5 Best Ceiling Paints Review and Buyer’s Guide

The painting work usually comes with different challenges, such as splashes and drips. Although you might not want to imagine it, it at times gets messy. Therefore, it would be a game-changer if you would discover and purchase a ceiling paint that resists dripping and splattering and other possible common problems encountered by cheap paint brands.

Ceiling paints differ a lot and come with a variety of features, such as the provision of remarkable coverage. Nonetheless, if there is one thing that instantly sets apart a remarkable ceiling paint from others, it is the aesthetic value that it can offer through its color and texture.

So, in response to this, we took the liberty of reviewing some of the leading ceiling paints currently available in the market. And after testing them from various types of surfaces and applying them coat after coat, our group of experts gave their verdicts that hailed the five best ones for you.

With that, feel free to settle for any ceiling paint with the features that please you the most. Just click on the buttons below the products to get their best Amazon deals.

Table of Contents

Best Ceiling Paints Comparison & Rating

Ceiling Paints	Features
1. Prestige Paints Ceiling Paints	available in 317 colors 126 fluid-ounces comparable color based on the original color specifications
2. Rust-Oleum Metallic Ceiling Paints	available in 17 colors 32 fluid-ounce can cover up to 105 sq. ft.
3. Modern Masters Ceiling Paint	available in 51 colors 30 minutes drying time metallic paint with real metal particles
4. Homax Popcorn Ceiling Patch Ceiling Paint	polystyrene chips popcorn ceiling texture conceals scuffs, holes, cracks, holes, and other damages
5. KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking Interior Ceiling Paint	stain-blocking technology covers 250 square feet spatter-resistant formula

1. Prestige Paints Ceiling Paints

Prestige Paints Interior Paint and Primer In One, 1-Gallon, Flat, Comparable Match of Sherwin Williams* Dover White*

Specifications:

98% Overall

Brand	Prestige Paints
Dimensions	10.69 x 9.13 x 10.69 inches
Color	Available in 317 colors
Volume	126 fluid-ounces

96%

application

98%

retention

98%

features

97%

value for money

Pros:

Made a comparable color based on the original color specifications using industry-leading technology.
Comprises of 100% Acrylic latex paint. The Acrylic helps in ensuring easy clean-up of water and soap.
The application process is very smooth, making it ideal for use in bedrooms, dining rooms, family rooms, living rooms apart from the ceilings.
When you use this paint, you can clean gently with a non-abrasive cleaner after 14 days.
No need to use several coats for it to be effective. Just a single coat will be enough as it is quite heavy.
Self-primes over properly prepared uncoated drywall, stucco, plaster or previously painted interior surfaces.

Cons:

When using this paint, some colors might require more than a single coat to ensure complete conceal the surface.

Final Take:

The Prestige Paints Ceiling Paint is an ideal choice for ceilings. You can always clean ceilings painted using this paint using warm water and soap. It dries up within an hour. You can always recoat when necessary. The paint helps hide surface imperfections, such as dents, nail holes, or patches. Uses proprietary base paints and tints to create and match colors. Prestige Paints works with industry leaders in paint color to deliver the intended shade of paint it has been offering on its online advertisements. This is the reason why it is hailed as one of the most trusted brands in the field when it comes to color reliability.

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2. Rust-Oleum Metallic Ceiling Paints

Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint, Quart, Copper Penny

Specifications:

96% Overall

Brand	Rust-Oleum
Dimensions	3.5 x 3.5 x 6 inches
Color	Available in 17 colors
Volume	32 fluid-ounce

97%

application

97%

retention

96%

features

95%

value for money

Pros:

Features a simple one-step application with ease of soap and water cleanup.
Helps in adding an appealing touch on the ceiling of your house together with the furniture trim, doors, exterior, and interior parts of the house.
Can create a completely rich and iridescent finish that will shimmer when accented by light, ensuring a beautiful color is produced.
Quickly dry to touch in less than half an hour and can cover up to 105 square feet.
Water-based formula comprise mica beads for a great metallic look.

Cons:

Instead of a glossy effect, it sometimes delivers a soft glow look instead. This depends on the surface it is applied on.

