A New Coat of Paint Is a Snap With These Paint Rollers

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If you’re tackling a DIY painting project, you’re going to need at least one paint roller on hand. These handy gadgets allow you to apply paint quickly and easily, and their soft roller covers don’t leave streaks or brushstrokes like paintbrushes sometimes do. Although paint rollers are most commonly available in nine-inch versions, you can also purchase four- and even two-inch options, which are much more convenient for use on smaller workpieces and in tight, awkward areas. They’re also relatively cheap, so the time saved will definitely be worth the investment.

Painting your house? Check out our picks for the best paint sprayers, paintbrushes, and drop cloths.

The Best Paint Rollers

• Best Overall: Pro Grade Paint Roller Set

• Best Automatic Roller: Wagner Spraytech Smart Sidekick Powered Roller

• Best for Small Projects: Nanja Foam Paint Rollers

• Best Soft-Grip Roller: Wooster Brush 501 Roller Frame R501-9

• Best Extension Pole Kit: Hosko 6-foot Paint Roller Kit

What to Consider

The first thing to consider when choosing a paint roller is what size is best for you and your project. For larger tasks, like painting an entire room or ceiling, a nine-inch roller is the most efficient. Smaller jobs, like painting cabinetry or flipping furniture, requires a smaller roller for more control.

Decide which type of roller cover to use based on what you’re painting. The soft material that surrounds the roller cover is called the “nap” and lets you know how much paint it can hold. Longer naps can absorb and hold more paint, and are great for rough surfaces, like bricks or cinderblocks; shorter naps are better for smoother surfaces, like interior walls or cabinetry.

Foam rollers are designed for smooth surfaces, perfect for small trim jobs, but these rollers are disposable, so they won’t hold up well after a single use.

How We Selected

I’ve been using paint rollers for as long as I can remember and have experience with everything from small foam rollers for priming furniture to full-size models for ceilings and walls. I used this experience to help curate this list of options, and made sure to include brands that we know to be high-quality, like Hosko and Wagner. We also kept in mind the wide range of projects you can use paint rollers for, so we took care to include options that could be useful for any size job.

Paint Roller Set

If you’re starting from scratch and want a low-cost painting kit, this 10-piece roller set from Pro Grade could be the perfect fit. It includes everything you need to get started, including both 9-inch and 4-inch rollers, ensuring that you’ll be prepared for a range of painting tasks.

You also get two pairs of ½-inch nap roller covers that are easy to wash and reuse for later projects, and three sash brushes for tackling edges and trim work. The 9-inch roller can also accept an extension handle, which is always a nice perk.

Smart Sidekick Powered Roller

It wouldn’t be practical for those who don’t have a big painting project coming up, but if you do, and you’re comfortable spending the money, this Wagner roller could save you a significant amount of time and energy.

Its electric motor pumps paint directly from the can to your roller, eliminating the need for time-consuming paint tray refills, allowing you to continuously roll without interruption. The threaded handle can be used with any extension pole, and thanks to the 16-foot paint hose, will be able to reach high walls and ceilings without issue.

Foam Paint Roller Kit

If you’re planning on tackling a smaller-scale painting project or just need to access areas that a larger roller wouldn’t be able to reach, this kit could be a great choice. In addition to the 4-inch roller, it also includes 10 roller covers—five foam and five fabric—so you’ll be prepared to use both oil- and water-based paints.

However, it’s important to note that this roller handle is not designed to fit a threaded extension handle, so it won’t be suitable for reaching elevated areas unless you’re comfortable on a ladder.

501 Roller Frame R501-9

If you’re in need of a high-quality roller that’s built to last, this Wooster model could be just what you’re looking for. Our favorite feature of this model is its soft, ergonomic handle, which is not only comfortable to use for long periods of time, but also provides a solid and sturdy grip while you roll.

We’ve been using Wooster paint products for years, and have always had a good experience when it comes to their durability and quality construction. This roller also uses an additional layer of material at the bottom of the handle, making it less likely to bend or crack when using an extension pole.

6-Foot Paint Roller Kit

This Hosko roller kit includes a 6-foot extension pole, making it well-suited for extra large painting projects with hard-to-reach areas. The adjustable pole can also be customized to your preferred height by simply removing sections until you reach your desired length. If 6 feet is longer than you need, the handle is also available in a 4-foot version.

One drawback to this kit is that the roller handle does not use a threaded connection to the pole, so you won’t be able to use a different roller if you lose or break this one.

20-Piece Small Paint Roller Set

This kit wouldn’t be ideal for larger jobs—you’d want a 9-inch roller for those—but if you’re just tackling smaller, detail-work like cabinetry or staining, this kit could be the perfect fit. In addition to the 4-inch roller covers, it also includes a pair of extra-small 2-inch options, perfect for working on narrow or tight areas, or for crafting projects like stenciling.

Those rollers, plus the 2-inch brush, should have you prepared for both large and small precision jobs. You also get five disposable tray liners, which should make cleanup a breeze.

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