By Michelle Ullman and Debbie Wolfe | Updated Feb 1, 2022 8:59 AM
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There are many do-it-yourself projects that allow for scrimping on costs without any negative effects on your results—painting, however, is not one of them. For a professional-looking paint job, you need to start with quality tools.
You’ll likely reach for a paintbrush when cutting in or painting trim, but covering the bulk of the wall or ceiling with paint becomes a speedier and much simpler job when you use a paint roller. Not only that, but the right roller-and-cover combination works to spread paint smoothly and evenly so you aren’t left with brushstrokes, patchy spots, or other imperfections.
Paint rollers and covers are simple and generally quite affordable tools, but there are many options to choose from. We tested the top roller covers and frames on the market. Our guide explains what to consider and what to look for, and it offers details on our favorite picks among the best paint roller-and-cover options available.
A roller frame—the skeleton of this reusable painting tool—is basically a comfortable plastic handle connected to a roller cage (the part of the frame that slips inside the roller cover). Typically, roller cages have plastic caps at either end supporting the compression metal “ribs” that fit inside a cover and hold it securely in place, but you’ll also find roller frames with sturdy plastic cages.
Roller frames are sold in sets with covers for convenience, but you have more control over the quality of your supplies when you purchase them separately. When comparing frames, look for these optional features:
Roller frames and covers come in several different lengths, and while most frames come in a fixed roller width, some of the large ones are adjustable in size, using small clips or prongs to secure the cover instead of a cage. You’ll need to match the lengths of your roller frame and cover if you want to do the job right.
Covers come in five common material options, which vary in terms of what paint they work best with, how much they hold, and the texture they create.
You’ll also want to consider the core of the roller cover; a good one is made from some type of resin or plastic. Cheap rollers have cardboard cores, which don’t hold well and often come apart after just a few uses.
The nap of a roller cover refers to the length of its fibers—yet another important decision to make based on the project at hand. Different naps are good for different surfaces. As a general rule, the shorter the nap, the smoother the surface you’ll use it on. Using a long nap on a smooth surface tends to create a bumpy finish, while a short nap on a rough surface will often tear apart or shed fibers into the paint.
With those key features and shopping tips in mind, we’ve spent hours narrowing the market to its top-rated products. We put the top picks through serious testing, and any of these recommendations for the best paint rollers should suit your needs.
New and seasoned home DIYers will appreciate the value and quality of Stanley’s eight-piece painting kit. Stanley is a well-known tool brand that offers reliable tools at an affordable price. This paint kit features a 9-inch roller frame, two 9-inch roller covers, a 3-inch roller frame and extra cover, 2-inch trim paintbrush, metal paint tray, and plastic liner—all the tools needed to take care of most of your home painting needs.
This kit performed remarkably well in testing. The roller covers are designed to be used on any smooth or lightly textured interior or exterior surface. In testing, we found that latex paint (in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss) went on smoothly, leaving no lint behind. Although the roller frames were not the main object in our tests, we did think it was well made, ergonomic, but heavy. Overall, we liked these roller covers (and the kit) very much and feel it’s well worth the purchase for any DIY home painting project.
Get the STANLEY PTST03508 8 Piece Paint Kit on Amazon and at Walmart.
Wooster is a well-known paint tool brand for DIYers and professionals alike. Its Pro/Doo-Z roller features a proprietary fiber called Doo-Z, which is made from interlocked, dense fibers similar to microfiber that resist shedding, dripping, and spatter. These rollers are perfect for use with all paints, enamels, and varnishes in sheens from flat to gloss.
In testing, the Pro/Doo-Z roller cover produced the smoothest finish of all the rollers tested. The rollers used in our test are designed for use on semi-smooth surfaces. However, even when we rolled it onto a smooth wood surface, it produced a smooth, lint-free finish. The downside to this roller cover is that it was the most expensive roller cover we tested. However, its dense fabric holds up to cleaning, so if you want to reuse it, you can!
Get the Wooster Pro/Doo-Z Woven Roller Cover at The Home Depot and at Ace Hardware.
The Bates 11-piece set includes various paint tools to complete most home and crafting projects. The kit features a 9-inch roller frame with two covers, a 4-inch roller frame with two covers, a 2.5-inch angled sash brush, one 2-inch high-density foam paintbrush, a metal paint tray, a paint can opener, and a wooden paint stirrer.
We liked all the extra tools included in this set, especially the paint stirrer and paint can opener. In testing, we found that the roller frames rotate smoothly, which made it easier to apply an even, smooth coat of paint. The rollers have a ½-inch nap, meaning they’re designed to pick up a lot of paint, so they’re better suited for textured surfaces like wood paneling, painted brick, or concrete. We found that the only major drawback was that the roller cover was tough to remove from the frame after painting. However, this kit is a fantastic deal for all the tools and the quality of the roller covers.
Get the Bates Paint Roller Kit at Walmart or on Amazon.
