Are you looking for the perfect paint roller to hide imperfections on your walls?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:
- How to hide imperfections and create smooth walls
- What the different types of paint roller covers are
- How to choose a quality paint roller cover for hiding blemishes
And much more!

Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use a paint roller to hide imperfections!
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Purdy White Dove 1/2-inch Nap Roller Covers 3-Pack
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View on Amazon |
Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Wooster Brush 3/4-inch Nap Golden Flo Roller Cover
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View on Amazon |
Best High End
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Best High End
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Purdy Colossus Roller Cover 18-inch 1/2-inch Nap
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View on Amazon |
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Wooster Brush Super Fab Roller 1/2-Inch Nap
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View on Amazon | |
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Wadason 1/2-inch Nap Microfiber Paint Rollers
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View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 22, 2023
The classic Purdy White Dove Roller Cover pack is the best roller to hide imperfections.
Not only is this an excellent set of paint covers for such a wide variety of painting projects, but Purdy also has a great reputation for creating high-quality projects.
These roller covers, in particular, are marketed as the "Industry's Most Lint Free Roller Covers" and based on the reviews, they live up to that standard.
So, if you're looking for a high-quality 3-pack to get you through your next painting project, don't hesitate to grab a pack of these!
Top 5 Paint Rollers For Hiding Imperfections
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 paint rollers for painting imperfect walls! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
How Do You Use A Paint Roller To Hide Imperfections?
While it can be daunting to try to cover up blemishes on a wall with a fresh coat of paint, it's actually easier than you might think!
Of course, there are some prep work things you can do to ensure that any imperfections are as seamless as possible.
This would include things like:
- Using spackle on any holes or indentations
- Putting on a good coat of primer before starting your paint job
- Sanding any drywall mud or spackle well
- Choosing a soft paint color so any remaining imperfections aren't as obvious
However, if you can't do these things and you're just relying on the paint roller to hide imperfections, there are a few more things you can do.
For one, you can choose the right roller nap style for your given project.
Then, as you're applying the paint, make sure you only roll straight up and down - never roll sideways as this can cause the light to catch the paint in an odd way that actually highlights seams and imperfections.
As you roll on your coats of paint, also make sure you're keeping your roller saturated.
Never push the roller into the wall to "get more out of it" because this can actually create indentations in the paint surface that will also rob you of that smooth finish you're going for.
While it might be annoying to keep your roller cover fully saturated, it's an essential part of painting a wall like a pro.
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What Are The Different Types of Paint Roller Covers To Choose From?
While most paint rollers today can do a decent job with just about anything, choosing the proper roller cover for the job you're working on will always yield better results.
Luckily, it's pretty easy to learn how to identify which roller cover you should go with.
So let's go over some of the most common paint roller cover types below so you can learn how to choose wisely and get amazing, professional-looking results!
Natural Fibers
Natural fiber roller covers are often made of materials like mohair and lamb's wool that are excellent at laying on water-based latex paints.
These types of roller covers are very versatile and they can usually work on rough surfaces and smooth surfaces alike!
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fiber paint roller covers are much more common than natural fiber covers and they're often made of things like polyester and nylon.
However, just like natural fiber covers, synthetic fiber covers are versatile and can work on rough or smooth surfaces and they work well with latex paints as well.
Blended Covers
The final common type of paint roller covers is a synthetic blend.
These covers are typically made of a combination of polyester and natural fibers which make them even more versatile.
These are often a good choice for pretty much any project you're working on, which means they're a great option if you're just looking to keep some roller covers stocked in your toolkit.

Nap Length & Style
The "nap" of the roller is basically the thickness of the material the cover is made of.
These come in all different nap lengths ranging from a 1/4-inch nap all the way up to 3/4-inch nap, with 1/2-inch nap roller being the most commonly used style.
So how do you know which one is right for your painting project? Here are some basic rules of thumb:
- 1/4-inch nap is great for smooth surfaces like new walls, wood doors, and trim
- 1/2-inch nap is a great all-purpose roller cover for walls and medium rough surfaces
- 3/8-inch nap is by far the best general nap style for painting walls
- 3/4-inch nap is really high-density which makes it great for rough surfaces like textured walls, plaster, and brick (but it will soak up a lot of paint)
Since you're chief goal here is to cover up imperfections on your drywall or whatever surface you're working with, I'd recommend choosing either a 3/8-inch nap or a 1/2-inch nap.
