We evaluated paint roller covers based on their durability, smoothness of application, and versatility. Our top choice, the Purdy White Dove Woven Paint Roller Cover, lays down a smooth, perfect coat of paint. Here are the top roller covers in a range of categories most likely to interest the DIY painter. There’s a reason even professional painters love this woven Dralon polyester paint roller cover: It lays down a smooth coat of paint over just about any reasonably smooth surface without leaving behind lint, streaks, thin spots, or blotches, and it won’t splatter or splash paint while you work. You’ll get top-notch results, even if you are new to DIY painting. It’s truly a multi-purpose roller cover. Use this roller cover with any latex or oil-based paint, stain, varnish, or sealer over walls, doors, trim, cabinets, ceilings, floors, even metal. The 3/8-inch nap glides over smooth to semi-smooth surfaces, including drywall, paneling, and concrete. Best of all, you get a pack of three at a very reasonable price. These roller covers are washable for reuse, and are the standard 9-inch size. They slip on and off any standard paint roller frame.
These 9-inch sleeves—you get a pack of five—are made of microfiber that lays down a smooth coat of paint without shedding. Use these sleeves on just about any smooth-to-slightly-textured surface, and with any type of paint, stain, or varnish. You can wash and reuse the sleeves, but at this bargain price, you might simply choose to toss them once the project is finished. Use these roller covers with any type of paint on doors, cabinets, furniture, walls, paneling, and even ceilings that aren’t too heavily textured. Note that you’ll want to use less pressure than with a traditional synthetic roller sleeve to avoid paint splatters or drips. When you’re finished, wash up the foam cover with water, let it dry, and it’s ready for your next project. The cover is made of high-quality, 100% natural lamb shearling that is soft, dense, and thick enough to roll out a perfect coat of paint. And while this is a great roller cover for oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes, it also does an excellent job with all types of latex or water-based products. The roller cover is a standard 9 inches in length. The foam rollers won’t shed any lint into the wet paint—that can be a major problem when working with glossy finishes—nor will they leave roller marks. The 4-inch size is ideal for doors and cabinets, and the roller covers fit any standard 4-inch roller frame. You get a pack of six roller covers. The roller cover is made of a thick, multi-slit foam with a 9/16-inch nap to cover uneven textures without crushing the popcorn texture. The standard 9-inch roller sleeve works with any standard roller frame, and can be used to apply any latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint. Use these roller covers for any type of interior surface that’s smooth or lightly textured: walls, ceilings, kitchen cabinets, furniture, and even floors. Because microfiber holds a lot of paint, you’ll get your project done quickly. Once finished, you can clean the sleeves for future use, or just toss them; they are very reasonably priced. Use these roller covers with any paint, enamel, or varnish, even those with a high-gloss finish. Remember that you’ll need a 3-inch roller frame to use these covers. You get a package of two sleeves. Keep in mind that you can’t maneuver an 18-inch roller as easily as a 9-inch roller when painting around trim, outlets, and other obstacles: This big boy is best used for large stretches of unobstructed surface. You’ll also need a roller frame large enough to handle it. Purdy makes an adjustable frame that stretches to 18 inches, look for it sold separately. These sturdy knit polyester roller sleeves have a 3/4-inch nap that stands up to the wear-and-tear involved in painting rough surfaces, so you can get your project completed quickly, and with the professional-looking results you desire. You get a pack of two sleeves. Use the 9-inch roller cover with any latex or oil-based paint. The synthetic fabric loads an impressive amount of paint, so you can get the job done quickly, but won’t shed or splatter as you work. These small roller sleeves are made of 3/8-inch nap microfiber that picks up and lays down quite a bit of paint without excessive shedding, splattering, or smearing. Use them with any type of latex or oil-based paint over smooth to semi-smooth surfaces. You get a pack of 10 sleeves at a very reasonable price, making these the perfect covers to keep on hand for quick painting tasks. Synthetic roller covers made of polyester, nylon, or a blend of synthetic materials, are the most common types. These sleeves do an excellent job of laying down a smooth, even coat of paint over most interior wall surfaces, as well as doors, trim, furniture, and non-textured ceilings. Microfiber roller covers, which are made of a very fine polyester, are especially good for smooth surfaces and glossy finishes. You’ll notice that there are knit and woven synthetic roller sleeves. As a rule of thumb, knit covers are best with low-sheen paint finishes, such as flat and eggshell, while woven covers are best with high-sheen, gloss finishes, as woven covers are the least likely to shed lint onto the wet paint. Natural lambswool is best suited to oil-based paints, although some painters also prefer it for latex paints, as the wool holds a lot of paint and releases it smoothly, even over rough surfaces. Foam roller sleeves are good for applying varnishes and sealers over wood, but you can use them to apply paint as well. Foam roller covers are especially good for very smooth surfaces and even for painting metal.
Nap
The nap of a roller cover is the thickness of the material. As a general rule, the higher the nap, the more paint the roller will hold and the easier it will be to cover rough surfaces. It’s important to consider nap when choosing your roller cover. As a general rule, if you are painting interior walls with fairly smooth surfaces, your best choice of nap is 3/8 inch to 1/2 inches. These are the most common naps. For very smooth surfaces, however, or when using paint with a glossy finish, a lower nap of 1/4-inch will create the smooth, perfect finish you’re aiming for. If painting rough surfaces, choose a higher nap for the best results. Stucco and rough wood requires a nap of 3/4-inch to 1-inch for the best coverage, while very rough surfaces such as concrete, brick, and stone can go even thicker with a 1-1/4-inch to 1-1/2-inch nap.
Size
Paint rollers and paint roller covers come in a range of sizes designed for different purposes. If your project is a simple one, such as painting one or more average size walls, a 9-inch roller, which is the standard, is your best choice. But for working in tight spaces, painting trim, maneuvering in a corner, or cutting in around the ceiling, a smaller roller is useful. For trim, a 2-inch or 3-inch roller is best, while a 4-inch or 6-inch roller is useful for a wide range of smaller projects. If you’re painting a wide stretch of wall, fence, or ceiling, an equally large roller will get the job done quickly. You’ll find oversize rollers from 12 inches to 18 inches, but keep in mind that it’s harder to maneuver these large rollers around edges, trim, or window frames.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she considered dozens of paint roller covers, evaluating each for effectiveness, ease of use, and feedback from customers, as well as her own experiences carrying out numerous DIY painting projects. She also received advice and suggestions from Geoff Cook, owner of Handyman Connection of Pensacola and Lisa Rickert, CEO and Creative Director at Jolie Home.
