The 12 Best Paints for Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets is probably the biggest impact-for-your-buck project you can tackle. I did mine back in 2022, and it completely changed the feel of our kitchen without the cost of a full remodel. But choosing the wrong paint can turn a dream project into a nightmare of peeling, chipping, and regret.

You can’t just grab a can of wall paint and slap it on. Cabinets take a beating—grease splatters, sticky fingers, constant opening and closing. You need something that dries hard, resists stains, and is easy to clean without scrubbing the finish off.

After painting my own kitchen, two bathrooms, and a laundry room’s worth of cabinets over the years, I’ve tried a bunch of different products. Here’s a rundown of the best paints for kitchen cabinets I’ve found, from the pro-level stuff to budget-friendly options that still hold up.

 

 

The Best Overall Cabinet Paints

These are the paints that professionals swear by, and for good reason. They cost a bit more, but their durability and finish are unmatched. If you want results that will last for years, start here.

 

 

Benjamin Moore Advance Interior Paint

The price is about $84 per gallon. This is my personal favorite and what I recommend to everyone. I used it on my own kitchen cabinets, and they still look incredible. It’s a water-based alkyd, so you get the super hard, durable finish of an oil paint but with easy soap-and-water cleanup.

It levels out beautifully, which means it smooths itself out as it dries, hiding brush marks. You get a finish that looks like it was done in a workshop, not your garage. It’s perfect for high-traffic kitchens where cabinets get a lot of abuse.

The Downside: The dry time is no joke. You have to wait a full 16 hours between coats. It’s torture when you’re excited to finish, but patience is key for that rock-hard cure.

 

 

Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel

This one costs around $100 per gallon. The Emerald Urethane is what many pros consider the top of the line. It’s in a constant battle with BM Advance for the title of best cabinet paint, and honestly, it’s just as good. It self-levels like a dream for a super smooth, almost factory-like finish.

It dries to an extremely hard surface that resists just about everything you can throw at it in a kitchen. If you want zero brush marks and maximum durability, this is a fantastic choice. It makes your old cabinets look brand new.

The Downside: It’s one of the most expensive options out there. The price can be tough to swallow for a big kitchen project.

 

 

Insl-X Cabinet Coat

You’ll find this for about $80 per gallon. This is a workhorse paint made specifically for cabinets. It’s a urethane-acrylic formula that gives you a really tough, washable finish. I used this on the cabinets in our guest bathroom and it’s held up perfectly against moisture and cleaning.

It sticks really well to properly prepped surfaces, even old varnished ones. It’s designed to handle the daily wear and tear of a busy home without chipping or scratching easily.

The Downside: You absolutely cannot skip the prep work. If you don’t clean and sand properly, you won’t get the adhesion you need for it to last.

 

 

Great Value Cabinet Paints

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great result. These paints offer fantastic durability and finish for a much lower price. They’re perfect for DIYers who want a high-quality look on a budget.

 

 

Behr Premium Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel

This paint runs about $59 per gallon. For the price, Behr’s alkyd enamel is really impressive. It gives you many of the benefits of the premium brands—great leveling, a hard finish, and easy water cleanup—at almost half the cost.

I painted the built-in bookshelves in my office with this, and it looks fantastic. It flows off the brush nicely and dries to a durable semi-gloss sheen that’s easy to wipe down. It’s a great choice if you’re trying to keep your project budget in check.

The Downside: For the absolute best results, you really need to use a good primer first, especially on slick or previously painted surfaces.

 

 

Behr Premium Plus Enamel Paint

At around $40 per gallon, this is a serious bargain. If you’re on a really tight budget, Behr Premium Plus is a solid option. It provides good coverage and is scrubbable enough for most uses.

I used this to refresh the cabinets in my garage workshop. It’s not as tough as the urethane alkyds, but for the cost, you get a very respectable finish that freshens things up nicely.

The Downside: It doesn’t resist stains as well as the more expensive paints, so you might have to put in a little more elbow grease on tough spots.

 

 

Dutch Boy Cabinet Door and Trim Alkyd Enamel

You can get this for about $50 per gallon. I was pleasantly surprised by this paint. Dutch Boy has a really good alkyd enamel that’s easy for a DIYer to work with. It goes on smoothly without a lot of fuss.

