TL;DR: Behr (The Home Depot) edges out Valspar (Lowe’s) at the premium tier, while Valspar competes hard on entry-level price and color selection. Fun twist: Valspar is owned by Sherwin-Williams. Here is how the big-box brands really compare, coat for coat.
If Behr vs Sherwin-Williams is the heavyweight title fight, Behr vs Valspar is the big-box grudge match. One anchors the paint aisle at The Home Depot, the other at Lowe’s, and for a lot of homeowners the choice of paint comes down to which parking lot is closer. Our crews have brushed, rolled, and sprayed both brands across hundreds of Northeast Ohio rooms, so here is the honest comparison before your next weekend project.
The Quick Verdict
Tier for tier, Behr’s mid and premium lines (Ultra, Marquee, Dynasty) outperform Valspar’s equivalents on hide and durability, which is why Behr keeps winning independent ratings. Valspar fights back with attractive entry pricing, a huge color library, and very respectable mid-tier products. If you are already standing in Lowe’s, Valspar Signature will do a fine job in most rooms. If the stores are equally convenient and you want the stronger can at the same price point, Behr usually gets our nod.
Who Actually Makes These Paints?
- Behr is owned by Masco Corporation and sold exclusively at The Home Depot. One brand, one store, one lineup.
- Valspar has been making paint since 1806, and since 2017 it has been owned by Sherwin-Williams. Its retail home is Lowe’s, where it sits alongside HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, another brand from the same Cleveland parent company.
So when you compare Behr and Valspar, you are really comparing Masco’s paint division against a Sherwin-Williams brand positioned for the big-box shopper. That explains a lot about how each is priced and marketed.
Product Lines Compared
- Entry level: Behr Premium Plus vs Valspar 2000. Valspar 2000 is a legitimate budget option for low-traffic spaces and ceilings, but Premium Plus hides better and scrubs better for only a few dollars more.
- Mid tier: Behr Ultra vs Valspar Signature. This is the closest matchup. Signature levels nicely and comes in effectively any color you can imagine. Ultra edges it on stain resistance and one-coat hide over similar colors.
- Premium: Behr Marquee and Dynasty vs Valspar Reserve. Marquee’s hide and scuff resistance are hard to beat in the big-box world; Reserve is good paint but rarely tops the comparisons at this price.
- Exterior: Behr Marquee Exterior and Ultra Exterior vs Valspar Duramax and SeasonPlus. Both survive Ohio weather when applied over sound prep, but we see fewer early failures from the Behr exterior lines.
Price and Value
Both brands play in the same band: roughly $25 to $40 per gallon at entry level, $40 to $60 in the middle, and $55 to $75 at the top, with regular holiday rebates at both stores. Valspar’s entry products often undercut Behr’s by a few dollars, which matters on a whole-house repaint. Where the math flips is coverage: if a thicker premium paint covers in two coats instead of three, the more expensive gallon is the cheaper project. We walk through that whole calculation in our roundup of budget paint brand picks if you want the numbers.
Performance on the Wall
- Hide and coverage: Behr’s premium lines are among the thickest-bodied paints in retail. Valspar generally needs the full two coats where Marquee sometimes gets away with one over a similar color.
- Application feel: Valspar is a bit thinner and easier for beginners to spread without rope marks; Behr rewards a fuller roller and a wet edge. Either way, good quality paint brushes and roller sleeves matter more than most people expect.
- Touch-up and scrubbing: Behr Ultra and Marquee take repeated scrubbing better. Valspar Signature touch-ups blend acceptably in flat and eggshell finishes.
Where Does Glidden Fit In?
Shoppers comparing the big-box brands often ask about Glidden too. Glidden is PPG’s budget retail brand, sold at The Home Depot and Walmart, and it sits a clear tier below Behr and Valspar’s mid lines. Glidden Essentials is bare-bones ceiling-and-closet paint; Glidden Premium and Diamond are serviceable for bedrooms and low-traffic walls. If the choice is Glidden vs Valspar at similar prices, Valspar’s better hide usually wins. If it is Glidden Diamond on clearance vs full-price anything, the clearance can is a fair play for a rental refresh.
Which Should You Buy?
- Whole-house repaint on a tight budget: Valspar 2000 or Signature on sale, and spend the savings on prep supplies.
- Busy family rooms, hallways, kitchens: Behr Ultra or Marquee for the scrub resistance.
- Color-driven projects: Valspar’s library and Lowe’s sampling make experimenting easy, and any brand can color-match a chip you love.
- Exterior in Northeast Ohio: Behr’s exterior lines, or step up to a dedicated paint-store product. Our full Behr vs Sherwin-Williams comparison covers when that upgrade pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valspar made by Sherwin-Williams?
Valspar is owned by Sherwin-Williams, which acquired the company in 2017. The products are formulated and positioned separately from the Sherwin-Williams store lines, with Valspar aimed at Lowe’s shoppers.
Is Behr or Valspar better for exterior painting?
In our experience Behr’s exterior lines hold color and resist peeling a bit longer, but on an exterior job the prep, primer, and weather window during application matter far more than which big-box can you choose. A great paint over chalky, unwashed siding will still fail early.
Is Valspar Reserve as good as Behr Marquee?
Reserve is a good paint, but Marquee’s one-coat hide over similar colors and its scuff resistance give it the edge in most head-to-head testing and in our field experience. If Reserve is deeply discounted, it is still a perfectly solid choice.
Does the brand matter more than the painter?
Honestly, no. Surface prep, primer choice, and technique decide how a paint job looks in year five. If you would rather have the whole decision handled, from product selection to the final walkthrough, take a look at the real-world cost to paint a house in Cleveland and get a feel for what a professional job runs.
Views Expressed Disclaimer
The views, opinions, and information presented in this article are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Chagrin Falls Painting Company. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Chagrin Falls Painting Company is not liable for any errors, omissions, or decisions made based on the content provided. Readers are encouraged to consult professionals for specific advice or assistance related to their unique circumstances.
