Good roller frame and Paint rollers can save you a lot of time and energy in completing any DIY paint job. Save yourself the unnecessary pain and headaches that low quality paint rollers and tools can cause you.
If you’re looking for the best paint roller for the job, we’ve gathered a list of some of the best paint roller in their respective price ranges.
Ranging from the simple DIY home tasks to larger paint jobs, you’ll find what paint roller you need here.
8 Best Paint Rollers For Any DIY Job
1. Wooster Brush RR723-9 Pro/Doo-Z - Best Paint Roller Cover
- Extra value 3 pack of shed-resistant for all...
- Proprietary high-density white fabric with a...
- Contractor packed in an eye-catching poly bag...
- For semi-smooth surfaces
If you’re after a paint roller cover to add to your collection, put this product from Wooster at the top of your list. These roller cover can be used alongside any type of paint like latex paint to give a high quality, professional-looking finish.
These paint roller covers are shed-resistant, and are very durable. Roller cover is paint roller cover something to bear in mind as you don’t want any debris or fabric falling in your latex paint or forming lumps in your work.
The fabric used keeps your paint looking as good as it should, and stands the test of time. Over a decade, you can easily reuse these paint roller cover for the various stages of your paint job, from priming to the smooth coat itself.
You can wash roller cover easily without disintegrating, and roller cover is designed to be long-term additions to your tool paint roller kit. Roller cover limit excess paint wastage by holding the paint well and roller cover also help to provide an even coverage.
For the price you’re paying, the high quality roller cover by by Wooster are well worth adding to your garage.
2. Shur-Line 8500 One Coater Paint Kit - Best Paint Roller for Smooth Walls
- Includes: (2) 9" Roller 7/16" Nap, 4-Wire...
- Includes: 11" Extension Pole, 3" Trim & Touch...
- Includes: Metal Tray, Tray Liner, Trim Brush,...
- Paint Kit includes tools for an entire...
Another great choice as an all-in-one set for completing your painting projects, the One Coater kit features three different options: a 5, 9 or 14 piece paint roller kit.
With the 14 piece kit you’ll be getting 2 paint roller cover – the best paint roller cover for interior walls- a paint roller frame, plastic paint tray, tray liner or plastic liner or plastic wrap or plastic bag, paint edger, 2" putty knife, trim brush, 2" foam brush, 3" trim paint roller handle, 3" trim paint roller, paint can opener, and a 3 in 1 painters tool. Some kits also includes wooden paint stirrer.
These various additions, including paint roller frame, plastic tray etc., make this the best paint roller size for moderately textured walls or interior walls as you have multiple options of roller covers. Also provided is an 11” extension pole or extension rod making it perfect to be used as a ceiling paint roller.
These kits including paint roller frame are jam packed with all you’ll need to start your new hobby or finish your DIY home paint projects. For most standard projects you won’t need to buy anything else, save the paint, and complete the paint project.
This makes it the best paint roller for painting interior walls as you have everything you need in one place for your paint project. Starter kits like the Shur-Line will benefit the beginner or occasional painter the most.
You won’t need to figure out what individual tools to acquire as this is already done to accommodate the basics of simple painting jobs.
Relatively low priced kits like these can especially be used as “disposable” sets for the odd chance of needing to paint a room once a year or so without needing to invest a lot in different tools.
3. Stanley Premium Paint Kit - Best Roller for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
- EASY AND EFFICIENT: STANLEY Paint Roller...
- THE BEST IN BRUSHES: STANLEY Paint Brushes...
- ALL IN ONE SET: STANLEY paint kits are...
- PERFORMANCE IN ACTIONS: Since 1843, we’ve...
You’d be hard-pressed to find a starter kit better than this Amazon top-rated product. This is perhaps one of the best paint roller kits for those venturing into painting trim for the first time.
The relatively low cost makes this a good initial investment for hobbyists, as well as for completing small jobs.
This set contains everything you’ll need to get the job done with a finish you’ll be proud of. Included in this 8-piece paint set is a sturdy metal paint tray, a 9" 5-wire roller frame (9 inch roller), and two 9” ⅜ polyester rolls. The paint roller handle has threads, which allows it to be attached to an extender for harder-to-reach spots like ceilings.
Roller frames and covers come in several different lengths, There are two basic sizes of paint roller frames - large 9 inch roller frames and a smaller 4″ style roller frames. Decide which roller frames are to use depending on what you will be painting .
The large roller frames are better for big surfaces. Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller frames are ideal.
Quality paint roller frames use ball bearings to provide smooth rolling movement and a more perfect paint finish. Roller frames rotate smoothly to get very smooth finish.