Final Take:

The Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint an advanced water-based paint that offers a rich metallic finish for different types of projects such as ceilings, odors, furniture, walls, trim, and much more. It is a one-step paint finish that comprises real mica beads, ensuring it delivers a great shimmer effect whenever the paint is hit by light. The paint also brings a luxurious style and grand elegance to the surfaces it is used on. You just have to apply a maximum of two coats, and you will enjoy its maximum effect.

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3. Modern Masters Ceiling Paint

Modern Masters ME204-GAL Metallic Paint, Antique Bronze

Specifications:

96% Overall

Brand	Modern Masters
Dimensions	6.75 x 6.75 x 8 inches
Color	Available in 51 colors
Volume	Available in 6 fluid-ounce and 1 gallon

95%

application

97%

retention

96%

features

96%

value for money

Pros:

Great for ceilings and other interior surfaces like furniture, trim, walls, and much more.
Water-based formula is lead specified and comes with a very low odor together with a low VOC.
Requires only 30 minutes drying to the touch, and it can cover up to 400 sq. ft.
With real metal particles, traditional color pigments, and pearlescent, which ensures it creates a palette of shimmering and beautiful colors.
Offers a classy and semi-opaque satin metallic finish for an upscale appearance.
Metallic paint collection colors will never tarnish even when they are applied outside.

Cons:

Appears to be too thick; hence you might have problems applying it to the ceiling.

Final Take:

The Modern Masters ME204-GAL Metallic Paint is a perfect ceiling paint for a DIY project and high-end decorative finish or huge architectural specification. Just like any other modern master's paint in the market, this ME204-GAL Metallic Paint also has metal flakes inside. The metal flakes enable it to deliver a long-lasting performance. Apart from doing a better job, the paint uses a water-based formula that helps in ensuring durability. It will not matter whether you put it indoors or outdoors since it has weatherproof attributes.

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4. Homax Popcorn Ceiling Patch Ceiling Paint

Popcorn Ceiling Patch, White, 1 Quart., Ceiling Repair

Specifications:

95% Overall

Brand	Homax
Dimensions	5.1 x 5.1 x 5 inches
Color	White
Volume	1 quart

95%

application

94%

retention

96%

features

95%

value for money

Pros:

Can conceal scuffs, holes, cracks, holes, and other damages well making it impossible for someone to notice them.
Comes when it is already premixed and ready to use popcorn ceiling texture together with polystyrene chips.
You can easily and quickly apply it within a few seconds with non-mess, and it is also very easy to clean it up with water.
Can be used in repairing stained, damaged, and scraped acoustic ceilings, making it perform an extra other than just acting as a decoration paint.
You do not have to apply lots of paint hence you can use it to paint a large surface area on the ceiling when compared to other paints.

Cons:

Can easily be washed away if exposed to water for long periods of time. However, when used on ceilings alone, this paint will remain in good condition for a long time.

Final Take:

The Popcorn Ceiling Patch comes premised and ready to use, saving time consumed in preparing the paint. The paint is also ideal for use in repair and patching and not just for decoration purposes. It comes with an acoustic “Popcorn” ceiling texture and polystyrene chips that help carry out the invisible repair. This particular paint can create a distinctive texture, and its handy 1-quart size will always be enough to get large ceiling texture repairs.

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5. KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking Interior Ceiling Paint

KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking Interior Ceiling Paint, White, 1-gallon

Specifications:

94% Overall

Brand	KILZ
Dimensions	7.2 x 7.2 x 7.8 inches
Color	White
Volume	1 gallon

94%

application

93%

retention

95%

features

94%

value for money

Pros:

Unique combination of stain-blocking technology and coverage or dry time indicator.
Can dry to touch in 1-hour and recoat in 2 hours. When using it on all the interior ceilings, always use soap and water to clean your tools, hands, and spills.
Cover approximately 250 square feet for every gallon on porous surfaces and 400 square feet for every gallon on non-porous and smooth surfaces.
Provides great coverage for minor to moderate staining. You will just need 4 hours to make the maximum stain-blocking recoat.
You can easily apply this paint using a quality nylon/polyester brush or a 3/8"-1/2" nap roller depending on surface texture.
Rolls with the subtle color pink that turns to white when it dries within 1 hour.
Uses a spatter-resistant formula that can roll with lots of ease with low odor. This makes it an excellent choice for any room.

