Best Paint Roller for Walls

Best Paint Roller for Walls Quick Chart

Picture	Name
	Wooster SPR Doo Z 3/8" Nap Good for gloss, high gloss, satin, flat, eggshell Smooth Surfaces
	Purdy 3 Pack 1/2 inch Flat, eggshell, satin, gloss, high gloss Textured Surfaces
	Wooster 3/16" Gloss, high gloss, varnish, enamel Smooth Surfaces
	Wooster Super/Fab 3/4" Textured Surfaces

Editors Choice Best Paint Roller for Walls

1. Wooster Super/Fab 3/4″
2. Purdy 3 Pack 1/2″
3. Wooster 3/16″
4. Wooster SPR Doo Z 3/8″

Best Paint Roller for Walls

Paint Roller Cheat Sheet

Before you check out our recommended rollers below, use our cheat sheet to figure out which kind you need to get the best results.

Paint Finish	Roller
Textured Surface	Long Nap 1/2 to 1"
Smooth Surface	Short Nap or Microfiber 3/16 - 3/8"
Flat/Eggshell	Short Nap Knit 3/16 - 1/2"
Satin	Long/short Nap Knit Depends on Lighting in Room 3/16 - 1/2"
Gloss/High Gloss	Short Nap Woven 3/16 - 3/8"

Best Paint Roller for Textured Walls

Wooster 3/4″

This long nap roller from Wooster is 3/4″ and available in 4-18 inch lengths.  Because of its’ long nap, its perfect for semi rough or rough surfaces, like brick, stucco etc. Despite the long length, the fibers resists matting for excellent and consistent coverage.

The core is made from polypropylene, a type of plastic that provides durability to withstand most tasks you throw at it.

This roller features a knit cover, which holds more paint compared to other roller types—something to keep in mind when loading paint from your tray.

Wooster consistently delivers quality products, which is why we recommend several of their paint rollers below as some of the best options for wall painting.

Runner Up: Best Paint Roller for Textured Walls

Purdy Multi Pack

Purdys paint roller pack is a multi-pack we can get behind.  

The ½-inch nap offers a versatile middle ground, making this roller suitable for most paint finishes. Thanks to the fiber length, it excels particularly on textured surfaces.

We appreciate that these come in 3-packs, providing great value for your money.

Right out of the package, these rollers shed very little to none and hold plenty of paint. The ½-inch nap combined with the woven fabric ensures smooth, even coverage on your surfaces. They’re also easy to clean and maintain.

Just double-check that your roller frame matches these rollers, as they measure 9 inches long and your roller cage might be a different size.

Best Paint Roller for Smooth Finish

Wooster Short Roller Nap

Short roller naps are the best paint rollers for walls if you’re painting gloss or semi gloss.  You can also use them for flat/eggshell.  You should always use a short nap when your surface is smooth.

The Wooster brand features a proprietary material called Doo-Z, made from dense interlocked fibers that resist shedding, splatter, and dripping.

Woosters 3/16″ comes in a variety of lengths from 4″ to 9″ and even in a 12 count multi-pack.  Like all Wooster rollers, this paint roller is shed resistant and comes with a durable plastic inner core. This roller produces one of the smoothest finishes we saw while painting. The interwoven fibers are strong so this roller can be cleaned and reused multiple times, saving cash on new rollers and your projects.

Best Roller for Satin Paint

Wooster 3/8″

The Wooster 3/8″ performs best on smooth surfaces.  We like it for satin paint because the nap is middle of the road and can be used to get pro results for both eggshell and semi gloss.  

This roller delivers one of the smoothest finishes we experienced during painting. Its tightly woven fibers are durable, allowing you to clean and reuse the roller multiple times, which helps save money on replacements and benefits your projects.

Depending on your room’s lighting, your stain paint may appear either eggshell/flat or glossy. The 3/8″ nap handles both finish types effectively, removing any guesswork from the process.

Join our Email List for more Tips and Info!

