Review of Benjamin Moore Regal Select vs. AURA Interior Paint

Both Regal Select and AURA paints are high-performance products, ideal for use throughout the home’s interior and exterior. The technology behind AURA and Regal Select interior is very similar, but the differences become apparent when you look at the coverage, performance, color availability, and sheens for each line of paint.

Let’s look at the winner in each category and explore what sets these paint products apart:

Coverage

Both Regal Select and AURA are high-quality interior paints formulated for solid, smoother coverage compared to standard lines of paint. However, AURA is an ultra-premium formulation that does not need a separate primer coat in most situations. AURA is self-priming on most surfaces and when covering all but the darkest of paint colors.

Regal Select is also self-priming, but requires a primer coat on unpainted surfaces and when making dramatic color shifts. Since AURA paint offers slightly better coverage than Regal, it can cover some walls in a single coat. So while AURA is pricier than Regal, the difference in cost is only significant if you need a large quantity of paint, or if you’re doing the work yourself. If you’re paying a professional painter, painting fewer coats helps you save money on labor. Superior coverage is one of the reasons it makes sense to buy either a premium paint like Regal Select or an ultra-premium paint like AURA.

 

Durability Performance

Known for their washability, both Regal and AURA are durable enough for busy families. Regal Select paint is washable, but also stain resistant so it releases soil without heavy scrubbing. However, AURA is recommended for high-traffic areas because it not only creates a scrubbable surface, but also contains scuff-resistant properties. Repeated cleaning is less likely to create shiny areas (known as burnishing); the AURA paint formula also prevents color rub-off.

Color Technology & Options

Both Regal and AURA interior paints are made using the Benjamin Moore's proprietary Gennex® water-based pigment formula, which offers superior depth of color and vibrancy. AURA paint also incorporates Benjamin Moore’s ColorLock® Technology, which embeds the pigment in binding molecules that lock the color into the paint film. This technology offers superior resistance to color rub-off, UV damage and fading. It’s the reason many contractors and homeowners think Benjamin Moore AURA is the best paint on the market today.

While Regal Select paint can be mixed in any of Benjamin Moore’s standard collection of 3500+ colors, AURA offers even more options. The AURA Color Stories collection consists of 240 full-spectrum colors with enhanced depth and vibrancy. While most paint lines only use two or three, ColorStories hues are mixed using five to seven pigments.

 

Interior Paint Sheens

Paint sheen is the term we use to describe how much light reflects off the painted surface. Paint sheens (also called finishes) range from flat to glossy with a few options in between.

• Flat paint is good at hiding surface imperfections and delivers beautiful color; it’s typically used on walls and ceilings. Easy to touch up.
• Matte finish is a richer flat finish with a velvety-looking surface; it’s ideal for walls and ceilings. Easy to touch up.
• Pearl and Eggshell are easier to clean and offer rich color with a slight glow. They are used to give interior walls a more elegant finish.
• Satin has a soft gloss that wipes down easily; it’s a practical choice for interior doors and trim. Use this quality paint in entry areas, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
• Semi-Gloss is more moisture resistant and easy to clean; this medium gloss finish is popular for doors, interior trim, or high traffic spots that need frequent cleaning, like bathroom walls.

Both Regal Select and AURA are available in a range of sheens to suit almost any project. AURA comes in Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss. Regal Select offers more options: Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Pearl, and Semi-Gloss. Neither of these paint lines have a high-gloss option; for doors and cabinetry in high-gloss, check out Benjamin Moore Advance interior paint.

 

Now that we’ve explored the differences between AURA and Regal Select interior paints, we can look at the features side by side to see how different they really are:

Benjamin Moore Premium Paint Technology

Both AURA and Regal Select interior paints contain Benjamin Moore’s proprietary acrylic resin formula. Designed to replace oil and latex paints with a cleaner formula, acrylic resin is the basis for Benjamin Moore’s safer and healthier Low-VOC and Zero-VOC paint products. It was engineered to form a substantial film on the very first coat, filling minute surface imperfections and leveling up beautifully. This unique formula uses less paint, and creates a durable coating with superior depth of color and lasting sheen.

 

Regal Select and AURA interior paints also contain more volume solids than other paints. Volume solids are the pigment and binder molecules left after the other elements evaporate and the paint dries. Premium paints contain higher quantities of pigment and binder to provide more complex, richer colors and superior durability. More than forty percent of AURA and Regal paints come from quality solids.

Benjamin Moore designed a new system of waterborne colorants specifically for their paints called Gennex Color Technology. Paint colorants typically use chemicals that make it easier to mix them into different types of paint. However, these chemical components actually weaken the paint’s performance and cause indoor air pollution. Benjamin Moore has removed these chemicals to create a simpler and longer-lasting water-based colorant formula while exceeding the strictest environmental standards. Both AURA and Regal Select use Gennex Color Technology to improve the durability of darker shades and provide Low-vOC and Zero-vOC paints in vibrant, true colors.

What is the highest quality Benjamin Moore paint?

With its superior coverage and advanced ColorLock technology, Benjamin Moore AURA is the brand’s highest quality interior paint. However, when you look at the features of Regal Select paint it is clear that this premium paint also offers reliable performance and a high-quality finish. Whether you choose AURA or Regal, or a combination of both for your home, you’re sure to be pleased with the results.