colour choice, along with one-coat and wipeable formulas that earn their keep on a busy landing far more than on a bedroom ceiling.
The six below run from budget brilliant white to a tough washable matt for hallways.
How We Tested These Emulsion Paints
Over the years we've painted a huge number of rooms from top to bottom, and that experience shaped how we compared the paints in this list. For our latest round of testing, we used the tins in the photo below on walls and ceilings, giving each room its own colour so we could judge them side by side. The Leyland tub pictured is Super Leytex High Opacity Matt, a different paint from the Leyland Trade Contract Matt reviewed further down, and the Valspar matt isn't one of our six picks.
Every paint went on with a roller for the main walls and a brush for cutting in, which is how most people will use them at home. The two photos below show a sage green emulsion going on in exactly that way.
We also filmed one of our tests for our YouTube channel. The Short below shows us rolling out one of the latest emulsions from Dulux, which went on easily and covered well.
Watch Us TEST Emulsion Paint! Revamping Your Room With Paint Is Easy To Do & Satisfying To Apply!
As well as how each paint felt to use, we looked at coverage, drying time, VOC levels, the colour range, finish, tin sizes and value for money. Where we haven't measured something ourselves, such as coverage per litre, we've used the brand's own figures and said so.
The Best Emulsion Paints For Interior Walls
All six are water-based emulsions for interior walls and ceilings. Most need two coats, and we've flagged the ones that claim otherwise.
Best White
Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint For Walls And Ceilings
Best for: Everyday walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms and landings
Check Price On AmazonDulux Matt is the standard emulsion we'd buy for most rooms, and it's the Walls and Ceilings range in the two Dulux tins at the top of our test photo. In Pure Brilliant White it gives a clean, modern flat finish, and the same range comes in a wide choice of colours.
We found it easy to apply with both a brush and a roller, laying down an even coat. Dulux uses what it calls Chromalock technology to keep the colour looking fresh for longer, and the formula is low in VOCs.
Dulux quotes 13 square metres per litre and a drying time of two to four hours. It comes in 2.5, 3, 5, 6 and 7 litre tins, which makes it easy to buy the right amount for a single room or a whole house. Two coats give the most durable finish.
What we like
- Easy to apply by brush and roller in our testing
- Coverage of 13 square metres per litre
- Sold in 2.5, 3, 5, 6 and 7 litre tins
- Dries within two to four hours
- Low VOC formula
- Chromalock technology to keep colour fresh according to Dulux
What to know
- Needs two coats for the most durable finish
- Not the cheapest white in this list
Our verdict
Living rooms, bedrooms and landings are where Dulux Matt Emulsion makes the most sense. It's an easy paint to get a good result with, and tins from 2.5 to 7 litres let you buy for one bedroom or a whole house without a half-full tub left over. Budget for two coats for the most durable finish. If it's plain white on a tight budget, Crown Brilliant White Matt costs less.
Best Value
Crown Emulsion Brilliant White Emulsion Paint
Best for: Large areas of white wall and ceiling on a budget
Check Price On AmazonCrown Brilliant White Matt is a dependable, budget-friendly emulsion for interior walls and ceilings. Crown says it gives a durable, non-yellowing and non-reflective finish when applied properly, which makes it a good match for ceilings where any sheen shows up badly in the light.
It goes on by brush or roller and is touch dry in two hours according to Crown, with a recoat possible after four hours. That means you can get two coats on a room in a single day without rushing.
Crown quotes 14 square metres per litre and a low VOC level. The one thing to plan for is the number of coats, as it can take two or three to get a solid, even finish, especially over a darker colour or patchy old paint.
What we like
- Flat, non-reflective matt finish
- Non-yellowing formula according to Crown
- Coverage of 14 square metres per litre
- Touch dry in two hours and recoatable after four
- Low VOC level
What to know
- Can take two or three coats for the best finish
- Brilliant white only in this version
Our verdict
Crown Brilliant White Matt is the one we'd pick for painting a lot of white walls and ceilings without spending a fortune, such as a rental between tenants. Allow for a third coat over darker colours. For a single coat on a quick refresh, Dulux Once is the alternative, and Leyland Matt White is better suited to fresh plaster.
Best All-Rounder
Leyland Matt White Emulsion Paint
Best for: New plaster and big refurbishment jobs bought by the tub
Check Price On AmazonLeyland is a trade brand that plenty of decorators keep in the van, known for good-quality paint at a sensible price. Its Matt White emulsion is made for new work, which makes it a good choice when you're painting fresh plaster with a mist coat and then building up the finish.
The Leyland Trade Contract Matt is described as high opacity, which helps when you're covering patchy new plaster or old marks. Its Screwfix listing quotes 13 square metres per litre and a touch dry time of two to four hours.
It's sold in a 10 litre bulk tin, which works out well for a new extension, a loft conversion or a whole-house refresh. Leyland also backs it with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.
