Top 5 Best Ceiling Paints (2023 Review)

Last Updated On May 19, 2023

Are you looking for the perfect paint for your ceilings?

You've come to the right place!

In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:

  • What you need to know about painting ceilings
  • What style of paint you should use for painting ceilings
  • How to choose a quality paint for your ceilings

And much more!

Top 5 Best Ceiling Paints (2020 Review)

Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use paint for ceilings!

Image Product

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Prestige Paints Interior Paint And Primer In One Ceiling Paint
  • Paint and primer combo
  • Durable
  • Comes in multiple finishes
  • Paint and primer combo
  • Durable
  • Comes in multiple finishes
View on Amazon

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Glidden Latex Ceiling Paint Flat Interior
  • Excellent at hiding stains
  • Spatter resistant
  • Low odor
  • Excellent at hiding stains
  • Spatter resistant
  • Low odor
View on Amazon

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KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking Interior Ceiling Paint
  • Great for color changes
  • Self-priming
  • Works on smooth or textured ceilings
  • Great for color changes
  • Self-priming
  • Works on smooth or textured ceilings
View on Amazon

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INSL-X Color-Changing Ceiling Paint
  • Easy cleanup
  • One gallon covers 300-400 square feet
  • Hides imperfections
  • Easy cleanup
  • One gallon covers 300-400 square feet
  • Hides imperfections
View on Amazon

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Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Latex
  • Double cover technology
  • Comes in multiple sizes and finishes
  • Dries quickly
  • Double cover technology
  • Comes in multiple sizes and finishes
  • Dries quickly
View on Amazon

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Updated On May 19, 2023

Our top choice ceiling paint is the epic Prestige Paints Interior Paint and Primer In One.

This stuff is a great choice for pretty much any ceiling you're working on and it comes in multiple white and off white paint colors. Plus it also comes in almost every finish out there from semi-gloss to eggshell to a flat finish.

Prestige Paints is notorious for making high-quality paints, and this one goes on so smoothly and creates an amazing finish. It's truly one of the best ceiling paints on the market right now!

What Are The Different Types of Paint For Ceilings?

While ceiling paint is not terribly different than normal paint, there are a few key differences in paint that is specifically formulated for painting ceilings.

For instance, if you're painting the ceiling in the bathroom or the kitchen, you'll want to go for something that is stain-blocking and water-resistant to ensure it can handle any moisture or humidity it's exposed to.

However, if you're painting the living room, you can get away with almost any flat white paint.

For the purposes of this article, though, I'll be recommending the top ceiling paints on the market right now for creating a beautiful finish on your ceilings.

Beyond that, there are a few different types of paints to choose from when looking for a ceiling paint.

Paint Finishes

One of the first things to decide on is what type of paint finish you're looking for.

Paint finishes determine how shiny and reflective your finished result will be. 

Below are the standard finishes most people use when painting ceilings listed from least glossy to highest gloss:

  • Matte
  • Flat
  • Eggshell
  • Semi-gloss
  • Satin

Choosing the right paint finish for your project will just depend on what overall look you're going for.

My personal suggestion is to go for higher gloss finishes in bathrooms and stick with flat or eggshell for the rest of the house, but like I mentioned it's mostly based on personal preference and the room feel you're going for.

Paint Colors

The next factor you need to decide on is the color you're going to paint your ceilings.

While most people go for bright white paint on ceilings, you can use any color you want!

However, most paints on this list are going to come in a range of white colors that have an undertone that gives them a different feel.

You'll just want to make sure you're choosing a color that will work with the color that's on the walls and if you're choosing an off-white paint color, choose one with an undertone that will make that wall color pop.

Read More >> What Are The Ultimate Paint Roller Extension Poles For Painting Ceilings?

How Do You Choose A Quality Paint For Ceilings?

Ultimately, choosing the right ceiling paint for your project will be based on these key factors:

  1. What type of ceilings are you painting on (popcorn ceilings, flat ceilings, etc.)?
  2. What look are you hoping to achieve (ceilings that pop or ceilings that blend)?
  3. Where are you painting (bathroom, kitchen, living room etc.)?

The project you're working on will turn out best if you take these factors into consideration and choose a paint that will best meet your needs!

Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Roller Covers For Hiding Imperfections?

Did you know: Paint rollers were invented in 1940 by a Canadian man named Norman Beakey. He wanted to make a way to apply paint much more efficiently, so he developed the first prototype of the paint rollers we use today.

Supplies You'll Need For Painting Ceilings

Before you dive into painting ceilings, I did want to mention a few key supplies to stock up on before you get started because ceilings are a bit of an undertaking compared to standard paint jobs:

  • Drop cloths - these are absolutely essential to avoid paint splatter
  • Extension pole - this is almost guaranteed to come in handy
  • A ladder - obviously, you'll need a good ladder to get the job done (especially without an extension pole)
  • Paint tray - this will come in handy, especially if you don't use a powered paint roller
  • Painter's tape - always make sure to use tape to make it easier to cut in without making messes

Now that you've got a good idea of what you'll need to get started, let's talk about the best paint for ceilings!

