Best paint roller buying guide
When it comes to DIY decorating, you’re only as good as the tools you’re using. Painting is no exception.
If you’re not using the best paint roller for the emulsion or surface you’re working with, you’ll struggle to achieve a high-quality finish. You might even waste your money on a tool that isn’t fit for purpose.
That’s why we’re here to tell you everything you need to know before choosing paint rollers for your DIY projects. Keep reading to discover how to choose the best paint roller for different materials, paint types, and finishes.
How to choose the best paint roller for you
Repainting a room in your house? Upcycling some furniture? Giving the outside of your house a fresh new look? There are several reasons why you shouldn’t just pick up the first paint roller you see.
Matching your roller to the paint type and surface will stop you from wasting time (and money) on a tool that doesn’t suit the application.
Here are three top tips for choosing the best paint roller for your needs:
1. Understand pile lengths and their uses
Roller covers come in different thicknesses, also known as pile lengths. The thicker the pile, the more paint the roller will hold and the rougher the surface the roller is designed for.
Typically, pile lengths fall into these categories:
- Short (3–5mm) — high density, designed for smooth surfaces like modern walls and ceilings
- Medium (7–9mm) — medium density, designed for smooth or slightly textured surfaces
- Long (10–15mm) — fluffy, designed for coverage of textured surfaces like brick or concrete
- Extra long (18–26mm+) — extra fluffy, designed for rough masonry and deeply grooved or porous surfaces
2. Select the right roller material
The type of material your roller is made of matters. Different sleeves suit different surfaces and paint compositions. So it’s important to find one that matches your project to get a seamless finish.
Here are the most common paint roller materials and what they’re used for:
- Foam — best for a super-smooth finish on furniture
- Microfibre — suitable for smooth and lightly textured internal walls and ceilings
- Synthetic — great for achieving a fine finish with water-based paints
- Natural — perfect for oil-based paints and glossy finishes
3. Match the roller size to the application
The standard paint roller frame is about 9” wide. This is the ideal size for most interior paint jobs, such as coating ceilings and painting walls like a pro.
You can also get mini rollers that are around 4” in diameter. These smaller tools are perfect for getting into tight spaces and corners, helping you get an even and streak-free finish in any spot.
Equally, if you’re working on a big surface area, a large or ‘jumbo’ roller can help you complete the job in record time.
Best paint rollers for each surface
Best paint roller for walls
For interior walls, we’d recommend a medium paint roller. These hold a good amount of water-based paint to evenly coat surfaces and create a fine finish.
If you’re working on an exterior wall, try a thicker exterior paint roller that’s made from nylon or polyester. These synthetic materials are especially durable and will help you cover rough surfaces in no time.
Best paint roller for ceilings
A medium microfibre paint roller is a great choice for most smooth ceilings. Synthetic rollers are also suitable for ceilings with a little texture, picking up more paint for an even finish.
Top tip: Wondering how to paint a high ceiling without awkwardly standing on a chair? Try a paint roller extension pole to make the job easier, safer, and less physically tiring.
Best paint roller for skirting boards and woodwork
Skirting boards and woodwork, such as doors and frames, often have grooves and gaps that are difficult to reach with a larger roller. With that in mind, choose a short paint roller with a low pile length to get a streak-free finish.
If you’re using an oil-based gloss or satin paint, look for a mini foam roller. For water-based paints, stick with microfibre frame covers for better paint absorption.
Best rollers by paint type
Best paint roller for emulsion paint
Emulsion paint is commonly used in household DIY projects thanks to its short drying times and versatility. Apply it to smooth surfaces like plastered walls with a short pile microfibre roller, or choose a medium pile microfibre roller for any other interior walls and ceilings.
Microfibre rollers tend to minimise splatter, which is great news for anyone painting their interiors!
Best paint roller for gloss paint
High-density foam rollers are best suited to applying gloss paints. They create a stunning, wipeable high-shine finish.
Opt for a small 4” roller when painting your kitchen cabinets, radiators, and trims. These nifty painting tools will give you the control you need to work in small sections and get a perfect finish.
Best paint roller for satin and satinwood paint
For flatter satin and satinwood paints, get a high-quality finish using a microfibre paint roller. Alternatively, you might choose a natural wool cover to create smooth surfaces on doors, banisters, walls, and more.
Whichever you choose, make sure it has a short pile length to deliver an even application without leaving marks behind.
Best paint roller for matt emulsion
Give a smooth, even finish to your walls and ceilings using matt emulsion paint on a foam or synthetic paint roller.
A short-to-medium pile thickness should allow you to pick up enough paint to do the job efficiently. Try to get a lint-free one if you can; bits of dust and material trapped in your surfaces would ruin your new look!
Best speciality rollers for professional finishes
Best paint roller for a smooth finish
The shorter the pile length, the smoother the finish! Thinner piles hold less paint compared to fluffier rollers. This ensuresan extra-smooth and precise coating on walls, doors, and cupboards.
As for materials, microfibre rollers are great for a range of interior painting projects. However, if you want to achieve the sleekest possible finish for woodwork, skirting boards, and furniture, pile-free foam roller sleeves are the top choice.
Best mini paint roller for detail work
Mini paint rollers are perfect for tasks like tidying up around windows or adding patterns to feature walls. Paired with a small angled brush, these tools are essential for precision painting.
When selecting your mini paint roller, consider what pile length will work best with the surface. For example, if you’re painting the edges of a stucco wall, a long pile mini paint roller will help you get an even finish. On the other hand, if you’re adding the finishing touches to a door frame, you might choose a mini microfibre roller for a sleek result.
Best paint roller for cabinet and furniture painting
Foam rollers are best for painting kitchen cabinets and furniture. The surface texture of these items tends to be smooth, providing the ideal canvas for a pile-free roller to work its magic.
The result? A flawless, bump-free, and high-shine finish using either oil or water-based paints.
FAQs
Do you have a burning question about choosing the best paint rollers for different projects? See if we’ve answered it here:
What roller do professional painters use?
Professional painters will have several types of roller in their painting kit. That’s because using the right roller size, material, and pile length for the surface is key to getting a high-quality finish.
Browse our full collection of paint rollers here.
Which paint roller gives the smoothest finish?
Dense foam rollers give the smoothest finishes. Their smooth, fibreless surfaces do a great job of distributing thin layers of paint - without leaving streaks or texture behind. However, as foam rollers aren’t suitable for rough surfaces, we’d recommend a medium pile polyester roller for exterior walls.
Is a foam roller better for painting walls?
A foam roller is great for painting walls if you want to create a smooth finish using high-gloss or satin paint. For textured walls or larger areas, opt for a synthetic polyester or microfibre roller with a medium pile.