The Best Wall Fillers For Cracks, Holes And Gaps
Ready-mixed and powder fillers for anything from a single screw hole to a chunk of missing plaster.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best wall filler is the Everbuild One Strike. One tub handles everything from nail holes to deep gouges without slumping, and on our screw holes it was ready to sand in half an hour. Where a big hole needs a screw or nail back in it, the Polycell Deep Gap Filler For Walls is the better choice, as it holds fixings once dry.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Everbuild One Strike
- Check price of Polycell Multi Purpose Polyfilla
Best For Beginners
Polycell Multi Purpose PolyfillaSmall indoor holes and cracks for first-time decorators
- Check price of Ronseal Smooth Finish Filler
- Check price of Polycell Deep Gap Filler For Walls
Best For Large Holes
Polycell Deep Gap Filler For WallsLarge holes and chunks of missing plaster that need fixings later
- Check price of No Nonsense Instant Filler
- Check price of Tetrion All Purpose Decorating Filler
Best Powder
Tetrion All Purpose Decorating FillerMixing small batches for tough indoor and outdoor repairs
Depth and drilling are the two questions that narrow this down. A shallow screw hole takes almost any filler, but a deeper hole needs one rated for that depth, or you'll be building it up in layers and waiting for each to dry. Then think about what goes back in the wall. The lightest fillers sand to the smoothest finish yet won't take a screw, so a repair that needs a fixing later wants something denser.
We've used tubs, tubes and powders across our homes and rentals, and the six below cover nail holes through to missing chunks of plaster.
How We Tested These Wall Fillers
We've spent years repairing cracks and holes on a range of surfaces, from the small holes left by screws to much larger holes, and we've tried a lot of fillers along the way.
Our top pick, Everbuild One Strike, is the filler in the YouTube Short below. It went into the screw holes easily, scraped off flat along the wall, and we sanded it after 30 minutes ready for its first coat of paint.
Repairing Cracks Has Never Been So Easy With The Latest Wall Fillers! Watch Us Test This Filler!
Each filler was judged on how easily it goes on, how well it resists sagging, shrinking and cracking, the finish and durability once dry, and whether it suits indoor and outdoor repairs. Drying time, type and value also fed into the final scores.
Our latest round included the Polycell range shown below, with Quick Drying, Deep Gap and SmoothOver lined up on the worktop, along with the Tetrion All Purpose filler.
Depths, drying times and tub sizes come from each manufacturer unless we've said we saw it for ourselves.
The Best Wall Fillers For Every Size Of Repair
The list runs from the best all-rounder through to specialist fillers for deep holes, joints and outdoor repairs. Check the maximum depth against your hole before buying.
Best Overall
Everbuild One Strike
Best for: Most indoor and outdoor holes and cracks up to 75mm deep
Check Price On AmazonEverbuild One Strike is a lightweight ready-mixed filler, and it's our top pick. Everbuild says it fills holes up to 75mm in one go, and the non-sag formula means it stays put in a hole on a wall or ceiling instead of slumping out before it sets.
In our video it went into screw holes in a plaster wall cleanly and scraped off flat, and we sanded it after 30 minutes. Everbuild quotes a 40 minute drying time, so deeper fills will take longer than our small holes. It works inside or out, it's solvent free and non staining, and the tubs run from 250ml up to 2.5 litres, so there's a size for a quick touch-up or a whole house. The one limit is fixings. Everbuild says it isn't suitable for drilling once dry, so it's not the filler for a spot where a shelf bracket is going back in.
What we like
- Fills up to 75mm in one go according to Everbuild
- Stays put on ceilings thanks to the non-sag mix
- Sanded after 30 minutes on our screw holes
- Inside and outside repairs
- Four tub sizes from 250ml to 2.5 litres
- Solvent free and non staining
- Ready to use with no mixing
What to know
- Not suitable for drilling once dry
Our verdict
If you only want one filler in the toolbox, make it Everbuild One Strike. The non-sag mix stays put on ceilings and it's just as happy on an outside wall. The catch is that you can't drill into it, so a repair that needs a fixing back in calls for Polycell Deep Gap.
Best For Beginners
Polycell Multi Purpose Polyfilla
Best for: Small indoor holes and cracks for first-time decorators
Check Price On AmazonPolycell Multi Purpose is the original ready-mixed Polyfilla, and it's an easy filler to get the hang of if you've not done much decorating. It's for interior repairs only and fills up to 10mm in one go, which covers most screw holes, dents and hairline cracks.
Polycell says it resists shrinking and cracking, and it's surface dry in 1 to 2 hours. Once it's hard you can drill into it, which is handy when you're filling old wall plug holes and putting a fixing back in a slightly different spot. It comes in 330g and 1kg tubs. Anything deeper than 10mm has to be built up in layers, letting each one dry, and for the price it costs more than some of the bigger tubs in this list.