What we like
- High opacity formula
- Made for new work and fresh plaster
- Coverage of 13 square metres per litre according to the listing
- Available in a 10 litre bulk tin
- One-year manufacturer's guarantee
What to know
- Needs two coats for the best results
Our verdict
For a new extension or a loft conversion with acres of fresh plaster, the 10 litre Leyland tub is the sensible buy. Made for new work, it handles the mist coat and the full coats on top, and the high opacity helps hide patchy plaster. Plan on two coats. It only comes in white, so for colour on the walls Dulux Matt Emulsion is the better fit.
Best Single Coat
Dulux Once Matt Emulsion Paint
Best for: Quick room refreshes where you only have time for one coat
Check Price On AmazonDulux Once is a concentrated version of the brand's matt emulsion, made to give a full finish in a single coat on walls or ceilings. Dulux says you can paint a whole room in one go, which saves a day of drying time on a refresh.
The trick is in the application. Dulux recommends laying it on thickly with a medium pile paint roller and using a brush for the edges, rather than spreading it thinly as you would a standard emulsion. Spread it too far and you lose the one-coat benefit.
There are seven colours to choose from. It needs at least four hours to dry fully, and it costs more per litre than the standard Dulux Matt, so it makes most sense when your time is worth more than the extra paint.
What we like
- Concentrated formula for one-coat coverage
- Single coat finish according to Dulux
- Suitable for walls and ceilings
- Choice of seven colours
- Applied thickly with a medium pile roller
What to know
- Costs more per litre than standard Dulux Matt
- Needs at least four hours to dry fully
Our verdict
Choose Dulux Once when you need a room turned around quickly, such as an Airbnb between bookings, and the colour you want is in its range. A thick, even coat is the key. If you have time for two coats, Dulux Matt Emulsion costs less, and Crown Brilliant White Matt is cheaper again for plain white.
Best For Durability
Dulux Easycare Washable Emulsion Paint
Best for: Hallways, stairs, playrooms and other walls that get grubby
Check Price On AmazonDulux Easycare Washable is built for walls that take a beating. Dulux says it's 20 times tougher than standard emulsion, and the formula repels stains and liquid spills so they can be wiped off rather than soaking in.
That makes it a strong choice for hallways, stairs, children's rooms and games rooms, where scuffs and sticky fingerprints are part of daily life. In a rental, being able to wipe marks off with a damp cloth instead of repainting is a real time saver.
There are 27 colours, and it's suitable for both walls and ceilings. Dulux quotes 32.5 square metres per 2.5 litre tin, which is 13 square metres per litre, and a drying time of four hours. It's one of the dearer emulsions in this list.
What we like
- Repels stains and liquid spills
- Washable and easy to wipe clean
- 20 times tougher than standard emulsion according to Dulux
- Choice of 27 colours
- Suitable for walls and ceilings
- Dries within four hours
What to know
- Costs more than standard emulsions such as Dulux Matt and Crown
Our verdict
Dulux Easycare Washable is the better buy for busy hallways, stairs and children's rooms where walls get marked every week. Wiping marks off instead of touching them up is where it earns back the extra cost. For a quiet bedroom or ceiling, Dulux Matt Emulsion is cheaper and just as good, and for a steamy bathroom our guide to the best bathroom paints has better options.
Best Coverage
Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt
Best for: Big jobs over mixed surfaces where coverage per litre matters
Check Price On AmazonJohnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt is a trade emulsion that covers more ground than anything else in this list. Johnstone's quotes up to 17 square metres per litre, and the high opacity helps hide imperfections in the wall surface.
It's also the most versatile paint here. As well as interior walls and ceilings, Johnstone's says it works on wallboards, plaster, concrete, cement render and brickwork, and it can be applied by brush, roller or sprayer. That makes it handy for garages, utility rooms and outbuildings with a mix of surfaces.
The finish resists fading and yellowing, the paint carries an eco label, and tins run from 1 to 10 litres. The trade-off is colour, as the range is limited compared with the Dulux paints.
What we like
- Up to 17 square metres per litre according to Johnstone's
- High opacity that hides surface imperfections
- Works on plaster, wallboard, concrete, render and brick
- Brush, roller or spray application
- Resists fading and yellowing
- Eco label approved
- Sold in tins from 1 to 10 litres
What to know
- Limited colour range compared with the Dulux paints
Our verdict
Spraying a garage, painting over render in a utility room or getting a big area done from one tin are all jobs where Johnstone's Covaplus pulls ahead. Each litre goes further than any other paint here, at a quoted 17 square metres, and it handles more surfaces than anything else in the list. Colour choice is where it falls short, so for a particular shade, Dulux Matt Emulsion has far more.
How To Choose The Right Emulsion Paint
Most emulsion looks much the same in the tin, but the right one for your room depends on the surface, the traffic it gets and how many coats you're prepared to apply.