Most will consider using this as a ‘one and done’ paint roller kit for the occasional room that needs to be painted. For the price, it does exactly what it should and will cover what most people need.
If you aren’t a fan of painting but need to do it anyway, a paint roller kit such as this can make your job much less painful.
4. Wooster Brush R242-9 Super - Best Roller for Exterior Painting
- Proprietary golden yellow fabric provides...
- Resists matting for complete coverage and...
- Green double-thick polypropylene core resists...
- For rough surfaces
Again, just what the paint roller covers, but well worth a buy. These 9” 1” or 9 inch roller covers are designed for semi rough surfaces or lightly textured surfaces and outdoor work, making them perfect for exterior painting. They offer a lovely, smooth surfaces and pick up paint very nicely.
You don’t need to worry about excess paint wastage with these, either – they have a high capacity for paint and make the most of all types. The coverage with these 9 inch roller covers is great, and these 9 inch roller covers help to resist cracking, giving you a great end result.
The double thickness of the fabric of 9 inch roller covers helps prevent any water damage, too, which is why they’re so great to use 9 inch roller covers outdoors.
They’re super durable, which means you can use them on pretty much any outdoor surface, from pebbledash to uneven wooden surfaces or lightly textured surfaces.
You don’t have to worry about any shedding, either, as these are anti-matting and offer a lump-free paint finish.
5. Wooster Brush R017-9 Sherlock - Best Roller for Painting Ceilings
- Wooster brush with 9 inch sherlock roller...
- Quick release spring prevents roller slippage...
- Smooth rolling internal bearings eliminate...
- Durable green fiberglass reinforced nylon...
The Wooster brush frame is a great choice for new and experienced painters alike. The Wooster comes in four selectable sizes – these being 4, 7, 9 and 14 inches. The various sizes allow you to choose the right one for the job, ranging from smaller detailing or trim work to larger-sized areas.
The roller frame features a polypropylene grip with reinforced threads and, very importantly, is compatible with an extension pole. Its compatibility with extension pole making it great as a ceiling paint roller.
If you are doing a lot of painting fence posts then use god quality roller frame. A quality roller frame with a comfort grip will keep your hand from cramping.
This high quality paint roller has smooth internal bearings preventing wear down and streaks when painting. A quick-release spring also locks the paint roller in place, stopping it from slipping off when you’re painting.
Paint in any direction and the paint roller cover will stay on. Even with its effective locking mechanism, at the end of the job the paint roller is easily removed in just one simple tap for a quick clean-up.
This is a very reasonably-priced product that does exactly what it says on the tin, and you’ll get years of service from it. Provided you keep it clean after painting, that is!
6. Wooster Brush R232-9 - Best for Epoxy Floor Paint
- The product is Epoxy Glide, 9", 1/4" Nap,...
- Easy and simple use kit, great pickup,...
- Shed-resistant fabric for all epoxies and...
- The product is manufactured in United States
Epoxy floor paint takes a bit more effort to get right than other paint types.
Using the right paint roller and roller cover makes a huge difference and will save you lots of time and energy.
This coating can be as much paint tougher to work with than regular paint, so take the time to set everything up and make things as easy as possible for yourself.
These 9” ¼” roller covers will work with most roller frame, and are well worth buying on their own. Roller cover is designed to work with epoxy, so are pretty resilient. This roller cover pick up the paint very easily and offer great coverage with no shed. You’ll need to have a roller, and end caps, handy.
I’d suggest going for a long-handled roller to make this roller cover. This roller cover really do stand up to a challenge, so are perfect for work with epoxy on rough surfaces or heavily textured surfaces.
7. Wooster Brush R730-3 Tiz - Best for Semi-Gloss or Enamel Paint
- Brushes, Rollers, and Trays
- Paint, Equipment and Supplies
- Country of Manufactury: Mexico
- Commercial Brand: Wooster
These roller covers from Wooster are ideal for using with enamel paint. They’re designed to leave a nice, smooth surfaces finish so work really well for gloss coatings with any semi-gloss paint you’re using.
The roller covers have been designed to limit lint-fall, which is crucial to getting a professional-looking end result and making the most of your paint.
These will fit to any standard roller frame - roller frame come as just three roller covers, so you’ll need to buy or dig out a roller frame! These measure 3” in length, so provide decent coverage.
The nap on these roller covers is relatively thin at 1/8” so you may need to recoat the paint roller every so often. That said, these work really well with oil-based enamel paints or oil based paints and are a total bargain.
