Best Paint Primers For Your Next Painting Project

Using the best paint primer for your wall type is key to achieving smooth, flawless results from your DIY wall painting project, whether painting over that eggplant color you never cared for or starting with a completely clean slate. While it’s tempting to skip the extra step, priming your walls will allow the paint to apply and adhere better, helping you get the job done in fewer coats. You may spend more on material costs, but you’ll likely use up less of your wall color (not to mention your free time).

While wall primer is a wise investment, finding a tried-and-true brand and variety you can trust is still important. We’ve rounded up the best paint primer options in nearly every category to make your search easier. Don’t forget to consult your local interior painter for paint and primer advice before getting out your paint brush or roller.

Best Oil-Based Primers

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Oil-based primers are known for their excellent adhesion and stain-blocking capabilities. They are ideal for surfaces with stains or a high tannin content, such as bare wood and previously-painted surfaces. This primer type works well with oil- and latex-based paint, so it’s a versatile and trustworthy option.

You should also consider using an oil-based primer for painting projects that require a tight seal, like bathrooms. However, oil-based primers require mineral spirits for cleanup and have a longer drying time than latex primers.

For inspiration:

• KILZⓇ Original Interior Oil-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer

• ZinsserⓇ Cover Stain White Oil-Based Primer 

• Sherwin-WillamsⓇ ProBlock Interior Oil-Based Primer

Best Latex- and Water-Based Primers

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Latex or water-based primers are extremely versatile, and they clean up easily with water so they’re DIY-friendly to boot. They are great for most interior surfaces, including drywall, wood, and previously-painted surfaces. Plus, these primer types are less susceptible to peeling and cracking than oil-based primers.

Latex primers are also low in toxic fumes and quick to dry, so they’re perfect for getting a paint job done quickly. You can safely use latex-based primers on many surface types, such as brick, concrete, and galvanized metal, before tackling your painting project.

For inspiration:

• KILZⓇ Adhesion Interior/Exterior Water-Based Primer

• Benjamin MooreⓇ INSL-X Prime All Multi-Surface Latex Primer

• ValsparⓇ Expressions Latex Paint + Primer

Best Pigmented Shellac Primers

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Choosing the right wall color doesn’t have to revolve around covering up stains if you prime with a shellac-based primer. Shellac-based primers are excellent for blocking major stains, such as smoke damage and water stains, along with everyday stains from water, rust, and wood tannins. Using this heavy-duty primer will prevent any old discoloration from bleeding through the new paint coat.

Don’t sweat it: You can use shellac primers for oil- and latex-based paints. This primer type dries quickly and provides excellent paint adhesion, too. However, they emit a strong odor and require denatured alcohol for cleanup, which makes them more difficult to work with than latex primers.

For inspiration: 

• ZinsserⓇ B-I-N Shellac-Based Interior Primer and Sealer

• ZinsserⓇ Bulls-Eye Shellac Primer

Best Mold- and Mildew-Blocking Primers

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Primers that specialize in blocking mold and mildew are perfect for bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and other chronically-damp home areas. While it’s still important to find leaks and other moisture problems that could be causing major issues with water damage, the fungicides in these primers can kill spores on contact and help prevent them from coming back. Some mold- and mildew-fighting primers come in spray cans as well as paint cans.

For inspiration:

• KilzⓇ Mold & Mildew Interior/Exterior Primer

• Rust-OleumⓇ Mold Killing Interior/Exterior Primer

• ZinsserⓇ Mold Killing Interior/Exterior Primer

Best Low-VOC and No-VOC Primers

The key benefit of low-VOC and no-VOC primers is their reduced concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Responsible for that unpleasant and overpowering “new paint” smell, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that these compounds can have a negative impact on indoor air quality and lead to health concerns such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems. Choosing primers and paints with reduced (or no) VOCs reduces your exposure to these harmful organic compounds.

For inspiration:

• Zinsser Ⓡ Bulls Eye Interior/Exterior Primer Zero VOCs

• ClareⓇ Zero-VOC Interior/Exterior Primer

• PPG Paints Ⓡ Interior General Purpose Primer Zero VOCs