Our Top Picks For The Best Ceiling Paints

Prestige Paints Paint and Primer In One Ceiling Paint is a fantastic latex paint for painting ceilings.

This paint goes on so smooth and because it's latex paint it's very easy to clean up.

If you're looking for a great paint for all of your ceilings, this paint can provide an amazing finish in multiple ceiling paint colors, so it's a durable and versatile option for your next home improvement project!

Pros

  • Paint and primer combo
  • Durable
  • Comes in multiple finishes

Cons

  • This paint is on the thinner side
  • Some customers said they needed to use a primer to get the best finish (which we recommend, even when it's a paint + primer combo)

Our next choice is this incredible Glidden Latex Ceiling Paint that is spatter resistant and low-odor.

This paint is a fantastic option if you're on a budget and still want a stain-blocking white ceiling paint.

This stuff is excellent at hiding surface imperfections and is a fantastic flat paint that will give you an amazing paint finish, even if you're a DIY painter.

While this one doesn't come in multiple finishes, it will do an excellent job at creating a flat ceiling finish that is low sheen and tasteful. 

It's exactly the type of paint you want when working on creating a pristine finish on your ceilings!

Pros

  • Excellent at hiding stains
  • Spatter resistant
  • Low odor

Cons

  • A little on the thick side
  • Takes a bit of a learning curve to get perfect coverage

Our high-end choice is the epic KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking  Interior Ceiling Paint that is specifically formulated to help you change your ceiling's color.

This paint is a fantastic choice if you're looking to create a quality ceiling finish with very little dry time.

Especially if you're trying to cover up the old color and create that bright white finish on your ceilings that you're looking for.

Not only that, but it will cover up surface imperfections and block water stains from peeking through as well!

Pros

  • Great for color changes
  • Self-priming
  • Works on smooth or textured ceilings

Cons

  • Some customers felt the color wasn't as white as they wanted
  • Takes some skill and practice to paint without roller marks

This INSL-X Color-Changing Ceiling Paint is a fantastic acrylic paint that is easy to apply on both smooth ceilings as well as textured ceilings.

This one in particular is a flat white ceiling paint that hides surface imperfections and creates a beautiful, high-quality look for your newly painted ceilings.

It's can also help you change the color of your ceilings if you're looking to change the room feel in one fell swoop!

Pros

  • Easy cleanup
  • One gallon covers 300-400 square feet
  • Hides imperfections

Cons

  • A bit on the pricey side
  • Slower dry time (2 hours)

Last but certainly not least is the amazing Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Latex flat paint.

This paint is versatile and high-quality paint for all sorts of DIY and home improvement projects, not just ceilings.

But, it is a fantastic option for painting ceilings because it's formulated with double cover technology that creates a beautiful flat finish with ease.

Not only that, but it works for both indoor and outdoor applications, and it has a quick dry time as well!

Pros

  • Double cover technology
  • Comes in multiple sizes and finishes
  • Dries quickly

Cons

  • Some customers said it dried to more of a blue-ish tinted semi-gloss rather than a perfect flat white

Our top choice is still the amazing Prestige Paints Ceiling Paint because this stuff is affordable and specifically formulated to work for painting ceilings.

This stuff is versatile and easy to clean up, so you won't be stuck with paint all of your hands.

Not only that, but it comes in so many colors from bright white to beige, you're sure to find a paint color and finish that works for your ceilings!

You can find the lowest price now on Amazon!

Final Thoughts On Choosing A Good Ceiling Paint 

Whether you're a complete novice when it comes to painting ceilings or a seasoned pro, choosing the right paint can go a long way to making your project turn out great!

I'm confident that any of the paints on this list, if applied properly, will help you create a beautiful look on your newly painted ceilings!

It's just a matter of choosing the best one for your unique situation and then making sure to follow some of the painting tips above to ensure you get a high-quality end result.

As always, happy painting!

Meet Your Pro Paint Corner Author

Madison Rude

Madison Rude

I’m kind of a painting nerd. My mom taught me how to paint when I was nine, and since then I’ve painted rooms, furniture...you name it. I’ve written technical advice for Wagner sprayers, and I’ve spent a lot of time DIYing my own home. I’m no expert, but I love to learn. And here at ProPaintCorner, I learn more about painting every time I work with one of our painting pros to bring you the best product reviews and How To advice available. Together, let’s make your next painting project the best it can be!

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Madison Rude

Madison Rude

I’m kind of a painting nerd. My mom taught me how to paint when I was nine, and since then I’ve painted rooms, furniture...you name it. I’ve written technical advice for Wagner sprayers, and I’ve spent a lot of time DIYing my own home. I’m no expert, but I love to learn. And here at ProPaintCorner, I learn more about painting every time I work with one of our painting pros to bring you the best product reviews and How To advice available. Together, let’s make your next painting project the best it can be!

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