This pack of 20 roller covers would be great to keep on hand for tackling small paint projects around the house such as touching up walls, painting baseboards or trim, or smoothing stain over furniture. The True Blue 4-inch roller covers are microfiber and have a ⅜-inch nap, which is well suited for most lightly textured surfaces. The rollers apply paint smoothly, without leaving behind any annoying lint or fibers. Match the roller covers to your favorite 4-inch roller frame.
We like that this roller is suitable for epoxies, latex paints/stains, and oil-based products. Overall, True Blue’s professional roller covers worked very well on lightly textured and smooth surfaces. The microfiber covers left no lint behind on the surface. However, microfiber holds a lot of paint, so there is the danger of drips after loading. We had to run the roller over the ridges on the paint tray several times to redistribute the paint on the roller.
Get True Blue Professional Paint Roller Covers on Amazon.
The FoamPRO Finish 2-inch roller is made of high-density foam that leaves a beautifully smooth finish. Because of its size, the foam roller is ideal for painting fence posts, furniture, or other small, oddly shaped items. The little roller is also perfect for painting trim, moldings, door frames, or tight corners.
In testing, we found that the roller glides very easily over any type of smooth surface, including drywall, wood, and metal. However, it did not perform well on any surface with the slightest texture. It is a finishing roller, and it does a great job providing a smooth, final finish. It’s a good foam roller to have on hand for DIY painting projects.
Get the FoamPRO 82, 2″ Finish Coater Mini Roller on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
One of the drawbacks of painting a ceiling is the unavoidable paint spray. The Shur-Line Roller and Shield is a 9-inch roller with a plastic shield that wraps around the back of the roller cover. This design allows you to load the roller with paint, and it catches any paint spray that flies off the roller while you work. The tool comes with an ⅜-inch nap roller and features a threaded handle for use on an extension rod.
In testing, we found that loading the roller was easy, and it did reduce paint splatter. There are two red end caps that are removable to allow you to use them on a new roller cover. Removing the roller was not tricky, but inserting it did take some effort. Although the roller frame does not have ball bearings, it did roll smoothly. The only drawback is that the shield does not allow you to paint close to edges.
Get the Shur-Line 3510 9-Inch Roller and Shield on Amazon, at Walmart, or at The Home Depot.
Textured surfaces require a long nap to apply paint in all the nooks and crannies. The Wooster Brush Painter’s Choice Roller Cover features a ⅜-inch nap and is designed to apply flat and eggshell paint on textured surfaces. The economically priced pack features six roller covers.
In testing, we found that the roller covers performed as intended. These rollers are only for use on textured surfaces, but we did test them on smooth surfaces to see if they could possibly be multiuse. However, the Painter’s Choice Roller cover did not leave a smooth finish whatsoever. The rollers also leave a little bit of lint. This roller is best for masonry or ceilings.
Get the Wooster Painter’s Choice Roller Cover (6-Pack) at The Home Depot.
A quality roller cover deserves a quality frame, and that’s just what you get with this 9-inch model. The molded grip feels good and stays secure in your hand, while the fiberglass cage has a quick-release spring that keeps your roller cover secure while you’re working, then releases it with a tap when you’re ready to clean up. Use any 9-inch cover with the frame.
Overall, the roller frame moved smoothly and easily accepted all the 9-inch roller covers we tested. Removing the rollers was easy, and we thought the handle felt very comfortable, but it was thinner than the other roller frames we tested. Overall, it’s a decent, inexpensive roller frame to have on hand for any painting project.
Get the Wooster Brush BR006-9 Acme Roller Frame at The Home Depot, at Walmart, or on Amazon.
The STANLEY 8 Piece Paint Kit came in as our top pick because it’s an all-in-one kit that has everything needed to complete most paint projects. We liked the smooth finish the roller left behind on lightly textured surfaces. Consider the Wooster Pro/Doo-Z Woven Roller Cover for a professional-level finish. These microfiber rollers left the smoothest finish of all the 9-inch rollers tested.
We tested the paint roller covers according to an established rubric, including material type, size, and coverage criteria. We rated the rollers on a scale of 0 to 4 to determine their score.
We used each roller with flat and semi-gloss paint and applied it to the surfaces recommended by the manufacturer. Once each coat of paint was applied, we examined the coverage. Next, we looked at the surface to see if the roller left behind any lint. Also, if applicable, we evaluated the ergonomics of the roller frames and determined how smoothly they rolled. Finally, how well the roller’s core held up with cleaning was taken into consideration during testing as a bonus feature, but we felt that should not affect the roller’s overall painting performance.
For more information on choosing the best paint roller, check out the answers below to some of the most commonly asked questions about these products.
Professional painters do not use one specific type of roller; rather, they use the correct roller for the surface they are painting. Microfiber rollers hold more paint and produce the smoothest finish, which makes them popular among professional painters.
The best roller for walls depends on the wall’s surface. For smooth, untextured walls, a roller with a ¼-inch nap is best. For lightly textured surfaces, including most interior walls, a roller with a ⅜-inch nap is good.
Rollers with a ⅜-inch nap will paint over most lightly textured surfaces.
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