These naps are meant for medium to rough surfaces and they do a great job of filling in holes, blemishes, and any other imperfections your wall might have.
This is because the roller nap is lower, which means it's less "fluffy" and can create a smooth finish texture.
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How To Choose The Right Paint Roller Cover To Hide Imperfections?
When choosing a paint roller cover for hiding imperfections, there are a few key factors to consider before you get started:
- What type of surface are you working with? (Drywall, brick, stucco, etc.)
- What type of paint are you working with?
- What kind of finish are you going for?
- How big is the surface area you're trying to cover?
Ultimately your answers to these questions will help guide you to the right roller cover for you.
For instance, if you're trying to paint on interior walls with latex paint, you'll want to use a synthetic fiber cover or a blended fiber cover.
Then, once you've decided on your ideal fiber, it's time to choose the nap length and style you want to go for. This will determine the ultimate look and feel of the paint finish on your project.
Read More >> How Do You Paint A Wall Like A Pro?
Our Reviews Of The Best Paint Roller Covers
These Purdy White Dove rollers are just a fantastic addition to any painter's arsenal.
Whether you're just into DIY projects or you're an experienced painter, this little 3-pack is an excellent choice for creating a smooth finish even on more textured surfaces.
They're some of the best shed-resistant roller covers out there with very few complaints of lint being left behind in paint.
And since they're a 1/2-inch nap, they're a great choice for most walls!
Pros
- Made from woven Dralon fabric
- Works with latex and oil-based paints
- Multiple pack sizes available
Cons
- Some consumers said these tend to "walk" during painting, meaning they start to shimmy off the roller frame over time
If you're looking for a good quality paint roller for under $10, this Wooster Golden Flo Roller Cover is an excellent option!
This roller cover has a great density that resists matting and is great with textured paint or textured walls.
Plus, it's a high-capacity fabric that is great for holding paint so you won't have to refill it quite as often.
It's a great choice for flat paints and does a good job for hiding imperfections.
Pros
- Works well on textured walls
- Best for flat paints
- Resists matting
Cons
- Some risk of splatter
Our top high-end choice is this excellent Colossus roller cover by Purdy.
This design is specifically formatted for working on semi-smooth to semi-rough surfaces and it works with all types of paint, including satin paint and eggshell paint.
Not only that, but it's also a workhorse when it comes to laying down a coat of paint with a smooth texture.
This style of paint roller from Purdy creates an amazing finish and because this one is 18-inches wide, it covers more surface area in less time, so if you have a big painting project ahead of you it's a great choice for that too!
Pros
- Made of Woven Polyamide
- Easy to clean
- Works well on rough surfaces
Cons
- Only works with the Purdy Pro-Extra 1-3/4" roller cage
Our next choice is the Wooster Brush Super Fab Roller because, well...it's Super Fab!
But seriously though, these rollers are fantastic at applying both flat and satin paints and they hold paint pretty well, too.
They're designed for semi-smooth surfaces but they'll still work well to hide imperfections as long as you follow the tips mentioned above.
Pros
- Resists matting
- Polypropylene core resists cracking
- Holds paint well
Cons
- Will apply some texture, so not great for a super smooth finish
Our final choice is this epic 6-pack of 1/2-inch nap roller covers for semi-smooth to semi-rough surfaces.
These ones are a high-capacity microfiber blend that's great for creating excellent coverage.
It also works with semigloss and eggshell paints too, so if you're looking for a great all-around pack of paint rollers, this is a great budget-friendly option.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Fits standard wire paint roller frames
- Best for semi-rough to semi-smooth surfaces
Cons
- Some users had problems with lint shedding
Our Top Pick: Purdy White Dove 1/2-inch Nap Roller Covers 3-Pack
Overall, our top choice is still the Purdy White Dove roller covers.
These have a history of being a really good paint roller at a reasonable price, and they're fantastic for painting walls specifically.
So if you're looking for a great pack of paint rollers to stock up on, you can't go wrong with these!
Plus, it's such a great value for the money. Find it at the lowest price on Amazon now!
Final Thoughts On Choosing A Paint Roller For Hiding Imperfections
Overall, hiding imperfections on walls doesn't have to be a big scary task.
It just comes down to prep work, finding the right paint roller for the job, and making sure you choose high-quality paint.
After that, it simply comes down to the proper application technique to hide imperfections from the eye.
No matter which paint roller from this list you choose, as long as you take the time to do a thorough paint job, your wall should turn out great!