Sherwin-Williams Emerald Review

As our paint review series continues, we break into the top tier with Sherwin Williams Emerald. Emerald is Sherwin Williams’ top-of-the-line paint product, and we put it through rigorous testing to see how it truly holds up. We did the same with its two closest competitors, Benjamin Moore Aura and PPG Ultralast to see which one came out on top.

Read below as we compare these products’ coverage, durability, and price to learn why Sherwin Williams Emerald is our favorite paint product at the moment.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS EMERALD FEATURES

• Top-tier stain, water-spotting, and burnish resistance
• Durable and washable finish 
• Anti-microbial agents to prevent mold and mildew
• 300-350 square feet per gallon

COVERAGE

Coverage refers to how much the paint covers a surface per gallon. Emerald’s coverage is pretty standard fare. It’s better than the coverage on Superpaint and Duration, but it doesn’t quite keep up with the coverage on its closest competitors, Benjamin Moore Aura and PPG Ultralast. 

According to Sherwin Williams’ fact sheet, Emerald has a coverage of 350-400 square feet per gallon. But in our field experience, this number is much closer to 300 square feet/gallon. That certainly isn’t a poor amount, and like we said still performs better than Superpaint or Duration. However, Aura and Ultralast can easily get 350-400 square feet per gallon of paint. 

Coverage isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to paint, though. Applying more paint allows the product to shell up better, creating a smoother and more durable surface. That’s where Emerald really shines, as it shells up a lot better than the other two products.

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DURABILITY

Durability is where Emerald rises above the competition. In our testing, we scuffed the product with our feet, ran our fingers along to burnish it, and even bumped it with our shoulders. We also took a magic eraser to the paint, which is something you should never, ever do. 

Emerald performed exceedingly well here. Not only were there no scuffs or burnishing from the tests, but even the magic marker didn’t remove any paint. We wouldn’t recommend pushing your luck on that, but it does highlight just how durable the paint is. Benjamin Moore Aura and PPG Ultralast also held up quite well, but they were a bit more prone to burnishing. 

PRICE

Sherwin Williams Emerald is priced pretty competitively, especially when you consider this is one of the best paints you can get on the market. At retail, you can get Emerald for $75. That’s just a pinch more than PPG’s Ultralast ($70), and a whopping $15 cheaper than Benjamin Moore’s Aura ($90). 

Contractors can usually get these products for well below the retail price too, and those savings are passed on to the client when you work with them. 

SHERWIN WILLIAMS EMERALD IS THE GOLD STANDARD

Sherwin Williams Emerald is the best product you can get at this price point. It doesn’t have the absolute best coverage and PPG Ultralast is a bit cheaper. But you are getting an incredibly durable product that is formulated to resist mold and mildew. It’s an excellent interior product that will last for 10-12 years or longer. 

In short, Emerald is the best paint product you can get right now, and it’s our go-to choice for any client looking for the highest quality look and finish. 

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