Choosing the Correct Paint Brush
Just as you need to use the correct paint for your paint project, choosing the proper brush is equally important. How do you know how to choose the right brush with so many choices? The good news is that once you understand how brushes are designed and what each type is meant to do, selecting the right one becomes simple. Below is a clear, homeowner-friendly guide to choosing the perfect paintbrush for your next interior or exterior project.
Understanding Brushes
To select the right paint brush, it helps to understand what makes brushes different and why certain styles perform better for specific tasks.
Bristle Types
Paint brushes generally fall into three categories. Brushes are made with natural bristles or synthetic fiber bristles. There are also one-time-use foam brushes.
1. Natural Bristle Brushes
Made from animal hair, these brushes are soft, flexible, and excellent at holding oil-based coatings. Natural bristles help deliver a smooth, glass-like finish because they hold a lot of product and leave minimal brush marks.
They’re ideal for:
- Wood stains
- Clear finishes like polyurethane
- Oil-based paints, enamels, and varnishes
2. Synthetic Bristle Brushes
Usually made from nylon, polyester, or a blend of both, synthetic brushes are designed for today’s most common coatings. Synthetic bristles don’t absorb water, which helps the brush maintain its shape and stiffness. They also provide excellent control and precision—especially when cutting in around trim or ceilings. They are great for:
- Latex paints
- Acrylic paints
- Water-based enamels
3. Foam Brushes
A good budget-friendly option for small, simple projects. Because they’re difficult to clean well, foam brushes are considered disposable and best suited for quick, one-time tasks. Foam brushes work well for:
- Touch-ups
- Small craft projects
- Applying stain in tight areas
- Testing color samples
Brush Sizes
Brushes come in a variety of sizes, usually between 1″ and 4″. The handle’s length and the brush’s width are essential to consider for your project. Some come with longer handles, others with shorter, fatter handles.Choosing the right size depends on your surface:
- 1″–1.5″: Edging, small crafts, tight corners
- 2″: Trim, doors, windows, furniture
- 2.5″–3″: Most interior cutting-in work and wall edges
- 3″–4″: Large surfaces, siding, wide boards, exterior work
Handle shape matters too. Some have short, thick handles designed for control and comfort in tight spaces. Others have longer handles for extended reach—useful when painting high walls or exterior siding.
Brush End Types
The shape of the bristle end determines how the brush applies paint. Most pros rely heavily on angled sash brushes because they offer the best balance of precision and paint delivery. You have choices of brush ends that are straight across, also known as square cut, slanted, and rounded.
- Square Cut (Flat) – Best for broad, flat surfaces where precision is less important
- Angled / Slanted (Angle Sash Brush) – Ideal for cutting in around trim, ceilings, and edges; provides precision and clean lines
- Rounded and Tapered – Helps reduce brush marks and improves control for detailed work
Matching the Brush with the Job
Now that you know the types of brushes, which one works for which kind of paint job? Natural brushes are better for wood stain, varnish, and all urethane, enamel, and oil based paints. Synthetics are best for acrylic, latex, and alkyd paints. Foam brushes are best for small, quick projects or testing patches of paint. When done, dispose of them instead of washing them.
- Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes → Natural bristle brushes
- Latex and acrylic paints → Synthetic bristle brushes
- Small, quick jobs → Foam brushes
- For walls and ceilings, a 2.5″–3″ synthetic angled sash brush is the go-to choice for clean cutting lines. For trim and doors, a smaller angle sash or high-quality flat brush ensures a smooth finish.
- If you’re testing colors, keep foam brushes handy—they’re inexpensive and perfect for quick sample patches.
Common Paintbrush Questions
Are cheap paint brushes any good?
Less expensive paint brushes may look like more costly brushes; however, they can be made differently. Sometimes the bristles slide out and get stuck in your paint or on the wall. The metal ring holding the bristles can rust, and they may not withstand washing and clean very well. We suggest investing in a few high-quality brushes. You will get more use and better coverage for your money.
What brushes do pro painters and decorators use?
The professionals’ most popular paintbrush brands maintain shape, hold more paint, offer better control, and deliver a cleaner finish. The most trusted brands among pros include:
- Wooster
- Corona
- Benjamin Moore (their Ultra Spec and Red Feather brushes are extremely popular)
What paint brush gives the smoothest finish?
- A smooth finish is part brush, part technique. To improve results for the best finish:
Use the correct brush for your paint type
Mix your paint thoroughly
Sand and clean the surface before painting
Maintain a steady, light pressure
Make sure the first coat is fully dry before applying the next
Avoid overbrushing (going back over drying paint) - To achieve a smooth finish, you must use the right brush with the correct paint. Make sure your paint is thoroughly mixed. Prep your surface, so it’s clean and smooth. Make sure you have a decent amount of paint on the brush. Do not apply too much pressure, and ensure the first coat is completely dry before you apply the second coat.
If you’re still unsure which brush is best for your project, our paint experts are always available to guide you. We invite you to come in store and speak with one of our experienced team members today. We also have DIY events, product demonstrations for a hands-on experience and workshops for professionals. Learn more about it and sign up for product trainings here.