First Name

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you’re human:

Best Paint Roller for Walls: How to Choose a Paint Roller Buyer’s Guide

You’re getting ready to jazz up your interior for spring and you grab a few rollers, but get less than stellar results.  Uneven paint with bubbles!  Why does this happen?  You followed all the directions for prep and bought good quality paint.

Well, if you’re not using the best paint roller for your walls and paint, your going to get shabby results that you won’t be proud of.

Go through our handy Guide and chart to get yourself the best paint roller for your walls this DIY season.

What is a Paint Roller Cage? 

Different Types of the Best Paint Roller for Walls 

What Size Paint Roller Nap Should I Use?

What Is Nap on a Paint Roller?

“Nap” refers to the length and thickness of the fibers on your paint roller. You can choose from short nap, medium nap, or long nap rollers depending on the type of surface you’re painting and the paint you’re using.

The right roller nap ensures smooth, even coverage—and saves you time and frustration. Below is a complete guide to choosing the best paint roller for your walls, ceilings, or textured surfaces.

Short Nap Rollers: Best for Smooth Surfaces

If you’re painting smooth walls or ceilings, use a short nap roller—typically 3/16” to 3/8”. These rollers are ideal for flat surfaces with no texture, helping you lay down an even coat without creating too much paint build-up.

Pro tip: Microfiber rollers work great on smooth surfaces for ultra-fine finishes.

Long Nap Rollers: Best for Textured Walls or Stucco

Painting rough or textured surfaces like popcorn ceilings, stucco, or textured drywall? You’ll want a long nap roller—between 1/2” and 1”. The longer fibers can reach into the dips and grooves of the texture, allowing for more even paint coverage.

Using a paint sprayer on textured surfaces is another smart option if you’re aiming for maximum uniformity with minimal effort.

Woven vs Knit Paint Rollers

Knowing the difference between woven and knit roller covers will also improve your results:

Woven rollers provide a smoother finish and are the top choice for gloss or semi-gloss paints, where any surface imperfections are more noticeable. These covers are tightly wound to prevent shedding and streaks.

Knit rollers hold more paint and work well for most wall paints like flat, eggshell, and satin finishes. Always choose shed-resistant options to avoid lint in your paint.

Water and Oil Based: What is the Best Paint Roller for Walls for Each?  

For water-based latex or acrylic paints, go with a synthetic roller cover. These are designed to resist matting and hold water-based formulas better.

For oil-based paints, choose a natural fiber roller (like lambswool or mohair) or a natural/synthetic blend like mohair + polyester. These hold and release thicker oil-based paints more effectively.

Are Foam Rollers the Best Paint Rollers for Oil Based Paint? 

No. Foam rollers might seem like a cheap option, but they tend to apply paint unevenly, absorb poorly, and often leave bubbles behind. Avoid foam rollers for both oil and water-based paints if you’re aiming for a professional finish.

Using foam rollers for any kind of paint isn’t going to give you good results.  I find that foam rollers are cheaply made, don’t absorb or apply the paint evenly, and leave bubbles in the finish.   

Best Paint Roller for Walls and Your Paint Finish 

Choosing the right nap based on your paint sheen can make or break your final result:

Gloss paints: Always use a short nap roller (3/16” to 1/4”) to reduce bubbling and create a sleek, high-sheen surface.

Flat, matte, or eggshell finishes: Use a 3/8” to 1/2” nap roller.

Satin or semi-gloss: Use a 1/4” to 3/8” nap roller for smoother application.

Before rolling, I cut in by our switches with a satin based paint.  I want to show you folks how a difference in lighting, even within 2 feet on the SAME wall, can affect the look of a satin finish.

The top cut in looks glossy, and shows the texture on the wall. The lower cut in look flat and appears to hide the texture much better.

So choose your paint finish wisely!  Not sure if I’m a fan of the gloss look on my textured wall so I’ll have to go grab a flat base finish.

Are Power Rollers the Best Paint Rollers for Walls? 