They offer a lovely, smooth surfaces finish to compliment your paint. Take the time to apply the paint properly and admire your handiwork.
8. Wagner 0530010 SMART Sidekick - Best Electric Paint Roller
- INNOVATIVE PAINT ROLLER: The Wagner SMART...
- GREAT FOR LARGE ROOMS AND MULTI ROOMS: This...
- CONTINUOUS PAINTING: The roller allows for...
- PORTABLE: The lightweight, portable design...
If you’re looking for an automatic paint roller, the Wagner Smart Sidekick Roller is a great choice. No need to stop during your job to reapply paint from the paint tray with this one.
This power roller draw paint directly through a nozzle directly from the can to the paint roller handle, dramatically reducing the time it will take you to paint. The variable control settings range from 1-9 in terms of the flow of paint to the handle, and can be easily adjusted at your convenience.
This system comes with everything you’ll need to complete your painting project hassle-free. Included are two 9” Paint rollers suitable for smooth or rough or medium textured surfaces, and an 18” extension pole handle for harder-to-reach ceilings.
Use the ¾” nap roller for uneven and medium textured surfaces. Also included is a 3” SMART edge roller, which allows you to paint surface edges without the use of tape.
Using a power roller may not be worth it if you’re only painting one room or taking on smaller jobs as clean-up can take a while. However, if you’re a regular painter or have a lot of large areas to paint, strongly consider a power roller such as the Wagner.
This tool will make painting project much easier and quicker to get through.
How To Choose The Right Paint Roller For Your Job
There are so many paint roller options when it comes to painting project that it can be hard to narrow it down.
Think about the paint you’ll be using, as you’ll want a different brush for chalk paint than you will for acrylic paint. Brushes are not the best option for ceilings as they may leave brush strokes, and also they can make large jobs take a long time.
Rollers are perfect for many DIY jobs around the home and garden. They are the ideal tool for painting your ceiling for several reasons. You have a lot of control when it comes to mini rollers and, if you buy a good product, you’ll be getting the most out of your paint.
There’s not much paint wastage if you buy the right roller, and you get a nice, even coverage thanks to the amount of space you can cover with any one paint application.
Paint spray guns are handy (and fun) to have in your tool box as another option.
When it comes to sprayers vs rollers, the sprayers are an excellent option for medium to large sized projects. They allow a fair amount of control and help you reach tricky areas that rollers will often miss.
For big jobs such as outdoor walls or interior walls, go for an airless sprayer and make sure to check if you need to add on a compressor. I wouldn’t recommend a spray gun to paint your ceiling as it can be easy to over-spray!
Paint brushes are often a great choice for smaller, more intricate jobs. They give you a lot of control with the work you’re doing and are good multi-taskers.
Go for a range of paint brush sizes – one large brush is good for bigger rough surface areas, while small brushes are good for trim work and any details you want to add in.
Paint Roller Types Explained
There are a variety of types of paint roller and roller covers, all suited to different DIY jobs. I’ll run through the main types so that you have an idea in mind of what you should be looking for.
Foam rollers or foam roller cover are the best paint rollers that have an extra textured layer added to them.
Foam rollers or foam roller cover are great for adding a different ‘look’ to your paint work, so choose one of these if you’re after a certain finish on your wall.
You can find foam rollers or microfiber rollers that imitate the patterns found in wood, as well as pebbledash. The length of each paint roller cover varies, and these are often interchangeable once you already have a roller frame or cage.
The ‘nap’ of the good paint roller cover refers to the fabric density and form, essentially. They are made from synthetic materials, most of the time, but may be made from natural materials.
This is what will affect how much paint you can pick up, as well as how easily it applies the paint for you. The nap comes in different sizes, all of which are designed for different surfaces and textured surfaces.
I’ve shared the best roller covers and nap for many painting jobs above It’s important to get the right nap for each job – it will affect the coverage, amount of paint needed and overall finish.
One paint roller cover may be able to handle high-gloss cabinets but will fall apart and shed lint all over an epoxy project you’re working on.
The fabric used makes a big difference to the quality of your paint job, but so does the roller frame itself.
Some cheaper models are lined with cardboard which is fine until they get damp and disintegrate. Some rollers have a textured cage to create different patterns while you paint.
Handle length varies, too, so find a long-handled brush for a ceiling or go for a mid-length one to suit most paint jobs.
You can buy extension pole handles later on if needed! Bear in mind the weight of whatever paint roller handle or extension pole you go for – you don’t want to be holding something heavy above your head for long periods of time.
If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.
