It’s so important to have the right tools when you are doing any kind of DIY project. The project that makes the biggest impact with little effort is painting. Today I will share the best paint brushes for latex paint so you can get a smooth finish every time.
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Different Types of Paint Brushes
Natural Brushes
Natural paint brushes are made from animal hair. These brushes are great for getting a smooth finish. If you are working with polyurethane or some type of topcoat, or oil-based paint this is the best paintbrush for you.
Synthetic Brushes
Synthetic brushes are made of nylon and polyester. These brushes are best to be used with latex-based paints. Latex-based paints are water-based and natural brushes will soak up the water making them less efficient. It’s best to use synthetic brushes with this type of paint.
Best Paint Brushes for Latex Paint
We have established that synthetic brushes are the best type of brush to use but there is more to it depending on what type of project you are doing.
The Best Paint Brush for Cutting In
When you are cutting in you want to have an angled brush. An angled brush will really help you get the right position so you can paint right next to the ceiling without getting paint on it.
In my opinion, Purdy makes the best paint brushes and this angled brush is my absolute favorite!
- Designed for use with all paints and stains
- XL brushes are highly recommended for both interior and exterior painting projects with all paints
- Each brush style has its own hand-chiseled formulation for maximum paint lift and smooth "no-drag" application
- The stiffness retention of XL brushes makes them especially high-performing for outside painting under hot and humid climate conditions
I recently reordered this brush because I had worn out my old one.
What I love about this brush is the angle, I can easily cut in around the ceiling, trim, and everything else without getting paint on them. I also love the width of it.
This brush is 2 1/2 inches wide and I find this is great when getting a smooth finish around where I cut in and around outlets and light switches.
My second favorite brush for cutting in would be this one from Wooster.
- Flexible purple Shergrip handle that measurers only 2 Inches long that adds maneuverability in tight spaces
- White nylon and gold polyester blend for all paints
- Brass-plated steel ferrule
- Package designed to peg hook brush by the handle and illustrate proper holding position
- Q3211 counter display carton has a full-color 9 Inch x 7 Inch sign
This brush is great because of the handle. It’s really easy to hold can really help your hand not feel cramped after a day of painting.
The width is also good on this one but what’s great is it’s a bit cheaper than the Purdy.
The Best Paint Brushes for Trim
When painting trim I always go with an angled brush. It’s a lot like cutting in, you need to be able to have control of where the paint is going and what direction it’s going in.
For painting trim, I like my paint brush to be a little bit narrower. It really depends on what type of trim you are working on. For me, most of the time trim is narrower therefore a smaller brush is better.
Here are my go-to paint brushes for painting trim. One is 2 inches and the other is 1 inch. Which one is better for you depends on the size of the trim you are working with.
- Designed for use with all paints and stains
- It has polyester blend bristles
- This professional quality paint brush is fashioned with a blend of nylox (dyed nylon) and polyester filaments
- The only solid, round, tapered filaments are used in this brush
- Its filaments are tipped and flagged by a special process to make them as close to naturally flagged bristles as possible
- Designed for use with all paints and stains
- XL brushes are highly recommended for both interior and exterior painting projects with all paints
- Each brush style has its own hand-chiseled formulation for maximum paint lift and smooth "no-drag" application
- The stiffness retention of XL brushes makes them especially high-performing for outside painting under hot and humid climate conditions
The Best Paint Brushes for Doors
If you are going to be painting a large surface and plan to use a brush then you want a flat brush. The best places to use a flat brush are doors, cabinetry, furniture, siding, and even walls.
A high-quality flat brush can give you the same finish as using a roller. Here are my top choices.
- PURDY NYLOX PAINT BRUSHES - Purdy Nylox brushes are designed to provide a smooth, flawless finish. These paint applicators will help you get the job done...
- DESIGNED FOR LATEX PAINTS - Featuring alderwood handles and stainless steel ferrules, these painting brushes are perfect for any interior project and work...
- SOFT BRISTLES - Made with 100% nylon filaments, the soft bristles are carefully tipped and flagged for long-lasting, quality performance. Perfect for the...
- IDEAL USES - Handcrafted in the USA with global materials, this Purdy paint brush is ideal for interior windows, doors and trim.
- PURDY - From the first Purdy brush built in 1925 to the wide range of painting supplies and products we make today, one thing has stayed true - our...
- Soft brush tips provide a smooth and even finish with all latex and oil-based paints
- White nylon and gold polyester with chisel trim
- Brass-plated steel ferrule
- Pearl-yellow solid plastic beavertail handle
- Soft brush tips provide a smooth and even finish with all latex and oil-based paints
Summary: The Best Paint Brushes for Latex Paint
As you can see Purdy is my all-time favorite paint brush brand. They are very high quality, and as my mother used to say, you get what you pay for. The last thing you want is to have bristles coming off onto your walls and being there forever! That will not happen with Purdy.
Other paint posts you might be interested in:
- 11 Must-Have Supplies for Painting a Room
- 5 Tips on Choosing the Perfect Paint Color for your Home
- 2021 Paint Colors of the Year
- The Best Paint Roller for Cabinets and Furniture
As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.