Are you looking for the perfect paint roller covers for painting your walls?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:
- What the different types of paint rollers for walls are
- What fiber style of paint roller you should use
- How to choose a quality paint roller for your walls
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 rollers for walls!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | Purdy White Dove Roller Cover 3-Pack
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | Wooster Brush Painter’s Choice Roller Cover 3/8 inch nap 6-pack
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best High End
| Best High End | Wooster Brush Pro/Doo-Z 3/8 inch nap rollers 6-pack
|
| View on Amazon |
|
| Microfiber Professional Grade 3/8 inch nap 9-pack Paint Rollers
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| PANCLUB Paint Roller 3/8 inch nap 6-pack
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On February 17, 2023
The classic Purdy White Dove Roller Cover pack has to be our top choice for painting walls.
Not only is this an excellent all-around set of paint covers for such a wide variety of painting projects, 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 Walls
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 paint rollers for painting walls! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types of Paint Rollers For Walls?
Paint rollers might seem like a super straightforward painting tool to work with, but not many people realize there are a ton of different styles of paint rollers.
That's exactly why we created this guide to help you choose the best paint roller for walls specifically.
So what makes painting walls with a paint roller different?
Well, honestly not much! The big differentiating factor here is something called the "nap." This is just painting speak for the length of the actual fibers on the paint roller cover itself.
It's dictated by how much fiber there is on top of the roller core, and this will determine the roller's overall ability to lay down paint on the wall with a good texture.
Roller 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:
- 1/2-inch nap is a great all-purpose roller cover for walls and semi-rough surfaces
- 1/4-inch nap is great for smooth surfaces like new walls, wood doors, and trim
- 3/8-inch nap is by far the best general nap style for painting walls, which is why all of our recommendations in this guide are 3/8-inch nap
- 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)
Roller Cover Length
The final criteria to look for is the actual length of the roller cover (measured end to end).
This will probably depend largely on the actual paint roller frame you have on hand.
The typical size of a roller (as you'll see from our list of recommendations) is the standard 9-inch roller cover.
But they can go up to 12-inches or bigger for covering larger surface areas, all the way down to mini rollers that are great for painting baseboards and crevices.
The size of the roller you choose is more of a preferential choice, and it will only matter based on how large or small the surface is that you're trying to paint.
However, a standard 9-inch roller will do most of the work you need to get done for a typical paint job.
Read More >> What Are The Ultimate Paint Roller Covers Out There?
What Are The Different Types of Paint Roller Covers To Choose From?
While choosing a paint roller cover might not make or break your painting job, choosing the right one will make it easier to get a fantastic paint finish.
Luckily for you, it's fairly simple to identify the right roller cover for you based on the paint project you're trying to finish.
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 material 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. This makes them an excellent candidate for painting walls which is why most of the ones on our list in this guide are synthetic or a synthetic fiber blend.
Foam Roller Covers
Foam roller covers are a more specific option that work well for a few particular circumstances.
For instance, foam covers are great at working with oil-based paints or high-gloss latex paints.
This also makes them excellent for working on porous surfaces like bare wood, cement, and brick.
So, depending on exactly what type of wall you're trying to paint, these might also be a good option to look into.
How Do You Choose A Quality Roller Covers For Your Painting Project?
When choosing a paint roller cover for your home improvement or DIY project, there are a few key factors to consider before you get started:
- What type of surface are you working with? (Bare drywall, previously painted drywall etc.)
- What type of paint are you working with? (Latex or oil-based)
- What kind of finish are you going for? (Smooth, textured, etc.)
- How big is the surface area you're trying to cover? (Small room, large room, etc.)
Your answers to these questions will ultimately determine the type and style of roller you should go with.
For instance, if you're trying to paint on extra tall interior walls with latex paint, you'll want to use a synthetic fiber cover that's either 9" length or longer so you can cover a larger surface area with less effort.
With walls in general, as long as you choose a nap length between 1/4" (for smoother walls) and 3/4" (for rougher walls) you will likely get some quality results.
But ultimately I would recommend sticking with a bigger brand name - such as Wooster, Purdy, Wagner etc. - since they generally make higher quality and shed-resistant paint rollers.
Read More >> What Are The Top Electric Power Paint Rollers Out There?
Our Top Picks For The Best Paint Rollers For Walls
Pick #1: Purdy White Dove Roller Cover 3-Pack
These Purdy White Dove rollers are just a fantastic addition to any painter's arsenal.
Whether you're a DIY fan or an experienced painter, this little 3-pack is an excellent choice for so many different painting applications.
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 3/8-inch nap, they're a great choice for most walls!
Pros
Cons
If you want a bigger pack of quality paint roller covers, check out these Wooster Brush painter's choice Roller Covers.
These covers are from one of the leading painting brands out there, and they're an excellent choice if you're working with a flat or eggshell style paint.
They're also not prone to matting or dripping, and they lay down paint on drywall and painted walls pretty easily.
Not only that, but they're super inexpensive for a pack of 6!
Pros
Cons
Speaking of Wooster...our high-end pick is these Wooster Brush Contractor 6 pack.
These babies are meant for professional use and they're labeled as "matting resistant" and shed-resistant as well.
If you're looking for a pack of high-quality roller covers that won't ruin your beautiful paint job as you go, look no further than this amazing 6-pack!
Not only are they fantastic at laying down paint without creating tons of splatter, they also work with many different types of paint and finishes.
Plus, many user reviews mention being able to use these for both exterior rough surfaces as well as interior smooth surfaces, so if you're on the fence with what nap style to go with for your project, these are a good all-around style to choose.
Pros
Cons
So, you need a bigger pack of paint rollers? Well pull up a seat and check out this 9-pack of professional-grade microfiber paint rollers!
These bad boys are designed with contractors in mind and they were created to provide a smooth finish on a whole variety of surfaces.
Not only that, but the company that makes them - Cascade Tools - offers a guarantee on their products, so if you're not happy with the quality of these paint rollers, you won't be left out to dry.
Ultimately, these are an excellent choice for both latex and oil-based paints and they work best on semi-smooth to smooth surfaces.
Pros
Cons
Our last choice is the PANCLUB Paint Roller 6-pack of professional 9" roller covers.
These roller covers are a great choice if you're looking to save a bit more money while still getting several paint rollers in a single pack.
Not only are these universal - meaning they work with all kinds of paints and stains - they also absorb the right amount of paint and release it where it's meant to be released: The wall!
While some users mentioned splatter being a problem, others felt like these put down a really nice coat of paint with a smooth finish.
Just remember, your results are always going to change based on the type of painting project you're working on as well as the type of paint or solvent you're using.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Purdy White Dove Roller Cover 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 Good Paint Roller For Walls
If you're just getting started painting walls as a DIY fan or you're a long-time home improvement painter, choosing a good paint roller for laying down paint on your walls is a good use of your time.
Ultimately, choosing the proper paint roller for a given scenario is a good learning opportunity, and as we went over in this guide, it's pretty easy to figure out which type and style to use once you learn the basics.
So, here's hoping you find the right paint roller for painting your walls and that your paint turns out great.
As always, happy painting!