Cons:

Slightly thick, making it quite difficult to spread.

Final Take:

The KILZ color-change stain-blocking interior ceiling paint is a unique combination of stain-blocking technology together with a dry time/coverage indicator. It offers great coverage for water stains, color changes and helps in brightening drab ceilings. This paint rolls on with a subtle pink color that turns to white when it dries under an hour and recoats in 2 hours. Also, its paint offers great coverage for both moderate and minor staining. The paint is specifically formulated for ceiling applications. Its problem-solving formula helps in simplifying the painting process.

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Best Ceiling Paints - Buyer's Guide

Application

It is dependent on the type of ceiling. Rollers are the most common method of applying paint on regular ceilings that bear a smooth finish. Textured popcorn ceilings, however, run the risk of abrasion from rollers. In this case, spray guns provide the best alternative as they minimize contact with the surface.

preparation

Before painting, a primer may be required. However, this is optional if your ceiling is in good condition. However, primers are excellent at covering up minor blemishes and ensuring that the final coat is smooth and results in a fine finish.

Colors

The color of the ceiling holds the potential to make any room considerably roomier. Enhance the illusion of space while complementing the wall paints, especially in contrasting shades. Also, this is bound to catch anybody’s attention as it offers a high degree of aesthetic appeal.

Flat, matte finishes are usually reserved for ceilings. But trends change like the weather, and gloss and metallic finishes are fast becoming popular among customers.

Shine

The ceiling paint has specially composed for extra-glow on the surface. The price is also a huge difference between metallic and solid paints. The shining quality of the paint depends on its metal flakes or mica beads qualities. So, check whether these features include in the ceiling paints. If the paint includes these shining objects, then you will be an ultimate gainer.

resistance

Since ceiling paint can be used on indoor and outdoor surfaces, the resistance abilities of these paints are essentials.

Outdoor walls have to fight against adverse weather conditions and other forces. Thus, it demands high-weatherproof resistance capabilities, so it can survive and perform well.

Best Ceiling Paints - FAQs

What are the advantages of using single coat ceiling paint?

A ceiling is a type of surface that has unique properties. Although they do not have much exposure to harsh external environmental conditions such as sunshine, rain, moisture, and wind, in the long run, they all tend to crack due to aging concrete.
Also, the ceiling is located at a reasonably high position and out of reach of physical impacts, so the quickest and most effective option would be a single but durable coat.
Matte paints will effectively cover imperfections on the ceiling, and the varnish can usually create more open space for your room.

Are there specific paint chemicals that I shouldn’t use on a ceiling?

Truthfully, any kind of paint should work. Latex paints are considered ideal for ceilings, but there’s no truly wrong paint to use. The main difference to keep in mind is that ceilings are, well, more opposed to gravity than floors and walls; as such, you shouldn’t use stains or attempt to slather on thick layers of paint that may drip during the drying process. Remember that if your ceiling happens to be made from some form of decorative stone or masonry, adhesion will be even more important.

Is it okay to use wall and floor paints on ceilings?

For the most part, you should be fine to use these paints if you have them sitting around and don’t want to shell out for ceiling-specific paint. Ceiling paints are made of the same basic chemicals latex, acrylic, and so on but tend to focus on matte textures, surface adhesion, and lighter colors. The only truly important factor here is the adhesion since this is necessary for the paint to stick in the first place, but that’s easily circumvented by applying thin layers or spraying it on.

Should ceiling paint match the walls or floor, or is it okay to stray off the beaten path and switch it up?

It’s a contentious topic with a lot of variance in opinion. Some will tell you that you should always make the ceiling the same color or very similar to the walls while the floor can do its own thing. Others feel that the ceiling should be brighter than the walls to help facilitate light reflection and make the room feel more stately, spacious, and illuminated. As a general rule, you really shouldn’t aim for darker colors on a ceiling, but one supposes that it should conceal the horror in a home where water stains may frequently arise. Conversely, you might want to get the water issue checked out if it’s that bad.