What we like
- Original ready-mixed Polyfilla for interior repairs
- Drillable once dry
- Resists shrinking and cracking according to Polycell
- Surface dry in 1 to 2 hours
- Sold in 330g and 1kg tubs
What to know
- Deeper than 10mm needs filling in layers
- Costs more per gram than Ronseal Smooth Finish
Our verdict
Pick Polycell Multi Purpose if you're new to filling and mostly dealing with small indoor holes, especially where a fixing has to go back in. For deeper holes, Everbuild One Strike or Polycell Deep Gap save you building up layers, and Ronseal Smooth Finish gives more filler for your money.
Best Value
Ronseal Smooth Finish Filler
Best for: Repairs across plaster, stone, concrete and wood on a budget
Check Price On AmazonRonseal Smooth Finish is a pre-mixed filler in a 900g tub, and it gives you more filler for your money than anything else in this list. Ronseal says it fills up to 20mm and works on plaster, stone, concrete and wood, without cracking or shrinking once it's set.
The method Ronseal recommends is to clean the hole, press the filler in until it sits slightly proud, then sand it flat once it's dry. It's dry in 2 hours according to the brand. When we used it, it needed more sanding than the other fillers here to get a perfectly flat finish, so have a sanding block and a dust sheet ready. For a lot of small repairs before a full redecoration, the bigger tub makes sense.
What we like
- 900g tub gives good value
- Fills up to 20mm according to Ronseal
- Works on plaster, stone, concrete and wood
- Dry in 2 hours according to Ronseal
What to know
- Needed more sanding than other fillers when we used it
Our verdict
Ronseal Smooth Finish pays off when you've got a house full of small repairs before a full redecoration, as the 900g tub is the best value here. Set aside extra time with the sanding block to get it flat. If you'd rather spend less time sanding, Everbuild One Strike is the quicker option to sand flat.
Best For Large Holes
Polycell Deep Gap Filler For Walls
Best for: Large holes and chunks of missing plaster that need fixings later
Check Price On AmazonPolycell Deep Gap is made for the bigger holes that a standard filler struggles with, and the photo up top shows it filling a large patch of missing plaster on one of our walls. Polycell says it fills up to 20mm in one go, so you're not building a deep repair up in layers.
It's sag resistant, so it holds its shape in a deep hole, and Polycell says it sands to a smooth finish and will take nails and screws once dry. That makes it a good choice when you've pulled out an old TV bracket or curtain pole and need to refix in the same area. An opened tub keeps for up to 18 months according to Polycell. It costs more than a standard filler, so save it for the deep repairs.
What we like
- Filled a large patch of missing plaster on our wall
- Fills up to 20mm in one application according to Polycell
- Sag resistant in deep holes
- Takes nails and screws once dry according to Polycell
- Opened tub keeps for up to 18 months
What to know
- Dearer than a standard filler for small holes
Our verdict
Repairs where a fixing has to go back in are the reason to buy Polycell Deep Gap, such as the spot left by an old TV bracket or a curtain pole that ripped out of the plaster, and it fills that kind of hole in one go. For everyday screw holes it's overkill, and Polycell Multi Purpose does that job for less.
Best Tube
No Nonsense Instant Filler
Best for: Running along joints, gaps and rows of screw holes quickly
Check Price On AmazonNo Nonsense Instant Filler comes in a cartridge rather than a tub, so you run it out of a caulking gun straight into the gap. That's far quicker and cleaner along a long crack, a joint between plasterboard sheets or a row of screw holes, as there's no knife to load and less filler ends up on the floor.
It's ready-mixed, dries in 2 hours according to the brand, and can be sanded once cured to a smooth finish that takes a water-based emulsion without fuss. You do need a caulking gun, so factor that in if you don't already own one. For a single deep hole, a tub filler gives you more control.
What we like
- Runs straight into joints and cracks from a gun
- Less mess than a tub and knife
- Dries in 2 hours according to the brand
- Sands to a smooth finish once cured
- Good for rows of screw holes
What to know
- Needs a caulking gun
- Not the cheapest way to buy filler
Our verdict
Choose No Nonsense Instant Filler for long cracks, joints and lots of small holes where speed matters. If you've got one large hole or a deep gouge, Polycell Deep Gap or Everbuild One Strike in a tub is the better tool.
Best Powder
Tetrion All Purpose Decorating Filler
Best for: Mixing small batches for tough indoor and outdoor repairs
Check Price On AmazonTetrion All Purpose is a powder filler that tradespeople and DIYers have used for a long time, and it's the one to buy if you prefer to mix your own. The powder version comes as two sealed 750g bags, so you can open one and keep the other dry for the next job.
Mixed with water, it bonds to most household surfaces and sets to a tough, water-resistant finish that's suitable inside and out. Tetrion says it's easy to mix, but you do need a clean bowl and the right consistency, thicker for deep holes and a little looser for skimming cracks. It's a good match for exterior jobs before a coat of masonry paint, where a ready-mixed indoor filler wouldn't last.
What we like
- Suitable inside and out
- Bonds to most household surfaces
- Tough and water-resistant finish once set
- Two sealed 750g bags cut waste
What to know
- Needs mixing with water before use
Our verdict
Tetrion All Purpose is the pick if you don't mind mixing and want a tough filler that works outdoors as well as in. For quick indoor fills with no mixing, Everbuild One Strike is easier, and No Nonsense is quicker along joints.