The finish is durable and holds up well in tests. It’s a great mid-range choice that feels more forgiving to apply than some of the professional-grade paints.

The Downside: Some users report that lighter colors can yellow slightly over time, especially in a kitchen with a gas stove.

 

 

More Top-Rated Paints for Cabinets

Beyond the big names, there are several other paints that deliver fantastic results for specific needs, whether you want one-coat coverage, eco-friendly formulas, or a no-prep solution.

 

 

Behr Marquee Interior Paint

The cost is about $60 per gallon. Marquee is known for its one-coat coverage guarantee, and it really does cover well. This is a great choice if you’re painting over dark, dated oak cabinets and want to get the job done faster.

It dries quickly and has excellent stain resistance, which is perfect for a kitchen setting. While it’s a great all-around interior paint, it’s durable enough to work well on cabinets, too.

The Downside: It’s more expensive than other Behr lines, and you might still need a second coat on cabinets for maximum durability.

 

 

Sherwin-Williams Infinity Interior Latex Paint

This one costs around $70 per gallon. If you’re starting with dark wood or a dramatic old paint color, Infinity is a fantastic choice. Its hiding power is top-notch, saving you from endless coats of primer.

In a semi-gloss finish, it’s super cleanable and stands up well to kitchen grime. It’s a great mid-price paint that gives you some of that Sherwin-Williams quality without the Emerald price tag.

The Downside: It’s a latex paint, so it won’t be quite as rock-hard as a urethane enamel, but it’s still very durable for most homes.

 

 

Valspar Reserve Latex Paint

You can get this at Lowe’s for about $55 per gallon. Valspar Reserve is another great paint-and-primer combo. It has excellent coverage and is really good at resisting stains.

One of its best features is fade resistance. If your kitchen gets a ton of direct sunlight, this paint will help keep your cabinet color true for longer. It’s a reliable choice for any cabinet project.

The Downside: Like other latex paints, it’s not going to be as chip-proof as a true alkyd enamel formula.

 

 

Heirloom Traditions All-in-One Paint

This paint is pricey at about $130 per gallon. If you absolutely dread the idea of sanding and priming, this is the paint for you. You just clean your cabinets and start painting. It has a primer and topcoat built right in.

My sister used this on a vintage bathroom vanity and was shocked at how easy it was. The coverage is amazing, and it dries to a lovely smooth, durable finish. It’s a huge time-saver for furniture and cabinets.

The Downside: The cost per gallon is very high, and the color selection is more limited than traditional paint brands.

 

 

Clare Paint

Clare paint runs about $75 per gallon. For anyone concerned about indoor air quality, Clare is a great option. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it has very low chemical emissions. Plus, their peel-and-stick swatches make choosing a color so easy.

Beyond being eco-friendly, the paint itself is high-quality. It provides great coverage and dries to a hard-wearing finish that can handle being wiped down, making it suitable for kitchen cabinets.

The Downside: It’s a boutique brand, so you’re paying a premium price for the convenience and curated colors.

 

 

PPG Breakthrough Paint

You can find this for around $65 per gallon. PPG is a huge name in the paint world, and Breakthrough is a favorite among many professional painters. It adheres really well to tricky surfaces and dries incredibly fast.

It has great self-leveling properties and cures to a very durable finish. It’s a solid workhorse paint that gives you professional results at a more reasonable price point than the top-tier brands.

The Downside: It’s less common in big box stores, so you might have to find a dedicated paint store to buy it.

 

 

What I’ve Learned About Choosing Cabinet Paint

The best paint for kitchen cabinets really depends on your budget and how much work you want to put in. But no matter which one you choose, the most important step is the prep. Don’t skimp on cleaning and sanding! A clean, lightly scuffed surface is the key to getting any paint to stick properly.

I almost always recommend a hybrid enamel like Benjamin Moore Advance or the Behr Alkyd. They give you that super-durable, smooth finish that looks professional and holds up to real-life use. The slightly longer dry times are worth it in the end.

Finally, think about the sheen. Semi-gloss is the classic choice for cabinets because it’s easy to clean and reflects light nicely. Satin is another great option if you want a bit less shine but still need good durability. Either way, a fresh coat of paint will make you fall in love with your kitchen all over again.