We aren’t big fans of power rollers, although everyone has their own opinion and reason for using one.  We wrote a detailed Buyer’s Guide outlining the Top 4 Power Paint Rollers.  Click the link up to find out more about why we really prefer to use a paint sprayer if we’re going to use a power tool to paint. 

Textured Rollers for Making Patterns 

Patterned walls go in and out of fashion.  You can buy rollers that apply a pattern in the paint as its rolled onto your wall.  Just remember: if you want to change up your wall someday, you will have a ton of work to do to get that wall back to a flat surface for repainting. 

Are Paint Rollers Disposable? 

I mean you could throw away your paint roller after you’re finished using it, but the quality rollers are designed to be cleaned and used over and over again.  It’s more of an investment than a disposable item.   

Its recommended to clean out your roller after each time you paint.  

Let’s be honest.  We all put it in the fridge overnight wrapped in Saran Wrap.  There’s really no harm in it. Just make sure you let it come back up to room temp before using.  This also saves money and water and is better for the environment.

Best Paint Roller for Walls: Does Quality Of a Paint Roller Matter? 

If you’re looking to cover a large area quickly and consistently, the best option if you don’t have a paint sprayer, is to use a paint roller. You can buy them from small (3″) to larger sizes (18″ wide) which covers most surfaces.

How to Pick a Quality Paint Roller

Bounce Back 

Squeeze the roller, if it quickly returns to its normal shape that means it well made. 

Shed or Lint Free and the Duct Tape Test 

Cheaply made roller covers leave nap fibers and link behind on your paint surface.  Yuck.  Grab some duct or masking tape and wrap it around your roller then pull it off and examine how much fiber was left behind. 

All that stuff might end up in your paint and on your wall!  Pass on rollers that shed a ton of fibers or that aren’t labelled “low shedding”. 

Good Quality Cage with Handle 

Choose a good handle plastic or metal cage, they will stand up to everyday use.  Double check that the handle has the option to add an extension rod.

Also make sure there is a strong point where the extension fits into the handle so you know you can roll without worrying about the extension rod coming apart from your paint roller cage/handle. 

Make sure that the handle is ergonomic so your hand, wrist and arm don’t get tired while rolling. 

Size

Pick the right roller length for your job. You can get anything from a couple of inches, up to 4,6,9,12 and even longer rollers. Painting a few large walls? Grab yourself 12 inch or longer roller.

Don’t Cheap Out: What’s included in the Roller Kit

The discount multi packs just won’t give you good results.  Period.  That’s all we have to say about this. 

Material

Cheaper rollers are made of cheaper materials that shed like crazy and will leave lint on your walls. Find a non shedding or lint free roller.

Roller Frame Design

Make sure your roller frame won’t cause fatigue or hurt your hand. Grab one that is ergonomically designed with smoothly rolling ball bearings.

A threaded handle is a must: you attach a long handle into your roller frame so you can reach high and low to paint without bending over all the time. This saves your back and takes less energy to complete your projects.

How Long Does the Best Paint Roller for Walls Last? 

Quality paint rollers will last longer.  They are made to withstand the abuse and paint cleaners/thinners etc. you throw at it when your cleaning it.  How long exactly your roller will last depends on the quality of the roller and how much you’re using it.

What is a No Drip Paint Roller?   

No drip paint rollers are made differently than regular paint rollers.  Instead of pouring your paint into a tray and then rolling the roller back and forth to “pick up” paint evenly, a no drip roller is specially designed.   

It has a “paint chamber” inside the roller that you pour your paint into.  As you roll, the paint comes directly out from the inside of the roller, wetting your roller as you apply it to your wall.  We’ve never used one, not sure if we’re fans.  

How to get a Smooth Finish with a Paint Roller: Tips and Tricks 

How do you get a smother paint finish? There are a few pro tricks before you even start painting, that get you better rolling results. 

First, run the roller over some duct tape or masking tape to grab any loose lint off the roller. 