How To Choose The Right Wall Filler
Most fillers look the same in the tub, but the depth they can fill, where they can be used and whether you can drill into them differ a lot. Here's what we check before picking one.
Ready Mixed Or Powder
Ready-mixed filler is the easy option, with no bowl, no water and no guessing the consistency. It's what we use for most indoor repairs. Powder filler is cheaper by weight, keeps longer while sealed, and lets you mix exactly what you need. Powders like Tetrion set to a tough, water-resistant finish, which makes them a good choice for outdoor repairs.
| Type | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mixed tub | General holes and cracks indoors | Maximum depth per layer |
| Tube or cartridge | Long cracks, joints and screw holes | Needs a caulking gun |
| Powder | Tough repairs and outdoor use | Mixing to the right consistency |
| Deep gap filler | Large holes in one go | Higher price for small jobs |
Depth Of The Hole
Every filler has a maximum depth it can fill in one go, and going past it is how you end up with a repair that sinks or cracks as it dries. Small screw holes are fine with almost anything. For holes deeper than about a finger's width, pick a filler rated for that depth or build it up in layers. For anything bigger than your palm, it's a patch plastering job rather than filling.
Cracks That Keep Coming Back
Fine cracks in new plaster or along ceiling joints come from movement and drying, and filler alone won't stop a crack that's still moving. Our guide on why plaster cracks explains what's behind it. For gaps where walls meet ceilings or around frames, a flexible decorator's caulk copes with movement better than a rigid filler.
Fixings After Filling
If you're going to put a screw back into the repair, check the tub says it's drillable. Lightweight fillers are great for a smooth finish but crumble when drilled, while denser fillers like Polycell Deep Gap hold a fixing. For wood such as skirting and door frames, use a dedicated wood filler that flexes with the timber.
Finishing The Repair
Overfill slightly, let it dry fully, then sand flush with fine paper on a block. Wipe off the dust and spot prime the repair, as bare filler soaks up emulsion and shows as a dull patch. On new or heavily patched walls, a mist coat over the whole area evens everything out, which our guide to painting new plaster covers.
Filling Questions We Hear From Homeowners
Can you paint straight over wall filler?
You can paint over wall filler once it's fully dry and sanded flush, but a spot prime first gives a better finish. Bare filler is porous and soaks up emulsion, leaving a dull patch that shows in certain light. A thinned coat of emulsion or a primer on the repair, then your normal coats over the whole wall, hides it properly.
How long does wall filler take to dry before sanding?
Most ready-mixed wall fillers are ready to sand in 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the brand and how deep the repair is. We sanded Everbuild One Strike after 30 minutes on small screw holes, while deeper repairs take longer. Press a fingernail into the filler, and if it marks, leave it longer before sanding.
What is the difference between filler and plaster?
Filler is made for small, local repairs such as holes, dents and cracks, and it sands easily to blend into the wall. Plaster is for covering large areas or rebuilding a whole section of wall, and it's applied with a trowel in a thin skim. If a hole is bigger than your hand, patch plastering gives a stronger repair than filler.
Can you use wall filler outside?
Only some wall fillers are suitable for outdoor use, so check the tub before using one on render or masonry. Everbuild One Strike and Tetrion All Purpose are both made for inside and out. Indoor-only fillers like Polycell Multi Purpose soften when they get wet, so they'll fail on an exterior wall once winter weather arrives.
Can I drill into Everbuild One Strike once it's dry?
No, Everbuild One Strike isn't suitable for drilling once dry. If a fixing has to go back into the repair, use Polycell Deep Gap, which Polycell says takes nails and screws once dry, or Polycell Multi Purpose, which is drillable once hard. One Strike is the better choice for repairs you're simply going to sand and paint over.
Is Ronseal Smooth Finish worth buying for the bigger tub?
Ronseal Smooth Finish is worth it if you've got lots of small repairs, because the 900g tub gives you more filler for your money than anything else in our list. Ronseal says it fills up to 20mm and works on plaster, stone, concrete and wood. The catch is that it needed more sanding than the other fillers when we used it.
What's the best filler for a long crack or a plasterboard joint?
No Nonsense Instant Filler is the best of our six for long cracks and joints. It comes in a cartridge, so you run it straight into the gap from a caulking gun, which is quicker and cleaner than loading a knife from a tub. It's ready-mixed and dries in 2 hours according to the brand, and it sands smooth once cured.
Which filler would you use after pulling out an old TV bracket?
Polycell Deep Gap is the one. It's made for bigger holes and the photo at the top of the page shows it filling a large patch of missing plaster on one of our walls. Polycell says it fills up to 20mm in one go, holds its shape in a deep hole and takes nails and screws once dry, so the bracket or a new fixing can go back in.
Our Favourite Wall Filler
Everbuild One Strike is the wall filler we'd buy for most jobs, as it fills deep holes without sagging and sands back quickly. When you need to put a screw back into a large repair, Polycell Deep Gap is the better choice.
For long joints and cracks, No Nonsense in a cartridge saves time, and Tetrion All Purpose is the powder to keep in the shed for outdoor repairs.
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.