If your painting project hard to reach areas but don’t want to use a brush for whatever reason, get your hands on a mini paint rollers. These tend to be shorter and slimmer and will help you get into any nooks and crannies.
Be careful with your paint application here, as their shape and size may make it tricky to dunk or roll in a regular paint can or paint tray.
Use a brush to apply the paint from the paint tray if necessary to avoid wastage. Trim rollers or mini rollers are also widely available!
Choosing a Right Paint Roller Nap Length
Paint rollers have a paint roller nap, or the length of fibers that comprise their build.
Like a carpet, the right paint roller nap comes in various lengths. Low pile paint roller nap (1/4-inch nap) is designed to give you a smooth surface, even finish. It is ideal for painting ceilings without texture or making sure walls are smooth surface.
Medium pile (3 inch nap) is less common but will offer you more paint for painting surface to last a little longer and 3 inch nap will leave a slight texture on a wall.
You won’t be able to see the texture, but you can feel it after the paint dries. The 3 inch nap also gives a good blending effect with the light texture when you paint over it with a lighter color.
High pile (3/4” inch nap to 1-1/2” inch nap), or long thread rollers are used to give more paint texture to the walls. Instead of using a bristle brush to make texture patterns, high pile rollers are often used for a more even and thorough texture without a pattern or design.
How To Use Your Roller To Get a Professional Finish
Getting a professional finish can seem tricky, with many people turning to calling in an expert before they even get started! It’s not as daunting as it sounds, don’t worry.
Watch how much paint you’re coating your roller with. You want an even coverage on the paint roller in order to get an even coverage on your ceiling.
Don’t get sloppy halfway through and start splashing paint around in the hopes of getting things done quickly. Do things properly and you’ll end up with a lovely, smooth finish.
Be speedy but don’t rush! Ideally, your paint won’t dry while you reload your brush. The idea is to avoid an overlap mark, which is what happens when one patch dries before you can spread the paint into the next patch.
Work to keep the paint wet by having a decent sized paint tray and planning things out before you get started. Get the paint on the wall first and then worry about spreading it out and getting a nice, even coverage.
Try and keep things as clean and tidy as possible. The more dirt and debris you accumulate while you paint, the more likely it is that something will sneak into your paintwork.
This can be frustrating, but as long as you get any lumps or strange bumps out of your paint before it fully dries, you should be okay. This also depends on the quality of your paint and tools.
Opt for high quality paint and a decent paint roller – this way the paint roller won’t start to disintegrate while you work! You can buy mesh or textured screens for your paint roller trays to ensure a thin, fine paint, or keep the paint can covered to stop anything falling in and compromising its quality.
How To Easily Clean Paint Rollers
Take your paint roller apart, as this is the best way to ensure everything gets thoroughly cleaned. Make sure you do this somewhere sensible, as paint may get on to other textured surfaces or damage your sink.
Get rid of any leftover paint, either by rolling it onto another rough surface (outdoor or garage walls work well as they’re not normally looked at too closely) or onto old newspaper. You can also scrape off any dried paint with a knife – keep an old knife or kitchen utensil separate for this job alone, as it will likely get messy, too.
Rinse the paint roller fabric with warm water before applying washing up liquid to it. You can do this in a separate container or in a sink you don’t mind potentially getting dirty. Continue rinsing and lathering until the paint has all washed out.
For stubborn or oil-based paint, use acetone or another chemical such as denatured alcohol to get it all off. Leave the oil based paints roller to air-dry but make sure to dry any metal cages or roller frame you’ve washed in order to prevent rust build-up.
Paint Roller FAQs
How to paint a ceiling without roller marks?
If you don’t want the appearance of roller marks on your ceiling, the best thing to do is use a spray gun to apply the paint. If you have to use a roller, you will want to use thinner coats and change direction with each coat.
What is backrolling?
Backrolling is a process of using a roller to smooth out, and level paint after a spray gun has applied it. Most notably used on decks or ceilings.
Which is faster & easier, spray painting or using a paint roller?
The fastest and easiest method of painting walls and ceilings is with a sprayer. When you use a paint roller, while it is quick, you will need to go along the edges and tight corners or tight spaces with a brush and cut-in.
Conclusion
As a beginner or occasional painter, these Paint rollers are worth considering for any DIY jobs around the home.
We’ve focused on the best paint rollers to use for your ceiling, but have also offered up suggestions for tools to use when painting your floor and using a number of different types of paint.
There’s a huge range of products out there, so hopefully something has caught your eye, whether you’re starting to paint for the first time or are an experienced painter with many jobs to roller cover.