Matt, Silk Or Washable Finish
Matt emulsion gives a flat, non-reflective finish that hides lumps and patched plaster, which is why it's the default for ceilings and most living spaces. Silk has a sheen that's easier to wipe but shows every flaw in the wall. Washable matts such as Dulux Easycare sit in between, giving a flat look with a tougher surface. Our guide to choosing between matt and silk paint explains which finish suits each room, and if your walls are already silk, read up on painting matt emulsion over silk before you start.
Trade Or Retail Paint
Trade emulsions like Leyland and Johnstone's Covaplus are made for decorators who need high coverage and big tins at a sensible price. Retail paints such as Dulux offer more colours and handy extras like one-coat or washable formulas. For a new extension or a rental refresh in white, trade paint is hard to beat. For a feature wall in a particular shade, retail ranges give you more choice.
Coverage And How Much To Buy
Measure the height and width of each wall, multiply them and add the totals together, then do the same for the ceiling. Divide by the coverage on the tin and double it for two coats. The paints here that quote a figure range from 13 to 17 square metres per litre, but rough, porous or freshly plastered walls soak up more, so buy a little extra rather than running out halfway through a wall.
New Plaster And Problem Walls
Fresh plaster needs a mist coat of watered-down matt emulsion before the full coats go on, and a trade matt like Leyland is ideal for it. Water stains, smoke marks and patches of filler can show through ordinary emulsion, so treat them with a stain block first. Rooms with condensation are better served by a mould-resistant emulsion for damp rooms.
Rollers And Brushes
A medium pile roller suits most emulsion on smooth plaster, and a good angled brush makes cutting in along ceilings and skirting much neater. Our guide to the best paint brushes for cutting in covers the options, and a decent decorator's masking tape helps if you don't have a steady hand.
Common Questions About Emulsion Paint
How many coats of emulsion paint do you need?
Most walls and ceilings need two coats of emulsion for an even, durable finish. One coat can work with a one-coat formula such as Dulux Once when the colour change is small and the wall is in good condition. Fresh plaster needs a mist coat first, and a strong colour change or budget paint can need a third coat.
Can you use the same emulsion on walls and ceilings?
Yes, every emulsion in this list is made for both walls and ceilings. Many people use a brilliant white matt on the ceiling and a colour on the walls, but there's nothing stopping you using one tin for both. A flat matt finish is best overhead, as any sheen on a ceiling picks up light and shows roller marks.
How long does emulsion take to dry between coats?
Most emulsion is touch dry in one to two hours and ready for a second coat after about four hours, but check the tin, as drying times vary by brand. Cold rooms, high humidity and thick coats all slow drying down. Leave the final coat overnight before hanging pictures or pushing furniture back against the walls.
What is the difference between vinyl matt and standard matt emulsion?
Vinyl matt emulsion contains vinyl resins that make the dried paint slightly tougher and easier to wipe than a basic contract matt. Contract matts are cheaper and more breathable, which suits fresh plaster and new builds. For lived-in rooms, a vinyl matt such as Johnstone's Covaplus or a washable matt holds up better to marks.
Is Dulux Easycare Washable worth paying more for than Dulux Matt Emulsion?
Dulux Easycare Washable is worth the extra in hallways, on stairs and in children's rooms, where walls get marked every week. Dulux says it's 20 times tougher than standard emulsion and it repels stains, so marks wipe off with a damp cloth. In a guest bedroom or on a ceiling nobody touches, the standard Dulux Matt Emulsion does the same job for less.
Which emulsion would you use between tenants in a rental?
Crown Brilliant White Matt, because it's a cheap way to cover a lot of white wall and ceiling, and Crown says the flat finish won't yellow. It's recoatable after four hours, so two coats fit into one day, though darker colours underneath can need a third. For a quick turnaround such as an Airbnb between bookings, Dulux Once is the alternative if its colour range suits.
How do you get a one-coat finish with Dulux Once Matt Emulsion?
Lay it on thickly with a medium pile paint roller and use a brush for the edges, as Dulux recommends. Spreading it thinly as you would a standard emulsion loses the one-coat benefit. It needs at least four hours to dry fully and costs more per litre than Dulux Matt, so it suits jobs where your time is worth more than the paint.
Which emulsion is best for a garage or utility room?
Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt is the best fit for garages, utility rooms and outbuildings with mixed surfaces. Johnstone's says it works on wallboards, plaster, concrete, cement render and brickwork, and it can be applied by brush, roller or sprayer. It quotes up to 17 square metres per litre, though the colour range is limited.
The Emulsion We Reach For First
Dulux Matt Emulsion is our go-to for everyday walls and ceilings, because it's easy to get a good finish with and comes in plenty of colours and tin sizes. Crown Brilliant White Matt is the value alternative when you've got a lot of white to cover.
For hallways and children's rooms, Dulux Easycare Washable is worth the extra, and Leyland Matt White is the trade tub we'd buy for fresh plaster.
Eddie spent five years as a self-employed painter and decorator before going part time to become one of the main writers at DIY Works. From garden fences to mist coats on fresh plaster, painting and decorating is his speciality.