Always wash rollers in warm soapy water and rinse it out before you get started.  This trick washes away any lint before you start painting for the day. Use a paint roller spinner to remove all the water from your roller before you start painting.

What Causes Roller Marks When Painting?

Roller marks, also known as “lap marks”, happen when a paint roller applies uneven layers of paint. As you roll, the roller gradually releases less paint, which can leave visible lines or streaks on your walls.

Common Reasons for Roller Marks:

• Not reloading your roller often enough
• Overlapping wet and dry areas
• Applying uneven pressure while rolling
• Using the wrong roller nap for the surface
• Letting the paint dry too quickly in between passes

How to Prevent Roller Marks:

Maintain a wet edge: Overlap freshly painted sections while they’re still wet to blend them seamlessly.

Reload your roller frequently: Shorter rolls and more frequent refills give you better paint distribution.

Work in small sections: Paint a manageable area and go back over it gently with a slightly loaded roller to even out the finish.

Use consistent pressure: Avoid pressing too hard or rolling too quickly.

How to Keep a Paint Roller from Drying out

If you’re taking a break from painting—whether it’s for lunch or overnight—you don’t need to wash out your roller right away.

Best Ways to Keep Your Roller from Drying Out:

• Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, a plastic bag, or aluminum foil.
• Make sure it’s sealed completely so no air can get in.
• Store it in a cool, draft-free location—placing it in the refrigerator works great for extended breaks.

When you’re ready to resume, let the roller sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, unwrap it, and you’re good to go.

How do You Remove a Paint Roller?

There are 3 options. The first option is you can use a special tool you have to buy. 2nd is give your paint roller a quick clean in the sink. Then, using your hand, grab the paint roller and push/pull it right off the roller cage. You can then give it a thorough cleaning inside and out.

The 3rd option is to hold the roller cage downward and then hit the roller cage and the roller will pop off. Check out this video here for a demonstration.

Cleaning the Best Paint Roller for Walls

Ever wonder why you just cant seem to get all the paint out of your roller?  It can take forever!  rinsing, squeezing over and over again.  Well, you can actually buy a few tools that make this process super easy.   

These tools work wonders at getting all of the paint out of your roller without much hassle.  Those tools are 5 in 1 tool or a putty knife that basically squeegees the paint right out of all the fibers.   

The second tool is a roller spinner by Purdy  that spins your roller around removing all the water so it dries fast and clean.   

If you’re old school, you can just squeeze the roller with a paper towel to remove excess water and then stand your roller on its end in a ventilated area and let it dry before using again. 

Cleaning Your Roller and Water Based Paint 

Water based paints are easy to clean out of your roller and require just soap and water.   

First, using your 6 in 1 tool or a putty knife scrape all the extra paint off the roller back into your paint can.

Remove roller from your paint roller cage/handle and start rinsing it with water.  Using the 6 in 1 or a putty knife, start scraping the roller all over while rinsing with water.  Once you’ve gotten the paint out of your roller, wash it with gentle soap and water.  When the water and soap run off your roller clear, then its clean.  

You can work excess water out with your putty knife and then either squeeze the roller with some paper towels or use a roller spinner.  Set the roller on its end and let it dry overnight.

Cleaning Your Roller and Oil Based Paint 

Oil based paints require more work to clean them out of your roller.  Unlike water based paints that clean up perfect with just soap and water, you’ll need to have some paint thinner or mineral spirits handy.    

Then, dip your paint roller into a container filled with paint thinner or mineral spirits until the roller cover is clean.  Don’t forget to work in an area that’s ventilated and wear gloves plus goggles when handling paint thinner. 

Once clean, use a paper towel to soak up excess thinner from your roller and wait for it to air dry. 

What is the Best Paint Roller for Walls: Our Recommendation 

Which is the best paint roller for walls? We recommend the Wooster line of paint rollers and tools.

Conclusion 

The best paint roller for walls all depends on what you’re painting and the type of paint you’re using.  Hopefully our guide helped to demystify paint rollers for you.  Now, get painting! 

FAQs