Interior Paint · Tool Face-Off

Sherwin-Williams Emerald vs Behr Marquee

Quick answer

Both are premium one-coat paints, but Sherwin-Williams Emerald edges ahead on washability and finish quality, while Behr Marquee wins on price and availability at big-box stores.

Our pick

Sherwin-Williams Emerald

The pro's darling — silky, durable, and worth every penny

4.6★

Behr Marquee

One-coat promise at a price that won't make you cry

4.3★

Price per gallon

~$95–$105

~$50–$60

One-coat coverage claim

Yes (most colors)

Yes (guaranteed)

Sq ft per gallon

350–400 sq ft

Available finishes

Flat, Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss

Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss

Scrubbability

Excellent — rated Class 1

Good — rated Class 2

Sold at

Sherwin-Williams stores only

Home Depot (nationwide)

Paint + primer

Yes

Stain resistance

Industry-leading

Very good

VOC level

Zero VOC (tinted may vary)

Dry time (recoat)

4 hours

2 hours

Color palette size

1,700+ colors

~1,000+ colors

Pro contractor discount

Yes (up to 40% off)

Limited / store credit only

Sherwin-Williams Emerald

Low VOC / Eco★★★★☆

Finish Quality★★★★★

Color Selection★★★★★

Coverage & Hide★★★★★

Value for Money★★★½☆

Ease of Application★★★★½

Washability & Durability★★★★★

Behr Marquee

Low VOC / Eco★★★★☆

Finish Quality★★★★☆

Color Selection★★★★½

Coverage & Hide★★★★½

Value for Money★★★★½

Ease of Application★★★★½

Washability & Durability★★★★☆

Worth knowing

Emerald's Class 1 scrub rating means it withstands 10,000+ scrub cycles — basically toddler-proof.
Behr Marquee offers a one-coat color guarantee — rare in the industry and backed by Home Depot.
Sherwin-Williams runs frequent 30–40% off sales, which can close the price gap significantly.
Behr Marquee's 2-hour recoat time is twice as fast as Emerald's, great for weekend warriors.
Consumer Reports has ranked both paints in the top tier for interior paints multiple years running.

Sherwin-Williams has over 4,500 retail stores — meaning there are more SW paint shops in the US than there are McDonald's in many states. Yet people still say it's hard to find.

If you want

You have kids, pets, or high-traffic walls

Emerald's Class 1 scrub resistance genuinely outlasts Marquee on walls that take a beating.

→ Pick Sherwin-Williams Emerald

If you want

You want the best bang for your buck on a big project

Marquee costs roughly half as much per gallon and still delivers true one-coat coverage.

→ Pick Behr Marquee

If you want

You need paint today and live near a Home Depot

Home Depot's ubiquity beats hunting for a Sherwin-Williams store on a Sunday afternoon.

→ Pick Behr Marquee

If you want

You're a pro painter seeking color accuracy and finish perfection

Emerald's massive palette, better flow, and contractor discounts make it the trade favorite.

→ Pick Sherwin-Williams Emerald

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Behr Premium PlusVSSherwin-Williams SuperPaint

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Sherwin-Williams Emerald vs Behr Marquee

Sherwin-Williams Emerald

Behr Marquee

Worth knowing

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