If you’re heading to Home Depot to buy interior paint, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. With so many choices, how do you determine which one is the best? As a professional painter with 35 years of experience, I’m here to help break it down for you.
The Top Contenders: Behr Dynasty vs. Pittsburgh UltraLast
Home Depot offers a range of high-quality paints, but in my professional opinion, the two best premium options are:
While Behr Marquee is also a strong contender, it falls slightly behind Dynasty in terms of performance. Both Behr Dynasty and Pittsburgh UltraLast are top-tier choices, but they have subtle differences that may influence your decision.
Coverage Comparison
For this test, I applied both paints in a matte finish, which falls between flat and eggshell. Matte finishes are excellent for hiding imperfections while maintaining some washability.
On my sample board, I applied each paint over blue stripes, spackled areas, and two off-white colors to evaluate their coverage.
Pittsburgh UltraLast
- One coat: Approximately 99% coverage over most surfaces.
- Two coats: Full coverage, but some blue still visible.
- If a small amount of black tint had been added at the paint store, coverage could have reached 100%.
- Coverage over spackle was excellent.
Behr Dynasty
- One coat: Slightly better coverage than Pittsburgh UltraLast.
- Two coats: 100% coverage over off-white areas.
- Some blue was still slightly visible, but coverage was superior to UltraLast.
- Coverage over spackle was excellent.
If maximum coverage is your priority, Behr Dynasty has a slight edge over Pittsburgh UltraLast.
Workability & Application
- Behr Dynasty: Felt a little sticky when brushing and didn’t glide as smoothly.
- Pittsburgh UltraLast: Had superior workability, making application feel effortless. If you’re painting multiple rooms, this can make a big difference in reducing fatigue.
Self-Priming Capabilities
Both paints are marketed as self-priming, so I tested them by applying them directly over spackled areas without a separate primer. The results? No flashing or uneven appearance, confirming that both paints truly are self-priming.
Washability Test
To test durability, I applied red wine, coffee, ketchup, mustard, crayon, and pencil to both paint surfaces. I then used various cleaning agents to remove the stains.
Results:
- Both paints performed exceptionally well, with only about 5% of the mustard stain remaining—which is impressive, considering mustard contains turmeric, a notoriously stubborn stain.
- Just 10 years ago, matte finish paints had almost no washability. Today, these premium-grade matte paints are incredibly washable.
Durability After Cleaning
After scrubbing the surfaces, I checked for any signs of damage. Neither paint showed any marking or degradation, proving that both offer excellent durability after cleaning.
Price Comparison
Both Behr Dynasty and Pittsburgh UltraLast cost approximately $60 per gallon, making them competitively priced for premium-quality paint.
Final Recommendation: Which Paint Should You Choose?
- If coverage is your top concern and you want to minimize the number of coats, go with Behr Dynasty. Check the Behr one-coat coverage chart for best results.
- If you’re planning to apply two coats regardless, choose Pittsburgh UltraLast for its superior workability and smoother finish.
Both of these paints are excellent choices at a reasonable price point. No matter which one you pick, you’ll be getting a top-quality product that performs well in coverage, durability, and washability.
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